House Goals Meet Money Strategy: The Secret Partnership Every Buyer Needs.
Picture this: you’re scrolling Zillow at 11 pm, latte in hand, dreaming of your future living room with the perfect reading nook and maybe…just maybe…space for a greenhouse and your sanity. Then reality taps you on the shoulder and whispers: “Girl. We need a plan.
Buying a home is exciting, emotional, and if we’re being honest one of the largest financial decisions you’ll ever make. And while I’m here to guide you through showings, contracts, inspections, negotiations, and all the “wait…what does that mean?” moments. There’s someone else who can help set the foundation long before you get the keys.
A financial planner.
Not the stuffy stereotype sitting behind mahogany furniture and speaking in tax code. Think of them more like a strategic money BFF, someone who zooms out, looks at your whole financial picture, and helps you build a path to your goals (including that dreamy front porch with string lights and a swing).
I highly recommend my friend Kari Ruth with Skylight Financial Group. She is a true listener who has your best interests in mind, your goals become her goals. As you know, I only connect with the best people and Kari is Good People! Here are a few pointers about what she can do for you to help make your home buying (and financial life) journey even smoother.
Why a Financial Planner Belongs in Your Home buying Crew
1. They Help You Define a Budget Based on Reality, Not Vibes
Let’s be clear: the bank will tell you how much you can borrow.
A financial planner will tell you how much you should.
They’ll help you factor in:
- Your lifestyle
- Your retirement goals
- Travel plans
- Debt payoff
- Emergency savings
- Future costs (kids, pets, home repairs, new furniture because yes, you will want a new couch)
Suddenly that “approved for $450k” might feel more like “comfortable at $325k,” and that clarity? Priceless.
2. They Prepare You for the Hidden Parts of Homeownership
A financial planner looks beyond the purchase and helps you plan for:
- Home maintenance
- Insurance
- Utilities
- Property taxes
- The “surprise” expenses (because HVAC units don’t care about timing)
Instead of panic later, you get peace now. Kari is the best mixture of peace and “handle it” I’ve ever met.
3. They Strengthen Your Mortgage Application
You know what lenders love?
✨Organized finances
✨Stable planning
✨Disciplined saving habits
Working with a planner can help clean up your financial profile whether that means restructuring debt, boosting your credit, or reorganizing accounts to make you look like the rock-solid buyer you are.
4. They Help You Balance Buying a Home and Building Wealth
A home shouldn’t replace your financial dreams, it should support them.
A financial planner can help you:
- Keep saving for retirement
- Build or continue an investment plan
- Avoid becoming “house poor”
You get to buy a home and live your life not choose between the two. I’ve been house poor before, NEVER AGAIN!!! Learn from my errors.
5. They Help You Plan Long-Term
Home buying isn’t just a transaction. It’s a stepping stone.
And whether you:
- Plan to live in your first home forever
- Want to upgrade in a few years
- Dream of building an investment property portfolio
- Want a paid-off home by retirement
…a financial planner can create a path to get you there.
The Dream Team: You, Me, and Kari Ruth
As your Realtor®, my job is everything from guiding you through neighborhoods to negotiating the best possible terms and helping you feel confident in the process.
Your financial planner ensures the timing, numbers, and long term goals align with where you want your life to go, housing included.
Together? We make sure your home purchase feels intentional, empowered, and aligned with your future, not just your Pinterest board.
Ready to Start Your Home Buying Journey the Smart Way?
Whether you’re thinking “someday” or “soon,” let’s talk. I’ll help you map the real estate steps and if you need a trusted financial planner referral, Kari Ruth is my go to person.
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