Take the 15% down. Putting 5% down and then dumping the other 10% on the loan right after closing gets you the worst of both structures. Two problems with the split approach: - On a conventional loan, 5% down prices with more expensive mortgage insurance than 15% down, and you pay that higher cost every month until you reach the cancellation threshold. - A big principal payment right after closing does not lower your required monthly payment. The payment is fixed by the original amortization schedule, so the lump sum shrinks the balance while your monthly obligation stays the same, and the cash is now locked in the house. Getting it back means a refinance or a home equity line. The cleaner path: put the 15% down to get the better mortgage insurance pricing, then send extra principal whenever you are comfortable. You keep the smaller required payment as a fallback, you still knock down the balance, and you stay in control of your cash instead of committing it all up front.