20 Percent down: Not for New Home Buyers

Filed in Buying a Home on Aug.05, 2010

Mortgage experts for many years have advised and advertised the essential need to place 20 percent down on a new home purchase. This has been so frequently drilled into most people’s minds that the 20 percent rule is now simply accepted. However, new arguments exist that deter from this strategy beyond future avoidance of damaging perosnal credit and the need for future bad credit loans. The following are some reasons why you may not agree with the 20 percent rule either.

* Finding a home that costs less than $200,000 is difficult at best. Even at this unusual price, 20 percent down requires you to have a minimum of $40,000 on hand. This can be an arduous task, and for many, it is simply impossible. The only other alternative for such a significant amount is to borrow it from a retirement fund or other savings vehicle.

* Saving so much money likely will require many years. Throughout that time, your dream home may sell to another buyer or increase in price.

* The money devoted to a huge down payment is probably better served in another manner. Whether this means developing an emergency fund, saving for retirement or conducting crucial repairs to an existing home, those are more valuable alternatives. Saving is most crucial during a person’s early years, and putting money aside for a down payment means other life areas are being neglected.

* The time required for such a down payment may be spent on rent instead of applying it toward home equity. This can further reduce your financial power by negating your tax return deductions through a lack of mortgage interest.

Do Not Become Burdened by the Cost of a Dream Home

A home mortgage can be akin to tying your hands together, but saving for such may be even more detrimental. You must ensure that you do not buy a home that you cannot comfortably afford. Life becomes quite sober when you cannot pay for a small vacation or afford to fix an inoperable furnace.

In short, many reasons exist why you should not provide a 20 percent payment when purchasing a new home. Other investment options may be a smarter choice, and you may save yourself a lot of time in getting into your dream home more quickly. While going into a home without a down payment is risky, not investing your money wisely is also dangerous. Determine how to combine your assets so they work optimally for you. This will help you realize your dream home and other financial goals.

Tags: Home and Mortgage, home mortgages, mortgage, mortgage debt mortgage fees

Home Mortgage and Refinancing

Refinancing home mortgage, refinance home loan, mortgage loan, home equity loan