Put 20% down if you can. On a $350K home, the difference between 5% and 20% down is $560/month — or $47,040 over 7 years. That's real money.
Put 3-5% down if you can't. Getting into a home sooner and building equity beats waiting. But factor PMI into your budget — it's $221/month on top of your payment until you hit 20% equity.
10% down is often the sweet spot. PMI is lower, down payment is manageable, and you're not starting with underwater equity risk.
Ask Zai with your income, credit score, and savings — get the optimal down payment for your situation.
🏦 Ask Zai Free → 📊 Full Calculator 🔔 Set AlertNot financial advice. PMI estimates at 0.8% annually. Rates at 6.7%. Down payment options vary by loan type and lender.