What happens if I only put 3% down on a house?

Asked by: Prof. Bernie Douglas  |  Last update: February 27, 2026
Score: 5/5 (45 votes)

While a 3 percent down mortgage can make homeownership more accessible, it carries a few drawbacks. Because you'll be providing a deposit of less than 20 percent, lenders will require that you pay for private mortgage insurance, which increases the monthly mortgage payments.

Is it possible to get a 3% mortgage?

In Summary The short answer is that there are no real residential third mortgages available out there, at least at any decent rate. And if there was one available, it'd be so expensive you'd never want to do it. So, your options are basically redoing your first or redoing your second.

How much is 3% down on 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.

What happens if you don't put 20% down on a house?

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 is the rule of 3 when buying a house?

How Much House Can I Afford? If you really want to keep your personal finances easy to manage don't buy a house for more than three times(3X) your income. If your household income is $120,000 then you shouldn't be buying a house for more than a $360,000 list price. This is the price cap, not the starting point.

Is a 3% Down Payment on Your First Home Okay? (Dave Ramsey vs. The Money Guy Show)

28 related questions found

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.

Can you put 3 down on an investment property?

Ideally, you'll need at least 15% down if using a standard mortgage to finance the purchase. However, FHA and VA loans and other special programs, allow you to buy an investment property with as little as 3% down. While a bigger deposit is better, the ultimate choice comes down to your financial situation.

What is the lowest percentage you can put down on a house?

A conventional loan down payment could be as little as 3 percent. FHA loans require as little as 3.5 percent, and VA loans and USDA loans have no down payment requirement at all. Most homeowners don't put 20 percent down.

Why you shouldn't put too much down on a house?

You're losing liquidity in your finances

Tying up a substantial amount of your savings in a down payment means fewer cash reserves, which can limit your financial flexibility. That means you may be unable to handle other financial commitments or make potentially lucrative investments.

Is it smart to buy a house with no down payment?

Pros and Cons of No Down Payment Loans

You'll likely pay more interest over the life of the loan because you're borrowing more money. You may not be able to afford as much home as you could if you put money down. You'll have less equity in your home because you've put down less money.

Is 3% down on a house enough?

While a 3 percent down mortgage can make homeownership more accessible, it carries a few drawbacks. Because you'll be providing a deposit of less than 20 percent, lenders will require that you pay for private mortgage insurance, which increases the monthly mortgage payments.

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.

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.

How many people have a 3% mortgage?

More than three-quarters of homeowners — 78.7 percent — have a mortgage rate below 5 percent, while nearly 6 in 10 — 59.4 percent — have a mortgage below 4 percent. Just 22.6 percent have a mortgage rate below 3 percent, according to Redfin.

Is a 3% mortgage good?

Michael Zuber, author of One Rental at a Time and former tech worker turned real estate investor, told Fortune that a 30-year fixed mortgage at a rate of 3% is without question one of the best assets most homeowners will ever have.

How to get an extremely low mortgage rate?

9 Ways to Get the Lowest Mortgage Rate
  1. Comparison Shop for Mortgage Rates. ...
  2. Improve Your Debt-to-Income Ratio and Organize Your Finances. ...
  3. Establish a Relationship with a Lender. ...
  4. Negotiate the Lender's Fees. ...
  5. Shorten Your Loan Settlement Period. ...
  6. Explore First-Time Buyer Programs. ...
  7. Opt for the Right Loan Term.

Is it smart to put 50 down on a house?

It's not always better to make a large down payment on a house. When it comes to making a down payment, the choice should depend on your own financial goals. It's better to put 20 percent down if you want the lowest possible interest rate and monthly payment.

How much house can I afford with a 100k salary?

On a salary of $100,000 per year, as long as you have minimal debt, you can afford a house priced at around $311,000 with a monthly payment of $2,333. This number assumes a 6.5% interest rate and a down payment of around $30,000. The 28/36 rule is often used as a guide when deciding how much house you can afford.

Is it better to put 20 down or pay PMI?

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 happens if you only put 5% down 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.

What two things do banks look at before granting a mortgage?

Mortgage lenders consider factors like a strong credit report, steady income and employment, a savings buffer, an adequate down payment and the ideal loan type.

How much down payment for a $200K house?

How much is a down payment on a 200K house? A 20% down payment on a 200K house is $40,000. A 5% down payment is $10,000, and a 3.5% is $7,000. Talk with various lenders to see what you might qualify for.

Can I put 3% down on my second home?

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.

Do you have to be a first time homebuyer to put 3% down?

The 3% Down-Payment program is very similar to the HomeReady mortgage but is only available to first-time buyers and must be used for a one-unit primary residence.

What is the Brrrr method?

BRRRR stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, and Repeat. This real estate investment strategy focuses on buying, renovating, renting and refinancing distressed and poorly maintained properties to allow further investments in property.