Most buyers don’t rule themselves out because they can’t buy a home — they rule themselves out because they don’t understand the numbers.

In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson and Sam Enright break down how much cash you actually need to buy a home, where that money goes, and why outdated myths (like needing 20% down) stop so many buyers before they ever start.

We cover:

Why cash feels so intimidating for buyers

The truth about down payments (including 3%, 3.5%, and 0% options)

What closing costs really include

How seller concessions and down payment assistance work

What “reserves” are — and when they actually matter

Why there is no one-size-fits-all number

How to think about cash realistically, not emotionally

If cash has been the one thing holding you back from buying a hom ...