SoFi

Buying a home is probably one of the biggest financial commitments many people make in their life, and so it stands to reason that the process can be complex and lengthy. From figuring out how much you can afford to learning how mortgages work to getting preapproved to determining where exactly to live…it’s a lot!

But by learning about the usual flow before you begin hitting the open houses, you can be well-prepared to dive into homeownership. Below, the eight steps to follow that will help make purchasing a home a smooth process.

8 Steps to Prepare for a Home Purchase

Here are the moves that will help you get ready to buy your dream property:

1. Determining Credit Score

A homebuyer’s credit score can impact their ability to secure a mortgage loan with a desirable rate. It can also affect how much they’ll be required to pay as a down payment when it’s time to close.

Credit score can be influenced by a variety of factors, from payment history to amount of debt (aka credit utilization ratio) to age of credit accounts, mix of credit accounts, and new credit inquiries.

Payment history is the main factor that affects a person’s credit score, accounting for 35% of an overall FICO® score. Missing a payment on any credit account — from unpaid student loans to credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages — can negatively impact a person’s credit score.

On the other hand, positive habits can include making on-time payments, limiting the number of new inquiries on their credit file, and working to pay down outstanding balances.

Is There a Credit Score “Sweet Spot?”

Many buyers wonder whether there’s a desired credit score range or “sweet spot” to obtain a mortgage. Typically, a credit score of 740 or higher will get the best deals (meaning lowest rates).

Credit scores can also affect the amount of the down payment itself. Some mortgage lenders require at least 20% of the house’s sale price be put down, but might offer more flexibility if the buyer’s credit score is in the higher range. A lower credit score, on the other hand, could call for a larger down payment.

Whether homebuyers have debt or not, checking credit reports is still a recommended first step to applying for a mortgage. Understanding the information on credit reports can be invaluable in knowing where you stand when qualifying for a mortgage loan rate.

2. Deciding How Much to Spend

Deciding how much to pay for a new home can be based on a variety of factors including expected and unexpected housing costs, upfront payments and closing costs, and how it all fits into the buyer’s overall budget.

Calculating Housing Costs

There are several housing costs for home purchasers to consider that might affect how much they can afford to offer for the house itself. The costs of ongoing fees like property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and interest — if the loan isn’t a fixed-rate mortgage — can all lead to an increase in the monthly mortgage payment.

Closing costs are fees associated with the final real estate transaction that go above and beyond the price of the property itself. These costs might include an origination fee paid to the bank or lender for its services in creating the loan, real estate attorney fees, escrow fees, title insurance fees, home inspection and appraisal fees and recording fees, to name a few.

Typically, closing costs are between 2% and 5% of the loan’s amount. To get an idea on how this can impact your budget, use this home affordability calculator to estimate total purchase cost.

In addition to closing costs, expenses that potential homebuyers might want to consider are repairs and updates they might want to make to a home, new furniture, moving costs, or even commuting costs. If you are considering buying in a community with a homeowners association, factor those costs in as well.

Finally, unforeseen costs of a major life event like a layoff or the birth of a new child might not be the first expenses that come to mind. However, some buyers could find themselves making a potential home-buying mistake by not getting their finances in order to prepare for the unexpected.

Making a list of these estimated expenses can help homebuyers calculate how much they can feasibly afford. It can also help them create a budget that could help them avoid being overextended on housing costs, especially if they might be paying other debt or saving for other financial goals.

3. Saving for a Down Payment

Saving money for a house is one of life’s biggest financial goals. And how much they’re able to offer as a down payment can significantly impact the amount of their monthly mortgage payment.

A larger down payment can also be convincing to sellers who see it as evidence of solid finances, sometimes beating out other offers in a competitive housing market.

The typical down payment on a house varies depending on the type of buyer, loan, location, and housing prices. Most recently, the median down payment was 18%, although it was 9% for first-time buyers.

For first-time homebuyers, 18% or even 9% of the price of the home can seem like a daunting figure. Many buyers find that cutting spending on luxury or non-essential items and entertainment can help them save up the funds.

Other tactics could include getting gifts and loans from family members, applying for low down-payment mortgages, withdrawing funds from a retirement account, or receiving assistance from state and local agencies.

