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.

Click Here to See What Your Home is Worth

Listing types.

For Sale

For Rent

Land

Multifamily

Commercial

Location Search Nearby

BedsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

BathsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

Price MinAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Price MaxAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Advanced Options

Property TypeAnyApartmentManufactured HomeSingle Family ResidenceTownhouseTwin Home

School District

Address, MLS# or Keyword

Home SizeAny600 ft2800 ft21,000 ft21,200 ft21,400 ft21,600 ft21,800 ft22,000 ft22,200 ft22,400 ft22,600 ft22,800 ft23,000 ft23,500 ft24,000 ft24,500 ft25,000 ft25,500 ft26,000 ft2

YearAny2024+2023+2022+2021+2020+2019+2018+2017+2016+2015+2014+2013+2012+2011+2010+2009+2008+2007+2006+2005+2004+2003+2002+2001+2000+1999+1998+1997+1996+1995+1994+1993+1992+1991+1990+1980+1970+1960+1950+1940+1930+

Distressed

Open House

Location Search Nearby

BedsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

BathsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

Price MinAny$500$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,100$1,200$1,300$1,500$1,600$1,700$1,800$1,900$2,000$2,250$2,500$2,750$3,000$3,250$3,500$3,750$4,000$4,500$5,000$5,500$6,000$6,500$7,000$7,500$8,000$8,500$9,000$9,500$10,000

Price MaxAny$500$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,100$1,200$1,300$1,500$1,600$1,700$1,800$1,900$2,000$2,250$2,500$2,750$3,000$3,250$3,500$3,750$4,000$4,500$5,000$5,500$6,000$6,500$7,000$7,500$8,000$8,500$9,000$9,500$10,000

Advanced Options

Property TypeAnyApartmentManufactured HomeSingle Family ResidenceTownhouseTwin Home

School District

Address, MLS# or Keyword

Home SizeAny600 ft2800 ft21,000 ft21,200 ft21,400 ft21,600 ft21,800 ft22,000 ft22,200 ft22,400 ft22,600 ft22,800 ft23,000 ft23,500 ft24,000 ft24,500 ft25,000 ft25,500 ft26,000 ft2

YearAny2024+2023+2022+2021+2020+2019+2018+2017+2016+2015+2014+2013+2012+2011+2010+2009+2008+2007+2006+2005+2004+2003+2002+2001+2000+1999+1998+1997+1996+1995+1994+1993+1992+1991+1990+1980+1970+1960+1950+1940+1930+

Location Search Nearby

Lot SizeAny1+ Acres2+ Acres3+ Acres4+ Acres5+ Acres6+ Acres7+ Acres8+ Acres9+ Acres10+ Acres20+ Acres30+ Acres40+ Acres50+ Acres

Price MinAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Price MaxAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Advanced Options

Neighborhood

Address, MLS# or Keyword

Location Search Nearby

Price MinAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Price MaxAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Advanced Options

School District

Address, MLS# or Keyword

YearAny2024+2023+2022+2021+2020+2019+2018+2017+2016+2015+2014+2013+2012+2011+2010+2009+2008+2007+2006+2005+2004+2003+2002+2001+2000+1999+1998+1997+1996+1995+1994+1993+1992+1991+1990+1980+1970+1960+1950+1940+1930+

Location Search Nearby

Lot SizeAny1+ Acres2+ Acres3+ Acres4+ Acres5+ Acres6+ Acres7+ Acres8+ Acres9+ Acres10+ Acres20+ Acres30+ Acres40+ Acres50+ Acres

Price MinAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Price MaxAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Advanced Options

Address, MLS# or Keyword

YearAny2024+2023+2022+2021+2020+2019+2018+2017+2016+2015+2014+2013+2012+2011+2010+2009+2008+2007+2006+2005+2004+2003+2002+2001+2000+1999+1998+1997+1996+1995+1994+1993+1992+1991+1990+1980+1970+1960+1950+1940+1930+

View As: Thumbnails List

Sort by: Select Price, Low to High Price, High to Low Newer Listings First Older Listings First Open House Date

29757 N 133rd Avenue Peoria, AZ 85383

$619,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,752 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6768766

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

PRICE REDUCED on this BEAUTIFUL UPGRADED Vibrant Model in Trilogy at Vistancia. CHEF'S GOURMET Kitchen Features GRANITE Counter tops, DESIGNER Back Splash, SS Appliances, Gas Cooktop with Separate Wall Oven. STAGGERED Cabinets with Roll Outs, Under Cabinet Lighting, Island. Whole House RAIN SOFT Water Filtration System. Surround Sound, Upgraded DESIGNER Lighting Throughout, Wood Plank Tile Floors with Upgraded Carpet & Pad in Bedrooms. Smart Room Features Cabinets Galore with Sink & Desk. Relax in the Den with Built In Cabinets & Wine Frig. Plantation shutters, Ceiling Fans, & Stone Fireplace in Great Room, 4 Panel Slider to Fabulous PRIVATE Back Yard Featuring, SYNTHETIC GRASS, PERGOLA, FIRE PIT, B/I GAS BARBECUE, PUTTING GREEN, LUXURIOUS THERAPEUTIC HOT TUB & AUTOMATIC SUNSHADES. Designer Front Screen Door. Neutral pallet throughout & close to cul de sac for quiet area. Epoxy garage flooring for easy clean ups. Perfect Home to Entertain and Enjoy the AZ Trilogy Lifestyle.

