it’s impossible to know. i’ve thought about this way too much. who knows what the govt will do. maybe the best possible thing will be to have a way upside down house in 3 years. maybe it’s nuts to be so upside down? who knows? maybe the govt will just write youa check to bring you back above water, like some giant floatie, no matter how bad it gets… all you can know is at least psychologically you should be ready to say goodbye to the 100,000, never plan on seeing it again, an d just be glad you are going to live in the house for a decade or two at a payment you like. as long as you are 100% resolved to the 100,00 being gone in exchange for the slightly better payment, i think it’s ok. if you think you’re going to get that money back, then , well, i don’t know. it still might be the right thing to do, to put the 20% down, but you’ll be more nervous. . crazy times. i’d say don’t do it unless you’re fine with being way underwater for 10 or 15 years.