When getting a home loan, have you ever wondered how much money you will have to put down to get a traditional 30 year fixed mortgage? Here's how it works.

The amount you put down will have to cover three costs. First is the ernest money. This is the amount of money you put down to prove to the owner that you are serious about buying the house. Next is the downpayment, the amount you pay on the loan as you head to settlement. Often this is 5% of the price of the house. And finally, you'll have to pay closing costs. This is the cost of the paperwork and other transactions necessary to the purchase of a house.

When looking for a home loan, the best path to take is to compare loans from different sites. And by all means contact your local financial institutions. Often the best deals are not on the net but down the street.