Bigger down payments do save interest, sure, but after bankruptcy, rebuilding credit matters more. Waiting a bit longer might get you better loan terms overall. I'd crunch numbers carefully—sometimes patience pays off more than cash upfront.
I see your point about patience, but honestly, timing the market or interest rates can be tricky... Back when I was recovering from a rough financial patch, I went ahead with a bigger down payment. Sure, my credit wasn't perfect yet, but the equity boost gave me leverage later on refinancing. Might not work for everyone, but waiting isn't always the best move either.
Went through something similar with a client recently—credit was shaky post-bankruptcy, but they opted for a larger down payment anyway. Ended up refinancing two years later at way better terms. Timing's important, sure, but sometimes jumping in makes sense if you've got the cash ready.
Had a similar experience myself a few years back—credit was pretty bruised after bankruptcy, and I debated forever whether to wait or just bite the bullet. Ended up going with a bigger down payment, which hurt at first (goodbye, vacation fund...), but honestly, it paid off. Refinanced about 18 months later at a much better rate. Sometimes it's less about timing the market perfectly and more about just getting your foot in the door when you can afford it.
Totally agree with your approach—sometimes waiting too long for the "perfect" moment just ends up costing you more in the long run. I've seen plenty of folks hold off, hoping their credit magically improves overnight or rates drop dramatically, only to find prices climbing steadily. Plus, lenders often look favorably on bigger down payments, especially post-bankruptcy. It shows you're serious and reduces their risk, making refinancing later way smoother. Glad it worked out for you...even if your vacation fund took the hit temporarily!
