Can You Get a Mortgage Loan with No Money Down?

If you’re in the process of buying a home, one of the more challenging aspects can be saving for a down payment. When you’ve found your dream property, you want to do everything you can to expedite the process and become a homeowner, and once you calculate the down payment, it may not end up being a feasible option. Saving for a down payment is definitely important, but there are alternative options if you have little to no down payment available to purchase a home. Find out how you can get a mortgage loan with no money down, what mortgage options you have, and what are some payment assistance programs available to you.

VA loans are offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and give you the option to buy a house with zero money down. VA loans are available to eligible Veterans and their spouses and do not have a maximum loan amount. Therefore, if you have a credit score of 620 or higher, a suitable debt-to-income ratio, and can afford the payment, VA loans are available above and beyond the conforming loan limits. Added bonus, VA loans do not require private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can save you money over the life of the loan.

2. USDA Loans

A USDA loan can be another option to get a mortgage with no money down. USDA loans are offered for home purchases in eligible rural areas and have their own set of requirements for qualification. For example, buyers must purchase a single-family home that will be their primary residence, meet the income and household income requirements, earn less than 115% of the median income for the area, be within the debt-to-income ratio requirements, and have a credit score above 620.

Down payment assistance programs available

If you don’t qualify for zero down mortgage loans, there are options available to purchase a home with no money using a down payment assistance program. These programs can help close the gap you need for a suitable down payment and bring you closer to purchasing a home. These programs come with differing qualifying and repayment requirements. Repayment options available may be monthly payments added to your mortgage payment, due and payable at maturity, refinance or sale of the property, or forgiven after a pre-determined time has elapsed. Here are some down payment assistance programs available:

1. State Housing Finance Agencies

Each state and some municipalities have their own down payment assistance program and payment assistance from state housing finance agencies can come in the form of grants, loans, forgivable loans, and/or tax credits. While each state will have different criteria for approval, there are some commonalities for qualifying such as the requirement to purchase a primary residence in the specific state or municipality; you must be using approved mortgage programs as well as an approved mortgage lender to qualify.

2. Down Payment Grants

Down payment grants are a lump sum that is given for the down payment and/or closing costs and is not subject to repayment. Qualifying for a grant is specific to the program.

3. Specialized Down Payment Programs

Down payment assistance can also come from other sources, such as specialized down payment programs. For example, CrossCountry Mortgage offers down payment assistance programs for borrowers who must be residing in an eligible census tract in neighborhoods in select cities. If a borrower currently resides in an eligible area, they can purchase anywhere in the country. In addition, the CCM Community Promise provides up to $6,500 in down payment assistance to qualifying borrowers. At least one of the borrowers should be a first-time homebuyer purchasing their primary residence, and a minimum of 3% down payment will be needed. The program is open for eligible census tracts, and there are no income limits to qualify for the CCM Community Promise.

4. CCM Smart Start

Another specialized down payment program CCM offers is called CCM Smart Start. This program aids first-time homebuyers by covering up to $4,000 of their down payment, making it possible for them to acquire their initial home. 

Low down payment mortgage options

Aside from zero down mortgage loans and down payment assistance programs, low down payment mortgage options are also available with less restrictive borrower qualification criteria. There are pathways available through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the FHA.

1. Freddie Mac Home Possible Mortgage

Freddie Mac Home Possible® is a special mortgage program that is designed to give borrowers more flexibility and options when it comes to owning a home. The program is designed for low-income borrowers and only requires a minimum of a 3% down payment. Similar to the other programs we have discussed above, the borrowers must purchase a single-family unit and income restrictions are limited to 80% of the area median income.

2. Fannie Mae HomeReady Mortgage

The Fannie Mae HomeReady Mortgage is a low down payment program designed for low-income borrowers. HomeReady is an excellent loan for eligible first-time homebuyers and seasoned homebuyers. Borrowers will need to have a credit score of 620 or higher to qualify. Competitive pricing options may be available for borrowers with credit scores above 680 or higher.  

3. FHA Loan

Another option to buy a house with a low down payment for both first-time homebuyers and seasoned homeowners is with an FHA Loan. An FHA loan is a government-insured loan where the borrower needs to show a 3.5% down payment to purchase a home. FHA allows the borrower to obtain a qualified gift for the 3.5% down payment, in addition, the sellers can pay up to 6% of the purchase price toward closing costs, allowing the borrower to make the purchase with no money out of their pocket. Borrowers will need to show a credit score of 580 or higher to qualify for maximum financing.  As an alternative, a borrower could have a credit score as low as 500 with a 10% down payment and qualify.

4. Conventional Loan

Conventional mortgage options are available for first-time homebuyers and seasoned homeowners with down payments as low as 3% for a single-family home. There will be additional requirements based on the specific program and the type of purchase. For example, conventional loans may require a higher down payment depending on the borrower’s income, total debt owed, credit score, or if they are choosing an adjustable interest rate mortgage.

CrossCountry Mortgage loan and assistance programs

There are many different mortgage loan options available if you want to buy a house with no money down, but it will largely depend on your personal financial circumstance and the location where you want to purchase. If you do not want to take out a second loan for your down payment or do not qualify for any government programs, you could consider other financing solutions such as down payment assistance programs like CCM’s Community Promise or State House Finance Agency initiatives.

Before making a decision, it is important to consider the various factors and options to make the best choice for your situation. These solutions can provide a way for you to purchase a house with no money down, but they may come with their own set of pros and cons.

Working with an expert mortgage lender like CrossCountry Mortgage ensures that you can explore the different home financing products available and select the best option for you. Whatever option you choose, it is essential to research and consider all options to make the best decision for your situation.

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