Do you ever put more than 20% down on a house?

I am in the same boat..... I say more is better if you can keep the emergency fund. I am going to put 35% down to keep my monthly payment lower. Also, rates are going up for the foreseeable future and you are saving money on interest. Finally, not sure of your income level or location, but mortgage deduction will not be as beneficial with the new tax laws. Just my .02.

All depends on your interest rates. If you can guarantee you’ll make more with your money in the market, then don’t sink it into your house. But if you’re getting a high rate on your mortgage and you can’t guarantee more in the stock market, then put the extra into the house

We found ourselves in a similar situation, stayed at 20% but got a 15 year note.

Who knows if we'll ever "stay forever". Purchased current house 4 years ago not knowing area well. Son was 3 months old. Figured all school districts were better than where we were from. Which they are, but we are looking to move into the "best" school district in the area. We were to eager to get a house instead of making the best decision. Live and learn.

All prior purchases have been where I was under 30, so I felt 20% was more than sufficient. I was young and no one would expect me to have much equity in a house yet. Not that I'm a lot older now, just realizing at some point we have to actually start owning more than 20% of our house. With my job, I can possibly move at any time depending on career aspirations. Don't want to just keep jumping into bigger houses. Sure I'll have the 20% and enough salary to afford the nicer house, but at what point am I just too old to get into that. At 40 should I just limit my budget to 15 year loans? I may actually look to refinance this to 15 years after a few years. Work in O&G and still unsure of the market to make a leap that big right now. But it's really only like 600 more a month.

LSU, you must of have been one the first to get that handle...... Another thing to think about is how volatile your career field is year to year. Is your job and salary recession proof? As an earlier post stated, think cash flow of times are tough. As far as the idea you can do better in the market with that money, bird in hand comes to mind. Plus, when you would most likely need the money to cover mortgage payments, the market has probably tanked as well. Most people I have talked to that subscribe to that plan fail to calculate cap gains. IMO, your primary residence is NOT an investment and I would take the peace of mind knowing I can handle a lower mortgage payment when times are tough because I put a little extra down.