Search properties in Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, Fargo, Roseau, Bemidji and more! Your one-stop real estate solution provider.

Don’t Let Your Student Loans Delay Your Homeownership Plans

Dated: April 8 2024

Views: 92




If you have student loans and want to buy a home, you might have questions about how your debt affects your plans. Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off those loans before you can buy your first home? Or is it possible you could still qualify for a home loan even with that debt? Here’s a look at the latest information so you have the answers you need.

Bankrate article explains:

Roughly 60 percent of U.S. adults who have held student loan debt have put off making important financial decisions due to that debt . . . For Gen Z and millennial borrowers alone, that number rises to 70 percent.”

This includes one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, buying a home. But you should know, even with student loans, waiting to buy a home may not be necessary. While everyone’s situation is unique, your goal may be more within your reach than you realize. Here’s why. 

Can You Qualify for a Home Loan if You Have Student Loans?

According to an annual report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 38% of first-time buyers had student loan debt and the typical amount was $30,000.

That means other people in a similar situation were able to qualify for and buy a home even though they also had student loans. And you may be able to do the same, especially if you have a steady source of income. As an article from Bankrate says:

“. . . you can have student loans and a mortgage at the same time. . . . If you have student loans and want a mortgage, there are multiple home loan programs you might qualify for . . .”

The key takeaway is, for many people, homeownership is achievable even with student loans. 

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. The best way to make a decision about your goals and next steps is to talk to the professionals. A trusted lender can walk you through your options based on your situation, and share what’s worked for other buyers.

Bottom Line

Lots of other people with student loan debt are able to buy their own homes. Talk to a lender to go over your options and see how close you are to reaching your goal.

Blog author image

Josh Steinke

In the dynamic world of real estate in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Josh Steinke stands out as a realtor with a deep connection to the community and a profound understanding of the local property market....

Latest Blog Posts

Grand Forks Market Update — June 2026

If you've been watching the Grand Forks market from the sidelines, here's what you need to know heading into summer: this market is not cooling down — it's speeding up.In May 2026, 59 homes

Read More

Grand Forks Real Estate Market Update — May 2026: Homes Are Selling FAST

By Josh Steinke | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Family Realty 701-741-1335 | joshsteinke.grandforksfamilyrealty.comIf you've been thinking about buying or selling a home in Grand Forks or East

Read More

Grand Forks Spring Real Estate Market Update — April 2026

If you've been thinking about buying or selling a home in Grand Forks or East Grand Forks, here's the honest truth: the spring market is not waiting around.I've been watching this market closely,

Read More

Grand Forks Spring Real Estate Market 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know Right Now

Spring has arrived in Grand Forks — and so has a wave of real estate activity. If you've been thinking about buying or selling, here's an honest look at what the market is doing right now and

Read More