You’re not alone—seen plenty of folks regret draining their savings just to shave a few bucks off the mortgage. Life loves to throw curveballs, and houses seem to attract them. Having cash on hand for those “surprise” repairs is underrated, honestly. Your approach makes a lot of sense.
Having cash on hand for those “surprise” repairs is underrated, honestly.
I get where you're coming from, but sometimes putting more down upfront can actually save you way more in interest over the years. I mean, yeah, emergencies happen, but if your credit's solid and you’ve got a backup plan (even a credit card for short-term stuff), the lower rate can be worth it. Just depends how risk-averse you are, I guess.
I hear you on the interest savings—those numbers can really add up over time. Still, I’ve seen buyers get caught off guard by repairs or unexpected costs, especially in older homes. Even with good credit, relying on a card for emergencies can get dicey if something big hits. There’s no perfect answer, but I’d say it’s worth weighing how comfortable you are with a thinner safety net. Sometimes peace of mind is worth a little extra interest.
