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Creating a coffee bar at home is a great way to elevate your daily coffee experience and add a personal touch to your kitchen or living space, even in a rental. Whether you’re renting a home in Portland, OR, buying a home in Burlington, VT, or searching for an apartment in New York City, NY, having a dedicated space for your coffee essentials can transform your morning routine into a more enjoyable and relaxing ritual. From the smell of freshly brewed coffee to the convenience of having all your favorite beans, mugs, and brewing equipment within reach, a home coffee station is a perfect blend of function and style.

Designing a coffee bar at home that suits your taste involves considering things like space, equipment, and aesthetics. With a little planning, you can create a coffee corner that reflects your personal style while ensuring you have everything you need to craft the perfect cup. With tips from experts in the coffee and home design fields, we’ll show you step-by-step how to create an at-home coffee bar that caters to your unique needs and enhances your home coffee experience.

1. Figure out your space

When planning a coffee bar at home, the first step is determining the best spot for it. “Creating a space that suits how you want to make coffee and is enjoyable to use is the best way to grow your love of creating the perfect-tasting coffee at home,” shares Toby, the coffee expert behind Coffee with Conscience. 

The good news is that you don’t need a large area to create a functional and stylish coffee setup. Whether you have an entire countertop to dedicate or just a small corner to spare, the key is to work with what you have.

Counter top vs coffee cart

“Creating the perfect home coffee station is all about thoughtful organization and quality essentials,” advises Brigette Romanek, interior designer and blogger at HomeDecorFull. “Start with a dedicated counter space near an outlet, using a small shelf or cart if space is limited.” 

Whether you’re passionate about having a variety of brewing equipment on display or just tight on counter space, “Consider using a rolling cart for a flexible coffee station that can move around your space,” recommends blogger Gina Dickson of Intentional Hospitality, a blog providing tips and advice on hosting at home.

Stick to the essentials

Once you’ve identified the perfect spot for your home coffee bar, consider the flow of your daily routine and the accessibility of your coffee essentials. “Keep your most-used items within easy reach, arranging them by workflow (like grinder, filter, brewer, then cups),” recommends Romanek from HomeDecorFull. 

No matter the size of the space, the goal is to make your at-home coffee bar an organized, inviting spot that streamlines your coffee-making process. “Avoid cluttering your coffee space with unnecessary gadgets,” shares Matthew Barry, roaster and owner of Ember Coffee Co. in Big Lake, MN. “Ensure that at least half of your setup has open space for cup placement; keeping it clean and minimal makes it easy to stay organized while showing off your beautiful setup.”

Image by Bruvi

Compact is key

A minimalist setup not only saves space but also keeps your area looking tidy and visually open.

“When space is at a premium, I like to opt for compact brewers that don’t require much counter space,” suggests Jon Clark from the Nomad Coffee Club, a premium coffee bean subscription service. 

“Even space-challenged coffee lovers can set up a coffee bar,” agrees Diane Kuyoomjian at Bruvi, one of the freshest and most versatile pod coffee brewers on the scene. “Whether you use a kitchen counter or a free standing cart, a versatile single-serve brewer that makes both coffee and espresso will provide all the barista vibes in a small footprint.” 

Maximize a small space

In small spaces, every inch counts, so keep your coffee bar clutter-free by sticking to the essentials and storing extras out of sight. “Maximize vertical storage with stackable storage canisters for beans and accessories, while a small tray beneath your equipment protects surfaces and keeps everything tidy,” says Robert Gomez from Kaffe Products, a company where you can find all the essentials for coffee at home.

Even the smallest corner, windowsill, or unused wall can be transformed into a functional coffee station with the right organization. “A wall-mounted shelf or a pegboard and stackable storage containers can add an aesthetic backdrop for your coffee bar while also providing storage for beans, reusable filters and coffee scoops,” recommends the team at Nomad Coffee Club.

2. Choose home brewing equipment for your coffee bar at home

After you figure out your space, the next step to creating your coffee bar at home is in choosing the right equipment to get the job done. The type of coffee brewer you should choose for your home coffee setup largely depends on what kind of coffee you like to drink, the amount of space you have, and of course, personal preference. 

“It may sound simple, but there’s no point in spending hundreds of dollars on a shiny espresso machine if it just collects dust once the novelty wears off,” shares Toby of Coffee With Conscience. “Good coffee is about the taste as much as the art of creation.”

“As a passionate home brewer, it’s easy to get caught up in buying every new device,” confides Syeh Naveed, the face behind the blog The Need for Coffee. “While fancy equipment can be tempting, if your brewing space isn’t clean and organized, it detracts from the experience. And worst of all, having too many brewers can lead to decision fatigue.”

Naveed suggests simplifying your home coffee setup by sticking to one or two devices, helping to keep things simple while still maintaining your options. Your home coffee bar might have multiple coffee contraptions, but make sure they are each serving a distinct purpose, focusing on the following brewing methods. 

Pour-over

Pour-over coffee is a hands-on brewing method that gives you more control over how your coffee turns out, letting you really bring out the unique flavors of the beans. You simply pour hot water slowly and evenly over ground coffee in a filter, which results in a clean, smooth cup with lots of depth. Since you can tweak things like the water temperature, grind size, and how you pour, it’s perfect for anyone who loves experimenting to create their ideal brew. Plus, it’s simple and has a nice, relaxing ritual to it, which makes it a go-to for many coffee lovers.

“You don’t need a ton of fancy gear to brew amazing coffee at home – just stick to what makes you happy,” suggests Alejo Galindo, one half of the duo at friendly coffee resource The Coffee Nerds. “A glass flask style brewer is a solid choice for manual pour-overs and easy to store when not in use. Just make sure to have a decent grinder and a water kettle for best results.”

Handheld presses, plungers, and stovetop espresso

Handheld tools, like portable espresso makers, manual presses, or stovetop brewers, are a great option for coffee lovers who want to enjoy stronger coffee on the go, in small spaces, or on a budget. These compact devices use manual pressure to brew rich, concentrated coffee without needing a bulky machine. While they require a bit more effort compared to automatic machines, they offer tasty results and the flexibility to brew anywhere, whether you’re at home, traveling, or camping.

“If you love espresso and are short on space, a manual coffee press will take your love for coffee out of this world. Easy to use and easy to clean this brewer provides a fantastic concentrated coffee with a unique design and consistent results,” shares Matt Milletto, owner of classic Portland, OR roaster, Water Avenue Coffee.

“Handheld espresso makers are perfect for espresso-based drinks without taking up any counter space,” Galindo agrees.

Another recommendation comes from the experts at Pawling Coffee Roasters in Pawling, NY. “A plunger-style coffee device is ideal because it brews high-quality coffee without taking up much space. Once you gauge how much coffee you use per batch, you can eyeball it going forward. As long as your setup is organized, it looks great and lets you focus on what really matters: the delicious taste and aroma of freshly brewed coffee.”

Jim D’Andrea from Maker’s Coffee Company adds, “Brewers like these fit any kitchen and produce amazing results. An electric kettle adds a simple way of heating water to ideal brewing temperatures which makes a huge difference in taste.”

Automatic machines

Home coffee machines are a great investment for coffee lovers who want to enjoy cafe-quality brews right from their kitchen. These machines come in various types, ranging from manual and semi-automatic to fully automatic and super-automatic models, each offering different levels of control over the brewing process.

“When creating your home coffee station, there are many options,” agrees Home Coffee Tips author Ben Farrer, a trusted source for many types of brewing equipment. “For something modern, easy to use and space-saving, I would recommend a pod machine for convenient espresso. If you want to take it to the next level, I advise a home espresso machine and an electric burr grinder.” To complement your espresso-making setup, Ferrer adds, “You can buy plenty of coffee brewing accessories to match your kitchen aesthetic, like wooden tampers and coffee mats.”

Drip coffee makers are another automated classic that give you an easy and consistent brew every morning. “My favorite drip coffee maker is my go-to for the best drip coffee every morning,” says Milletto from Water Avenue Coffee. “It’s compact, precise, and delivers 8 perfectly brewed cups, bringing the local coffee shop into your kitchen.”

“Treat yourself to a good espresso machine, steam pitcher, tamping mat, and knock box to elevate your coffee space,” adds Carol from decaf coffee provider based in Springdale, AR, Talking Crow Coffee Roasters.

“Finish off your coffee brewing setup with a scale,” Carol continues. A scale can be used for multiple different brewing methods to help find consistency by measuring the amount of coffee and water used in your brewing process, ensuring a more predictable cup every time.

As the professionals at Seattle-based Langskip Coffee suggest, experimenting with different brewing methods to find your ideal cup of coffee is one of the key steps to creating the perfect coffee bar at home. 

3. Invest in a burr grinder

If you’re looking for the quickest way to elevate your home coffee experience, burr grinders are essential if you value consistency and control over the grind size of your coffee beans. Mindful consumption blogger Laura Yoder at Black Coffee Beautiful nods her head to the importance of a grinder, sharing, “A grinder gives renters an opportunity for high-end flavors, even if space is limited and the budget is tight.”

Unlike blade grinders, burr grinders use two abrasive surfaces (burrs) to crush coffee beans evenly, resulting in a more uniform grind that enhances the flavor and quality of the brew. “The biggest difference between average and great coffee is the quality of the grind, and a burr grinder delivers consistent results,” confirms Berry of Ember Coffee Co.

“Don’t skimp on your grinder while you splurge on your brewer – flip that around,” seconds Matt Boshart, owner and head roaster of Reboot Roasting located in Omaha, NE. “A high-quality burr grinder should be the focus of your home setup.”

4. Use good quality coffee beans

Whether you’re using a simple drip machine or an elaborate espresso setup, starting with quality coffee beans ensures that your brewing efforts result in the best possible taste, making every cup more tasty. “You don’t need a complicated setup for delicious coffee at home,” confides owner of Florida-based Coast to Coast Coffee, Matthew. “The two most effective tips to achieve coffee nirvana are to first, get your hands on freshly roasted beans. Second, grind them right before brewing.”

Keep your beans fresh

The freshness of the beans you’re using is important—treat coffee like an item with an expiration date, and don’t grind the beans until right before brewing for more flavor. To keep your beans staying fresh, Michelle Kaliher from the spooky themed roaster Sinister Coffee and Creamery in Portland, OR recommends storing your beans in an airtight container, away from light and heat. “Whether you prefer the bold richness of plunger coffee or the clean, smooth taste of a pour-over, this keeps the beans fresh and full of flavor,” Kaliher advises.

Try a coffee bean subscription

Coffee bean subscriptions are another way to ensure a steady supply of fresh, high-quality coffee delivered right to your door. Francesca from the Lux Cafe Club, a service that provides customers with high quality coffees, reminds that the key to a great home coffee experience is freshly roasted beans. A subscription service allows for delivery of premium coffee at intervals that suit your coffee habits, with a range of options allowing you to select your preferred roast level, grind size (or whole beans), and even specific flavor profiles.

Sample different flavor profiles

If you’re looking for a fan favorite, “Try a medium roast, which offers a bright and balanced flavor that everyone can enjoy,” says Claudia at Haymaker Coffee. By using high quality coffee beans in your daily coffee ritual, you can tailor your coffee experience to your taste preferences. Whether you enjoy light, fruity notes or deep, rich flavors, investing in quality coffee beans is essential for unlocking the full potential of your home coffee bar.

5. Keep your at-home coffee bar organized

As you develop your coffee bar at home, staying organized is crucial for both efficiency and aesthetics, ensuring that your space is easy to use and visually appealing. “If you want to create the perfect home coffee space, the best one is the one you’ll use,” advises Toby of Coffee with Conscience. 

“Focus on keeping things simple with quality brewing equipment and smart storage solutions for your beans,” says Katie, author of motherhood and coffee blog KT Likes Coffee. “A clutter-free setup makes your morning coffee ritual smoother and more enjoyable.”

Tips and tools for an organized coffee bar

“Home coffee setups can take up quite a bit of counter space, especially if you dive deeper into the hobby,” confides Andrew Richter, founder and head roaster at New York-based Gotham Coffee Roasters. “My most recent coffee bar additions have been a mountable power strip to free up outlet clutter, and a dedicated paint brush to clean my messy grinder. Keeping a work area neat helps free up space whether you’re at home or in a professional shop.”

