Why can't personal loans be used for real estate?

Asked by: Alene Ortiz  |  Last update: September 10, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (47 votes)

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.

Is it illegal to use a personal loan for investing?

Personal loans are generally free of spending restrictions, so you can potentially use the funds to invest. However, some lenders disallow the use of loan proceeds to make certain investments, such as in mutual funds or stocks.

What can personal loans not be used for?

Despite the overall flexibility to use your funds as you wish, there are some limits. Personal loan money generally cannot be used for college tuition and other post-high school education expenses, investing and anything illegal.

Can a personal loan be used to buy land?

There are a few types of loans that can be used to purchase land, including: Personal loans: Disbursed as a lump sum that can be used how you wish.

Can I use a personal loan for closing costs on a house?

As mentioned above, you can use the cash as you see fit. So, yes, you can use a personal loan for closing costs. However, you can't use it for a down payment, and you must tell your lender that you'll go this route and borrow to pay the closing costs.

Defaulting on a loan

21 related questions found

Can I use a personal loan to buy property?

While it's technically possible to buy a home with a personal loan, it may not be as good an option as a traditional mortgage. Why? Because personal loans tend to come with higher interest rates than mortgage loans. Accordingly, using a personal loan to buy a home may lead to much higher monthly payments.

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.

Can I use a personal loan as a down payment on a house?

Borrowing the money and repaying it in small amounts every month can seem more doable, however, you generally won't be able to use the money from a personal loan towards your down payment. Conventional mortgage lenders and FHA mortgage lenders forbid the use of personal loans as a down payment for a home.

What is the best type of loan for land purchase?

The best options to finance a land purchase include seller financing, local lenders, or a home equity loan. If you are buying a rural property, be sure to find out if you qualify for a USDA subsidized loan. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency. “Farm Loan Programs.”

Can I buy land with a 650 credit score?

Minimum Down-Payment: Minimum down payments starting at 10% on eligible lot / land parcels but may be higher depending on certain factors. Call or inquire online for parcel-specific down payment requirements. Credit Score / History: We can accommodate qualified credit scores as low as 650 with conditions.

What is one huge disadvantage of a personal loan?

Higher Interest Rates for Poor Credit

While personal loans can be a great way to get financial relief, they may come with higher interest rates, especially for those with lower credit scores. Lenders set these rates to compensate for the increased risk, which could make the loan more expensive for you.

Can I use a personal loan to pay rent?

It's possible to obtain a personal loan for a wide range of purposes, including paying rent. However, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of getting a loan for rent before you do so. You'll owe interest (and possible fees), and you could do harm to your credit if you're not timely about repayment.

What are the three most common mistakes people make when using a personal loan?

The following points narrate the top nine personal loan mistakes to avoid while applying for loan:
  • Neglecting to Check the Eligibility Criteria Before Applying. ...
  • Borrowing More than the Required Amount. ...
  • Choosing a Longer Tenure. ...
  • Not Considering Your Credit Score. ...
  • Not Checking the Fine Print, Including Loan Term.

Can I legally invest other people's money?

If you're not a financial advisor, you could decide to invest your friends' money for free to avoid registration and licensing. At that point, it's essential to be aware of the potential for unbalanced relationships and the risk of being taken advantage of.

How to borrow money and buy assets?

By using borrowed funds to purchase property, you can acquire valuable assets that appreciate over time. For example, securing a mortgage to buy a home or rental property allows you to gain equity as you pay down the loan and as the property's value increases.

Do you have to declare personal loans?

Generally, personal loan borrowers do not owe taxes on a personal loan unless that loan is forgiven or cancelled before paid back in full. That is because while the IRS usually requires taxes to be paid on money you receive, when you take a personal loan, the loan amount is usually not considered to be earned income.

Can you buy land with a personal loan?

You can use a personal loan to pay for just about anything, and that can include a land purchase. Once you're approved for the loan, the lender or credit union you're borrowing from pays you a lump sum. You can then pay this sum back over the length of the loan term.

How can I buy land with no money down?

Owner Financing: This is one of the most straightforward ways to buy land with no money down. In this arrangement, the seller acts as the lender and agrees to finance the purchase. You and the seller negotiate terms such as interest rate, payment schedule, and the length of the loan.

What credit score is needed to buy land?

Here are some general requirements borrowers need to meet to get a land loan: A minimum credit score of 720. An explanation of their intended land use. Confirmation of the current zoning, land-use restrictions, surveyed boundaries and access to utilities.

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.

Can you take a personal loan to buy a house?

Since personal loans have lower loan amount limits than mortgages, it will likely be hard to cover the entire purchase of a home with this type of financing. You also probably won't be able to use a personal loan for your down payment since most lenders prohibit this practice.

How to get rid of a personal loan?

Try to refinance your loan

When you refinance your personal loan, you take out a new loan that pays off your existing one, ideally with better terms such as a lower interest rate or longer repayment period.

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

If you do not have enough money to pay the cash to close, you cannot close on the house. This could mean losing your earnest money or potentially facing a lawsuit from the seller.

Why are FHA closing costs so high?

Since your home must meet FHA property minimums, the appraisal process may include more requirements than a conventional home loan. The appraisal is required to be performed by an FHA approved appraiser and may have additional inspections which could result in a higher appraisal cost.

Can I get a personal loan to pay for closing costs?

Using a personal loan for closing costs on a home purchase is permissible, but not for down payments. These closing costs encompass various fees such as origination charges, taxes, and insurance. Borrowers must disclose the loan to mortgage lenders and account for it in their debt-to-income ratio.