No, you do not need a traditional 20% down payment to buy a house in 2026. While 20% is often recommended to avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) and lower monthly payments, many loan programs allow for down payments as low as 0% to 3.5%. Minimum Down Payment by Loan Type Minimum Down Payment Typical Eligibility 0% Active-duty military, veterans, and eligible spouses. USDA Loan 0%
: True grants, such as the Virginia Housing DPA Grant, provide 2%–2.5% of the purchase price that never needs to be repaid. do i need a down payment to buy a house
: These are often 0% interest second mortgages that are completely forgiven after living in the home for a set period, typically 5–10 years. No, you do not need a traditional 20%
Loans exceeding conforming limits; stricter credit/reserve requirements. Down Payment Assistance (DPA) USDA Loan 0% : True grants, such as
Low-to-moderate income buyers in eligible rural/suburban areas. 3%