Real Estate Investing
Here’s How To Get A Mortgage You Can Actually Afford
So, you’ve finally decided to purchase a home. After years of contemplating if you should buy or rent, then saving, building your credit etc, it’s now time to dive in and get it.
Purchasing a home is exciting. After years of dreaming, you’re finally getting a place that you can call your own.
It’s really easy to get caught up in the excitement making you forget to ask one crucial question – how much “home” can you really afford?
…and, once you decide how much you can afford, you should stick to it. It’s all too easy to decide on a price, then find the home of your dreams is only $25,000 more. Then you start thinking, “we can make this work…” But, can you really?
According to statistics, the median monthly mortgage payment for homeowners in the U.S. is $1,030. That’s a lot of money.
While you may love the fabulous kitchen or huge backyard one house offers – if you can’t pay the mortgage every month or get the cash to fix what’s broken, your home’s never going to be a blessing.
The good news is, determining how much ‘house’ you can afford isn’t rocket science. You can use the four tips here and utilize online tools to help you figure things out.
Build a Solid Foundation
There are countless people who have gone broke by buying a house simply because they believe it’s the “grown-up” thing to do. However, life events such as having a baby or getting married aren’t reasons to buy a house.
The time will be right when the money is right. Before trying to figure out how much house you can afford, be sure you are financially ready to purchase a home.
To do this, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you debt free and have an emergency fund of three to six months put back
- Do you have enough cash to cover moving expenses and closing costs?
- Can you afford a 15-year-fixed-rate mortgage?
- Can you make a 10 to 20 percent down payment?
- Do you have enough money to set aside each month into passive investments above and beyond your mortgage?
If you answered “no” to any of the questions above, it may not be the right time to purchase a home. Wait until you have a better financial foundation.
If you are currently financially stable, then move on to the next tip.
Maximize Your Down Payment
One of the biggest costs in a new mortgage is PMI or MIP. Both of these are different ways of saying that you need to pay an extra fee every month because you didn’t put enough down.
If you can get to 20% or more, then you won’t have to pay mortgage insurance for the lender. This can save you hundreds of dollars per month.
When buying a home, remember – the more money you can put down, the better. Higher down payments mean lower mortgage payments every month and the ability to pay your home off faster.
While the best option is to pay 100 percent of the home cost in cash, this isn’t viable for most. If this is the case, then try to put down at least 20 percent. By doing this, you can avoid paying for private mortgage insurance.
Calculate the Costs
All you need to do to figure out what you can afford when it comes to buying a home is to crunch a few numbers. If you need help with this, consider using a mortgage calculator with down payment, which will help you figure things out.
If you want to do things manually, consider the following:
- Add up all the income you bring in every month. If you bring home $2,000 per month, and your spouse makes $3,000, then your total monthly take-home pay is $5,000.
- Multiply your total monthly take-home pay by 25 percent to determine your maximum mortgage payment.If you are bringing home $5,000 per month, then it means that your mortgage payment should not be over $1,250 each month, including insurance and taxes.
Remember, your bank or lender will tell you that you can afford WAY more than that. In fact, some loans allow you to get to 40% or even 50% of your income going toward loans. While they may allow it, it isn’t financially smart to borrow every dollar you can afford.
Don’t Forget About Maintenance and Capital Expenditures
When comparing if you should rent or buy, most people look at the total rent, compare it to the mortgage, and say it’s better to buy a house.
What you are forgetting is that rent includes all the maintenance costs in a home whereas a mortgage does not.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s good to plan on spending around 1% – 2% of the total home value every year in maintenance and CapEx.
Major capital expenses are things like a roof or HVAC that last for several years. Even though you might have 10 years left on your roof, you should start saving for it now, along with the dozens of other major items that will not last forever.
So, if your home is $200,000, you should think about adding another $2,000-$4,000 per year in maintenance and capex. You definitely won’t be spending this much every year, but what you don’t spend now will be spent in a year or two when you have to replace a $12,000 roof, replace a garage door, etc.
If you have higher end appliances and fixtures, you should be more toward the 2% whereas standard grade homes can be closer to the 1% mark.
Conclusion
When you know your numbers, you will be able to shop for a mortgage and a home with confidence. Trying to determine what you can afford without considering the tips here may leave you with a home that’s going to cause you financial hardship in the future.
Remember, buying a home is not an investment, it is an emotional decision. Once you recognize that, you can begin to take it seriously and make decisions based on actual facts, rather than be driven entirely by your desires. If you base everything on the emotions involved with buying a home, you’ll dive right into a mortgage that you can’t really afford.
This article originally appeared on IdealREI. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
By Sheryl Chapman
As we all know, the economy can be unpredictable at times. Recession is a common phenomenon that can affect the investments in your portfolio.
But don’t worry, there are some sectors that are likely to perform well—even during a recession. Here are five recession-proof investments that you can consider adding to your portfolio.
