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14 14 Best Lenders for a Low- or No-Down-Payment Mortgage in 2026
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14 14 Best Lenders for a Low- or No-Down-Payment Mortgage in 2026

Georgia Rose
Dawnielle Robinson-Walker
Georgia Rose
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Written by 

Georgia Rose

Edited by 

Dawnielle Robinson-Walker

Written by 

Georgia Rose

 and 
Last updated 02/18/2026
You can get a mortgage with as little as 3% down, or even zero down payment if you qualify for specialty government-backed programs.
 

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Best for mobile users

Rocket Mortgage, LLC

NMLS#3030

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Rocket Mortgage, LLC

The Nerdy headline

Rocket Mortgage is the Goliath of home loans in the U.S. It's the largest mortgage lender by volume, and keeps expanding its reach. Fortunately for borrowers, Rocket is a gentle giant, offering affordable borrowing options including a 1% down payment loan.

What we like
  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance.
  • Largest lender, by volume, of FHA loans in 2024.
  • Borrowers can apply via mobile app.
What we don't like
  • Average origination fees are on the higher side, according to the latest federal data.
  • No HELOCs.
  • No physical branches.
Read our full review of Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Best for competitive rates and fees

NBKC

NMLS#409631

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on NBKC

The Nerdy headline

NBKC stands out for its attractive interest rates and fees, and is primarily an online lender — though its app does not have mortgage features and chat support is not geared toward mortgage borrowers.

What we like
  • Competitive interest rates and fees.
  • Offers most common loan types, as well as a handful of specialty loans.
  • Payouts are available to borrowers whose loans don’t close on time.
What we don't like
  • Customer service is only accessible over the phone for many mortgage customers.
  • Does not offer renovation loans.
  • Home equity products are not currently a lending priority.
Read our full review of NBKC

Best for green mortgages

Chase

NMLS#399798

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Chase

The Nerdy headline

Chase mortgage has an above-average reputation for consumer satisfaction, and offers a number of programs that can make home buying more affordable and accessible.

What we like
  • Offers a wide range of loan types, including options with low down payment requirements.
  • Home buyer grants up to $5,000 may apply for qualified borrowers.
  • Receives above-average ratings for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
What we don't like
  • Borrowers must create an account or speak with a home loan expert before completing an online application.
  • Origination fees are on the higher side, according to the latest federal data.
Read our full review of Chase

Best for government loans

First Federal Bank

NMLS#408902

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

Our take on First Federal Bank

The Nerdy headline

First Federal Bank is a big FHA lender by loan volume. It stands out for low average FHA rates and its emphasis on government loans.

What we like
  • Big FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers low FHA mortgage rates compared with other lenders.
  • Strong experience in FHA and VA lending.
What we don't like
  • No mobile app.
  • Does not offer renovation loans, but does offer construction loans.
Read our full review of First Federal Bank

Best for VA loans

Veterans United

NMLS#1907

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on Veterans United

The Nerdy headline

Veterans United originates more VA mortgages than any other lender. Though average VA rates and fees are middle of the road, it’s a solid pick for veterans and military borrowers looking for a VA loan with ample support along the way.

What we like
  • Major VA lender, by loan volume.
  • VA loans make up a large share of Veterans United's total home loans.
  • Offers a strong variety of VA loan types for purchase and refinance.
What we don't like
  • Average VA loan interest rates are less competitive than some other top VA lenders, according to the latest data.
  • Website doesn’t have online chat.
Read our full review of Veterans United

Best for faster than average closing time

Northpointe

NMLS#447490

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Northpointe

The Nerdy headline

In addition to conventional and government-backed loans, Northpointe Bank’s mortgage portfolio includes rarer offerings like doctor loans, condo loans, investment property loans and loans for borrowers with credit challenges. However, average origination fees tend to be comparatively high.

What we like
  • Closing may be available within 15 business days.
  • Offers loans and programs aimed at making homeownership more accessible.
  • Offers mortgages for investment properties, including jumbo loans.
What we don't like
  • Average mortgage origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest data.
  • Bank’s mobile app isn’t useful for mortgage borrowers.
Read our full review of Northpointe

Best for low-down-payment loans

PNC Bank

NMLS#446303

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on PNC Bank

The Nerdy headline

PNC Bank has solid options for budgets large and small. Though average interest rates are on the high side, its wide selection of loans (even for lower credit scores) could be a good pick for first-time home buyers seeking a streamlined digital experience.

What we like
  • Solid variety of mortgage types, both standard and harder-to-find.
  • Online rate quotes are informative and easy to customize.
  • Offers down payment grants and no-PMI loans for low-income borrowers.
What we don't like
  • Some of the highest average interest rates of all lenders we review.
  • HELOC and construction/lot loans not available in all states.
  • In-person service not available in all states.
Read our full review of PNC Bank

Best for variety of loan types

Flagstar

NMLS#417490

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

600

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Flagstar

The Nerdy headline

Flagstar Bank stands out for having a wide variety of home loan options, including harder-to-find products. But take note that Flagstar has reduced its mortgage business as part of corporate restructuring. Executives have indicated that the lender will rebuild its home lending operations by focusing on the needs of banking clients.

