Save for That Down Payment on Your First Home

If you've been dreaming about buying your first home, you've undoubtedly experienced more than a little discouragement, especially when it comes to saving enough money for a down payment. If that describes you, I have some good news: you may be able to get into that home quicker than you realize. Because of all the many loan programs available, you might not need a large down payment. You can buy a home with nothing down if you have a decent income and credit.

A little money in the bank makes your home financing more attainable. You will get better interest rates and lower mortgage costs, plus you will qualify easier. Here are a few suggestions on how to save for your first house.

First, set a realistic savings goal. It's important to set a figure that's attainable if you want to have success, but that will generally mean that your first home will be smaller than your ultimate dream home. But there's nothing unusual about that. It's entirely possible that you won't get your dream home on your first try.

If you've been living in your parents' home, you may be surprised to learn that they probably traded up at least once, and probably more than once, before they were able to move into the home you now know. They worked hard to get where they are, and you're going to have to work just as hard, so don't expect to start at the top. After all, you couldn't afford a $600,000 property with a $30,000 income, anyway, no matter how hard you budgeted, even if you managed to save enough to get into it in the first place.

The next step is to create a plan of attack. Find your affordable target area and then get to know the market in that area. You want to know what's available and how much homes are selling for. In essence, you're becoming a shrewd shopper. You'll know approximately what homes are worth as you drive around the area, because you've done your homework and you've become an expert in that area.

Part of your plan is to set up a budget that includes an honest appraisal of your income and expenses. If they're about even, you'll have to begin economizing somewhere to create a positive cash flow that can be channeled toward your down payment. You'll probably need to pay close attention to your finances for several months to find places where you can trim expenses, but you can do it! Pay down all your credit cards, because they might cost you the chance to qualify for your new home, even after you've accumulated the down payment.

As you're saving, seek out professional help from a knowledgeable real estate agent and a helpful lender. They'll both prove invaluable. There are a number of programs available for first-time homebuyers, and when you finally find the home you want, you'll need as much information as possible about what the seller needs and about your financing options. That way, you can structure an offer that will satisfy the seller's needs while keeping your payments at a manageable level.

It will take time and sacrifice, but millions of buyers have been successful in purchasing their first homes over the years, so there's no doubt that you can do it, too!