Is it worth putting down 20 percent?

Putting down a larger amount is worth it when avoiding private mortgage insurance and lowering the monthly payment matters more to a buyer than keeping extra cash available for repairs, closing costs or a reserve fund. Conventional loans typically drop the mortgage insurance requirement once a buyer reaches a set equity threshold, though the exact figure depends on the loan program and lender. Brian Beatty connects buyers with a local lender who can run both scenarios side by side before an offer goes in.