As a millennial myself, today I wanted to talk about something that I’ve seen friends and family struggle with; the challenge of student loan debt when trying to purchase a home. One of the most common things I hear from buyers — especially millennials or gen Z buyers — is this:
“I want to buy a home, but my student loans feel like an impossible obstacle.”
And I get it. Student loan debt can feel overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes even permanent. For many people, it creates this quiet belief that homeownership is something they’ll have to postpone — or give up on altogether.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned through years of working with Spokane buyers: student loans don’t automatically disqualify you from buying a home. What matters is how those loans are structured, understood, and managed.
That’s why I recently connected with Carey, the owner of New Beginnings Student Loan Advocacy & Financial Literacy, to chat about what she does. Her work directly intersects with what I do as a Realtor — helping people move from feeling stuck to feeling empowered. Though her services can be accessed nationwide, we are extremely lucky to have Carey here in Spokane, WA.
Her message is one I think so many future homeowners need to hear. Here is an overview of my conversation with her and how her business, New Beginnings, helps people address their student loans head-on, and guides them to repayment plans and forgiveness that can help meet the needs of their personal financial picture.
Carey & Riley putting personalized attention into one of their clients' plans.
The Problem Isn’t Just Student Loans — It’s the Lack of Strategy
Carey shared something that really stuck with me: most borrowers are placed into generic repayment plans that don’t reflect their lives, their goals, or their timelines.
Student loan servicers and the Department of Education aren’t malicious — they’re just bureaucratic. They don’t have the time (or structure) to hear your full story. So borrowers are often left with:
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Confusing information
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One-size-fits-all repayment plans
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Monthly payments that feel unmanageable
Over time, that creates fear and avoidance. Many people simply assume this is “just the way it is.”
But Carey’s entire philosophy challenges that idea.
Every Borrower Has a Story — and a Different Path Forward
Before founding New Beginnings, Carey spent years as a teacher. That background shapes how she approaches student loan advocacy today.
Her belief is simple but powerful: no two student loan borrowers should be treated the same.
Someone early in their career has different needs than someone mid-career. Someone in public service has different options than someone in the private sector. She even taught me that someone in the private sector has more options for loan forgiveness than I was EVER aware. And, relevant to my work, someone preparing to buy a home has different priorities than someone focused on retirement.
That’s why New Beginnings starts every relationship with an individualized student loan assessment — a deep dive into:
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Current loan types and balances
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Income and career trajectory
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Family situation or plans for growing a family
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Financial goals (including homeownership)
From there, borrowers are shown all of their options — including income-driven repayment plans, long-term forgiveness paths, and strategies that lower monthly obligations without derailing future goals.
Related: Schedule a free 45 minute consultation with Carey of New Beginnings.
Why This Matters for Homebuyers in Spokane (and everywhere, frankly!)
From a real estate perspective, this is where things get really important.
Mortgage lenders don’t just look at whether you have student loans — they look at:
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Your monthly payment
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Your debt-to-income ratio
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How sustainable your finances appear long-term
Carey and her team often work alongside realtors and lenders to ensure student loans are positioned in a way that supports — not sabotages — a home purchase.
That can include:
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Strategically lowering monthly payments
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Writing explanation letters for lenders
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Ensuring student loan repayment aligns with mortgage readiness
This isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about understanding it — and using accurate, up-to-date information to make informed decisions.
Advocacy Makes All the Difference
One thing I deeply respect about Carey’s work is that advocacy is at the center of everything she does.
Yes, borrowers can navigate student loans on their own. Carey is very open about that. But many people don’t have the bandwidth, time, or emotional energy to do it — especially when the stakes feel so high and when financial and political environments are ever-changing.
New Beginning can look at your financial picture and provide borrowers with steps forward OR support borrowers from the very beginning all the way until their loan balance reaches zero. That means walking with clients through:
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Career changes
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Marriage
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Growing families
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Home purchases
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Retirement
This long-term, relationship-based approach mirrors how I see my role as a realtor. Buying a home isn’t just a transaction — it’s a life decision. And having the right people in your corner matters.
Knowledge Is Power — and Peace of Mind
I often tell clients that real estate decisions feel less scary when you understand your numbers. The same is true for student loans.
When borrowers:
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Understand their options
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See a long-term plan
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Know how their loans fit into their financial picture
The fear begins to lift. And when fear lifts, clarity takes its place.
That clarity is what allows people to confidently move forward — whether that means purchasing their first home, upsizing, downsizing, or simply feeling financially stable for the first time in years.
Related: I love helping my clients be more knowledgeable. Check out my Guide to Buying a Home in Spokane or my Comprehensive Moving Guide to Spokane, WA as great first resources.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If student loan debt has been holding you back from buying a home, I want you to know this: it doesn’t have to define your future.
Just like having a trusted realtor makes navigating the Spokane housing market easier, having a knowledgeable advocate for your student loans can completely change what’s possible.
And with the right people guiding you, that goal may be much closer than you think. If you’re interested learning about how I can support you and connect you to the right resources to make homeownership a reality, please reach out to me here.
