Mortgage Myths: Here’s Why You Don’t Need a Full 20 Percent Down Payment

If you’re just getting into the real estate market, you may have heard that 20% down is the ideal percentage in order to lower your monthly payments and get your mortgage application approved. However, while 20% is often suggested, many people struggle to come up with this amount of money. If you’re staving off home ownership, here are some reasons you may not need to hold off as you long as you thought.

Minimizing Your Insurance Costs

Putting down 20% of the total purchase price of your home is often suggested, but it doesn’t definitively mean that your application won’t be approved if you don’t. If you have a good credit score and are in good financial standing, putting less than 20% down means you’ll have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI); however, it can be worth paying the extra funds in order to get into the real estate market sooner and start paying into your most significant investment.

Mortgage Programs For Less Than 20%

It may seem less possible to buy a home if you only have 5 or 7% of the purchase price, but there are many programs in the United States that enable those with limited funds to apply for a mortgage. From the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, there are many lenders that can offer you mortgage programs that will work for your situation. While higher rates come in tandem with a lower down payment, there are options out there for those who haven’t saved quite enough.

Why Put Down 20%?

Putting down 20% is not a necessity for mortgage approval or purchasing a home, but it can be a great means of saving money in the long run and reducing your interest rates. If you’re raring to get into the real estate market and don’t want to wait for the bills to stack up, that’s OK, but if you want to hold off and save up additional funds before diving in, this can mean more money and a more solid investment in the future.

The magic number is often 20% when it comes to a down payment on a home, but you don’t require this percentage of your home’s price in order to get approved for a mortgage. If you’re currently considering diving into home ownership and would like to know more about the opportunities in your area, give me a call – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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3336 S 155th Lane Goodyear, AZ 85338

$462,490

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,797 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6692746

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Below Market Financing Available!!!!!!!!! This single-level home showcases a spacious open floorplan shared between the Great Room, kitchen and dining room, with access to the covered patio for outdoor lounging and entertaining. The owner's suite enjoys a private location at the back of the home, complemented by an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. Three additional secondary bedrooms are comfortable and private retreats for household members and overnight guests. Photos are renderings of a model home, not the actual home.

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17913 W Addie Lane Surprise, AZ 85374

$462,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

2,302 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6644538

Property Type Single Family Residence

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NEW ROOF, NEW CARPET, Fully Paid Solar and so much more (See Supplement for additional Comments) makes this 3-bed, 2-bath, and AZ Room in the 55+ guard-gated & golf course Community of Arizona Traditions the one for you! 2-car garage, desert front yard with a front patio that includes a decorative Table and Benches. The kitchen has ample cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances, center island, and dining area w/bay window. The owners' suite is spacious! Owners' Bath consists of a walk-in closet, storage cabinets, Tub, shower, and dual sinks. Enjoy the Beautifully enclosed heated & cooled Arizona Room. The Landscaping Water System uses PVC. A feature you can't ignore is fully paid solar with electric bills avg. $20 per month. BRAND NEW ROOF - Installed December 2023, Exterior Paint 2015. Other features that benefit the buyer include - AC Unit 2014, Mini Split 2019. BBQ -2021, New Carpet - December 2023, Wood Floor - 2017, Dishwasher - 2018, Microwave - 2020, Stove - 2018.

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15715 N 168th Avenue Surprise, AZ 85388

$462,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,166 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6662476

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Nicely appointed home in the attractive Surprise community of Surprise Farms. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, with a sought after kitchen greatroom open concept along with a separate formal living and dining room. Light and bright kitchen comes with corian countertops, stainless appliances, large island with sink, and upgraded white cabinets. Master bedroom has a large walk-in closet, double sinks, step-in shower, soaking tub, and private toilet room. The 3 other bedrooms are generously sized and all have a dedicated closet. Convenient location to neighborhood parks, shopping, dining, entertainment, and all the amenities that up and coming Surprise has to offer. VA loan is assumable to Veterans, Non-Veterans, and Investors! $2692 Monthly, 5% Interest Rate, $443,562 Balance as of 4/10.

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5432 W Beverly Road Laveen, AZ 85339

$462,000

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,170 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6670221

Property Type Single Family Residence

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AZ Resort Living at its Best! This gorgeous 3 bedrm, 2.5 bathrm, 2 car garage home is in the heart of Laveen (202 corridor). Newly painted interior,exterior & garage floor! Beautiful tile floors & new carpet T/O! Open floor plan makes for an entertainer's paradise. Kitchen has new quartz countertops,lowered counter/breakfast bar,new undermount stainless sink,new dishwasher,upgraded cabinetry. Some new lighting fixtures. Ground floor ensuite primary bedroom w/spa bathroom:separate shower,Garden tub & huge walk-in closet. Stepping outside onto the newly painted patio floor,bordered grass area ready for your personal touch,room for a pool! Located just moments away from shopping,dining, beautiful,parks & 202 freeway access (202 corridor). Easy access to Downtown Phoenix & Surrounding areas.

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