Low Down Payment Purchase Options

For some home buyers, the decision of how much money to use as a down payment can be very confusing and hard.

The route for each buyer or investor really does depend on their situation and personal preferences. The summary below reviews four issues that all home buyers and investors should consider about down payment:

  • Down payment options
  • Cost of lower down payments
  • Benefits of lower down payments
  • Personal considerations

The information provided below is for the purpose of provoking thought and careful consideration about different financing programs available. It is not meant to steer you toward one particular program. It is merely an exposition of the options to consider when purchasing a home or investment property.

Down Payment Options

The “Down Payment Requirements” chapter reviews the minimum down payment needs for conforming loans, as well as some of the available alternatives with non-conventional (FHA loans) programs.

For example, you can purchase a single-family home or condominium with as little as 3.5% down payment. But there is a price for lower down payments on conforming loans: mortgage insurance (often called PMI, private mortgage insurance).

Mortgage insurance is required when the conforming loan amount is MORE than 80% of the purchase price (practical translation: down payment is less than 20%). Also, the lower the down payment, the higher the premium ratio charged.

Military veterans who qualify for a VA loan have the easiest route to buying a home with the need for no money down. VA loans can provide up to 100% financing for qualified military personnel and veterans. There are also non-conforming mortgage loan programs available that allow for 80/20 set-ups, which allow borrowers to obtain a second mortgage to cover the 20% down payment.

Even with less than less than perfect income and credit we may have a program that fits your needs.

Cost of a Lower Down Payment

Low or no down payment programs have two primary costs:

  • Higher interest rates
  • Higher mortgage insurance premiums.

The downside of a small down payment, whether you are using a conforming loan or a non-conforming program, is that you will need to pay higher interest rates and mortgage insurance.

Mortgage insurance is calculated against the loan amount, so you get hit with a double-whammy. Lower down payment means a higher loan amount and a higher mortgage insurance rate.

Mortgage insurance can be removed once sufficient equity is produced. So if the property shows at least 20% equity in a few years, the mortgage insurance can be refinanced away.
A related burden of lower down payments is obviously higher loan amounts, which translates into higher monthly payments.

Consider, for example, the purchase of a $100,000 condominium with market interest rates of 6.500%.

  • With a 5% down payment, the loan of $95,000 would have monthly payments of $600.46.
  • However, a 10% down payment would decrease the loan amount to $90,000 and the payment to only $568.86 per month.

During the first few years of the mortgage loan, the bulk of your monthly payments are for interest—which is normally tax-deductible. So you actually get a bit of your monthly payments back at the end of the year in the form of tax deductions.

Benefits of Lower Down Payments

Though the disadvantages of low down payments seem serious, there are also advantages. Take time to weigh the two and assess which is the best for you.
The chief benefits of lower down payment include the following:

  • Increased liquidity.
  • Higher rate of return. You property’s appreciation will be the same whether you put 3%, 5% or 20% down payment. In fact, your rate of return actually decreases as you make a larger down payment, as discussed below.
  • Opportunity cost. In some cases, the smart investor can make more money from available cash by placing it in other investments.

Personal Consideration

How much to put down should be carefully thought out. You must make your own personal calculation, of the monthly payment that you can afford. Obviously, the lender will qualify you for a certain level, based on your income. But that qualification level is often different from the level that you feel comfortable with.

Your mortgage lender may have qualified your income for a monthly mortgage payment of $1,500; however, you may feel that you can realistically afford only $1,200 per month. If that is the case, you must lower the loan amount by increasing the down payment or finding a less expensive property.
Consult with your loan officer about the best situation for you, as well as ways to eliminate or minimize mortgage insurance.

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