You Don't Need 20% Down to Buy a Home — The Real Options | EP 18 (Originally Published 2-3-26) episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 30, 2026 · 12 MIN

You Don't Need 20% Down to Buy a Home — The Real Options | EP 18 (Originally Published 2-3-26)

from HomeBuying Made Easy · host Michael Dendy

Twenty percent down has been hanging over first-time homebuyers like a rain cloud for decades. It feels like the rule. Like you're not ready to buy until you've got that number saved up, and if you don't have it, you're not serious. That's not actually true, and this episode proves it.Michael busts the 20% myth wide open — what the real down payment minimums are for FHA, conventional, VA, and USDA loans, what PMI is and when it actually matters versus when it doesn't, and how people are buying homes right now with 3%, 3.5%, or nothing down depending on their situation. The 20% rule is old. Your options aren't.If you've been waiting to buy because of a number you don't actually need, this episode is going to be a good day. Subscribe to Home Buying Made Easy because the gatekeepers were wrong.

Twenty percent down has been hanging over first-time homebuyers like a rain cloud for decades. It feels like the rule. Like you're not ready to buy until you've got that number saved up, and if you don't have it, you're not serious. That's not actually true, and this episode proves it.Michael busts the 20% myth wide open — what the real down payment minimums are for FHA, conventional, VA, and USDA loans, what PMI is and when it actually matters versus when it doesn't, and how people are buying homes right now with 3%, 3.5%, or nothing down depending on their situation. The 20% rule is old. Your options aren't.If you've been waiting to buy because of a number you don't actually need, this episode is going to be a good day. Subscribe to Home Buying Made Easy because the gatekeepers were wrong.

NOW PLAYING

You Don't Need 20% Down to Buy a Home — The Real Options | EP 18 (Originally Published 2-3-26)

0:00 12:15

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of HomeBuying Made Easy?

This episode is 12 minutes long.

When was this HomeBuying Made Easy episode published?

This episode was published on April 30, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Twenty percent down has been hanging over first-time homebuyers like a rain cloud for decades. It feels like the rule. Like you're not ready to buy until you've got that number saved up, and if you don't have it, you're not serious. That's not...

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

Can I download this HomeBuying Made Easy episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!