Not Sure If You’re Ready To Buy a Home? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions

If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to become a homeowner in the next twelve months, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates, home prices, the current state of the economy, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make. It’s a lot.

But here’s what you need to remember. While housing market conditions are definitely a factor in your decision, your own personal situation and your finances matter too. As an article from NerdWallet says:

“Housing market trends give important context. But whether this is a good time to buy a house also depends on your financial situation, life goals and readiness to become a homeowner.”

So, instead of trying to time the market, focus on what you can control. Here are a few questions that can give you clarity on whether or not you’re ready to make your move.

1. Do you have a stable job?

Buying a home is a big commitment. You’re going to take out a home loan stating you’ll pay that loan back. Knowing you have a reliable job and a steady stream of income is important and will give you peace of mind for a purchase so large.

2. Have you figured out what you can afford?

If you have a reliable paycheck coming in, the next thing to figure out is what you can afford. This depends on your budget, spending habits, debts, and more.

At this point, it helps to talk with a trusted lender. They’ll be able to tell you about the pre-approval process and what you’re qualified to borrow, current mortgage rates and your approximate monthly payment, closing costs, and other expenses you’ll want to budget for. That way, you have a good idea of what to expect.

3. Do you have an emergency fund?

As you crunch your numbers, you'll want to make sure you have enough cash left over in case of emergency. Think about it. You don’t want to overextend on the house, and then not be able to weather a storm if one comes along. It’s not a fun topic, but it’s an important one. As CNET says:

“You’ll want to have a financial cushion that can cover several months of living expenses, including mortgage payments, in case of unforeseen circumstances, such as job loss or medical emergencies.”

4. How long do you plan to live there?

It was mentioned above, but buying a home comes with some upfront expenses. And while you’ll get that money back (and more) as you gain equity, that process takes some time. If you plan to move again soon, you may not recoup your full investment.

So, how long should you stay put in an ideal world? Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

“Five years is a good, comfortable mark. If the price of your home appreciates considerably, then even three years would be fine.”

So, think about your future. If you’re going to live there for a while, it may make sense to go for it. But, if you’re looking to sell and move within a year or two because you’re planning to transfer to a new city with that promotion you’ve been working so hard for, or you anticipate you'll need to move to take care of family, those are things to factor in.

5. Do you have a team of real estate professionals in place?

If you do, great. But if you don’t, finding a trusted local agent and a lender is a good first step. Having the right team can make figuring out everything else easier. The pros can talk you through your options and help you decide if you’re ready to make your move, or if you have a few more things to get in order first.