“Use space-saving organizers like hooks to hang your cups and dosing vials for your favorite specialty coffees,” adds Ember Coffee Co’s owner. “Efficiency is everything—plus, storing your beans in neat little vials helps you keep the space tidy and stylish.”

The professionals at Haymaker Coffee suggest keeping organized by using clear containers for your coffee and tools, making everything you need for making coffee at home easy to find. Clear, labeled jars not only help you quickly find what you need but also add a clean, decorative touch to your coffee bar. 

By maintaining an organized home coffee station, you create a space that’s both functional and beautiful, making your coffee routine smoother and more enjoyable.

6. Let your coffee station be an expression of your style

As you develop your coffee bar at home, personal touches are what make a coffee station feel like it belongs in your space. Styling your coffee corner is an opportunity to have fun and express your creativity while making your coffee routine more enjoyable. “A plant or two, a jar of cinnamon sticks, and a cozy mug make the space feel warm and inviting,” affirms Lauren Dryer from the Scandi-inspired Langskip Coffee. 

However, there are many ways to help your home coffee bar feel more personalized.

Image by Pottery with Eleni

Display unique mugs and drinkware

“The perfect home coffee station combines style and functionality, creating a cozy corner to elevate your daily ritual,” emphasizes Eleni, the potter behind Pottery by Eleni. “Start by adding a special touch with a handmade mug, offering both beauty and comfort with each sip. Complete the look with a cream and sugar set, a charming countertop accent that keeps essentials within easy reach while adding an artisanal flair to your space.”

Double-walled glass mugs also offer a stylish touch to your space while keeping your coffee at the perfect drinking temperature, and come recommended from the experts at Kaffe Products.

“Set out a coordinated set of mugs for a cohesive look,” agrees Diane from the pod machine company Bruvi. “Showcase your style with sugar and spoons in attractive containers like neutral ceramics or baskets on a small tray.”

Use decorative organization

“Our mantra is to minimize clutter but maximize style,” continues the coffee experts at Bruvi. “Clear glass or acrylic canisters don’t take up visual space but are a great way to display coffee pods.”

For easy clean-up and mess-free brewing, Nomad Coffee Club recommends adding a stylish coffee tray to minimize messy grinds or coffee stains on your countertops.

“Use a small, dedicated corner with floating shelves for easy access to mugs and coffee beans,” adds Gunnar Monson, the face behind Sasquatch Coffee in Oregon. “Keep your home coffee bar organized with labeled jars for beans and tools, making your morning brew as seamless as it is enjoyable.”

Add art and other personal touches

“Don’t be afraid to showcase your personality through quirky signs, vintage finds, or color schemes that speak to you,” advises Stephanie LeBlanc, author of the home styling blog Celebrated Nest. “Remember, your coffee bar should reflect your taste while still being practical – it’s all about making your daily brew feel special.”

“I love tying in personal touches,” agrees Maggie, the creator behind Coffee With Maggie and the early bird newsletter. “My coffee corner has a few plants, and features a custom painting my best friend, By Annie B., did of the cups from all my favorite coffee shops which ties the whole space together.”

Customize your space with renter-friendly style options

When creating a rental-friendly home coffee bar, it’s important to focus on styling options that won’t require permanent changes or damage to the space. “For personalization, go for renter-friendly options like peel-and-stick wallpaper or removable hooks to hang mugs or decor without damaging walls,” recommends hosting expert Gina Dickson of Intentional Hospitality.

You can also focus on the aesthetics of your brewing equipment to bring more style to your at-home coffee bar with practically no effort. “Your morning coffee sets the tone for the rest of your day, so regardless of your favorite brew method be sure to choose one or two products that are unique, expressive of your personality, and elevate your daily routine,” says Aby Henry, the owner of Portland’s Bridgetown Sparrow Ceramics. Artfully crafted, matching pour over and mug sets are one of Henry’s favorite ways to add flair to any home coffee bar.

Finish off your renter-friendly coffee space with colorful trays, baskets, or countertop organizers for an easy and aesthetic corner of your home.

Image by Bridgetown Sparrow Ceramics

Change up your home coffee bar to match the seasons

If you love to change things up in your home for each season, your home coffee bar is the perfect place to start celebrating. “Provide a functional and pretty space for your guests to enjoy a cup of coffee, starting with styling the space with seasonal decor items,” says country living blogger Lynn Langford with At Home in the Wildwood. “Risers and tier trays are perfect for decorating the area for the holidays or seasons. I also like to keep tea and hot cocoa supplies in the same area for those who might not be coffee lovers, but want a hot beverage.”

“Refreshing your coffee bar for each season is my favorite way to infuse personal style into our vintage farmhouse kitchen,” adds the author of Celebrated Nest. “I love expressing my style by swapping out mugs on a tiered tray or hanging seasonal wreaths – easily adaptable ideas for any space. The key is to keep your essentials in place and decorate around them with easily changeable pieces, allowing you to transform your coffee station from summer refresh to fall cozy without any permanent changes.”

Choose a color theme

Using color in your home coffee station is a fun way to add personality and vibrancy to the space while enhancing its overall aesthetic. Incorporate pops of color throughout for a more balanced look, or use color to highlight your coffee bar as a focal point in your home.

“I get the most compliments on our very pink to-go cup station. It includes matching cup sleeves adorned with our family monogram that I’ve designed and hand stamped, plus pink straws and hot coffee lids to match my iced/hot latte mood accordingly for the full custom cafe moment,” reveals lifestyle and home blogger Elle Wagner. “Our guests always get a huge kick out of how extra it is,” she laughs.

The key to personalizing your home coffee bar is to balance style and practicality, ensuring that your decorative elements don’t overwhelm the space but instead contribute to creating an organized, beautiful area that enhances your coffee-making experience.

7. Focus on technique for perfect coffee at home

The final step in elevating your at-home coffee bar is to make sure the coffee you’re making tastes great. If you’re getting the perfect flavor every time, you’ll be more inspired to use your home coffee station regularly. 

Women-lead roasters Coroco Coffee Roaster Collective, based in Sycamore, IL, and Tostado Coffee Roasters in Portland, OR are powerful workhouses in the coffee space, and were happy to share the secrets to making coffee at home that mimic the professional cafe experience.

Image by Coroco Coffee Roasters Collective

Use filtered or distilled water

Water plays a crucial role in brewing coffee at home, as it makes up about 98% of your final cup and acts as the primary solvent to extract flavors from the coffee grounds. The quality of the water you use directly affects the taste and balance of your coffee.

“Use filtered water and keep your equipment clean to ensure each cup tastes fresh,” emphasizes Adriana Lopez, the woman behind Tostado Coffee Roasters. Filtered water can remove impurities like chlorine, which can give your coffee an off-flavor.

“Consider using distilled water combined with a mineral enhancer to create the ideal mineral profile for brewing,” shares Karen Weckerly, roaster and owner of Coroco. Too-soft or distilled water can result in a flat or dull taste, but certain minerals in water are needed to bring out the coffee’s full flavor profile.

Get your water temperature right

The temperature of your water also matters, with ideal brewing temperatures for any manual coffee being just off boiling, around 202°F, continues Weckerly. Water that’s too hot (above 205°F) can over-extract the coffee, leading to a bitter taste, while water that’s too cool (below 195°F) might under-extract, resulting in weak or sour flavors.

Use one part coffee to a higher amount of water

“Experiment with water-to-coffee ratios and brewing methods to find your ideal strength,” recommends Lopez.

“The golden ratio for coffee is 1:15 to 1:18 which means one part coffee to 15-18 parts water,” explains Weckerly. “This is perfect for a lot of brewing methods, including pour-overs, drip, and plungers.” 

You can use a scale at first to get the hang of what this looks like, then as you get more comfortable, eyeball the amount of coffee and water you use each day for a truly seamless (and delicious) home coffee experience.

Pay attention to your grind size

Grind size is one of the most important factors in making great coffee at home, as it directly influences the overall flavor of your brew. The size of your coffee grounds determines how quickly water passes through them and extracts the flavors. 

“A good double shot requires 17-20 grams of very finely ground coffee – think flour like consistency,” advises Weckerly. 

A medium grind, with a texture resembling sand, works well for drip coffee makers and pour-over methods, balancing extraction time and flavor. For brewing methods like French press or cold brew, a coarse grind is ideal, as the slower brewing process requires larger grounds to prevent over-extraction and bitterness. 

Lopez encourages home coffee enthusiasts to experiment with grind size and brewing methods to highlight the unique flavors of your favorite beans, giving you the best experience in your new home coffee bar.

Go forth and create your perfect coffee bar at home 

“For some, at-home coffee bars are a simple budgeting hack—but for me, it’s truly a daily luxury that I miss when I’m traveling,” admits lifestyle and home blogger Elle Wagner. “The key to an iconic coffee bar is how custom you’re willing to make yours. Investing in the right coffee makers, stocking and importing my favorite beans, pods, syrups, and milks, and even matching everything to my favorite color just for fun has made all the difference to using my setup on the daily.”

As you start creating your own coffee bar at home, remember that it’s all about making the space your own. Whether you invest in high-end equipment or start with the essentials, make sure you craft a setup that enhances both your coffee experience and your living space. With a bit of inspiration and planning, your at-home coffee bar can become the perfect spot to fuel your day and indulge in your love for coffee.

Source: rent.com

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Update 10/25/24: Deal won’t close this year.

Capital One will buy Discover Financial Services, WSJ reports. The bank will keep the Discover brand. The massive merger will combine two of the largest credit card issuers in the US.

Capital One uses Visa and Mastercard for most of its cards. They plans to switch some of their cards to the Discover network, and continue using Visa and Mastercard for others.

Now, what’s on my mind: will Discover start doing 3-pulls for credit card applications? 🙂  In all likelihood, it will be many years until there are any changes to how either bank operates. It remains to be seen if this will affect credit card or bank signup bonuses in the longer term.

Source: doctorofcredit.com

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Vice President Kamala Harris is pledging to increase the housing supply and make it more affordable, especially for first-time home buyers.

She’s preaching to the choir of voters who rank housing affordability as a top-three issue in the election — about 25%, according to the results of a survey by Ipsos and Redfin, released on Oct. 15. Unsurprisingly, more renters (31.6%) rank housing affordability as a priority issue compared to already existing homeowners (17.1%).

The current housing affordability crisis is the result of the construction industry’s sluggish return to form following the 2007-2008 housing collapse and the basic laws of supply and demand. As is, there isn’t enough housing available for the number of buyers: The housing deficit grew to 4.5 million in 2022 up from 4.3 million in 2021, according to Zillow, a real estate website.

Housing shortages push up prices and keep them high. When a lack of available housing is combined with years of persistently elevated mortgage rates, it becomes even harder for would-be first-time homebuyers to break into the market.

Then, as fewer people trade renting for home ownership, it puts pressure on the rental market, keeping those prices high, too. As a result, shelter, which includes both home buying and renting, has remained the greatest factor in core inflation growth for years.

The only way to effectively combat a lack of affordable homes is by building more housing. Harris’ housing plans are ambitious — and possibly unrealistic, experts say.

Build new housing

Harris has outlined policies aimed at creating 3 million new housing units over the next four years — a 50% increase over the current rate of home building, according to the nonprofit Urban Institute.

In an Aug. 21 Washington Post editorial, Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, and Jim Parrott, a housing expert at the Urban Institute, called her plans “the most aggressive supply-side push since the national investment in housing that followed World War II.”

To achieve her end goal, Harris wants to provide several tax incentives to kickstart construction:

  • A new Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit to construct or rehabilitate 400,000 homes in lower income communities. The homes must be owner-occupied. The incentive would operate similarly to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) in that states would receive an allocation of credits for specific projects based on local need.  

  • A tax cut for builders that construct affordable starter homes. 

  • A $40 billion innovation fund to incentivize state and local governments, as well as private developers and homebuilders, to find new strategies to expand the housing supply, primarily through regulatory reform and cutting red tape. 

  • Open up certain federal lands for new housing developments. Her campaign has not specified which federal lands.

An analysis of Harris’ proposal by the Urban Institute says Harris’ plans to increase new housing are not out of line with historic standards. But 50% growth is still a daunting task, and would rely on a number of factors outside a president’s direct control. “What she’s proposed will probably only go sort of halfway or part of the way in achieving that, because achieving a 50% increase in housing production is gigantic,” says Yonah Freemark, a principal research associate in the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center at the Urban Institute and the research director of the Land Use Lab at Urban.

