How much down payment for a 400K house first-time buyer?

Asked by: Dr. Osborne Leuschke  |  Last update: February 2, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (13 votes)

You'll need a down payment of $12,000, or 3 percent, if you're buying a $400K house with a conventional loan. Meanwhile, an FHA loan requires a slightly higher down payment of $14,000, equivalent to 3.5 percent of the purchase price.

How much money do you need to put down on a 400K house?

Down payment amounts for a $400,000 house can range from 0% to 20% or more. The required down payment depends on the type of mortgage you choose. Conventional loans typically require 3-20% down for a $400,000 house. Government-backed loans like FHA, VA, and USDA have different down payment requirements.

How much do you need to make to get approved for a $400,000 mortgage?

The Bottom Line. To comfortably afford a 400k mortgage, you'll likely need an annual income between $100,000 to $125,000, depending on your specific financial situation and the terms of your mortgage. Remember, just because you can qualify for a loan doesn't mean you should stretch your budget to the maximum.

What is the monthly payment on a 400K house?

For example, on a $400K mortgage with a 7% fixed rate, the monthly payment on a 15-year loan is $3,595. The payment on a 30-year loan, by comparison, is $2,661.

What credit score do I need to buy a $400,000 house?

You'll typically need a credit score of 620 to finance a home purchase. However, some lenders may offer mortgage loans to borrowers with a score as low as 500.

TOP 5 First Time Homebuyer Grants 2024 | Best Down Payment Assistance Programs in EVERY STATE!

43 related questions found

Can I afford a 400k house on 100k salary?

100k Salary How Much House Can I Afford: Example

Assuming a 20% down payment and a 4% interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, you could potentially afford a home priced around $400,000.

How much do I have to make to afford a 350k house?

Following the 28/36 rule, a guideline many mortgage lenders use to gauge how much you can afford, you'd likely need to earn at least $90,000 per year to afford a $350,000 house without spreading yourself too thin. Keep in mind that figure does not include upfront payments, like your down payment and closing costs.

What should my salary be for a 400K house?

Your payment should not be more than 28%. of your total gross monthly income. That means you'll need to make 11,500 dollars a month, or 138 k per year. in order to comfortably afford this 400,000 dollar home.

How much does a 400K house rent for?

If the total value of your property is above $400,000, then you should stick to the higher end of the scale–1.1 percent. This brings rent to around $4,000 to $5,000 a month, garnering $66,000 per tenant, per yearly lease.

How much house can I afford if I make $36,000 a year?

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.

Is it hard to get a 400k mortgage?

What income is required for a 400k mortgage? To afford a $400,000 house, borrowers need $55,600 in cash to put 10 percent down. With a 30-year mortgage, your monthly income should be at least $8200 and your monthly payments on existing debt should not exceed $981.

How do people afford 400k homes?

To afford a $400,000 home, assuming a 20% down payment and a 6.5% interest rate on a 30-year mortgage, you would need a gross monthly income of approximately $7,786.55. This assumes you have $1,000 in monthly debt.

What is 20 percent down for $400,000?

For a $400,000 home, a 20% down payment comes to $80,000. That means your loan is for $320,000. You can start shopping for a mortgage right away.

What is the minimum down payment for an FHA loan?

For instance, the minimum required down payment for an FHA loan is only 3.5% of the purchase price.

Is $750 a month for rent good?

Here's an idea of the ideal rent for various salaries, based on the 30% rule. On a $30,000 a year salary, your ideal rent price is $750. On a $40,000 a year salary, your ideal rent price is $1,000.

How much rent can I afford making $25 an hour?

If you're paid hourly, multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each month. Take the amount you earn before taxes each month and multiply it by 0.30. This is the maximum amount you should spend on rent each month, according to the 30% rule.

What income do I need to buy a 400k house?

The primary factor is your income — a $400,000 purchase typically requires a salary of at least $106,000. Other important considerations include your credit score, the size of your down payment and the details of your mortgage loan, including the interest rate.

Can I buy a house with 40k down payment?

If you want to avoid mortgage insurance by putting 20% down, your down payment should be $100,000. If you plan to put 8% down (the median for first-time homebuyers) it would be $40,000. If you're a first-time homebuyer with an FHA loan and a 3% down requirement, you would need $15,000.

What credit score is needed to buy a $300k house?

You can buy a $300,000 house with only $9,000 down when using a conventional mortgage, which is the lowest down payment permitted, unless you qualify for a zero-down-payment VA or USDA loan. Different lenders have different rules, but typically they require a 620 credit score for conventional loan approval.

How much down payment for a 300k house first time buyer?

FHA Loan Down Payment

They require a minimum down payment of just 3.5%, which is $10,500 for a $300,000 home. Please also note that mortgage insurance premiums are a requirement for all FHA loans. Similar to Private Mortgage Insurance, FHA Mortgage Insurance is in place to protect lenders if a default occurs.

How much money should you have in the bank after buying a house?

Given all of these factors, most experts recommend having a minimum of 6-9 months' worth of living expenses after closing. Some advise having up to 20% of the home's value leftover in cash reserves, though this is not practical for every home buyer. Ultimately how much you need depends on your own financial situation.

What is an FHA offer?

An FHA loan is a type of mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). While the government insures these loans, they're underwritten and funded by FHA mortgage lenders. Many big banks and other types of lenders offer them.