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Essential Strategies for Reducing Your Debt and Saving for a New Home

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Buying a house is one of those significant milestones in life that can feel immensely satisfying. Why? Well, there’s no bigger expense to incur – meaning you’ll feel financially freer. However, it’s the process of becoming a homeowner that can be challenging – specifically in the financial sense if you have debt. Want to learn how to reduce your debt to save for a new home? Keep reading as Martha Valiquette REALTOR®, shares essential advice below.

Create a Budget (And Stick To It)

One of the best ways to reduce debt is to create a budget and stick to it. Determine your income and expenses, and track your spending so that you get an overview of your financial health. Once you know where your money is going, you can make adjustments to ensure you put more towards debt repayment. This may mean cutting back on certain expenses where possible – check out this handy guide by Don’t Waste The Crumbs on reducing your monthly expenditure to save more.

Pay More than the Minimum Payment

If you only make the minimum payment on your debts, it will take much longer to pay them off. Make it a goal to always pay more than the minimum, even if it’s just a little bit, as this can add up significantly in the long run. If you’re struggling with that, set up a different savings account where you keep funneling savings toward your minimum whenever possible. For example, skipped your daily coffee? Put that money away in your savings account, so you don’t use it up. These small amounts will add up and go a long way in paying off your debt quickly.

Consider a Debt Consolidation Loan

You may want to consider a debt consolidation loan if you have multiple debts with high-interest rates. This can help you get a lower interest rate, saving you money over time. In addition, debt consolidation loans can give you extra breathing room in your budget to still enjoy your lifestyle while also working on paying off your debt. Just be sure to shop around for the best rates and terms to set you up for success in the homebuying journey.

Boost Your Income

If you can find ways to boost your income, you can put more towards debt repayment and be on the fast track to homeownership. According to Experian, consider getting a part-time job or picking up some freelance work. The extra money you make can be used to pay down debt faster. If you continue doing this for a while, you can increase your rates slowly to put more away in your savings fund with less effort.

Understanding Mortgages

A big part of homeownership is understanding how mortgages work. Many prospective home buyers don’t know how mortgages work, but this will be critical if you want to stay on top of your finances in the long run. For example, you should understand the difference between a fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage and information on interest prices and how they can affect your payouts.

Ready to become a homeowner? While buying a property can seem like a long (and often arduous) journey, it will be well worth it when you’re enjoying life from the comfort of your home! Be sure to utilize the debt reduction and saving strategies mentioned above to breeze through the process.

Want to buy a home in the San Antonio, Texas, area? Martha Valiquette, REALTOR®, has years of experience working to make homebuying dreams a reality. Click here to learn more today.