How much cash do I need to save to buy a home in 2025?

Wondering how much you really need to buy a home? Here’s a quick breakdown: You’ll typically need a down payment of 3%–20%, which comes out to $12,000–$80,000 on a $400,000 home. Then there are closing costs, usually around 2%–5% of the purchase price—so think $8,000–$20,000. While not required, it’s also smart to have an emergency fund with 3–6 months of expenses to cover any surprises. Pro tip: There are assistance programs that can help lower these upfront costs—talk to a trusted real estate agent (like me!) to find out what’s available.