Six Unconventional Ways to Become a Homeowner

Each month as you write your rent check, you dream of the day when you’ll be able to write a check for your mortgage instead. No one likes throwing money away to a home you’ll never own, which is why home ownership is considered the American Dream, but has that dream seemed like it’s always just been out of reach for you? It actually might be closer than you think. Here are six options you may not have considered that could transform you from a renter to a homeowner:

1. Buy a Mobile Home.

Mobile homes may not be something you dream of, but the truth is they can be great starter homes to get you out of renting. At about $41 per square foot for a mobile home versus about $83 per square foot for a new house, these manufactured homes are a lot more affordable than your average house.

An advantage of buying a mobile home over a new house is that you can walk through the exact house you’ll be getting, and you won’t have to worry about building delays and new development headaches. Mobile homes can also be customized to feel more like a traditional home with garages, decks, and vaulted ceilings.

2. Buy a Modular Home.

A modular home is similar to a mobile home in that they are manufactured in a factory. They differ slightly from mobile homes because they are assembled in pieces and moved to a permanent location. They are insured and appraised the same way that a traditional home is, and you can even purchase a warranty just as you would with a traditional  house. Modular homes can be customized and take less time to build than a traditional home. You can also expect to pay 10 to 20 percent less for your modular home than if you had the same thing stick-built.

3. Build Your Own Home.

If you have the budget for a new home, you might consider building your own. The good thing about new construction is that you know exactly what you are getting and aren’t as likely to experience those little “surprises” that often develop in an older home. Choose a reputable builder and ask about your customization options to make sure you get a home you love. You can even talk with your builder to see if you are able to work on some of the building yourself to reduce costs. Remember that you’ll need to own the land to start building a new home, so shop around to find a good deal on a piece of land you’ll enjoy for years to come.

4. Go to an Auction.

Auctions are a good choice if you have a large amount of money saved in the bank. You will have to pay the full amount you win the house for at the auction, but if you can afford it you can get a great deal.

If you watch any of the home flipping TV shows, you’ve probably seen people buying homes at an auction and were impressed with the deal they got. One thing you don’t want to do, though, is be like them and buy the house mostly unseen. Do your homework and evaluate the home before you spend the cash. Understand that if you purchase a home at an auction, it’s likely going to take time and money to get it to the condition you want.

5. Obtain Special Financing.

Look into what options you have when it comes to financing. Rural areas have the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program that offers zero-down financing. However, don’t assume rural means “country” and isolated. Homes can be found around major cities. You just need to check if the address is eligible for the loan. If you don’t qualify for this option, do look into other down payment assistance programs and financing that are available to first time home buyers.

6. Get a Co-Buyer.

What’s a co-buyer? It sounds just like what it is. Someone buys the home with you. This is often done with a younger and older generation, such as parents buying a home with their adult children. You can find a property that has separate living areas so it doesn’t feel like you’re back home living with mom and dad.

If you’d rather not move in with your parents again no matter the space on the property, maybe you can get your parents to cosign the mortgage to get a more affordable interest rate if they have good credit. Another option is asking mom and dad to purchase the home for you in their name and let you pay the mortgage as rent.

You could also buy a home together with friends or even your siblings.

There you have it- six ways you can say goodbye to renting and hello to home ownership. Think outside of the box, and you might just be one step closer to home ownership.