
If you’re ready to put renting behind you and buy your own home, a great first step is to save for a down payment. But how much money do you need? How can you save for a down payment? Why do you need a down payment at all?
Down Payment: Definition and Example
A down payment is a large initial payment that you make when you buy a home. A down payment is required for most types of mortgages.
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How Down Payments Affect Loan Terms
A larger down payment may get you into a more expensive home or a lower interest rate. However, there are reasons you may want to put down less. Let’s look at how your down payment affects the terms of your loan.
Down Payments and Interest Rates
The larger the down payment you offer your mortgage lender, the lower your interest rate may be. A larger down payment generally means you’re a less risky borrower, and a less risky borrower means a lower interest rate. A lower interest rate will help you save on your monthly payment and allow you to pay less interest over the life of the loan.
Down Payments and Monthly Loan Payments
A larger down payment usually means smaller monthly payments. Since the balance of your loan is less, your monthly payments are smaller.
How Much Should I Put Down?
Both smaller and larger down payments have their own unique set of benefits.
Benefits Of A Large Down Payment
- You enjoy lower interest rates and monthly premiums. Lenders love to see large down payments because it lowers the risk you pose to them. The larger your down payment, the less you have to pay each month in both principal and interest. Think of a down payment as an interest-free way to get a jump-start on paying off your home.
- You may not need mortgage insurance. Certain types of loans require you to pay mortgage insurance. On a conventional loan, you generally need to put 20% down to avoid paying private mortgage insurance, which is usually a monthly fee that you pay as part of your monthly payment. On an FHA loan, 20% down could be the difference between paying for mortgage insurance for the life of your loan and paying mortgage insurance for just the first 11 years.
- It’ll result in a lower debt-to-income ratio (DTI), which means you may have more borrowing power in the future. DTI represents how much of your monthly income goes toward paying off debt. A high DTI can prevent you from getting other loans or credit. (Most mortgage lenders look for a DTI of about 45% or lower.) If you’re looking to take on other loans or buy a second home, then borrowing less (by putting more down) could keep your DTI manageable.
Benefits Of A Small Down Payment:
- You can buy sooner. A 20% down payment can take years or even decades to save for, depending on your income. A lower down payment can help you own a home sooner.
- You have more money to spend on repairs and renovations. Emptying out your savings for your down payment might not help in the long run. As a new homeowner, you may find that you need more money for repairs and renovations than you thought. Setting aside this money upfront can make homeownership less stressful.
- You won’t have to dip into your emergency fund. Keeping some money in the bank for emergencies is a smart move. You don’t want to have to pay for unexpected car repairs or medical bills on credit. Hanging onto some of your money could give you peace of mind and be a cheaper way to cover emergency costs.
- You can use the extra money for other ventures. Consider the opportunity cost of putting down more money on your home on the front end. Though you might be able to get a lower interest rate and monthly payment, it might make more sense for you to use that money for college tuition, investing or something else.
Is There A Minimum Down Payment?
You may have heard that you need a 20% down payment to buy a home. For most buyers, a 20% down payment isn’t realistic. Fortunately, 20% down is no longer the industry standard.
Why Do Some Lenders Require A Down Payment?
When your mortgage lender gives you a loan, they’re taking a risk on you. If you stop making mortgage payments, it’s possible that the lender won’t be able to make back the money they lent you.
A down payment makes you a less risky buyer in a couple of ways:
- It represents your investment in the home. If you were to stop making payments on the home, you’d be walking away from the thousands of dollars you put into it.
- It lowers the amount the lender has to give you for the purchase. If you’re paying 20% of the purchase price of the home, and they’re only lending you 80%, then that’s less money they’ll need to worry about getting back if you stop paying.
It’s important to note that the down payment requirement isn’t set by the lender alone. In many cases, the down payment requirement comes from the investor of the loan (which may be the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or someone else).
Summary
Though a down payment is a crucial part of your home loan, it’s only a small piece of the overall financial picture. Knowing the down payment you’re comfortable with can help you search for homes that are within your budget and keep you from cutting too deeply into your emergency savings. To get approved for your mortgage so you can start house hunting, apply with Rocket Mortgage® by Quicken Loans® now.
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Hanna Kielar
Hanna Kielar is an Associate Section Editor for Quicken Loans focused on personal finance, recruiting and personal loans. She has a B.A. in Professional Writing from Michigan State University.