Other observers see the 50% target as unrealistic. “For anyone who has any knowledge of commercial real estate and the housing industry, that seems like an unachievable number,” says Brian Connolly, assistant professor of business law at the University of Michigan. “But good for her for trying to get there.”

“What she’s proposed will probably only go sort of halfway or part of the way in achieving that, because achieving a 50% increase in housing production is gigantic.”

Yonah Freemark, research associate, Urban Institute

However, her proposals could help spur more construction even if they don’t reach the target, says Connolly. He adds that if the government supports homebuilding through new tax incentives that make it more profitable to build new housing and attract skilled labor, then it could make a meaningful impact on the housing supply.

Harris would need Congress to enact much of what she pledges to do. Of the innovation fund, for example, Connolly says, “She couldn’t just sort of pluck $40 billion out of thin air to deliver to the local government; that would be something that would presumably require congressional authorization.”

What there is bipartisan appetite in Congress for, says Freemark, is reducing regulatory restraints on construction. He says there may also be support for expanding the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, which goes toward acquiring, rehabilitating or constructing rental housing for lower-income households. The Democratic National Committee includes expanding LIHTC in its platform.

Make home buying more affordable

A cornerstone of Harris’ housing plans aims to make home ownership — the most traditional vehicle for wealth-building in America — more accessible to first-time buyers. She pledges to provide up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time home buyers and an unspecified, greater amount of assistance for first-generation homebuyers.

Starter-home buyers could use the help since those homes are much more expensive than they were before the pandemic — 51.1% higher than August 2019, according to a Redfin report released on Sept. 30. But there is one recent positive sign for buyers: Starter homes are less expensive now than a year ago for the first time since August 2020. Homebuyers currently need to earn $76,995 annually to afford a home at the median price of $250,000.

There are already places in the U.S. that provide down payment assistance, so Harris’ proposal isn’t new per se, but its size and scope is, says Freemark. “I think that it has the potential to be quite impactful in terms of expanding access to home-purchasing for a large segment of the population that currently, simply, doesn’t have the ability to assemble enough funds,” he adds.

But when it comes to how assistance is delivered, the devil is in the details. “It will take a lot of thought and, potentially, some experimentation on the part of agencies and others that would be implementing this strategy,” Freemark adds. “Also, this is a potentially very expensive program, so I’m not sure I’ve heard broad enough support in Congress.”

It’s much easier to increase demand than it is to increase supply, says Ed Pinto, a senior fellow and co-director of the AEI Housing Center at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, and Harris’ down payment assistance plan would serve to add buyers to what is now a strong seller’s market. “Unless that were to change, any efforts along the lines of demand increases would lead to substantial increases in prices,” says Pinto.

Connolly agrees. “If we’re not building those housing units and we’re providing people with $25,000 in credits to go out and buy within a stock of housing that is not sufficient, that’s going to result in bidding up housing prices,” he says.

Still, providing credits to first-time homebuyers could be something that both sides of the aisle support, says Connolly. “I tend to be a little more of an optimist about the bipartisan nature of this problem,” he says.

Make rent more affordable

About two-thirds of all homes are owned by the people who live in them, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The other third are occupied by renters and Harris has plans to make their lives less expensive, too. The natural outcome to her plan to make home ownership more accessible would be freed-up rental housing. But she also wants to target corporate landlords in two ways:

  • End rental price-fixing practices by landlords of large multi-family units that raise rents based on algorithms. She is calling on Congress to pass the Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act. 

  • Remove tax benefits for large corporate landlords that own single-family rental homes. She is calling on Congress to pass the Stop Predatory Investing Act. 

Freemark says that generally, there hasn’t been much support from Republicans in Congress to fund housing affordability policies for renters. If Democrats gained control in both houses, then there is some potential to expand funding for those purposes, he says.

But there has been some bipartisan interest in stopping large private investors from purchasing a large share of homes in communities throughout the country, says Freemark. “Getting that policy right is not obvious,” he says. “Just because you don’t like private investors doesn’t mean they’re not playing an important role in the overall housing market. And, you know, you’re playing with a very large industry when you start talking about sort of critiquing the ownership of large corporations. So I don’t know. I’m a little skeptical”

Meanwhile, Connolly isn’t so sure that focusing on price-fixing will be impactful in alleviating high rent prices. “I’m a bit skeptical that, you know, going after representing algorithms is really going to result in decreases in rent or slowed appreciation of rent,” he says. “But to the extent that there’s any impact on the rental market at the margins, that might be possible.”

Cut red tape

Experts agree that reducing regulatory burdens to building new housing is necessary and has bipartisan support. Both candidates have, at least, nodded to that need — Republicans in their party platform and Harris with her $40 billion innovation fund.

“Republicans tend to be more pro-business; they tend to provide tax breaks to businesses,” says Connolly. “And Democrats want to see more housing supply and housing affordability. So that looks like a good way to kind of, you know, marry those two sides of the aisle.”

Still, authority over housing regulations is concentrated at the local level, so there may be limits to what Congress can achieve on the issue.

Open up federal lands for housing

In the past former President Donald Trump has floated a vision of 10 “freedom cities” on undeveloped federal lands (his utopian vision for these cities also includes flying cars). Harris has also said she supports opening up federal lands to build housing, but hasn’t provided details.

The Federal Government is the largest landholder in the country (the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, manages one in every 10 acres in the U.S.) so there’s an inventory of possible land available for development. But there’s a key difficulty with the proposal, says Freemark: “A lot of federal land is not land you would want to build housing on.”

Connolly agrees: “When you look at the map of U.S. federal lands, a lot of them are in very lightly populated areas across the western U.S. where there’s not going to be any demand for housing. There may be federal properties that are underutilized in larger cities that would be appropriate places to build housing … but at this point, I think that proposal, you know, from both sides of the aisle is really unclear in terms of its scope and where that would occur.”

The majority of government-owned land is in the West, and there is precedent for opening it to home building. In July, the Bureau of Land Management announced actions that it said would create thousands of affordable housing units on federal land in Nevada.

Pinto is optimistic about the possibilities. “In areas where there’s plenty of land, you could build an entirely new city,” he says. “Let’s take Utah … the federal government owns [the majority] of land in Utah. Half of that land we’ll call ‘Smokey the Bear’ — national parks, national forests, national monuments, things like that. The other half is just owned by the Bureau of Land Management.”

Trump’s deportation plans could stymie construction

Housing hasn’t been the focus of Trump’s campaign, but the cornerstone promise of his campaign — deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants — could have a direct impact on the housing market.

Trump has claimed that his deportation plans would free up housing, but experts say it would actually worsen the housing crisis since the construction workforce is largely reliant on immigrant labor.

Immigration has not been at the root of the U.S. housing crisis, says Connolly. “To the extent that you have migrants who are, generally speaking, low income or very low income people entering into the market … they’re facing much more dire circumstances than people who are trying to buy their first home or something like that,” he says.

But what Trump’s deportation plans could do is exacerbate a shortage of construction workers.

“I would suspect it is causing some concern for home builders and people in the building industry, because immigrant labor has long been a source of labor for the building industry and not just immigrants from Central and South America, but going back across really our entire history,” says Connolly. “Think of Italian bricklayers, Irish laborers in the 1800s and early 1900s. We have always relied on immigrant labor for work in our building industry. And yeah, the idea that we’re going to go deport a bunch of immigrants, you know, particularly in a time period when we need to be building housing is particularly bad policy.”

Freemark says, “Trump deporting millions of people would be horribly destructive for the housing market. It would make it very difficult to build homes throughout much of the country and it would increase the cost of homes.”

NerdWallet’s 2024 election deep dives

What would the Trump economy look like? Find out where former President Donald Trump stands on economic issues like battling inflation, medical debt, jobs, health care, housing, child care, small businesses and more.

How Trump and Harris aim to address your health care When it comes to health care, the candidates have been light on the details. Harris has focused on things like lowering prescription drug prices; expanding Medicare care coverage; and restoring federal abortion rights. Trump says he supports IVF coverage, but wants to leave abortion to the states. He also said that he has only a “concept” of a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act.

Smart Money’s 2024 Presidential Election Series

Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the grand economic promises made by presidential candidates and the intricate realities of presidential influence on the economy to help you understand the real effects on your daily finances.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images News via Getty Images)

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

Maybe you’ve just moved into your new apartment and want to make it smell clean and fresh or you’ve been dealing with persistent pet odors due to a furry friend’s accidents. Whatever the reason, bad odors can really put a damper on your mood – and sometimes your health, too. Whether you’re renting an apartment in Scottsdale, AZ, settling into a home rental in Kansas City, or finally buying your dream home in Albuquerque, NM, nobody wants to live in a place that smells bad. 

To get you started on your purifying journey, ApartmentGuide reached out to a wealth of experts to offer tips on how to banish bad odors for good. Read on to learn more and make your place smell fresh again.

1. Start with a deep clean

If you are looking for how to get rid of bad odors in your apartment, experts recommend starting with a thorough deep cleaning, but first get some fresh air in the place. “The first step to removing harsh odors is to open up the windows and doors and get as much fresh air in that area as possible,” says Rachel Seavey, professional organizer and coach with Collector Care.

Next, you’ll want to get into deep clean mode. “You must do a thorough deep clean before disinfecting or sanitizing with a disinfectant and odor eliminator – an air freshener probably won’t give you a lasting result,” recommends Hank Williamson, President of The Maids of the Triad, a cleaning company that services North Carolina. “Your carpets have likely retained odor so you will need to vacuum and clean them. If your walls have absorbed cigarette smoke or other odors you should wipe them down with a vinegar and water mixture – using a microfiber mop greatly assists. If your refrigerator has odor, dispose of dated food and thoroughly clean it; you may use baking soda or coffee grinds to absorb any remaining odor. Next, open the windows, turn on fans, and change air filters.”  

Jonathan Herrera of Master Clean Bay Area, agrees that starting with a deep clean is the best way to get rid of odors before a more focused solution. “A deep clean focusing on floors, bathrooms, living areas, and the kitchen can significantly reduce harsh odors in an apartment,” says Jonathan. “By thoroughly cleaning these areas, we eliminate trapped dirt and lingering smells. Our go-to products are Simple Green and dish soap. Simple Green not only cleans but also helps disinfect, making it an effective solution for neutralizing odors while ensuring a hygienic environment. Regular deep cleaning of these high-traffic areas can help maintain a fresh-smelling space, especially when dealing with persistent smells from cooking, pets, or moisture.”

2. Clean your garbage cans

Aside from taking the trash and recycling out frequently to ensure that smells don’t linger, you need to be sure you’re properly cleaning your bins to get rid of bad odor that may be building. “I recommend garbage receptacles to be cleaned at least once every two weeks,” says Omar Arroyo of Blue Sea House Cleaning, a house cleaning company serving California and Monterey Peninsula. “Start by making a mix of about a half gallon of water, two teaspoons of liquid dish soap, and three teaspoons of baking soda. Pour the mix into the garbage receptacle and let it soak for about five minutes. After five minutes, scrub, rinse, and dry it with a towel or paper towel. Your garbage receptacle will be odor-free for about two weeks.”

3. Be smart about the scents you use

Instead of just masking the smell with candles and air fresheners, try using scents that do a great job of neutralizing odors. “Certain fragrance notes like citrus, lavender, and eucalyptus are excellent for freshening up spaces and neutralizing harsh odors,” adds the team at Be Layered, a fragrance company. “These notes work by not just masking smells but by refreshing the air with clean, natural scents. For a cozy and long-lasting effect, warm notes like vanilla, musk, and sandalwood can create a comforting atmosphere while also combating unpleasant smells.”

The team at Cleany, an NYC-based cleaning company, agrees, “Odor-absorbing candles with scents like lavender or eucalyptus can mask and refresh harsh smells, especially in small spaces like bathrooms or kitchens.”

