2 Major Myths Holding Back Home Buyers

Urban Institute recently released a report entitled, “Barriers to Accessing Homeownership,” which revealed that “eighty percent of consumers either are unaware of how much lenders require for a down payment or believe all lenders require a down payment above 5 percent.”

Myth #1: “I Need a 20% Down Payment”

Buyers often overestimate the down payment funds needed to qualify for a home loan. According to the same report:

“Consumers are often unaware of the option to take out low-down-payment mortgages. Only 19% of consumers believe lenders would make loans with a down payment of 5% or less… While 15% believe lenders require a 20% down payment, and 30% believe lenders expect a 20% down payment.”

These numbers do not differ much between non-owners and homeowners; 39% of non-owners believe they need more than 20% for a down payment and 30% of homeowners believe they need more than 20% for a down payment.

While many believe that they need at least 20% down to buy their dream home, they do not realize that programs are available that allow them to put down as little as 3%. Many renters may actually be able to enter the housing market sooner than they ever imagined with programs that have emerged allowing less cash out of pocket.

Myth #2: “I Need a 780 FICO® Score or Higher to Buy”

Similar to the down payment, many either don’t know or are misinformed about what FICO^® score is necessary to qualify.

Many Americans believe a ‘good’ credit score is 780 or higher.

To help debunk this myth, let’s take a look at Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Insight Report, which focuses on recently closed (approved) loans.

As you can see in the chart above, 53.5% of approved mortgages had a credit score of 600-749.

Bottom Line

Whether buying your first home or moving up to your dream home, knowing your options will make the mortgage process easier. Your dream home may already be within your reach.

What’s Your Home Worth?

Search for Your New Home

Listing types.

For Sale

For Rent

Land

Location Search Nearby

BedsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

BathsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

Price MinAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Price MaxAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Advanced Options

Property TypeAnyApartmentManufactured HomeSingle Family ResidenceTownhouseTwin Home

School District

Address, MLS# or Keyword

Home SizeAny600 ft2800 ft21,000 ft21,200 ft21,400 ft21,600 ft21,800 ft22,000 ft22,200 ft22,400 ft22,600 ft22,800 ft23,000 ft23,500 ft24,000 ft24,500 ft25,000 ft25,500 ft26,000 ft2

YearAny2024+2023+2022+2021+2020+2019+2018+2017+2016+2015+2014+2013+2012+2011+2010+2009+2008+2007+2006+2005+2004+2003+2002+2001+2000+1999+1998+1997+1996+1995+1994+1993+1992+1991+1990+1980+1970+1960+1950+1940+1930+

Distressed

Open House

Location Search Nearby

BedsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

BathsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

Price MinAny$500$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,100$1,200$1,300$1,500$1,600$1,700$1,800$1,900$2,000$2,250$2,500$2,750$3,000$3,250$3,500$3,750$4,000$4,500$5,000$5,500$6,000$6,500$7,000$7,500$8,000$8,500$9,000$9,500$10,000

Price MaxAny$500$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,100$1,200$1,300$1,500$1,600$1,700$1,800$1,900$2,000$2,250$2,500$2,750$3,000$3,250$3,500$3,750$4,000$4,500$5,000$5,500$6,000$6,500$7,000$7,500$8,000$8,500$9,000$9,500$10,000

Advanced Options

Property TypeAnyApartmentManufactured HomeSingle Family ResidenceTownhouseTwin Home

School District

Address, MLS# or Keyword

Home SizeAny600 ft2800 ft21,000 ft21,200 ft21,400 ft21,600 ft21,800 ft22,000 ft22,200 ft22,400 ft22,600 ft22,800 ft23,000 ft23,500 ft24,000 ft24,500 ft25,000 ft25,500 ft26,000 ft2

YearAny2024+2023+2022+2021+2020+2019+2018+2017+2016+2015+2014+2013+2012+2011+2010+2009+2008+2007+2006+2005+2004+2003+2002+2001+2000+1999+1998+1997+1996+1995+1994+1993+1992+1991+1990+1980+1970+1960+1950+1940+1930+

Location Search Nearby

Lot SizeAny1+ Acres2+ Acres3+ Acres4+ Acres5+ Acres6+ Acres7+ Acres8+ Acres9+ Acres10+ Acres20+ Acres30+ Acres40+ Acres50+ Acres

Price MinAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Price MaxAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Advanced Options

Neighborhood

Address, MLS# or Keyword

View As: Thumbnails List

Sort by: Select Price, Low to High Price, High to Low Newer Listings First Older Listings First Open House Date

22854 N 126th Lane Sun City West, AZ 85375

$459,990

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,832 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6671311

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Brand new, energy-efficient home available by May 2024! The expansive great room of the Mason is perfect for watching the big game with friends. Espresso cabinets with white/grey granite countertops, wood-look tile flooring with multi-tone carpet in our Elemental package. Last chance to own at Camino Crossing in Sun City West. With convenient access to the Loop 303, this community provides easy access to schools, major employers, shopping, dining and entertainment. Your family will love spending time at the community park complete with a playground, corn hole and ramadas. We also build each home with innovative, energy-efficient features that cut down on utility bills so you can afford to do more living.*

View Property

21571 W Papago Street Buckeye, AZ 85326

$459,990

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,012 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6671550

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Spacious Larkspur plan that has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths. It has a 12x8 sliding glass door off the great room. Stainless steel electric appliance package with microhood. Tahoe Maple Boulder cabinets throughout the home with 42'' kitchen uppers and a pull out trash drawer with two bins. AZT Granite Bianco Typhoon in kitchen with a stainless steel single bowl kitchen sink. Upgrade flooring includes EMS Solara Yaris 20x20 in all areas of the home except bedrooms and closets. Dual sinks at bath 2, soft water loop, garage door opener two remotes, 8' tall garage doors for those high profile vehicles, garage service door for easy access into the backyard and more. Estimated completion in May.

View Property

2415 E Cy Avenue San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

$459,990

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,219 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6678746

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

New Construction!! Nestled perfectly in the sought after city of San Tan Valley. Adorable 4 bedroom 3 bathroom single story home with guest retreat and a 2 car garage that has extra storage! Ashton Woods offers a spacious owner's suite, stainless steel appliances, quartz kitchen countertops and classic white and shaker style cabinets makes this a place to call home. This home has been upgraded additionally with backsplash, hardware, faucets, and an upgraded single basin sink! Conveniently located off of Combs Rd and Schnepf Rd. As with all of our homes, this one is also constructed as ''Energy Star'' for remarkable comfort, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability!

View Property

41090 W Haley Drive Maricopa, AZ 85138

$459,990

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,987 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6594869

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

QUICK MOVE-IN!!! It's our beautiful Belice - 3 bedrooms + flex space, 2 baths and a 3 car tandem garage. 12'x8' sliding glass door off the extended covered patio. Large walk in shower at owner's bath with EMS Casino Ice gloss in a 4x16 tile at shower surrounds . Stainless steel gas appliance package with undermount single bowl sink. Winstead Maple ''Cafe'' stained cabinets through out the home with 42'' kitchen uppers and rollouts at pantry. Himalaya white granite countertops in kitchen and on the enhanced kitchen island. Kitchen backsplash has a 4x16 Ice Matte tile. Flooring includes EMS 12x24 Baccarat Astra tile in all the areas of the home except beds/closets. Dual sinks at bath 2. Two-tone interior paint ''Agreeable Gray'', soft water loop and so much more. Seller to write contract and to verify all information with onsite agents. Water Company is Santa Cruz Water Company and Sewer is Palo Verde Utilities Company.

View Property