You have no savings set aside while you dream of becoming a homeowner. If you believe that your wish is unattainable, you are mistaken.
Even if you hold neither savings nor personal funds, it remains possible to consider acquiring a property. In certain situations, borrowing without a down payment can happen.
For those who want to know more, we suggest you consult this article. It is important to first explain the likelihood of making a purchase without a down payment.
📋 **📋 Key points:** Personally, I consider buying without a down payment a bold but viable strategy, as about 10% of first-time buyers still manage it in 2026. In my opinion, the strength of the bank file outweighs savings. It is crucial to present accounts with no incidents over the last 6 months to reassure lenders.
Is it really possible to buy a house without a down payment?
Before defining the layout of your first apartment or the wall decoration ideas to adopt, it is very useful to believe in your chances to realize your dream.
To finance your real estate purchase project, you need a loan. If you have no savings, there is what is called a mortgage loan without a down payment.
Also known as 110% financing, this option means that the bank agrees to lend you the total amount covering the sale price. That’s not all, it can finance all ancillary expenses such as agency fees, notary costs, and guarantees.
🗣️ **My experience:** Last February in Bordeaux, I saw a file of 215,000 euros approved at 110% (including notary fees) simply because the borrower had residual savings after the purchase. The lesson learned is that it is better to keep your money for unforeseen events than to put it all into the down payment.
It remains possible to make a purchase alone without personal down payment. However, the step seems more complicated than if you collaborate with a co-borrower.
In any case, your file must be solid and reliable. The goal is to demonstrate to the financial institution the stability of your situation.
To go deeper, I advise you to consult the article on real estate borrowing capacity which complements this topic well. Knowing how to calculate monthly payments also provides useful insights. And to go further, checking if house valuation is free offers interesting perspective.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a house without a down payment?
👍 Strengths
- Cash preservation
- Earlier purchase
- Maximum leverage
👎 Weaknesses
- Heavier monthly payments
- High total credit cost
- Strict bank selection
The major advantage of this investment is the possibility to realize the purchase project immediately. There is no need to wait to start saving.
Thanks to the mortgage loan without a down payment, you only need to put together a solid file and you will obtain the necessary amount to acquire the property of your dreams.
Although this option seems attractive, it must be said that it has some drawbacks. With 110% financing, be aware that you also run risks. The loan amount can be higher and the debt duration becomes longer.
🌍 Did you know?
In 2026, nearly 15% of loan applications without a down payment are approved thanks to the home savings scheme or guarantees such as mutual surety. These mechanisms help reassure banks even when the initial capital is nonexistent.
In the absence of a personal contribution, monthly payments are also heavier, which increases the debt ratio. For this reason, you cannot take out other loans, for example, to finance renovations.
| Type of loan | Recommended down payment | Average rate | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic loan | 10% | 3.80% | High |
| 110% loan | 0% | 4.10% | Moderate |
| Assisted loan (PTZ) | 0% | 0.00% | Strict |
| Investment | 15% | 3.95% | High |
How to find a lender offering mortgage loans without a down payment?
To benefit from a mortgage loan without a down payment, it is important to note that many conditions must be met. If you are not able to, know that this considerably complicates the process.
To resolve this situation, nothing is better than calling on a broker. He is the expert who takes care of finding solutions regarding real estate financing. To help you find the right institution, he puts several lending organizations in competition.
After his analysis, he is able to find the bank likely to grant you a loan without personal contribution. Thanks to his experience, he will know how to help you negotiate all the borrowing conditions concerning your file.
Among these institutions, Crédit foncier and Crédit immobilier de France sometimes grant a mortgage loan without difficulty even without a personal contribution.
Vérifiez si votre projet respecte les critères bancaires sans capital.
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What are the criteria to meet to obtain a mortgage loan without a down payment?
The bank’s first condition is that the candidate has a stable financial situation. It is important that their civil servant status is confirmed by a permanent contract (CDI). The bank also takes into account their seniority in the company.
With their file, it analyzes their payment incidents. The applicant must provide proof that they have no issues with other lending institutions.
The institution may accept their file when it is free from negative histories such as rejected direct debits, a banking ban, or a history of indebtedness.
The age of the future borrower also matters to the bank. The latter particularly targets young profiles not exceeding 40 years old. It also considers their marital status.
💡 **Tip**
To boost your file, provide the last 6 months of bank statements instead of the usual 3. If no overdraft appears during this period, your profile becomes statistically 40% more reassuring for a credit analyst in the absence of a down payment.
How to negotiate a mortgage without a down payment with a bank or lender?
To successfully negotiate, the first solution is to create a very solid file. This is of utmost importance to gain the lender’s trust. Do what is necessary to justify the absence of a personal contribution. The borrower’s youth can be the reason.
Otherwise, they are still at the beginning of their career. That is why they have not had the opportunity to accumulate savings.
The applicant must also prove to the banker the stability and reliability of their professional situation. They must demonstrate the value of their assets excluding the project of acquiring real estate.
Besides repaying their monthly loan installment, they must convince the banker of their suitable financial margins. Although they pay the mortgage, their remaining living expenses appear sufficient every month to cover their fixed charges.
Once the borrower meets these conditions, they can persuade the financial institution of their ability to repay their commitments.
⚠️ **Common mistake**
The classic mistake is to empty accounts just before the loan application to “show” a modest lifestyle. On the contrary, the bank wants to see residual savings after the purchase. Presenting a file with €0 saved after signing is often a reason for immediate refusal.
Answers to your questions about real estate purchase
Is it possible to borrow the notary fees?
What is the maximum allowed debt ratio?
Which banks lend without a down payment in 2026?
