Ready to Buy a Home? What 12 Years of Renting Taught One Austin Couple

Many renters think about “some day owning” often. They want to create their own wealth instead of paying someone else’s mortgage, and to have control over their own space and privacy. But making the leap from renting to owning a home can feel daunting. Things like finances, lifestyles, and the housing market can affect when someone feels “ready” to buy a home. 

KellerINK recently interviewed a serial renter to find out when potential buyers might feel like it’s the right time to take that step into homeownership. Here’s what they said about  the emotions, logistics, and decision-making involved. 

Kelsey (35) and Nathan (42) are a married couple with a dog who have been renting for more than twelve years in the Austin, Texas area. They recently decided to start the process of buying the home they are currently renting.

KellerINK: Let’s talk about renting first. What’s been the most positive aspect?

Kelsey: Oh, definitely the flexibility. I love Austin. Every neighborhood has a different vibe and culture, so getting to experience that without the commitment of owning has been a huge positive.

KellerINK: What about the negative aspects?

Kelsey: I would say there are two major negatives to renting vs. owning. One: you are not building any kind of financial equity for yourself, only the landlord sees the long-term benefits of your monthly payments. Two: you can’t customize the space to make it your own. If you do make any changes, like painting the walls, it’s a double financial burden because you have to paint it back when you move. 

KellerINK: What prompted you to start the process of buying your first home?

Kelsey: I’ve always felt that homeownership was unattainable for my generation. It’s just the message that we’re seeing everywhere. It’s too expensive, too risky, just plain impossible. I would look at our financial situation and think, ‘no way can we go into that kind of debt.’ Until one day there was an open house just down the road from us. 

We decided to go and talk to the agent without any expectations. We had actually worked with that agent before to find a rental, so it felt like a good sign. After talking to him, our mindset shifted from ’no way this is possible’ to ‘maybe we can do this.’ So, for us, the catalyst was physically seeing a house and talking to an agent in person. 

In 2026, the average age for a first-time home buyer is forty years old, the highest it’s ever been. Kelsey isn’t alone when she says buying a home for the first time feels more unattainable than it used to, many people her age feel the same way. That’s why it’s up to agents to tune their marketing toward the right people with the right message about how homeownership can be possible for anyone when they take the right steps. 

KellerINK: So it all boils down to a positive interaction with a real estate agent in person.

Kelsey: Yes, he was such a positive influence on us. Even when we were working with him as renters, he was always transparent, never pushy. He had a wealth of knowledge and resources we didn’t know existed, like down-payment assistance programs.

KellerINK: Okay, let’s talk finances. What kind of changes did you have to make before you felt ready to buy a home?

Kelsey: We knew we had to change our spending habits and make saving a priority. That was the biggest change. We also needed to reduce our overall debt. We created a budget and cut back on frivolous spending. We knew the priority was homeownership and that made it feel a little easier. So many people avoid budgeting all together because it can feel uncomfortable or even distressing when trying to save to buy a home. But, it’s a necessary action to take for anyone considering buying. 

There are several budget worksheets, like the Your First Home Personal Budget Worksheet, you can share with potential clients who are learning more about finances and savings. 

KellerINK: How long were you preparing, financially, before you put in your first offer?

Kelsey: It was about six months of saving, paying down debt and looking at houses, before we decided to make an offer on the house we are currently renting. 

KellerINK: Did those six months make an impact on your credit score? Would you say that’s an important piece of the puzzle?

Kelsey: Oh definitely, yes to both. Our credit scores make an impact on the interest rate we can get and that determines our monthly mortgage payment, so improving them was a huge priority. In just those six months of focus, we were able to raise them enough to get an interest rate and mortgage payment we were comfortable with. 

KellerINK: Did you look into any down payment assistance programs? 

Kelsey: Yes, we did. We ended up deciding to fund it ourselves because the mortgage payment would have been higher in the long run if we went with one of those programs. 

KellerINK: How did you find a mortgage lender? What was it like working with them?

Kelsey: Our agent recommended several to us. That’s actually my best piece of advice, shop around for mortgages because that is going to have the biggest impact on your day-to-day financial situation. Each lender gave us different advice and perspectives we hadn’t considered. Like, how to structure the offer since our situation was unique in that the house wasn’t on the market and we were already living in it.

KellerINK: Shifting gears a bit, what would you say was the most exciting part of the process for you?

Kelsey: Oh, definitely touring the houses. We toured about a dozen homes in those six months and being able to imagine a life in each one was so fun. It sounds so corny, but it was like a ‘choose your own adventure’ experience. Each house had a different vibe and we could see the potential in all of them. Honestly, kudos to our agent. We threw a lot of houses at him and he was willing and able to meet us at every one.

Even before a client steps through the doors of their first open house, encourage them to attend a First Time Home Buyer Seminar. Here they will learn everything they need to know about mortgage rates, realities of their specific market, and what’s involved every step of the way.

KellerINK: What was the most surprising thing about the process?

Kelsey: Honestly, just how many steps there are. Of course, buying a house is a huge deal, but all of the acronyms and different options at each step were shocking. Also, the additional costs. Like, closing costs and insurance, escrow, inspection, and, and, and…it just felt overwhelming at times, but our agent helped us stay level-headed about it all.

KellerINK: So, in full transparency, you didn’t end up buying the house. So, what’s next?

Kelsey: We’re still focused on buying a home, just not the one we’re living in. We are staying the course financially, meaning we’re paying down debt and saving as much as we can so our mortgage will be even more affordable when we finally make the big purchase. It will be worth it in the end.

KellerINK: What advice would you give to someone who feels homeownership is out of reach?

Kelsey: You don’t really know until you try. Find an agent you trust, play around with a mortgage calculator, and take a serious look at your spending habits and adjust as needed. Be patient, don’t lose sight of the goal and trust your gut. In our situation, we ended up walking away because it just didn’t feel right. But, it was a learning experience and now we feel even more prepared for what’s next.

One thing is for sure, buying a home can be complicated. And it should be, it’s a huge financial leap that you have to be prepared for. Knowing when to take the leap is just the beginning.