How to Buy a Home in Wisconsin With a Low Down Payment
If you want to buy a home in Wisconsin but don't have a huge down payment saved, you're not alone - and the good news is, you don't need 20% down to become a homeowner here. In many cases, you can buy a home with 3%, 3.5%, or even 0% down, depending on your loan type and eligibility.
I'm Adam Zeman, Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS #870441) with Union Home Mortgage, and I help first-time and repeat buyers across Wisconsin secure low-down-payment home financing with fast approvals and minimal paperwork.
If you're ready to see what you qualify for, I'll run the numbers for you today.
📞 Call/Text: 414-975-2654
📧 Email: azeman@uhm.com
🌐 Visit: www.mkemortgage.com
📅 Schedule: https://calendly.com/adam-zeman/30min
💬 24/7 Assistant:
Wisconsin Real Estate & Mortgage Expert
1. 3% Down - Conventional Loan Options
For qualified buyers with decent credit, a 3% down payment opens the door to a conventional loan through programs like:
✔️ HomeReady® (Fannie Mae)
✔️ Home Possible® (Freddie Mac)
These programs are designed for low to moderate-income buyers and come with benefits like:
- 3% down instead of 5%
- Reduced mortgage insurance
- Flexible credit requirements
- Lower monthly payments compared to FHA in many cases
Learn more directly from Fannie Mae here:
🔗 https://www.fanniemae.com/homebuyers
(Verified live)
And from Freddie Mac:
🔗 https://www.freddiemac.com/homepossible
2. 3.5% Down - FHA Loans
If you prefer more flexible credit guidelines, FHA loans allow you to buy a home with 3.5% down and offer:
- Lower credit score requirements
- Higher allowable debt-to-income ratios
- More flexibility on past credit issues
FHA is especially popular for first-time buyers in Wisconsin because it's predictable, affordable, and straightforward.
3. 0% Down - VA Loans for Eligible Service Members & Veterans
If you're a veteran, active-duty service member, or eligible surviving spouse, you may qualify for a VA loan, which requires $0 down and:
- No mortgage insurance
- Low rates
- Flexible credit requirements
- High loan limits
Learn more directly from the VA here:
🔗 https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/
4. Wisconsin Down Payment Assistance Options
Wisconsin buyers may also qualify for state and local down payment help, grants, or closing cost assistance. Many programs allow funds to be used alongside FHA or conventional loans.
Common features include:
- Grants or forgivable loans
- Low-interest second mortgages
- Closing cost help
- Income-based qualification
(You can insert your preferred WI programs here anytime - I can update this section on request.)
5. How Much Do You Actually Need to Save?
Here's a quick rule of thumb:
- 3% down on a $300,000 home: $9,000
- 3.5% down (FHA): $10,500
- 0% down (VA): $0 down payment
Plus, you'll want to budget for:
- Earnest money (credited back at closing)
- Inspection
- Appraisal
- Closing costs (which may be covered by seller credits, lender credits, or DPA)
6. Internal Link for SEO Authority Flow
✔️ https://adamzmortgageteam.com/how-much-mortgage-can-i-afford-in-wisconsin-right-now/
Use this link to strengthen your buyer-side SEO cluster.
7. Ready to See How Much Home You Can Afford?
The fastest way to find out what down payment you need is to get pre-approved - I'll help you review all loan types and show you the best options with the least amount of money out of pocket.
Let's talk today:
📞 Call/Text: 414-975-2654
📧 Email: azeman@uhm.com
🌐 Visit: www.mkemortgage.com
📅 Schedule: https://calendly.com/adam-zeman/30min
💬 Chat instantly:
Wisconsin Real Estate & Mortgage Expert