A down payment is the upfront cash you put toward purchasing a property. For investment properties, this is typically 20%–25% of the purchase price, though it can vary based on the lender and your credit profile. The down payment affects how much you borrow, your monthly mortgage payment, and your overall return. A larger down payment usually means better loan terms and less risk—but it also ties up more capital. Meridian helps investors analyze the right down payment strategy based on their goals, risk tolerance, and how they want to use leverage in their portfolio.