: Second mortgages that are forgiven if you live in the home for a set number of years.

The most direct routes to a 0% down payment are through federal programs designed for specific populations:

For those who don't qualify for VA or USDA loans, over 2,600 DPA programs exist across the U.S. as of late 2025. These programs, often managed by state or local housing agencies, provide: Grants : "Free money" that does not need to be repaid.

If loan programs alone aren't enough, buyers often use these additional methods: