The way a person manages their household finances can have a deep impact on their life. Unfortunately, money managing skills are not something that most people are taught as they grow up. Managing money is less a matter of mastering paperwork and numbers and more about psychology. It has to do with the mindset a person has toward money. This mindset is what allows a person to successfully manage their household finances, even when money is tight. The following are a few tips that could make managing a tight budget easier. 

Take Advantage of Available Resources 

Going into debt temporarily may be less expensive in the long run than giving up equity. This means that managing household finances could involve temporarily borrowing money to be able to keep up with car payments, mortgage payments, or cover small business expenses. 

Short-term quick personal loans are a useful resource that allows borrowers to cover immediate household expenses and allow some breathing room to make better long-term decisions. In many cases, these loans are preferable to racking up credit card debt.

Other available resources could include friends and family members who are able to provide temporary financial assistance. Another option is looking at programs offered by governmental agencies to provide temporary financial assistance to help cover living expenses. 

The Importance of Setting Goals 

When finances are tight, thinking about setting financial goals may be the farthest thing from your mind. However, if you do not have goals, you will never go anywhere. When going through financial difficulties, it is especially important to set short-term goals as well as long-term goals. Short-term goals may mean determining which items are considered necessities and which ones are luxuries. You can then prioritize your financial decisions based on this. 

Likely, your most pressing financial goal is to cover your current expenses. This would include things like your mortgage or rent, your car payment, your food, your cell phone, and household supplies. Long-range goals would include things like paying off debt, retirement savings, investments, and charitable donations. 

Make Small Cuts Across the Board for a Large Impact 

You know you need to cut expenses from your budget if you’re going to be able to stay afloat. During a financial crisis, you've likely gotten rid of your cable television, your gym membership, and extra entertainment. But there’s still more that you can do. 

Look at the items that you have budgeted as essential, such as food, gasoline, and utilities. It is likely that you can shave off between $5 and $10 off of each category per month. At the grocery store, it can be something as simple as taking one item out of your cart. With your car, it may mean conserving fuel and driving one or two fewer places. With your utilities, it could be something as simple as slightly lowering the temperature on the thermostat. Doing this could mean saving between $15 and $30 a month. Put this money into your savings or invest it. You will be surprised at how big of an impact the small cuts will have over a longer period of time. 

Get a Side Hustle 

Maybe you have cut every which way you can and just can’t cut out anymore. Still, it seems like you can’t make ends meet. Now might be the time for you to join the gig economy. Start a side hustle for a source of income outside of your primary job. 

A lot of side gigs can be performed at home in your spare time. Think about the type of employment you’re already doing. Think about your hobbies and the things that you enjoy doing. Now ask yourself, how can I monetize these? Some popular forms of gig employment include data entry, graphic design, and freelance writing. 

Managing your household finances, especially when money is tight, is a challenge, but it can be done. It is imperative that you identify your priorities and then use those priorities to create a value-based spending plan and a value-based savings plan. This will make you savvier with how you spend your money and will allow you to save more.

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest milestones in your life. Unfortunately, it can take years to save up for the required down payment – experts suggest that you have at least 20% of your home’s purchase price prior to beginning your house search. This number is inaccessible to many people, especially a first-time home buyer or return buyers still paying off the mortgage on their current home. Soaring home prices across the country also make it difficult for prospective homeowners to meet the 20% mark.

Despite these conditions, there is hope for prospective homeowners throughout Washington. Many mortgage providers offer options with low down payments for first-time and return buyers. Mortgages with low down payments can give home buyers a bit of wiggle room when they are saving up for their first or second home mortgage.

What Is a Down Payment?

If you are a first-time home buyer, you may not be familiar with how down payments work in the housing market. Simply put, a down payment is the cash money you will need to pay to the home seller to secure your purchase. Mortgage loans will pay for the remaining cash needed to cover the entire purchase price.

Mortgage lenders calculate down payments as a percentage of the entire house price. Generally, the higher the down payment you make, the lower your monthly mortgage payments will be. However, the standard 20% down payment that many housing experts recommend is not attainable for many homeowners.

For a $900,000 home, which is the average home price in Bellevue, Washington, that means you will need to save $180,000 before beginning the house search. This amount can take years to save and is not as accessible as a 5% or even 10% down payment. In contrast, you will only have to save $90,000 for a 10% down payment and $45,000 for a 5% down payment.

Down payments are important. They show the seller that you have the funds to purchase a home and show the mortgage lender that you have a significant investment in the property. In addition, the down payment also determines the “loan-to-value” ratio of your home. This ratio impacts the mortgage lender’s decision to give you a loan. Lenders calculate this ratio by dividing the mortgage loan amount by the value of the home.

For example, if you make an $80,000 down payment on an $800,000 home, the amount you will borrow will be $720,000. Your loan-to-value ratio will be 90%.