4. Simmer a solution on the stove

Another classic trick to get rid of bad odor is to simmer a natural mixture on the stove. “We all love a home that smells wonderful. In fact, our sense of smell is the sense most closely tied to memory,” shares Alejandra Fortin, founder and CEO of This is Home, a cleaning, organizing, and interior design company based in Houston. “A great way to make your home smell amazing and give you that cozy feeling inside, especially during the holidays, is by warming water on the stove and adding cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom, an orange and a lemon into the hot pot. Leave it there simmering and it will quickly have your entire home smelling like the holidays and will put you and your family in the best mood!”

If you’re looking for another concoction to try, consider Edgar Villafranco’s remedy from We Leave Clean, a cleaning company with locations based all over the country. “For stubborn odors, especially from cooking or pets, try simmering a pot of water with slices of lemon, a few sprigs of rosemary, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract for 30 minutes,” says Edgar. “The steam from this natural mixture not only freshens the air but also neutralizes lingering smells, leaving your home smelling clean and inviting.”  

5. Use a steam mop

Steam mops are a great chemical-free and eco-friendly way to get stains and smells out of your floors. “At NeatO, we find that one of the best defenses against harsh odors in our clients’ homes is by using a quality steam mop like the Shark Genius, along with a light spritz of diluted Pine-Sol on the mop pad,” says NeatO Cleaning, a Los Angeles-based cleaning company. “The heat and moisture from the steam helps lift dirt and stains, while simultaneously killing odor-causing bacteria. The spritz of Pine-Sol doubles down on eliminating bacteria while leaving a clean scent that lasts.”

6. Reduce laundry odor

If you’ve got smells baked into your clothes, try using some vinegar in your next load. “For laundry odors, use a quarter cup of white vinegar in the wash. White vinegar neutralizes laundry odors and surprisingly makes clothes smell fresh and clean,” says Beth McGee, author of Get Your House Clean Now: The Home Cleaning Method Anyone Can Master.

7. Get creative with dryer sheets and fabric softener

A lot can be done with simple household items to clean up your space. Take some tips from Greg Strine of Dream Cleaning, a top-rated home cleaning service in Chicago, and get your space spelling good with what you have on hand. “Start by taking dryer sheets and putting them in each vent. This will absorb odors in the ducts and create a clean scent from the duct work. Some furniture just needs to be thrown out, but try unzipping the cushions and putting a dryer sheet inside a couch cushion. Leave it there for three weeks and smell how this helps with your furniture,” says Greg. 

“Lastly, take a small bowl with one cup of coarse salt, add two tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and mix. Then add four to six ounces of fabric softener and put it under the couch. This will help eliminate odor, keep insects away, and add a clean fragrance to your property.”

8. Tackle your garbage disposal

If a bad odor is wafting from your garbage disposal, it might be time to focus your cleaning efforts on this area. “To quickly combat a bad smell in your garbage disposal, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar, which will create a fizzing reaction that helps break down odor-causing particles; then run cold water to rinse thoroughly,” recommends NYC house cleaner Sunnyside Clean.  

9. Use a combination of white vinegar mixed with baking soda

A quick and natural cleaner can be made by combining white vinegar with baking soda. As an easy way to tackle pet-related harsh odors, listen to Sarina Ocal of MissionCat Cleaning, a cleaning company servicing both the New Jersey and New York area.

“To get rid of bad odors, especially pet-related ones, use a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda. Apply it directly to the stained area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub gently,” recommends Sarina. “For persistent smells, you can also try an enzyme-based cleaner to break down odor-causing compounds.”

Luis Da Silva, CEO of My Cleaning Angel, a residential and commercial cleaning company based in Tampa, Florida, seconds this method of removing bad odor. “To remove harsh odors in your apartment, use a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda — vinegar neutralizes odors while baking soda absorbs them.”

10. Combine vinegar and water

For an easy cleaner, combine vinegar with water. This creates a quality cleaner that is non-toxic and friendly to most surfaces. “To neutralize lingering smells, we wipe down surfaces with a vinegar solution, which disinfects and freshens the space,” shares the team at Superb Maids NYC.

This solution can also be used on fabrics and carpets. “Use a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle to mist fabrics and carpets, allowing it to dry completely – vinegar neutralizes tough odors without leaving a lasting smell,” shares Lisa Shultz, owner of Anderson Carpet Cleaning Inc.

11. Use baking soda and vinegar on their own

Together, baking soda and vinegar are a force to be reckoned with, but they offer special benefits on their own. “Vinegar is a powerful odor neutralizer – fill a bowl with white vinegar and leave it in a smelly room overnight to absorb strong odors,” suggests the team at Cleany.

Baking soda is also powerful at absorbing odors on its own. “For general odor removal, we use baking soda on carpets and upholstery, allowing it to absorb odors before vacuuming,” says Superb Maids NYC.

If you combine all products – a water and vinegar solution with baking soda – you can do a lot of good. “For more stubborn smells, such as pet odor or lingering food aromas, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and let it sit for 15-20 minutes to absorb the odor. Then, spray a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar, let it fizz for a minute, and wipe clean. This method is natural, safe, and leaves surfaces odor-free!” advises Camden of ClothesLyne, a laundry service with locations along the East Coast.  

Using organic products like baking soda and vinegar can be a great way to clean without using harsh chemicals. “We always use organic products that our professional cleaners prepare to leave the areas shiny, clean, and smelling clean,” says Heromaid, a house cleaning service in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. “For organic cleaning products, we recommended vinegar, baking soda, and sometimes hydrogen peroxide to remove harsh stains.”

12. Tips for cleaning with store-bought products

If you’re looking for something stronger that you can buy at the store, Cleaning Glow, an office, AirBnB, and house cleaning service, has got you covered with their recommendations to get rid of bad odor.

“1. To get rid of general odors throughout your room, use compact OZONE Spray. It can kill bacteria and viruses in seconds.

2. Use Arm & Hammer Extra Strength Carpet Odor Eliminator to get rid of odors stuck in carpets.

3. Mix 1 hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water and a small dish soap; spray to remove pet odor stains.

4. Place activated charcoal bags in various rooms to absorb offensive smells without covering them.”

13. Clean up pet stains and leftover odor

We love our furry friends, but they can wreak havoc on the quality of our spaces. If you’ve got pets that struggle with accidents, give this section a read and try out some of these tips to get rid of bad odor and stains.

“For pet odors, sprinkle baking soda generously on the area and let it sit overnight to absorb smells before vacuuming it up; follow with a light mist of white vinegar for extra odor-neutralizing power,” suggests Lisa Shultz, owner of Anderson Carpet Cleaning Inc. “Treat urine stains by first blotting up as much liquid as possible, then apply an enzyme-based cleaner specifically designed to break down proteins that cause lingering smells.”

It may be tempting to just mask the urine smell if the job seems too mighty, but you need to be using a cleaner designed for pet stains. “For pet stains that are causing odors, use an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for protein-based stains like animal waste. This way, the source of the odor is broken down and removed, not just masked,” says Beth McGee, author of Get Your House Clean Now: The Home Cleaning Method Anyone Can Master. “If the stain is on fabric like furniture or carpet. Test a hidden area first to be sure it won’t damage the fabric.”

Professional cleaners do have favorites when it comes to products of pet stains. “If you identify you have a pet odor problem due to naughty or incontinent pets, we always suggest using Naturals Miracle, which is all-natural and uses enzymes,” recommends Rachel Seavey, professional organizer and coach with Collector Care. “You spray a small amount on the area and let it go to work. It is all natural so it’s safe to use around your fur babies.”

Another favorite of professional cleaners is Arm and Hammer Pet Fresh Powder. “If you have a harsh odor coming from your carpets and don’t want to call your carpet cleaning company, start by buying Pet Fresh powder that you can find anywhere,” says Seattle Steamers, a carpet cleaning company in Seattle. “Next, spread it on the carpets. Agitate the carpets using a broom and let it set for an hour. Then vacuum the carpets and you’re done!”

Now, it does matter whether the stain is old or new – this will change the method by which you attack the stain. “Urine is one of the few things that will change on the pH scale from an acid (new urine stain) to an alkaline (old urine stain) over time,” shares Carpets by Chris, a carpet repair company based out of Mukilteo, Washington.

“For this reason, it is necessary to clean a new spot with a different product than you would with an old spot. Since a new spot is acidic, you want to use an alkaline like ammonia to break the chemical bond and remove the urine. Conversely, if the urine stain is old, then more than likely it has changed from an acid to an alkaline. This means we need to use an acid like white vinegar to break the alkaline, chemical bond. To do this, simply saturate the stain with the chemicals, apply a dry towel to the spot, and stand on it multiple times to soak up as much as possible. If there is a visible stain, use a 35% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Mist it on the stain and let sit. This is very effective in getting rid of the urine stain.”

14. Use an ozone generator

Sometimes odors stick around and don’t want to leave. If your place is like this, it might be worth it to look into a different type of solution. “In more persistent cases, we use activated charcoal to absorb odors or deploy an ozone generator,” says the team at Superb Maids NYC.

“Ozone generators are highly effective at eliminating tough odors, such as those from smoke, mold, or pets, by releasing ozone (O₃), which breaks down odor-causing molecules. This method reaches areas that standard cleaning cannot, making it ideal for deeply embedded smells. However, ozone generators must be used in unoccupied spaces, as ozone can be harmful to humans and pets during treatment. After use, we ventilate the area thoroughly before allowing re-entry, ensuring the space is fresh and odor-free.”

15. Get rid of smoke 

Maybe you’ve just moved in and your apartment smells like cigarette smoke – not the best thing in the world to be around all the time. Well, an ozone generator is actually a great way of solving this issue. “To remove smoke odors, use an ozone machine to purify the air quickly, but follow the directions for use carefully,” says Beth McGee, author of Get Your House Clean Now: The Home Cleaning Method Anyone Can Master. “You can buy one for a reasonable price or many rental companies have them available.”

If purchasing or renting an ozone generator is out of the question, Beth has another tip for getting rid of smoke. “Wipe surfaces with vodka and distilled water to neutralize smells. The alcohol in vodka kills odor-causing bacteria. As it evaporates, it takes the smells with it,” says Beth. “Lightly spray vodka diluted with water onto fabric, carpet, or surfaces and let it air dry. It works great for smoke or musty odors and doesn’t leave a strong scent behind.”

The team at Cleany also has a tip for getting rid of smoke. “For persistent smells like smoke, placing bowls of activated charcoal around the room can help absorb unwanted scents,” they say. Lisa Shultz, owner of Anderson Carpet Cleaning Inc., seconds this idea and adds another tip. “For smoke or musty odors, place bowls of activated charcoal or coffee grounds in the room for 24 – 48 hours to absorb odors naturally,” says Lisa.

Source: apartmentguide.com

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Do you want to learn how to make money as a travel photographer? Photography can be an exciting way to get paid to travel. If you enjoy taking pictures and traveling, this might be your dream job. Lots of people love seeing photos from different places, and you could be the one to share them….

Do you want to learn how to make money as a travel photographer?

Photography can be an exciting way to get paid to travel. If you enjoy taking pictures and traveling, this might be your dream job. Lots of people love seeing photos from different places, and you could be the one to share them.

Traveling full-time for around 10 years was an amazing experience for me. I have been able to visit beautiful places, meet new people, and take tons of pictures. I have also met many, many travel photographers – from National Geographic freelance photographers to YouTubers, travel print sellers, and more.

If you love taking great photos while visiting new places, becoming a travel photographer could be a great way to make money.

Best Ways To Make Money as a Travel Photographer

Below are the best ways to make money as a travel photographer.

Recommended reading: 25 Best Travel Jobs To Make Money Traveling The World

1. Sell stock photos

Selling stock photos is a great way to make money as a travel photographer. You can upload your best travel pictures to popular stock photo websites.

These sites let people buy and use your photos for their projects. When someone buys your photo, you get paid a fee.

Some popular stock photo sites are Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, iStock, Depositphotos, and Getty Images.

Most of the pictures within this blog post are stock photos, and I use stock photos all the time, as do other businesses. They are very helpful!

Recommended reading: 18 Ways To Get Paid To Take Pictures

2. Elopement photographer

Becoming an elopement photographer can be a fun way to make money with travel photography. Elopements are small, intimate weddings that usually happen in beautiful locations like on the beach, in the mountains, and more.

As an elopement photographer, you’ll capture special moments for couples in beautiful places.

