Down-Payment Savings Planner (couples)

For most tech couples here it's RSU vests and bonuses, timed — not monthly paychecks. Plan around those events and a jumbo down payment (often 10–20%+) becomes far more reachable than a payroll-only plan suggests.

After-tax. RSUs are taxed as ordinary income at vest and are often under-withheld, so the cash you can actually deploy is the net value minus any true-up you may owe. Planning on the gross number is the most common miss.

As you near the offer window. Don't hold the down payment in volatile equity the month you buy — a bad week can vaporize your reserve or your down payment right before closing.

Lay your vest and bonus dates on a timeline to your target, and aim the offer window just after a vest so you're selling on schedule, not in a panic. This is a timing problem more than a savings problem.

Both. Target equals down payment plus closing costs (2–5%) plus a post-close reserve (often 6–12 months PITI on jumbo). Hitting the down payment but missing the reserve still stalls the loan.

Timing. If the money is there but the dates don't line up with when you need to buy, that's the real problem to bring to a Real Estate Review.

You may bridge the gap or restructure the down payment; the goal is never to sell equity at the wrong moment. Back-plan it against your vest schedule.