FAQ
Frequently asked questions
If your question is not here, contact support and we will answer it directly.
Categories
Can I use this for an RV?
Yes. RVs are one of the most common reasons people use this site — travel trailers, fifth wheels and motorhomes all qualify as purchase types.
Can I use this for a car or truck?
Yes. Autos and pickups are supported purchase types, new or used, from a dealer or a private seller.
Can I use this for a boat?
Yes. Boats and personal watercraft are supported. Marine lenders often ask for a larger down payment than auto lenders, which is one reason this gap comes up so often.
Credit
Does checking my options affect my credit?
Checking options on this site does not itself pull your credit. What happens next depends on the provider you pick. Some providers begin with a soft inquiry that does not affect your scores; others perform a hard inquiry when you formally apply. Each provider tells you which it does before you complete its application. We cannot promise a specific credit outcome on your behalf.
What credit score do I need?
There is no single answer. Some programs here work with fair or rebuilding credit; others look for roughly 620 or higher. When you tell us your approximate credit range, we prioritize the programs whose published guidelines fit it.
Funding
How much money can I get?
It depends entirely on the provider and on your situation. The programs shown on this site range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. The amount you may qualify for is determined by the provider based on your income, credit and other factors.
What can I use the money for?
That is set by the provider’s terms. Many personal loans can be used for a vehicle or RV down payment; some products carry restrictions. Read the provider’s terms before you accept funds, and confirm with your dealer that the source of your down payment is acceptable to them and to the lender financing the purchase.
How quickly can funding happen?
Some providers make a decision within minutes and can fund the same or next business day. Others take longer. Timelines shown on provider cards come from each provider and are typical cases, not promises.
General
What is INeedADownPayment.com?
It is a free matching service for people who have found something they want to buy but need help with the down payment. You answer a few questions, and we show you funding programs and resources that may fit your situation. You decide whether to continue with any of them.
Are you a lender?
No. We are not a lender, a bank, or a credit union, and we do not make credit decisions. We match your information against the programs of participating providers and show you the ones that may be relevant. Every approval, rate, term and funding decision is made by the provider you choose.
What happens if I don’t qualify?
You will still see something useful. If no funding program currently fits, we show credit-building and savings options, an estimate of what it would take to close the gap on your own, and alternatives such as adjusting the purchase target or asking the dealer about a different structure.
How does INeedADownPayment.com make money?
We are paid by the providers listed here — sometimes for a click, sometimes for a completed application, an approval, or a funded loan. That compensation can influence which providers we show and the order they appear in. It never changes the eligibility rules a provider applies to you. See our How We Make Money page for the full explanation.
Privacy
Is my information secure?
We encrypt data in transit, encrypt sensitive fields at rest, restrict internal access by role, and log access to consumer records. We share your information with a provider only when you select that provider and authorize the sharing.
Do you sell my information?
We do not sell your information to unrelated parties for their own marketing. We do transmit the information you submit to the specific providers you choose, which some state privacy laws define as a "sale" or "sharing." You can opt out using the Do Not Sell or Share link in the footer.