Alex first looked into . Since Alex’s cousin was a veteran, they learned that those who served can buy with 0% down. Alex wasn’t a vet, so they pivoted to the USDA Loan . It turned out that for homes in "rural" areas (which often include quiet suburbs), the Department of Agriculture offers 100% financing to help develop those communities. Chapter 2: The "Grant" Fairy
Alex found a charming fixer-upper, but there were still —the pesky 2-5% fee for taxes and paperwork. Alex’s agent suggested a "Seller Concession." They offered the full asking price but asked the seller to pay the closing costs out of the sale proceeds. The seller, eager to move, said yes. Chapter 4: The House Hack how to buy a house without money
Alex didn't want to move to the countryside, so they stayed in the city and searched for programs. They found that many state and local governments offer grants or "silent second" mortgages for first-time buyers. These programs essentially provided the 3% or 3.5% down payment Alex was missing, often as a gift that didn't need to be paid back if Alex stayed in the house for five years. Chapter 3: The Art of the Ask Alex first looked into