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Down Payment Savings Planner

How long until you can buy? Enter your target home price, current savings, and monthly contribution to get your exact purchase timeline — plus four scenarios that show how small changes cut your wait time.

Your home goal

Target home price

Down payment target

3.5% FHA min · 20% avoids PMI

Closing costs

Typically 2–5% of purchase price

Annual home appreciation

Your target price grows too

Your savings

Current savings

Monthly savings

Annual return on savings

HYSA ~4.5% · ETF mix 6–8%

Annual savings increase

% raise in monthly savings per year

You can buy in

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Down payment needed

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Closing costs

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Cash needed at closing

Total cash needed

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Down pmt + closing costs

Investment gains

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On your saved funds

Target home price today—

Target home price at purchase—

Down payment needed—

Closing costs—

Total cash needed at closing—

Current savings—

Still to save—

Estimated purchase date—

4 Ways to Buy Sooner

💰

Save $500 more/month

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🏠

Use 10% down instead

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📈

Invest at 7% return

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🎁

$20K gift or bonus today

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Savings progress toward your goal

How your savings stack up against what you need, at key milestones

Calculating…

Where to Keep Your Down Payment Savings

The right account depends on your timeline:

Buying within 1–2 years: High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) currently paying 4–5% APY. Zero risk. Top options: Marcus, Ally, SoFi, or your credit union.
Buying in 2–3 years: Mix of HYSA and short-term CDs. Lock in 4–5% for 12 months. Still very low risk.
Buying in 3+ years: A conservative ETF mix can boost returns but carries market risk. Never put money in stocks you cannot afford to lose 20–30% of temporarily.

Down payment assistance: Most first-time buyers don't realise state Housing Finance Agencies offer $5,000–$25,000 in grants or 0% second loans. Search “[your state] first time homebuyer program” — these programs could cut your wait time by 1–3 years.