To afford a down payment with no money, leverage government or nonprofit programs offering grants or matched savings, pursue high-income side hustles (e.g., freelancing, gig economy work), and prioritize extreme budgeting to redirect savings. For example, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) partners with agencies providing up to $75,000 in down payment assistance for eligible buyers. Simultaneously, side hustles can generate $1,000–$5,000 monthly for savings. Budgeting tools like the 50/30/20 rule can allocate 50% of income to essentials, 30% to discretionary spending, and 20% to savings, accelerating down payment timelines.

This approach works because 62% of first-time buyers cite down payment barriers, but 70% qualify for assistance programs, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Side hustles address income gaps; the Federal Reserve reports 44% of U.S. adults earn less than $30,000 annually, making gig work critical. Programs like the HomeOwnership Center (HOC) and Nehemiah Foundation have helped 1.2 million buyers since 1980, proving structured savings and external aid are viable. Combining these strategies reduces reliance on personal savings, which the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found to be the top obstacle for 55% of buyers. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau also shows 33% of recent buyers used down payment assistance, highlighting program efficacy.