By Michele LernerThe need to save looms large in the home buying process. 5 strategies to save for a houseZillow estimates that it would currently take the typical household saving 5% of their income close to nine years to save a 10% down payment on a typical house. For example, if you’re aiming for $50,000 down on a $500,000 home in three years, you’ll need to save nearly $1,400 a month. That means the fastest way to save is often to cut costs on the place you live. However, he says you should at least save the minimum to earn any 401(k) matching contributions your employer offers and have a plan to increase your contributions after you buy a house.

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Persons: Michele Lerner, you’re, ”, Isabel Barrow, Barrow, Cash, Tom Mathews, Matt Steenson, ” Barrow, Mathews, —, you’ve, “, ” Steenson, Steenson Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, Edelman, News Corp, The, Street, PNC Bank, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp Locations: Alexandria, Va, Atlanta, Pittsburgh