How to Buy a House Without a Down Payment

There's an old television program that aired in theon the title/deed, along with the mortgage holder as
1960's called Hogan's Heroes. Sgt. Schultz (Johnthe lien holder.
Banner) was one of the main characters. His constant* Assume a Mortgage - Some owners are having a
exclamation throughout his tenure on this show was, "Ivery difficult time selling their homes due to the
know nothing!" Is that where you are in regards to howmortgage crisis. Many are willing to allow a buyer to
to buy a home without a down payment? If so, youassume their mortgage in order to get it sold. This
are about to become educated.allows them to get out of the mortgage to a certain
Believe it or not, if you have decent credit - andextent and purchase another home. Of course, there
sometimes even if you don't! - you have alternativesare requirements that the buyer must meet before the
as to how to purchase a home without a downmortgage company will allow the assumption. In order
payment. Look at the following examples:to assume a home loan you must qualify for the loan
* VA Foreclosure Loans - What's unique about theseand pay closing costs.
loans is that anyone can buy a VA foreclosed home* Lease/Purchase - This has been a popular one for
with no-money down. You can find VA foreclosuresyears. You find property you are interested in not only
through local real estate listing agencies, typicallyrenting, but buying. Sometimes property will be
members of Multiple Listing Service (MLS). You canadvertised as such. There are various approaches to
also do a search on the Internet for VA homethis option.
foreclosures. You'll find plenty. VA sells their own* Owner agrees to accept all rent payments over a
repossessed homes. If you are not a veteran or onspecified time period in exchange for a down
active duty, however, you won't be able to get a VApayment. At the end of the specified time period you
loan. Instead, you'll be required to obtain your ownwill have to obtain your own loan to pay for the
conventional or FHA financing. Still, there is no downremaining agreed-upon sale price of the property.
payment required.* Owner agrees to accept part of the rent payment
* Owner Financing - owner agrees to be yourover a specified time period in exchange for a down
mortgage holder. You reach an agreed-upon price withpayment. At the end of the specified time period you
the property owner. A legally binding agreement iswill have to obtain your own loan for the remaining
drawn up that includes everything a mortgage loanagree-upon sale price of the property.
would include as far as price, duration of loan, interest* Owner agrees to lease the home to you at a
rate and loan payments. The property owner acceptsdiscounted rate, and you agree to obtain a loan to buy
payments from you just like a bank or mortgagethe home at a specific price within a specific
company would for a traditional loan. You aretimeframe. The agreed upon price is typically more
considered the owner of the home, since your name isthan if you were paying the market amount for rental.