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Personal Loan for Down Payment

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Learn How Secure a Personal Loan for a Down Payment

You may consider using a personal loan for a down payment on a house. While you may be able to do this, it may not be the best idea. There are several things you may need a down payment for such as home loan or car loan. You may feel desperate and search for a way to come up with cash for a down payment. Desperation may lead you down the path of using a personal loan for a down payment.

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Learn More About Personal Loan for Down Payment

The point of a down payment is to help make monthly payments more affordable and prove your financial stability. Lenders often want down payments to make the loan more favorable. If you use a down payment to purchase a home or a car, it puts the lender in a better position. Lenders may frown upon the fact that you used a loan to come up with a down payment. Keep reading to learn more.

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Can I borrow money for a down payment?

You may be able to secure a personal loan for a down payment on a home, however, many banks and lenders do not approve of this practice. Additionally, you may be better off finding a mortgage that does not require a down payment or one that has lower down payment requirements. The reason being is that it is most likely that any money borrowed for a mortgage will come with a much lower interest rate. Why borrow a down payment at 19% interest rate when you may be able to find a mortgage lender who will not require a down payment, and in exchange they may lock you in at a 6% or 7% interest rate. If you are unable to come up with the down payment for a home mortgage, you may be required to purchase private mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance will protect the lender's interest if mortgage default occurs.

How can I get money for a down payment?

If you are looking to purchase a new home, you may come to the realization that if you come up with a 20% downpayment, the likelihood that you need to pay for private mortgage insurance decreases significantly. However, a 20% down payment in today's housing market can be a substantial amount of cash that not a lot of people have easily available. For example, if you are making an offer on a home for $380,000 then you may need $76,000 in cash on hand to make the 20% down payment. How does one come up with that kind of cash? You may be able to take a loan against a retirement account, ask a friend or family member for a loan, or even apply for a personal loan. The main thing to consider is that many mortgage lenders will not allow you to finance a down payment.

Is a personal loan a good option to pay for a down payment?

Ultimately, seeking a personal loan for a down payment on a mortgage is bad practice. Mainly because the interest rate that you may receive for the down payment may be quite a bit higher than the interest rate of the mortgage. Mortgages tend to have a much lower interest rate than personal loans. If you find a mortgage lender that may charge you a few extra percentage points in exchange for not having a 20% down payment, you may be better off with them when compared to financing a personal loan for the down payment.

Where can I get a personal loan for a down payment?

Most personal loans do not have spending restrictions. Therefore, if a lender offers personal loans you can probably use the funds as a down payment if you choose to do so. However, if you take out a loan for a down payment in addition to another loan, your debt-to-income ratio may sky rocket. This may affect your chances of approval or cause you to qualify for high interest rates.

What is an example of a down payment?

Down payments can vary depending on what you are purchasing. In some cases, you may be able to qualify for a loan that typically requires a down payment without a down payment. Auto loans may require down payments of 10% to 20% or more or in some cases, no down payment at all. Home loans may require down payments as little as 3.5% or as much as 30% or more. A down payment may be required for secured loans. For example, if you purchase a vehicle, there are usually other fees on top of the purchase price. By putting up a down payment, the lender will be financing less than the vehicle value which allows them to have positive equity in the asset.

How much is a downpayment for a house?

If you use an FHA home loan, you may only need 3.5% down. While FHA loans may offer a low down payment, they may come with higher interest rates than other mortgage options. Traditional mortgages usually require 10% or 20% down or sometimes more. The down payment required can depend on the lender, the borrower, the terms, and the home you are trying to finance. The best way to determine the down payment that is required is to contact the lender of your choice and get prequalified.

What is the minimum down payment for a house?

Conventional loans may be available with as little as 3% down. However, most lenders will require at least 5%, 10%, or 15% down. If you have excellent credit you may be able to put less money down than if you have less than perfect credit. To determine how much down payment you need you should determine what type of loan is best for your situation. From there, you can search for a competitive lender that you want to work with. After getting prequalified you should know exactly how much money you need to put down.

