• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

myHBliving

Huntington Beach Lifestyle

  • Real Estate
    • Instant Home Value
    • Start a Home Search
    • Fall 2021 Buyer’s Guide
    • Fall 2021 Seller’s Guide
    • Communities
      • Downtown HB
      • Northeast HB
      • Northwest HB
      • South HB
      • West HB
  • Information Hub
  • Huntington Beach Living
    • Lifestyle
    • Outdoors
    • Restaurants
    • Events
  • Fundraisers
  • Contact

How Much Do You Need for Your Down Payment?

January 3, 2022 by Megan Gullotta

How Much Do You Need for Your Down Payment? | Simplifying The Market

As you set out on your homebuying journey, you likely have a plan in place, and you’re working on saving for your purchase. But do you know how much you actually need for your down payment?

If you think you have to put 20% down, you may have set your goal based on a common misconception. Freddie Mac says:

“The most damaging down payment myth—since it stops the homebuying process before it can start—is the belief that 20% is necessary.”

Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. According to the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since 2005. It may sound surprising, but today, that number is only 13%. And it’s even lower for first-time homebuyers, whose median down payment is only 7% (see graph below):

How Much Do You Need for Your Down Payment? | Simplifying The Market

What Does This Mean for You?

While a down payment of 20% or more does have benefits, the typical buyer is putting far less down. That’s good news for you because it means you could be closer to your homebuying dream than you realize.

If you’re interested in learning more about low down payment options, there are several places to go. There are programs for qualified buyers with down payments as low as 3.5%. There are also options like VA loans and USDA loans with no down payment requirements for qualified applicants.

To understand your options, you need to do your homework. If you’re interested in learning more about down payment assistance programs, information is available through sites like downpaymentresource.com. Be sure to also work with a real estate advisor from the start to learn what you may qualify for in the homebuying process.

Bottom Line

Remember: a 20% down payment isn’t always required. If you want to purchase a home this year, let’s connect to start the conversation and explore your down payment options.

More Posts

A Key Opportunity for Homebuyers

Two Reasons Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t a Bubble

Why an Agent Is Essential When Pricing Your House [INFOGRAPHIC]

Homeownership Is a Great Hedge Against the Impact of Rising Inflation

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

STAY UP TO DATE!

Never miss a thing in Huntington Beach! Let me keep you in the loop by getting fun local events & local real estate news delivered straight to your inbox!

Your information is never shared.

Categories

  • Fundraisers
  • Information Hub
  • Lifestyle
  • Local Events
  • Outdoors
  • Restaurants

Footer

Megan Gullotta
Realtor

Connect with Me on:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2022 · Agent Focused Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Seven Gables Real Estate. Equal Housing Opportunity. Agent Lic. #01964682 | Office Lic. #00745605.
© Copyright 2020 myHBliving | Megan Gullotta. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy