05/02/2026
While affordability often focuses on monthly payments, consider the strategic advantage of down payments.
For buyers with strong credit and available cash, putting 15% down instead of 20% on a $600,000 home frees up $30,000. This difference could be crucial for immediate renovations like a kitchen or bathroom.
The impact on the monthly payment might be surprisingly small—around $300-$350. For qualified borrowers, the extra cost of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) at 85% LTV could be minimal and temporary, often removed within 5 years.