If your down payment is less than 20% and you have a conventional loan, your lender will require private mortgage insurance (PMI), an added insurance policy that protects the lender if you can't pay your mortgage.
Typically, mortgage lenders want you to put 20 percent down on a home purchase because it lowers their lending risk. It's also a “rule” that most programs charge mortgage insurance if you put less than 20 percent down (though some loans avoid this). But it's NOT a rule that you must put 20 percent down.
Yes, putting 20% down lowers your home buying costs. Borrowers who can make a big down payment will save a lot over the life of their mortgage loan. But a smaller down payment allows many first-time home buyers to get on the housing ladder sooner.
FHA loans, backed by the Federal Housing Administration, are available for as little as 3.5 percent down if the borrower has a credit score of at least 580. If the borrower has a lower score (500-579), the minimum down payment is 10 percent.
Conventional loan requirements for investment properties are the strictest of any loan type. In most cases, you'll need a down payment of 20 – 25% to qualify. If you have a credit score that's higher than 720, you may qualify for an investment property loan with 15% down.
As a rule, most lenders require PMI for conventional mortgages with a down payment less than 20 percent.
If you make $3,000 a month ($36,000 a year), your DTI with an FHA loan should be no more than $1,290 ($3,000 x 0.43) — which means you can afford a house with a monthly payment that is no more than $900 ($3,000 x 0.31). FHA loans typically allow for a lower down payment and credit score if certain requirements are met.
The traditional way to avoid paying PMI on a mortgage is to take out a piggyback loan. In that event, if you can only put up 5 percent down for your mortgage, you take out a second "piggyback" mortgage for 15 percent of the loan balance, and combine them for your 20 percent down payment.
An offer with a higher down payment will be more attractive to the seller and may help you outbid your competition. Price matters, of course, but it's not everything. Sellers also have to take into consideration the likelihood of the deal closing.
When you have 20% to put down, you're a more attractive buyer (because you're a safer bet). Everyone from sellers to real estate agents and mortgage lenders will think you're awesome. This often means better service and an increased likelihood that your offer will be accepted.
The more money you put down, the better. Your monthly mortgage payment will be lower because you're financing less of the home's purchase price, and you can possibly get a lower mortgage rate.
Make a 20% down payment
A larger down payment offers advantages beyond lowering the monthly mortgage payment and avoiding PMI. You'll also get a lower mortgage interest rate, pay fewer fees and gain equity in your home faster.
Before buying a home, you should ideally save enough money for a 20% down payment. If you can't, it's a safe bet that your lender will force you to secure private mortgage insurance (PMI) prior to signing off on the loan, if you're taking out a conventional mortgage.
These FHA mortgage loans are not eligible for automatic mortgage insurance cancellation. To stop paying mortgage insurance premiums you'd need to refinance out of your FHA loan. The good news is that there are no restrictions on refinancing out of FHA into a conventional loan with no PMI.
You have the right to request that your servicer cancel PMI when you have reached the date when the principal balance of your mortgage is scheduled to fall to 80 percent of the original value of your home. This date should have been given to you in writing on a PMI disclosure form when you received your mortgage.
While buyers may still need to pay down debt, save up cash and qualify for a mortgage, the bottom line is that buying a home on a middle-class salary is still possible — in some places. Below, check out 15 cities where you can become a homeowner while earning $40,000 a year or less.
For the couple making $80,000 per year, the Rule of 28 limits their monthly mortgage payments to $1,866. Ideally, you have a down payment of at least 10%, and up to 20%, of your future home's purchase price. Add that amount to your maximum mortgage amount, and you have a good idea of the most you can spend on a home.
Mortgage insurance can put you in a house a lot sooner. You might pay more than $100 per month for PMI. But you could start gaining tens of thousands per year in home equity. For many people, PMI is worth it.
One way to avoid paying PMI is to make a down payment that is equal to at least one-fifth of the purchase price of the home; in mortgage-speak, the mortgage's loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is 80%. If your new home costs $180,000, for example, you would need to put down at least $36,000 to avoid paying PMI.
The only way to cancel PMI is to refinance your mortgage. If you refinance your current loan's interest rate or refinance into a different loan type, you may be able to cancel your mortgage insurance.
Mortgage amount: $200,000 — This example assumes you have no other debts or monthly obligations beyond your new housing costs, a 20% down payment, and a good credit score. With that down payment, your $200,000 mortgage would buy you a home worth $250,000. Salary: $94,000 per year.