Separate every cash bucket
Down payment, lender and title charges, prepaids, moving costs, repairs and reserves serve different purposes. Ask for a Loan Estimate before replacing assumptions with quoted figures.
Home-purchase cash plan
Connect the down payment to closing cash, reserves and the real monthly budget.
Solve from a home price, available cash or target percentage. The worksheet preserves money for closing, moving, repairs and emergency reserves instead of treating every saved dollar as a down payment.
Decision guide
How to choose a down payment
The strongest plan is not automatically the largest percentage. It balances the mortgage terms with closing costs, liquidity and the risks that begin after the keys are delivered.
Compare monthly tradeoffs
A larger down payment reduces principal and may remove mortgage insurance, but using the last dollar of savings can create a fragile first year of ownership.
Let the target move
While you save, home prices and savings yields may change. The wait-and-save chart moves both sides so a 20% target is not treated as static.
PMI protects the lender
Private mortgage insurance can make a smaller conventional down payment possible, but it protects the lender rather than the borrower and increases loan cost.
Credits have limits
Seller and lender credits depend on the contract, program and eligible costs. Confirm how much can actually be applied before counting them as cash.
Approval is separate
Lenders evaluate documented income, debts, assets, credit, appraisal and program rules. This worksheet is a cash plan, not a loan approval.
Simple by design
Three steps to a clearer number.
Enter your details
Use realistic values in each field. You can change them anytime.
Calculate instantly
The formula runs locally, so there is no account or waiting time.
Use the result
Treat the answer as a practical estimate for your next decision.