Have you been thinking about buying a house? If so, you are not the only one. It is something that millions of people around the world wish to do. After all, it prevents you from having to deal with a landlord and gives you plenty of freedom when it comes to things like owning animals and carrying out home improvement projects.
Unfortunately, houses are not cheap. For instance, in the United States, the average down payment for a house is between $10,000 and $15,000, which is a large sum of money. In order to save up that much money, you will have to put hundreds of dollars aside each month.
It is easier said than done, though, as the rising inflation is slowly eating away at what that money is worth. Luckily, you can always apply for a loan or start investing in assets that are resistant to inflation, such as cryptocurrency.
If you really want to get the funds you need for that home down payment but are worried about the rising inflation, keep reading! Below, you will find a few simple tips on raising funds for a home down payment in spite of inflation.
Loans
If you do not know whether you will be able to save up enough money for that home down payment in time, why not get a loan? You have a wide range of loans to choose from, ranging from a conventional loan to a fixed-rate mortgage. In addition, you could always get a loan based on a pending lawsuit.
Of course, the downside of borrowing money is that you will have to pay interest on it. The interest rate can range from just a few percent to as much as thirty percent, depending on the type of loan that you choose.
So, in order not to go bankrupt, it is recommended that you read up on different types of loans or make an appointment with a financial advisor before signing any loan agreements. Otherwise, you might end up dealing with a loan that you simply cannot afford to pay off.
TIPS
What about investing in TIPS? TIPS stands for Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. The term might seem like a mouthful, but in reality, the entire concept behind it is quite easy to understand. In short, TIPS are government bonds that reflect the rise and fall of inflation. Once inflation goes up, the paid interest rate goes up, too.
In addition to that, TIPS bonds are backed by the United States federal government. Due to that fact, investing in TIPS is one of the safest investments that you can make when raising funds for a hefty down payment.
However, it is worth noting that it is a long-term investment, as TIPS are issued in five-year, ten-year, and thirty-year maturities. At maturity, you are paid the original principal or adjusted principal depending on whichever is greater. Thus, if you are looking to make a quick buck, TIPS are definitely not the way to go about it.
Cryptocurrency
If you are a risk-taker, investing in cryptocurrency is always a viable option. On the one hand, in theory, cryptocurrency can protect you from inflation due to its limited supply and give you an opportunity to earn thousands of dollars.
On the other hand, it is incredibly volatile. Upon hitting stratospheric heights, its value can plummet in a matter of days. Still, that does not stop brave investors from pitching a stake in the hope of hitting it big.
If you are one of such individuals, you should not invest much in cryptocurrency, and when you do make an investment, research the cryptocurrency that you are planning to invest in, as well as the latest trends on the crypto market. By doing that, you are much more likely to actually make money and finally be able to cover that pesky house down payment.
Stocks
Last but not least, consider investing in stocks. It is a great long-term hedge against inflation, particularly if you opened an account through a reputable trading platform, such as Webull or Fidelity.
Unfortunately, stock trading and investing might not be the ideal choice for beginners who do not know much about how the stock market works. You could always teach yourself how to invest in stocks by completing online courses and reading books on the topic, but it might not be that effective if you do not have the financial means to experiment with different investment strategies.
In Conclusion
To sum up, raising funds for a home down payment while inflation is on the rise might be a challenging task, but it is not an impossible one. If you need to get that money as soon as possible, you can always take out a loan, but if that is not something that you would like to do and you are not in a hurry, investing in government bonds, stocks, and cryptocurrency is always an option.
If you feel lost and a bit overwhelmed, do not worry! Instead, book an appointment with a financial advisor. It might be pricey, but a financial advisor has the knowledge and experience you need to make sound and lucrative investment decisions that you will surely be satisfied with. Good luck!