How Quickly Can You Save Your Down Payment?
Saving for a down payment is often the biggest hurdle for a first-time homebuyer. Depending on where you live, median income, median rents, and home prices all vary. So, we set out to find out how long it would take to save for a down payment in each state.
Using data from HUD, Census and Apartment List, we determined how long it would take, nationwide, for a first-time buyer to save enough money for a down payment on their dream home. There is a long-standing ‘rule’ that a household should not pay more than 28% of their income on their monthly housing expense.
By determining the percentage of income spent renting in each state, and the amount needed for a 10% down payment, we were able to establish how long (in years) it would take for an average resident to save enough money to buy a home of their own.
According to the data, residents in Kansas can save for a down payment the quickest, doing so in just over 1 year (1.12). Below is a map that was created using the data for each state:
What if you only needed to save 3%?
What if you were able to take advantage of one of Freddie Mac’s or Fannie Mae’s 3%-down programs? Suddenly, saving for a down payment no longer takes 2 to 5 years, but becomes possible in less than a year in most states, as shown on the map below.
Bottom Line
Whether you have just begun to save for a down payment or have been saving for years, you may be closer to your dream home than you think! Let’s get together to help you evaluate your ability to buy today.
The Top States Americans Moved to Last Year
The Top States Americans Moved to Last Year Some Highlights: Americans are on the move, and the most recent Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns Survey tracked the 2019 traffic flow from state-to-state. Idaho held on to the top spot of ‘high inbound’ states for the...
Great News for Renters Who Want to Buy a Home
Great News for Renters Who Want to Buy a Home Rents in the United States have been skyrocketing since 2012. This has caused many renters to face a tremendous burden when juggling their housing expenses and the desire to save for a down payment at the same time. The...
How Owning a Home Can Make You Happier
Think owning a home can make you happier? It sure can! Let's connect to see if homeownership can brighten your day.
Does “Aging in Place” Make the Most Sense?
Does “Aging in Place” Make the Most Sense? A desire among many seniors is to “age in place.” According to the Senior Resource Guide, the term means, “…that you will be remaining in your own home for the later years of your life; not moving into a smaller home,...
The U.S. expansion, now in its 11th year, will continue through the 2020 presidential election
Strength of the Economy Is Surprising the Experts We’re currently in the longest economic recovery in U.S. history. That has caused some to ask experts to project when the next economic slowdown (recession) could occur. Two years ago, 67% of the economists surveyed by...
The top 10 highest Utah median prices in the fourth quarter by ZIP code
The median single-family home price in Salt Lake County in the fourth quarter increased to $378,000, up 8 percent compared to a median price of $350,000 in 2018's fourth quarter. Strong demand for homes is being driven by net in-migration and population increase. In...
First-Time Buyers Are Searching for Existing Homes This Year
First-Time Buyers Are Searching for Existing Homes This Year In the latest Housing Trends Report, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) measured the share of adults planning to buy a home over the next 12 months. The report indicates the percentage of all...
American Dream Grant
Homeownership matters. That is why the Salt Lake Board of Realtors® this year is giving away down payment housing grants. This is just one way for us to help our community. The next grant is for single parents. The deadline to apply for this grant is March 20.
Utah Real Estate Market Stats for December
An Exceptional Year for Salt Lake’sHousing Market | 2019 Was One of theBest Years in Overall Residential Sales
Attention Utah Home Buyers
2020 Homebuying Checklist Some Highlights: If you’re thinking of buying a home, plan ahead and stay on the right track, starting with pre-approval. Being proactive about the homebuying process will help set you up for success in each step. Make sure to work with a...