Overview
- Q3’s median down payment was $30,400—about $500 above Q2 and roughly flat year over year—now 118% higher than 2019.
- The average down payment share held near 14.4% of the purchase price, reflecting a steady but elevated level.
- Buyer profiles remained strong, with a typical FICO score of 735, signaling continued concentration among higher‑income households.
- Analysts say easing mortgage rates could broaden access, though tight inventory could renew competition and keep down payments elevated.
- Regional gaps persisted, with average shares highest in the Northeast (18.2%) and then the West (16.3%), Midwest (14.5%) and South (12.5%), while investors and second‑home buyers typically put down about 27%.