This was the surprise. Sarah told them to set aside another 2% to 5% of the home purchase price. For a $400,000 home, that meant an extra $8,000 to $20,000 for taxes, lender fees, and title insurance.
Are you a ? (This often unlocks lower down payment options). how much money do you need to buy a house
That left them with for emergencies and furniture. They realized they didn't need a "perfect" 20% down payment to start their lives; they just needed enough to be "house-safe." This was the surprise
"We have $50,000," Leo said, tapping a calculator. "That’s a huge amount of money. Why does it feel like we’re still short?" Are you a
Their real estate agent, Sarah, had broken it down for them the day before. It wasn’t just about the price tag on the house; it was about the "hidden" layers of cash required to actually get the keys. The Three Layers of Cash
Sarah explained that buying a house is like an iceberg—there is the price you see, and the costs beneath the surface.
Do you have a specific you're trying to stay under?