To get started, build a portfolio that showcases your landscape and portrait photography skills. Couples want to see your ability to capture both the natural beauty of a location and the emotions of the day. You may also want to research popular elopement destinations and familiarize yourself with these places so you can recommend ideal spots for couples.

Pricing many times should cover your travel expenses and services, so make sure to think about the location when setting your rates.

I follow a few travel wedding photographers online and I’m always amazed by how beautiful their pictures are!

Recommended reading: How I Make $20,000 A Month As A Family, Maternity, and Newborn Photographer

3. Host photography workshops

Photography workshops can be a great way to make money as a travel photographer. You can share your skills and knowledge with others who want to learn more about taking better pictures.

I know several people who have taken in-person photography workshops, and I have personally taken an online one. So, I know how helpful they are!

Photography workshops that you can teach may include:

  • Camera basics: Teach participants how to use their camera’s settings. Many people have cameras that they do not use to the fullest (there are so many buttons on cameras these days after all!).
  • Lighting: Explain how to work with natural light, use reflectors, or set up artificial lighting to improve pictures.
  • Portrait photography: Teach how to pose subjects and work with natural backgrounds to capture stunning portraits, whether in a studio or outdoor setting.
  • Travel photography: Focus on capturing landscapes, cityscapes, and cultural elements during travel. Talk about how to tell a story with your photos.
  • Night and low-light photography: Teach how to shoot in challenging lighting conditions, like at night, during concerts, or in dim indoor settings.
  • Building a photography portfolio: Show participants how to curate their best work, create a cohesive portfolio, and market themselves for potential clients or opportunities.
  • Editing travel pictures for social media: Teach participants how to edit their travel photos for platforms like Instagram or blogs.

I recommend thinking about what you are good at and what you think your audience would be interested in learning about. By tailoring these topics to the interests of your audience, you can create a workshop that’s helpful and sells well.

4. Start a travel blog

Starting a blog is something I know well because I’ve been blogging for over 10 years. When I first started, I had no idea it would turn into such an amazing journey, allowing me to travel the world and share my experiences. Blogging has given me the opportunity to connect with people who share similar interests, as well as make money doing something that I enjoy.

Starting a travel blog can be great if you want to learn how to make money as a travel photographer. You can share your photos and stories with people who love to explore new places.

To become a travel blogger, pick a blog name that’s easy to remember and shows what your blog is about. Use a platform like self-hosted WordPress to set up your blog, and focus on creating good content by sharing your best travel photos and blog posts (try to post at least once a week so your audience stays interested).

Once you get more visitors to your blog, you can make money in different ways. You can use affiliate marketing (such as by linking to your travel gear on Amazon), write sponsored posts, or sell your photography services and prints. Travel companies and tourism boards might also want to work with you if your blog has great photos and content that fits their needs.

Recommended reading: How To Start a Travel Blog and Make Money

5. Sell prints online

Selling prints online can be a great way to make money from your travel photos. Many people love decorating their homes and offices with beautiful travel images.

If you want to learn how to become a travel photographer by selling travel prints, you can start by creating an online store to showcase and sell your best travel prints. Platforms like Shopify or Etsy make it easy to set up a shop quickly.

I have many friends who sell prints from their travels. They specialize in animal photos, landscape photos, urban cities, and more. I actually just recently bought a print from one of them to put on my living room wall.

Pricing is important and you can look at what other photographers charge for similar prints to get an idea of what you should charge.

Don’t forget about shipping. Make sure to factor in packaging and mailing costs when setting your prices. You want to protect your prints during shipping.

6. Work with brands or tourism boards

You can make money as a travel photographer by collaborating with brands and tourism boards. These groups tend to need great photos to show off their products or places so that they can get more customers/visitors.

I have worked with many brands and travel boards/companies over the years, and I think it can be a great way to make money with travel photography. One of my very first side hustle gigs that I got through this blog (the one you’re reading right now) was because I reached out to a resort in the Caribbean and pitched them ways that I could improve their website. They paid me as well as gave me free resort stays (so that I could take pictures and become an expert on the property).

You can wait for them to reach out to you, or you can contact travel companies, hotels, and tourism offices yourself. You’ll want to show them your best work and tell them how you can help.

7. Start an Instagram

Instagram is a great way to share your travel photos and make money. You can start by creating an account and posting your best pictures.

You’ll want to post often to keep your followers interested – at least once a day, especially in the beginning, is usually what is recommended.

You can make money on Instagram by working with brands, and they might pay you to take photos of their products, or you could get paid to share a photo of a hotel or tour company.

As your account grows, you can sell your own products too. This could be things like photo prints or editing presets.

While I do not make a large income from my Instagram account (it’s not my main business), I have made thousands of dollars from my income over the years. It is a fun way to make an income and it pushes you to take better pictures.

8. Create and sell Lightroom presets

Making Lightroom presets can be a fun way to earn money as a travel photographer. Presets are like filters that make editing photos easier and faster.

I have personally bought Lightroom presets from travel photographers, and I like how easy they are to use on my personal travel photos.

People buy presets because they save time and help create a consistent, professional look for their photos. Presets allow people like you and me to apply popular aesthetic styles with just one click, making it easy to stay on trend without needing advanced editing skills. They’re also a great learning tool for beginners who want to improve their photo editing techniques.

To create presets, start by editing a photo in Lightroom. Play with the settings until you’re happy with how it looks. Then, save these settings as a preset.

You’ll want to share photos on Instagram and other social media sites using your presets. As your photos become popular, your followers will most likely ask you about your presets – I see this being asked all the time!

Once you’ve made a few presets, it’s time to sell them. You can sell them on your own website or on online marketplaces for photographers.

I recommend that you show before and after photos so buyers can see what your presets do. This helps them decide if they want to buy.

9. Sell your photos to magazines or travel publications

A popular way to find travel photography jobs is to sell your photos to magazines or travel publications. This could be small travel websites or even something as large as National Geographic.

Magazines and travel publications are always on the lookout for great photos.

You can start by researching different magazines and publications and look for ones that match your photography style and travel locations.

Take time to study their guidelines as each magazine has specific rules for photo submissions. You’ll want to follow these rules carefully to increase your chances of getting accepted.

When you’re ready, reach out to the photo editors. Send them a brief email with a few sample images. Keep it short and sweet.

If they like your work, they might ask for more photos. They could even give you assignments to shoot specific places or events.

Now, this can be a hard way to make money with travel photography, so remember that patience is key. It might take a while to hear back from editors, and don’t get discouraged if you face rejections at first (because you will most likely hear “no” in the beginning).

10. Start a YouTube channel

Starting a YouTube channel can be a great way to make money as a travel photographer. You can share your adventures and photography tips with viewers around the world.

I follow many, many travel YouTubers – sailors, RVers, adventurers, those who are trying to visit every country in the world, and more.

Travel YouTubers are fun to watch because they take you on exciting trips to beautiful places. They show you destinations you might not have seen before and share their own stories, tips, and experiences.

Recommended reading: How Much Do YouTubers Make?

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about how to make money as a travel photographer.

Can I make money from travel photography?

Yes, you can make money from travel photography. There are many ways to earn income by taking pictures during your travels. You can sell your photos to stock websites, work with brands, sell prints, or start a travel blog.

How hard is it to get into travel photography?

Getting into travel photography takes work, but it’s not impossible. You need to practice your skills and build a strong portfolio. It’s also important to network and market yourself. With time and effort, you can break into this field.

How to make money as an adventure photographer?

Adventure photography is a fun niche. You can sell your action shots to outdoor brands or magazines. You can also sell prints, start an adventure blog, and work with tourism boards.

How much do travel photographers make a year?

Travel photographers make a varying amount of money, and this is because travel jobs are so different. Some photographers make around $40,000 per year. I know an elopement photographer who makes over $200,000 a year. Others earn much more or less.

What steps should I take to start a career in travel photography?

If you want to start a career in travel photography, I recommend that you improve your photography skills such as by taking a photography course and learning how to correctly use a camera and all of its features. Also, building a strong portfolio of your best work, such as by creating a website to showcase your photos, is a good idea.

What skills should I learn to succeed in making money as a travel photographer?

Skills that you should learn so that you can make money as a travel photographer include learning to use your camera well (such as by studying up on composition and lighting) as well as practicing editing photos.

Is it possible to make a living just by taking photos while traveling?

Yes, it’s possible to make a living as a travel photographer. But it usually takes time to build up to a full-time income. Many travel photographers combine different income streams and they might sell photos, lead tours, and write about their travels.

How To Make Money as a Travel Photographer – Summary

I hope you enjoyed this article on the ways to make money while traveling with photography.

If you love taking photos and traveling to new places, becoming a travel photographer might be the perfect job for you.

For over 10 years, I traveled full-time and met many successful photographers who made money by capturing beautiful moments on their trips, and they were able to pursue their passions doing this.

Whether it’s selling photos online, taking pictures at elopements, or teaching others how to improve their photography, there are many ways to earn money while traveling as a professional photographer.

Are you interested in learning how to make money as a travel photographer?

Recommended reading:

Source: makingsenseofcents.com

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Another fintech has been quietly growing in the mortgage space, looking to solve the age-old “buy before you sell” conundrum.

A major challenge for prospective move-up buyers these days is unloading their old property while securing a new residence.

Exacerbating the issue is a continued lack of for-sale inventory, coupled with waning affordability thanks to high home prices and mortgage rates.

This can make it difficult to float two mortgage payments while finding a buyer for their old home.

Enter Calque, which partners with local mortgage lenders to ensure the home loan piece is solved.

Calque’s Trade-In Mortgage

The Austin, Texas-based company actually offers two products to make it easier to buy and sell a home at the same time.

Their so-called “Trade-In Mortgage” allows home sellers to gain access to their home equity ahead of time without needing to sell first.

This second mortgage acts as a bridge loan, freeing up liquidity so you can make a stronger offer.

And it comes with a guaranteed back-up offer where Calque will buy your old home, allowing you to submit cash-like offers.

This gives buyers increased purchasing power in a number of different ways, whether it’s an increased down payment, larger cash reserves, or the ability to pay off other high-cost debt.

It can also make the buyer more competitive in a housing market that continues to be plagued by low inventory.

If you find yourself in a bidding war, coming in with a larger down payment can help you win the property over other bidders.

Even if competition isn’t strong, a larger down payment may allow you to make a low-bid offer, as the seller will favor an offer with more money down.

In addition, you can offset the cost of a higher mortgage rate on the replacement property by putting more money down.

A few months back, a friend of mine sold his old home with a super cheap mortgage and used the sales proceeds to pay down the new high-rate mortgage.

While this was a good solution to cut down on his interest expense, it didn’t lower his mortgage payments, which still amortize normally despite the extra payment.

This means he’ll either need to request a loan recast to lower future payments, or he’ll need to wait for a good opportunity to apply for a rate and term refinance.

The Trade-In Mortgage allows you to apply a larger payment on the new home upfront before you sell your old one.

As a result, you won’t necessarily need to refinance or complete a recast since lower monthly payments will be reflected by the smaller loan amount.

You may even be able to get a lower mortgage rate thanks to a lower loan-to-value ratio (LTV), and/or avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI) in the process.

And you can use some of the money from the bridge loan to fix up your old home so it sells for a better price!

Calque’s Contingency Buster

Recently, Calque rolled out a “lighter” buy before you sell option known as “Contingency Buster.”

It allows home buyers to achieve the same basic result without taking out a second mortgage.

In the process, they can make offers without home sale contingencies and exclude the old mortgage payment from their DTI ratio.

As long as your lender is approved to work with Calque, you can make a non-contingent offer on a new home while not worrying about having to qualify for two mortgages.

It’s hard enough to afford one mortgage, so attempting to float two at the moment is likely a deal-breaker for most.

Like the Trade-In Mortgage, Contingency Buster leverages the company’s Purchase Price Guarantee (PPG).

It’s a binding backup offer put in place that will only be employed if your current home doesn’t sell within 150 days.

The agreed-upon price will likely be below-market, with the sample calculator on their website displaying 70% or 80% of estimated value offer.

So obviously you’d still want to sell your home on the open market to a buyer other than Calque.

How Much Does Calque Cost?

There are three possible fees depending on which program you choose.

This includes a $2,000 flat fee paid to Calque, along with 1% of the Purchase Price Guarantee amount.

