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Why you can trust BankrateFounded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts, who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our mortgage reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — the latest rates, the best lenders, navigating the homebuying process, refinancing your mortgage and more — so you can feel confident when you make decisions as a homebuyer and a homeowner. Bankrate Logo Editorial IntegrityBankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. Key PrinciplesWe value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. Editorial IndependenceBankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate Logo How We Make MoneyYou have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Bankrate Logo Insurance DisclosureCoverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. ON THIS PAGE Jump to Open page navigation Becoming a homeowner doesn’t necessarily require a large down payment; there are options to help you get the keys without giving up every dollar in your savings. Here are three main pathways that might be right for you:
Zero-down mortgage optionsThe easiest way to avoid a down payment is to qualify for one of the two no-down payment government-backed mortgage programs: USDA and VA loans. In addition to government options you may be able to get a zero down loan through your local credit union, especially if it’s one based on membership in a professional organization. These are relatively rare but are worth looking into if you can find one.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) backs USDA home loans, a mortgage guarantee program for those buying a home in a designated rural area. USDA loans don’t require a down payment, but borrowers must meet credit and income requirements to qualify, and, in some cases, be a first-time homebuyer. You can verify your eligibility via the USDA website. Although there’s no down payment with a USDA loan, there is an upfront guarantee fee, which borrowers can roll into the cost of the mortgage. While you won’t pay any money initially if you choose to roll it into the loan, keep in mind that it adds to the balance and will accrue interest over the loan term, which means you’ll pay more overall.
If you’re a military servicemember, veteran or surviving spouse, you could be eligible for a VA loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with no money down. There is no mortgage insurance with this type of loan, but like a USDA loan, you do have to pay an upfront funding fee, which can be rolled into the mortgage. (Note that you can reduce the funding fee by making a down payment, but no down payment is actually required.) Another perk of VA loans is that many lenders offer more competitive rates for these products, which helps you save quite a bit of money over the life of the loan. Low-down payment mortgage optionsIf you don’t qualify for one of the no-down payment home loans, you might still be able to buy a home with the next best thing: a low-down payment mortgage. Here are some of the options available:
Pros and cons of a no-down payment mortgageThe ability to buy a home with no or very little money down can be appealing, but there are drawbacks, too. Pros
Cons
FAQs about no or low-down payment mortgagesBottom lineAs home prices rise, hitting that oft-quoted 20 percent down payment is becoming increasingly difficult for many homebuyers. Don’t let the need for a huge sum of money discourage you from trying to own a home. There are a range of programs that can help you buy a home with no money down or just a fraction of the purchase price. Compare all your loan options, and, more importantly, compare multiple lenders. By comparison-shopping for a mortgage, you’ll be able to land the best deal that makes sense with your savings and budget. Can I get approved with no money down?There are currently two types of government-sponsored loans that allow you to buy a home without a down payment: VA loans and USDA loans. Each loan has a very specific set of criteria you need to meet in order to qualify for a zero-down mortgage.
What happens if you have no down payment?When you don't have 20% to put down, you usually have to have private mortgage insurance (PMI) in some form. If you buy without a down payment when home prices are at their peak, you may owe more than your home is worth if the housing market drops.
How do people get down payments with no money?How To Buy a House With No Money Down. Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance. Down payment assistance (DPA) can help you buy a home without immediate cash. ... . USDA Loans With No Money Down. USDA loans have no down payment requirements or credit score minimums. ... . VA Home Loans With No Down Payment.. How can I get money for a downpayment?Programs can help, such as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which offers mortgage loans through FHA-approved banks.. Look for Down Payment Assistance Programs.. Tap Into Benefits for First-Time Buyers.. Supplement Your Income With a Part-Time Job.. Sell Some of Your Belongings.. Downsize Your Lifestyle.. |