How much down payment do I need for a $400K home?

The minimum down payment depends on your loan type. Conventional loans typically require 3-5% ($12,000 to $20,000), FHA loans require 3.5% ($14,000), and VA/USDA loans may allow 0% down. To avoid PMI entirely, you need 20% down ($80,000).

What is PMI and when can I remove it on a $400K home?

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is required when your down payment is less than 20%. On a $400K home with 3% down, PMI costs approximately $226/month. You can request PMI removal once you reach 20% equity ($80,000 in home equity), and your lender must automatically cancel it at 22% equity.

Is it better to put 20% down on a $400K home or invest the difference?

Putting 20% down ($80,000) eliminates PMI and lowers your monthly payment significantly. However, if your investment returns exceed your mortgage rate after tax, keeping a smaller down payment and investing could yield higher net returns. Consider your risk tolerance, emergency fund needs, and the guaranteed savings from PMI elimination when making this decision.

Down Payment on a $400K Home — 3% to 20% Comparison

Down Payment Options for a $400K Home

Your down payment directly affects your loan amount, monthly payment, PMI requirement, and total interest over the life of the mortgage. Below is a side-by-side comparison at a 7% reference interest rate (30-year fixed).

Down %	Down Payment	Loan Amount	Monthly P&I	Est. PMI	Total Monthly	Total Interest (30yr)
3%	$12,000	$388,000	$2,581	$226	$3,007	$541,160
5%	$20,000	$380,000	$2,528	$222	$2,950	$530,080
10%	$40,000	$360,000	$2,395	$210	$2,805	$502,200
15%	$60,000	$340,000	$2,262	$198	$2,660	$474,320
20%	$80,000	$320,000	$2,129	$0	$2,329	$446,440

PMI Savings at 20% Down

Putting 20% down on a $400K home means a down payment of $80,000. The biggest benefit? No PMI. Compared to a 3% down payment, the 20% option saves you approximately $678/month ($8,136/year) in combined lower principal, interest, and eliminated PMI costs.

Comparison	3% Down	20% Down	Monthly Savings
Down Payment	$12,000	$80,000	—
Loan Amount	$388,000	$320,000	—
Total Monthly Payment	$3,007	$2,329	$678
PMI Cost	$226/mo	$0	$226

Down Payment by Loan Type

Different mortgage programs have different minimum down payment requirements for a $400K home:

Loan Type	Min. Down Payment	Amount on $400K	PMI/MIP Required?
Conventional	3% - 5%	$12,000 - $20,000	Yes, until 20% equity
FHA	3.5%	$14,000	Yes (MIP for loan life)
VA	0%	$0	No PMI (VA funding fee applies)
USDA	0%	$0	Guarantee fee applies

How to Save for a Down Payment Faster

Set a target date: For a $400K home with 20% down, you need $80,000. Divide by months to get your savings goal.
Automate savings: Set up automatic transfers to a dedicated high-yield savings account.
Look into DPA programs: Many states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers, grants, or forgivable second mortgages.
Consider gift funds: Conventional and FHA loans allow down payment gifts from family members with proper documentation.
Start with less: A 3% down payment ($12,000) lets you buy sooner, then refinance to remove PMI once you build equity.

How Down Payment Affects Your Interest Rate

Lenders view larger down payments as lower risk, which can translate to a better interest rate. Borrowers putting 20%+ down on a $400K home typically qualify for rates 0.125% to 0.25% lower than those with minimal down payments. On a $320,000 loan, even a 0.25% rate reduction saves $53/month.

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