Down Payment Help Is More Common Than You Think. Here's How It Works.

One thing I’m seeing more and more in today’s market? Buyers are getting creative and resourceful when it comes to buying a home.

A recent 2026 survey found that 40% of homeowners received some form of financial help with their down payment, up from 35% just a few years ago. And among younger buyers, the numbers are even higher. Nearly 80% of Gen Z buyers and more than half of millennials received some kind of assistance getting into a home.

Honestly, in a market like San Diego, that’s not surprising.

Home prices are high, interest rates are still a factor, and many buyers are realizing that getting into homeownership today often looks different than it did for previous generations. The idea that you have to do it completely on your own is fading, and being strategic with your resources is becoming the norm.

That’s why I’ve made it important to understand every possible avenue available to buyers here locally, because there are often more options than people realize.

The survey showed:
• 78% of Gen Z buyers received help
• 56% of millennials received help
• 35% of Gen X buyers received help
• 12% of baby boomers received help

What’s interesting is that this isn’t just happening with lower-income buyers either. Assistance is being used across all income levels. Even buyers earning six figures are often leaning on some form of support to make the numbers work in today’s market.

And for many people, that support is coming from family.

Parents remain the most common source of down payment assistance, whether through gifts, loans, inheritances, or help from extended family members. In many cases, that help covered a significant portion of the down payment.

But let me say this too…

Not everyone has family who can help financially, and that does not mean homeownership is out of reach.

There are incredible down payment assistance programs available that many buyers don’t even know exist. Some are grants that never need to be repaid. Others are low-interest programs specifically designed to help first-time buyers bridge the gap.

There are also loan options requiring far less up front than many people assume:
• FHA loans with as little as 3.5% down
• VA loans with zero down for eligible veterans and active-duty military
• USDA programs in certain eligible areas with no down payment requirement

And seller credits are becoming more common again too, which can help buyers offset closing costs and preserve more cash upfront.

One of the biggest misconceptions I still hear is that buyers need 20% down to purchase a home. The reality is, most buyers today are putting down far less than that.

The survey found that more than half of homebuyers put down under 20%, and for many people, even a modest amount of assistance was enough to help them qualify, lower their monthly payment, or simply feel more financially comfortable making the move.

That’s the part that matters.

Sometimes it’s not about needing someone to buy the house for you. Sometimes it’s just needing enough support to finally get through the door.

If you’re thinking about buying in San Diego and you’re unsure whether it’s possible for you right now, don’t assume the answer is no before having the conversation. Between loan programs, assistance options, seller concessions, and creative strategies, you may be closer than you think!