Is it OK to put 0 down on a house?

Asked by: Luciano Wisoky DVM  |  Last update: March 29, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (74 votes)

Buying a house with no money down is possible but comes with tight restrictions. You may find more availability with a low down payment mortgage and grant options. If you're a first-time homebuyer, consider speaking with a home lending advisor to find a mortgage that best suits your needs.

Is it a bad idea to put 0 down on a house?

zero down is not a good idea. it probably means you need to start saving and working towards a certain target. 10 down is ideal, but at least 5 down is common for first time homebuyers. In competitive markets, sellers are rarely going to choose someone with zero down.

What credit score do you need for $0 down?

Today, no-down-payment home loans are only available to select individuals with high credit scores who can document adequate income needed to repay the loan. Such homebuyers must also exhibit good credit, usually with minimum scores in the mid-600 range.

What happens if you don't put a downpayment on a house?

The less you put down, the more you'll need to borrow, which means you'll pay more in interest over the life of the loan. You'll pay fees. Both VA and USDA loans come with fees, which add to the cost of the loan.

Is it bad to offer low on a house?

If the house has been on the market for a long time, the homeowner is probably motivated to sell as soon as possible, and that can mean flexibility on price. In the worst case, if you come in with an offer that's too low, the seller might come back with a counteroffer that's still reasonable.

0% Down Mortgages Are Back | WARNING

17 related questions found

What's the lowest you should offer on a house?

However, if you're interested in grabbing a bargain and becoming a homeowner for financial reasons (and are less invested in which house you own), a low offer could be the right option for you. Consider making an offer that hovers 25% below the asking price—and see what happens.

How low of an offer is too low?

Offering 10% under the asking price isn't necessarily a lowball offer. Typically, a lowball offer is considered to be at least 20% below the asking price. If you're offering 10% below, the property should be in a good condition but may just need some cosmetic work done.

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

The credit score required for purchasing a home with no down payment varies based on the loan program and the lender's criteria. Here's a general overview of credit score requirements. VA Loan: Minimum credit score of 620. USDA Loan: A credit score of at least 640 is typically required.

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 the lowest down payment for a house?

A conventional loan down payment could be as little as 3 percent. FHA loans require as little as 3.5 percent, and VA loans and USDA loans have no down payment requirement at all. Most homeowners don't put 20 percent down.

Can I get approved with no money down?

For most, the answer is usually no. However, there are some cases where you can buy a home with no money down. Two ways to do it are through Veterans Affairs (VA) loans and USDA loans. These government-backed mortgages can be difficult to qualify for.

What is a good credit score to buy a house?

About 70% of all mortgages are conventional loans, making it the most common type of mortgage. A FICO score of 620 or better is typically required for a conventional loan and, if your score is 760 or higher, you should qualify for the best interest rates.

What is a 0% down payment?

A zero-down payment Car Loan is when the bank offers to pay the entire value of the car as part of the loan. For example, HDFC Bank offers up to 100% finance on its Car Loans.

Can you put 0 down on an FHA loan?

The FHA Single-Family Home Loan program does not feature a no money down option. However, there are state and local programs that may offer assistance to home buyers, first-time home buyers, or home buyers who are in financial need.

Are zero-down mortgages making a comeback?

CNN: Zero-Down Mortgages Are Making A Comeback. Many Americans would love to buy a home, but they don't have tens of thousands of dollars to cover a down payment. That massive roadblock is being removed by a new zero-percent down mortgage program launched two weeks ago by one of the nation's largest mortgage lenders.

How does ZeroDown work?

How does ZeroDown work? A buyer starts by applying for ZeroDown with a specific property. If ZeroDown approves the property and buyer, ZeroDown will purchase the home with an all-cash offer. The buyer then rents from ZeroDown and can purchase the home at a set purchase price.

Can I afford a 300k house on a $70k salary?

The house you can afford on a $70,000 income will likely be between $290,000 to $360,000. However, your home-buying budget depends on quite a few financial factors — not just your salary.

How much house can I afford if I make $45000 a year?

With a $45,000 annual salary, you could potentially afford a house priced between $135,000 to $180,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this range can vary significantly based on several factors we'll discuss.

Is it dumb to buy a house with no down payment?

You'll likely pay more interest over the life of the loan because you're borrowing more money. You may not be able to afford as much home as you could if you put money down. You'll have less equity in your home because you've put down less money.

What credit score is needed to buy a $300k house?

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans need at least a 580 FICO Score with at least a 3.5% down payment (which amounts to $10,500 on a $300,000 home). Conventional loans require a minimum FICO® Score of 620 along with a 3% down payment (which amounts to $9,000 on a $300,000 home).

What is the easiest home loan to get?

An FHA loan will typically be the easiest mortgage to qualify for because it offers the lowest credit score requirement — far lower than for a conventional loan — and requires only a 3.5% down payment.

Who typically presents an offer to the seller?

Presenting the Offer

Once you have finalized your offer terms, your agent will present the offer to the seller.

Is 20% off a lowball offer?

The definition of a lowball offer can vary dramatically. Some agents might say it's 25% or more below the list price. However, in areas with a shortage of available homes, this threshold could shrink to 20%.

What is an acceptable first offer on a house?

It's also acceptable to offer 20% or more below asking when the house has been priced significantly higher than what other homes in the neighborhood have sold for. If comparable homes have sold for much lower than the list price of the house you're interested in, that could work in your favor.