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system
buying a house, how much should my down payment be?
user
the reason to put more money down or accept a shorter maximum term is because the bank sweetens the deal (or fails to sour it in some fashion).  for example, typically, if there is less than 20% down, you have to pay an premium called "private mortgage insurance", which makes it bad deal. but i see banks offering the same rate for a 15%-year mortgage as for a 30-year one, and i think: fools and their money.  take the 30-year and, if you feel like it pay more every month.  although why you would feel like it, i don't know, since it's very difficult to get that money back if you need it.
assistant