Does it really matter if you only put down 5% and not 20% on your home? I’m struggling to save up the full down payment

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In a hot market, putting 5% down and then refinancing or getting an appraisal a couple years later can be a good way to get your foot in the door, start building equity sooner, and get out of your PMA payments as quickly as possible.

But in a flat or falling market, the idea of paying PMA for many years on a mortgage that could easily go underwater…. no thanks.

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I only put down 5%. That was in 2020, though. I had to get a first (8%) and second (11%) mortgage to avoid mortgage insurance. However I was able to refinance in a couple years. It was worth it to me just to get into the market. I'm in my 2nd home now and this will be my 20th year there.

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I put down 10% when I bought my place in 2021. I’m now only a few months away from getting rid of the PMI payment! YAY!

I think a lot of it comes down to the nature of the market and what type of property you’re buying. I initially started with 5% down for my mortgage (that was what I was initially approved for), but after reviewing the HOA documents, they came back wanting 10% down, which made sense to me.

It may be different for a single family home, but don’t quote me on that. I can only speak from my experience.

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