How Much Money Do You Need To Buy A House [DIRECT]

This was their biggest hurdle. To avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), they wanted 20%, which on a $400,000 home was $80,000. Sarah pointed out they could put down as little as 3.5% ($14,000) with an FHA loan, but their monthly payments would be higher.

Their real estate agent, Sarah, had broken it down for them the day before. It wasn’t just about the price tag on the house; it was about the "hidden" layers of cash required to actually get the keys. The Three Layers of Cash how much money do you need to buy a house

Sarah explained that buying a house is like an iceberg—there is the price you see, and the costs beneath the surface. This was their biggest hurdle