No-Down-Payment Mortgage Options
- VA Loans
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- Eligibility: Military service members, veterans, and surviving spouses
- Down Payment: None required
- Insurance: No private mortgage insurance (PMI) required
- Fees: Funding fee of 1.25% to 3.3% of the loan amount, based on down payment and prior VA loan usage
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- USDA Loans
- Eligibility: Lower-to-moderate-income buyers in eligible rural areas
- Down Payment: None required
- Insurance: Annual fee of 0.35% of loan amount for the life of the loan
- Fees: Upfront guarantee fee of 1% of loan amount (can be financed into the mortgage)
- Physician Mortgages
- Eligibility: Medical professionals with high debt-to-income (DTI) ratios
- Down Payment: None required
- Special Feature: Allows for higher DTI ratios
- Gift Funds
- Eligibility: Varies by lender
- Down Payment: Entire down payment may be covered by gift funds from family or friends
Low-Down-Payment Mortgage Options
- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Loans
- Programs: Conventional 97, HomeReady, Home Possible, HomeOne
- Down Payment: As low as 3%
- Insurance: Requires PMI until reaching 78% loan-to-value (LTV)
- FHA Loans
- Eligibility: Borrowers with credit scores of 580 or higher (or 500 with higher down payment)
- Down Payment: 3.5% (for credit scores ≥580) or 10% (for credit scores 500-579)
- Insurance: Upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) of 1.75% of loan amount and annual MIP
- Good Neighbor Next Door Program
- Eligibility: Teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs
- Down Payment: Low or none (with a discount)
- Special Feature: Up to 50% discount on qualifying home prices
Pros of No-Down-Payment Mortgages
- Buy a home sooner without saving for a large down payment
- Keep cash on hand for emergencies, remodeling, or investments
Cons of No-Down-Payment Mortgages
- Limited or no home equity initially
- Potentially higher interest rates due to increased lender risk
- Larger mortgage amounts, resulting in more interest paid over time
- Additional fees (e.g., VA funding fee, USDA guarantee fee)
Are you eligible for any of these programs,? This could be the start of owning your own home!