What we like
  • Offers down payment assistance programs to borrowers in qualifying areas.
  • Reported average time to close is 30 days, faster than the national average.
  • Conventional loan terms extend to 40 years, which is unusually flexible.
What we don't like
  • Branches are only available in nine states.
  • Interest rates and fees don’t stand out among competitors.
  • Sold its mortgage servicing business last year, meaning you’re likely to make payments with a different company.
Read our full review of Flagstar

Best for competitive rates

Carrington

NMLS#2600

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Carrington

The Nerdy headline

Carrington Mortgage offers specialty loans for people who might have trouble getting a mortgage elsewhere, like self-employed borrowers or those with heavy debt. Average rates are low, though fees are on the higher side.

What we like
  • Low average mortgage rates, according to the latest federal data.
  • Considers borrowers with bad credit, foreclosure or bankruptcy.
  • Options for self-employed borrowers and alternative income documentation.
What we don't like
  • Rates are posted online, but website navigation is clunky.
  • Average origination fee is on the higher side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Offers home equity loans, but no HELOCs.
Read our full review of Carrington

Best for borrowers overcoming credit challenges

AmeriSave

NMLS#1168

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on AmeriSave

The Nerdy headline

AmeriSave stands out for its program to lower your rate by 1% for the first year. Interest rates are on the low side, but fees are higher than competitors’. Borrowers with low credit will find flexibility here.

What we like
  • Offers a rate buydown program.
  • Average interest rates are on the low side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Accepts borrowers with credit scores as low as 500 for certain loan types.
What we don't like
  • No mobile app.
  • Average origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Getting custom rates and applying for mortgage preapproval both require contacting a loan expert.
Read our full review of AmeriSave

Best for down payment assistance

U.S. Bank

NMLS#402761

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on U.S. Bank

The Nerdy headline

U.S. Bank offers a broad selection of mortgages, including some niche options. Rates and fees are middle of the road, per federal data. The bank offers helpful tech for rate shopping and live chat, though its online application could be smoother.

What we like
  • Wide variety of mortgages, including some harder-to-find types.
  • Experienced in construction and renovation loans.
  • Offers up to $17,500 in assistance (income/location requirements apply).
What we don't like
  • Rates shown online don’t reflect your credit score.
  • Contact form interrupts online application before you can complete it.
  • Few mortgage options for borrowers with low/bad credit.
Read our full review of U.S. Bank

Best for conventional loans

SoFi

NMLS#696891

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on SoFi

The Nerdy headline

SoFi offers perks for existing customers, including a discount on closing costs and accessible customer support. The site primarily highlights conventional home loan offerings, so borrowers looking for other loan types may need to reach out directly for more details.

What we like
  • Interest rates are on the lower side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Conventional loan borrowers can choose between a 10-, 15-, 20- or 30-year term.
  • HELOC borrowers may access up to 90% of their home equity.
What we don't like
  • Sample mortgage interest rates are shown for conventional purchase and refinance loans, but not for other loan types.
  • For customized mortgage rates, you have to provide your contact information.
  • - Online details on some loan products are scant.
Read our full review of SoFi

Best for Wells Fargo banking customers

Wells Fargo

NMLS#399801

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Wells Fargo

The Nerdy headline

Wells Fargo has significantly shrunk its mortgage business in the past two years, dropping from the third largest mortgage originator in 2023 to the twelfth largest in 2024. It was still the fourth largest jumbo loan originator in the country last year.

What we like
  • Borrowers can see customized mortgage rate estimates for conventional and VA loans.
  • Offers relatively low interest rates, according to the latest federal data.
  • Discounts may be available for existing Wells Fargo customers.
  • Rate-and-term refinance interest rates offered are lower than average, according to the latest federal data.
What we don't like
  • Does not offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
  • Borrowers need at least $250,000 in assets with the bank to qualify for a rate discount.
  • Prospective borrowers may be put off by the lender’s past legal issues.
Read our full review of Wells Fargo

Best for low credit borrowers

Truist

NMLS#399803

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Truist

The Nerdy headline

If you prefer people to tech, Truist might be a good fit for you. Preapproval and customer care happen mostly offline, and for details on less-common loan types or custom rates you'll need to talk to a person. Despite the human touch, customer satisfaction ratings are notably low.

