First investment property for less than 10% down

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Realtor · Ogden, UT · Member since 2019 · 338 posts · 415 votes
3y

Hey @Sundone Boutvyseth,

Mountain America actually has a private loan program for Utah investment properties that is only 10% down.  I've now used it twice.

The program requires 10% down, must be a rental, no PMI, and has a very high standard of credit.

Last I did it (Summer 2022), my rate landed in the low 5%.  I believe they're almost 8% with that program currently but if it provides an entry point, you should consider it!  Contact me if you'd like a lender recommendation.

On top of the MACU loan, you can buy a STR as a second residence which only requires 10% down as well. I personally haven't done this but I have helped clients do it in the past.

Hit me up if you're interested!

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  • Lender · Bristol, TN · Member since 2020 · 21 posts · 16 votes
    3y

    @Sundone Boutvyseth Unfortunately, none that I know of. Any time you are not living in the property it is more risky for the lender. This risk is amplified the less money you have attached to the deal. In real terms you would walk away from an investment long before a primary residence and therefore most banks will not allow it for anything less than 10%. The only other option would be to get a coborrower to bring the down payment or get seller financing with a lower down payment. 

    Hope this helps! 

  • Lender · Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 79 posts · 28 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Sundone Boutvyseth:

    Looking to buy a single family home and use as a STR on Airbnb. Are there any loans out there that require less than 10% down?


     Not for an investment property. 

  • Lender · Seattle, WA · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 899 votes
    3y

    @Sundone Boutvyseth-the lowest Down for a SFR rental property is 15% ...if you are able to locate an option with 10% down - this is likely going to be pricey but if you need to minize the down - it might be worth using

  • Member since 2021 · 14 posts · 7 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Braydin Mehnert:

    @Sundone Boutvyseth Unfortunately, none that I know of. Any time you are not living in the property it is more risky for the lender. This risk is amplified the less money you have attached to the deal. In real terms you would walk away from an investment long before a primary residence and therefore most banks will not allow it for anything less than 10%. The only other option would be to get a coborrower to bring the down payment or get seller financing with a lower down payment. 

    Hope this helps! 

    Thank you!
  • Member since 2021 · 14 posts · 7 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Dave Skow:

    @Sundone Boutvyseth-the lowest Down for a SFR rental property is 15% ...if you are able to locate an option with 10% down - this is likely going to be pricey but if you need to minize the down - it might be worth using

    Thank you!
  • Member since 2021 · 14 posts · 7 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Matthew Wolk:
    Quote from @Sundone Boutvyseth:

    Looking to buy a single family home and use as a STR on Airbnb. Are there any loans out there that require less than 10% down?


     Not for an investment property. 

    Thanks :(
  • Realtor · Ogden, UT · Member since 2019 · 338 posts · 415 votes
    3y

    Hey @Sundone Boutvyseth,

    Mountain America actually has a private loan program for Utah investment properties that is only 10% down.  I've now used it twice.

    The program requires 10% down, must be a rental, no PMI, and has a very high standard of credit.

    Last I did it (Summer 2022), my rate landed in the low 5%.  I believe they're almost 8% with that program currently but if it provides an entry point, you should consider it!  Contact me if you'd like a lender recommendation.

    On top of the MACU loan, you can buy a STR as a second residence which only requires 10% down as well. I personally haven't done this but I have helped clients do it in the past.

    Hit me up if you're interested!

  • V.G JasonPro Member
    Investor · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y

    How do you intend to cash flow with such a low downpayment? I assume rates would tick up for such a low %, too. I also assume you do not have ample cash, so reserves would be even tighter and you'll be bleeding monthly on it cash flow wise.

  • Real Estate Agent · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2020 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    3y

    Hey @Sundone Boutvyseth,

    Similar to what @Brad Jacobson said, your best option might be a secondary residence loan if you want to STR. This requires 10% down and you typically just have to live in the property for 14 days out of the year. Rates are also better with these than with an investment loan.

    There are a couple of investment loan programs available that offer 10% down as well with no PMI, but they have slightly higher rates. Based on what my mortgage broker told me a couple of days ago, these rates are in the low 7%'s, whereas the secondary home loan is low 6's. I would be happy to connect you with him if you wanted to inquire further.

    I think 10% is as low as you will find for investment property, unless you purchase an SFR with an ADU or mother-in-law and house hack with a primary home loan.

    I hope that helps!

  • Real Estate Agent · Seattle, WA · Member since 2019 · 243 posts · 246 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Brad Jacobson:

    Hey @Sundone Boutvyseth,

    Mountain America actually has a private loan program for Utah investment properties that is only 10% down.  I've now used it twice.

    The program requires 10% down, must be a rental, no PMI, and has a very high standard of credit.

