It's a tough time to be a homebuyer. In an environment of historically high interest rates and stubborn listing prices, the dream of homeownership is as elusive as ever. But it's even harder to buy a home when you believe (incorrectly) that you absolutely must have 20% saved up for a down payment.
In reality, the average down payment for first-time homebuyers was just 8% in 2023, according to the National Association of Realtors. That's due, in part, to down payment assistance (DPA) programs. Such programs can drastically lower the amount you need to put up for your down payment, sometimes to as little as 3% or even 0% of the purchase price—depending on what type of home loan you qualify for.
