I’m looking at buying a home, but have a $6,000 credit card debt to eliminate first?
Posted on Friday, October 2, 2009 in Renting & Real Estate
ninfragile19 asked:
Many people are telling me that regardless of that $6,000, now’s the time to buy. My plan is to systematically pay off that card while saving at the same time to have an emergency reserve should push come to shove and I’m in a financial bind. I want to go into the home buying process with only my student loan debt to worry about. Outside of paying off the card in its entirety before purchasing a home, what other options do I have? With the market the way it is and my good credit score (730-ish, debt-to-income ratio around 10%), I’m sure there are options available to help me obtain a home faster.
I should make it known that:
Many people are telling me that regardless of that $6,000, now’s the time to buy. My plan is to systematically pay off that card while saving at the same time to have an emergency reserve should push come to shove and I’m in a financial bind. I want to go into the home buying process with only my student loan debt to worry about. Outside of paying off the card in its entirety before purchasing a home, what other options do I have? With the market the way it is and my good credit score (730-ish, debt-to-income ratio around 10%), I’m sure there are options available to help me obtain a home faster.
I should make it known that:
1) I live with my folks who aren’t charging me rent.
2) I have an open to buy of $25,000 in credit.
3) I don’t consider myself in financial trouble. I have a 401K and a T-Rowe money market account I’m making continuous contributions to.
Ray
Ann
I don’t put any stock in anyone who claims they can time the market, any market - real estate or otherwise. You are on a good path towards building up your net worth, cleaning up your debts and sound fiscal responsibility. The debt payoff and savings plans are a great idea.
Go with your gut and buy on your own schedule. The idea is to not always take the debt banks are willing to lend you, so while there are options available, they may not be in your best interest. Pay off the card and stash away your emergency fund before taking on a mortgage.
Lisa
I would suggest you try to find a fixer-upper that is priced right. You can get in the home, fix it up and then get a tax deductible heloc to pay off the credit card in a defined time period. In your situation, I wouldn’t go with an all out rehab, but try to find one that needs some cosmetic work. Paint, curb appeal, etc. You only need it to appraise for slightly over the purchase price to get the $6,000 out in a heloc.
PS. You are ALWAYS better off building equity in a home as soon as possible. Unless you are living with relatives for free, you are throwing away money on rent.
Keith
Situation is no doubt bad but all is not lost, it can be stopped from getting worse if you follow these steps.
Don’t shy away from collection agents. Answer their calls politely, tell them that you intend to pay all the debt and are willing to negotiate.
Inform the credit card company about your emergency situation and the debt it caused. Explain to them your financial condition, and any foreseeable improvement that you are able to visualize. Credit card companies thrive on their clients and they don’t want to loose them. A client who is willing to repay all the debt is a very good asset for them, which they would like to keep forever.
If you are unable to handle debt personally, seek credit counseling and get pertinent advice, so as to get rid of the debt as soon as possible.
If you have more than one credit cards and the confusion on handling their repayment schedule caused you this debt, try debt consolidation. It can be both secured and unsecured. Debt consolidation will help you turn multiple credit card debts into a single one with easier repayment option.
Debt settlement can also be tried to get rid of a huge credit card debt. Debt settlement companies provide expert services to reduce the credit card debt up to 50% or even more. These companies charge a percentage fees on the credit card debt, but can dramatically reduce your debt burden. If you use this option to get rid of the credit card debt, it will reflect on your credit report badly. Read more from: