Are you a parent whose kid is nearing their 30s wanting to purchase their first home? Or are you a parent making plans for your kids when they are ready to purchase their first home?

Either way, you are looking for ways to help your children buy their home. Then you have come to the best place for advice. I believe in making good financial decisions and supporting what you are doing. I will look at the seven methods you can use to help your kids buy a home for themselves and their future families. 

The ways I will discuss aren’t something I pulled out of my magical hats. Instead, these are methods that have been created with careful planning and are backed by tons of research, so you can put your trust in them.

Consult with Financial Experts

One of the first things you should do if you are thinking about helping your kids with purchasing a home is to get them in contact with a good financial consultant. These people are experts in helping you and your family with making good financial decisions.

You will set up your kids for success by helping them consult with you or a different financial expert. Nobody knows what the future might hold, but with an expert, you can predict what might happen.

Regarding properties, this step can either make or break your kid’s future.

We highly recommend you consult a financial expert who can show you a solid portfolio. The portfolio should include prior experience with property purchasing. This will tell if they have experience helping people buy homes for themselves or others.

Teach Them About Early Saving

It is never too late to teach anyone about saving money. Everyone should start saving money for when they are kids. You should, too. The quicker you teach these saving habits to your kids, the better.

Learning to save money early on will help your kids have a brighter future when they are older. The more they save when they are younger, the easier it will be when they want to make a huge investment, like buying a home for themselves.

Knowing about financial independence is one of the best and most important things you can teach your child as a parent.

Lend Money Directly

If we look at the real estate market in 2024, we can see just how bad it is, and it won’t be getting too much better any time soon. The cost of purchasing a home will increase as our kids get older.

I am saying things like this because you need to know that most kids won’t be able to save enough money to buy a home. Instead of going to the bank for a loan, you should loan them the money.

Doing so will save your children from paying off huge interest while also giving you a chance to make their future home purchases easier on their bank account.

Buy The Home Together

By which we mean you should co-sign the loan or purchase. Parents should consider that co-signing may not be feasible if they already have substantial mortgage and consumer debt obligations. 

It’s crucial to note that taking on the responsibility of co-signing means being accountable for their children’s mortgages if any payment defaults occur. Furthermore, such situations can also have repercussions on the parents’ credit.

Give Them The Money

This is the opposite of lending your kids the money to buy their home. You will give them a lump sum with which they can do whatever they want. Either buying a home or doing something stupid.

This method does have the advantage of not caring about what they do. By this, we mean even if they make a stupid decision, you won’t be responsible.

Buy With Family Guarantee

A popular method to help your kids get into the property market is sharing your home equity with them. A bank secures your property for the deposit and costs, then lends up to 100% of the purchase price and expenses to your children.

It can be a good arrangement if you’re confident your children can afford the property and handle finances responsibly. However, there’s a risk, as you might be responsible for up to 20% plus costs. To mitigate this risk, both parties must set clear rules.

Invest In A Second Home

Investing in a second home can significantly assist your kids in buying their own home. By acquiring a second property, you create an opportunity for your children to build equity, leverage rental income, and use the proceeds to contribute towards a down payment on their home. This dual investment strategy can be a valuable stepping stone for your kids to enter the property market.

Do Nothing

This isn’t related to you assisting your children in purchasing a home, but it can be. By doing nothing, you will be helping your kids make their own choices, good or bad. 

Without providing them with a safety net, you will be forcing your children to take charge of their lives and make some of the biggest decisions of their lives.

Further Reading: Protecting Your Finances After Separation

Conclusion

Buying your own home isn’t something you or your children should be doing with a clear head or plan. Many things can and do go wrong when purchasing a home. So, if you are looking for ways to assist your children in purchasing a home, you need to know what you are getting into. 

Use the knowledge I have shared and decide on what you want to do. Nevertheless, helping your kids in any way, either financially or just by giving them advice, is something all parents should do.

FAQ’s

Q. How can I help my children save for a down payment?

Explore savings strategies, such as high-yield accounts or investment options, and encourage consistent saving habits.

Q. What government programs support first-time homebuyers?

Programs like FHA loans and VA loans offer favorable terms for first-time homebuyers.

Q. Should I co-sign on my child’s mortgage?

Co-signing can boost your child’s eligibility, but consider the financial implications and potential risks.

Q. Why is a good credit score essential for a mortgage?

A good credit score reflects financial responsibility, making it easier to secure a favorable mortgage.

Q. What should be considered during a home inspection?

A thorough home inspection covers structural integrity, systems, and potential problems to ensure a sound investment.