About
Don't forget closing costs (2-5% extra). FHA allows 3.5% down. Conventional 3-20%. 20% avoids PMI. First-time buyer programs (state-specific) can require as little as 0-3%.
2026 worked example on a $450,000 home: a 20% down payment is $90,000, plus closing costs of roughly $11,250 to $22,500 at 2.5% to 5%, so the actual cash-to-close target is closer to $105,000. Parking that target in a HYSA paying 4.5% APY beats a 0% checking account by about $4,725 per year on the average balance, which can shave 6 to 9 months off the timeline at typical $1,500-per-month contribution rates. The FHA 3.5% path on the same home needs only $15,750 down but adds an annual MIP of 0.55% of loan balance for the life of most FHA loans.
Common pitfalls
- Putting the down payment in stocks within 24 months of buying. A 20-30% market drawdown right before closing turns a 3-year savings push into a 5-year one. HYSAs and short-term Treasuries are the conventional home for under-3-year goals.
- Ignoring earnest money and inspection costs. Earnest deposits run 1-3% of price and tie up cash for 30-45 days; inspections, appraisal fees, and pre-paid insurance add another $1,500 to $3,000 before closing day.
Formula
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the Down Payment Savings?
It applies the standard formula. Accuracy is limited only by your input precision. For decisions with material consequences (taxes, medical, legal, structural), use the result as a starting point and verify with a qualified professional in the relevant field.
Is the Down Payment Savings free to use?
Yes. 100% free, no signup, no payment, no API key. The site is funded by display ads around the tool but not inside the calculation flow.
Are my inputs saved anywhere?
No. All inputs stay in your browser tab. Closing the tab discards them. The site uses Google Analytics for traffic measurement (anonymized) but the analytics never see what you type into the form.
Can I use the Down Payment Savings on my phone?
Yes. The tool is responsive and tested on iOS Safari, Android Chrome, and major desktop browsers. Touch targets meet Apple's 44pt and Google's 48dp minimum.
Does the Down Payment Savings work offline?
Yes. Once the page has loaded, it works without internet. The calculation runs in JavaScript on your device.
How do I report a bug or suggest improvement to the Down Payment Savings?
Email hi@3tej.com with the URL of this page and a description of what you saw vs expected. We typically respond within 72 hours.
Can I share results from the Down Payment Savings?
Take a screenshot or copy the output. The page doesn't generate shareable URLs for specific calculations - inputs stay in your browser only.
Why are the results different from another down payment savings tool?
Most likely: different formula assumptions, different default values, different rounding rules, or different applicable rates. Check the methodology if both tools document it. Both can be valid for different scenarios.
Is the Down Payment Savings accurate?
The Down Payment Savings applies the standard formula for down payment savings. Accuracy is limited only by your input precision. For decisions with material consequences, use the result as a starting point and verify with a qualified professional or the relevant official source.
Is the Down Payment Savings free?
Yes. 100% free, no signup, no payment, no API key. The site is funded by display ads that appear around the tool but not inside the calculation flow.
Are my inputs saved?
No. Inputs stay in your browser tab. Closing the tab discards them. The site uses Google Analytics for traffic measurement (anonymized) but does not see what you type into the form.
How to use the Down Payment Savings
The Down Payment Savings is a browser-based tool that runs entirely on your device. Inputs you enter never reach a server - all calculations happen client-side in JavaScript. This means:
- Privacy: nothing is logged, sent, or stored by 3Tej. Inputs disappear when you close the tab.
- Speed: results update as you type. No network round trip.
- Offline use: once the page is cached, it works without internet.
- No signup: no account, no email, no rate limits.
Step by step
- Enter your inputs in the form above. Each field is labeled with its unit (currency, percent, kg, etc.) and the expected range.
- Read the result as it updates. The number reflects the formula commonly accepted in Down Payment Savings-related calculations.
- Adjust to see sensitivity: change one input at a time and watch how the output moves. This is the fastest way to understand which variable matters most.
- Copy or screenshot the result for later reference. The page state persists for the session if your browser allows it.
When you would use this
- Quick estimates: when you need a number now and don't want to open a spreadsheet.
- Sensitivity analysis: testing how a result changes as inputs vary, before committing to a real-world decision.
- Comparison: running the same calculation with different inputs to compare options side by side.
- Learning: building intuition for how the underlying math behaves.
- Documentation: capturing a snapshot of inputs and outputs at a point in time.