Tired of paying your landlord’s mortgage payment yet? If you answered “yes” – and would rather build your own wealth instead of your landlord, it’s time to start saving for your own Southern Maryland home.
The task seems daunting. It seems like it will take forever. But, there are some simple changes you can make that will increase your savings account in no time.
It requires discipline, but we know you can do it!
Sell what you no longer need or use
A friend of ours went through her home – every room, all the cupboards and drawers, and even the garage – to find things she and her family no longer used or wanted.
She listed these items for sale on Facebook Marketplace, and in a month, she’d made more than $500. She hasn’t even sold everything yet! That $500 was a nice boost to her down payment savings account.
What’s next for her? Tackling the family’s storage unit, hoping to make twice what she made selling things around the home.
Facebook Marketplace is just one of the online arenas you can use to sell your stuff. Try posting to these sites as well:
- Offerup.com
- Craigslist.org
- NextDoor.com
- LetGo.com
- Ebay.com
- Mercari.com
- Bonanza.com
How should to list your items online? The keys to success are in your description of what you’re selling and, most importantly, your photos. Get tips at CNET.com.
If selling online isn’t something you want to do, hold a garage sale. Get success tips online at DaveRamsey.com, HGTV.com, and ConsumerReports.org.
Bring in a roommate
Got a spare room? Consider renting it out. Taking in a roommate is one of the best ways to make a lot of money quickly. Not only will you make money charging rent, but you can also charge your tenant for part of your utility bills.
Need some tips on how to go about renting out a room in your home? Check out LandlordStudio.com, MoneyCrashers.com and Realtor.com.
Consider a side hustle
Make a little extra income doing some work outside of your day job. Here are some common side gigs:
- Drive for Lyft or Uber
- Deliver food for Instacart, Uber Eats, Postmates, GrubHub, or DoorDash
- Babysit
- Clean houses
- Mow lawns
- Walk dogs
- Offer handyman or -woman services
- If you sew, create coronavirus masks and sell them online
- Grocery shop for the self-quarantined
- Offer errand-running services
Advertise your services on Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor.com.
Research down payment and closing cost assistance programs
Did you know that there are mortgage programs that don’t require a down payment? If you or your spouse served in the military, check out the VA-backed mortgage.
If you don’t mind living in a rural area, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers several programs that require no money down. Explore the options for the Single Family Housing Direct Home Loan or the USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan.
But if you don’t qualify for a zero-down program, don’t fret. There are other avenues to consider that include down payment and/or closing cost assistance:
- Federal programs include assistance for first responders and teachers.
- There are also down payment assistance programs for Native Alaskans, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians.
- Then there are the low-down payment mortgage programs, such as FHA, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae.
We’re happy to help in your hunt, so feel free to reach out to us.
Cut out money wasters
Some small changes to your daily, weekly, and monthly spending can really add up. Here are a few to consider:
- Have your coffee at home
- Stop eating out or calling food delivery
- Shop for cheaper ISP and cell phone services
- Workout at home and cancel your gym membership
- Give up cable or look for less expensive TV or streaming services
- Brown bag it at lunchtime
- Walk or ride your bike for errands, etc.
Even if you only use one or two of these money-saving tips, you’ll have a good chunk of money to put toward your dream of Southern Maryland homeownership.
Again, don’t hesitate to contact us – we are happy to help!
Lexington Park MD Homes for Sale and Real Estate Services in Southern Maryland. You now have a search engine to help you with your Southern Maryland home search! And I’m ready to provide you with a custom home valuation if you’re considering selling your home. Let’s connect to discuss how I can help you. Contact Kimberly Bean at 301-440-1309
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