Buy A House In California - How Much Deposit To

To buy a house in California in 2026, you generally need two separate "deposits" at different stages of the process: an ( 1–3% of price ) to secure your offer and a down payment (0–20% of price) to finalize your loan.

With the statewide median home price projected to hit in 2026, a standard 20% down payment would be roughly $181,000 . However, many buyers use low-down-payment programs to get into a home with significantly less. Initial Deposit: Earnest Money how much deposit to buy a house in california

This is "good faith" money you pay when your offer is accepted. It shows the seller you are a serious buyer. : 1% to 3% of the purchase price. To buy a house in California in 2026,