3 "No Money Down" Mortgages

Home buyers are typically advised to put at least 20% down for a mortgage. Coming up with that amount can seem almost impossible if you have little to no money left over after paying bills each month.

Fortunately, if you want to buy a house but are worried about coming up with the 20 percent down needed for a downpayment, you still have plenty of options. There are still plenty of programs that allow you to buy a home with a low down payment or even no money down in 2018.

Here are some of the best programs that designed for homebuyers who don't have a massive chunk of cash to put down at closing. Maybe one of these options will be the perfect solution to make your dreams come true.

1. VA Home Loans

If you are a veteran, in the National Guard and Reserves or an active-duty service member, then you may qualify for a VA home loan. The VA offers 100 percent financing. So, you don't need any money down. The VA does not require mortgage insurance. There is a funding fee, which must be paid by the borrower. However, the lender can roll the fee into the loan amount. The funding fee is typically 2.15 percent of the loan amount.

2. USDA Loans

The US.Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers a zero-down mortgage for low to moderate-income families. This program was created to help rural development. The loans are only available in towns that have populations of 10,000 or less. However, this is quite a large area. In fact, the USDA program covers more than 97 percent of the United States. Many eligible smaller towns are located right outside major cities.

The USDA program was designed for first-time home buyers although there are some exceptions to this rule. USDA loans do not require mortgage insurance. There is an upfront guaranteed fee of one percent. The lender can roll this fee into the loan amount.

3. FHA Home Loans

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) provides one of the most popular low down payment mortgage options in the country. Normally this loan product requires a minimum 3.5% down payment. However, 100 percent of the down payment money can be a financial gift from a relative or a non-profit organization. This allows a borrower to get into their home with no money down.