Understanding Mortgage Basics

Before we discuss the low down payment options for home buyers, we first need to understand the basics of choosing a mortgage. Selecting a mortgage that works best for you, your family, and your wallet is key to securing a low down payment. If you are going to be buying a property abroad, the mortgage process over there is likely to be different to the one you are used to, so it may be worth taking a look at sites like simonconn.com and learning as much as you can about what to expect from the process so that you can confidently go through the process.

The first decision you will have to make in choosing a mortgage is the decision between a fixed-rate loan and an adjustable-rate loan. These terms refer to the interest rate you will pay on your mortgage over time.

Next, you will have to choose between a conventional and government-insured loan. Conventional loans are not insured or guaranteed by the government; instead, private entities control these loans. Government-insured loans receive funding from various government agencies, including the Federal Housing Authority and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Finally, you will have to choose between a jumbo loan or a conforming loan. Government-controlled corporations called Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac determine the size guidelines for your mortgage. Jumbo loans exceed the limits established by these agencies, while conforming loans fall within their requirements. Jumbo loans typically have higher interest rates than conforming loans due to their size.

Mortgage Options with Low Down Payments

Many conventional and government-controlled loans have options for low down payments. Government-controlled loans can have down payments as low as 3.5%. Conventional bank loans can provide down payments as low as 5%. Additional programs from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae may also offer low down payment mortgage options. Sammamish Mortgage can pair you with a mortgage option that works best for you.

Risks of Government-Controlled Loans

Some of the lowest down payments in the mortgage market are available through government-controlled loans. These low down payments can easily sway prospective homeowners. As a result, these buyers do not critically examine the drawbacks of government-controlled mortgage options.

FHA loans offer down payments as little as 3.5%. In addition, borrowers with a poor credit history can receive loans with FHA support. However, the low down payment can lead you to make a poor purchasing decision – while achieving a low down payment is ideal, you should not put a payment down on a home you cannot afford in the long run. Down payment rates that are too low can make your repayment plan longer and increase the amount of interest you pay over time.

The FHA’s low down payment will require you to pay upfront insurance each month. You may not have this amount in your budget and may be surprised with a higher upfront cost than you could receive with a conventional loan. FHA loans also come with certain regulations regarding the quality of your home – if the home is in poor condition, the FHA may not approve your mortgage application.

Many sellers hesitate when selling a home to potential buyers who have an FHA loan. These loans do not signal a strong credit history, and FHA loans often require sellers to meet very strict requirements. It may be a better decision to focus on building your credit history to qualify for a conventional loan with a low down payment than to rush into an FHA loan with higher payments and lower selling rates.

Tips for Obtaining a Low Down Payment

Obtaining a low down payment requires a good deal of outside research, a solid credit history, and an understanding of your financial limits. There are a few solid tips you can follow to increase your chance for mortgage approval and secure a lower down payment.

         Making on-time payments, lowering existing debt, and regularly checking your credit report to improve your credit score will increase the likelihood of you getting the loan you want.

You will also need to factor in additional costs to your monthly budget if you are a first-time home buyer, such as insurance premiums and property taxes. This exercise will also keep you from a too-low down payment swaying you into purchasing a home you cannot afford.

Are you in the market for a second home mortgage? There are additional factors you may have to consider before applying for another loan. While you could obtain another low down payment, you will have to prepare for higher interest rates overall. You will need to focus on improving your credit history and prove to the banks that you can comfortably afford both of your mortgage payments each month.

Benefits of Paying a Higher Down Payment

While you may want to strive for a lower down payment, you should still attempt to save as much cash as you can. Paying a higher down payment upfront can help reduce your costs in the long run. While the 20% figure may not be possible for your budget, a 10% or 15% down payment can provide more benefits than a 3% or 5% payment could.

Obtain the Services of a Mortgage Provider

To find the best mortgage rates and down payment options for your house search, obtain the services of a trusted mortgage lender. These services allow you to learn about different mortgage rates in your area, find a loan program that works best for your financial needs, and assess your financial situation to find the best mortgage for your budget. Mortgage lenders can guide you through the confusing loan process and help you make smart, measured decisions for your financial future.

Sammamish Mortgage is a family-owned and operated mortgage lender assisting Kirkland, Seattle, and Bellevue residents with the mortgage process since 1992. We strive to maintain transparency and ease of access to assist our clients with all their mortgage needs.

With Sammamish Mortgage service, you receive:

Sammamish Mortgage is proud to provide mortgages for properties throughout Washington state. We also provide mortgage services in all of Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado. Our award-winning professionals are ready to help you obtain the best mortgage for your financial situation.

Contact Sammamish Mortgage today to learn more about Sammamish Mortgage’s services and to receive your free mortgage quote.