For buyers who are also sellers, proceeds from another property could also fund the down payment.

4. Shopping for a Mortgage Lender

There are many mortgage lenders competing for the business of homebuyers who finance their home purchases. These lenders offer a variety of mortgages to apply for, with a few of the most common being conventional/fixed rate, adjustable rate, FHA loans, and VA loans.

Buyers might not realize they can — and should — shop around for a lender before selecting one to work with. Different lenders offer different variations in interest rates, terms, and closing costs, so it can be helpful to conduct adequate research before landing on a particular lender.

Mortgage lenders must provide a home mortgage loan estimate within three business days of receiving a mortgage application. The form is standard — all lenders are required to use the same form, which makes it easier for the applicant to compare information from different lenders and make sure they are getting the best loan for their financial situation.

When comparing loan offers, don’t just look at the interest rate. Examine the annual percentage rate (APR), which factors in costs.

5. Getting Preapproved for a Loan

While it might seem like a bit of a nuance, getting prequalified for a loan vs. preapproved for a loan are two different things.

When a buyer is prequalified for a loan, their mortgage lender estimates the loan amount they are qualified for, based on financial information they provided.

When a buyer is preapproved, the lender conducts a thorough investigation into their finances that includes income verification, assets, and credit rating. Preapproval is not a guarantee but tells a buyer that a lender is likely to approve them for a certain amount, as long as they clear the underwriting process.

Having a preapproval letter in hand can help some buyers get ahead in a competitive home market. It shows the would-be owner’s intent to purchase and a lender’s guarantee to back that purchase up.

6. Finding the Right Real Estate Agent

While the internet and popular real estate search websites have made it easier for homebuyers to hunt for a house online, most buyers still solicit the help of a real estate agent to find the right home and negotiate the price and purchase.

Also, many realtors are experts in their particular housing market, so for buyers who are searching in a specific location, a real estate agent may be able to offer valuable insights that might not be revealed online.

7. Exploring Different Neighborhoods

By researching neighborhoods where they might want to purchase a property (both in-person and online), homebuyers can get a better sense of what living in their future community could look like.

Many real estate websites provide comparable listings to help determine a reasonable offer amount in a given neighborhood.

They may also highlight nearby school ratings, price and tax history, commute times, and neighborhood stats like home value fluctuations or predictions, and walkability ratings.

All of this information can help paint a picture of life in the area a homebuyer chooses to settle in. Doing a deep dive into a desired neighborhood can help inform a more realistic decision on where to buy a house.

8. Kicking off the House Hunt

Once the neighborhoods are whittled down, the loan is preapproved, the real estate agent has been signed, and the savings are set aside, the official house hunt can begin.

With the help of a trusted real estate agent and a housing market with adequate inventory, most homebuyers can begin to book showings, attend open houses, and formally put down an offer on a house they like.

In particularly “hot” markets, houses could receive several offers, so homebuyers might want to be prepared to go through the bidding process with a few properties before they get to that glorious final sale.

Are You Ready to Buy a Home Quiz

The Takeaway

A home may well be the biggest purchase you make and the biggest asset you ever own, so it makes sense to spend some time on the home-buying process. From checking out different mortgage options to getting preapproved for a loan to attending open houses, the process is a valuable one that brings you closer to your dream home.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

FAQ

What is the 20% rule when buying a house?

The 20% rule typically refers to the idea that a homebuyer should make a 20% down payment. This percentage allows the buyer to avoid paying for private mortgage insurance (PMI) as part of their monthly mortgage payment. It’s hard to come up with that much cash upfront, especially for first-time buyers, and it’s not unusual to see buyers put down less. In fact, eligible first-time homebuyers can purchase with as little as 3% down with some lenders. And some government-backed loans require no down payment at all.

How large a down payment do I need for a $350,000 house?

If you want to put down 20% and avoid paying for private mortgage insurance, you will need to come up with a down payment of $70,000. This may be difficult for some buyers, and it is certainly possible to put down less. Eligible buyers may be able to put down just 3.5%, which on a $350,000 house would be $12,250. And if you buy with a government loan, you may be able to avoid a down payment altogether.

What do I do now if I want to buy a house next year?

