This young Seattle couple rushed to buy a $730K home — and now they can't sleep at night. Here's a 5-point checklist to find out if you're actually ready to buy a house
Ramit Sethi doesn't think homebuying is for everyone.
The host of Netflix’s "How to Get Rich" and the YouTube channel "I Will Teach You To Be Rich" makes that clear in Episode 111 of his show.
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In the video, Sethi spoke with a married couple — Jonathan and Shalom in Seattle — who just swapped their $1,800 a month rent for a $4,150 mortgage payment. As a result, Jonathan says he's started having near nightly panic attacks and the couple is fighting over whether to buy furniture.
According to Sethi, the couple followed a trend that traps many buyers: They bought based on real estate marketing and not what they can afford. To avoid the same mistake, Sethi encourages aspiring homeowners to answer a series of questions before they buy.
Five questions to ask before buying a home
Sethi listed five questions to help you determine whether you're ready to buy a home — and the answers may reveal that you need more time.
That being said, it’s important to take advice from online experts and gurus with a grain of salt. Sethi’s a self-proclaimed personal finance adviser, but his background is in psychology and technology. His advice is all common sense, but keep in mind that when it comes to your finances, the best advice you’ll receive generally will come from a professional financial adviser who’s reviewed your situation and has spoken with you about your goals.
1. Will you live there for 10-plus years?
Sethi said you should think of homebuying as a long-term move. Why? Because buying is expensive and it takes time to recover the sunk costs. These significant but often overlooked expenses include (but aren't limited to) closing costs, furnishing the home and moving. And they can add up quickly — be prepared for them to run you a few thousand dollars.
2. Is your total monthly housing cost lower than 28% of your gross monthly income?
Many lenders consider a mortgage affordable if the monthly payment is 28% or less of your monthly gross income. You may also hear this referred to as the "front-end ratio."
But coming in under 28% doesn't guarantee a home is affordable. Even if a lender approves you, the mortgage might still be outside your budget. The lender's calculations won't include major, non-debt expenses such as daycare and groceries. In other words, do the math to make sure the mortgage fits into your overall budget.
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3. Have you saved a 20% down payment?
According to Sethi's website, "If you haven’t saved a 20% down payment, you’re not ready to buy a house." He says this figure, aside from dismissing private mortgage insurance (PMI), shows that you know how to save money.
Buyers should keep in mind that you can be approved for a mortgage even if you save far less than 20% but the more you save for your down payment, the better (and more affordable) your loan terms.
4. Are you OK if the value of your house goes down?
One of Sethi's most insightful tips is to not assume your home will increase in value. Yes, homes appreciate by an average of 4.3% a year according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. But the growth isn't always linear and unpredictable market trends (think rising interest rates or a glut of available homes in your local market) can make it hard to sell.
5. Are you excited about buying?
Finally, Sethi says to stop the process if you feel dread. Taking emotional as well as financial inventory can be a challenge, since falling in love with a home can cloud your judgment — and a degree of buyer's remorse is inevitable.
But if you buy because you feel you shouldn't rent, there's pressure to jump on a deal.
And choosing to rent isn't necessarily a bad financial move. In fact, there's a growing number of higher-income Americans who are choosing to rent.
According to a 2023 RentCafe report that used the latest Census data, the portion of renters earning more than $150,000 ballooned by 82% from 2015 to 2020 — the most significant increase among all income groups during that period. This was attributed to higher home prices and opportunities for more flexibility and smart investing.
According to the RentCafe report, the number of millionaire renters in the U.S. tripled over that same five-year period, with 36% of that seven-figure club belonging to the Gen Z and millennial generations.
The rich young renters are more interested in building a strong financial platform — through sensible money management and strategic investing — before making the biggest financial commitment of their lives.
And if you want to buy a house for any reason other than it's a sound financial move with plenty of positives for you and your household, don't do it.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
