Why Now May Be the Right Time to Buy Your First House

Do the Math: Buying a home now may be more affordable and save some cash

At a time when the strength of the U.S. economy and personal finance is on most renters’ minds, low down payment mortgage options are more appealing than ever. With mortgage interest rates being at historic lows, it is possible to qualify for a home loan while keeping a rainy day fund.

Private mortgage insurance (MI) has been around for decades and helped over 1.3 million homebuyers last year. It is a temporary cost that allows for a down payment as small as 3% of the purchase price. While some borrowers wait until they save 20% for a down payment, the added years of saving can translate to higher interest rates and more expensive home prices.

Renters who are on the hunt to buy should do the math and consider what is best for them, because many times they will find that buying with a low down payment insured mortgage is in their best interest. It may enable them to attain homeownership sooner than they otherwise could, which helps them take advantage of historic low rates and keep some of their savings intact,” said Lindsey Johnson, President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI).

If you are one of these renters looking to buy your first home but don’t have 20% down, don’t worry, you are not alone. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median down payment in 2019 was 6% for first-time buyers.

It is true you can qualify for a conventional mortgage with a down payment as small as 3% of the purchase price. In today’s market, it could take a family earning the national median income up to 21 years to save 20%, according to calculations by USMI.

How can buying now save you money later?

Consider you want to purchase a $275,000 home. When you account for closing costs (about 3% of the sales price), a 5% down payment is $13,750 versus $63,250 in cash for 20% down. With a 740 credit score at today’s MI rates, your monthly MI payment would be about $115, which is added to your monthly mortgage payment until the MI can be cancelled. MI typically cancels after five years.

With home price appreciation, today’s $275,000 home will likely cost more in the years ahead. This will also have an impact on the necessary down payment and length of time required to save for it. There are other variables in the equation too, such as interest rates. As interest rates rise, so too will the cost of mortgage financing.

Not all MI is the same. Importantly, so-called “FHA Loans” are government-backed loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration versus a private insurer. These mortgages require a slightly higher down payment, the insurance is permanent, and the monthly premiums generally cannot be cancelled.

Make sure you do the math. There are many online mortgage calculators that can help. Check out lowdownpaymentfacts.org to learn more. (BPT)

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