While putting a 20% down payment on a home has traditionally been seen as the gold standard in mortgage lending, there are some cases where it may not be the best use of money for a homebuyer.

One reason is that putting 20% down can be a significant financial burden for many buyers, particularly first-time homebuyers. It can take years to save up for such a large down payment, and in the meantime, the buyer may be stuck paying rent or dealing with rising home prices.

In addition, putting such a large down payment on a home can tie up a significant amount of cash that could be used for other purposes, such as investing, saving for retirement, or paying down higher-interest debt. This can limit the buyer's financial flexibility and make it harder to achieve other financial goals.

Moreover, there are now many loan options available that require less than 20% down payment. For example, FHA loans require as little as 3.5% down payment, and some conventional loans allow for down payments as low as 3%.

Of course, there are some benefits to putting 20% down on a home. It can help lower monthly mortgage payments, avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), and provide a greater sense of financial security. However, in many cases, putting 20% down may not be the best use of money for a homebuyer, and it's important to carefully consider all available options before making a decision