Quick answer:
Sometimes you can flip with “zero cash down,” but almost never with zero cash involved. Most successful “no money down” flips still require something from the investor—equity, a partner, collateral, reserves, or a way to cover closing costs and carrying costs. The real question isn’t whether it’s possible—it’s whether it’s realistic and repeatable.
Let’s break it down in plain language, especially through the lens of private lending and hard money.
When investors say “zero cash down,” they usually mean one of these:
In other words, it’s often “no cash from me today,” not “no cash required at all.”
Hard money lenders are faster and more flexible than banks, but they still manage risk. In most flips, lenders want two things:
That typically means the borrower covers some combination of:
Even if a lender covers the rehab budget through draws, you may need upfront cash to start the first phase (demo, clean-out, dumpsters, initial materials) before the first draw is released.
Here are realistic ways investors get close to “zero cash down” in the real world.
A funding partner brings the down payment (and sometimes closing costs) while you bring the deal, the project management, and the execution.
This can work well if:
The upside: minimal cash from you.
The tradeoff: you share the profit.
If you own a rental or another property with equity, some private lenders may lend more aggressively by taking additional collateral.
This can reduce the need for cash down because the lender’s risk is spread across more assets.
The upside: keep momentum without draining cash.
The tradeoff: you’re putting another property at risk if the flip goes badly.
If you buy well below market value, your “equity” can function like a down payment.
Example (simple concept):
If a home is worth $300,000 as-is but you buy it for $240,000, there’s built-in equity. Some lenders may count that equity when evaluating how much they’re comfortable lending.
The upside: less cash needed.
The tradeoff: true discounts are harder to find and require strong sourcing.
Sometimes you can negotiate seller credits that offset closing costs, or structure terms that reduce what you bring to closing.
This works best when:
The upside: lowers cash required.
The tradeoff: not every deal allows it, and credits are capped in some financing contexts.
Some investors don’t flip with no money down—they wholesale first, build cash reserves, then flip.
Not glamorous, but it’s often more sustainable than trying to force a 100% financed flip with no safety margin.
Even if you get into a deal with minimal cash at closing, you still have ongoing costs:
If you can’t comfortably carry the project for a few extra months, you’re relying on everything going perfectly—and flips rarely go perfectly.
A good rule of thumb: plan for delays and keep reserves.
If you’re trying to minimize out-of-pocket cash, your deal needs to be clean:
The better your documentation, the more confidence you create—and confidence is what improves terms.
If you’re flipping in Dallas, Tarrant, or Collin counties, Silverton Capital can look at your deal and help you structure financing that fits your project and timeline.
Even if “zero cash down” isn’t realistic for your exact scenario, the goal is the same: maximize leverage without risking a cash-flow crunch mid-rehab.
Apply here: https://www.silvertoncap.com/apply
Yes, you can sometimes flip a property with “zero cash down,” but it usually means you’re using leverage creatively—partners, equity, collateral, or discounts—not magically avoiding the need for capital.
The smarter goal is this:
Get into deals with the least cash possible while still protecting your timeline, your budget, and your exit.
That’s how you scale without blowing up.
Want to see what your deal could qualify for in North Texas?
Apply with Silverton Capital: https://www.silvertoncap.com/apply
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or investment advice. Please consult with a licensed professional before making financial decisions.