Preparing to buy a house one year from now is primarily about strengthening your financial situation. Check your credit score and practice good credit hygiene: Pay your bills on time and clear up any blemishes on your credit report. Try to pay down debt and also to save some money for a down payment and the expenses that come with a home purchase. If you have a particular neighborhood or city in mind, begin to follow listings and local news in the area.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

SOHL-Q225-058

A jumbo loan is a mortgage that is larger than the loan-servicing limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). If you know you need a large loan to cover a higher home mortgage loan, you might be wondering how to qualify for a jumbo loan.

Jumbo loan qualifications are more stringent than conforming conventional loans. Because a jumbo loan is a nonconforming loan, banks take on more risk as they are not able to sell the loan to government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Since the loans are not guaranteed by the government, lenders are more cautious about the type of borrowers they do business with.

What this means for your money: You need conditions to be pretty optimal to qualify for a jumbo loan. But it can be done. Learn more here, including:

•   How to qualify for a jumbo loan

•   What factors lenders consider when authorizing jumbo loans

•   The jumbo loan qualification process

•   How to decide if a jumbo loan is right for you

Jumbo Mortgage Requirements

The current limits for jumbo loans are defined as exceeding $832,750 for single-family homes, except in Alaska, Hawaii, and some federally designated markets that are considered high-cost. In those areas, the limit that’s exceeded is $1,249,125 since these locations tend to have pricier housing markets.

Jumbo mortgage requirements are similar to conventional conforming loan requirements, but there are some key differences that make them harder to qualify for.

A High Credit Score

Experts recommend a credit score of 700 or above for jumbo loan borrowers. A higher credit score when buying a house is indicative of a borrower’s behavior with credit and how likely they are to repay the loan. A higher credit score is needed for the higher loan amounts of a jumbo loan. That lofty score can help the lender feel more secure that you’ll pay back the amount you borrow.

Cash Reserves

A cash reserve is how much liquid money you have at your disposal. What counts as liquid money can vary from lender to lender. For example, some will allow a percentage of vested 401(k) funds to count toward the reserve requirement. Others do not.

Because jumbo loans are so large, lenders look for cash reserves in your account to guard against default. For the best jumbo loan terms, lenders can require as much as 12 months of reserves.

A Low Debt-to-Income Ratio

A debt-to-income ratio is the amount of income you make relative to the amount of debt obligations you have. If you have what is considered too much debt, the lender will not offer a loan to you. With jumbo loans, a healthy DTI ratio is essential to qualify for the mortgage. A DTI ratio below 43% is recommended.

What Does the Jumbo Qualification Process Include?

When you’re looking at jumbo loan requirements and the qualification process, there are some things you should keep in mind. Here, what’s needed to get a mortgage:

Documents Required for Jumbo Loan

When you apply for a jumbo loan, the lender will look to verify the information you provided. Some documents you may be required to provide include:

•   Two years of tax returns

•   Profit & Loss (P&L) statement if you’re a business owner

•   Pay stubs

•   Bank statements

•   Documentation for other income

Loan-to-Value Ratio Evaluation

In addition to your application, the jumbo loan will require an appraisal of your property to ensure they’re not lending too much on the home (that is, more than it’s worth). This appraisal will ensure the home’s price is not too high and determine that the loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is within its guidelines.

Evaluating How Jumbo Down Payments Will Impact You

How much you put down on the home of your dreams will impact what loan you qualify for. If you’re able to put down enough, you may be able to forgo the jumbo loan requirements and get into a conforming conventional loan.

Is a Jumbo Mortgage Right for You? Questions To Ask

When it comes to making a decision on a jumbo loan, it’s helpful to ask yourself some questions that can help determine if a jumbo loan will work for you.

Do I Have Good Credit?

Ask yourself if your credit is strong enough to qualify for a jumbo loan. These mortgages do come with higher loan amounts and higher payments, and a good credit score range (700 or higher, typically) can help you get the best terms possible to qualify for a jumbo loan.

Do I Have a Low DTI and High Cash Reserves?

It’s important to have a low debt-to-income ratio and ample reserves to qualify for a jumbo mortgage, as discussed above. While some lenders may go up to as high as a 43% DTI, others will want to see a lower number.

Can I Prove I’m in Good Financial Health?

