A new house is a major investment. Even if you have a mortgage, the bank and the seller will still expect a sizable down payment. That's why lots of people regularly gift down payments to friends and relatives - it's a great way to help young people start out on the path of home ownership.

One of the most significant challenges that many people face when preparing to buy a first home relates to saving money for a down payment. While there are many different loan programs with varying down payment requirements, the fact is that it can still be difficult to save up a large sum of money.

If your goal is to purchase a home, you may find that it is challenging to save up enough money for your down payment. While this is something that many first time home buyers struggle with, it is by no means insurmountable.