Tips To Buy A Home In Your 20s, 30s, And 40s

Make a broad plan. “My advice: Pay yourself first, then pay your bills, then you can have what’s left over for fun. If you have nothing left over for fun, then cut your bills or find a way to earn more money,” says Clark Bowman of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in Sarasota, FL. “Save at least $5,000 to $10,000, then stop renting and buy your first house. Take out an FHA loan with 3.5% down or a conventional loan with 5% down. Look for a foreclosure or short sale that has some equity built in already. Then find a real estate agent who knows how to get you into the home of your dreams.”

Conquer the mortgage monster early, and choose your weapon wisely. “As a first-time buyer, it’s important to complete a preapproval early to determine what types of loans are available to you,” says Jason Knee, senior loan officer at Citizens Bank in Marlton, NJ. “It often makes sense to evaluate a few loan options, while considering the length of time you are likely to own the home. Fixed rates are the most popular, but if you plan to keep the home for less than 10 years, it may make sense to consider an adjustable-rate mortgage.”

Check your credit report. “One of the most important things you should do months ahead of home-buying season is to check your credit reports at Annualcreditreport.com. There, you can obtain your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reports for free,” says SaraEllen Hutchison, an attorney in Seattle, WA. Hutchison represents individuals with legal claims under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a consumer protection measure. “It’s awful to find out right when you’re trying to buy your dream home that someone else’s collection accounts and bad debts are littered all over your credit report. This is often the result of a ‘mixed credit file,’ where the credit-reporting agency mixes up your credit file with someone else’s credit file in their big databases. Many younger and first-time homebuyers mistakenly believe that they should go to a credit-repair company and pay hundreds of dollars or more to ‘repair’ their credit in this situation. That’s the last place you should go if you have good credit but someone else is the problem.”

Consider a new-construction home. New homes need much less maintenance and should not need any major improvements for years to come. They also are more energy-efficient and save on your energy costs. Plus, many builders offer help with closing costs and have different financing options with their preferred lenders. But there are other benefits too. Your homeowners insurance could be cheaper as well.

Make sure you have a financial cushion for unexpected costs. In your 20s, saving your down payment can be a strain. But you’ll also have the additional costs of homeownership: furnishing your home, buying lawn equipment, maintenance, and more. It’s important to understand these potential costs and plan for them. One option? Ask the sellers to include a home warranty — even if you’re buying new construction. “For a financially stretched first-time homebuyer, it’s important to know that a home warranty covers what homeowners insurance doesn’t: the repair and replacement of home systems and appliances,” says Dave Quandt, vice president of field operations at American Home Shield, a warranty provider.

Think long term. “Ask yourself: ‘How long do I plan on staying in this home?’” suggests Joan Kagan, sales manager at TripleMint Real Estate in New York, NY. “With closing costs, broker fees, and changing market conditions, you may not make a profit if you sell again after just a few years.” Most experts suggest buyers stay put for at least five years. That lets you build equity and gives your real estate investment time to increase in value.

Reevaluate your priorities. Upgrading to a larger home is often a priority for 30-something homebuyers. But don’t just think about how much space you’ll need. “Consider school district, quality of life, and access to major routes of transportation and amenities,” says Michael Kelczewski, a real estate agent with Brandywine Fine Properties Sotheby’s International Realty in Wilmington, DE. “Use caution when buying bigger,” agrees Dan Garrison, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Charleston, SC. “Just because you may be able to afford more now doesn’t always make it the correct decision for your budget.”

Don’t overimprove your home. “When purchasing a home in need of upgrades, be careful not to overimprove for the neighborhood,” says Emily Restifo, a real estate agent in New Canaan, CT. “While buyers may appreciate the nickel faucets and the high-end finishes, they will not pay for them beyond the value of the area.”

Time your home sale with your next home purchase. “Buying and selling a home at the same time can be a scary task,” says Jason Knee. “Timing is important, and having a seasoned real estate agent will prove to be valuable here. Often, they will negotiate on your behalf to give you time to vacate your home after selling. This certainly makes the moving process a little easier.”

Focus on your lifestyle, not your age. “Buyers in their 40s have tough decisions depending on where they are in their stage of life,” says Garrison. “I have worked with 41-year-old buyers who have a 3-year-old at home, and 49-year-old buyers that have a teenager ready to start searching for colleges. Both have drastically different current and future budgets for home buying.” Bottom line? Your real estate decisions in your 40s should reflect your needs right now. But if you have teenagers, suggests Garrison, “Consider a smaller property, as you may be an empty nester sooner than you think.”

Don’t assume it’s too early to downsize. If you have young children, this might not resonate with you, but for many 40-somethings, the empty-nest phase is right around the corner. “A lot of people this age are busy, enjoy traveling, and don’t want to be consumed with a lot of home and yard maintenance,” says Lisa Sinn, a real estate agent with Keller Williams in San Antonio, TX. “Generally, when people downsize, their mortgage payments are lower and so are their monthly expenses. That frees up money for lifestyle upgrades, traveling, saving for retirement, etc.”

Get serious about paying off that mortgage. “Shorter-term loans tend to be more appropriate for those in their 40s and beyond,” says Knee. “If most of the major life expenses are behind you, it may make sense to start paying your home off sooner.” Knee urges not to forget that having a mortgage does provide tax benefits, though. Be sure to speak with a financial adviser to find out the implications of early payoff. “In some cases, paying your loan off too soon might not be the right fit for you,” he says.

Consider investing in real estate. If you can afford to buy a second home in a resort area, renting it out can generate additional income and an opportunity to enjoy the property yourself. With apps, websites, and social media, managing and marketing vacation properties is easier than ever, says Kelczewski. But don’t take on a second property if it means putting less cash toward retirement.