Qualifying for a jumbo mortgage goes beyond the numbers. Can you demonstrate to the lender that you’re able to continue making payments? Do you have a consistent job history? Are all the other financial factors in your life lined up so you can afford the mortgage?

Is the Property Value High Enough for a Jumbo Loan?

The jumbo loan value minimum (and conforming loan limits) is $832,750 for most areas in the U.S. If your mortgage is below this amount, you’ll want to look at financing with a conforming conventional loan instead. In high-cost areas, the home would have to hold a value of more than $1,249,125.

Do I Have Enough Money Saved?

A down payment on a property that merits a jumbo loan will often be a significant amount of cash. And while some closing costs are a flat fee that won’t go up, many are labor-intensive or percentage-based (2% to 5% of the loan amount), so your jumbo loan closing costs are larger than for a conventional, conforming loan.

Recommended: 18 Mortgage Questions for Your Lender

The Takeaway

If you are in the market for a high-value home, a jumbo mortgage can help you make it your own. However, you will need to meet the loan requirements, which may be somewhat more demanding than those for a conforming loan. By focusing on optimizing your credentials and financial profile, you can work to secure the mortgage that makes your home-ownership dreams come true.

When you’re ready to take the next step, consider what SoFi home loans have to offer. Jumbo loans are offered with competitive interest rates, with no PMI, and down payments as low as 10%.

FAQ

Is it harder to qualify for a jumbo loan?

Yes, jumbo loans are harder to qualify for. You will need a larger down payment than you would with a conforming loan, a higher credit score, a low debt-to-income ratio, more cash reserves, and a tighter loan-to-value ratio.

What credit score do you need for a jumbo loan?

For a jumbo loan, you may want to aim for a credit score above 700.

Do jumbo loans require a 20% down payment?

Sometimes they do. But it is possible to obtain a jumbo loan with a down payment as low as 10% or possibly even lower.

Photo credit: iStock/lovenimo

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOHL-Q225-017

You’ve likely heard that the most important aspect of real estate is “location, location, location.” If that’s true, then the second most important consideration may be size or square footage.

At its most basic, square footage tells you the size of a property. It can also determine whether you’ll be able to squeeze a king-size bed plus your home office into the primary bedroom, or accommodate your beloved baby grand piano in the family room.

Square footage also plays a major role in how a home that is for sale is priced. Getting square footage wrong when you are buying or selling can be a big headache and an expensive mistake. For instance, you don’t want to pay too much for a home that’s smaller than you thought it was.

Here, you’ll learn more about how square footage is correctly calculated.

Why Measure Square Footage of a House?

Here are some reasons why you may need to know the square footage of a house:

•   When selling a house, square footage plays a big role in determining the asking price. Real estate agents will look at comps in the neighborhood — houses of similar size and style — that have sold recently to help them gauge demand for this new listing and set a price.

Square footage isn’t the only factor in pricing a home. An agent will also look at things like condition and building materials when determining value.

•   For those who are buying a home, square footage will play a big part in the price. It’s important that buyers verify that the listed square footage is correct so they know they are getting the space they’re paying for.

When you’re getting a mortgage, the lender will need to verify square footage as well, to make sure the house is worth the price the buyer and seller have settled on.

Lenders send an appraiser to do a home appraisal. This looks at the house to spot anything else that will adversely affect the value of the home, such as cracked walls, a leaky foundation, or a roof that needs repair.

If a lender’s appraiser finds discrepancies in square footage, there may be issues with a mortgage loan going through. Lenders may be unwilling to underwrite a loan for a house they think is overvalued for its size.

To save time, buyers should consider doing their due diligence and measure square footage before putting in an offer. Because the size of a house helps determine its value, it also influences property tax assessments.

•   You may also need to know the square footage if you want to dispute a high tax assessment or apply for permits to add on to your house.

Homeowners who think their property is overvalued for tax purposes can dispute the assessment. Confirming square footage is a good place to start. If a home is actually smaller than the recorded size, that may put a homeowner in a favorable position to have their property taxes reduced.

There are a number of reasons the assessed size of your home could be off. Assessors may have used an estimate for their initial assessment, builders may have made a calculation error when they were filing for building permits, or a portion of the house in the initial plans may never have been finished.

