House Hacking with little to ZERO Money Down

St. Louis, Missouri
House Hacking
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House Hacking with little to ZERO Money Down

Alicia SierraBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Saint Louis, MO · Member since 2015 · 139 posts · 70 votes

Just a little refresher on how to make this work! 

1. For eligible buyers, VA loans are often the most flexible option - zero down up to FOUR units- but can only have one VA loan on the books at a time

2. FHA - 3.5% down up to 4 units

3. Some Credit Unions  - ZERO DOWN but often cap at 2 units max

4. For first time buyers often Grant Money can fill the gaps 

For serial hackers - mapping this road out is key!  Often 1 year occupancy is required and you can rinse and repeat in the right order!

Alicia Sierra - EXP REALTY4.956 Reviews
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Derek BrickleyBusiness Member
Lender · Ann Arbor, MI · Member since 2021 · 678 posts · 230 votes
9mo

100%! Thanks for sharing, often overlooked is 0% down FHA loan available on 2 unit properties as well. Note that has no income limits and minimum credit score is 600. It's more manageable than people think and is where I started.

[email protected]734-645-7722
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  • Derek BrickleyBusiness Member
    Lender · Ann Arbor, MI · Member since 2021 · 678 posts · 230 votes
    9mo

    100%! Thanks for sharing, often overlooked is 0% down FHA loan available on 2 unit properties as well. Note that has no income limits and minimum credit score is 600. It's more manageable than people think and is where I started.

    [email protected]734-645-7722
    Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group548 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    3Reply
  • Henry Lazerow
    Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9mo

    FHA has self sufficiency test so will only work in nicer areas on 2 units which exempts that test. I work with a lot of house hackers most buy 5% to 10% down conventional, tends to have the best terms. VA is awesome too if have that available to the client.

    1Reply
  • Kyle HendricksPro Member
    Lender · Member since 2021 · 171 posts · 74 votes
    9mo

    Lender here. Conventional 5% is also a great way to do it. Especially if looking at 3-4 units because they do not have the self sufficiency test.

    Down payment assistance is also great as well. A lot of the time it is capped at 2 units but we have a 5% down payment assistance product good in all 50 states that covers a buyers whole 3.5% FHA down payment and gives a 1.5% for closing costs so it can be a true 0% down option for duplexes!

    [email protected]253-355-0247
    0Reply
  • Alicia SierraBusiness Member
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · Saint Louis, MO · Member since 2015 · 139 posts · 70 votes
    9mo

    Love this - the FHA zero down is news to me and I appreciate the input ! This is one of the most effective wealth builders!

    Alicia Sierra - EXP REALTY4.956 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    1Reply
    • Kyle HendricksPro Member
      Lender · Member since 2021 · 171 posts · 74 votes
      8mo
      Quote from @Alicia Sierra:

      Love this - the FHA zero down is news to me and I appreciate the input ! This is one of the most effective wealth builders!


      Yeah it fairly new (we call it our Movement Boost Program), is has been pretty amazing! Just had a buyer close on a 515k home and close with zero down using it and even got refunded for their appraisal. It is just an assistance we do 5% DPA on top of an FHA loan.

      [email protected]253-355-0247
      0Reply
  • Andrew PostellPro Member
    Lender · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    8mo

    @Alicia Sierra you can absolutely have more than 1 VA loan. @Derek Brickley what program do you have in Michigan that provides grant monies on a 4 unit?

    0Reply
  • Alicia SierraBusiness Member
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · Saint Louis, MO · Member since 2015 · 139 posts · 70 votes
    8mo

    FOR VA - yes, if you have remaining entitlement - there's a big IF on it!

    Alicia Sierra - EXP REALTY4.956 Reviews
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    0Reply
  • Sarah Hadassah Negrón
    Member since 2025 · 13 posts · 23 votes
    8mo

    What grants are available for option 4? I'm based in Bay Area

    1Reply
    • Kyle HendricksPro Member
      Lender · Member since 2021 · 171 posts · 74 votes
      8mo
      Quote from @Sarah Hadassah Negrón:

      What grants are available for option 4? I'm based in Bay Area


       Down payment assistance/grants can help with this. There are options in all 50 states. Sometimes you can get into properties with 0% down. Happy to chat!

      [email protected]253-355-0247
      0Reply
    • Sarah Hadassah Negrón
      Member since 2025 · 13 posts · 23 votes
      8mo

      @Kyle Hendricks yes would be happy to chat more about the various options 

      2Reply
    • Wilson Lau
      Real Estate Agent · San Jose, CA · Member since 2023 · 182 posts · 104 votes
      8mo
      Quote from @Sarah Hadassah Negrón:

      What grants are available for option 4? I'm based in Bay Area

      Depends on where you are purchasing in the Bay and your personal finances, I see programs that give 10k grant for closing. Rate is slightly higher but definitely worth it.
      2Reply
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