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10 Best Lenders for Low- and No-Down-Payment Mortgages in 2020
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Learn about the pros and cons of low- and no-down-payment mortgages, and compare lenders that offer them.
NOTE: Due to the coronavirus outbreak, obtaining a mortgage may be a bit of a challenge. Lenders are dealing with demand and staffing issues. If you can’t pay your current home loan, refer to our mortgage assistance resource. For the latest information on how to cope with financial stress during this emergency, see NerdWallet’s financial guide to COVID-19.
If you're like many home buyers, a down payment is the biggest obstacle between you and homeownership. Finding a lender with zero- or low-down-payment loans could be the difference between buying a home now or having to wait months or years.
VA loans, backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and USDA loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, require no down payment to qualified buyers.
FHA loans, insured by the Federal Housing Administration, require down payments as low as 3.5%. And even today's conventional loans allow down payments as low as 3%.
Putting less money down could mean buying a home sooner. But lower down payments have disadvantages, too, such as higher monthly mortgage payments, so it's important to understand and compare options before buying a home.
NOTE: Due to the coronavirus outbreak, obtaining a mortgage may be a bit of a challenge. Lenders are dealing with demand and staffing issues. If you can’t pay your current home loan, refer to our mortgage assistance resource. For the latest information on how to cope with financial stress during this emergency, see NerdWallet’s financial guide to COVID-19.
If you're like many home buyers, a down payment is the biggest obstacle between you and homeownership. Finding a lender with zero- or low-down-payment loans could be the difference between buying a home now or having to wait months or years.
VA loans, backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and USDA loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, require no down payment to qualified buyers.
FHA loans, insured by the Federal Housing Administration, require down payments as low as 3.5%. And even today's conventional loans allow down payments as low as 3%.
Putting less money down could mean buying a home sooner. But lower down payments have disadvantages, too, such as higher monthly mortgage payments, so it's important to understand and compare options before buying a home.
Summary of Best Lenders for Low- and No-Down-Payment Mortgages in 2020
| Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030 at Rocket Mortgage | Best for online experience | 620 | 3% | at Rocket Mortgage |
 Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030 at Quicken Loans | Best for overall zero- and low-down-payment lender | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans |
 Alliant: NMLS#197185 | Best for zero-down-payment option | N/A | 3% | Read review |
 Flagstar: NMLS#417490 | Best for overall zero- and low-down-payment lender | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 Bank of America: NMLS#399802 | Best for traditional lending experience | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 PNC: NMLS#446303 | Best for traditional lending experience | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 SunTrust: NMLS#2915 | Best for first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 Citibank: NMLS#412915 | Best for first-time home buyers | N/A | 3% | Read review |
 Navy Federal: NMLS#399807 | Best for low credit score or nontraditional credit history | N/A | 0% | Read review |
 SoFi: NMLS#1484615 | Best for online experience | 660 | 10% | Read review |
at Rocket Mortgage
Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030
Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at Rocket Mortgage
at Quicken Loans
Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030
Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at Quicken Loans
Alliant: NMLS#197185
National / Regional
Min. Down Payment
Flagstar: NMLS#417490
Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
Bank of America: NMLS#399802
Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
SunTrust: NMLS#2915
Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
Citibank: NMLS#412915
National / Regional
Min. Down Payment
Navy Federal: NMLS#399807
National / Regional
Min. Down Payment
SoFi: NMLS#1484615
Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
Low- and no-down-payment mortgage FAQs
What are the pros and cons of low- and no-down-payment home loans?
The pros: You don't have to wait until you have saved enough money for a large down payment. That means you can become a homeowner and start building equity sooner.
The cons: Low-down-payment loans include extra expenses. Conventional loans with down payments under 20%, along with FHA and USDA loans, require buyers to pay for mortgage insurance, which protects the lender in case the borrower defaults. VA loans have a one-time VA funding fee.
You might also pay a higher interest rate with a low-down-payment mortgage.
Do I have to be a first-time home buyer for a low- or no-down-payment mortgage?
Not always. For example, some low-down-payment loans assist buyers in economically disadvantaged areas. VA loans cater to borrowers with military connections, and USDA loans are for buyers in rural and suburban areas.
Some conventional loans, such as HomeReady and Home Possible, have income limits rather than first-time home buyer requirements — though the programs also have first-timer spinoffs.
What’s the credit score required for a low- or no-down-payment mortgage?
To qualify for the lowest 3.5% down payment on an FHA loan, you’ll need at least a 580 credit score. With a score between 500 and 579, you’ll need a 10% down payment.
On low-down-payment conventional loans, a 620 score or better is generally required.
The required credit score for VA loans varies by lender. Lenders often require a 620 FICO score and can set other qualifications for VA loans, so it’s always a good idea to shop more than one lender.
USDA loan applicants with credit scores of 640 and higher can qualify for streamlined processing. Those with lower scores have to go through a more rigorous underwriting process. Applicants with no credit score or limited credit histories can qualify for USDA loans with nontraditional credit information, such as rental and utility payments.
Are there income limits on low-down-payment mortgages?
Sometimes but not always. First-time buyers are often excluded from income limitations. Same goes if you’re buying in a particular targeted area, or if you’re a military veteran.
Yet, just because you can put only a little down doesn’t always mean you should.
» MORE: What down payment is required?
Can I get a low- or no-down-payment home loan with bad credit?
If you have the income and recent payment record that shows an ability and willingness to repay a loan, you can qualify — even with a checkered credit history.
But the setback that dinged your credit has to be in the past. If you’re still worrying about paying your bills on time, it’s best to wait on buying a house, no matter how tempting low down payments may be.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on October 19, 2020
Methodology
NerdWallet's star ratings for mortgage lenders are awarded based on our evaluation of the products and services each lender offers to consumers who are actively shopping for the best mortgage. The five key areas we evaluated include the variety of loan types and products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best Lenders for Low- and No-Down-Payment Mortgages in 2020
- Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans: Best for online experience
- Quicken Loans: Best for overall zero- and low-down-payment lender
- Alliant: Best for zero-down-payment option
- Flagstar: Best for overall zero- and low-down-payment lender
- Bank of America: Best for traditional lending experience
- PNC: Best for traditional lending experience
- SunTrust: Best for first-time home buyers
- Citibank: Best for first-time home buyers
- Navy Federal: Best for low credit score or nontraditional credit history
- SoFi: Best for online experience
