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First time buyers ask How much do I need for a down payment?

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 PA License - AB067198

For a long time when buying a home people needed and put down about 20% of the cost of the home as a down payment. But, as prices rose lenders came up with different products and means to avoid having to put 20% down.

Today, there are still some programs that require no down payment, especially for Veterans and those using a USDA loan. Then there are FHA loans and even conventional loans that require as little as 3.5% as a down payment. 

These lower limits make it far more manageable for buyers to afford a home. Plus for first time buyers there are also often local programs that might provide assistance in the form of grants or no interest loans that are forgiven that can be used toward down payments. These vary from State to State and even County to County.

This is where using a strong local lender can really help as they know the different options that are available. Many of these are income based, aimed at helping lower income borrowers afford a home of their own. 

Of course, all these programs still require good credit, although some will allow lower scores than others. 

Some loans can be structured with two mortgages, a primary mortgage at 80% of the value of the home and a second mortgage, similar to a home equity line of credit that helps avoid Private Mortgage Insurance as the primary loan is 80% of the value of the purchase.

Having strong relationships with a variety of different lenders I can help guide you to find the best option so you have the confidence to make the right decision for you moving forward to buy a home. Contact Nick Vandekar, Selling the Main Line and Chester County with Realty ONE Group Advocates, office 484-237-2055, cell or text 610-203-4543, or Nick@VandekarTeam.com, let's sit down and see how I can help you achieve the dream of home ownership.

 

Posted by

Nick Vandekar
Nick is a Tredyffrin Easttown Residential and Commercial REALTOR selling The Main Line, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.

Giving you the confidence to make
the right decisions.

225 W Uwchlan Ave
Downingtown , PA 19335
Office 484-237-2055
SellingTheMainLine.com
Mobile: (610) 203-4543 [call or text me]
Email Me

 

My Blog

   

If you are buying or selling on or around
Tredyffrin Easttown or along the Main Line, 
I can help you, contact me.

Comments(18)

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Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Thanks for sharing great information Nick!!!

There are still some programs that require no down payment, especially for Veterans and those using a USDA loan. Then there are FHA loans and even conventional loans that require as little as 3.5% as a down payment. These lower limits make it far more manageable for buyers to afford a home. 

Nov 06, 2024 03:50 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Nick - the experience of buying a home, especially for the first time, can be enhanced by assembling a team of professionals who can help you be successful.  Such connections matter and can make a difference.  

Nov 06, 2024 03:59 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Nick. If you don't ask, the answer is "no"! If you ask the right person, the possibilities are endless. A mortgage broker with a plethora of sources can open up a whole new world. Great post. Enjoy your day. 

Nov 06, 2024 04:14 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

There are programs to help buyers with down payments. However, in the type of market we currently have those programs are not getting a lot of action.

Nov 06, 2024 04:51 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Exactly, there are a lot of options for mortgages and 20% is not required.

Nov 06, 2024 05:15 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

great information. Thanks for sharing it.

Have a super fantastic week!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Nov 06, 2024 06:02 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Sham Reddy CRS thanks and have a great week.

Michael Jacobs having a good team around you is a priority.

Wayne Martin I always say that to clients, especially during negotiations, so it never hurts to ask, you may get a yes.

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 in our area they are not used that extensively due to buyers often being above the income levels, but it is important for people to know they are there.

Nov 06, 2024 06:11 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Kat Palmiotti you definitely do not need 20% down any more.

Bill Salvatore - East Valley thanks.

Nov 06, 2024 06:11 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Nick, building a team of trusted professionals can make all the difference in turning your first home-buying experience into a smooth and successful journey!

Nov 06, 2024 06:16 AM
Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Nice post Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 - First time home buyers should never give up on hope. Where there is a will, there is a way. It starts with talking to local professionals in person that can be trusted. 

Nov 06, 2024 06:23 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 that is a priority when you are a first time buyer.

Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP it is always important to sit down and discuss with a local professional so you can learn the truth about a situation.

Nov 06, 2024 06:28 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Nick... it continues to astonish me how many people believe 20% is the "standard" to this day.

Nov 06, 2024 06:50 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Nick, it is shocking when talking to new buyers that don't know they don't need 20% down!

Nov 06, 2024 07:52 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Nick and buyers had it drum in their heads for years you need 20% down.  So many great programs are out there now.

 

Nov 06, 2024 08:26 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Nick,

Great post! There are so many programs to choose from now and buyers need to be exposed to all of these because they don't have to have 20% down!

Nov 06, 2024 08:56 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Nina Hollander, Broker, Joan Cox and Will Hamm we just have to keep shouting it from the rooftops that they do not need 20% for a down payment anymore.

Dorie Dillard Austin TX exactly, they do not need 20% anymore for a down payment.

Nov 06, 2024 09:40 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Nick, you touched upon a topic that is at the top of new home buyers' minds. When we bought our first home, the standard used to be 20% but now there are many options. It's good to hire the best local agent you can and work with lender who is current on the different lending programs. 

Nov 06, 2024 06:25 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Indeed you make a great point there are many options without having to put down 20%, on the other hand it is important for these buyers to understand that they need to have a bit of a reserve in order to prevent an unexpected expense to have them lose their home, Endre

Nov 06, 2024 08:34 PM