For most buyers, the down payment is the biggest chunk of cash they'll ever hand over at once. Whether you're aiming for a full 20 percent or the 3.5 percent minimum on an FHA loan, it can feel like a mountain to climb. Some people save for years, while others pull the money together more quickly. Either way, you may already have resources you haven't thought to tap. Here are five places to look.

1. The Biggest Items in Your Budget

Pull up your monthly budget or a few recent bank statements and list your ten largest expenses. Then ask yourself which ones you could trim or drop entirely.

Small daily habits add up fast. A $5 breakfast plus a $15 takeout lunch every workday comes to roughly $400 a month, or close to $5,000 a year, which isn't unusual in a big city. Think about other costs, too, like a $100 monthly cable bill, a $20 yoga class, a $2,000 getaway, or a premium phone plan. Funnel that money into a dedicated down payment account and you could be buying sooner than you expected.

2. The Things You Already Own

There are two ways to grow your savings: spend less or bring in more. Selling things you no longer use is an easy way to do the latter. Popular items to sell online include:

  • RVs, cars, and motorcycles
  • Designer clothes, costumes, shoes, and handbags
  • Hobby equipment you've stopped using, such as bikes, boats, and snowboards
  • Furniture and antiques
  • Electronics, books, and CDs, including TVs, computers, and old phones

Many people are surprised by how much cash is sitting in their closets and garages.

3. Your Talents and Spare Time

Evenings and weekends can become a source of extra income, whether you lean on professional skills or a favorite hobby. To get started:

  • Email your network to let people know what you do and what kind of work you're looking for.
  • Offer your services on TaskRabbit.
  • Sell handmade goods, like felted crafts, on Etsy.

You don't have to be artsy to make this work. Pet sitting, research, bookkeeping, and organizing offices are all options. I know someone who earned thousands of dollars watching dogs while working from home.

4. Parents, Relatives, and Friends

Most mortgage programs let you use gift money for part of your down payment. Figure out early how much you can expect, since it affects both your savings target and the paperwork your lender will need.

If a parent, sibling, or aunt has offered to help, talk it through, thank them, and share your timeline for buying. Go over the details together, including when the money will be given and any tax implications. Rules vary depending on how much of your own money you're putting in and which loan program you use, so check with your mortgage professional.

Your lender will almost certainly ask for a gift letter confirming that the giver is a relative and that the money is a gift rather than a loan. They may also want a bank statement from the giver showing the funds were theirs to give.

5. Your Retirement Accounts

Some retirement accounts allow you to borrow or withdraw money without penalty for a home down payment. For instance, you might borrow a few thousand dollars from your own account to reach that 20 percent mark. Borrowing from a 401(k) can make sense if it gets you a lower mortgage rate and you'd be paying interest back into your own retirement savings instead of to a lender.

This is a very personal decision, and it's one to make with a financial advisor. Still, it's worth at least considering whether your retirement savings could cover part of your down payment.

Let's Plan Your Purchase

If you're getting ready to buy, reach out. I'd be happy to help you map out your path to homeownership.