    Last I did it (Summer 2022), my rate landed in the low 5%.  I believe they're almost 8% with that program currently but if it provides an entry point, you should consider it!  Contact me if you'd like a lender recommendation.

    On top of the MACU loan, you can buy a STR as a second residence which only requires 10% down as well. I personally haven't done this but I have helped clients do it in the past.

    Hit me up if you're interested!


    +1 to this MACU program. It was actually at 5.75% when I last checked on Friday with 0 PMI & 10% down. Really great investment loan program if you can qualify.

  • Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 9k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    3y

    No one would require you to put less than 10% down...

  • Cedar Hills, UT · Member since 2019 · 64 posts · 43 votes
    3y

    @Eric Yu, @Brad Jacobson, I bank at MACU, but I use a mortgage broker for most of my loans. Rates have not been very favorable through him lately, as you can imagine. Who do I talk to at MACU about this "private loan program" for investors?

    Thanks in advance!

  • Cedar Hills, UT · Member since 2019 · 64 posts · 43 votes
    3y

    @Sundone Boutvyseth I also did a 10% on STR in Florida last year, it's worked out really well, but went through a national lender. Glad to share my experience and information if anyone is interested.

  • Realtor · Orem, UT · Member since 2022 · 12 posts · 6 votes
    3y

    The only product I have seen is the MACU 10% for a non owner occupied.

  • Member since 2024 · 1 post · 1 vote
    2y
    Quote from @Duane Richards:

    @Sundone Boutvyseth I also did a 10% on STR in Florida last year, it's worked out really well, but went through a national lender. Glad to share my experience and information if anyone is interested.

    Interested in some more details
  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Sundone Boutvyseth:

    Looking to buy a single family home and use as a STR on Airbnb. Are there any loans out there that require less than 10% down?


     NO 

  • New to Real Estate · FL · Member since 2024 · 1 post · 0 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Gabe Sherrill:
    Quote from @Duane Richards:

    @Sundone Boutvyseth I also did a 10% on STR in Florida last year, it's worked out really well, but went through a national lender. Glad to share my experience and information if anyone is interested.

    Interested in some more details

     Same.

  • Investor · Provo, UT · Member since 2016 · 759 posts · 626 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Duane Richards:

    @Sundone Boutvyseth I also did a 10% on STR in Florida last year, it's worked out really well, but went through a national lender. Glad to share my experience and information if anyone is interested.


     Who was the lender?

  • Real Estate Agent · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2020 · 490 posts · 205 votes
    1y

    THere is a loan I have seen folks using in the past... not sure if it is still available but it is the MACU90 loan with mountain american credit union and it is a 10% down investment loan. I would do you due diligence but I have seen others use it to purchase non -owner occupied properties.

  • Member since 2025 · 116 posts · 52 votes
    1y

    Yes! While most investment loans require at least 15-20% down, there are a few creative financing options that allow for less than 10% down:

    1. Conventional 5% Down Loan (Owner-Occupied)

    If you live in the property for at least one year, you can use a primary residence loan with as little as 5% down.

    After a year, you can convert it to a short-term rental (STR).

    Loan types: Conventional (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac)

    2. FHA Loan – 3.5% Down (Owner-Occupied)

    Buy a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, live in one unit, and rent out the others.

    You only need 3.5% down with a 580+ credit score.

    STRs are typically not allowed initially, but you can transition over time.

    3. VA Loan – 0% Down (Veterans Only)

    If you're a veteran or active-duty military, you can buy a 1-4 unit property with 0% down.

    Must owner-occupy for a period before renting out.

    4. USDA Loan – 0% Down (Rural Areas)

    Must be in a USDA-eligible rural area (check USDA’s map).

    Owner-occupancy required initially, but STRs might be possible later.

    5. DSCR Loan (10% Down Possible)

    Debt-Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans are based on the rental income, not your personal income.

    Some lenders allow 10% down, though 15-20% is more common.

    6. Seller Financing or Private Money

    Negotiate low or no down payment directly with the seller.

    Private lenders may offer low down options if you find a great deal.

  • Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 428 posts · 205 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Sundone Boutvyseth:

    Looking to buy a single family home and use as a STR on Airbnb. Are there any loans out there that require less than 10% down?


    I can lend up to 100% of the purchase price and 100% of the rehab costs for experienced investors on 1-4 unit properties. So yes, there are loans out there that require less than 10% down!

  • Real Estate Agent · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2020 · 490 posts · 205 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Sundone Boutvyseth:

    Looking to buy a single family home and use as a STR on Airbnb. Are there any loans out there that require less than 10% down?


    I have heard of the MACU 10% down loan. I had one client who was going to use it to purchase an STR but decided to wait a few months (he ran into some huge expenses with another rental capex stuff)

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