Buying a Home This Autumn? 4 Unconventional Ways to Save up for Your Down Payment

Autumn is a popular time for new home buyers to start looking for their first house or condo. But with that down payment looming, everybody could use a bit of help saving up to make that bulk payment a little less intimidating.

There are plenty of unconventional ways to save up that may seem small, but will quickly add up and put a dent into that down payment.

Create A High Interest Savings Account

Talk to the bank about creating a secondary savings account with a higher interest rate. These super savings accounts usually come with the caveat that no money can be removed for a designated period of time. Using this account for the down payment works in everybody’s favor because it guarantees those extra dollars cannot be used for any other purpose.

Discard One Guilty Pleasure

Enjoy Starbucks coffee? Grab a pint every happy hour? Choose one vice and put the amount that would be spent on it into a jar. Most people will be surprised on how much money they spend each month on one guilty pleasure that can easily be cut out of their life. Every perk that’s cut will increase the amount by a decent margin.

Put Away Any Bonus Money

Holiday bonuses from work, tax refunds, birthday or Christmas presents, income from side gigs, any and all extra dollars that come in from any source outside of the main paycheck should be considered ‘down payment dollars.’ Sure it’s tempting to use that nice bonus or tax refund on a weekend trip or a night out, but all extra income should be saved away for that initial down payment.

Bring On The Roommates

People who already own a home and are looking to relocate can take this unconventional approach. Decent housing is hard to find so anybody with an extra room can rent it out and put that money towards the new house. Having a roommate can be a pain, but it’s for a limited time and can add up quickly.

While saving for a down payment can be stressful, you don’t have to go through the process alone. I’d be happy to guide you and provide some helpful tips for how to make that down payment without breaking the bank. I’ve seen countless couples go through the same thing and my experience can make a world of difference for you.  Give me a call – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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5245 N Grand Canyon Drive Eloy, AZ 85131

$459,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,700 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6659456

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

PARTIALLY FURNISHED MONTECITO MODEL on PREMIUM homesite & OWNED SOLAR! 22 solar panels & sellers have not had an electric bill, only credits $$$. There is a beautiful pocket park adjacent to the home with walking paths & benches. Beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bath home, Den + a golf cart garage w/4 ft ext. Bay windows in Dining, Master & Guest room! Kitchen features upgraded cabinets, Gas range, SS appliances, Quartz countertops, tile backsplash, Reverse osmosis, under cabinet & pendant lighting. Large neutral tile throughout (carpet in bedrooms only). So many upgrades like the gated stucco trash enclosure at the side of the home, 2-tone paint, highly upgraded window treatments & fans in every room. Front & back of the home are professionally landscaped. This is a must see! Welcome home!

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10438 E Twilight Drive Sun Lakes, AZ 85248

$459,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,972 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6662510

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Here's the home that will fit both your lifestyle and finances. Ample opportunity to put your personal touches and imagination to make it you! Great room flows seamlessly in to the dining room, kitchen and breakfast room. Spacious Primary bedroom with patio access and updated bathroom. Large secondary bedrooms that overlook the front courtyard area. Updated guest bathroom. Additional 392 SQ FT of Bonus Rooms, ideal for home office, hobby, fitness or workshop. Use one for work and the other for play! Backyard covered patio is perfect for afternoon get-togethers after golf with friends. Very private, expansive backyard. Garage offers plenty of space for vehicles along with tons of storage. Ready to live the resort life? Come check out all this community has to offer and make the move! January 2024, All tile sections of the house and garage have had felt replaced, tiles reinstalled, broken tiles replaced and new flashings installed.

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17222 N Palo Verde Drive Sun City, AZ 85373

$459,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,967 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6674343

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Completely REMODELED. BEAUTIFUL HOME INSIDE & OUT. GREAT ROOM CONCEPT. Sought after 55+ community. Newer ROOF & HVAC. NEW LOW E WINDOWS, DOORS, STUCCO/ROCK VENEER. WALLS & POPCORN CEILINGS REMOVED, CEILINGS RAISED new DRYWALL TEXTURE, VINYL PLANK FLOORING, CARPET & 4' BASEBOARDS. 2 tone paint inside & out, TILED showers, new tub, QUARTZ vanities! DOUBLE SINKS in PRIMARY. New Can lighting & electrical outlets. Nice Light fixtures. LARGE BEDROOMS w/Big CLOSETS! NEW SS APPLIANCES, QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS, CABINETS, TILE BACKSPLASH, faucets, sink, garbage disposal. New Hardware. TILED BACK PATIO. Garage Cabinets. NEW EPOXY FLOOR. Citrus trees. INSIDE LAUNDRY/NEW W&D. NEW ALARM. Flex room. New In ground TRASH RECEPTACLE. Near REC CENTERS, restaurants, shopping. Near 101. EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY! Sun City offers many amenities & low taxes! 7 Rec Centers with swimming pools, lap pools, walking pools, Hot tubs and every activity, work shop, & craft you can think of! Bowling! Pickleball! Shuffle Board! Pool Tables! Darts! Tennis! Ground Bowling! Mini Golf! Lake Activities! 9 Public Golf Courses & Reduced prices with Rec Card. And much more! Close to shopping, restaurants & entertainment! Close to Spring Training Base Ball Fields. Close to Arrowhead Mall, Lake Pleasant and all of it's growing amenities & restaurants nearby! Close to Grand Ave & 101 access! The list goes on & on! Call your Realtor today for more info!!! AGE RESTRICTED RETIREMENT COMMUNITY. ONE PERSON MUST BE 55 YEARS OLD AND NO ONE UNDER 19 YEARS OLD. ANYONE UNDER 19 CAN VISIT - SCHOA RESTRICTIONS APPLY.

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3928 E Branham Lane Phoenix, AZ 85042

$459,000

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,708 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6675226

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Well maintained home in a nice gated Blossom Hills subdivision. Main bedroom suite on ground floor, spacious loft and 2 bedroom and a bath on the second floor. Open great room with kitchen, living and dining space with a half bath and Harry Potter closet under the stair and a nice size laundry room. 2 car garage, shared driveway. Wood look tile on the main floor and newer carpet on stair and upstairs loft and bedrooms. Easy freeway access. Seller related to Listing Agent. There is a one time Benefit Working Capital Fee of 114.00

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