Everything you need to know about buying a home — on one index card.

A home is often the biggest financial investment you’ll make in your lifetime. In fact, a recent Zillow analysis reports that the typical American homeowner has 40% of their wealth tied up in their home.

Several years ago, I wrote a complete guide to financial planning on one index card, which went viral and later became a book: “The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated” (co-written with Helaine Olen).

Now, following up on my original index card, I’ve written a guide on buying a house. Below is the housing index card — a handy resource to print and take with you as you look at houses or think about buying one — plus some additional advice as you contemplate making the big decision.

Photo by Harold Pollack.

1. Buy for the long run

A home is a significant investment, not to mention a linchpin of stability. According to the Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report 2017, the majority of Americans who sold their homes last year had lived in their home for at least a decade before selling.

Some are even staying for the long haul. Almost half (46%) of all homeowners are like me — living in the first home we ever purchased. In short: Buy a home you want to live in for at least five years — one equipped (or ready to be equipped) with the features and space you need, both now and in the future.

2. Buy to improve your life, not speculate with money

Your home is more than a financial investment; it’s where you sleep, eat, host friends, raise your children — it’s where your life happens.

The housing market is too unpredictable to buy a (primary) home purely because you think it will net a big short-term financial return. You will most likely be living in this home for several years, regardless of how it appreciates, so your first priority should be finding a home that will meet your needs and help you build the life you want.

3. Focus on what’s important to you

Today’s housing market is short on inventory, with 10% fewer homes on the market in November 2017 than November 2016.

So, focus on finding a home you can afford that meets your needs — but don’t get distracted by shiny features that might break your budget. Nice-to-have features often drive up the price tag for things you don’t particularly value once the initial enjoyment wears off.

Make a list of your basic needs, both for your desired home and for your desired neighborhood. Stick to finding a home that meets these needs, without buying extra stuff that adds up.

4. Set a budget and stick to it

It’s important to set a budget early — ideally before you even start looking at homes. In today’s market, especially in the more competitive markets, it’s incredibly easy to go over budget — 29% of buyers who purchased last year did.

The most common culprit? Location. Zillow’s data indicates that urban buyers are significantly more likely to go over budget (42%) than suburban (25%) or rural (20%) buyers.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. Local schools matter, and psychologists tell us that a short commute improves your life. But be realistic about your local market and about yourself. Know what you’re willing to compromise on — be it less square footage, home repairs or a different neighborhood.

5. Aim for a 20% down payment

If you can afford it, a 20% down payment is ideal for three reasons:

  • Buyers who don’t put a full 20% down pay a premium, most commonly in the form of private mortgage insurance (PMI). This is less financially punishing than it used to be, given today’s low mortgage rates. A monthly mortgage payment(with PMI) may be lower than a monthly rental payment in many markets — but still.
  • Buyers who put more down upfront typically make fewer offers and buy faster than those who put less down. Zillow research found that buyers with higher down payments make 1.9 offers on average, compared to 2.4 offers for buyers with lower down payments (after controlling for market conditions).
  • A higher down payment reduces your financial risk. You don’t want to owe more money than your house is worth if local markets dip when you need to sell.

6. Keep a six-month strategic reserve

While a down payment is a significant expense, it’s also important to build up a strategic reserve and keep it separate from your normal bank account.

This reserve should cover six months of living expenses in case you get sick, face an unexpected expense or lose your job. A strategic reserve will not only save you from financial hardship in an emergency but also provide peace of mind.

When we accumulated a strategic reserve, my wife and I finally felt ready to build for our future. Without it, we were living from paycheck to paycheck, anxiously managing our cash flow rather than saving or budgeting.

7. Get pre-approved, and stick with a fixed-rate mortgage

The pre-approval process requires organizing all your paperwork; documenting your income, debt and credit; and understanding all the loan options available to you. It’s a bit of a pain, but it saves time later. Getting pre-approved also shows sellers that you’re a reliable buyer with a strong financial footing. Most importantly, it helps you understand what you can afford.

There are a variety of mortgage types, and it’s important to evaluate all of them to see which is best for your family and financial situation. Those boring 30- and 15-year mortgages offer big advantages.

The biggest is locking in your mortgage rate. In short: A 30-year fixed mortgage has a specific fixed rate of interest that doesn’t change for 30 years. A 15-year fixed mortgage does the same.

