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Down Payment

Down Payment

A down payment is a sum a buyer pays upfront when purchasing an expensive good such as a home or car. It represents a percentage of the total purchase price, and the balance is usually financed. A down payment can significantly reduce the amount the borrower owes to the lender, the amount of interest they will pay over the life of the loan, and monthly payment amounts.


A significant amount of money that a borrower pays upfront when purchasing an expensive item like a home or car. It is usually a percentage of the total purchase price and is required by lenders to reduce their risk in case the borrower defaults on the loan. For example, when buying a home worth $300,000, if the loan's down payment requirement is 20%, the borrower will have to pay a down payment of $60,000. The bigger the down payment, the lower the monthly mortgage payments and the total interest paid over the life of the loan. A higher down payment also demonstrates a borrower's financial responsibility and commitment to the purchase. However, it can be challenging for some borrowers to accumulate this amount, which could lead to delayed purchases or opting for a costlier loan with higher interest rates. Nevertheless, understanding the importance and implications of down payments is crucial for successful and sustainable lending practices.


The down payment is the amount of cash that a buyer of a piece of real estate has on hand to pay to the seller at the time of the closing. The down payment may range from 3 to 25% of the purchase price, depending on the type of loan that the buyer will be obtaining in order to complete the financing. Generally, more favorable rates and terms to finance the remainder of the purchase price can be obtained with a larger down payment. Traditionally, the source of the down payment came out the buyer's savings. Other sources of a down payment may be a gift from parents or other people, mortgage on another property or the sale of an existing home. The down payment represents the amount of the personal equity that the buyer invests in the purchase of the real estate.

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