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How much of a down payment do you need to put forth when buying a home in Portland in 2025? What is the average down payment made in the city? This article will go into more detail.
According to a recent analysis, Portland, Oregon, is among the ten U.S. metro areas with the highest average down payment from home buyers. The study was conducted by the research team at Realtor.com and found that the average down payment among Portland home buyers was 14.2%.
The data team at Realtor.com analyzed mortgage lending records and other sources to figure out the average down payment on a house in the nation’s 50 largest metro areas.
Their analysis included borrowers who put down more than the average (perhaps to avoid mortgage insurance), as well as those who make smaller payments by using government programs like FHA. So it’s a pretty comprehensive review of mortgage trends by metro area.
Competition and demand within the housing market can influence the size of the average down payment. Generally speaking, home buyers in more competitive markets tend to make a larger upfront investment in order to make their offers stand out. And Portland is a highly competitive real estate market right now, with strong demand from buyers.
This study determined the average down payment when buying a house in Portland, Oregon. But that doesn’t mean you have to invest that much when you buy a home. Averages and minimums are two different things. There are mortgage programs (and gift-money strategies) that could result in a much lower down payment. So, let’s talk about those next.
Down payments are a major concern for home buyers — and understandably so. After all, we’re talking about an upfront investment that must be paid on or before closing.
But at the same time, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about down payments in Portland. For instance, a consumer survey found that the vast majority of first-time buyers thought they had to make a down payment of 10% or more.
In truth, there are mortgage programs available today that allow for a down payment in the relatively low 3% – 3.5% range. And military folks can often qualify for 100% financing through the VA home loan program.
It’s also important to point out that many home buyers and borrowers in Portland are able to use money provided by someone else to cover their down payment. Most loan programs available these days allow for gift money to be provided by a third party, such as a relative.
So don’t be discouraged by the average down payment among Portland home buyers. You might qualify for a mortgage loan that requires a much smaller investment. And the money could come from someone else. So that hurdle might not be as high as you think.
Will you need mortgage financing to buy a home in Portland? We can help. Sammamish Mortgage has been serving buyers across the Pacific Northwest since 1992. We offer a wide variety of mortgage programs & products with flexible qualification criteria in WA, CO, ID, and OR. Please contact us today with any financing-related questions you have.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.