KXLY Posted: Updated: February 12, 2021 5:58 AM The average down payment for first-time homebuyers was 6% in 2019, according to the National Association of Realtors. Among all homebuyers it was 12%. If you’re like the average homebuyer and plan to put down less than 20%, you should plan for an extra expense—mortgage insurance. With all of the other costs involved in buying a home, you’ll want to understand when mortgage insurance is required, how long you have to have it, and how much it will cost. What is Mortgage Insurance? If you can’t pay your mortgage, mortgage insurance protec...