Similar to an index fund, you can get 90% of the value simply by picking one firm with fair fees and sticking with it, rather than going to "managed" world.

Stash the extra money you can save in an index fund like VTI or something that is getting you a good ROI while you build up your equity for your HELOC, this way you're saving up some down payment money while your equity in your home builds. 

Look into low-cost index funds or ETFs, they're great for beginners with smaller amounts to invest. 

Despite me supplying each additional document required within a day of the request, the entire process to funding and sale close date took until Aug 12, 2020. (65 days to close) Terms:25% down payment. 2.5% loan origination points on loaned amount, plus other closing cost1-month LIBOR index plus a margin of 3.75%.

I am 29 years old have $500,000 in index funds through my own contributions.

It sucked to live in a job site for a year or two only to move out once it was nice, but that's a better return than index funds and money market accounts. 

There is very little risk involved in holding an index fund for 10 years, and you are nearly guaranteed to get at least a ~7% return without having to do anything.

Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index for January 2024 climbed 3.5 points to 70.7, the highest figure since March 2022.

Once you exceed the term you are “out of surrender” and can take the money and do as you please, annuitize, or continue accumulating based on the type of annuity you have (fixed, fixed index, variable).  

Some of the things I don’t agree with (investing in index funds) but for the most part he’s very interesting.