Whether it’s too much debt, a lack of savings or a roving lifestyle, there are several reasons why potential homeowners might want to delay a home purchase.
Buying a home is a major life milestone, right up there with snagging a dream job or finding true love. Your heart might be set on becoming a homeowner, but red flags might indicate you’re not yet ready to make the leap.
For many, particularly millennials, homeownership represents much more than a financial investment. In a recent Homes.com survey on millennial attitudes toward homebuying, 74 percent of millennials equate homeownership with stability. Although it will likely take them longer to meet their goal, 68 percent of millennial respondents said they’re likely to buy a home at some point in the future, the survey found.
Whether it’s too much debt, a lack of savings or a roving lifestyle, there are several reasons why potential homeowners might want to delay a home purchase.
Here are four of them — and advice on how to overcome these obstacles.
1. You have too much debt
To get approved for a mortgage, you must show you can handle all of the expenses of owning a home (including the ones that aren’t rolled into your monthly mortgage payments). You also have to meet your other financial obligations, and that might be a challenge if you already have a mountain of debt on your plate, says Jennifer Beeston, branch manager and vice president of mortgage lending with Guaranteed Rate.
“A lot of people approach buying a home in terms of what’s the max they can afford,” Beeston says. “With lenders’ guidelines getting looser, some will accept a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of up to 50 percent, but that’s based on your mortgage payment and debts that show up on your credit report in relation to gross income.”
Beeston adds that DTI calculations don’t take into account expenses such as schooling, day care, income taxes, health care and retirement savings.
How to overcome it:
Pay down your debt to a manageable level. If you’ve accumulated a lot of debt over time, consider a personal loan to consolidate them into one streamlined, and preferably lower-interest, monthly payment. And avoid getting sucked into a new debt trap by cutting spending and diligently paying down debt. A debt-consolidation calculator can help you determine how to strategically consolidate and pay down your debt.
2. Your credit isn’t stellar
Your credit history and credit score are closely linked to the mortgage pricing you’ll receive — and that affects your monthly payments for the life of the loan, says Dan Green, CEO of Growella, a mortgage news and advice website. A good starting point is to give yourself a credit checkup to see where you stand.
“If your credit score is not optimal, you’ll pay more for a mortgage,” Green says. “Your credit score today will have a huge impact on the homes you’re looking at and can afford. It may be sensible to wait to buy and work on your credit.”
How to overcome it:
To boost your credit score, pay your credit cards and other debts on time. Ideally, credit cards should be paid off in full every month. Avoid opening new credit lines unless you’re establishing a credit history. Finally, keep your credit-utilization ratio to 30 percent or less of your available credit limit for each credit account. In other words, your balances shouldn’t exceed 30 percent of your maximum credit limits.
If you’re emotionally and mentally ready to buy a home, there’s likely a home you can buy. The catch: You might have to settle for less than your ideal home if your credit and finances fail to allow you to qualify for it, Green points out.
3. You don’t have enough savings
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Buying a house comes with a lot of upfront expenses that go beyond your monthly mortgage payment. Expect to pay 2 to 4 percent of a home’s purchase price in closing costs. Plus, there’s the down payment (anywhere from 3 to 20 percent of the purchase price, depending on your loan type) and moving expenses to factor in.
But it’s the hidden costs of homeownership that take many new homeowners by surprise. These might include homeowners-association dues, condo/assessment fees, routine maintenance, utility bills and major repairs. Ideally, homeowners should save roughly 1 percent of the home’s purchase price each year for maintenance expenses, says Adam Smith, president of the Colorado Real Estate Finance Group.
Many people don’t have that kind of cash on hand. A recent Bankrate survey found that just 39 percent of Americans would pay for a $1,000 unexpected expense from savings.
How to overcome it:
To save more, pay yourself first by depositing a set amount from each paycheck into a savings account. If you have to start small, that’s OK. Consider opening a high-yield savings account to accrue interest on your cash. Cut back on unnecessary spending such as monthly subscription services, eating out, impulse shopping and other financial vices. Depending on your income and credit profile, you may qualify for homebuyer- assistance programs that can help you pay for a down payment and closing costs for a home.
4. You want a carefree lifestyle
If you’re someone who moves frequently, buying a home might not make financial or practical sense. Lifestyle plays a huge role in the decision to rent versus buy, Smith says. Remember that the bigger the house, the more maintenance and upkeep. If you want to keep things low-key, buying a condo or continuing to rent might make more sense until you’re ready for more responsibility.
Another thing to consider if you don’t tend to sit still: It might be a hassle to sell your home or rent it out eventually. Home values can go up or down over time so there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to sell.
How to overcome it: Take time to consider your lifestyle factors that might affect your housing choices, including whether you plan to move around a lot, your ability to keep up with and pay for maintenance, your commute and current or future family needs.
And take care with buying a house with a partner if you don’t share similar financial and life goals, Beeston says.
“Don’t rush to buy a house because you’re reacting to a life event,” Beeston says. “Take your time. It’s a big purchase, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get what you paid — or more — for it.”