Calculadora de Pago Inicial
Ingresa el precio de la casa y ve cómo tu pago inicial afecta el pago mensual, el PMI y el costo total. Compara escenarios al instante.
1 Detalles de la Casa
Pago Mensual (P&I + Seguro)
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Ingresa el precio y el pago inicial arriba
Monto del Préstamo
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% de Pago Inicial
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Capital e Intereses
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Seguro PMI Mensual
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Comparativa de Niveles de Pago Inicial
Basado en tu precio y tasa
| % Pago Inicial | Monto Pago Inicial | P&I | Seguro/mes | Total/mes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ingresa los detalles arriba | ||||
Pago Mensual según el % de Pago Inicial
¿Cuánto Pago Inicial Dar al Comprar una Casa?
El pago inicial es una de las decisiones más importantes al comprar una casa. Un pago inicial mayor reduce tu pago mensual, elimina el PMI y reduce el interés total — pero requiere más efectivo por adelantado. El monto correcto depende de tus ahorros, programa de préstamo y metas financieras.
3% de pago inicial es el mínimo para muchos préstamos convencionales y es popular entre compradores primerizos que califican para programas como Fannie Mae HomeReady o Freddie Mac Home Possible. 5–10% de pago inicial reduce el costo del PMI y mejora los términos del préstamo. 20% de pago inicial elimina el PMI por completo y típicamente asegura las mejores tasas de interés.
Entendiendo el PMI
El Seguro Hipotecario Privado (PMI) es requerido por los prestamistas convencionales cuando tu pago inicial es menor al 20%. Protege al prestamista — no a ti — en caso de incumplimiento. El PMI típicamente cuesta 0.5%–1.5% del monto del préstamo por año (aproximadamente $85–$250/mes en un préstamo de $300,000). El PMI puede eliminarse una vez que alcances el 20% de capital.
Usa la Calculadora de Hipoteca para modelar tu pago completo incluyendo impuestos y seguro, o la Calculadora de Capacidad de Compra para ver tu precio máximo de compra basado en tu ingreso.
Minimum Down Payment by Loan Type
The minimum down payment depends on your loan program, credit score, and the property price. Here's a full breakdown of US loan programs:
| Loan Type | Min. Down | Key Requirement | PMI/MIP? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 3% | 620+ credit score | Yes — until 80% LTV |
| FHA Loan | 3.5% | 580+ credit score | Yes — life of loan (if <10% down) |
| VA Loan | 0% | Military/veteran eligibility | No PMI (funding fee instead) |
| USDA Loan | 0% | Rural area; income limits | Annual guarantee fee |
| Conventional (no PMI) | 20% | 620+ credit score | No PMI required |
Example: $450,000 Home at 7.0% Rate
Here's exactly how your down payment choice affects monthly cost on a $450,000 purchase (30-year term, 7.0% rate, 740 credit score):
| Down Payment | Cash Needed | Monthly P&I | Monthly PMI | Total/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3% | $13,500 | $2,904 | +$291 | $3,195 |
| 10% | $45,000 | $2,694 | +$169 | $2,863 |
| 20% (no PMI) | $90,000 | $2,395 | $0 | $2,395 |
The difference between 3% and 20% down is $800/month. Whether the larger down payment makes sense depends on your available savings, investment returns, and job security.
Canada: CMHC Mortgage Default Insurance
In Canada, down payments below 20% require mortgage default insurance from CMHC. The premium is added to your mortgage balance and depends on your loan-to-value ratio:
| Down Payment | LTV | CMHC Premium | On C$600k |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% (minimum) | 95% | 4.00% | C$22,800 |
| 10–14.99% | 85–90% | 3.10% | C$16,740 |
| 15–19.99% | 80–85% | 2.80% | C$14,112 |
| 20%+ | ≤80% | 0% | C$0 |
CMHC premium rates per published CMHC tables. Premiums are subject to provincial sales tax in QC, ON, and SK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 20% down payment required to buy a home?
No. In the US, you can buy with as little as 3% down on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, or 0% on VA and USDA loans. The 20% figure avoids PMI — it is not a legal requirement. In Canada, the minimum is 5% on purchases up to C$500,000.
What is PMI and when can I remove it?
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) protects the lender if you default on a conventional loan with less than 20% equity. Under the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA), you can request PMI cancellation once your loan balance reaches 80% of the original purchase price, and lenders must automatically cancel it at 78%.
Can I use gift funds for a down payment?
Yes, in most cases. Conventional and FHA loans allow gifted funds from family members — the donor must sign a gift letter confirming no repayment is expected. VA and USDA loans also allow gifts. Lenders require documentation showing the source of the funds.
Are there down payment assistance programs?
Yes. Most US states have down payment assistance (DPA) programs through state housing finance agencies, offering grants or low-interest second mortgages for first-time buyers. Income limits typically apply. Search your state's housing finance agency or HUD's approved counselor directory for available programs.
All calculations are estimates for informational purposes only. Consult a licensed mortgage professional before making borrowing decisions. Full Disclaimer.