According to Google Trends, online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high. And that’s a clear sign more buyers are trying to figure out what they really need to save before making a move (see graph below):

If you’re wondering the same thing, you can always turn to the internet for answers. But a lot of the time, it’s better to ask a local expert. Because here’s what a pro would tell you.

The 20% Down Payment Myth

The idea that you need 20% down to buy a home is one of the biggest misconceptions around the homebuying process. And the data debunks the myth.

While there are benefits to putting that much money down, most first-time buyers put down far less.

Here’s why. Unless it’s stated by your lender, you typically don’t have to have a 20% down payment. There are even some loan options designed to help you get into a home with a much smaller upfront cost. As the Mortgage Reports explains:

“The amount you need to put down will depend on a variety of factors, including the loan type and your financial goals. If you don’t have a large down payment saved up, don’t worry—there are plenty of options available, and you don’t need to put down the traditional 20% . . . many homebuyers are able to secure a home with as little as 3% or even no down payment at all . . .”

For example, FHA loans allow down payments as low as 3.5%, while VA and USDA loans offer zero down payment options for qualified applicants, like Veterans.

And those options are just one reason so many first-time buyers are able to buy without a 20% down payment.

What Buyers Are Actually Putting Down

So, if buyers aren’t doing 20%, how much do they actually put down?

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median down payment for first-time homebuyers is only 10%. That’s half of what you probably expected.

That means if you’re aiming to save 20% because you think you have to, you may be setting a timeline that’s longer than necessary.  

And here’s some more good news. It’s not only that you may be able to buy with less money down than you thought, but there are also options to help you get to your down payment goal even faster.

Why You Should Look into Down Payment Assistance Programs

There are a lot of programs designed to help you save for a down payment – and they can make a big difference in how fast you hit your savings target. Unfortunately, buyers don’t realize how many there are, or that they may qualify for help.

Research from Realtor.com shows almost 80% of first-time homebuyers qualify for down payment assistance (DPA), but only 13% actually use it (see chart below): 

And that’s another big miss holding would-be buyers like you back.

In the U.S., there are over 2,600 homeownership programs available, many offering significant financial support. As Down Payment Resource shares:

“With an average benefit of $18,000, down payment assistance (DPA) remains one of the most essential tools for addressing the nation’s affordability challenges. Programs continue to expand in scope, serving a broader range of incomes, property types and borrower needs, including first-generation, military and repeat buyers.”

Imagine how much further your savings could go with an extra $18,000 you can use to buy. In some cases, you may even be able to stack multiple programs, giving what you’ve saved an even bigger boost.

Bottom Line

The simple truth is: most first-time buyers don’t put 20% down. And if you’ve been waiting to buy until you have that saved, you may be setting a timeline that’s longer than necessary.

To find out what you really need to save and if you qualify for any help, connect with a trusted lender who can walk you through your options. You may be able to buy sooner than you thought.

For a while, buying your first home hasn’t just felt hard. It may have felt out of reach.

Not because you weren’t ready.

Not because you weren’t trying.

But because every time you ran the numbers, they didn’t work.

That’s why so many first-time buyers stepped back.

But after years of sitting on the outside looking in, this Spring could give buyers like you an opening again – especially in some markets.

Metros Where Buyers May Have an Easier Time Breaking into the Market 

Zillow just released a list of the top 50 metros for first-time buyers this Spring. And here’s a quick snapshot of the top 10 (see chart below): 

According to Zillow, in these top-ranked markets, median-income households can afford 68% of all homes for sale. Let that sink in.

Not long ago, it felt like you could barely afford anything.

Now, you may actually have some options again.

That doesn’t mean every home is suddenly going to fit your budget. But it does mean the door that felt closed for so many buyers is starting to crack back open. And in a number of cities, first-time buyers may finally be getting a shot at buying.

Why This Is Starting To Open Up

These cities are rising to the top not because of any one big change, but from a few smaller ones finally lining up. As Orphe Divounguy, Senior Economist at Zillow, explains:

“First-time buyers are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Affordability is still a challenge, but rising incomes, stabilizing prices and improving inventory are creating real opportunities in parts of the country. In the strongest markets for first-time buyers, they’ll find more choices, less competition and a clearer path to homeownership than they’ve had in years.”

Basically, three big things are working in your favor:

• More homes are hitting the market. Realtor.com says inventory is up 8.1% compared to last year. That gives you more choices, less pressure, and more chances to find a place that fits your budget.

• Price growth is moderating, so homes aren’t moving further out of reach as quickly. Some may even be falling back within your target price point.

• Incomes are rising. If you make more money, that can offset some of the affordability challenges too.

And even though mortgage rates have been higher lately, that combination can still make a difference. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains:

“Income growth has outpaced house price growth for 19 straight months, boosting house-buying power even as mortgage rates remain elevated.”

How To Find the Opportunities in Your Local Market

But what if your city didn’t make the top 10 list, or even the top 50 markets? Here’s what you really need to remember.

There’s going to be opportunities in every market, if you know where to look.

Even in the same city, two buyers can have completely different experiences. And a big part of that is who they choose as their partner. The right agent knows how to find pockets of opportunity in any market. That could mean:

• A neighborhood where prices haven’t climbed as quickly

• A part of town with more inventory, or

• A new build community offering incentives so builders can sell their inventory

So, even if your city didn’t make the list, that’s okay. There’s still an opening for you, you just need your agent to help you find it.

Bottom Line

For a long time, first-time buyers have felt stuck, waiting for their turn to buy. But for some buyers, this Spring might be the first time in a while where things start to feel more within reach again.

Want to see which neighborhoods could give you the best shot at buying right now? Talk to a local agent.

For a lot of people, the math on buying a home just doesn’t really work right now. Maybe that’s how it feels for you too. You look at the cost of buying. Then you look at the cost of childcare. And it starts to feel like you have to choose one or the other.

But some families are finding a way to make both work by doing something a little different: teaming up to purchase a multi-generational home.

One Reason This Is Becoming More Common

It’s no secret that affordability has been a challenge in recent years. But for families with young kids, there’s an added layer that can make it feel even harder: childcare.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, childcare should take up no more than 7% of your monthly income. But in reality, the average married couple spends closer to 10% (see map below):

When you combine that with the cost of buying a home, it’s easy to see why things can feel stretched. That’s exactly why more families are starting to rethink how they approach both.

The Solution More People Are Turning To: Multi-Generational Living

One option gaining traction? Multi-generational living. That’s when parents, grandparents, or other relatives buy a house together and live under the same roof. And it’s not just about convenience anymore. It’s becoming a go-to strategy.

You can see it in the data. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), almost 1 in 7 homebuyers (14%) bought a multi-generational home in 2025 (see graph below):

And for the first time, childcare is showing up as a key reason why they chose this option. As NAR explains:

“This year’s report features two new primary reasons for purchasing a multi-generational home: grandchildren living in the home (12%) and to help reduce the cost of childcare (6%).”

Why It Works

Buying a multi-generational home solves two big challenges at the same time.

• First, it shares the financial responsibility. If you pool multiple incomes together, you may be able to afford a home you couldn’t have on your own.
• Second, it can also solve the childcare puzzle. When grandparents or other relatives live in the home, they may be able to help with daily care – which can significantly reduce or even eliminate daycare costs.

And for many people, that combination is what finally makes their move possible.

If the costs of childcare and housing together have made buying feel out of reach right now, it may be worth exploring creative options like buying a home with your loved ones.

Bottom Line

If you want more information on multi-generational homes, talk to a local agent about what’s available in your area.

Sometimes the path to homeownership isn’t doing it alone. It’s doing it together.