How do I avoid a downpayment on my FHA loan?

Asked by: Miss Kendra Hoeger V  |  Last update: February 8, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (34 votes)

There is no such thing as a zero-down FHA purchase loan. But you CAN get down payment assistance from a friend, family member, employer, or a third party that meets FHA requirements.

How to avoid down payment on an FHA loan?

Can I get an FHA loan with no down payment? No. FHA loans require at least 3.5% down for borrowers with credit scores of 580 or higher, and a 10% down payment from borrowers with scores between 500-579. The USDA and VA loan programs offer 0% down payment mortgages, but you must meet the eligibility requirements.

Can I get an FHA loan without a down payment?

You do not have to have 20% down to buy a home. You can do as little down as ZERO down with USDA, FHA at 3.5%, there are 3% conventional loans EVERYWHERE. You may even qualify for down payment money from a state or local program.

Can you avoid PMI without putting 20% down?

No, you don't need 20%. Less than 20% down generally requires PMI though. People fear PMI so the 20% down is baked into people's mind as required - but PMI also is on a sliding scale. With 0% down you may require $200/mo but with 10% down that may reduce to $100/mo.

How do I get out of paying a downpayment on a house?

Use a zero-down VA loan or USDA loan

Similar to this, USDA loans are intended for borrowers in rural and some suburban areas and also offer the benefit of no down payment. To qualify for a USDA loan, your property must be located in an eligible rural area, and your income must not exceed 115% of the area median income.

The BIG PROBLEMS with FHA Loans

43 related questions found

How to not pay 20% down payment?

Don't Have a 20% Down Payment? Check Out These Alternatives
  1. Apply for an FHA loan. The Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, insures loans for qualified first-time homebuyers. ...
  2. Look to city programs. Many cities offer down payment assistance to residents. ...
  3. Get a VA loan. ...
  4. Apply for a USDA loan.

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.

How to avoid mortgage insurance on an FHA loan?

Conventional loans require monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI) when borrowers put down less than 20%. By refinancing to a conventional loan once you have 20% equity, you can eliminate FHA MIP and you won't be subject to PMI. Or, you could refinance into a conventional loan with PMI now.

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.

How much is the FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium?

Up-front mortgage insurance (UFMI) is an additional insurance premium of 1.75% that is collected on Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans. This insurance money protects the lender in case the borrower defaults on their mortgage payments. UFMI can be paid when the loan closes or rolled into the mortgage payments.

What will disqualify you from an FHA loan?

You may be denied for an FHA loan if you have declared bankruptcy but you have not had the bankruptcy discharged. You may be denied if you are delinquent on federal taxes or otherwise owe money to the federal government but without an approved payment plan.

What is the FHA 100 down payment program?

The FHA $100 Down Payment program is for the purchase of HUD foreclosure homes! This program can be used for stick built homes, approved condos and MF homes. These properties may also qualify for up to $5,000 in repair as a 203b repair loan. Borrower does not need to put down the standard 3.5%.

Can you roll in closing costs on an FHA loan?

If you can't afford to pay for the closing costs out of pocket, you can have them rolled into your FHA loan.

How to get an FHA loan with no down payment?

You cannot get an FHA loan with zero down. However, the money for your down payment doesn't have to come from your account. You may be able to fund your down payment with FHA gift funds and down payment assistance.

How can I lower my FHA mortgage payment?

If you have an FHA-insured mortgage, these options may be available to you. Informal or Formal Forbearance Plan: A Forbearance plan allows a borrower to work with their mortgage servicer to temporarily pause or reduce their monthly mortgage payments and may provide specific terms for repayment.

How much of a down payment do I need for a $300,000 house?

How much down payment for a $300,000 house? The down payment needed for a $300,000 house can range from 3% to 20% of the purchase price, which means you'd need to save between $9,000 and $60,000. If you get a conventional loan, that is. You'll need $10,500, or 3.5% of the home price, with a FHA loan.

What is an 8020 loan?

Our 80/20 loan program includes a first mortgage loan amount that is 80% of the purchase price, and a “piggyback” second mortgage for 20% of the purchase price. No down payment is required. Example: Purchase Price = $250,000. First mortgage loan amount = $200,000 (80%)

Can I have two mortgages on one house?

Generally, you can get a maximum of two simultaneous mortgages on a single property. You will have a first mortgage — called the first-position mortgage — and you can get a second mortgage — called the second-position mortgage.

What is a hybrid loan?

A hybrid loan is a type of personal loan. You get approved for a set amount of money, but rather than receiving the total amount all at once, you can take only how much you need when you need it, for a set amount of time, typically six months, with interest-only payments due monthly.

Can I get rid of PMI on an FHA loan without refinancing?

FHA MIP removal without refinancing is only possible in certain instances, such as loans originated before 2013 or with at least 10% down payment.

What are the disadvantages of FHA insured loan?

Here are some FHA home loan disadvantages:
  • An extra cost – an upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) of 2.25% of the loan's value. ...
  • Home price qualifying maximums are set by FHA.
  • Interest rates are higher than with conventional loans (based on relaxed borrower eligibility requirements)

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 is a bridge home loan?

A bridge loan allows the buyer to take equity out of the current home and use it as a down payment on the new residence, with the expectation that the current home will close within a short time frame and the bridge loan will be repaid.

What is the best account to save for a house?

For those planning to purchase a home within the next 3 years, Fidelity suggests holding down payment cash in checking, regular savings, or high-yield savings accounts—or in cash-like investments such as money market funds or certificates of deposit (CDs) that will mature before you anticipate needing the money.