Guide · Updated Oct 17, 2026
The best nothing-down deals, ranked
“No money down” shows up on car lots, mortgage ads and phone store windows, but the deals behave very differently once you sign. Here are the seven kinds of zero-down offers worth knowing, ranked by how much they save you up front and how few strings come attached.
The 7 best types of zero-down deals
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1
VA home loans
- Best for
- Eligible service members, veterans and some surviving spouses
- Why it’s good
- No down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance and no income cap. On a typical home that keeps tens of thousands of dollars in your pocket at closing.
- Watch out for
- A one-time funding fee (2.3% of the loan for first use with nothing down) that can be rolled into the loan, and VA property standards.
-
2
$0-due-at-signing car leases
- Best for
- Drivers with strong credit who want a new car every few years
- Why it’s good
- The most widely available zero-down deal. Brands publish them every month, and you drive away without writing a check.
- Watch out for
- Fees and the first payment get rolled into a slightly higher monthly payment, and mileage caps apply.
-
3
USDA home loans
- Best for
- Moderate-income buyers in eligible rural and suburban areas
- Why it’s good
- 100% financing on a 30-year fixed loan, often with a lower ongoing fee than FHA mortgage insurance.
- Watch out for
- Household income limits (generally 115% of the area median) and the home must be in an eligible area.
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4
Free and $0-down phones
- Best for
- People happy to stay with one carrier for three years
- Why it’s good
- Carriers cover the full price of new phones through bill credits, so you can get a current flagship for nothing up front.
- Watch out for
- Credits run 36 months, most deals need a new line, a trade-in or a premium plan, and leaving early ends the credits.
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5
100% auto loans
- Best for
- Buyers who want to own the car and have good credit
- Why it’s good
- Credit unions and some lenders finance the whole price, so you can buy without a down payment and keep the car as long as you like.
- Watch out for
- Starting with no equity means you can owe more than the car is worth for the first year or two. Gap coverage helps.
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6
Doctor and professional mortgages
- Best for
- Physicians, dentists and, at some banks, attorneys
- Why it’s good
- Up to 100% financing with no private mortgage insurance, and lenders often count a signed job contract as income.
- Watch out for
- Only offered in each bank’s states, and rates can run higher than a conventional loan with 20% down.
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7
$0-down solar
- Best for
- Homeowners with good sun exposure and high power bills
- Why it’s good
- Panels go up with nothing paid at installation, and the monthly cost can be close to the bill it replaces.
- Watch out for
- Leases and power purchase agreements often rise each year, and the federal homeowner solar credit ended after 2025.
How the zero-down deals compare
| Deal type | Cash up front | Who qualifies | Biggest catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| VA loan | $0 down; closing costs may apply | Military service or eligible spouse | Funding fee unless exempt |
| $0-due-at-signing lease | Nothing at all | Top-tier credit, usually 700+ | Higher monthly payment, mileage limits |
| USDA loan | $0 down; closing costs may apply | Income limit and eligible area | Location and income rules |
| Free phone | Often tax only | New line, trade-in or premium plan | 36 months of credits |
| 100% auto loan | $0 down; taxes and fees may be financed | Good credit, often membership | Owing more than the car is worth |
| Doctor mortgage | 0% to low down | Medical, dental or legal degree | Limited states, rate premium |
| $0-down solar | $0 at installation | Homeowner with suitable roof | Escalating payments on leases and PPAs |
How to spot a real zero-down deal
The phrase “$0 down” only promises that you skip the down payment. It says nothing about the other money a deal can ask for at signing. Before you go in, check three things.
- What is due at signing. A lease can be $0 down and still want the first payment, a bank fee and registration on day one. Look for “$0 due at signing” if you want to pay nothing.
- What the deal requires. Most zero-down offers need top-tier credit, and many need something else: a trade-in, a new phone line, military service or a home in the right county.
- Where the money went. Nothing disappears. Skipped costs usually move into a higher payment, a funding fee or a longer term. Compare the total you will pay, not just the first check.
Every listing on today’s board shows what is due up front and what the offer requires, so you can rule deals in or out before you call anyone.
Today’s zero-down offers by type
The board is checked every morning. Right now it has 59 live offers: 32 car leases, 1 car loans, 7 home loans, 18 phone deals and 1 solar options.
Questions people ask
What is the best zero-down deal?
For eligible veterans and service members, a VA home loan is the strongest zero-down deal because it skips both the down payment and monthly mortgage insurance. For most other people with good credit, a $0-due-at-signing car lease is the easiest true zero-down offer to find.
Is no money down a good idea?
It can be, if the monthly payment fits your budget and you understand where the skipped cost went. The risk is starting with no equity: on a car or home bought with nothing down, you can owe more than it is worth for a while.
What credit score do you need for zero-down deals?
Advertised $0-due-at-signing leases usually assume top-tier credit, often around 700 or higher. VA and USDA loans set no official minimum, but most lenders look for scores in the 580 to 640 range or above.
Do zero-down deals cost more in the end?
Often a little. Rolling fees into a lease raises the monthly payment, and VA loans add a funding fee. The trade is keeping your cash now, which can be worth it if that cash would otherwise sit in an emergency fund.