How Much Down Payment Do You Need To Buy a House?

Down payments on home loans vary from 0% to 20%+, depending on loan type, property, and buyer finances. Conventional loans may require as little as 3%, FHA 3.5%, and VA/USDA loans allow 0% down for eligible buyers. A 20% down payment avoids private mortgage insurance (PMI), which protects lenders and costs 0.5%-1.5% annually. Closing costs, separate from down payments, typically run 2%-5% of the loan. Down payment assistance programs are widely available to help buyers.