Put Little to No Money Down
With down payment assistance programs in California, Texas, Arizona, Florida & Georgia. Compare 100% financing combos, 1% down grant programs, and CalHFA assistance.
Four ways to buy with little money down
Every program below is a real, published loan structure — not a gimmick. Pick the path that fits your credit, income, and state, then check your eligibility in under a minute.
First + Second Combos
An FHA first mortgage at 96.5% paired with a second lien covering the other 3.5%. Borrower cash can be $0. No income cap, no first-time-buyer requirement.
Grant Programs
You put down 1% and the lender grants you another 2% — you start with 3% equity on a conventional loan. Income-limited, but no second lien to repay.
VA Loans
100% financing with $0 down and no monthly PMI for veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses. We are a VA-approved lender.
CalHFA Stack
California's own assistance: a CalPLUS first mortgage stacked with MyHome and ZIP silent seconds for down payment and closing costs. First-time buyers, income limits apply.
How fast it works
Answer a few questions
Tell us your state, income, and goals in our quick eligibility check.
A real loan officer reviews it
No bots making promises — a licensed loan officer looks at your check and matches programs.
Get your next step
See which CA, TX, AZ, FL, and GA programs fit and exactly what to do next.
Real program starting points
Program guidelines vary by state, credit, and income — confirm your scenario with a loan officer.
"We had almost nothing saved. The combo loan got us in with $0 out of pocket."
Assistance where you want to buy
Best loan programs for first-time buyers
Start with 1% down
If your income is at or below 80% of your area median, the 1% down grant programs let you buy a conventional home with just 1% from your pocket — the lender covers another 2%.
Go 100% with a combo
No income limits and no first-time-buyer rule. The FHA 100% combos pair a 96.5% first mortgage with a second lien for the rest — many buyers close with $0 of their own cash.
Stack California help
Buying in California? CalHFA layers a first mortgage with silent seconds for down payment and closing costs. Income limits and homebuyer education apply.
Don't guess — compare
The cheapest path depends on your credit score, income, and zip code. Send us your details and we'll run your scenario against every program above.
From curious to keys in hand
Check eligibility
60-second form. We match your state, income, and credit to open programs.
Compare structures
100% combo vs 1% down vs CalHFA — see real side-by-side numbers for your scenario.
Get pre-approved
Full underwrite up front so your offer beats the competition.
Close with little down
The second lien or grant funds at closing. You keep your savings.
See what you qualify for
Tell us where you want to buy and how much you can put down. We'll match you with the assistance programs that fit — 100% combos, 1% down grants, or CalHFA — and walk you through every step.
Run the numbers before you shop
Buying with assistance means stacking a first mortgage with a second lien or grant. Our stacked DPA calculator shows how the pieces fit together — first mortgage, assistance second, and your cash to close.
Adjust the price, the down payment help, and closing costs to see the full picture before you tour a single home. Free, no signup.
"The best help to buy a home is a plan — not just a program."
Down payment questions, answered
Can I really buy a home with $0 down?
Yes — with a first-plus-second combo structure. An FHA first mortgage at 96.5% pairs with a second lien covering the other 3.5%, so borrower cash can be $0. It’s two liens closing together, not a single zero-down loan.
What’s the difference between a combo and a 1% down grant?
A combo uses a repayable (or forgivable) second lien for the down payment. A 1% down grant program gives you 2% as a true grant — nothing to repay — and you start with 3% equity on a conventional loan.
Do I need to be a first-time buyer?
Not for the national 100% combos (the FHA 100% Combo, V1-FAST 100) or the 1% down grants (1% Down Grant, Community 1% Down). CalHFA in California does require first-time-buyer status.
Are there income limits?
The 100% combos have no income cap. The 1% down grants and CalHFA cap income — grants at 80% of area median income, CalHFA by county limits.
What credit score do I need for 100% financing?
600 minimum on the FHA combos (600 AUS-approved, or 660 on manual underwrite for V1-FAST 100). The 1% down grant programs follow conventional underwriting — confirm your score on your file.
Which states are covered?
The national programs cover most states. Notable exclusions: the FHA combo isn’t in NY or WA; V1-FAST 100 isn’t in NY and its forgivable second isn’t allowed in WA; the Community 1% Down grant is zip-code limited; CalHFA is California only.
Borrowers on working with our team
DownPaymentAssistanceCasa.com is powered by Vision One Mortgage. Here is what borrowers and realtors say about working with us — from our Yelp reviews.
“As a first-time homebuyer, Carlos made the process easy — patient, professional, and explained every step without rushing me.”
“An outstanding, professional lender who guides borrowers through the entire loan process.”
“Answered every question and went the extra mile. A great experience working with Carlos.”
“Busy buyer, tight timeline — Hector and the team got me into my new home within 30 days.”
Learn the game before you play it
Myth-busting guides, money-prep checklists, and real talk for first-time buyers — plus a 60-second quiz that matches you to the down payment program that fits.