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How much down makes most sense? Down Payment Dilemma Answered

March 05, 2026

As the purchase of your home gets closer, I am pretty sure your main strategy and action plan is based on how much down payment you are willing & able to give at closing. 

First time home buyers first though is always the bigger the down payment the lower my monthly payment will be. And while this is true the question is whether the time it takes to save such large down payment while renting compared to its monthly savings makes most sense or not. Before getting into detail with a scenario I invite you to watch video in this section about how down payment affects your overall loan.

In my 20+ year of experience doing loans, however, I have seen how many clients’ strategies lack financial common sense. To illustrate this, consider the following real example of a property listed for sale in Houston, Harris County with 4 bedrooms & 2.5 bathrooms, 2550 sq. ft. built on 2006 which typically would rent at least for $1,600/month:

Sales Price - $180,000
Down payment - 3.5% or $6,300
Credit Score - 680 credit
FHA Interest Rate - 3.875%
Loan Monthly Payment - $831.09
Mortgage Insurance - $123.04/month
Taxes 2016 - $4,565/year or $380.42/month
Insurance estimated - $1,435/year or $119.59/month
Total monthly payment - $1,454.14

Then some clients prefer to wait 2 years to save that 20% or $36,000 renting at $1,600/month or $38,400 for 2 years’ worth of rent. Then after 2 years and once that 20% is saved the following numbers apply:

Sales Price - $197,000 (Based on Houston market trends same house went up $17,000 after 2 years)
Down payment - 20% or $39,400
Credit Score - 680 credit
Conventional Interest Rate – 4.25%
Loan Monthly Payment - $775.30
Mortgage Insurance - $0,00/month
Taxes 2016 - $4,565/year or $380.42/month
Insurance estimated - $1,435/year or $119.59/month
Total monthly payment - $1,275.31

Total savings after waiting 2 years to save $39,400 = $178.83/month. Does it make sense to wait 2 years to save for down payment? Probably not. Feel free to contact me to go over any scenario you were thinking of and would like to run to me for consideration contacting me at 281-940-2554.

Apply today with Clear Lending and find out what’s possible.

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Author:

Joan Gallardo
Loan Officer NMLS 367858
Realtor TREC 0640762

Customers Reviews:

  • Yu-Hsin Lin

    Thanks Joan and Patricia for helping me get my dream home. I cant be happier for finally being able to close on my first house. You all have been amazing throughout entire process. Thanks again.

  • Linda Simien

    Joan

    I very much appreciate all the help you, Elena and Edgar gave to me. I remember you reassured me that you would do everything possible to get me to own a home again. As I have always said you all worked so hard on my behalf and for that I will always be grateful. This was a great team effort that I won't ever forget.

    Thank You,

    Linda Simien

  • Maria Luciani

    Thank you so much Joan for helping me get approved and close on my beautiful house after being denied by AMCAP and CORNERSTONE over silly stuff. I signed a contract with Stormi Harris from NEWMARK homes and she pretty much requested me to get approved with their preferred lenders. First, I went to AMCAP and later I was sent to CORNERSTONE. Both first approved me but after waiting and a second review or something like that denied me for not having 2-year employment history with same employer and for a couple of silly old issues on credit. At that point, I had given NEWMARK homes over $13,000 which sometimes as per all communications I felt builder I was not going to get back if I didn’t get approved. Then I after searching on google for local lenders I was lucky enough to find Clear Lending and after sending an approval request I got a call from Broker Joan Gallardo. I advised him about the urgency and after I sent him my documents requested he gave me peace of mind by telling me I had 90% chance of being able to close. Joan was so clear and precise with what to expect I felt I was on the right place. After few conditions we had to clear I got the good news I was Clear-To-Close. I am so thankful I want everyone to know this guy rocks and if you are buying a brand new house maybe you want to avoid builder lenders if you don’t have everything perfect. Loan Officers will tell you everything is ok but as I lived it I can see they had no idea what underwriting may come back with after waiting and waiting for an approval. Soo scary!!!! Thanks Clear Lending for saving me from a huge loss and helping realize my dreams. I will refer you all my friends or whoever ask me if I know a good lender!!!

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