Boston Condos for Sale

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Boston condos for sale: Saving for a downpayment

It could take Boston-area renters more than a decade to save for a down payment in today’s market, and that’s no surprise, as starter-home prices are growing almost seven times faster than renter incomes, according to a new report from Zillow.

According to the report, it would take an average rental household about six years and five months to save enough for a 20% down payment on a typical starter home worth $148,500 — a full year longer than it would have taken to save for a starter home down payment five years ago. That’s if they save 10% of their income. 

In the Boston metro area, an average renter saving 10% of their income would take 13 years to save for a 20% down payment on a typical starter home worth $399,275.

Zillow economic data analyst Nicole Bachaud says first-time homebuyers face more challenges in coming up with a down payment without having equity from a previous home sale. 

“In a housing market where prices are rising at record rates, especially when compared to renter incomes, the ever-increasing sum of a 20% down payment can feel out of reach,” she said in a press release. “The good news is that buyers who want to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates can do so without putting a full 20% down — most conventional mortgages allow as little as 3% to 5%. That lower upfront payment comes with higher monthly payments, but the opportunity to build equity can outweigh those extra costs for many.”

First-time homebuyers could secure a mortgage with less than 20% down, according to the analysis, which found 64% of first-time homebuyers do just that, and 25% put down 5% or less, allowing them to save what they need in less time — an average of three years and three months to save up a 10% down payment and a year and seven months to save 5%.

Boston Condo Buyer FAQ

How long would it tale a Boston apartment renter to save up for a Boston condo for sale?

In the Boston metro area, an average renter saving 10% of their income would take 13 years to save for a 20% down payment on a typical starter home worth $399,275.

Can you buy a Boston downtown condo with les than 20% down?

Yes, buyers who want to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates can do so without putting a full 20% down — most conventional mortgages allow as little as 3% to 5%.

Can I use money from my 401K to buy a downtown Boston condo?

Yes, you can if you are doing it to purchase a Boston condo. If you have a well-funded 401(k), you can borrow up to one-half or $50,000 (whichever is less) to put toward your house or condo.

Boston Condos for Sale

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A recent study by RealtyHop found that Boston ranks fifth among the 125 most populous cities in the U.S. when it comes to how long it takes to save enough for a down payment on a home.

In Boston, the median household income is $79,018, according to census data cited by RealtyHop. The report estimates that each household has $10,490 in savings. The median asking price for a home in the city is $769,900. It takes Boston homebuyers 9.74 years to meet the minimum threshold of 20%, or $153,980, to qualify for a mortgage.

To calculate the number of years it takes to save for a down payment on a home, RealtyHop gathered median household income data for each city from the census bureau. The report assumed households saved 20% of their gross income annually and used that figure to arrive at how many years it would take to meet the 20% down payment threshold based on median housing prices.

The study found that, in general, it is easier to save for a down payment in the Midwest and in the South than on either coast. Detroit had the lowest barrier to homeownership, at 1.6 years, to earn enough for a loan with 20% down. Five other Midwestern states joined Detroit at the most accessible end of the spectrum. It takes 2.4 years to qualify in Akron, Ohio; 2.96 years in Aurora, Illinois; 3.01 years in Des Moines and 3.2 years in both Wichita and Cleveland.

BOSTON CONDOS FOR SALE: SAVING FOR A DOWNPAYMENT

For someone interested in purchasing  a Boston condo for sale, the first step is to save up for the minimum down payment for that dream home.

SAVING FOR A BOSTON CONDO DOWN PAYMENT

There are plenty of ways to plan for a down payment; it takes time, patience, and commitment to the plan. A down payment is a single lump sum that the lender (your bank) requests the buyer of a piece of property to pay up front before issuing a mortgage to the buyer. The higher the down payment, the lower the monthly rate and the less you might pay over the life of the loan. The average down payment is around 20 percent of the purchase price – but there are a lot of different mortgage opportunities that can get those down even lower.

CALCULATING THE MORTGAGE AMOUNT

The first step is figuring out how much you can responsibly spend on a house. Usually, your bank will limit your mortgage amount (the amount you can spend on a house) to around 28 percent of your monthly pre-tax income. However, if your income fluctuates (i.e., you work in a seasonal industry), you may want to limit that even further to 20 percent. Moreover, don’t forget to anticipate maintenance, bills, HOA fees, and the other costs associated with a home.

SET A SAVINGS PLAN

Once you know how much you can get for a mortgage, you will know your price range for the house you can buy – which tells you how much you will need to save. Think about the plan realistically. For example, if you need to save $100,000 (assuming a home price of $500,000) in Boston for 20 percent down over five years, you will need to save about $1,670 a month to hit your goal in five years. If you’re like most people, you probably cannot set aside that much a month. However, this gives you an idea of the process you need to save that money for your mortgage down payment.

ACCELERATING THE PROCESS

Luckily, you aren’t limited to using simply a savings account to reach your goal; you can invest your money in stocks. While stocks are riskier than a savings account, if your plan is several years in the making, you can afford the occasional dip in the market. Moreover, you can likely save less money because your money will be earning you returns.

Generally, you will want to invest in a stock index ETF. ETF will diversify your holdings and reduce the risk of loss. You put a regular amount of money into the ETF every month and watch it grow. Additionally, don’t stick all of your money in stocks – limit yourself to about 25 percent (to shield yourself from severe market changes). The other 75 percent can be invested in a high-yield savings account, money markets, bonds, CDs, and other lower risk investment tools.

THE 401(K)

While you cannot withdraw money from your 401(k) for most situations – you can if you are doing it to purchase a house. If you have a well-funded 401(k), you can borrow up to one-half or $50,000 (whichever is less) to put toward your house. You will have to pay the money back within five years (including interest). Luckily, the interest is being paid to yourself, so ultimately, who cares? Pull money from your 401k when you need that extra little bump to get yourself to 20 percent.

DOWNTOWN BOSTON REAL ESTATE CONCLUSION

t’s important to work with a buyer agent that will help you with tour down payment so you can end up with the Boston condo home of your dreams.

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Boston Condos for Sale

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