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What kind of down payment do you need to get a mortgage in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, or Spokane in 2026?
One of the first things on a homebuyer’s mind when considering a home purchase is the down payment. That’s because the down payment is an integral part of the mortgage and home-buying process for Washington State homebuyers.
While you don’t have to come up with the full purchase price when you buy a home, you do still have to put forth a lump sum of money upfront when you apply for a mortgage in the form of a down payment. This money will go towards the purchase price of your home and reduces the amount you have to borrow. Unless you qualify for a zero down payment option through a VA loan, you’ll need a down payment.
But just how much of a down payment do you need when considering a purchase in the major metro areas of Washington State?
In order to illustrate, we looked at median home values for Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Vancouver — Washington’s four most populous cities — and determined what the average down payment would look like for some of the more common mortgage programs.
Now that we have defined some of the most popular mortgages, let’s look at the average down payments for Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Vancouver, based on median home values in January 2026.
The hip Seattle scene is home to some of the most expensive real estate on the market. Home values have seen a steady rise over the last few years, and the past 12 months have been particularly strong for the Seattle real estate market. Year-over-year, Seattle home values are down about 1.7% (Zillow) or 6.5% (Redfin, December 2025), with forecasts for the next 12 months generally calling for flat to modest growth.
According to Zillow, the median home value for Seattle is $832,857 as of January 2026. Using the current value as a guide, we get the following down payment amounts for various mortgage options.
Home prices in Spokane have skyrocketed over the recent past and are expected to continue in one of Washington’s hottest markets. Year-over–year, Spokane home values are down about 0.2%.
Still, Spokane represents a much more affordable side of the market than its sister, Seattle. As of January 2026, Zillow reported that the median home value for the city of Spokane, Washington was $383,289. Here’s how that would play out with the down payment levels listed above.
While the average home price for Tacoma is 100k more than Spokane, it is still one of the more affordable housing markets within the Seattle metro area. As of January 2026, the median home value for the city is around $478,988.
Like other real estate markets across Washington State, Tacoma’s housing market is down about 3.6% year over year.
Plugging that number into our four investment levels gives us the following down payment values:
House prices in Vancouver are down about 1.5% over the last year. As a result, homebuyers in the city are facing higher housing costs and larger down payments. The median home value for Vancouver is $494,822 as of January 2026. Here’s what the down payments might look like for that price point.
As you can see, the average down payments in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Vancouver vary quite a bit based on the fact that home prices are different from one center to another. The more expensive the housing market and the higher down payment percentage, the more you can expect to put down when you buy a home and apply for a mortgage.
It is a common misconception that borrowers will need 20% down to secure a mortgage and purchase a home. As you can see, well-qualified borrowers can secure a mortgage with a down payment as low as 3% with a conventional loan, or 3.5% for an FHA-insured mortgage loan. Military members and veterans may also be eligible for a VA home loan, which offers 100% financing (no money down).
These days, it is also important to consider the fact that many mortgage programs allow for down payment gifting from third parties. This means a family member, close friend, or even an employer can gift or donate funds to help offset down-payment expenses.
The bottom line? There is a lot more flexibility built into mortgage down payments than the average borrower realizes. That’s why it’s important to speak to a qualified mortgage professional about your financing options.
If you’re curious about mortgages in Washington, Sammamish Mortgage can help. We are a local mortgage company based out of Bellevue, Washington, that has been serving the entire state, as well as Oregon, Idaho, California, and Colorado since 1992. Our mortgage financing professionals can work with you to help you determine which one of our mortgage programs is right for you. Contact us today with any questions you have about home loans in Washington.
Down payments are directly tied to home prices, which differ significantly across Washington cities. Seattle’s higher property values mean buyers often need larger dollar amounts even if the percentage is similar. Spokane and Tacoma typically have lower purchase prices, while Vancouver sits in between, influenced by both Portland-area demand and local inventory.
They likely will. Down payment sizes shift based on:
Home price growth
Interest rates
Lending guidelines
Local housing supply
Cities like Seattle and Tacoma tend to see gradual increases over time, while Spokane and Vancouver may fluctuate more with regional demand.
Yes. Higher credit scores often unlock lower down payment options and better interest rates. Buyers with lower scores may need larger down payments or face higher monthly costs.
The minimum down payment for a conventional (not federally insured) mortgage is typically 3% of the home’s purchase price.
This depends on:
How fast home prices are rising
Current rent costs
Interest rates
Your job stability
In some cases, buying earlier with a smaller down payment can be financially smarter than waiting years while prices increase.
The minimum down payment for an FHA loan is typically 3.5% of the home’s purchase price.
Yes, some buyers qualify for VA loans or certain USDA programs that allow 0% down. These options are popular in areas around Spokane and Vancouver, and among eligible military families across the state.
No. Many well-qualified borrowers can buy with as little as 3% down on a conventional loan or 3.5% down with an FHA loan, and eligible VA borrowers may qualify for 0% down.
Yes. Many mortgage programs allow down payment gifting from third parties such as family members, close friends, or even an employer, subject to program rules and documentation.
They can be safe when used responsibly. Modern loan programs require full income verification, credit checks, and ability-to-repay standards. The risk comes mainly from stretching your budget too thin—not from the down payment size itself.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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