Myth #5 of 30 Some people think a "real" homebuyer saved every dollar of their down payment on their own. If anyone helped, it somehow doesn't count. That pressure keeps people saving year after year while prices keep climbing. The truth is, lots of first-time buyers get help, and there's nothing wr

Myth #4 of 30 When some people hear "down payment assistance," they picture someone in a much harder spot than they are. So they never even look into it. Research shows only about 1 in 4 people who want to buy a home know these programs exist and have actually checked them out. Down payment assistan

Myth #1 of 30 A lot of people think you have to put 20% down to buy a house. If that's you, you're in good company. About a third of people who want to buy believe it, according to a Bankrate survey from 2025. And in a Fannie Mae study, only about 1 in 4 people knew you could buy with a lot less. Yo