Is 10% down payment enough for a house?

Asked by: Solon Kulas  |  Last update: January 31, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (12 votes)

While 20% down is often recommended, putting down 10% is still a solid option for many home buyers, especially if you have good credit and stable income. A 10% down payment option is less than the typical 20%, but it can still open up a range of home loan options like conventional loans and FHA loans.

Is 10% a good down payment for a house?

10% is a fine down payment. If you have money left over for emergencies after putting down 20% go for it but if thats all your money just put down 10% and keep a rainey day fund because your going to need it.

What is the lowest acceptable down payment on a house?

Conventional loans are most often but not always conforming loans, and they're considered the most common mortgage option. The minimum down payment for a conventional mortgage loan is 3% of the purchase price if you're a first-time home buyer, and it's 5% for repeat buyers.

What is 10% down on a $400,000 house?

A 10% down payment on a $400,000 home would be $40,000. This is a lower down payment option that may be suitable for buyers who want to purchase the property sooner with a smaller initial cash requirement.

What's the minimum down payment for a $300,000 house?

How much is the down payment for a $300K house? You'll need a down payment of $9,000, or 3 percent, if you're buying a $300K house with a conventional loan. Meanwhile, an FHA loan requires a slightly higher down payment of $10,500, which is 3.5 percent of the purchase price.

Is It Better to Put a Large or Small Down Payment on a House?

34 related questions found

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

The house you can afford on a $70,000 income will likely be between $290,000 to $360,000. However, your home-buying budget depends on quite a few financial factors — not just your salary.

How much income do you need to buy a $400,000 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.

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.

Can I put 10 down on a million dollar home?

Jumbo FHA loan requirements

The down payment needed can vary, but typically it's around 10-20% of the home's price. Additionally, you must guarantee the ability to cover closing costs and any unexpected expenses. For a $1 million home, that's $100,000 to $200,000 upfront.

How low is too low for a down payment?

If your down payment is less than 20%, you have to pay a monthly fee for private mortgage insurance (PMI)—a type of insurance that protects your lender if you stop making payments on your loan. PMI can cost anywhere from 0.19–1.86% of your total annual loan amount and is added to your mortgage payment each month.

What is a realistic down payment for a house?

What is a typical down payment? As of June 2024, the typical down payment on a house was 18.6% — or $67,500 nationwide. Down payments vary widely by location, though. In San Jose, Calif., for example, the typical down payment is $451,500.

How much money do you need upfront to build a house?

If your house-to-be appraises for exactly the cost to build, you'll be able to get a loan for 80% of the cost… and you'll need the other 20% in cash. However, with a bank willing to loan 80% of appraised value (NOT just 80% of cost), you can borrow more if the appraised value is higher than the cost to build.

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.

Can you buy a second home with 10 percent down?

On a second home, however, you will likely need to put down at least 10%. Because a second mortgage generally adds more financial pressure for a homebuyer, lenders typically look for a slightly higher credit score on a second mortgage.

Why do people put 20% down?

Putting 20 percent or more down on your home helps lenders see you as a less risky borrower, which could help you get a better interest rate. A bigger down payment can help lower your monthly mortgage payments. With 20 percent down, you likely won't have to pay PMI, or private mortgage insurance.

What salary can afford a $1 million dollar house?

To comfortably afford a home valued at $1 million, financial experts recommend an annual salary between $269,000 and $366,000. This range, however, is subject to variation depending on your: Annual income. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)

How much house can I afford with $10,000 down?

Calculating maximum home price with $10,000 down

An FHA loan, with 3.5% down, would let you buy a $285,000 home. But don't get bogged down with math. We have a suite of mortgage calculators that can do the donkeywork for you.

How much house can I afford on a 140k salary?

With a $140,000 gross income, you could potentially afford a house priced between $420,000 to $700,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a broad range, and your specific circumstances will determine where you fall within it.

What salary do you need for a 700k house?

To afford a $700,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $175,000 to $235,000, depending on your financial situation, down payment, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a general range, and your specific circumstances will determine the exact income required.

Is 100k a year a good salary?

Generally speaking, $100,000 is a good six-figure salary for a single person. Before taxes, $100,00 works out to roughly $8,333 per month. Whether that's enough for you depends largely on where you live. Savings, property ownership, and discretionary funds may be achievable in an area with a low cost of living.

What is the 28/36 rule?

According to the 28/36 rule, you should spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing and no more than 36% on all debts. Housing costs can include: Your monthly mortgage payment. Homeowners Insurance. Private mortgage insurance.

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 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).

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.