(Editor’s note***********:************ If you wanna learn how to start investing for retirement, check out the free lessons inside the academy! 📺)*
1. Consumer staples
Consumer staples are products that are essential to our daily lives, such as food, household goods, and personal care items.
These products are in constant demand, regardless of the economic climate. Companies that produce these items, such as Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola, are considered recession-proof investments.
These companies have a stable revenue stream that can weather economic downturns.
2. Utilities
Utilities are another recession-resistant investment. People need electricity, gas, and water, regardless of the state of the economy.
Utility companies, such as Duke Energy and American Electric Power, have a steady stream of revenue and provide investors with a reliable source of income.
3. Healthcare
The healthcare industry is recession-proof because it provides essential services that people cannot do without. Companies that provide healthcare services or products, such as Johnson & Johnson and UnitedHealth Group, are likely to remain profitable during a recession.
4. Gold
Gold is a safe-haven investment that many investors turn to during times of economic uncertainty. Gold prices tend to rise during recessions because it is seen as a store of value. Investors can buy physical gold, gold ETFs, or invest in gold mining stocks.
GUIDE: 3 Ways To Invest In Gold In 3 Minutes Or Less 🔑📲
5. Treasury bonds
Treasury bonds are considered to be one of the safest investments during a recession.
These bonds are issued by the US government and are backed by the full faith and credit of the government. Treasury bonds provide a fixed income and are considered to be a low-risk investment.
In conclusion, these five investments are considered to be recession-proof because they provide essential products or services that people cannot do without.
Adding these investments to your portfolio can provide stability during times of economic uncertainty.
Airbnb has revolutionized the travel industry by providing an affordable and unique way for travelers to experience different destinations.
With over 7 million listings worldwide, it’s safe to say that Airbnb has become one of the most popular ways for travelers to find lodging.
However, as a host, one of the most challenging decisions you’ll face is determining the right price for your listing.
Pricing your Airbnb listing correctly is critical to your success as a host, as it can make or break your profitability.
Here are some tips to help you price your Airbnb listing for maximum profit:
Know Your Market
Before you set your price, it’s essential to research the market in your area. Look at other listings in your neighborhood, paying attention to the size of the property, amenities, and location. Check the availability of your competitors and the average price they charge. This information will help you determine your pricing strategy and ensure that your listing is competitive.
Consider Seasonal Demand
Seasonal demand plays a significant role in the pricing of your Airbnb listing. During peak seasons, such as holidays, festivals, and major events, you can charge higher rates. Conversely, during low seasons, you’ll need to lower your prices to attract guests. Keep track of events happening in your area and adjust your prices accordingly.
Offer Discounts
Offering discounts is an effective way to attract guests and increase your occupancy rate. Consider offering discounts for extended stays, early bookings, or last-minute reservations. You can also offer discounts to guests who leave a positive review or refer new guests to your listing.
Calculate Your Costs
To ensure that your pricing strategy is profitable, you need to calculate your costs. Take into account expenses such as cleaning fees, utilities, maintenance, and taxes. Factor in your time and effort as well. Your goal is to set a price that will cover all your costs while still allowing you to make a profit.
Be Flexible
Finally, be flexible with your pricing strategy. Test different prices and see how they affect your occupancy rate and profitability. Monitor your competition regularly and adjust your prices accordingly. Remember that the market is constantly changing, and your pricing strategy needs to adapt to stay competitive.
In conclusion, pricing your Airbnb listing for maximum profit is a crucial aspect of your success as a host. By researching your market, considering seasonal demand, offering discounts, calculating your costs, and being flexible, you can set the right price for your listing and maximize your profitability.
Happy hosting!
5 REITs that own iconic buildings you can buy today
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are companies that own and operate income-generating real estate properties.
Investing in REITs has become an increasingly popular way to own a piece of the real estate market without having to buy individual properties.
And you can buy them in the next 5 minutes on the NYCE app…with $5 or less.
Here are five REITs that own iconic buildings across the United States that you can invest in today:
- Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT) – ESRT owns the famous Empire State Building in New York City, as well as several other properties in the city.
- Vornado Realty Trust (VNO) – VNO owns the iconic 555 California Street building in San Francisco, which was once the tallest building on the West Coast.
- Boston Properties, Inc. (BXP) – BXP owns several iconic buildings in the United States, including the John Hancock Tower in Boston and the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco.
- SL Green Realty Corp. (SLG) – SLG owns several iconic properties in New York City, including One Vanderbilt, which is currently the fourth-tallest building in the city.
- Macerich Company (MAC) – MAC owns several high-end shopping centers across the United States, including the iconic Santa Monica Place in California.
************************************************************************************************LEARN: How to own real estate with $1000 or less.
Investing in REITs can provide diversification and potentially higher returns than investing in individual properties. However, as with any investment, it is important to do your research and understand the risks involved.
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