Saving money for a house is like saving money for anything else, only you’ll probably need to save a larger amount. If you don’t have enough money to buy a house right now, here are 15 ways to help you fast-track your savings and get the keys to your own home sooner.

1. Compare Mortgage Options

Saving enough cash to purchase a home outright is a huge mountain to climb. Fortunately, if you get a mortgage, you may only need to save enough money to cover a down payment, fees, and taxes. But you’ll want to determine what type of mortgage you might be eligible for in advance.

OneTrust Home Loans is a mortgage company that offers all types of home loan products, and they will even give you a free consultation with one of their mortgage specialists. All you need to do is fill out a short questionnaire about your mortgage needs. A professional will be in touch with you to discuss your options and help you find the right one for you.

2. Create a Budget

Creating a budget is essential in order to save up the money needed for buying a house. You need to know how much you have coming in every month and where it’s going so you can decide what you can put away towards your home savings.

3. Start a Savings Account

Opening a separate savings account specifically for your home savings will help you keep track of what you have saved and give you an idea of when you will reach your goal.

The Upgrade Premier Savings account comes with no annual fees, monthly account fees, or transfer fees. You’ll also earn the account’s highest interest rate by maintaining a balance of just $1,000 or more. There’s no minimum opening deposit, so you can open your account and start saving today!

4. Invest Your Money

While it always has its risks, investing your money can be a great way to grow your money more than if it were just sitting in a bank account. Of course, you can invest in the stock market or mutual funds, but consider other markets as well — such as real estate or art!

With Masterworks, you can invest in buying shares of multimillion dollar paintings with as little as $10. The company handles everything from selecting the art (only 3% pass their diligence process) to selling it. While Masterworks hold the paintings for 3–10 years, you have the option of selling your shares early on the trading market. Skip the waitlist and become a member today!

5. Cut Back on Your Expenses

Look at what expenses can be cut down or eliminated altogether so that more money can be put into savings instead of being spent elsewhere. This could include getting rid of cable television, eating out less often, or reducing your grocery bill by planning meals ahead of time and shopping with coupons whenever possible.

Rocket Money is a money management app that allows you to cut back your expenses in minutes. They show you all of your subscriptions in one place and cancel the ones you don’t want (with your permission, of course). They can even help you negotiate your bills for you!

6. Talk to an Expert

Talking to experts such as real estate agents or financial advisors is a great way to gather advice on how best to save for a house and how much is needed for the purchase price, as well as any additional costs — such as closing fees, taxes, et cetera.

Find a top advisor easily with WiserAdvisor. This free service matches you with up to three financial advisors in your area after you fill out a simple questionnaire. In many cases, you can even get a free consultation!

7. Get Organized

Make sure everything related to your finances, such as bills and investments, is organized so that nothing slips through the cracks. This way, any extra money can go immediately into savings instead of being forgotten about or lost in paperwork clutter somewhere else.

8. Automate Your Payments

Automating payments helps ensure that all bills are paid on time and that no extra late fees are incurred. This could set you back in your pursuit of a house purchase if you don’t keep it under control now!

9. Get Creative with Side Gigs

Consider taking on side gigs to supplement income without having to take on full-time work that takes away from family life or other life commitments!

10. Shop Secondhand

Shopping secondhand for clothes, furniture, and other household items can help you save quite a bit of money over time, since these items usually cost less than their brand new counterparts (even if they’re still high-quality products!)

11. Set Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals will keep motivation high and provide achievable targets that don’t seem overwhelming when trying to save up enough money for a new home.

12. Take Advantage of Tax Deductions

Taking advantage of tax deductions offered by employers helps lower taxable income so more take-home pay remains thereby allowing more potential savings from each paycheck received at work each month!

13. Utilize Employer Match Programs

Employer match programs offer incentives when employees choose to invest in retirement accounts like 401(k)s. By taking advantage of these contributions, you can save more money toward your future home.

14. Reevaluate Insurance Policies Regularly

Reevaluating insurance policies regularly ensures any extra coverage not needed anymore can be dropped or replaced with lower premiums. By revisiting your insurance premiums every six months or so — whether it’s renters insurance, auto insurance, life insurance, or another type of coverage — you could save more money and put it towards your home.

15. Live Below Your Means

Living below your means simply means making sure you don’t spend more than you make each month. By doing this consistently, you’ll be able to save more money each month and be one step closer towards your goal of purchasing a home.

How Much Money Do I Need to Save for a House?

The amount of money you’ll need for a house depends on various factors, such as the neighborhood you prefer, the size of the house, and mortgage rates. However, a general rule of thumb is that you should aim to save at least 20% of the total cost of the house you want to buy. This amount is referred to as the down payment.

What Are Some Other Costs I Should Consider When Saving for a Home?

Aside from the down payment and closing costs, there are additional expenses you’ll want to account for when saving for a house. Some of these costs may include property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, home maintenance, and repair funds.

How Can I Find the Best Mortgage Rates?

To find the best mortgage rates, do your research and compare rates from different lenders. You can also work with a mortgage broker who can help you find the best rates and terms based on your financial situation.  OneTrust Home Loans is a mortgage company that offers mortgage, and they will give you a free consultation with one of their mortgage specialists. Additionally, improving your credit score and having a stable income can also help you qualify for better rates.

When Is the Right Time to Buy a House?

The right time to buy a house depends on the individual since it’s a long-term investment. Several factors influence the timing of home purchases, such as career stability, relocation plans, and changes in personal life — including marriage or having children. However, timing the housing market is crucial. Researching and understanding the housing cycles will give you an advantage in landing an affordable house.

Should I Invest My Money While I Save for My House?

Investing can be a brilliant way to grow your money beyond basic savings accounts, but it’s important to know that it comes with a level of risk. Before investing, you should consult with a finance expert to understand the pros and cons of different types of investments, what your risk tolerance is, and how they might affect your down payment target amount.

Should I Consider Using My Retirement Savings to Buy a Home?

In general, it’s not recommended to dip into your retirement savings to buy a home. While it may be tempting to use your 401(k) or IRA savings to buy your dream home, it’s important to understand that withdrawing funds from these accounts can result in penalties and fees.