View Property

7601 E Roosevelt Street Unit 1010 Scottsdale, AZ 85257

$619,000

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,967 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6772879

Property Type Townhouse

Price Type --

Great central location! This home features 3 bedrooms plus a large loft/office area with a home office nook. Minutes from ASU and Old Town Scottsdale with easy access to the 101 and 202 freeways. Quiet, small complex with a community pool. Enjoy sunsets from your balcony or landscaped backyard with turf and extended paver patio. Custom master closet, soaking tub, and double sinks in the master bath. Granite counters in the kitchen and baths, upgraded faucets, and a Blanco kitchen sink. Custom sunscreens on all south windows to improve efficiency. Directly on the Scottsdale greenbelt with miles of lakes, parks, and trails. 2 car attached garage with ev charging

View Property

651 W Orchard Way Gilbert, AZ 85233

Open House

$619,000

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,836 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6740366

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Sellers will offer incentive with the right offer! Perfect for the NEW YEAR ''2025'' This amazing home awaits you in the highly sought-after Neely Ranch community. Upstairs, newer carpet, four spacious bedrooms with an extra-large loft space. Updated primary bath with quartz double sinks and a tiled walk-in shower with privacy barn door. Lower level offers epoxy flooring and updated half bath, den is off the kitchen. Kitchen has updated quartz countertops, an island plus an extra-large walk-in pantry including laundry (Appliances included). Updated electrical, recessed LED lighting and dimmers throughout the entire smart-home. Salt Water pool, x-large backyard w/ privacy greenbelt behind home. Gilbert School District. Minutes away from Gilbert Town Square- Entertainment for everyone.

View Property

317 W Ivanhoe Street Gilbert, AZ 85233

$618,500

3 Beds

2 Baths

2,042 SqFt

Status Active Under Contract

MLS # 6777032

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Coming Soon! Prime Location in Gilbert! Discover this beautiful, single-story home on an expansive lot, just steps away from a massive park. This home offers three spacious bedrooms, a versatile den that could serve as a fourth bedroom, two bathrooms, and a roomy three-car garage. Inside, enjoy a formal living and dining area, along with an open-concept great room that flows into a beautiful kitchen, that boasts stylish white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, including stainless steel appliances and sparkling quartz countertops. The large island provides bar seating with views of the lush, grassy backyard. Outside, unwind under the covered patio, surrounded by mature trees and a vast backyard with endless possibilities for creating your ideal outdoor space. This home also features newer flooring and AC system for added comfort. Perfectly situated near Gilbert's best entertainment, shopping, dining, parks, and schools, don't miss out on this incredible opportunity!

View Property

1253 W Golden Ore Pass Apache Junction, AZ 85120

$618,253

5 Beds

3 Baths

2,760 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6740168

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Discover the exceptional difference in your home-buying experience! Welcome to Mariposa at Blossom Rock, where our single-story Lily design is under construction now. Imagine an open-concept floor plan featuring a warm and welcoming kitchen that flows into a bright, airy great room. This space opens up to your private, covered outdoor room - perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Convenience of the 3-car garage that leads directly into the drop zone, making organization a breeze. With 5 spacious bedrooms, 3 luxurious baths, a great room with a dining area, and a flexible office space, this home has everything! Plus, we're including $55,000 in stunning upgrades to make this home truly special, and we're offering special financing to help. Home completion is estimated in October 2024.

View Property

1252 W J Waltz Way Apache Junction, AZ 85120

$618,007

4 Beds

4 Baths

2,575 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6781072

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Experience the unique offerings of this home and buying journey. Welcome to Mariposa at Blossom Rock. The single-story Agave design, presents an open-concept floorplan featuring an inviting kitchen and a bright great room with a separate dining area that seamlessly connects to the private, covered outdoor room. The 2-car garage leads to a convenient drop zone, flex room/office, and more. $59,000 in upgrades are included. ***Special financing options are available.***Blossom Rock's amenities are designed to inspire outdoor living, including community parks, miles of trails, beautiful lakes, signature events, and more. Moreover, perfect blend of tranquility and adventure to enrich your everyday life.

