And That Could Be Good News for Buyers

For a lot of buyers, coming up with the down payment feels like the biggest hurdle to homeownership. With today's affordability challenges, it's easy to assume you need a huge amount of cash saved before you can even think about buying.

The good news? That's not always the case.

In fact, buyers are putting less money down than they have in several years.

According to Realtor.com, the typical buyer put down about $23,400 in early 2026. That's roughly $5,000 less than the typical down payment a year earlier—a 19% decrease and the lowest average down payment we've seen since 2021.

So, what's behind the shift?

Buyers Don't Need to Bring as Much Cash

A few things are working in buyers' favor right now.

The market is more balanced. With fewer bidding wars than we saw a few years ago, buyers don't feel as much pressure to make larger down payments just to strengthen their offer.

Home prices have started to level out. Since your down payment is based on the home's purchase price, slower price growth—or even slight price declines in some markets—can mean you don't need as much upfront.

More buyers are using loan programs with lower down payment requirements. FHA and VA loans continue to grow in popularity because they allow qualified buyers to purchase with much less money out of pocket, and in some cases, no down payment at all.

Don't Overlook Down Payment Assistance

Even with smaller down payments, saving enough can still feel overwhelming. That's why many buyers are surprised to learn there are programs designed specifically to help.

Research shows that nearly 44% of recent buyers in the nation's largest metro areas qualified for down payment assistance—but many never realized it and purchased without taking advantage of those funds.

Here are a few things many people don't know:

  • There are more than 2,600 down payment assistance programs available nationwide.

  • While many are geared toward first-time buyers, 38% don't require you to be a first-time buyer.

  • Many programs are available to households earning $100,000 or more, so they're not just for low-income buyers.

It's worth checking to see what you qualify for—you may be pleasantly surprised.

Family Support Is Helping More Buyers Get Into a Home

Another trend we're seeing is more parents and family members helping with the down payment.

According to Veterans United, nearly 6 out of 10 parents have already helped—or plan to help—their children purchase a home.

Whether it's assisting with the down payment, closing costs, or helping qualify for financing, that extra support is helping many buyers become homeowners sooner than they thought possible.

Bottom Line

If you've been putting off buying because you thought you needed a 20% down payment or a huge savings account, it may be time to take another look.

Today's buyers have more options than they realize. Between lower down payment loan programs, down payment assistance, and family support, homeownership may be more within reach than you think.

If you're wondering what your options look like, let's connect. I'd be happy to introduce you to a trusted local lender who can walk you through the financing programs available and help you figure out the best path forward.