Photo by ESB Professional via Shutterstock
If the thought of getting a mortgage and being in that much debt is stopping you from buying a home, plan to pay it off. Here’s how you can do it in just five to 10 years.
- Live well below your means. If you can keep your mortgage payment to below twenty percent of your take-home pay, you’re on your way. That means that instead of buying a larger house in an upscale community, buy the nicest one you can in the neighborhood you can afford. When you do this, you’ll not only save on the payment but your energy and maintenance costs will be lower, as well.
- Take a 15-year mortgage. Instead of the typical 30-year loan, opt for the 15-year choice. Your payments will be slightly higher, but they won’t be double. Use an online mortgage calculator to see the difference in the payment. You’ll be surprised at how much more affordable cutting the loan length in half can be.
- Use an early mortgage pay-off calculator. Try plugging in different payment amounts to see how quickly you can pay it off. Adding as little as $100 extra each month can massively reduce the years to completion.
- This next idea is easy if you get paid weekly or bi-weekly. Instead of making your mortgage payment once a month, pay half of it every two weeks. Using this trick allows you to make an entire extra payment each year, cutting months and years off your mortgage. If you do it to match your bi-weekly payments, you won’t even notice the additional payment out of your household budget.
Your Agent Can Help
When you’re looking for just the right house to put your plan into action, your knowledgeable real estate agent can find you the perfect one. Let them know what you’re trying to accomplish so that they match you to the right house at the right time.
About the Author
Michelle Plunkett, Associate Broker
It's simple, really. Help people. Each client is unique. Every situation deserves special attention. Each home, neighborhood and community is a perfect fit for someone. Whether you are part of a grieving family settling an estate, 1st time home buyer, Upsizing, simplifying or find yourself starting a new life chapter, I am eager to understand your needs, provide you with options, guide you along and help you to make insightful, shrewd decisions. What journey do you find yourself embarking on? I would love to share the adventure with you - keeping it exciting, fun and rewarding! I am a FULL TIME Realtor - working my schedule to fit with your lifestyle and adapting to your technological abilities. Together we can make it happen! In appreciation for your business and in keeping with the spirit of thankfulness to the community that has supported me along the way, a portion of each commission is donated to charity.
