![Better](https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fea37b90b89334a2ab1714e2159c75418%2Fe2da67fb77e4423989a8b49ac50cb0aa?{"fit":"thumb","width":100})
What You’ll Learn
How common low down payment conventional loans are
Reasons why a 3%, 5%, or 10% down payment is smarter
How a 10.01% down payment could help you buy a home in an expensive area
Housing prices are rising across the country, and low down payment mortgages make it easier for first-time homebuyers to enter the housing market sooner. Instead of waiting, saving, and continuing to pay rent to your landlord, with a low down payment and a good credit score, you may be able to buy that house you want right away. Ultimately, your down payment amount and the type of mortgage you qualify for come down to your finances and your credit score.
What is the minimum down payment for a conventional loan?
If the title of this article didn’t give it away, the minimum down payment you can make for a conventional loan is 3%. Most lenders add private mortgage insurance (PMI) fees to your monthly mortgage payments when your down payment is less than 20%, but that hasn’t deterred most Americans. In fact, 75% of first-time homebuyers put less than 20% down.
Why a 3% down payment for a conventional loan can be a smart choice
With a 3% down payment, first-time homebuyers can qualify for fixed-rate mortgages up to $625,000 (in most areas) for single-family homes, condos, townhouses, and planned unit developments (PUD). As the down payment is less than 20%, you’ll likely need to pay PMI until your home equity reaches at least 20%.
Why a 5% down payment for a conventional loan can be a smart choice
You can choose between an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) or a fixed-rate mortgage
If you owned a home within the last 3 years, the lowest down payment you can make for a conventional loan is 5%. A key benefit of making a 5% down payment is that you’ll qualify for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). These types of mortgages can help you save money in the long run if you plan to sell the home within 10 years. The first 5-, 7-, or 10-years of an ARM has a low introductory fixed interest rate. When this introductory period ends, the interest rate adjusts twice a year—sometimes it goes up, sometimes down.
Often the introductory fixed interest rate of an ARM is lower than the interest rates offered for traditional fixed-rate mortgages. If you plan to buy a starter home, buy a larger one before the ARM introductory fixed interest rate ends; an ARM can be a smart choice for you.
Homebuyers with 5% down can qualify for fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages for single-family homes, condos, townhouses, and planned unit developments (PUD). As the down payment is less than 20%, you’ll likely need to pay PMI until your home equity reaches at least 20%.
Why a 10% down payment for a conventional loan can be a smart choice
In 2020, the average first-time homebuyer bought their first home with a [down payment of just 7%](https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2020-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers-11-11-2020.pdf "external"), so by making a down payment of 10%, you’re already ahead. And with a larger down payment, your mortgage will be smaller, so you’ll have to pay less each month (compared to a mortgage of the same length and interest rate with a smaller down payment).
See how down payment amounts affect monthly costs with this mortgage calculator.
With a 10% down payment, homebuyers can qualify for fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages up to $548,250 (in most areas) for single-family homes, condos, townhouses, and planned unit developments (PUD) for primary and secondary residences. As the down payment is less than 20%, you’ll likely need to pay PMI until your home equity reaches at least 20%.
For homebuyers in especially costly areas—think San Francisco or Hawaii—if you’ve got a down payment of 10.1% and an excellent credit profile, you may be eligible for a jumbo loan. However, lenders require homeowners who apply for jumbo loans to have between 18 to 24 months of asset reserves, a credit score of at least 700, and a debt to income ratio of 43%.
How to potentially buy a home with a 0% down payment
If you're an eligible service member, veteran or surviving spouse, a VA loan could get you into your new home at a competitive interest rate – typically with no down payment.
A VA loan is a type of mortgage for veterans that are backed by the government and designed to make it easier for veterans and eligible service members to buy a home. Here are just some of the benefits of a VA loan:
You may be ready to buy sooner than you think with the right conventional home loan down payment
You’re already thinking about how much you can afford for a down payment. The next step is finding how much home you can buy. In as little as 3 minutes, you can get pre-approved with Better Mortgage and know the homebuying budget you have to work with.