View Property

2326 W Gloria Lane Phoenix, AZ 85085

$618,000

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,154 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6782146

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Located in the highly sought-after GATED Community of Sonoran Foothills - 24 North. This Beautiful Home sits upon a Premium Corner Lot. NO direct neighbors to the side or back! Cul de Sac with Mountain & Desert Wash Views. Low Maintenance Backyard with View Fence & Covered Patio. This Home boasts UPGRADES THROUGHOUT - Perfect for Entertaining! Stunning open floor plan with HIGH Ceilings. GOURMET Kitchen that features Stainless Steel Appliances, UPGRADED Cabinetry w/ Pull-Outs, GORGEOUS Granite Countertops & CUSTOM Backsplash. PREMIUM Engineered HARDWOOD Flooring throughout - NO CARPET. Upstairs has a Spacious En-Suite Master, 3 more Bedrooms, a Big LOFT, and Separate Laundry room with W/D INCLUDED. BRAND NEW Water Heater. Water Softener. Community pool/spa, fenced dog park, and BBQ Ramada PREMIUM Upgrades & Features: Shea Homes - The Polaris Model 4 Bedrooms / 2.5 Baths The Light & Bright, OPEN FLOOR PLAN - perfect for entertaining or just relax & unwind North / South Facing Premium Engineered Hardwood Flooring - Throughout (no carpet) Shared Parking Groups For 3 Properties - other properties share with 6 groupings Cul De Sac Mountain Views Wash Adjacent View Fence Premium Hand Selected Upgrades - throughout Kitchen is RO-Ready Upstairs Laundry Room Washer & Dryer - included **Buyer to verify all information. Listing Agent is related to Seller.

View Property

21654 N 106th Lane Peoria, AZ 85382

$618,000

5 Beds

3 Baths

3,074 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6770888

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Motivated Seller will buy down the interest rate for the buyer with a good offer. .House vacant on lockbox. Beautiful 5 bedroom 3 bath, plus a loft/game room, front living/dining room combo, family room, breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances, oak 42 inch cabinets, 3 car garage with cabinets in both 2 car and single car garage, covered patio, ceiling fans throughout, separate tub and shower in master, great neighborhood, easy to show, move-in ready, all new carpet

View Property

1240 E Kramer Circle Mesa, AZ 85203

$618,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,318 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6766889

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This spacious floor plan features a living room and dining room, along with a separate family room. The fabulous open kitchen includes an island and pantry, perfect for all your cooking needs. The large master bedroom boasts an expansive master bath with a separate shower, and there's also a dedicated laundry room. The extended cabinets in the kitchen provide ample storage space for your cookware and countertop appliances. The backyard is an entertainer's dream, complete with a Pebble Tec pool/spa, a water feature, a covered patio, and numerous upgrades. Experience resort-style living in this beautiful gated community!

View Property

4300 W Prince Road Mcneal, AZ 85617

$617,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

2,150 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6721687

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to your dream country property, nestled on 75 acres with almost 360 mountain views. With 36 acres of grandfathered irrigation rights, it's just waiting for you to grow your own hay or run livestock. The property includes a large hay barn, equipment shed, and workshop, plus fenced pastures ready for horses. This fully functioning farm features a domestic well and irrigation well which supplies water to the house, lawn, orchard and fields. The stunning three-bedroom, two-bathroom home features open-plan living. Vaulted ceilings create a bright and airy atmosphere. A spacious kitchen is at the heart of the home. French doors open onto a BBQ and entertainment area where you can host family and friends. (NRCS subsidy for 25 acres of sprinkler irrigation and certain farm implements are also available.) This is more than just a home. It's a one-of-a-kind gem that provides an unparalleled lifestyle for you and your family. Don't miss out on the opportunity to own a piece of desert paradise. Owner is Listing Agent.

View Property

21726 E Lords Way Queen Creek, AZ 85142

$616,995

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,390 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6702133

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Introducing this exquisite home featuring the interior Bermuda Linen collection features timeless 42'' white regal upper cabinetry in the kitchen perfectly complements the sleek blanco maple quartz kitchen countertops & island, making it a chef's dream. The kitchen is adorned with a subway tile backsplash, wood laminate flooring throughout the main living areas, tile in the baths. Enjoy the gourmet kitchen's built-in single oven and microwave, gas cooktop stove, and stove-pipe pyramid stainless steel vented hood. With 10-foot ceilings, this home feels open, airy, and full of natural light. The three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, study & 3-car split garage provides ample space for comfortable living. This move-in ready gem offers a north-south exposure, ideal for enjoying bright and sunny days! With amenities like a tankless water heater for efficiency and a charming paver driveway, this home harmoniously blends convenience and sophistication.

View Property

947 W Saddle Run Apache Junction, AZ 85120

$616,990

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,468 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6778925

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to Blossom Rock! The east valley's newest master planned community. With views of the Superstition Mountains and a wealth of amenities currently in the making including three community parks, dozens of neighborhood parks, a community school, miles of trails, beautiful lakes, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces all meant to serve as the backdrop of the calendar of signature events and annual celebrations currently being created. A public report is available on the Arizona Department of Real Estate website.

View Property