Let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of a 20% down payment on a house.
Pros Of Putting 20% Down
A 20% down payment is the often recommended ideal down payment amount for most loans and lenders. If you can afford to put 20% down, you’ll reap the following key benefits:
No PMI
You’ll need to put 20% down to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) on a conventional mortgage loan. PMI is insurance that protects a lender if a borrower defaults on their home loan.
Fortunately, PMI isn’t forever. If you put down less than 20%, you can ask your lender to remove PMI once you’ve reached 20% equity in your home.
Equity is the difference between how much your home is worth and the amount you owe on your mortgage. Here are two ways to build equity:
- Your home increases in value
- You pay off your mortgage principal through your monthly mortgage payments
Once borrowers build 22% equity in their homes, most lenders automatically cancel PMI.
Better Interest Rates
The interest rate is a percentage of the original loan amount that a lender charges you each month for borrowing money.
The higher your down payment, the more attractive you are to lenders. Putting down 20% may provide access to a lower interest rate. And just a 1 – 2 mortgage point drop in your interest rate can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.
Lower Monthly Payments
The larger your down payment, the less money you’ll borrow. The less you borrow, the smaller your monthly mortgage payments will be, leaving extra funds to budget for repairs and other monthly expenses.
Competitive Edge Over Other Buyers
Home sellers often prefer to work with buyers who make at least a 20% down payment. A bigger down payment is a strong signal that your finances are in order, so you may have an easier time getting a mortgage. This can give you an edge over other buyers, especially when the home is in a hot market.
Cons Of Putting 20% Down
Putting 20% down isn’t right for every buyer. Some buyers can’t afford it. Some buyers would prefer to have extra cash set aside for future repairs and expenses. If you’re figuring out how much down payment you need to buy a house, consider these drawbacks:
Less Financial Flexibility
Once you put money down on your mortgage, it’s not easy to get it back. If you think you might need the money for something else later on, it may make more sense to put down less and build your savings.
Less Money For Repairs
Homes that only need a few minor repairs can be a bargain for new buyers. If you anticipate making significant repairs, the larger your down payment, the less money you’ll have to spend on repairs and maintenance.
More Time Required To Save
For most people, saving for a down payment can take months, years or decades. Waiting until you reach the 20% down payment threshold may produce a huge opportunity cost. Delaying may result in significant costs to buyers due to rising home prices and soaring rents. In the long run, it may be more affordable to buy a home sooner than continue to pay rent while you save for a 20% down payment.
FAQs
While a 20 percent down payment is the traditional standard for purchasing a home, it is not mandatory and there are loan options that have much lower minimum requirements. Private mortgage insurance will likely be required with a down payment of less than 20 percent, which will add to your monthly payment.
How do I figure out how much I need for a downpayment? ›
Down payment requirements differ by mortgage type. Unless you qualify for a zero down payment mortgage, you'll probably have to put at least 3% down. You'll save on loan costs if you can put down at least 10%. If you put down less than 20%, you'll likely need to pay for mortgage insurance.
Is 10% enough for a down payment? ›
Is 5–10% Down Enough on a House? Remember, if you're a first-time home buyer, a 5–10% down payment is fine. Keep in mind, any down payment less than 20% will come with that monthly PMI fee, which will increase your monthly mortgage payments.
Is $100,000 enough for a down payment on a house? ›
It sure is. There are loan programs requiring as little as 3% down. Your choices are considerably broader with $100,000 available. $100,000 could conceivably get you into a home priced close to $1 million if you have enough income to qualify.
How low is too low for a down payment? ›
You don't need to put 20 percent down to get a mortgage — some mortgages don't even require a down payment. You can get a conventional mortgage with 3 percent down, but with anything less than 20 percent, you'll have to pay mortgage insurance. Making a larger down payment can get you a lower interest rate.
How much money do you really need for a down payment? ›
While a 20 percent down payment is the traditional standard for purchasing a home, it is not mandatory and there are loan options that have much lower minimum requirements. Private mortgage insurance will likely be required with a down payment of less than 20 percent, which will add to your monthly payment.
What credit score is needed to buy a $300K house? ›
What credit score is needed to buy a $300K house? The required credit score to buy a $300K house typically ranges from 580 to 720 or higher, depending on the type of loan. For an FHA loan, the minimum credit score is usually around 580.
What are the disadvantages of a large down payment? ›
Drawbacks of a Large Down Payment
- You will lose liquidity in your finances. ...
- The money cannot be invested elsewhere. ...
- It is inconvenient if you will not be in the house for long. ...
- If the home loses value, so does your investment. ...
- You might not have the money to begin with.
A good credit score to buy a house is one that helps you secure the best mortgage rate and loan terms for the mortgage you're applying for. You'll typically need a credit score of 620 to finance a home purchase. However, some lenders may offer mortgage loans to borrowers with scores as low as 500.
Is 10k enough for a down payment on a house? ›
Conventional mortgages, like the traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage, usually require at least a 5% down payment. If you're buying a home for $200,000, in this case, you'll need $10,000 to secure a home loan.
On a salary of $36,000 per year, you can afford a house priced around $100,000-$110,000 with a monthly payment of just over $1,000. This assumes you have no other debts you're paying off, but also that you haven't been able to save much for a down payment.
What is the biggest negative when using down payment assistance? ›
For example, certain programs may have minimum credit score requirements or income limits. Additionally, using down payment assistance could mean you have a larger mortgage to pay off, resulting in higher monthly payments or a longer repayment period.
How do people afford down payments? ›
Buyers manage the down payment in California the same way they do in other states where prices are lower: they save it, borrow it from their retirement account, or get a gift from a relative.
What is a decent down payment? ›
Home sellers often prefer to work with buyers who make at least a 20% down payment. A bigger down payment is a strong signal that your finances are in order, so you may have an easier time getting a mortgage. This can give you an edge over other buyers, especially when the home is in a hot market.
Is it better to have a higher down payment or lower down payment? ›
You can often secure better rates with a larger down payment, but you also need to understand how much you can afford. Paying too little for your down payment might cost more over time, while paying too much may drain your savings. A lender will look at your down payment and determine which mortgage is best.
Why is a low down payment bad? ›
You'll probably pay a higher interest rate with a lower down payment since lenders assume more risk. You will also be required to pay mortgage insurance. Known as MI, this offers the lender some protection against loss in the event you default on the loan.
How do you calculate buy down cost? ›
The difference between the payment amount of the original mortgage and the total annual savings of the buydown program selected equals the total cost of the buydown.
How much is a downpayment on a $700000 house? ›
Putting down the standard 20% can help you avoid paying mortgage insurance and interest and could save you thousands of dollars. So you can expect to pay between $21,000 and $140,000 as a down payment on a $700,000 purchase. Keep in mind, besides the down payment amount, you will also have to factor in closing costs.
How much is 3.5 down payment on a $400,000 house? ›
Meanwhile, an FHA loan requires a slightly higher down payment of $14,000, equivalent to 3.5 percent of the purchase price. Home buyers using either a VA loan or a USDA loan can qualify for a mortgage with zero down payment on a $400K home.
How much house can I afford with $10,000 down? ›
If you have a conventional loan, $800 in monthly debt obligations and a $10,000 down payment, you can afford a home that's around $250,000 in today's interest rate environment.
