Are you short on cash for the down-payment on a home?  Raise as much as you possibly can.  The difference in payment between three percent and 20 percent down is considerable. Here are some ways to to raise that money you may not have thought about: 

Equity-sharing--A parent or someone else who wants to make an investment contributes all or part of the down payment. The investor is then listed on the title and paid rent for their ownership interest, which can be put toward expenses such as insurance, maintenance and property taxes that can be deducted from the investor's income taxes.

Co-occupancy--two parties purchase a home, split the down payment and all costs; and both reside in the home, sharing the profits upon resale.  In this arrangement, both parties are liable for the entire mortgage if either leaves and/or fails to pay.

Gifts from parents--First-time buyers can receive down payment gifts from parents--limiting gifts to $12,000 per year avoids complications of gift taxes for parents.  $12,000 on a $200,000 home is Arranging  of personal loans for this purpose should be avoided.  Tax deductions on personal loans would not be allowed for the parents and the borrower (the children) may appear riskier to the lender.