Typical Homebuyer Down Payment Declined 1.5% YOY

Seattle, WA, June 2, 2026—The typical U.S. homebuyer put down $64,000 in March, 1.5% less than a year earlier. In percent terms, the typical homebuyer puts down 15% of a home’s purchase price, down from 16.1% a year earlier, reports Redfin.

Homebuyers are making smaller down payments due to cooling home-price growth, a rise in lower-down-payment loan products, and less pressure to compete in bidding wars.

Here are more details:

• The typical percent down payment has fallen a bit, as noted above. Buyers are trying to preserve cash as monthly housing payments stay high—and as many Americans worry about broad economic uncertainty. 
• Home-sale prices are falling in some metro areas, and price growth is slowing in many others. That means buyers simply don’t need to bring as much cash to the table for a down payment. Because down payments are typically calculated as a percentage of a home’s purchase price, moderating prices pull dollar amounts lower. 
• The buyer-friendly market is reducing pressure on house hunters to make large down payments to strengthen offers in bidding wars. Buyers now have more flexibility to leave cash in their pockets for things like moving expenses, renovations or future monthly payments.