These are the fees required to finalize the loan. On a $400,000 home, expect to pay between $8,000 and $20,000.
To buy a house in 2026, you typically need between in liquid cash to cover the absolute minimum upfront requirements. For a median-priced American home ($423,261 as of early 2026), this translates to approximately $34,000 to $42,000 for the down payment and closing costs combined. Upfront Cash Requirements how much money will i need to buy a house
A "good faith" deposit made when your offer is accepted. This is eventually credited toward your down payment or closing costs. These are the fees required to finalize the loan
Your total "cash-to-close" is generally divided into four categories: For a median-priced American home ($423,261 as of
Many lenders require you to have at least two months of mortgage payments left in your bank account after closing as a safety net. Total Cash Needed by Home Price (2026 Estimates)
Your initial equity stake. While 20% is the gold standard to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), the median down payment for first-time buyers is roughly 9%.
The following table estimates the liquid savings required based on common 2026 purchase price ranges and typical low-down-payment (3–5%) scenarios: Purchase Price Down Payment (3–5%) Closing Costs + Prepaids Total Cash Needed $9,000 – $20,000 $9,000 – $12,500 $18,000 – $32,500 $400,000 – $499,000 $20,000 – $50,000 $10,500 – $14,000 $30,500 – $64,000 $500,000 – $599,000 $50,000 – $120,000 $11,500 – $15,500 $61,500 – $135,500 Data sourced from Vonderau and The Mortgage Reports . How Much Money Do You Really Need to Buy a House in 2026?