These typically have lower rates but higher monthly payments, since you must pay it off in half the time. Conventional fixed-rate mortgages help you manage your household budgeting because you know precisely how much you’ll be paying every month for many years. They’re simple to understand, and current rates are low.

One final advantage is that they don’t tempt you with a low initial payment to buy more house than you can afford.

8. Comparison shop to get the best mortgage

Though a home is the biggest purchase many of us will ever make, most home buyers don’t shop around for a mortgage (52% consider only a single lender).

I certainly didn’t. This did save me some annoying calls and hassle, but it cost me $40 or $50 every month, for years. The difference of half a percentage point in your mortgage rate can add up to thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the loan. It’s important to evaluate all the available options to make sure you’re going with the lender who meets your needs — not just the first one you contact.

The three most important factors are that the lender offers a loan program that caters to their specific needs (76%), has the most competitive rates (74%) and has a history of closing on time (63%).

9. Spend no more than a third of your after-tax income

It’s better to regret spending too little on your home than spending too much. One-third of your after-tax income is a manageable amount. This isn’t always possible if you live in a place like San Francisco or New York, but it’s still a good yardstick for where to be.

10. Be willing to walk away

Buying a home is a time-consuming, stressful but ultimately rewarding endeavor — if you end up closing on a home that meets your needs. But it’s important to manage your expectations in case you don’t immediately find a home you can afford with the features you need.

Always be prepared to walk away if the sellers don’t accept your offer, the home doesn’t pass a rigorous inspection or the timing isn’t right. Hold fast to your list of must-haves, stick to what you can afford and don’t overreach or settle.

It’s no tragedy to miss out on any particular house. Remember that you’re playing the long game. You want to be happy 10 years from now.

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Real estate constructionGerardo Sanmiguelrita bosWish QuotesTrevor
 
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Real estate construction
Real estate construction
 

Thanks for giving this information. It is very helpful information.

 
 
Gerardo Sanmiguel
Gerardo Sanmiguel
 

Very helpful, thanks

 
 
rita bos
rita bos
 

A great blog to read. it is really helpful when it comes to buying a house. thank you so much for this information. taking a suggestion from any Real estate agent also will be useful here. is anyone needs to consult any agent then visit

 
 
Wish Quotes
Wish Quotes
 

article is straight to the point. I cant agree more. In my country, many people fail in control their budget, then almost my friends get trouble with loan. Thank you for sharing anyway.

 
 
Trevor
Trevor
 

Thanks for such wonderful information

 
 
Estelia Mesimer - RE/MAX Metro, St. Petersburg, FL
Estelia Mesimer – RE/MAX Metro, St. Petersburg, FL
 

Enjoyed your no-nonsense article. There’s an old saying about being “house poor” – you own a nice house, but that’s about it. A professional realtor can be a big help to buyers to keep them on track of what they can and cannot afford. I’ve been in business a long time and have guided countless buyers here in St. Petersburg. Any questions? Please give me call.

 
 
Tony Pynes
Tony Pynes
 

And always hire an inspector…especially for new homes.

 
 
neha
neha
 

Thanks for a great such a nice one information.this is a great blog and good job.

 
 
Johnson Scarlett
Johnson Scarlett
 

Very helpful.

 
 
emily
emily
 

Is it wise to go ahead and purchase a home (mortgage) while trying to sell current home. The place I am seeking has homes come up for sale few and far between as its a retirement community. I can make a 20% down payment, am preapproved for mortgage. When this home sells I can pay it off.

 
 
Jean
Jean
 

The information is very important. I’m looking forward to buy my first home this year. Thanks for sharing

 
 
Mark Shaw - VIP Mortgage, Inc.
Mark Shaw – VIP Mortgage, Inc.
 

Many people try to stretch as far as they can to purchase a home. It’s always a good idea to live comfortably below your means so that you can survive many of life’s unforeseeable bumps in the road.

 
 
The Legacy Team - Orlando Real Estate Agents
The Legacy Team – Orlando Real Estate Agents
 

All of these are but true. Nowadays, we really do need to figure out what you can afford, save for down payment, and closing costs. But most importantly is to strengthen your credit score. This will help you a lot in buying the home that you like most.

 
 
Real Estate Photo Editing Service
Real Estate Photo Editing Service
 

Your article is straight to the point. I cant agree more. In my country, many people fail in control their budget, then almost my friends get trouble with loan. Thank you for sharing anyway