Buying a Home is Within Reach
Join the millions who bought without a 20% down payment
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Yes, you can buy a home with less than 20% down!
THE FACTS
Nearly 80% of all first-time homebuyers each year buy their homes with low down payment mortgages.
Further, research shows that potential homebuyers view what they mistakenly believe is a required 20% down payment as the biggest impediment to buying a home. In reality, you can qualify for home financing with as little as 3% down by using private mortgage insurance (PMI) to bridge the gap.
For 66 years PMI has helped more than 38 million families of all income levels buy homes without putting 20% down. The best part? It’s only a temporary cost, as PMI cancels after the homeowner builds 20% equity in their mortgage. When the insurance is canceled, the borrower’s monthly payment goes down.
Data shows that the down payment is a primary impediment to homeownership and recent surveys show that nearly 70% of renters cite “affording the down payment” as a major barrier to homeownership.
Yes, you can qualify for mortgage financing with a low down payment.
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Before you select a low down payment mortgage, it’s important to do some homework. Compare loans and do the math to find what works best for you. You should consider how much cash you need in hand, the monthly mortgage payment, and if that payment will go up or down in the years to come.
In most cases, for example, buying with a 5% down payment versus a 3% results in savings to the monthly mortgage bill due to more attractive loan terms.
Here’s a crash course in low down payment mortgage options to help you make a more informed decision.
Conventional Loan with PMI
A conventional loan is a traditional mortgage from a lender that is not insured by a government agency, but rather guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (“the GSEs”) and—for those borrowers who put down less than 20% of the purchase price, is backed by private capital in the form of PMI.
A borrower can get a conventional loan with PMI with as little as 3% down. PMI can be cancelled once 20% equity in the home value is reached, which means your monthly bill decreases. In the event that borrowers experience financial hardships, PMI companies have strong incentives to work with the GSEs and others to help borrowers avoid foreclosure, often through loan modifications.
For some borrowers, a 5% versus 3% down payment may be a better deal as costs may be lower. However, for many prospective homebuyers looking to lock in low interest rates, build equity and home appreciation faster, an option to get into a home with the lower down payment may be better.
FHA Loans
FHA loans are mortgages insured by the government through the Federal Housing Administration. However, FHA mortgage insurance cannot be cancelled and must be paid for the life of the loan. FHA has other specific requirements, like the condition of the home.
A borrower can get a FHA loan with as little as 3.5% percent down and a FICO score as low as 580 may qualify.
For almost all loans backed by the FHA, mortgage insurance cannot be canceled, so your monthly bill won’t be reduced the way it is with a conventional loan with PMI. Also, FHA loans are subject to an upfront fee of 1.75% that is typically financed over the life of the loan. FHA mortgages are subject to more stringent restrictions, especially for condos which are often the desired property type for many first time homebuyers.
A Combo Loan (aka Piggyback Mortgage)
A piggyback involves two separate simultaneous loans, often structured with an 80% first line mortgage, a 10% second lien mortgage, and a 10% down payment (“80-10-10”). Piggybacks are often more expensive than conventional loans because borrowers are paying closing costs on two loans and the second mortgages often carry higher interest rates that are adjustable.
The borrower will not pay PMI.
It may be a more expensive as the borrower will pay closing costs on two loans and the second loan often comes with a higher interest rate. This mortgage option typically has more stringent credit score and debt-to-income (DTI_ requirements than a traditional conventional loan with PMI. Borrowers with piggyback mortgages may find it more difficult to receive a loan modification or workout in the event of financial hardship.
RESOURCES
Find out what's best for you
NEWS
You can still buy a house with a low down payment
Tired of renting? Find out how you can buy a home now with our award-winning online tool, EssentIQ! It’s free and available in English and Español.
Successful homeownership starts here! MGIC’s homebuyer education program is a quick way to learn more about the home buying process, and, our Buy now v. Wait calculator will help you determine if NOW is the right time to buy!
Private mortgage insurance can help you get into the home of your dreams, sooner and more affordable. See here how much home you can afford and here how much mortgage you can qualify for.
First-time homebuyers no longer need to scour the web for information – we’ve collected the key tips, insights, and tools you need to navigate the homebuying process with ease. Visit AchieveTheDream.com today.
Buying a home? Learn why you’ll be glad you picked a loan with MI from Enact―with affordable monthly payments and value-added benefits like Homebuyer Education, Home Suite HomeSM, Homebuyer Privileges® and Homeowner Assistance. Visit SmarterMI.com.
Need more information before you make your decision? Here are additional resources for all of your planning needs.
