Budget for 2% to 5% of the home's purchase price.
Starting to save for a house in 2026 requires a focused strategy that balances aggressive saving with strategic debt management and government assistance. While the traditional 20% down payment is often recommended to avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) , many first-time buyers successfully enter the market with as little as 3% to 3.5% down using specialized loan programs. Phase 1: Financial Goal Setting how to start saving money to buy a house
Aim to keep your total monthly housing payment (including taxes and insurance) at or below 30% of your gross monthly income . Budget for 2% to 5% of the home's purchase price
Experts recommend keeping 3 to 6 months of living expenses in an emergency fund separate from your down payment. how to start saving money to buy a house