80-10-10 Loan

Piggyback mortgage structure with an 80% first mortgage, 10% second mortgage, and 10% down payment.

An 80-10-10 loan is a piggyback mortgage structure with an 80% first mortgage, a 10% second mortgage, and a 10% borrower down payment.

Why It Matters

An 80-10-10 loan matters because it changes the way purchase financing is split. Instead of one larger first mortgage, the borrower uses a first lien, a second lien, and cash down payment together.

It also matters because borrowers may compare this structure with a single mortgage that includes Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). The lower first-lien LTV can be helpful, but the second mortgage still adds payment, cost, and lien complexity.

Where It Appears in the Borrower Process

Borrowers encounter 80-10-10 structures during product comparison, preapproval, and closing. The lender evaluates the first mortgage, the second mortgage, Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio (CLTV), payments, and title priority.

The term becomes practical when a buyer has some down payment but wants to compare PMI against a piggyback second lien.

Practical Example

A buyer purchases a $500,000 home using a $400,000 first mortgage, a $50,000 second mortgage, and a $50,000 down payment. That split is an 80-10-10 structure.

How It Differs From Nearby Terms

An 80-10-10 loan differs from Piggyback Loan because piggyback is the broader category, while 80-10-10 is a specific split.

It differs from 80-15-5 Loan because the second mortgage and down payment percentages are different.

It also differs from Combo Loan because combo loan can refer to multiple loan combinations beyond this exact structure.

Knowledge Check

  1. What are the three parts of an 80-10-10 loan? An 80% first mortgage, a 10% second mortgage, and a 10% down payment.
  2. Does an 80-10-10 remove all mortgage complexity? No. It may reduce first-lien LTV, but it adds a second mortgage and related payment and title issues.
Revised on Saturday, May 23, 2026