10 Ways to Save For Your Mortgage Down Payment

In 2018 alone, more than 6.27 million homes sold in the United States. And many of those homes went to first-time home buyers looking to get out of the rental market.

Though every home buyer is different, they all have one thing in common: they saved for a mortgage down payment.

As a Seattle resident, finding ways to save with our high cost of living can feel like an uphill battle. But it doesn’t have to.

Here are a few simple ways to start saving for a mortgage down payment in Seattle without putting a strain on your monthly budget.

1. Pay Off Existing Debt

Credit card debt, student loans, and car loans all need regular monthly payments. And when you still owe hundreds or thousands to creditors, those payments can be huge.

This makes it tough to start saving money for anything, let alone a down payment.

The best way to start saving for your new home is to get rid of that debt as quickly as possible. Start by focusing on loans and debt with the highest interest rate.

For most people, this means throwing as much money as you can at credit card debt. Once that amount is paid off, start chipping away at your other debt. The more you pay down, the less you’ll pay each month.

Once your debt is paid off, you can then start saving the same amount each month. After a few months, you’ll have a sizable chunk to use towards your down payment.

As an added bonus, the less debt you have, the easier it is to get approved for a mortgage. You might even get pre-qualified for a loan with a lower down payment if you have a high enough credit score and little to no debt.

2. Set Up a Dedicated Savings Account

It’s easy to blow through money when it’s easily accessible. Instead of battling through the temptation, set up a dedicated savings account.

Look for a savings account that earns interest on every dollar you deposit. This will help build your down payment savings without you having to do anything else. The interest earned won’t be huge, but every little bit helps.

Keep in mind, you might have to enroll in an account that’s separate from your regular bank. Most standard savings accounts earn under one percent interest. But if you look around, you should be able to find an account that earns more than two percent interest on your funds.

You can even set up automatic transfers each week or month out of your checking account. The less you have to think about building your savings, the easier it will be to build up enough funds for a down payment.

3. Find Ways to Cut Your Expenses

The less you spend each month, the more you can start saving. Take a month and keep track of every dollar you spend.

At the end of the month, take a look at what you’ve been spending money on. Are there things you don’t need eating away at your paycheck? Did you treat yourself to a fancy coffee drink every morning for the last two weeks?

If so, great! Those are expenses you can cut back on!

Now, take a look at the fixed expenses. Is there a way to cut down on your electric bill? Are you paying for cable when you don’t really use it?

Start thinking about ways to trim your monthly costs. It doesn’t mean sacrificing everything you enjoy doing. It just means being smart about how you spend your money.

4. Embrace the Side-Hustle Culture

Taking a second job doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment. And when you’re working 40 hours a week, the thought of spending more time working can be daunting at best. But the more money you bring in, the more you have to save for a mortgage down payment.

Instead of looking into a boring second job with set hours that can clash with your main gig, embrace the side hustle.

The key to any successful side-hustle is finding something you enjoy doing. If you love animals and being outdoors, consider starting a dog walking business. If you enjoy driving through Seattle, become a driver for a ride-share company.

Any money you earn from your side-hustle can go straight into that interest-bearing savings account!

5. Explore Down Payment Assistance Programs

Believe it or not, first-time home buyers can get down payment assistance from the government. And in Seattle, it’s no different.

These programs provide a low-interest loan to qualified home buyers in Washington state. And they’re available at the state and federal level.

The programs offer between $10,000 and $15,000 loans specifically for down payments. This means you’ll still need to save money to cover the rest. But the assistance programs can help you get into a home faster.

6. Look for a Cheaper Place to Rent

Seattle has some crazy rent prices. That’s why you’re looking to buy a house, right?

But think about how much you spend each month on rent. You know your paycheck is large enough to cover that monthly cost. So, why not start looking for a cheaper place?

If you can save at least $100 a month in rent, you can add that $100 to a savings account.

Remember, you’re saving to buy a home. The cheaper apartment may be smaller, but you’ll have more money at your disposal. The more you can save, the faster you’ll get into a home you’ll own.

The rental doesn’t have to be ideal. It’s temporary!

7. Find a Credit Card That Offers Cash Back Rewards

In this day and age, you need a credit card to help cover those unexpected expenses. But not all cards are created equal.

Some cards offer cash back rewards on every dollar you spend. If you’re already using the card to make purchases, cash back means it’s easier to keep your debt levels down. Best of all, it increases the amount you can save each month.

Cash back rewards are used to pay down your credit card statement. If you’re not spending more on your credit card than you can pay off each month, you’ll have more money to add to your down payment savings.

8. Start Couponing

Cutting costs doesn’t have to mean eliminating things you enjoy. But you do need to be smart about how you spend your money.

And what helps more than couponing? Start checking the newspaper for weekly coupons you can use to reduce costs on the items you buy most.

If you’re shopping online, run a search for discount codes and apply the ones that will save you the most, Honey is what I use personally and it is extremely straight forward. Every dollar you don’t spend is one you can add to your mortgage down payment.

9. Eat at Home

Eating out gets expensive. In fact, dining out costs the average household more than $3,000 a year. But eating at home and only going to restaurants occasionally can save you hundreds each month.

Start thinking about how much you eat out each week. Do you bring lunch to work every day? Are you stumped for dinner ideas and order in every other night?

The more you cook at home, the more money you’ll save. Create a meal plan and stick to it. Come up with lunch and dinner ideas (leftovers make great lunches) and take the time to cook for yourself.

It may be hard at first, but the more you do it, the easier it will get.

10. Think About Asking for a Raise

You work hard at your job. But when was the last time you got a raise?

If you’re like most people, it’s been a long time since you saw an increase in salary. So, why not ask for one?

Speak with your manager about your wages. Approach them respectfully and explain why you feel it’s time to renegotiate your salary. Be respectful and phrase it as a request rather than a demand or expectation.

Most managers, especially ones that are satisfied with the work you’ve done, will at least consider the raise if it’s in the budget.

If they can’t give you a raise immediately, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that it will be on their minds during budget reviews.

Start Saving for Your Mortgage Down Payment in Seattle

Saving for a mortgage down payment in Seattle can feel impossible. But it doesn’t have to be. Every extra dollar you have is one that can be used to build your savings.

All you need to do is get creative and find ways to cut back costs and boost savings. Instead of looking at the money you have left, at the end of the month. Look at your total paycheck as your down payment savings and then only buy the necessities. When you view it this way, every dollar you spend will feel like it is taking a dollar from your house budget. It may take time and it might not be easy, but the reward is a house of your own.