Ideally you don't want to borrow any more than 80 percent of your home's value. Exceed that limit and you wind up shouldering the cost of private mortgage insurance (PMI).
By itself $5,000 may not get the needle to 20 percent, but you should be working toward that goal all the same.
PMI for $250K home with only 15 percent down: $57 a month
How long you'll pay it: 52 months
Total cost: $2,964.
Mortgage Rates
Best moves if you're buying a home: Put $5,000 toward a 20 percent down payment
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