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20% Down · First-Time Buyers

20% Down for First-Time Buyers

No PMI, the lowest payment, and the strongest offer — the classic benchmark.

Down Payment %
20%
On a $400K Home
$80,000
Loan Amount
$320,000
Sample Price
$400,000
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5 minutes · No cost · Soft credit pull only
NMLS# 1859012 · Equal Housing Lender
20% Down · First-Time Buyers

20% Down for First-Time Buyers in Florida

For first-time buyers, 20% down is usually about pairing the loan with Florida assistance. First-time buyers qualify for Hometown Heroes and SHIP help, which can cover most of the cash to close, and a soft-pull pre-approval makes your offer credible. We line both up before you tour homes.

Twenty percent down is the classic benchmark because it removes private mortgage insurance entirely. No PMI means a lower monthly payment and the strongest possible offer in a competitive Florida market.

On a $400,000 home, 20% down is $80,000. With no PMI, your payment is purely principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, which keeps the monthly cost as low as it gets for a given rate. Sellers also view a 20% down buyer as low-risk, which can matter in a multiple-offer situation.

Twenty percent is not required — plenty of strong buyers put down far less and invest the difference. We help you weigh paying down to 20% against keeping cash working elsewhere, based on your rate and timeline.

20% Down at a Glance

✓No private mortgage insurance at all.
✓Lowest monthly payment for a given rate.
✓A strong, low-risk offer in a competitive market.
✓Best access to the full range of loan products.

Read the full 20% down guide, or compare other loan types: FHA · Conventional · Florida.

20% Down Snapshot
20%Down Payment %
$80,000On a $400K Home
$320,000Loan Amount
$400,000Sample Price
How It Works
01
Apply Online
5 min · soft credit pull only
02
Match Program
We shop lenders + assistance
03
Processing
Our team handles paperwork
04
Close
Typically 14–21 days
FAQ

20% Down for First-Time Buyers Questions

Is 20% down good for first-time buyers in Florida?

Yes. First-time buyers can pair 20% down with Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000) and county SHIP grants, which often cover most of the cash needed. We map your exact cash to close and get you pre-approved first.

Do I really need 20% down to buy a home?

No. Twenty percent removes PMI and lowers your payment, but conventional loans go to 3% down and FHA to 3.5%. Many Florida buyers put down far less and still buy comfortably. Twenty percent is a goal, not a requirement.

Is 20% down always the best move?

Not always. If your rate is low, keeping cash invested or in reserves can beat sinking it all into equity. If PMI is costly and your timeline is short, 20% may win. We run the comparison for your specific numbers.

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20% Down Guide20% Down · FHA20% Down · Conventional20% Down · FloridaAll Down Payment OptionsApply for Pre-Approval

20% Down for First-Time Buyers?

A licensed Florida mortgage broker who shops the loan and the assistance for you — 5-minute pre-approval, honest numbers.

(561) 300-0380

Figures are illustrative only and based on a sample purchase price. APR, payments, and assistance amounts vary by credit score, loan amount, income, and market conditions. Subject to credit approval. Not a commitment to lend. NMLS# 1859012. Equal Housing Lender.