I still remember the first apartment my husband and I rented. It was a modest one-bedroom in a less-than-ideal neighborhood, but affordable nonetheless. We cherished the independence it gave us, though I couldn’t help but dream of the day we’d own a home of our own. Like many renters, I worried about whether we would ever be “ready.” Was my credit strong enough? Would we be able to save for a down payment? Did we even understand the mortgage process?
Those questions stayed with me for years until we finally purchased our first home. Looking back, I realize I could have saved myself a lot of stress if I had better understood the steps to prepare for homeownership. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping today’s renters feel more confident as they plan their journeys.
Renters are more optimistic than ever
Experian recently surveyed U.S. renters and found nearly half (47%) believe they’ll be ready to buy a home in the next four years. And when looking out over the next eight years, that jumps to 67%. This optimism is encouraging, especially among Gen Z and Millennials, who represent the next wave of homeowners.
But optimism alone isn’t enough. Renters told us their biggest barriers include saving for a down payment, keeping up with rising home prices, and managing their credit scores. Nearly 40% also admitted they don’t feel fully confident in their financial knowledge around homeownership.
The good news? There are concrete steps you can start taking today to put yourself in the best position possible when you’re ready to buy.
Four tips to help you prepare for homeownership
- Understand your credit profile
Your credit history plays a big role in qualifying for a mortgage. Sign up for a free Experian membership to check your credit report, get alerts about changes, and see where you stand. Knowledge is power and checking your credit report regularly can help you understand ways to improve your credit score to better prepare for homeownership.
- Get credit for paying rent
As a renter, one of your biggest monthly expenses may not even be reflected on your credit report. By using Experian Boost®[1], you can add eligible rent, utility, and even streaming service payments to your credit file. This can instantly help strengthen your credit history and show lenders you consistently pay on time. Your landlord or property management may also repot your positive rent payments to Experian RentBureau – the industry’s largest rental data base. With the introduction and increased adoption of modern scores in mortgage decisions, payments like this may help improve your ability to qualify for a mortgage.
- Build your financial knowledge
Your path to homeownership will undoubtedly come with questions and we want to be a trusted resource to help consumers build their financial knowledge. Start building your knowledge now by joining Experian’s free #CreditChat every Wednesday or exploring our Ask Experian blog. Small, consistent learning adds up.
- Seek trusted guidance
You don’t have to figure everything out alone. Nonprofit organizations like HomeFree-USA offer education and personalized support for renters pursuing homeownership. Through the Experian CreditCenter, we’ve partnered with HomeFree-USA to provide free tools tailored to your financial journey.
Your bank or credit union likely also has a dedicated resource to help you better understand your homebuyer readiness. Utilize that resource!
You can take steps today
If I could go back and give my younger, renter-self advice, I’d tell her this: don’t wait to start preparing. Even small actions like checking your credit report, learning about the mortgage process, or making sure your rent payments count, can bring you closer to homeownership.
The journey might feel overwhelming at times, but remember, you’re not alone. At Experian, we’re here to provide the resources and support you need to help turn the dream of owning a home into reality.
[1] Results will vary. Not all payments are boost-eligible. Some users may not receive an improved score or approval odds. Not all lenders use Experian credit files, and not all lenders use scores impacted by Experian Boost®.