If you think the square footage in the public record isn’t correct, contact your city’s assessment department and ask for a review. The city may ask you to file an appeal or a grievance.

Finally, if you’re planning on hiring someone to remodel your home or put on an addition, you may need to know your square footage in order to pull a building permit for the work you want to do.

Recommended: Housing Market Trends by Location

How to Measure Square Footage

There are no hard and fast rules about what parts of your house should be included in a square footage measurement.

The American National Standards Institute provides the generally accepted guidelines about how to calculate square footage, but there are no laws governing the issue, and standards may vary by region or even by listing agent. These discrepancies are another good reason to double-check square footage yourself.

That said, the gross living area is what most people mean when they discuss square footage. Here’s an easy way to calculate it yourself.

•   First, get prepared to brush off your drawing skills, and bust out a pen and paper — preferably graph paper. Each square of the graph paper can represent one square foot.

•   Next, moving one room at a time, measure the walls with a tape measure or laser measure, rounding to the nearest half-linear foot. As you measure each wall, draw it out on your paper and write the measurement next to the line.

•   For regular rectangular rooms, you will be able to calculate the square footage by multiplying the length of the room by its width.

•   If the room you are measuring is an irregular shape, break it down into small rectangles, triangles, or other shapes and measure those separately. Add up the square footage of these small areas to get the room total.

•   Add on to your floor plan room by room, and don’t forget to include hallways and closet spaces that may be between rooms. Stairways are also usually counted in gross living area.

•   Do this for every floor of the house, and once you have a complete floor plan, tally the square footage of all the rooms in the house to get total square footage. Round the result to the nearest square foot.

•   If you have a two-story house, you may be tempted to simply measure the square footage of one floor and multiply that by two. The danger with this approach is that not every floor will have the same footage.

For example, if you have any double-height rooms, you can’t count that square footage as part of the second floor.

Note: ANSI guidelines measure square footage from the exterior of the house. This method does not subtract interior walls from the square footage, so it may not give a completely accurate sense of a home’s living space.

Recommended: Things to Budget for After Buying a House

What to Leave Out

Living space that is above the land line and has heating, lighting, and ventilation is included in the gross living area. Garage space does not make the cut. In general, neither do basements, even if they’re finished (although appraisers will include the space in their appraisal valuation).

A good rule of thumb is that anything that is built below grade, i.e. underground, does not count toward gross living area. Other buildings, including guesthouses and pool houses, that require you to go outside to them can’t be included in the gross living area either.

Finished attic space may be included in the gross living area as long as it has enough clearance — generally a ceiling of at least seven feet. Enclosed porches can be included if they are heated by the same unit that heats the rest of the house.

That said, it can be helpful to measure the square footage of these areas for your records, and they can be included separately in a sales listing

Recommended: First-Time Homebuyer Guide

Other Considerations Before Buying

If you’re in the market for a new home, the first thing you can do to verify square footage is take a look at the city’s building department records.

When homes or condominiums are built, plans submitted for a building permit include square footage.

Many of these records are available online and provide a way to check whether the listed square footage is at least in the ballpark of city records.

Note that if a house has unpermitted additions, they will not show up in official records.

In fact, add-ons built without going through the proper city channels can add uncertainty to the real estate process, and may not even be included in the gross living area advertised in a real estate listing. And appraisers may not include these additions in the value of the home.

If it’s hard for you to get information on the home you’re interested in from the city and you don’t have the opportunity to measure the home yourself, you can hire an appraiser who can do the measuring for you.

Real estate agents also have a lot of experience determining the square footage of houses. They can give a quick estimate of size or help you measure the square footage more carefully.

There are other things to look for when buying a home in addition to its size. Would you prefer a smaller house in tip-top condition or a larger one that needs some TLC? Do you like the design and layout or would you be looking at major renovation work to have it be your dream home? Is the location right? Is it near schools, your work, businesses you like to go to, or parks? Is it in your price range?

The Takeaway

There is a lot to think about when buying a house, and square footage is an important factor as it helps drive the pricing set by the seller. It’s always a good idea to measure for yourself to see if the advertised size of a house is accurate.

