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The money
Down payment + closing costs + moving + a starter emergency fund — and the down payment is usually the smaller-than-expected part.
Four buckets: the down payment (often far below 20% — FHA's published minimum is 3.5% for borrowers meeting its credit rules, and some conventional first-time programs go to 3%), closing costs (typically several percent of the price, itemized on your Loan Estimate), moving and immediate-repair money, and an emergency cushion so the first surprise doesn't become a crisis.
Assistance changes this math more than saving harder does: down-payment assistance in our states commonly covers a large share of the upfront need, which is exactly what it exists for.
Our get-ready page computes a working savings target for your state from what buyers at profiled lenders actually put down and paid in closing costs last year — public federal filings, labeled as estimates.
Source: CFPB — Buying a House (official guide)
Who confirms it for you: A lender's Loan Estimate makes it exact for a specific loan; a counselor helps you set the target.
Educational, not advice — and never an eligibility determination. Program rules and loan requirements change; the cited source and the named confirmer are the authorities for your case.