Owning a home is an expensive investment, but for most people the price of homeownership is nothing compared to the freedom one finds by owning their own home. By spending the time to evaluate finances and plan a budget, investing in real estate can actually be a money making tool for many homeowners when using these simple tools and tricks.
Make a Large Down Payment
In the current economic climate, saving up for a down payment may seem like an impossible task, but for first time homeowners, making a down payment of 20% or more can save a ton of money in the long run. With average mortgage interest rates of 4.21% for a 15-year mortgage and 5.09% for a 30-year mortgage, making a larger payment up front will help to lower the overall amount of interest accrued over time, saving homeowners thousands of dollars on interest charges.
Get the Most Out of Tax Benefits
For certain homeowners, tax deductions on mortgage interest, property taxes, and more may bring in quite a bit of extra revenue when filing annual taxes. One of the best ways to save money on taxes is by investing in energy efficient improvements like solar panels. Homeowners with energy saving equipment on their homes are eligible for certain federal tax breaks or credits like the federal residential solar energy credit that can be accrued yearly.
Additionally, homeowners using their property to receive rental are entitled to certain tax deductions on annual taxes and while rental rates may change due to inflation, mortgage interest rates will not. Charging a monthly fee that is greater than the monthly mortgage payment is a great way for homeowners to bring in a little extra income each month. This money may then be used or set aside for any home repairs or renovations.
Turn Your Mortgage into Cash
For homeowners who have at least 50% equity in their home, applying for a reverse mortgage loan is a quick and easy way to get some extra cash. Although understanding how a reverse mortgage works can be a bit confusing, it basically means that a mortgage company takes part of the equity in your home and converts it to cash payments that go to the homeowner. These payments are typically tax free and act as an advance on equity accrued over time. By using an online reverse mortgage calculator, homeowners can see what rate that would be eligible for before making the decision to apply for one of these loans.
Avoiding High Costs of Monthly Rent
As rental prices for properties continue to rise, it’s a well known fact that paying a monthly home mortgage will often be lower than paying rent for an apartment. Although owning a home may come with other expenses such as renovations, repairs, or HOA fees, purchasing a reasonably priced home that has just the right amount of space for you and your family can help save money each month, bringing homeowners one step closer to financial freedom.
Choose Something Practical and Affordable
Although many people dream of what their ideal home would look like, it often takes a lot of time and money to achieve this dream. For first time homebuyers, investing in an affordable and practical piece of real estate allows homeowners to start building equity that may become useful for future renovations or upgrades on the path to finding their dream home.
Pay Off the Mortgage Faster
One of the best feelings in the world is finally paying off a mortgage and owning a home outright. Although many mortgages are paid off over the course of 15-30 years, homeowners in it for the long haul can enjoy reaping the benefits of completely owning their home once paid off. Making additional payments towards what is owed for their monthly mortgage payment is a great way to pay off mortgages more quickly and using an online mortgage calculator will show how much money you can save on interest by paying more than the monthly minimum overtime.
Take Advantage of Home Value Appreciation
Home appreciation is the term used to describe a real estate investment increasing in value over time. Although prices of real estate in the housing market can fluctuate greatly, homes typically gain value as time goes by. Homeowners looking to sell their property can make a profit through the sale of real estates or through utilizing the space as a rental property to earn more income through monthly rent payments made by tenants.