Once you’re a homeowner, the square footage will help drive your property tax rate, so it’s helpful to have your own measurements to compare to your tax bill. And even before you buy, your mortgage lender will be looking at the square footage to determine whether the agreed-upon price of the property is a fair one for loan purposes.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

FAQ

Is the garage included in the square footage of a house?

A garage is generally not included when the square footage of a house is measured for real estate pricing purposes. Neither is the basement, even if it is a finished basement.

What is not included in the square footage of a house?

The square footage of a house is a measure of floor space, so a double-height room, such as a vaulted-ceiling living room, would only count as square footage on one floor. Any rooms that are below-ground are also generally not included in the calculation. Also not included? Outbuildings such as a shed or pool house.

Is the square footage of a house measured inside or outside?

The square footage of a house is calculated by measuring the square footage of rooms on the inside of the house.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

SOHL-Q225-051

After months of searching, you’ve found your dream home. There’s just one problem: It’s marked as contingent. Can you still make an offer on a house that is contingent? In a word, yes.

Here’s what you need to know about contingent homes and what they mean for hopeful buyers.

What Does Contingent Mean On a House?

When scrolling through online real estate listings, you’re likely to come across a few different listing classifications. These tell you what stage of the real estate process a property is in.

A listing classified as “active” means the home is currently for sale and potential buyers are welcome to view the home and make an offer. A home listed as “pending” means a closing date has been set and all contingencies have been met. A home listed as “sold” is officially off the market.

In real estate, contingent means an offer has been accepted on a home, but before the sale can go through, certain criteria (specified in the contract) need to be met.

Many buyers don’t fully understand the contingent house meaning when it comes to their options. Unfortunately, this could mean buyers are throwing away real estate opportunities.

💡 Quick Tip: Thinking of using a mortgage broker? That person will try to help you save money by finding the best loan offers you are eligible for. But if you deal directly with an online mortgage lender you won’t have to pay a mortgage broker’s commission, which is usually based on the mortgage amount.

Can a Contingent Home Fall Through?

Yes, the deal on a home that is listed as contingent can definitely fall through.

In 2025, the National Association of Realtors® found that 5% of contracts over a three-month time period were terminated. Reasons for a contract falling through include job loss, unmet contingencies (such as the buyer not being able to sell their home), trouble with financing, home inspection issues, and more.

Financing Falls Through

According to a NAR® report, 74% of homebuyers financed their home. Home loans aren’t finalized until closing, so until a buyer signs on the dotted line on closing day, financing isn’t guaranteed.

Even though buyers may be preapproved for financing, finalizing the process involves diving deeper into their financial matters. Sometimes unanswered debts come up or loan seekers have overestimated their assets.

Whatever the reason, financing can fall through at any time and push a home back on the market.

Appraisal Is Low

An appraisal must be completed when a home is being bought with a mortgage loan. A qualified appraiser determines the value of the home through a variety of measures, including condition and location.

An appraisal that comes in much lower than expected can push a home back on the market. Buyers might decide they are no longer interested, sellers might not agree to a lower price, or the financial institution providing funding could stop the transaction from taking place.

Surprises in the Home Inspection

A home inspection that turns up unexpected issues can void a contingent contract. Unless the buyer and seller can come to an agreement about who will absorb the cost of each necessary fix, it’s unlikely a new offer will be made or accepted.

A home inspection that finds a home to be in severe disrepair could make it difficult or impossible to secure funding, as well.

The Buyer Is Unable to Sell Their Home

One of the most common requirements written into a contingent offer is that the sale can’t go through until the buyer sells their home. Many homeowners can’t afford two mortgages at once, and this is the best way to prevent an overlap.

However, this leaves the seller in an uncomfortable position, not knowing if their home will officially sell in one week or three months. Unless specifics are written into the contingency contract, a seller may back out of the contract or accept another offer if they feel the sale is moving too slowly.

💡 Quick Tip: One answer to rising house prices is a jumbo loan. Apply for a jumbo loan online with SoFi, and you could finance up to $2.5 million with as little as 10% down. Get preapproved and you’ll be prepared to compete in a hot market.

How to Put in an Offer on a Contingent Home

In most cases, putting an offer in on a contingent home is an option to consider. Although it doesn’t guarantee you’ll close on the home, it does mean you could be first in line should the current contract fall through.

