08/22/2026
Unpopular opinions about buying a home…
Let’s ruffle a few feathers.
1. You don’t need to put 20% down.
That number has been drilled into buyers for years, but there are loan options that allow significantly less down. The right amount depends on your goals, cash reserves, credit, and overall financial picture.
2. The house you can technically afford isn’t necessarily the house you SHOULD buy.
Just because a lender says you qualify for a certain payment doesn’t mean you need to spend that much. Your lifestyle, savings goals, travel, hobbies, and peace of mind matter too.
3. A lower interest rate doesn’t automatically mean it’s the better loan.
Sometimes the “lowest rate” comes with costs, points, or other trade-offs. Look at the entire loan, not just one number.
4. You probably shouldn’t drain your savings to buy a house.
Closing on your dream home and then having $47 left in the bank? No thanks. Keeping appropriate reserves can be just as important as getting the keys.
5. Your first home doesn’t have to be your forever home.
You don’t need the perfect house, perfect kitchen, and perfect yard right out of the gate. Sometimes the best first move is simply getting into a home that makes financial sense for YOU.
6. Waiting for the “perfect” market can cost you opportunities.
Nobody has a crystal ball. The best time to buy depends on your personal finances, goals, timeline, and the specific property, not just what the headlines are saying.
And my biggest unpopular opinion?
You shouldn’t buy a home because someone else says you should. Buy when the numbers make sense for your life.
If you’re curious what buying could actually look like for you, let’s run the numbers before you start scrolling Zillow at midnight.
