This Is When You Should Buy a House, According to Ramit Sethi
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Angela Corry
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Dreaming of homeownership? Financial expert Ramit Sethi says to pump the brakes — at least until you’ve considered a few key money factors.
Here’s when you should buy a house, according to Sethi.
The Long Game
Here’s Sethi’s first rule: “For the biggest purchase of your life, a good guideline is to be sure you’ll live there for at least 10 years.”
Without that commitment, those hefty buying and selling costs could end up costing even more.
Job Talk
Your career matters more than you might think. Sethi warns about industries that run “notoriously feast-or-famine” — if your paycheck isn’t reliable, maybe hold off on that mortgage.
Life Gets Complicated
Young and ambitious? Sethi has some thoughts about that. A house can become a real headache when opportunity knocks — whether it’s a promotion across the country or a relationship pulling you somewhere new.
Beyond the Math
Even Sethi, known for his love of spreadsheets, admits buying a house isn’t just about the numbers. He recently looked at a case where someone put down 60% at age 28 — not mathematically perfect, but potentially right for them.
His final advice — take time to “deeply analyze” your situation. Everyone’s circumstances are different and what works for your friends might not work for you. In fact, he is a renter.
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