For example, if they offer to buy your old home for $600,000, it’d be $6,000 + $2,000, or $8,000 total, taken from your sales proceeds.

If you needed the bridge loan to access your equity ahead of time via the Trade-In Mortgage program, there’s also a $550 flat fee. And the interest rate is apparently 8.5% on that loan.

So you’d be paying some interest until you closed on the new home and were able to pay off the bridge loan with the proceeds.

Those simply using the Contingency Buster would only owe the $2,000 plus 1% of the offer price. This seems to be the case whether they sell the property on the open market or not.

Is This a Good Offer?

Whenever I come across programs like this, I try to determine if they’re a good deal or not.

Ultimately, many prospective home buyers can’t buy a new home without it being contingent on the sale of their old home.

It’s just impossible for a lot of folks to carry two mortgages from a qualification standpoint.

Even if they could, there’s also the uncertainty of the old home being stuck on the market and continuing to carry that cost.

So from that perspective, this alleviates those problems and concerns. But as noted, there are costs involved with the program.

And the biggest potential cost is selling your home for just 70% or 80% of its value. While the other fees are reasonable sounding, selling for a 20-30% haircut isn’t great.

In other words, Calque could be beneficial, but you’d still want to sell your old home to a third-party buyer for top dollar (or as close to it as possible).

Otherwise you could be leaving a ton of money on the table. And it kind of defeats the purpose of using the program to begin with.

For me, this means understanding upfront how easy it’d be to sell your current home and at what price to avoid any unwanted surprises.

Lastly, you’d need to use a mortgage lender who is approved to work with Calque. So you’ll also need to ensure this lender is competent and well-priced!

Before creating this site, I worked as an account executive for a wholesale mortgage lender in Los Angeles. My hands-on experience in the early 2000s inspired me to begin writing about mortgages 18 years ago to help prospective (and existing) home buyers better navigate the home loan process. Follow me on Twitter for hot takes.
Latest posts by Colin Robertson (see all)

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Apache is functioning normally

If you’re dreaming of owning your own home, whether that means a cute Colonial or a loft-style condo, you are likely contemplating financing, and that can mean a mortgage. A home loan can give you the funds required to purchase a property, but there can be a learning curve involved, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer. For instance, what term should you select? How do mortgage interest rates work, and is a fixed rate typically best?

In this guide, you’ll get the scoop on how home loans work, what kind of options you have, and how to assess which loan could be right for you.

What is a Mortgage?

A mortgage loan, also known simply as a mortgage, is issued to a borrower who is either buying or refinancing real estate.

The borrower signs a legal agreement that gives the lender the ability to take ownership of the property if the loan holder doesn’t make payments according to the agreed-upon terms.

Once issued a mortgage, the homebuyer will pay monthly principal (that’s the lump sum of the loan) and interest payments for a specific term. The most common term for a fixed-rate mortgage is 30 years, but terms of 20, 15, and even 10 years are available.

A shorter-term translates to a higher monthly payment but lower total interest costs. Put another way, you pay more every month, but the amount of interest over the life of the loan is lower.

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💡 Quick Tip: You deserve a more zen mortgage loan. When you buy a home, SoFi offers a guarantee that your loan will close on time. Backed by a $5,000 credit.‡

A Buffet of Mortgage Choices

When homebuyers apply for a loan, they’ll need to choose whether they want a fixed interest rate or an adjustable rate and the length of the loan.

Fixed-Rate Mortgage

The interest rate on the home loan doesn’t change, so the monthly principal and interest payment remains the same for the life of the loan. Whether mortgage rates increase or decrease, the loan holder is locked in for their monthly payment.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)

With an ARM, the interest rate is generally fixed for an initial period of time, such as five, seven, or 10 years, and then switches to a variable rate of interest. The rate fluctuates with the rate index that it’s tied to.

As the rate changes, monthly payments may increase or decrease. These loans generally have yearly and lifetime interest rate caps (or maximums) that limit how high the variable rate can adjust to.

Next, borrowers will need to decide what type of mortgage loan works best for them.

Conventional Loans

Conventional loans are loans that are not backed by a government agency and must adhere to the requirements of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or other investors. Typically, conventional loans are issued with at least 3% down. However, it’s worth noting that private mortgage insurance (commonly known as PMI) is generally required on loans with a down payment of less than 20%.

The coverage protects the lender against the risk of default. Your mortgage servicer must cancel your PMI when the mortgage balance reaches 78% of the home’s value or when the mortgage hits the halfway point of the loan term, if you’re in good standing.

PMI typically costs 0.2% to 2% of the loan amount per year.

Down payment: Generally between 3% and 20% of the purchase price or appraised value of the home, depending on the lender’s requirements.

FHA Loans

Loans insured by the Federal Housing Authority, or FHA loans, can be attractive to first-time homebuyers or those who struggle to meet the minimum requirements for a conventional loan. In a SoFi survey of 500 would-be homeowners conducted in April 2024, 28% of people who had filled out a loan application had applied for this type of loan, and fully 63% of those who filled out an application had applied for some type of government-backed financing.

These loans usually require a one-time upfront mortgage insurance premium (or MIP vs. PMI), which typically can be added to the mortgage, and an annual insurance premium, which is collected in monthly installments for the life of the loan in most cases.

Down payment: Starts at 3.5%

Recommended: First-Time Homebuyer Guide

VA Loans

Loans guaranteed by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs are available to veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses. SoFi’s survey showed that 12% of potential homebuyers who applied for a loan had filled out a VA loan application.

VA-backed loans require a one-time “VA funding fee,” which can be rolled into the loan. The fee is based on a percentage of the loan amount and may be waived for certain disabled vets. The current range is from 1.5% to 3.3% of the loan amount.

Down payment: None for approximately 80% of VA-backed home loans.
💡 Quick Tip: A VA loan can make home buying simple for qualified borrowers. Because the VA guarantees a portion of the loan, you could skip a down payment. Plus, you could qualify for lower interest rates, enjoy lower closing costs, and even bypass mortgage insurance.†

How Does a Mortgage Work?

There are several components to a monthly mortgage payment.

Principal: The principal is the value of the loan. The portion of the payment made toward the principal reduces how much a borrower owes on the loan.

Interest: Each month, interest will be factored into payments according to an amortization schedule. Even though a borrower’s fixed payment may stay the same over the course of the loan, the amount allocated toward interest generally decreases over time while the portion allocated to principal increases.

Taxes: To ensure that a borrower makes annual property tax payments, a lender may collect monthly property taxes with the monthly mortgage payment. This money can be kept in an escrow account until the property tax bill is due, and the lender can make the property tax payment at that time.

Homeowners insurance: Mortgage lenders usually require evidence of homeowners insurance, which can cover damage from catastrophes such as fire and storms. As with property taxes, many lenders collect the insurance premiums as part of the monthly payment and pay for the annual insurance premium out of an escrow account. Depending on your property location, you may have to add flood, wind, or other additional insurance.

Mortgage insurance: When a borrower presents a down payment of less than 20% of the value of the home, mortgage lenders typically require private mortgage insurance. When developing a budget for owning a home, it’s important to know the difference between mortgage insurance and homeowners insurance and whether both are required.

Reverse Mortgage Loans: What Are They?

A reverse mortgage is available to homeowners 62 and older to supplement their income or pay for healthcare expenses by tapping into their home equity.

The loan can come in the form of a lump-sum payment, monthly payments, a line of credit, or a combination, usually tax-free. Interest accrues on the loan balance, but no payments are required. When a borrower dies, sells the property, or moves out permanently, the loan must be repaid entirely.

The fees for an FHA-insured home equity conversion mortgage, typically the most common type of reverse mortgage, can add up:

•  An initial mortgage insurance premium of 2% and an annual MIP that equals 0.5% of the outstanding mortgage balance

•  Third-party charges for closing costs

•  Loan origination fee

•  Loan servicing fees

You can pay for most of the costs of the loan from the proceeds, which will reduce the net loan amount available to you.

You remain responsible for property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, maintenance, and other expenses.

A HUD site details all the criteria for borrowers, financial requirements, eligible property types, and how to find an HECM counselor, a mandatory step.

If you’re considering a reverse mortgage, learn as much as you can about this often complicated kind of mortgage before talking to a counselor or lender, the Federal Trade Commission advises.

How to Get A Mortgage

For many people, it can be a good idea to shop around to get an idea of what is out there.

Not only will you need to choose the lender, but you’ll need to decide on the length of the loan, whether to go with a fixed or variable interest rate, and weigh the applicable loan fees.

The first step is to have an idea of what you want and then seek out quotes from a few lenders. That way, you can do a side-by-side comparison of the loans.

Once you’ve selected a few lenders to get started with, the next step is to get prequalified or preapproved for a loan. Based on a limited amount of information, a lender will estimate how much it is willing to lend you.

When you’re serious about taking out a mortgage loan and putting an offer on a house, the next step is to get preapproved with a lender.

During the preapproval process, the lender will take a closer look at your finances, including your credit, employment, income, and assets to determine exactly what you qualify for. Once you’re preapproved, you’re likely to be considered a more serious buyer by home sellers.

When shopping around for a mortgage, it can be a good idea to consider the overall cost of the mortgage and any fees.

For example, some lenders may charge an origination fee for creating the loan, or a prepayment penalty if you want to pay back the loan ahead of schedule. There may also be fees to third parties that provide information or services required to process, approve, and close your loan.

To compare the true cost of two or more mortgage loans, it’s best to look at the annual percentage rate, or APR, not just the interest rate. The interest rate is the rate used to calculate your monthly payment, but the APR is an approximation of all of the costs associated with a loan, including the interest rate and other fees, expressed as a percentage. The APR makes it easier to compare the total cost of a loan across different offerings so you can assess what is a good mortgage rate for your budget.

The Takeaway

If the world of mortgages feels like a mystery to you, you are not alone. Before taking on this colossal commitment, it can be best to soak up as much as you can about how mortgage loans work, what kinds of mortgages are available, potential challenges, and steps to qualify. You’ll be better prepared to take on what can be a major step in your personal financial journey.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% – 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It’s online, with access to one-on-one help.

SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

†Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.

‡SoFi On-Time Close Guarantee: If all conditions of the Guarantee are met, and your loan does not close on or before the closing date on your purchase contract accepted by SoFi, and the delay is due to SoFi, SoFi will give you a credit toward closing costs or additional expenses caused by the delay in closing of up to $10,000.^ The following terms and conditions apply. This Guarantee is available only for loan applications submitted after 04/01/2024. Please discuss terms of this Guarantee with your loan officer. The mortgage must be a purchase transaction that is approved and funded by SoFi. This Guarantee does not apply to loans to purchase bank-owned properties or short-sale transactions. To qualify for the Guarantee, you must: (1) Sign up for access to SoFi’s online portal and upload all requested documents, (2) Submit documents requested by SoFi within 5 business days of the initial request and all additional doc requests within 2 business days (3) Submit an executed purchase contract on an eligible property with the closing date at least 25 calendar days from the receipt of executed Intent to Proceed and receipt of credit card deposit for an appraisal (30 days for VA loans; 40 days for Jumbo loans), (4) Lock your loan rate and satisfy all loan requirements and conditions at least 5 business days prior to your closing date as confirmed with your loan officer, and (5) Pay for and schedule an appraisal within 48 hours of the appraiser first contacting you by phone or email. This Guarantee will not be paid if any delays to closing are attributable to: a) the borrower(s), a third party, the seller or any other factors outside of SoFi control; b) if the information provided by the borrower(s) on the loan application could not be verified or was inaccurate or insufficient; c) attempting to fulfill federal/state regulatory requirements and/or agency guidelines; d) or the closing date is missed due to acts of God outside the control of SoFi. SoFi may change or terminate this offer at any time without notice to you. *To redeem the Guarantee if conditions met, see documentation provided by loan officer.
*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

SOHL-Q324-107

Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

You may have heard that 20% is the ideal down payment on a house, but that doesn’t mean you must pony up that amount to become a homeowner. In truth, the average house down payment is considerably smaller. Currently, the median down payment for a house is 15%, according to data from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).

Here, you’ll learn more about down payments so you can house-hunt like an insider. Getting a sense of what others are paying and how that differs based on geographic area is helpful. We’ll also share how you might access help if you can’t come up with 20%. Armed with this intel, you’ll be better prepared to navigate that major rite of passage: purchasing a home.

