Can I Buy a Home in Oklahoma With No Down Payment?

Yes, some Oklahoma buyers can buy a home with no down payment. VA and USDA loans can allow 0% down for buyers who qualify. Even with zero down, you'll still have other costs to plan for, like closing costs, earnest money, your inspections, and the appraisal. The best first step is talking with a lender, who can tell you which loans you qualify for.

Whether you're buying in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, Collinsville, Coweta, Glenpool, or Catoosa, the same two loan types are the ones to ask about.

I'm Christina Shortsleeve, a REALTOR® with REMAX Results, and I help first-time buyers across the Greater Tulsa Area buy with a clear plan. Many of the buyers I meet assume they need 20% down. Most first-time buyers need far less, and some need nothing down at all.

A VA loan is a home loan for eligible veterans and service members. For buyers who qualify, it can allow 0% down.

One thing to know if you're using a VA loan: at this time, a VA loan requires a termite inspection. My article on what a home inspection covers in Oklahoma explains the inspections that come with buying a home.

A USDA loan can also allow 0% down for buyers who qualify. USDA loans are for homes in eligible areas, and they have income limits, so whether you qualify depends on both the home and your situation. A lender can check that for you.

You still have options that need far less than 20% down. FHA loans start at 3.5% down, and conventional loans can start at 3% to 5%, depending on the loan program.

The best way to know what's available to you is to ask a lender. They'll look at your situation and tell you which loans fit. My article on how much money you need to buy your first home walks through what each option looks like on a real Greater Tulsa price.

Zero down doesn't mean zero cost. Even with a VA or USDA loan, plan for:

• Earnest money, which is credited toward your purchase at closing. My article on earnest money explains how it works.
• Inspections, which are paid at the time of the inspection.
• The appraisal, which is paid up front, during the process.
• Closing costs, which your lender lays out in writing early, so you're working from a real number.

My article on the costs first-time buyers miss covers each one in more detail.

Start with a lender. They'll review your income, debts, credit, and savings, tell you which loans you qualify for, and give you a pre-approval. If credit is a concern, FHA, VA, and USDA loans can go as low as a 580 credit score, and my article on buying with less-than-perfect credit walks through it.

My article on how pre-approval works explains what to bring and what to expect.

• Assuming 20% down is required. For most first-time buyers, it isn't.
• Ruling themselves out before asking. Many buyers never talk to a lender because they assume they won't qualify.
• Forgetting the other costs. Zero down still comes with earnest money, inspections, the appraisal, and closing costs.

Can I buy a house in Oklahoma with no money down?

Some buyers can. VA and USDA loans can allow 0% down for buyers who qualify.

Who qualifies for a VA loan?

VA loans are for eligible veterans and service members. A lender can confirm whether you qualify.

Can I use a USDA loan in the Greater Tulsa Area?

It depends on the home's location and your income. USDA loans are for homes in eligible areas and have income limits, so a lender can check a specific home and your situation.

Do I still pay closing costs with a zero-down loan?

Yes. A zero-down loan covers the down payment, but you'll still plan for closing costs, earnest money, inspections, and the appraisal.

What if I don't qualify for zero down?

FHA loans start at 3.5% down, and conventional loans can start at 3% to 5%. Ask a lender which loans fit your situation.

If you're starting to think about buying, start with my page for first-time home buyers in Tulsa and the Greater Tulsa Area. When you're ready, send me a message. I'll walk you through the Purchasing Pathway, starting with the lender conversation, so you know what each step looks like before you reach it.

Christina Shortsleeve is a REALTOR® with REMAX Results in the Greater Tulsa Area, helping first-time buyers and downsizers buy and sell with a clear plan. She has sold 127 homes since 2020.