How much are average down payments on houses?

As of 2015, the average down payment for a house is 20 percent, though some buyers pay between 10 and 25 percent. Some specialty mortgages require a lower down payment, such as an FHA loan that only requires 3.5 percent.

The 20 percent down payment is often recommended by lenders, but it is sometimes difficult to afford. For a $200,000 house, a 20 percent down payment equates to $20,000. There are other options that accept a lower down payment, such as a Veterans Administration loan that usually does not have any required down payment. FHA-insured loans provided by the Federal Housing Administration have a lower down payment and are more lenient with credit requirements.