[SirBrass]

Good point there, with the downpayment difference between $0 down and $20k down.

Putting that $20k into a good compounding interest investment account will net you WELL more than $1k in growth over 5 years. If it doesn't, get someone else to manage your money as they're not doing a good job. I'd expect in 1 year without a massive, explosive clinton-bomb like we had in 2000, that that initial investment should at least net $5k return in one year. That'd be $25k in growth over 5 years if left untouched (as it ought to be). Not talking just putting it in a money market account, but into a growth fund account.