Student Loan Debt Affects Columbia SC Home Buying

The Columbia SC home buying market has been impacted by many potential first-time home buyers wrestling with repaying student loans. A recent BankRate.com survey revealed that young adults who would otherwise be prospective home buyers shelved their home search until their student debt is either reduced significantly or paid entirely. To make matters worse, many of these first-time buyers are under the mistaken impression that having student loan debt will prevent them from obtaining a mortgage.

The Columbia SC home buying market is being affected by student debt

Impact of Student Loan Debt on the Columbia SC Home Buying Market

The Amount of Debt Isn't as Important as Your Ability to Repay

Lenders look primarily at what a borrower’s debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is to underwrite a mortgage loan. A high DTI (over roughly 42%) may adversely impact your ability to obtain a loan, but anything less than that percentage should qualify you for a mortgage.

Your Credit Score is Only Impacted by Slow Payment History

Just because you may have student loan debt isn’t a negative mark against your credit score. However, if you have a poor repayment record, that will certainly lower your score. And because you will be required to pay a higher rate of interest if your credit score is low, your monthly mortgage payment will be more.

Repaying Your Student Loan Reduces the Amount of Money for a Down Payment

While you may have trouble saving money and reducing your student loan debt, you may still be able to qualify for a low-down payment loan. There are numerous programs available in the Columbia SC home buying market for first-time home buyers. You can research them online, or discuss them with your real estate professional or a mortgage lending officer.

With a little familiarization with the purchase process and some of its capabilities and requirements, there are opportunities for first time Columbia SC home buyers. So, don’t necessarily allow the repayment of student debt create a roadblock to home ownership. The two can co-exist.

Find more articles about Columbia SC home buying in our section on Columbia SC Home Buying Tips just below the Columbia SC Real Estate Categories to your right. And be sure to find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more daily posts and tips about Columbia SC home buying.

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