Realtor.com: US median down payment falls 19% to $23,400 in Q1 2026

• News Corp analysis showed the typical U.S. home down payment fell to $23,400 in Q1 2026, down 19% year over year, marking the lowest level since 2021.
• The average down payment slipped to 12.8% of the purchase price from 14% a year earlier, extending the fourth straight quarterly decline as inventory rose and prices moderated.
• Government-backed financing gained share as buyers stretched to re-enter the market, with FHA above 24% of purchase mortgages for five consecutive quarters, VA at 11.7%.
• Regional data pointed to the sharpest softening in the South and West, while the Northeast remained the most competitive with a median down payment of $57,600.
• March and April showed a seasonal uptick, though April’s $25,000 down payment level stayed below the prior year’s $27,500.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. News Corporation published the original content used to generate this news brief via PR Newswire (Ref. ID: 202605190600PR_NEWS_USPR_____LA61907) on May 19, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.