• A down payment is money paid up front for a financial transaction, such as buying a house or car.

  • Buyers often take out loans to finance the remainder of the purchase price.
  • The higher the down payment, the less the buyer will need to borrow to complete the transaction, the lower his monthly payments and the less interest he will pay in the long run.
  • Depending on the borrower and type of purchase, lenders may require a down payment ranging from 0% to 50%.