Most people who think they need 20% down don't. That one wrong number keeps more Treasure Valley renters in a lease than anything actually happening in the market.

I'm Jake Farris, an agent with the Farris Home Team at Keller Williams Boise. I grew up in South Meridian and I work Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Kuna, Garden City and Nampa.

If you're a first-time home buyer, I run your real numbers before you tour a single house. Down payment reality, b...