While 20% is often cited as the gold standard for a down payment, it is far from a requirement. For qualified buyers, 2026 mortgage programs like VA Loans and USDA Loans allow for 0% down.
These government-backed programs are the only major loan types that inherently require no down payment: options for buying a house with no down payment
: Combines a 3.5% FHA loan with a forgivable second mortgage, effectively removing the out-of-pocket down payment requirement. While 20% is often cited as the gold
: As of 2026, there are over 2,600 DPA programs nationwide, offering an average benefit of $18,000. 3. Managing Upfront Costs United States Department of Veterans Affairs there are over 2