How Much Money Do You Need To Buy A House May 2026

That left them with for emergencies and furniture. They realized they didn't need a "perfect" 20% down payment to start their lives; they just needed enough to be "house-safe."

They closed on a modest cottage two months later. It wasn't the mansion they'd imagined, but it was theirs—and they still had enough money left over to fix the water heater when it gave out three weeks after move-in. how much money do you need to buy a house

This was the surprise. Sarah told them to set aside another 2% to 5% of the home purchase price. For a $400,000 home, that meant an extra $8,000 to $20,000 for taxes, lender fees, and title insurance. That left them with for emergencies and furniture