If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “I’d love to buy a home someday, but…”, this one’s for you. The real estate world is full of advice that’s been passed down from parents, neighbors, coworkers and that one uncle who bought his house in 1982. The problem? Some of that advice is more myth than mortgage. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines because you think you don’t qualify to buy (or that it’s “too soon” to sell) you might be surprised. Here are three real estate myths that deserve to be shown the door.

1. “You have to be married (or have a partner) to buy a home.”: Not even close. Plenty of people buy homes on their own every year. In fact, buying solo can be a smart way to start building equity and long-term wealth. If the monthly payment fits comfortably within your budget, there’s no rule that says you have to wait for a plus-one. 
2. “I need a 20% down payment before I can buy.”: This may be the most expensive myth of them all. While putting 20% down can help you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), it’s far from a requirement. Many qualified buyers purchase homes with much less down through FHA, VA, USDA or conventional loan programs. In fact, the typical first-time buyer put down just 10% in a recent survey from the National Association of Realtors®, and many buyers put down considerably less depending on the loan program for which they qualify. The best first step isn’t spending years trying to hit an arbitrary savings goal; it’s talking with a trusted lender to find out what loan options are actually available to you today.
3.  “If I buy a home, I’m stuck there for 30 years.”: A 30-year mortgage doesn’t mean you’re making a 30-year commitment to the same address. In reality, Americans move far more often than that. The National Association of Realtors® reports that today’s typical homeowner owns a home for about 11 years before selling (which is actually a record high, but still nowhere near 30 years). The important thing is that a home isn’t a lifetime sentence; it’s simply one chapter. And thanks to equity that often builds over time, many homeowners use the proceeds from one home to help purchase the next.

The bottom line: don’t let outdated advice make today’s decisions for you. Every buyer and seller has a unique financial picture, timeline and set of goals. A knowledgeable real estate professional can help separate fact from fiction, explain your options and determine whether your “someday” might actually be sooner than you think.