Down Payment Calculator - How much should you put down?

How much should you put down for a house? 

SmartAsset's down payment calculator can help you determine the right down payment for you.

What is a down payment, anyway?

A down payment is cash that you pay up front before the mortgage starts. It’s money that signals to the lender that you’re a good candidate for a mortgage: you’ve managed to save up some money, and you care enough about the home to put a chunk of your savings toward making it yours.

Is a 20% down payment still the standard?

Actually, yes. Put any less than 20% down and you’ll have to find a way to secure the mortgage, either through insurance or a second loan. Exceptions to this are those who qualify for special home-buying assistance like the VA Home Loan, which helps veterans become homeowners without putting any money down. But ideally, buyers will have 20% of the value of the home saved up for the down payment.