Financing a Home Resource Center
Down Payment Guides

Down Payment & Home Buying

How much cash do you really need to buy a home?

Last reviewed September 9, 2026

Quick Answer

You do not necessarily need 20% down to buy a home. Depending on eligibility, buyers may use low-down-payment conventional, FHA, VA or USDA financing, down-payment assistance, properly documented gift funds, seller concessions and lender credits. The right cash amount depends on the loan, the property and what you need left over after closing.

How much do you actually need for a down payment?

The down payment is the part of the purchase price the buyer pays in cash rather than financing. The 20% figure comes from conventional mortgage insurance conversations, but it is a threshold, not a universal requirement: qualified buyers can put far less down on conventional, FHA, VA and USDA financing, and assistance programs or documented gifts can sometimes cover part of it.

Your lender determines the required down payment, mortgage insurance and qualification for your situation. Lisa is a REALTOR®, not a lender. She coordinates the offer so your real estate contract supports the financing strategy, negotiates seller concessions and price, and helps you keep enough cash to own the home comfortably after closing.

For the whole series, start at the Financing a Home resource center.

Down Payment Resource Navigation

Start with the situation that matches yours.

Start With the Down Payment Myth

Do You Really Need 20% Down? The 20% rule is not a universal entry requirement. Conventional Loan Down Payment How conventional low-down-payment financing works. What Are Closing Costs? Cash you need beyond the down payment.

I Need Help With the Cash

Down Payment Assistance Grants, forgivable loans and deferred second mortgages. Gift Funds Properly documented gifts from permitted donors. Retirement Funds for a Down Payment The tax, penalty and long-term questions to ask first. Buying With Limited Cash Combining low-down-payment loans, gifts and concessions. Seller Concessions When sellers can contribute to eligible costs.

Compare the Financing First

First-Time Homebuyer Financing Options There is no single first-time buyer loan. First-Time Homebuyer Financing Hub Your options go far beyond FHA. Affordability Qualification is one number; the payment you want is another. Mortgage Calculator Estimate a monthly payment.

Zero-Down and Low-Down Loan Programs

USDA Home Loans 100% financing for eligible rural households. VA Home Loans Zero-down options for eligible veterans. FHA Home Loans Low-down-payment FHA financing. Conventional Home Loans Low-down-payment conventional options.

The Down Payment Guides

Every article in this down payment collection, whichever way you want to start.

First-Time Homebuyer Financing Options Down Payment Assistance Gift Funds for a Down Payment Retirement Funds for a Down Payment Buying a House With Limited Cash Do You Really Need 20% Down?
First-Time Homebuyer Financing Hub USDA Home Loans Hub

Down-payment rules and programs change. Verify the current numbers.

Down-payment-assistance amounts and availability, mortgage insurance structures, credit-score requirements and the down payment needed change over time. This site does not hard-code stale dollar amounts or expired programs as current. Ask a lender who originates in Nevada what is available today, and check current official resources like USDA Rural Development and HUD/FHA before relying on any figure.

Your lender determines the required down payment, mortgage insurance and approval. Lisa is a REALTOR®, not a mortgage lender or a down-payment-assistance provider. She coordinates the offer so the contract supports the financing, negotiates price and concessions, and helps you judge how much cash to keep after closing.

Find out what you actually need before you decide how much to save.

Lisa helps you compare low-down-payment structures, assistance, gifts and concessions so the cash you keep after closing matches the home you buy.

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