Tami Savage, Realtor

Your Key to a New Lifestyle

  • Search for Homes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Do You Have Enough Money Saved for a Down Payment?

October 13, 2020 By Tami Savage

Do You Have Enough Money Saved for a Down Payment?

One of the biggest misconceptions for first-time homebuyers is how much you’ll need to save for a down payment. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always have to put 20% down to buy a house. Here’s how it breaks down.

A recent survey by Point2Homes mentions that 74% of millennials (ages 25-40) say they’re interested in purchasing a home over the next 12 months. The study notes, “88% say they have significantly less savings than the average national down payment amount, which is $62,600.”

Thankfully, $62,600 is not the amount every buyer needs for a down payment in the United States. There are many different options available, especially for first-time homebuyers (millennial or not). That amount can also be significantly less, depending on the purchase price of the house.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), “The median existing-home price for all housing types in August was $310,600.” (These are the latest numbers available). NAR also indicates that:

“In 2019, the median down payment was 12 percent for all buyers, six percent for first-time buyers, and 16 percent for repeat buyers.” (See graph below):

2019 Median Percent Down Payment by U.S. Homebuyers: All Buyers 12%, First-Time Buyers 6%, Repeat Buyers 16%.  Source: NAR

That means if a qualified first-time buyer purchases a home at today’s median price, $310,600, with a 6% down payment, in reality, the down payment only amounts to $18,636. That’s nowhere near $62,600.

Knowing there are also programs like FHA where the down payment can be as low as 3.5% of the purchase price for a first-time buyer, that up-front cost could be significantly less – as little as $10,871 for the same home noted above. There are also other programs like USDA and loans for Veterans that waive down payment requirements.

The Point2Homes study also shares how much millennials have indicated they’ve saved for a down payment. As we can see in the graph below, 39% have already saved enough for a down payment on a median-priced home. Another 47% are close to reaching that goal, depending on the purchase price of the home.

How Much Have You Saved for a Down Payment?  14% zero saved, 47% have up to $10,000, 19% have saved between $10,001 - $30,000, 8% have saved $30,001 - $50,000, 4% have saved $50,000 - $75,000, and 8% have saved over $75,000.  For a median home price of $310,600, the people who have saved over $10k have enough for a 3.5% median down payment for first-time buyers.  Somewhere in the 10k-30k savings range or more first-time buyers would have enough for a 6% median down payment.  Somewhere in the 30k-50k range or more is enough for 12% median down payment.  Source:  Point2Homes

Unfortunately, the lack of knowledge about the homebuying process is keeping many motivated first-time buyers on the sidelines. That’s why it’s important to contact a local real estate professional to understand the requirements in your local area if you want to buy a home. A trusted agent and your lender can guide you through the process.

Bottom Line

Be careful not to let big myths about homebuying keep you and your family out of the housing market. Let’s connect to discuss your options today.

Tagged With: Buying Myths, Down Payments, For Buyers, Millennials, Pricing

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free eGuide. Things to Consider When Buying a Home. Send me this eGuide.

Free eGuide. Things to Consider When Selling Your House. Send me this eGuide.

A Guide to Buying Your First Home. Send me this eGuide.

Tags

Baby Boomers Buying Myths Community Demographics Distressed Properties Downloadable Down Payments First Time Home Buyers Forbearances For Buyers Foreclosures For Sale By Owners For Sellers FSBOs Garden Generation X Generation Z Gen X Gen Z Holidays Home Household Management Housing Market Updates Infographics Interest Rates Interview Investors Lifestyle Luxury Market Millennials Move-Up Buyers moving New Construction Pricing relocation Remodel Rent vs Buy Report Reviews Selling Myths Senior Market Short Sales Tax Refund Veterans Video

Free eGuide. Things to Consider When Selling Your House. Send me this eGuide.

Free eGuide. Things to Consider When Buying a Home. Send me this eGuide.