Table of Contents

Key Points

•   The median down payment for a house in the US ranges widely from 10% to 35% of the purchase price.

•   The amount of the down payment can vary based on factors like loan type, credit score, and lender requirements.

•   A larger down payment can result in lower monthly mortgage payments and potentially better loan terms.

•   Down payment assistance programs and gifts from family members can help with affordability.

•   It’s important to save and plan for a down payment to achieve homeownership goals.

Average Down Payment Statistics

As of 2023, the median down payment for a house was 15%, or $63,908 if you consider that the median national home price in 2023 was $426,056, according to Redfin. This was up slightly from 13% in 2022, according to the NAR. (The median means half of buyers put down less and half put down more; it’s generally considered a better barometer than an average, because the latter can be thrown off by outliers — people who spend wildly more or less than usual.)

This 15% figure shows that the conventional wisdom that you need 20% down to purchase a home is, to a large extent, untrue. In fact, in an April 2024 SoFi survey of prospective homebuyers, many planned to put down far less than 20%. Almost a third of respondents (29%) said they planned to put down 10% or less, and 7% of those surveyed were exploring zero-down-payment options.

A 20% down payment will lower your mortgage amount and monthly payments vs. a smaller down payment, and will allow you to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), but it’s not the only game in town.

Average Down Payment on a House for First-Time Buyers

First-time buyers make about a third of all home purchases, and the typical down payment for first-time buyers in the NAR survey was 8%, while repeat buyers’ typical down payment was 19%. (Repeat buyers often have money from the sale of their first residence to put toward the purchase of their next one.)

Down Payment Requirements by Mortgage Loan Type

The amount of money you put down on a home may be governed in part by the type of mortgage loan you choose (and conversely, how much money you have saved for a down payment could dictate the type of mortgage you qualify for). Let’s take a look at the different loan types and their down payment requirements.

Remember that if you are buying your first home or you haven’t purchased a residence in three or more years, you may qualify as a first-time homebuyer and be eligible for special first-time homebuyer programs.

Conventional Loan

This is the kind of loan favored by most buyers, and for first-time homebuyers some conventional home loans can allow for as little as 3% down on a home purchase. A repeat homebuyer might need to put down a bit more — say 5%.

FHA Loan

An FHA loan, acquired through private lenders but guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration, allows for a 3.5% minimum down payment if the borrower’s credit score is at least 580.

VA Loan and USDA Loan

These loans usually require no down payment, although there are still other hoops to jump through to qualify for one of these loans.

A VA loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, is for eligible veterans, service members, Reservists, National Guard members, and some surviving spouses. The VA also issues direct loans to Native American veterans or non-Native American veterans married to Native Americans. For a typical VA loan borrower, no down payment is required.

A USDA loan backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is for households with low to moderate incomes buying homes in eligible rural areas. The USDA also offers direct subsidized loans for households with low and very low incomes. Typically, a credit score of 640 or higher is needed. While borrowers can make a down payment, one is not required.

Jumbo Loan

A jumbo loan is a loan for an amount over the conforming loan limit, which is set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). In most U.S. counties, the conforming loan limit for a single-family home in 2024 is $766,550. Minimum down payment rules for jumbo loans vary by lender but are generally higher than those for conforming loans. Some lenders require a 10% down payment, and others require as much as 20%.

For all of the above loan types, the home being purchased must be a primary residence in order to qualify for the minimum down payment, but a homebuyer can use a conventional or VA loan to purchase a multifamily property with up to four units if one unit will be owner-occupied.

Average Down Payment by Age Group

The latest NAR Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report breaks down by age the percentage of a home that was financed by homebuyers in 2023.

Older buyers tend to use proceeds from the sale of a previous residence to help fund the new home. Buyers 59 to 68 years old, for instance, put a median of 22% down, the NAR report shows.

Most younger buyers depend on savings for their down payment. Buyers ages 25 to 33 put down a median of 10%, and those ages 34 to 43, 13%. A fortunate 20% of the younger homebuyers (those age 25-33) received down payment help from a friend or relative.

Percentage of Home Financed

All buyers Ages 25-33 Ages 34-43 Ages 44-58 Ages 59-68 Ages 69-77 Ages 78-99
50% 15% 6% 8% 15% 22% 31% 29%
50-59% 6% 2% 5% 5% 9% 14% 11%
60-69% 6% 2% 5% 6% 9% 11% 9%
71-79% 13% 13% 14% 14% 12% 9% 15%
80-89% 23% 26% 27% 22% 19% 18% 14%
90-94% 13% 19% 14% 12% 10% 4% 8%
95-99% 14% 22% 17% 12% 8% 4% 7%
100% (financed the whole purchase) 12% 9% 11% 13% 9% 9% 6%

Average Down Payment by State

The average house down payment in any given state is tied to home prices in that location. You can look into the cost of living by state for an overview and then find the median home value in a particular state at a given point in time and estimate what your down payment might be.

The least expensive states in which to buy a home? Iowa, Oklahoma, Ohio, Mississippi, and Louisiana are among them, according to Redfin.

Average Down Payment On a House in California

California, the most populous state and one of the largest by area, is joined by Hawaii and Colorado on many lists of the most expensive states in which to buy a house. Redfin shows a median sales price of $859,300 in California in spring of 2024. A 3% down payment would be $25,779; 10% down, $85,930; and 20% down, $152,260. The Los Angeles housing market is among the toughest in California, with the median sale price up more than 10% in the last year to $1,050,000. You might want to check out housing market trends by city as well if you are interested in finding out where owning a home could be more or less expensive.

Hawaii comes out near the top with a median home price of $754,800. Three percent down would be $22,644; 10% down, $75,480; and 20%, $150,960. In Hawaii, the conforming loan limit is $1,149,825, a reflection of the state’s high home prices. If you need a mortgage for more than that amount in Hawaii, you’ll be in the market for a jumbo loan.

Recommended: How to Afford a Down Payment on Your First Home

First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.

Source of Down Payment

You’re probably wondering where homebuyers get the money to afford a down payment, especially first-time homebuyers. NAR has polled buyers to probe that question. Not surprisingly, more than half of buyers (53%) simply say they have saved up the money — which of course isn’t simple at all.

Savings is especially likely to fund a home purchase for those ages 25-33. Almost three-quarters of younger buyers rely on it for their down payment. Older buyers also use savings but are more likely to draw on the sale of a primary residence. This is especially true after age 59.

Other down payment sources include gifts from relatives or friends, sale of stock, a loan or draw from a 401K or pension, or an inheritance. For those who don’t have generational wealth or savings to rely on, first-time homebuyer programs can make home ownership possible.

City, county, and state down payment assistance programs are also out there. They may take the form of grants or second mortgages, some with deferred payments or a forgivable balance.

How Does Your Down Payment Affect Your Monthly Payments?

Curious to see what your potential mortgage would look like based on different down payments? Start with a home affordability calculator (like the one below) to get a feel for how much you’ll need to put down and other expenses.

Or use this mortgage calculator to estimate how much your mortgage payments would be, depending on property value, down payment, interest rate, and repayment term.

What Do I Need to Buy a House?

If Your Down Payment Is Less Than 20%

If your down payment will be less than 20%, you now know that you’ll have plenty of company. (In SoFi’s survey, 14% of would-be buyers said not having an adequate down payment was their primary challenge.) Consider these ways to optimize the situation:

•  A government loan could be the answer: FHA loans are popular with some first-time buyers because of the lenient credit requirements. The down payment for an FHA loan is just 3.5% if you have a credit score of 580 or more. Just know that upfront and monthly mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) always accompany FHA loans, and remain for the life of the loan if the down payment is under 10%. If you put 10% or more down, you’ll pay MIP for 11 years.

•  You may be able to improve your loan terms: If you can’t pull together 20% for a down payment, you can still help yourself by showing lenders that you’re a good risk. You’ll likely need a FICO® score of at least 620 for a conventional loan. If you have that and other positive factors, you may qualify for a more attractive interest rate or better terms.

•  You can eventually cancel PMI: Lenders are required to automatically cancel PMI when the loan balance gets to 78% LTV of the original value of the home. You also can ask your lender to cancel PMI on the date when the principal balance of your mortgage falls to 80% of the original home value.

You may be able to find down payment assistance: City, county, and state down payment assistance programs are out there, and SoFi’s survey suggests they don’t get enough attention: About half (49%) of the homebuyers who said they were challenged to come up with a down payment hadn’t looked into city or state down payment assistance programs. The assistance may take the form of grants or second mortgages, some with deferred payments or a forgivable balance.

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Dream Home Quiz

The Takeaway

What is the average down payment on a house? Currently, it’s about 15% of the home’s purchase price, which usually means mortgage insurance and higher payments for the buyer. But buyers who put less than 20% down on a house unlock the door to homeownership every day. If you want to join them, you can be helped along by low down payments for first-time homebuyers, as well as government loans, down payment assistance, and other programs.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% – 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It’s online, with access to one-on-one help.

SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

FAQ

Is 10% down payment enough for a house?

Yes. More than a third of all buyers put down 10% or even less to buy a home. Lower down payments are especially common among younger and/or first-time homebuyers.

What is the minimum you should put down on a house?

Conventional wisdom says the minimum down payment is 20%, but most buyers put down less — 15% is far more common. Younger buyers and first-time homebuyers, especially, often put down far less and some home loans allow you to finance 97% or even 100% of the home’s cost.

What factors can affect my down payment requirements?

The amount of down payment you’ll need to come up with depends on your loan type, credit history and credit score, the cost of the property you’re buying, and whether you are a first-time homebuyer.

What are the pros and cons of putting down less than 20% on a house?

Putting down less than 20% on a house might allow you to buy a home sooner. It might also permit you to set aside money for renovations or to pay off other debts. The disadvantage is that those who put down less than 20% usually have to pay for private mortgage insurance which adds to their monthly costs. (Those with FHA loans who put down less than 20% will pay a mortgage insurance premium.)

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Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.

†Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.

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Source: sofi.com

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Do you want to learn how to get paid to shop? It’s possible! Many companies and apps now give you ways to get paid for shopping that you might already do. You can make extra cash by grocery shopping, buying clothes, or even just browsing stores. These opportunities range from being a personal shopper to…

Do you want to learn how to get paid to shop? It’s possible! Many companies and apps now give you ways to get paid for shopping that you might already do.

You can make extra cash by grocery shopping, buying clothes, or even just browsing stores. These opportunities range from being a personal shopper to taking surveys about products you buy. Some options let you shop for yourself, while others involve shopping for other people. It’s a fun way to earn money doing something you enjoy.

Over the years, I’ve found that there are so many ways to make money while shopping, and it’s been a great side hustle for me. From getting paid to shop for others to earning cash back on my own purchases, it’s an easy and enjoyable way to bring in extra income.

How To Get Paid To Shop

Below are the best ways to get paid to shop.

1. Personal shopper

Personal shoppers help people buy things. They pick out clothes, gifts, and other items for clients, so this can be a fun way to get paid for shopping.

To become a personal shopper, you need good taste and people skills. You should enjoy fashion and keeping up with trends.

Many personal shoppers work in person in retail stores, but you can also get paid to shop online for others. They help customers find outfits and accessories. Some work for wealthy clients, buying everything from groceries to designer clothes.

You can start by getting a job at a department store and looking for positions in personal shopping or styling. Another option is to work for yourself and you can find clients through word-of-mouth or online platforms.

When I was younger, I had a friend who was a personal shopper for a family. My friend mainly did their grocery shopping and ran errands, but would occasionally buy gifts for when the family was attending a birthday party or a wedding.

2. BestMark

I’ve done a lot of mystery shopping over the years, and it’s been a fun way to earn extra money while doing something I already enjoy. Whether it’s evaluating a store’s customer service, trying out new products, or going to a restaurant, it’s pretty easy work.

BestMark is a top mystery shopping company that’s been around since 1986.

As a BestMark shopper, you’ll visit stores, restaurants, and other businesses. You’ll act like a regular customer and evaluate your experience, and this might include checking product quality, service speed, and staff friendliness.

After your visit, you’ll fill out a detailed report online. BestMark gives you a list to help you understand what to look for during your shop.

