Judge it against the going rate for a standard loan, because zero-down convenience gets priced in somewhere. Among standard programs, true built-in zero down exists in exactly two places: VA loans, up to your entitlement, and USDA Guaranteed loans. FHA requires a 3.5 percent minimum investment, and conventional requires at least 3 percent down. Every other "100% financing" offer is built by layering down-payment assistance, often a second loan or grant, over an FHA or conventional first. That second piece frequently carries no monthly payment and no interest, which sounds great, and you usually pay for it through the rate on the primary loan. A quote that looks high may simply be the price of the structure. Whether the deal is good depends on how far above market it sits and what it buys you. Nail down two things before committing: - Subordination. Confirm the second lien will subordinate to a future refinance. A silent second that will not can block you from refinancing the first loan later, a serious trap when the whole plan is to get in now and improve the terms down the road. - No lockouts. Make sure nothing in the structure penalizes or prevents a refinance if rates fall. Nobody can promise they will, and you want the option preserved. With those protections in place, paying a premium to get in now can be a reasonable, informed trade. Confirm current program terms, and we will pressure-test the structure with you on the free Roadmap conversation.