How Much Should I Have Saved Before Buying A House May 2026

Available through VA loans for veterans and USDA loans for eligible rural/suburban areas.

To safely buy a house, you should aim to have saved. This broad range covers the three primary "buckets" of homebuying costs: your down payment, closing costs, and a post-move-in cash reserve. 1. The Down Payment (3% to 20%) how much should i have saved before buying a house

Your down payment is the largest upfront cost and directly impacts your monthly mortgage payment. Available through VA loans for veterans and USDA

Do you have a specific or monthly budget in mind that we could use to run more detailed numbers? including your new mortgage payment.

Set aside 1% to 2% of the home's value annually for repairs (e.g., $4,000–$8,000 for a $400k home).

Aim for 3 to 6 months of total living expenses , including your new mortgage payment.