Do you have enough money saved for a down payment on a home? For many potential homebuyers, saving up such a large amount of money is intimidating (and sometimes, impossible). Fortunately, you might not have to save up as much money as you think. Down payments range from 3% to 20%, but there are also first time home buyer loan programs that don’t require a down payment at all. But if you find yourself having to save up a large chunk of money, here are six creative ways you can make some extra cash.
1. Ask for gift funds.
Is your birthday coming up? How about Christmas? This year, consider asking friends and family members for cash gifts that you can put towards your new home. If you have a family member, business partner, or employer who wants to gift you a down payment, gift fund programs can help you get started.
2. Make money online.
There are several different ways you can make money online. You can become a virtual assistant, you can write resumes, you can transcribe audio, you can do data entry, and more. Check out websites, such as Elance, Upwork, and Guru. Just a few hours per week can help you earn extra money fast.
3. Sell your photos.
If you’re into photography or have a good visual eye, check out companies that will pay you for your photos, such as Shutterstock iStockPhoto, and 123RF. Follow the submission guidelines, and you’ll get paid each time your image is downloaded.
4. Sell your material things.
Do you have a bunch of stuff you don’t need? It’s time to sell unwanted items that have been sitting in your home for far too long. Host a yard sale, or use Craigslist or OfferUp to sell your things. If you have clothes to sell, use Poshmark or thredUP. You can even sell gift cards you won’t use for extra cash.
5. Monetize your hobbies.
Where do your talents lie? Do you enjoy graphic design and creating logos for your friends? Are you great at sewing embroidery images that you could sell on Etsy? Do your friends flock to you when they need to plan an event, such as a baby shower or a holiday party? Figure out what hobbies you enjoy doing, and monetize them.
6. Offer your services.
Your neighborhood probably needs more babysitters, pet sitters, dog walkers, snow shovelers, and lawn mowers. Your friends and family would probably be thrilled to pay you to do these things instead of someone they don’t know or trust. Ask around, figure out what people need, and deliver your services.
