How much should you put down on a house?

Asked by: Mabelle Ondricka  |  Last update: January 24, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (74 votes)

First-time home buyers have long considered a down payment of 20% on a mortgage the standard amount. But this initial payment can sometimes be set as low as 5% for a conventional loan—and buyers always have the option of paying more than 20% of the purchase price.

How much do you need for a down payment on a $300,000 house?

How much down payment for a $300,000 house? The down payment needed for a $300,000 house can range from 3% to 20% of the purchase price, which means you'd need to save between $9,000 and $60,000. If you get a conventional loan, that is. You'll need $10,500, or 3.5% of the home price, with a FHA loan.

Is it wise to put 5% down on a house?

It's better for most people financially to make a smaller down payment and keep more of their money in investments rather than use it for a down payment. If you can buy a house you like with 5% down you probably should, you're not going to get much benefit from making a 15-20% down payment.

Is it smart to put 50% down on a house?

Improved Equity Position: A larger down payment gives you more equity in the home from the start, which can be beneficial if you need to sell or refinance in the future. Overall, a 50 percent down payment can enhance your likelihood of loan approval and result in more favorable loan terms.

Do you always have to put 20% down on a house?

You do not have to put 20 percent down on a house. In fact, the average down payment for first-time buyers is between eight and 13 percent. There are also loan programs that let you put as little as zero down. However, a smaller down payment means a more expensive mortgage over the long term.

Home Down Payments: How Much You Should Put Down

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How to avoid 20% down payment?

Yes, it is possible to purchase an investment property without paying a 20% down payment. By exploring alternative financing options such as seller financing or utilizing lines of credit or home equity through cash-out refinancing or HELOCs, you can reduce or eliminate the need for a large upfront payment.

How much down payment for a $200k house?

To purchase a $200,000 house, you need a down payment of at least $40,000 (20% of the home price) to avoid PMI on a conventional mortgage. If you're a first-time home buyer, you could save a smaller down payment of $10,000–20,000 (5–10%).

What are the disadvantages of a large down payment?

While there are good reasons to consider a large down payment, you should also be aware of four potential drawbacks.
  • Longer time to enter the market. ...
  • Less short-term flexibility. ...
  • Interference with investments or retirement saving. ...
  • Benefits take a while to add up.

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.

Is 100k a good down payment for a house?

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.

Is 10k enough for a down payment on a house?

In most cases, $10,000 is more than enough of a down payment to buy a decent home. But that may not be true in the most expensive housing markets, such as Hawaii and California. Many aspiring home buyers still believe the myth that they need a down payment of 20% of a home's purchase price.

How much is one point in closing costs on a $200,000 loan?

One discount point equals 1% of your loan amount. For example, if you get a mortgage for $100,000, one point will cost you $1,000. For a $200,000 loan, a point costs $2,000.

How much is PMI usually?

The mortgage insurance rate you receive will be expressed as a percentage. It may depend on factors such as your down payment and credit score. But typically it's around 0.2% to 2% of the loan amount per year. Credit Karma's PMI calculator will provide an estimate for you.

Can I afford a 300k house on a 70k salary?

If you make $70k a year, you can afford to spend about $1,633 on a monthly mortgage payment — as long as you have less than $500 in other monthly debt payments. You may be able to afford a $302,000 home in a low cost of living area. You may be able to afford a $247,000 home in a high cost of living area.

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

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans need at least a 580 FICO Score with at least a 3.5% down payment (which amounts to $10,500 on a $300,000 home). Conventional loans require a minimum FICO® Score of 620 along with a 3% down payment (which amounts to $9,000 on a $300,000 home).

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.

Can I buy a house if I make 25K a year?

I make $25K a year; can I buy a house? Yes, if you make $25K a year, you can likely afford around $580 per month for a monthly mortgage payment. With a 6% fixed rate and a 3% down payment, this could buy you a house worth about $100,000. However, consult a mortgage lender for exact numbers tailored to your situation.

Is it better to put down 20% or pay PMI?

The Bottom Line. PMI is expensive. Unless you think you can get 20% equity in the home within a couple of years, it probably makes sense to wait until you can make a larger down payment or consider a less expensive home, which will make a 20% down payment more affordable.

What is considered a high down payment?

The Benefits of a Higher Down Payment

Borrowers who put down 20% or more don't have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), which either comes with a heavy one-time premium, or carries annual costs to the borrower of between 0.3% and 1.5% of the entire loan.

What is the biggest negative when using down payment assistance?

Potential for higher interest rates: You may end up with a higher mortgage interest rate due to the assistance, which can increase the overall cost of your loan. “The interest rates on mortgages with assistance are also usually 0.5-1% higher [than those without] to offset risk,” Morgan says, “costing thousands more.”

Can I afford a 250k house on 50k salary?

A person who makes $50,000 a year might be able to afford a house worth anywhere from $180,000 to nearly $258,000. That's because your annual salary isn't the only variable that determines your home buying budget. You also have to consider your credit score, current debts, mortgage rates, and many other factors.

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.