The pay for BestMark shops varies, but you can tend to earn between $10 and $20 per task. For most assignments, you will get your meal or whatever you buy reimbursed. They usually give you a limit on what you can spend or they specifically tell you what to buy.

Recommended reading: 9 Best Mystery Shopping Companies To Work For

3. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a popular website that pays you to shop online, and it’s free to join and easy to use.

I’ve been using Swagbucks for almost 10 years now, and I think it’s pretty easy to earn points.

To get paid to shop with Swagbucks, there are two main ways to earn points:

  • Earn cash back when shopping online. For example, right now you can get up to 8% cash back when shopping at Macy’s, up to 4% when shopping on Amazon, up to 10% when shopping at Best Buy, and more.
  • Earn points (SB) by submitting your shopping receipts. You can submit any receipt that you have from the last 14 days – both in-store and online receipts. You can then earn points. For example, you can get 50 points for any loaf of bread that you buy, 50 points for any bananas, 900 points for diapers, and more.

When you’ve collected enough SB, you can trade them for gift cards. You can pick from lots of popular stores. If you prefer cash, you can get money sent to your PayPal account instead.

I’ve redeemed over 100 gift cards from Swagbucks over the years, and I love how easy this rewards site is to use.

If you join Swagbucks through my referral link, you will receive a $10 bonus.

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Swagbucks is a site where you can earn points for answering surveys, shopping online, watching videos, using coupons, and more. You can use your points for gift cards and cash.

4. Rakuten

Rakuten is a popular way to earn cash back when you shop online. It’s free to use and super easy to get started.

I have used Rakuten for years and it’s an easy way to get cash back for the online shopping that you already do. In fact, I just used it on a hotel booking, and I received 2% back, which adds up quickly for a hotel!

You just sign up for an account on Rakuten’s website or app. Then when you want to buy something, go through Rakuten first. They’ll send you to the store’s site to shop like normal.

After you make a purchase, Rakuten adds cash back to your account. The amount varies by store, but it’s often 1% to 10% of what you spend. Some stores even pay you 20% or more during special sales.

You can get paid by check or PayPal. Rakuten sends out payments every 3 months and you need at least $5 in your account to get paid.

So, why does Rakuten give you this cash back? Rakuten makes money by getting a commission from stores when you buy stuff. They share part of that commission with you as cash back.

Please click here to sign up for Rakuten. Plus, you can get a $30 bonus when you spend $30 if you join right now (at the time of this writing; please double-check the current offer).

5. Stitch Fix stylist

Want to get paid to shop for others? Becoming a Stitch Fix stylist might be perfect for you. This job lets you work from home and help people look their best.

Stitch Fix hires stylists for women’s, men’s, and kids’ styling. They even train you, so you can start with no experience.

As a Stitch Fix stylist, you’ll pick out clothes for customers based on their likes and needs. You’ll use a computer to see what items are available and choose the best ones for each person.

6. Instacart shopper

Becoming an Instacart shopper is a way to make money grocery shopping on your own schedule.

As an Instacart shopper, you’ll pick up and deliver groceries to customers. Instacart has full-service shoppers, where you shop and deliver groceries, as well as in-store shoppers, where you only shop in-store but don’t deliver (someone else picks up the items and delivers).

To start, you need to be at least 18 years old. You’ll also need a smartphone to use the Instacart app as this app tells you what to buy at the grocery store and where to deliver it.

Instacart gives you a payment card to use at stores. You’ll get this card about a week after signing up. You use it to pay for the groceries you’re buying for customers.

Recommended reading: Instacart Shopper Review: How much do Instacart Shoppers earn?

7. Shopkick

Shopkick is a free app that lets you earn rewards for shopping. You can get points called “kicks” for different activities. These include scanning products in stores and uploading receipts.

You don’t even need to buy anything to earn kicks. Just walking into certain stores can give you points. The app works with many popular retailers like Target and CVS.

As you collect kicks, you can trade them for gift cards.

To start, just download the Shopkick app on your phone. Then link your credit or debit cards to your account, because this lets you earn kicks automatically when you shop at partner stores.

8. Ibotta

Ibotta is a free app where you can earn cash back on your everyday purchases. It works for both online and in-store shopping at many popular retailers.

To get started, download the Ibotta app on your phone. Before you shop, browse the app for “offers” at your favorite stores. You’ll see cash back deals on specific items or entire purchases.

When shopping in stores, buy the items with offers (of course, make sure these are items that you actually want to buy because the item is not free, it is simply more like getting a discount). Then, take a picture of your receipt with the app when you are done. Ibotta will match your purchases to the offers and add cash back to your account.

For online shopping, start your purchase through the Ibotta app or website. Shop as usual, and you’ll automatically earn cash back on qualifying items.

Ibotta works with many big stores like Walmart, Target, and Kroger.

Once you reach $20 in your account, you can cash out via PayPal or choose a gift card. It’s a simple way to make your shopping more rewarding.

This app is available for both Android and iOS (iPhone).

You can sign up for Ibotta here.

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Ibotta is an app where you can get cash back and earn free gift cards. Simply submit your receipts on your everyday purchases with your phone.

9. Ath Power Consulting

Ath Power Consulting is a company where you can get paid to do mystery shopping. They have a huge network of over 600,000 shoppers across North America.

Ath Power does more than 10,000 mystery shops each month. They work with many well-known brands and companies around the world.

Ath Power mystery shoppers shop in person for companies, and then share their thoughts about the products and services they try. Companies can then use this information to improve what they sell to customers.

10. IntelliShop

IntelliShop is a company that hires for mystery shopping jobs. You can sign up to become a secret shopper and get paid to visit stores.

Most tasks pay between $5 and $20. They usually take less than 15 minutes in the store, and then after your visit, you’ll need to fill out a report.

IntelliShop has jobs in stores, online, and over the phone.

As a mystery shopper for any of the mystery shopping companies on this list, please remember to keep any receipts or business cards from your visit. You’ll need these to prove you completed the task and get paid.

Recommended reading: How To Become A Mystery Shopper

11. Care.com

Care.com is a site where you can earn money by helping others with tasks like grocery shopping. You can sign up as a helper on their platform to find local gigs.

The site connects you with people who need assistance, such as parents and seniors. You might help with grocery shopping, cooking, or other errands.

As a helper on Care.com, you can set your own rates. Some helpers charge between $15 and $25 per hour. The amount that you decide you want to get paid may vary based on your experience and the tasks you do.

You may be able to find enough gigs to make this a full-time career, or you can also do this part-time in your spare time.

12. Capital One Shopping

Capital One Shopping is a free tool that can help you save money when you shop online. It’s a browser extension and mobile app that works in the background while you browse.

When you’re ready to check out, Capital One Shopping searches for coupon codes automatically and it tries to apply them to your order to get you the best deal.

The tool also compares prices across different websites. This can help you find the lowest price for items you want to buy.

You can earn rewards called Shopping Credits when you make purchases through Capital One Shopping. These credits can be redeemed for gift cards to popular stores.

While you won’t get paid directly to shop, you can save money and earn rewards. This can add up to significant savings over time and even free gift cards.

I recently received a $71 gift card for simply using the Capital One Shopping browser extension, which was super easy to get.

You can learn more at Capital One Shopping Review: Is It Worth It?

13. Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is a free app that lets you earn points for shopping. You can get points by scanning any receipt or shopping online through the app.

I use Fetch Rewards for nearly all of my grocery shopping receipts. What I like about Fetch is that you don’t need to clip coupons or look for special offers. You just buy products and scan your receipts when you are done. It takes less than one minute to scan your receipt and earn points, so it is very easy.

Fetch gives you points for every receipt you upload. You can earn extra points by buying specific brands or products. The app has special offers where you can earn extra points, such as for buying a specific brand of cheese.

You can turn your points into gift cards from many stores and restaurants. Some options include Amazon, Target, and Starbucks.

You can sign up for Fetch Rewards here. 

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With this app, you can scan your grocery receipts (from any grocery store or wholesale club, any time) and earn free gift cards. It is free to sign up and easy to use.

14. Uber Eats

With Uber Eats, you can make money by delivering food.

To get started, you’ll need to create an account and fill out some forms. Once approved, you can begin accepting delivery requests through the Uber app.

Uber Eats drivers can earn around $15 to $26 per hour on average. Your earnings can vary based on factors like your location, how busy it is, and the amount that you earn in tips.

You will want a reliable vehicle and a valid driver’s license, of course, for this side gig.

Recommended reading: 14 Ways To Make Money Driving

15. DoorDash

DoorDash is another way to get paid for delivering food.

DoorDash pays Dashers weekly through direct deposit. If you need money faster, DoorDash offers a Fast Pay option. This lets you cash out your earnings right away for a small fee.

Remember, you’re responsible for your own expenses like gas and car maintenance. It’s a good idea to track these costs to see how much you’re really earning.

16. Taskrabbit

Taskrabbit is an app that lets you make money by doing odd jobs for people in your area. You can pick tasks that fit your skills and schedule.

Some popular jobs on Taskrabbit include cleaning houses, assembling furniture, and running errands (such as shopping for others).

Taskrabbit gives you the flexibility to choose when and how much you work, as well as the type of work that you want to do.

17. Walmart personal shopper

You can get paid to shop as a Walmart personal shopper. This job lets you pick out items for customers who order online.

You’ve probably seen Walmart personal shoppers when you’ve been in Walmart. They work for Walmart and typically have a uniform and a very large basket where they collect items for different orders.

Walmart personal shoppers earn about $15 per hour on average.

Most personal shoppers work full-time or nearly full-time, between 32 to 40 hours a week.

As a personal shopper, you’ll walk around the store and find items customers want. You’ll need to be quick and careful to pick the right products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting paid to shop can be a fun way to earn extra money. There are different methods like using apps, shopping for others, and being a mystery shopper. Here are answers to common questions about how to get paid to shop.

How to get paid to go shopping?

You can get paid to shop by using cash back apps, becoming a personal shopper, or doing mystery shopping. Cash back apps give you money back on purchases. Personal shoppers buy things for busy people. Mystery shoppers check stores and fill out shopping assignments on their customer experience.

What are the top apps that pay you for shopping?

Some popular apps that pay you for shopping are:

  • Rakuten: Gives cash back on online purchases
  • Ibotta: Pays rebates on groceries and other items
  • Shopkick: Rewards you for scanning items in stores
  • Fetch Rewards: Gives points for uploading grocery receipts

These apps are free to use and can help you save money on things you already buy.

How can I earn cash by doing grocery shopping for others?

You can earn cash by grocery shopping for others through apps like Instacart or Shipt. Sign up as a shopper, get orders from customers, and deliver their groceries. You’ll get paid for each order you complete.

How much money do people usually make by delivering groceries?

The amount of money you can make by delivering groceries varies. Most shoppers make between $10 and $25 per hour, and your pay depends on factors like the number of orders you complete, the size of the orders, tips from customers, and time of day and demand.

Is being a secret shopper a good side hustle?

Secret shopping can be a good side hustle. It lets you earn money while shopping and dining out, but it’s not a full-time job. I have done a lot of mystery shopping assignments over the years.

What ways to get paid to shop on Amazon are there?

You can get paid to shop on Amazon in a few ways:

  1. Use cash back sites like Rakuten when shopping on Amazon
  2. Join Amazon’s Vine program to review products
  3. Sell items on Amazon as a third-party seller
  4. Sign up for the Amazon Associates Program to earn from product links

These methods can help you save money or earn extra cash while shopping on Amazon.

Best Ways To Get Paid To Shop – Summary

I hope you enjoyed my article on how to get paid to shop.

Getting paid to shop is a fun and easy way to make extra money while doing things you already like. I have been getting paid to shop for over 10 years now, and I have done almost everything on this list. While I’ve not earned a full-time income doing anything on this list, I have earned side income and plenty of free gift cards over the years.

You can use cash back apps or become a personal shopper to earn cash. You can make money buying groceries, clothes, or even taking surveys about your shopping habits.

Mystery shopping is another way to earn money by pretending to be a regular customer and reporting your feedback on your experience. Companies like BestMark and IntelliShop pay for this. Apps like Swagbucks and Fetch Rewards make it easy to earn by scanning receipts or shopping online.

Whether you want a side hustle or just want to save money, getting paid to shop is a fun way to make more money.

What is your favorite way to get paid to shop?

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Source: makingsenseofcents.com