The minimum down payment for a house varies depending on the type of mortgage. For conventional loans, it can be as low as 3%, while FHA loans require a minimum of 3.5% with a credit score of at least 580, or 10% with a credit score between 500 and 579. VA and USDA loans typically have no down payment requirement. Jumbo loans often require a minimum down payment of 5-10%, and second homes or investment properties may require 10-25% down. Despite the common misconception, a 20% down payment is not mandatory, but it can help avoid mortgage insurance and lower monthly mortgage payments[5).