How much is a down payment for a car?

You may be able to purchase a vehicle with no money down. The down payment usually depends on the lender and the borrower. It can also depend on factors such as the loan to value ratio. For example, if you are purchasing a car with a retail value of $10,000 and you also want to finance an extended warranty, tax, title, and license, with no money down, you may hit some roadblocks. Even if you qualify for an auto loan with no money down, there may be requirements such as loan to value. Lenders do not want to over allow on a loan. With an auto loan, the lender is using the vehicle as collateral. If you owe much more than the vehicle is worth and you default on the loan, the lender will be in a very bad spot.

How much is a down payment for a home improvement project?

If you use a personal loan or home improvement loan, you may not need money down. However, if you use a home equity loan or secured loan, you may need money down or equity in your home. There are several ways to make home improvements without providing a down payment. If you need a home improvement loan with no down payment, you should check offers at Acorn Finance.

Where is the best place to get a personal loan for a down payment?

If you are determined to use a personal loan for a down payment, you can visit your local bank or credit union for a personal loan. However, a better option may be to use an online lender. Online lenders may have faster funding times and less strict requirements. If you are using a personal loan for a down payment you should avoid using the same lender for both loans that you are applying for at once.

Closing Thoughts

While personal loans can be used for down payments, it's not advised. A better option is to work hard and save up the cash you need for a down payment. By doing so, you can enjoy lower monthly payments and less debt. There are several reasons to use a personal loan, a down payment may be one of them, but it's not always the best idea. If you are shopping for a personal loan you should check offers at Acorn Finance. Our lending partners can offer APRs as low as 6.99%, depending on credit score.

Why choose Acorn Finance for comparing personal loans for down payment?

When borrowing money, you may feel like the lender is driving the bus and you’re in the backseat. However, when you reverse that role, you unlock the power of choice. At Acorn, we simplify the process of shopping for personal loan offers. We partner with a network of top national lenders that want to earn your business. With a little bit of personal information, you can check rates through our safe and secure platform. In seconds, you can receive personalized offers with no credit score impact. Now that you’re in the driver seat, you can make an educated decision and choose the loan that’s best for you. 

How does using a loan for down payment affect your credit score?

When you take out a loan, you are taking on debt. Let’s pause there. Credit scores are calculated with the following:

  • Payment history (35%)
  • Amounts owed (30%)
  • Length of credit history (15%)
  • New credit (10%)
  • Credit mix (10%)

When you take out a loan and another loan for a down payment, your amounts owed increase. If you pay the debt down on time as agreed, over time, the loans can work to boost your credit. However, initially, you may see your credit score drop. Credit scores are complex. The key to the amounts owed is maintaining as low of a balance as possible. It can be more beneficial to maintain a low balance as opposed to no balance at all. To maintain a healthy and active credit score, you will want to exercise credit regularly but responsibly and intentionally. 

If you default on a loan or loans, your credit score will likely be impacted. While you can borrow money for a down payment on another loan, it may signify that you are not as qualified for the loan as the lender thinks. Interest and fees can add up quickly, so do the math and ensure you make financial decisions that are sound now and down the road. 

Rather than taking out two loans, consider a loan that does not require a down payment, such as an unsecured home improvement loan or personal loan. Check rates with no credit score impact at Acorn Finance

How do you shop for a personal loan for a down payment?

Personal loans offer flexibility and few spending restrictions. Therefore, you can use them to cover a down payment, amongst many other things. You can even use one personal loan for multiple uses. Personal loans are installment loans that are usually funded as a lump sum and repaid in equal monthly installments. Before shopping for personal loan offers, determine how much you need to borrow. When you’re ready, you can check rates online with no credit score impact at Acorn Finance. While our lending partners specialize in home improvement loans, they are well-known for personal loans, too. 

