Chicago Home Buying For Regular People, Week 4: It's Okay If You Already Have Debt

By Sponsor in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 24, 2015 5:00AM

It seems like a far-off dream, buying your own space in Chicago—somewhere out there with misty visions of backyard treehouses, vacations to Venice, and your hypothetical kids in tire swings. But here's the thing: it doesn't have to be that way. To help squash those youthful misconceptions, we're running a series with marketplace lender SoFi on just how you, Regular Person, can actually own your own home before the big 3-0.

Three weeks ago: Saving for 10 percent down, not 20.

Two weeks ago: Putting paperwork out to pasture.

One week ago: Competing when your salary is... fine.

This week: Not letting debt get you down.

GRIPE #4: You'll never get approved for a mortgage loan because you already have loans on loans on loans.

Everyone knows paying off student loans is a lengthy, difficult process. Not only does it keep you in the red for longer than you'd like, you may also feel like you need to put your goals on hold until you’re student-loan free.

THE TRUTH: While paying off your student loans can help you qualify for more a larger mortgage, you don't have to wait until that’s done before you buy a home.

If you’re dead set on paying off your student loans first, we commend you for it. Just make sure you’re evaluating all aspects, including things like future rent increase, interest rate changes, tax deductions on mortgage interest and property taxes, income growth, and home appreciation (which is one of the biggest financial benefits of being a homeowner, especially in a market like Chicago). In many situations, it may make more sense to buy a home (even a starter home) sooner rather than later.

I’M LISTENING. WHAT'S THE ANSWER? First, make sure you’re budgeting and minimizing expenses when possible. Second, find a lender that understands your plight.

With some good budgeting and planning, you can be surprised at how quickly you can save for down payment. And you don’t even need to go to the extremes of sleeping on your BFF’s living room floor. Even simple things like cooking at home, drinking fewer Starbucks coffees, and cutting your cable costs can help. There’s plenty of services out there that can help you track your spending by category.

In addition to the budgeting piece, there are lenders out there like SoFi who can help you get a head start on your dream home. First, SoFi can refinance your student loans to new rates and terms, which can lower your monthly payments. That’s extra money to put towards your savings (and your future down payment) every month.

Even still, SoFi knows it's not easy to save for a 20% down payment with student loans. That’s why they let you put as little as 10% down with no private mortgage insurance or origination fees, and have flexible debt-to-income limits which may qualify you for more financing than what other lenders offer.

Finally, if you refinance your student loans with SoFi, you'll get preferred pricing on a mortgage. And, just like that, you're ready to get out on the market. Not too shabby.

So, think you're ready to buy? Having a place to call your own in a treacherous market like this really is attainable. We don't bank, watch TV or order food like our parents, so why buy a house like they did?

SoFi may be able to help you buy a home sooner. See what they can offer you in only two minutes by clicking here.

Stay tuned next week for another common anxiety about home buying and tips for subverting a murky industry with affordable rates, way less paperwork, and—who knew!—transparency.

This post is a sponsored collaboration between SoFi and Gothamist staff.

SoFi Lending Corp. NMLS # 1121636. Terms and conditions apply. See SoFi.com/mortgage for eligibility and licensing details.