Do VA and USDA loans really require zero down payment, and who qualifies?

Yes. VA loans, backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, offer 0% down to eligible active-duty service members, veterans, and some surviving spouses, with no monthly mortgage insurance, though a one-time VA funding fee applies. USDA loans, backed by the Department of Agriculture, also allow 0% down for buyers in eligible rural and many suburban areas who meet income limits, typically capped around 115% of the area median income. Both have their own upfront fees and property requirements. VA has no formal income cap but requires a certificate of eligibility. USDA is geography- and income-restricted, so check the USDA eligibility map at usda.gov. These programs let qualified buyers skip years of down-payment saving.