Here are a few things you can do to prepare for a personal loan:

  1. Check your credit score
  2. Define your needs (including how much you need to borrow)
  3. Consider your options to ensure a personal loan is right
  4. Check rates with no credit score impact

What lenders offer personal loans for down payments?

Personal loans usually have few spending restrictions. Restrictions are typically in place for legal requirements. For example, a majority of lenders do not allow funds to be used for gambling or illegal substances. However, most lenders likely allow borrowers to use personal loans for down payments. Before applying, check their spending restrictions. If you have any questions, contact the lender directly. Online lenders typically have less strict requirements compared to traditional banks and credit unions. 

If taking out a down payment will stretch finances thin, consider an alternative type of financing. Some loans (such as personal loans) do not require collateral, or they are backed by collateral instead of a down payment. 

Certain loans, such as auto loans, may make it difficult to overcome the down payment requirement if there is one. There are some ways to reduce it or avoid it altogether in some cases, though. Communicate with the lender (and or car dealer if purchasing a vehicle) to help them understand your needs and see what they can recommend. 

What credit score is needed for a personal loan for down payments?

Offers will be more likely to be returned for borrowers with fair, good, average, or excellent credit. Most lenders on the Acorn Finance platform have a credit score cutoff of 600 or above. Requirements, including credit score, can vary depending on the lender. Credit score requirements can also vary depending on the loan request. Before applying for a personal loan, you should check your credit score if you don’t monitor it regularly. There may be a few small actions you can take to boost your score. Investing time to understand what impacts your credit score can help you improve it over time. It can also help you make more mindful decisions. While there’s plenty of advice on the internet, it’s not all credible. If you are researching how to improve your credit score, ask the right questions to the right people and rely on the right sources. 

What are the best personal loans for down payment in [November 2023]?

The best personal loan is the one that best meets your needs. Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning they are not backed by collateral. Additionally, the structure is usually very similar; an installment loan funded as a lump sum and repaid in fixed monthly installments with interest. However, the offers can vary, as can the perks offered by the lender. 

Comparing personal loan offers is one of the best ways to help you understand which offer is best. Here are some components to compare from offer to offer:

  • Origination fees: Also known as an upfront fee, origination fees can be charged by a lender to process a new loan. Origination fees are generally calculated as a percentage of the total loan amount. 
  • Fixed APR: Personal loans can have fixed or variable APRs. The best loans will have a fixed APR. This means the interest rate and monthly payment will be fixed for the entire life of the loan - no surprises.
  • No early repayment penalties: Acorn Finance lending partners do not charge prepayment penalties, but some lenders can. With no prepayment penalties, you can pay more than the monthly payment requirement to save on interest. Alternatively, you could pay the entire loan off in one payment, too.
  • Funding options and speed: Some lenders can offer more convenience than others. Additionally, some may offer ACH funding so that you can receive funds right into your account. At Acorn, our lending partners can fund approved loans in as little as 1-2 business days, although funding times may vary. 
  • Borrower perks: Some lenders offer perks for borrowers, such as credit monitoring services or auto payment discounts. Additionally, some lenders offer convenient smartphone apps and online portals to manage accounts. Review the lender and what they can offer as part of your decision as to who is best.
  • Streamlined application process: Doing business with a lender should be seamless. Complex processes or untrained employees can signal internal issues within a company. Pay attention to your experience from start to finish with a lender. The best lenders will have streamlined application processes. At Acorn Finance, you can check rates in a matter of seconds with just a little bit of personal information. Our platform leverages advanced technology to match borrowers and lenders. As a result, you can narrow down the best loan options faster.

What are the pros and cons of using a personal loan for a down payment?

Pros

Fixed monthly payments 

Access to cash 

Convenient online loan options 

Large network of lenders to shop

Cons

Interest and fees

Taking on more debt 

Financial obligation

Potential to negatively impact credit score

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