For many aspiring homeowners, the biggest barrier is not credit. It is not income. It is not even monthly affordability.
It is the belief that you must have 20% saved for a down payment.
That belief keeps many qualified buyers from ever starting the process.
At Lacasa’s Financial Empowerment Center, we regularly meet individuals and families who could sustain a mortgage payment but assume homeownership is out of reach because they lack significant upfront savings.
The reality is that 20% down is not always required.
Through housing counseling and strategic partnerships, buyers may be able to access:
These programs, combined with one-on-one support from HUD-certified housing counselors, help buyers understand what is realistic, what is available, and how to prepare.
In many cases, the first step is not saving more money. It is gathering better information.
Last year, Lacasa provided financial education to 531 individuals across multiple counties. Many began their journey unsure whether homeownership was possible. With guidance and access to resources, uncertainty became a plan.
If the down payment feels like an impossible hurdle, it may simply be the beginning of a conversation.
To explore available programs or schedule housing counseling, visit:
👉 lacasainc.net/for-homebuyers
Homeownership may be closer than you think.
