Can you use a credit card for a down payment on a house?

Asked by: Fiona Effertz  |  Last update: September 15, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (2 votes)

No, you cannot use a credit card for a down payment on a house. Home sellers and lenders do not accept credit card payments directly. Mortgage lenders require that the money must be in your personal banking account for 30-90 days before you can accept an offer.

What money can you use for a down payment on a house?

The most common source of down payment is using funds from your checking or savings accounts.

Can I use my credit card for closing costs?

Typically, you cannot pay closing costs for a home purchase directly with a credit card. Most lenders and title companies require payment via methods like wire transfers, cashier's checks, or personal checks. This is mainly due to the substantial amounts involved and the need for secure, verifiable transactions.

Can you use a credit card cash advance for a home down payment?

No, you cannot. Mortgages are secured debt, and a down payment must be from your own funds. Credit cards are unsecured debt and, therefore, cannot be used for a mortgage.

Can I use my credit card while buying a house?

Pay attention to your spending

It's best to avoid making large purchases on credit during the mortgage process. A lender may not care if you use your credit card for smaller transactions, especially if you pay off the card balance quickly.

How to Use Credit Cards For Down Payment on House |Buy Home with Credit Cards

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What happens if you don't have enough money for a down payment?

The two most popular options are FHA loans and VA loans, both of which allow you to finance your home without making a down payment. A USDA loan is one that is guaranteed by the US Department of Agriculture. USDA construction loans and USDA loans are available to support development in rural and suburban regions.

What if I can't afford closing costs?

Government Assistance

For example, California has the CalHFA program available to qualified low-income buyers. The program provides grants and loans to eligible borrowers, and the money can either directly subsidize part of a down payment, or cover the entire thing, depending on certain factors.

Do they pull your credit the day of closing?

Credit is pulled at least once at the beginning of the approval process, and then again just prior to closing. Sometimes it's pulled in the middle if necessary, so it's important that you be conscious of your credit and the things that may impact your scores and approvability throughout the entire process.

How much are closing costs on a 300k house?

How much are closing costs? Average closing costs for the buyer run between about 2% and 6% of the loan amount. That means, on a $300,000 home loan, you would pay from $6,000 to $18,000 in closing costs in addition to the down payment.

What cannot be used for a down payment?

Conventional mortgage lenders and FHA mortgage lenders forbid the use of personal loans as a down payment for a home. If you were to take out a personal to use as a down payment, you'd be on the hook for two debts — the mortgage payments and repayments for the personal loan.

How to get money for a down payment on a car?

Generally, you can make a down payment using cash, a trade-in with equity, or a combination of the two. Here are some things you can use to make a down payment on a vehicle: Your own income. Unearned income, such as Social Security.

What is a piggyback loan?

A “piggyback” second mortgage is a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) that is made at the same time as your main mortgage. Its purpose is to allow borrowers with low down payment savings to borrow additional money in order to qualify for a main mortgage without paying for private mortgage insurance.

Is it illegal to pay mortgage with credit card?

While most mortgage lenders don't accept credit card payments, you may be able to charge the amount to a third-party company like Plastiq, which will send it in the form of cash, check or bank transfer for a fee.

Is there a way around a down payment on a house?

For eligible servicemembers or family members, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans do not require a down payment. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA offers a no –down-payment mortgage program for low- and moderate- income households in eligible rural areas.

Do title companies accept credit cards?

Most lenders and title companies do not accept credit cards for your closing cost payments, but you may be able to use one to pay certain fees leading up to closing. Speak with your lender to learn more about your options.

Who pays for the day of closing?

Both buyers and sellers typically pay closing costs, and the amount can vary depending on several factors, including the price of the home, the sort of mortgage the buyer gets, which state the home is located in and more.

Does your credit score go up after closing on a house?

For most homeowners, taking out a mortgage means signing up for the largest sum of debt in their lives. Credit reporting agencies will penalize this new mortgage debt with a short-term ding in your credit score, followed by a significant boost after several months of regular, on-time payments.

Can I use my credit card on closing day?

What happens if I use my credit card on the closing date? Transactions that post to your credit card on your closing date may be included in your balance calculation. Yet, a transaction that is still pending at the end of your closing date will probably not be included.

What happens if you don't have money at closing?

If you can't afford to pay your closing costs up-front, you may be able to roll all or some of the fees into your loan. You won't pay anything at closing, but the lender adds the fees to your principal, increasing your total loan amount and monthly mortgage payment.

Can I borrow money for closing costs?

These can add up to a hefty sum, typically 3% to 6% of your mortgage amount. Typically, you can take out a personal loan to cover those closing costs and help you across the finish line of a property purchase. You can often tap other funding sources as well.

Can a seller refuse to pay closing costs?

The short answer: Yes, sellers can refuse to pay their buyer's closing costs. Sometimes, they may be unwilling or unable to cover this cost — but in other situations, having the seller pay for the buyer's agent fees can actually be a win for both parties.

How do people afford a down payment?

You can save for a house by using high-yield savings and CD deposit accounts, cutting back your spending elsewhere and looking for down payment matching programs. If those strategies aren't enough, you might also consider asking for a raise at work or even moving back home for a while to cut rent payments altogether.

What credit score is needed to buy a house with no money down?

What Credit Score Do You Need for a No Down Payment Home Loan? If you're hoping to purchase a home without a down payment, you'll have to prove a specific income and have a credit score that's at least in the mid-600 range.

Is it illegal to borrow money for a down payment?

But in general, mortgage lenders don't allow the use of personal loan funds for a down payment. Also, having a personal loan on your credit report can affect your ability to qualify for the amount you need for the mortgage.