Tags

Baby Boomers Buying Myths Community Demographics Distressed Properties Downloadable Down Payments First Time Home Buyers Forbearances For Buyers Foreclosures For Sale By Owners For Sellers FSBOs Garden Generation X Generation Z Gen X Gen Z Holidays Home Household Management Housing Market Updates Infographics Interest Rates Interview Investors Lifestyle Luxury Market Millennials Move-Up Buyers moving New Construction Pricing relocation Remodel Rent vs Buy Report Reviews Selling Myths Senior Market Short Sales Tax Refund Veterans Video

Designations & Certifications

🏡 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥? 🍂
Competition is fierce, but I've got your back! Get pre-approved to stand out from the crowd.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
1️⃣ It sets your budget, so no guesswork.
2️⃣ It tells sellers you mean business.

Ready to make it happen? DM me! 📩

Article: https://tamisavage.com/beginning-with-pre-approval/
🏡 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 + 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭 = 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬! 🏡
Work from your couch? That's great news when you're in the home-buying game! 🛋️💼
Expand your horizons and find a space that not only says 'home' but also screams 'perfect workspace.' 🌠
👇 DM me and let's unlock your dream lifestyle! 🗝️

Full Infographic: https://tamisavage.com/how-remote-work-helps-with-your-house-hunt-infographic/
🏡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬! 📜
Owning a home is more than just an investment or dollars & cents; it's a life upgrade!

🎨 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞, & 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐲 🛠️
You wanna paint that living room lime green? Go for it!
Want a glass front door instead of solid wood? Change it!
Want to knock down a wall or add a home office? You can!

👪 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭
A home is the perfect place to watch your kids grow and make lasting memories. More importantly, it adds stability!

🏘️ 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Neighbors aren't just the folks next door; they're your support system.

Ready to make the move and enrich your life? Holler at me anytime! 📲

For more Insights: https://tamisavage.com/the-many-non-financial-benefits-of-homeownership/
💼 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 = 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬! 🏡 𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐭𝐬!

Remote work isn't just about Zoom calls in PJs. It's an opportunity to change your entire home search game!

💡 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 = 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Think bigger yards, extra rooms, and maybe even a lower cost of living! 🎉

Curious? Call, text, or email me, and let's talk! 📲

👉 Blog Link for all the ins and outs: https://tamisavage.com/remote-work-is-changing-how-some-buyers-search-for-their-dream-homes/

#RemoteWork  #HomeBuying #DreamHome #LocationFlexibility #WorkFromHome #HomeSearch #PropertyHunt #RealEstateMarket #ModernWork #NewNormal #LifestyleUpgrade #realestatenews #realestateexpert #realestateadvice #realestateblog #TamiSavageRealtor #realestate #realtor #realestateagent #cummingga #miltonga #cantonga #alpharettaga #ballgroundga
🏡 Wondering if Now’s the Right Time to Sell? 🏡 Wondering if Now’s the Right Time to Sell? Your Home Equity Might Just Be Your Ace! 🏡

Equity = Your Home's Value - What You Owe. 🤑 And here's the kicker—nearly 70% of homeowners are sitting pretty with significant equity. So if you've been holding off selling due to mortgage rates, this could be your game-changer!

📲 Got questions about your home equity? Don’t hesitate to call, text, or email me anytime!