Putting an offer in on a contingent home is similar to the home-buying process of any active listing. Here are a few responses you could receive:

•   Crickets. In some cases, a seller and buyer may have already gone through the requirements and are approaching a closing date. If this is the case, you’re likely not to receive a response. Don’t take it personally.

•   We’ll get back to you. If your offer is appealing, you can expect the seller’s agent to want to speak with yours. A quick conversation between the professionals will likely reveal if the deal can take place or not. Keep in mind that if the sellers have accepted a contingent offer without a “kick-out clause,” they may not be able to back out of the contract.

•   Yes! If a motivated seller is not happy with how fast the current buyer is moving, your tantalizing offer could win them over quickly. If your offer is accepted, you’ll move forward with the process required by your lender. If you’ve offered cash, closing may happen rather quickly.

Buying a Contingent Home Is Possible, But Is It Worth It?

The answer to this question really depends on how much you want to own the home in question.

Making an offer on a contingent home can take you on a rollercoaster ride. Before you hop on, consider the benefits and potential pitfalls.

Pros

Fast closing. The sellers may be tired of their current contract and ready to move on. If you can put in a better offer, you could be closing sooner rather than later. Before you make an offer, make sure you’re really ready to buy a home.

Less competition. It may not be obvious on an online listing, but a contingent home’s contract could be dead in the water. And while other buyers scroll past the listing because they don’t realize they can still make an offer, you might be able to swoop in and get the home without worrying about competing bids.

Cons

Higher price. It’s less likely you’ll get a great deal when making an offer on a contingent home. In most cases, a contingent offer is high to encourage sellers to hold out if the closing process takes longer than anticipated. You may have to cough up a bit extra to get the home, which is why you should only put an offer on a contingent home that you absolutely love.

Wasted time. Think of putting an offer on a contingent home like asking someone out who is already in a committed relationship. Sure, there’s a chance they’ll say yes. But there’s no way to know if your efforts will be worth it.

Recommended: Mortgage Prequalification vs. Preapproval

The Takeaway

Can you still make an offer on a house that is contingent? Yes. But before you do, make sure the house is worth the added effort and be prepared to move forward quickly in the homebuying process.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

FAQ

Can a seller accept another offer while a home is contingent?

A seller can typically only accept another offer on a contingent home if the sale contract includes what is known as a “kick-out” clause, which allows the seller to back out of the contract if the buyer doesn’t meet certain conditions. Often, the condition is the sale of the buyer’s current home.

What are common contingencies in a home sale?

When a home is listed as contingent, some of the contingencies the deal may rest on include a mortgage contingency (the sale will go through if the buyer can get a mortgage); an inspection contingency (the sale will be finalized if the home inspection reveals no serious issues); or an appraisal contingency (the home appraises for the sale price).

Should I bid on a contingent home?

Whether or not it’s a good idea to put in an offer on a contingent home depends on how much you love the property and what your agent can learn about the contingencies that the seller and buyer have in their contract — and how likely they are to result in the deal being scuttled. Of course, if their deal has a kick-out clause and you are willing to make a sweet offer, the negotiations could go your way. So your budget is a factor as well. Remember, though, that making an offer on a contingent property could leave you hanging for a while and delay your home search.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

SOHL-Q225-053

Buying a house can be the single largest financial move you’ll ever make. What’s more, once purchased, your home is likely to be your biggest asset and possibly a path to building wealth.

So this rite of passage probably isn’t something to be done without a lot of preparation. For instance, when preparing to buy a home, you usually have to focus on such factors as:

•   Saving for a down payment

•   Optimizing your credit score

•   Understanding what your monthly expenses will be

•   Considering the dynamics of the real-estate market

•   Researching where you want to live

•   Making sure you’re ready for the responsibilities of homeownership.

You’ll learn more about these factors in a minute, but first, take this quiz to get a read on just how ready you are to dive into house-buying. While it won’t answer the question, “Am I ready to buy a house?” definitively, it can help you gauge where you stand.

Then, read on to learn more about how to make snagging your dream house become a reality.

Home Buyer Readiness Quiz

Now that you’ve taken the quiz, here’s more intel on how to get ready to buy a house.