What we like
  • Offers a wide range of mortgage options focused on affordability.
  • Convenient online application.
  • Generous grants for qualifying home buyers in select locations.
What we don't like
  • Getting custom rates and applying for mortgage preapproval both require human contact.
  • Customer care leans heavily on phone and in-person service.
  • HELOCs are not available in most states, though home loans are available everywhere in the U.S. except Alaska, Arizona and Hawaii.
Read our full review of Truist

How we chose the best mortgage lenders with low or no down payments

Our team of mortgage experts follows an objective, consumer-first methodology to assess home loan lenders with low or no down payments and pick the best.

40+

Lenders reviewed

We review 40 lenders, including major banks, credit unions, and online lenders operating across multiple states.

4

Categories assessed

Each lender is evaluated across four weighted categories covering rates and fees, types of home loans offered, rate transparency and customer experience.

160+

Data points analyzed

Our team tracks and reassesses hundreds of data points annually for reviewed lenders, ensuring up-to-date, accurate comparisons.

Star rating categories

We evaluate the following categories and carefully weigh how each factor impacts your experience. Read more about how we determine those ratings.
Interest rates and fees

30%

Lenders score higher for offering lower interest rates and fees.

Rate transparency

25%

We score lenders on whether sample (or customizable) mortgage rates are posted online.

Variety of home loans offered

25%

We evaluate the variety of mortgage options a lender offers.

Customer experience

20%

Lenders are evaluated on customer experience, including ways to apply and get in touch with customer service.

5.0

Overall score

The star ratings on this page reflect each lender's rating for purchase loans overall. We scored the category and chose lenders for this page using the following methodology:
NerdWallet reviewed more than 40 mortgage lenders, including the majority of the largest U.S. mortgage lenders by annual loan volume (measured among lenders with at least a 1% market share), lenders with significant online search volume and those that specialize in serving various audiences across the country.
For inclusion in this roundup, lenders must have an overall score of 4.5 or higher. FHA, USDA and VA loans must each make up at least 1% of the lender's home purchase loan volume, according to the latest HMDA data, or FHA and VA loans must each make up at least 1% of the lender's home purchase loan volume and the lender must offer a mortgage program with a minimum down payment of 3% or less for borrowers with a credit score as low as 620.
NerdWallet solicits information from reviewed lenders on a recurring basis throughout the year. All lender-provided information is verified through lender websites and interviews. We also utilized the most recent available HMDA data for origination volume, origination fee, average interest rate and share-of-product data.
Video thumbnail
A zero-down-payment home loan might sound impossible, but they're out there. Some home loans, such as VA loans, backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and USDA loans, guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, require no down payment.
If you don't qualify for those, you still have options. Some conventional loans allow down payments as low as 3%. FHA loans, insured by the Federal Housing Administration, require at least 3.5% down.

Pros and cons of low- and no-down-payment home loans

Pros
  • Buy a home sooner.
  • You don’t have to wait to save for a down payment. 
  • Start building home equity right away.
Cons
  • Higher interest rates.
  • Higher monthly payments.
  • Less home equity. 
  • You’ll likely pay mortgage insurance.
  • VA loans charge a one-time VA funding fee. 
  • If home values drop, you could owe more than your home is worth. 

Credit scores for a low- or no-down-payment mortgage

Your credit score affects what loan you qualify for and how much you need to put down.

🏠 FHA loans: 500+

580+ for 3.5% down. 500-579 needs 10% down. See our list of best lenders for bad credit.

🏠 Conventional loans: 620+

620+ is usually required. Some, like HomeReady and Home Possible, help lower-income borrowers.

🏠 VA loans: 620+

620+ is often required for eligible borrowers, though there’s no official minimum — some lenders may accept scores as low as 500.

🏠 USDA loans: 640+

640+ for fast approval. Lower scores may qualify but need extra review.
More from NerdWallet

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the lowest down payment for a mortgage?

    You may be able to get a conventional loan with a down payment as low as 3%. An FHA loan, which is insured by the Federal Housing Administration, requires a minimum down payment of 3.5%. Some loans — such as VA and USDA loans — can be secured with no money down.
  • Are there income limits on no-down-payment mortgages?

    Sometimes, but not always. Some no-down-payment mortgages have income limitations depending on where the property is located, like USDA loans, which are guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture. VA loans, backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, have no income restrictions and don't require a down payment.
  • Which loan programs do not require a down payment or private mortgage insurance?

    VA and USDA loans may allow you to purchase a home with no down payment or mortgage insurance. Both of these loans have fees that cover the cost of foreclosure in the event you default on the mortgage loan, however.
  • Do I have to be a first-time home buyer for a low- or no-down-payment mortgage?

    No, low-down-payment mortgages aren't limited to first-time home buyers. FHA loans are popular with first-time home buyers because of the minimum 3.5% down payment requirement and relaxed credit score requirements. With some 3% down conventional loans, such as HomeReady and Home Possible, a homeowner education course is required if all borrowers are first-time home buyers.