How To Buy A House Without Money Down May 2026

: Second mortgages that are forgiven if you live in the home for a set number of years.

If loan programs alone aren't enough, buyers often use these additional methods: how to buy a house without money down

: 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. : Second mortgages that are forgiven if you

: Available to veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses. These loans offer 100% financing and do not require private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can save hundreds monthly. : Available to veterans, active-duty service members, and

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.

The most direct routes to a 0% down payment are through federal programs designed for specific populations: