Tired of renting? You’re not alone! We all dream of owning a home at some point in life. The only gap separating you and owning your dream house is saving money for a down payment. It is the toughest hurdle to surmount when buying a home. However, saving money for a down payment is easier than you think. If you do it the right way, then your home buying dream can turn into a reality! Setting up priorities right, careful planning and fulfilling the plan can make the whole difference.

Figure Out How Much You Need
First things first! Determine the ultimate prize first before setting your goals. There are plenty of ways to do this. First, you need to figure out the exact down payment required. Secondly, find out the financing programs appropriate for your saving plans. In order to achieve both of these it’s best to contact a lender to assist you. Lastly, you need to understand the period of time necessary to save for down payment. The essence here is to help decide on the amount to save every month. For an average person, saving money for down payment is likely to take years.

Usually, first-time purchasers are eligible for an array of different loan programs. You’ll also need to determine the type of home and price range in order to get a rough idea of how much money you need to save. Once again, it’s advisable to contact a local lender for more information. The lender will provide you with the expected closing rates as well as evaluate your financial options. All this will provide you with the exact amount of money required to own a home.

Have a Budget
Set a budget based on your income and monthly expenses. This will help you keep track of what you spend and where you spend it. With the advent of credit cards, most people have developed habits of spending money on unnecessary items and spending money they don’t have. When people live off of credit cards before they know it they’ll be swimming in debt and high-interest rates. So when you create a budget make sure you stick to it. By doing so you can economize on some costs thus creating a valuable cash flow that can be channeled into your home buying plan.

You will also have to focus on your finances for some time to uncover spots where you can trim costs. Maintain a good credit score or else your dream home may never come true. Bonus point : It’s possible to create a budget using a simple software package such as the excel spreadsheet.

Establish Your Saving Points
Once you have created a budget, it’s easier to evaluate your expenses and decide on places to save. For example, if you spend $3 buying ice cream on a daily basis. You can decide to cut on such cost and start saving. Within a single year, you will have saved over $1000.

If you can’t do without the ice cream, then consider buying in bulk and keeping it in your freezer. Buying things in bulk is another effective way to reduce daily expenses. If coffee tops on your “must-have list,” then make it yourself. Also, try creating automatic deposits for saving money. Trust me, it does wonders.

Start Making Money
Use your money to make money. Start investing in low-risk ventures such as credit card rewards, municipal bonds, and many more. You can also sell unused personal items such as jewelry and wears. The money won’t be enough to fund the whole down payment plan but it’s a good place to start. Thanks to the ever-changing technology, now you can sell such items online through various websites or apps. A second job can be another good alternative to make money.

Set Deadlines
Once everything is in place, the next thing is to have a specific timeline for achieving your home buying plans. Have a realistic timeline that meets your expectations. However, life can be full of surprise at times. Consider having a cushion in your timeline to count for unforeseen expenses. Your dream home is possible once you attain your down payment goals.

Final Thoughts
It will take time and sacrifice to save for a down payment to obtain your dream home. However, with a good plan, saving money is more possible than you think. At the end of it all, you will happy you made the sacrifice to obtain the American dream of home ownership.

How to Save Money for a Down Payment by Michelle Gibson | Realty Biz News