If loan programs alone aren't enough, buyers often use these additional methods:
: Loans that only require repayment when you sell or refinance the home. how to buy a house without money down
The most direct routes to a 0% down payment are through federal programs designed for specific populations: If loan programs alone aren't enough, buyers often
: Second mortgages that are forgiven if you live in the home for a set number of years. as of late 2025
For those who don't qualify for VA or USDA loans, over 2,600 DPA programs exist across the U.S. as of late 2025. These programs, often managed by state or local housing agencies, provide: Grants : "Free money" that does not need to be repaid.
: Aimed at low-to-moderate-income buyers in eligible rural and suburban regions. To qualify in 2026, household income for a 1-4 person family generally cannot exceed $119,850 in many areas.