Answers · Updated 2026-09-26
Tired of Paying Rent? Here's What to Do Next
I'm tired of paying rent. What should I do? Find out what your rent would buy. Enter your current rent and city above to see a home price range with a similar monthly payment, then talk to a lender about a pre-approval. It costs nothing to check and does not commit you to buy.
If you are not ready yet, the most useful things to do in the next 90 days are: pay every bill on time, keep credit card balances under 30% of their limits, and keep your job history steady. Those three things move your approval more than anything else.
Related questions
How do I stop paying rent?
Buy a home with a monthly payment close to what you already pay in rent. The path is: check your credit, get pre-approved by a lender, find out which down payment assistance programs you qualify for, then shop for homes priced to your approved payment.
How much house can I afford with what I pay in rent?
As a rough rule, every $1,000 a month you pay in rent supports about $130,000 to $140,000 in purchase price, assuming an FHA loan with 3.5% down at a rate around 6.5%, including taxes, insurance and mortgage insurance. At $3,250 a month in rent, that is roughly a $440,000 to $480,000 home.
How much money do I need to buy a house?
Less than most renters think. FHA loans require 3.5% down with a 580+ credit score, some conventional loans require 3% down, and VA and USDA loans can require 0% down. Closing costs typically run 2% to 5% of the price and can often be covered by seller credits or assistance programs.
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down (500 to 579 with 10% down). Conventional loans generally start at 620. Higher scores get lower rates, so raising your score by 20 to 40 points before you apply can lower your payment.