You need 20% of the purchase price to avoid mortgage insurance. If you’ve got an exceptional mortgage rate, it might make sense to pay the mortgage insurance. Your lender would decide what $10k is enough of a down payment for a particular loan. Chances are pretty good they would not let you go below 5% of the purchase price for a down payment. In theory, you may have a down payment on a $200k house. Any other assets, credit, income, and whatever other made up metrics are also used to calculate your mortgage though. Technically, if the house appreciates in value faster than your loans grow; you should buy the house. Houses are mediocre investments, but a great way to save money. It may cost more to live in your own home. The money isn’t really gone like with renting. It’s in the value of the house.