When the Baby Boomer generation was venturing into adulthood, it was common for them to buy a starter home — a modest, small dwelling. As their families grew and their careers advanced, many moved into bigger or better homes.
Today, the ability to work remotely has opened up more options and opportunities for home ownership in more affordable areas. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may be wondering: should you buy a starter home in a suburb that’s more affordable or spend a little more on a larger, forever home?
What is a starter home?
A starter home, or starter house, is a short-term, small dwelling that’s usually purchased by first-time homeowners because of its affordability.
A starter home typically has one to two bedrooms with one bathroom and roughly 750-1,250 square feet of space. The home usually serves the basic needs of the homeowner and are great for first-time homeowners who aren’t ready to commit to a residence long-term. Homeowners usually only live in a starter home for 3-7 years or at least long enough to see a return on the investment.
What is a forever home?
A forever home is a house you can see yourself living in for a long time. About double the average price of a starter home, forever homes are also much larger in size with about 2,000 square feet of living space, three bedrooms and two baths. Generally, forever homes are best for homeowners who are looking to settle for at least 10 years and want a space that can evolve with upcoming life-changing events like having kids. You like the location, you have a stable job, and you don’t have any plans of moving in the near future.
Starter home vs forever home
Home ownership is a personal choice, and there is no one right path to take. Stick within your comfort zone, weigh what’s best for your circumstances and future plans, and trust your gut.
Pros
Smaller down payment: Starter homes are typically the most affordable option for home ownership. When you buy a home, you have to put down a certain percentage toward the purchase price. The percentage, called a down payment, varies widely. Starter homes typically require a smaller down payment, since they’re less expensive.
Lower monthly payments: Because the down payment is smaller on a starter home, you’re able to save more quickly and put a larger percentage toward the purchase price to pay down the principal — lowering your monthly payment amount. A smaller home also tends to mean lower carrying costs like utilities, property taxes, and insurance.
Less upkeep: A smaller space means less to maintain, and it can also mean saving money on fewer furnishings. You’ll also likely save time on chores like cutting the grass, cleaning, or removing moss from a roof.
Cons
More competition: Because starter homes are among the most affordable homes, they are often the most sought-after. In competitive markets, where buyers outnumber sellers, you could be in for a prolonged search or a stressful bidding war.
Harder to generate rental income: 38% of newbie buyers say the opportunity to rent out a portion of their home while they’re living there is very or extremely important to them. If you’re counting on rental income to help pay the mortgage, a modest starter home may include only one bathroom, making it hard to rent outside of a roommate situation.
May need more repairs: While any home can require repairs, starter homes that are less expensive than other homes in the same market could need repairs or updating. In addition to making changes to reflect your personal style, you may have to pay for improvements and repairs you hadn’t planned on, especially if it’s an older home where maintenance has been deferred.
What to look for in a starter home
A good starter home, while temporary, should still provide you with some of the same comforts as a forever home.
Comfortable monthly payments: You may get pre-approved for a more expensive mortgage than you can comfortably afford. While starter homes generally cost less than a typical single-family home, you can use an affordability calculator to estimate the mortgage amount that will work best with your budget.
Sensible location: While the floorplan and home features are important to consider, starter homes are often in less-desirable locations with fewer amenities. You want your starter home to be near things you care about. Think about the home’s distance from family, friends and daily conveniences like groceries.
Meets future needs: 35% of moves are linked to momentous life events, such as marriage, the arrival of children and job changes. If any of those are on the near horizon, you might consider whether a starter home will be a good fit for your future self.
Source: Zillow