"How much money do I need to buy a house?" is really three separate questions, and conflating them is one of the most common sources of confusion for first-time buyers. You need a down payment, you need funds for closing costs, and — separately — it's wise to keep an emergency reserve that isn't earmarked for the purchase at all.
The down payment is the upfront portion of the home's price you pay yourself; the rest is financed through the mortgage. How much is required varies widely by loan program — some conventional loans allow as little as 3% down for qualifying buyers, FHA loans are commonly associated with a 3.5% minimum for qualifying credit, and certain VA and USDA loans can allow 0% down for eligible borrowers. There's no single required percentage that applies to everyone; it depends on the program, the lender, and your file.
Closing costs are a separate set of fees — for the appraisal, title work, lender fees, and more — typically paid at the closing table. As a general planning figure, many buyers see closing costs land somewhere in the range of about 2–5% of the loan amount, though this varies by location, lender, and loan type, and your Loan Estimate will show the real number for your specific loan. The Close stage later in this Academy breaks down exactly what's inside that figure.
Beyond the money needed to close, many lenders like to see — and financial planners generally recommend — a reserve fund left over afterward, separate from your closing funds. This cushion is what keeps a surprise repair, a job change, or a medical bill from turning into a housing crisis in your first year as a homeowner.
Building all three — down payment, closing funds, and reserves — is a savings project, not a single deposit. A dedicated, separate savings account, automatic transfers on payday, and tracking your progress over months rather than expecting it to happen overnight are the practical habits that get most buyers there.