09/24/2026
Most people put off buying because they think they need 20% down.
That number stopped being the standard a long time ago, and believing it is costing people years of renting they didn't need to.
The average first time buyer today puts down closer to 8 to 9%.
Some loan programs, like VA and USDA, require nothing down at all.
FHA loans start at 3.5%.
Even conventional loans can go as low as 3% for qualified buyers.
Rates matter too, and right now they're actually trending in a more favorable direction, sitting in the low 6% range, better than the peak many buyers feared just months ago.
The truth is, the biggest barrier for most people isn't the mortgage itself.
It's outdated assumptions about what it takes to qualify.
If you've been waiting to "save enough," let's find out what you actually qualify for right now.
It might be closer than you think.