Recommended: First-Time Home Buyer Guide

Financial Factors

Home ownership can be quite expensive, and has become especially pricey in recent years. As you may know, housing prices soared during the pandemic, rising over 40% in some areas. In an effort to stem that, as well as other aspects of inflation, the Fed has been raising interest rates, so it’s become more expensive to borrow money, too, further squeezing potential homebuyers.

But don’t let that discourage you: Homeownership is still a goal you can realize, especially if you prepare for the following:

•   Down payment: Ideally, lenders like to see a 20% down payment (although SoFi offers flexible down payment options). Plus, you’ll need to have enough money left over for closing costs, moving costs, and any renovation costs involved.

•   Private mortgage insurance: If you are putting down less than 20% on your home purchase, you may have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). This helps protect your lender as you may look like a less well-qualified home purchaser. This cost is typically charged along with your monthly interest payment by the lender. It’s wise to include this amount in your calculations, if necessary, as you move toward buying a house.

•   Income: Knowing the answer to “When can I buy a house?” doesn’t depend on a particular salary. However, mortgage lenders do like to see two years of steady income, because both job continuity and consistent income are important.

•   Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: You’ll need to see if your monthly income allows you to afford the mortgage payment you’d be taking on. This typically involves calculating your debt-to-income ratio or DTI.

Here’s an example: Say you make $6,000 a month, before taxes. You’re paying $1,500 a month in rent, and when you add in car payments, credit card debt, and student loan payments, that equals another $700. You’ve got monthly expenses, then, of $2,200; when you divide that by your monthly income ($2,200/$6,000), then your debt-to-income ratio is 36.7%, which is in the range of what many lenders like to see.

•   Credit score: It’s helpful to know your credit score before you go home shopping and, if it’s under 700 (meaning either at the low end of a good score or a fair credit score), work to build it. That can open you up to more mortgage offers and lower interest rates.

•   Mortgage options: Speaking of mortgages, connecting with lenders or mortgage brokers can help you gain a better understanding of how much house you can afford, what kinds of mortgages are available, and whether you can get prequalified or even preapproved before you shop in earnest. This can give you an edge in or possibly even be necessary in today’s tight housing market.

•   Homeownership costs: In addition to the mortgage payment and any PMI, you’ll need to budget for property taxes, heating costs, and other regular expenses. Make sure to factor those in as you develop a budget for your life as a homeowner.

Recommended: How to Qualify for a Mortgage

Housing Market Conditions

When determining if you’re ready to buy a house, also consider housing market conditions. Among the key factors:

•   Location: Of course, you’ll want your home to be in a desirable location, however you define “desirable.” It could mean being in the heart of a busy city — or in a peaceful place along a river. If you have or plan to have a family, quality schools are likely important, and so forth.

It’s likely going to make your house hunt more manageable and productive if you narrow down where you want to live to a few towns or neighborhoods. Otherwise, you might spend a lot of time and effort driving all over and not being able to whittle down the choices.

•   Real-estate dynamics: In desirable locations, competition is fierce today, with homes often selling quickly after being put up for sale and bidding wars occurring. And, as demand has increased, available housing (especially for first-time homebuyers looking to purchase in affordable price ranges) has therefore decreased.

So, you’ll have to be prepared to compete in the current housing market conditions, which means having your financial situation in order so you can make a timely offer on a house of choice.

Lifestyle Considerations

Let’s say you’re confident that you have the financial resources to purchase a home in your neighborhood of choice. Before you move forward, here are a couple of lifestyle issues to consider:

•   Home maintenance: If you’re used to renting, your landlord has played a key role in home repairs and so forth. If you buy a home, you would now be your own landlord. That means dealing with broken boilers, leaky roofs, yard maintenance, and more. Be sure you budget for that financially and are also prepared for the responsibility.

•   Community: Think about whether you are ready to settle down in a particular community for at least a few years. If not, you may not break even when you sell the house you bought. Here’s why: It can take time to recoup closing costs and other expenses you covered when purchasing the home.

The Takeaway

Homeownership can be the foundation of the American dream for many people. It’s also a potential avenue to build wealth. But when you should buy a house depends on a variety of factors. Before you dive in, do your research, save for your down payment, and optimize your finances so you are ready to handle the responsibility.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

[kicker_hl_lock_days]

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOHL-Q225-015