👉 Want the full scoop? Check out my latest article on how your home equity can offset affordability challenges: https://tamisavage.com/your-home-equity-can-offset-affordability-challenges/
Regardless of rising mortgage rates, the desire fo Regardless of rising mortgage rates, the desire for dream homes remains strong! 🏡 Buyers are actively searching, eager to find their perfect match. ⁠
⁠
If you've been waiting in the wings, it might just be your time to shine.  No need to hit pause for fear of silent echoes. The marketplace is humming and ready for your listing!⁠
⁠
Ready to spotlight your home? Let’s get you connected with eager buyers!⁠
⁠
https://tamisavage.com/plenty-of-buyers-are-still-active-today-infographic/
Puzzling over why finding the right house seems so Puzzling over why finding the right house seems so challenging lately?⁠
⁠
1️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐨𝐠: We've seen fewer homes built in recent years. And while builders are stepping up the pace, bridging the home gap is taking time. 🏗️⁠
⁠
2️⃣ 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐭: Many homeowners are glued to their spots, not wanting to let go of their attractive mortgage rates. 💎⁠
⁠
3️⃣ 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞: Sometimes, the media's spin can create unnecessary housing apprehensions. Always good to double-check and get the real story!⁠
⁠
So, whether you're aiming to buy, sell, or both, understanding today's housing scene is crucial. 🗝️⁠
⁠
Eager to dive deeper? Contact me for a personalized look at the housing inventory in our area, and let's navigate the maze together! ⁠
⁠
For a more detailed breakdown: https://tamisavage.com/why-is-housing-inventory-so-low/
Has your trusty home started feeling a tad too... Has your trusty home started feeling a tad too... familiar? If you're toying with the idea of a change, you're in good company!⁠
⁠
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: To buy or to rent next?⁠
⁠
🔍 Consider the following:⁠
⁠
1️⃣ Rent Rise Alert! Historically, rents have been climbing. Yearly hikes? That could put a dent in your retirement fund! Freddie Mac puts it beautifully: With fixed-rate loans, you're locking in a predictable monthly expense, even when life throws those sneaky financial curveballs.⁠
⁠
2️⃣ Home Sweet Owned Home! AARP highlights a key truth: Owning a home often outweighs renting. Think stability, investment growth, and truly owning your space.⁠
⁠
Baby boomers, if you're on the fence, reach out! 💬 Let's discuss what makes sense for your golden years and unlock the best path for your next home adventure. 🏡⁠
⁠
https://tamisavage.com/should-baby-boomers-buy-or-rent-after-selling-their-houses/
Load More Follow on Instagram
The Summer Guides for Buying and Selling a Home are Here.

To get the latest digital copy, go to https://tamisavage.com/the-spring-guides-for-buying-and-selling-a-home-are-here/
The Spring Guides for Buying and Selling a Home Are Here
How you price your house will make a big difference to not only your bottom line, but to how quickly it could sell. Let’s connect to figure out the ideal price for your house.
Price Your House Right When You Sell
Getting pre-approved is an important first step toward buying a home. Let’s connect so you have the right tools to buy a home in today’s market.

Data Source:
 • https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/what-it-takes-to-be-preapproved-for-a-mortgage-and-why-it-matters/
The Importance of Pre-Approval
There are many reasons why it’s easy to fall in love with homeownership. If you’re ready to find the home of your dreams, let’s connect.
Why It's Easy To Fall in Love with Homeownership
You can have the home you want without waiting for the perfect home to come onto the market.

SOURCE for Data in Video: 
 • https://themreport.com/news/data/08-29-2022/homebuyers-compromise
Create Your Perfect Home by Perfecting It After You Purchase
Before buying a home, it’s a good idea to know why homeownership is important to you. Let’s connect to discuss your why and prioritize your next steps.

SOURCE for Data in Video: 
 • https://himaxwell.com/resources/ebooks-white-papers/1h-2022-millennial-genz-borrower-sentiment-report/#downloadnow
Top Reasons Why You May Want To Buy a Home
There’s a lot going on in the housing market right now. 

You can get the latest digital copy from my website post: https://tamisavage.com/the-winter-guides-for-buying-or-selling-a-home-are-here/
The Winter Guides for Buying or Selling a Home Are Here
There’s good reason to make your move right now if you’re ready to sell. Let’s connect to talk about the benefits of selling your house this season.
5 Reasons To Sell Your House This Winter
Rents have risen dramatically for over three decades. Let’s connect so you can have expert advice on your side to help you reach your homeownership goals.

Data Source: 
 • http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/files/currenthvspress.pdf
Avoid the Rental Trap
Load More... Subscribe

Let’s Connect

770-744-2524‬ or
(888) 959-9461 x2543

Digitial Business Card

 

Calculate Mortgage Payments

www.mlcalc.com
Copyright © 2019+ Tami Savage LLC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

DISCLAIMER: The information contained, and the opinions expressed, on this site are NOT intended to be construed as legal or financial advice. Tami Savage does NOT guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as legal or financial advice. You should ALWAYS conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. Tami Savage will NOT be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.