Texas First-Time Home Buyer: 2024 Programs and Grants

What to know about buying a house in Texas

First-time home buyers in Texas have plenty of places to turn for help.

The Lone Star State has a range of first-time home buyer programs — from advice and home buyer education courses to grants and loans that can help you cover your down payment and closing costs.

Some of these down payment assistance programs are statewide, but others are for particular cities, towns, and counties. So make sure you explore your local options.

In this article (Skip to…)

• TX home buyer programs
• First-time buyer grants
• Texas home buyer key stats
• Home loan options
• Buying in Texas’ cities
• Resources
• TX mortgage rates

Texas first-time home buyer programs

There are numerous sources of help for first-time home buyers in Texas. Start by checking out the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).

Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) programs

The TSAHC⁴ is a housing organization that operates statewide. It can help you set up a loan and provide advice and first-time buyer education courses. The corporation has two major home buyer assistance programs.

Borrowers need a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for either TSAHC program. There are also home purchase price limits.

Income limits for both programs vary by county. But there’s an online eligibility test that will tell you whether your application might succeed. Once you’ve gone through the form (it’s only four questions), you’re directed to a list of local participating lenders. You have to choose one of those to get TSAHC assistance.

TSAHC Home Sweet Home Loan Program

The Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program offers first-time home buyers a 30-year fixed-rate loan that can be used with either an HFA conventional loan or any government-backed mortgage.

This comes with up to 5% down payment assistance in a grant or zero-interest second mortgage. If you opt for assistance as a second mortgage, there are no monthly payments, and the balance is forgiven after three years, unless you sell or refinance before then.

TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes Loan Program

The Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program offers 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loans to public service professionals, including teachers, firefighters, EMS personnel, police officers, correctional officers, and veterans. You don’t need to be a first-time home buyer to qualify; anyone is welcome to apply.

Similar to the above TSAHC program, this loan also comes with up to 5% down payment assistance as either a grant or a zero-interest second mortgage.

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) programs

The TDHCA⁵ helps moderate- and low-income families achieve homeownership in Texas. For qualified buyers, the TDHCA offers two programs: My First Texas Home program and the My Choice Texas Home loan.

You can pair either of these programs with the Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC), which provides tax credits for interest paid on mortgage loans.

TDHCA considers buyers who haven’t owned a home as their primary residence in the past three years “first-time buyers.” And for Texans who are honorably discharged veterans, the primary residence guideline is waived.

To qualify for TDHCA loans, most Texans must meet these requirements:

• Minimum credit score of 620
• Must conform to income and purchase price limits (vary by program and location)
• Must purchase a single-family property or single-unit condo
• Property must be a primary residence

Some benefits of TDHCA loans include:

• Down payment and closing cost assistance
• Mortgage tax credits
• Higher income and purchase price limits for homes in the program’s target areas
• Some manufactured homes are eligible

TDHCA My First Texas Home program

TDHCA offers first-time home buyers in Texas a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loan with a below-market interest rate. FHA, VA, and USDA loans are all eligible through this program. You may also qualify for down payment and closing cost assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount. This is a no-interest deferred loan that must be paid in full when the homeowner refinances, sells, or pays off the mortgage.

TDHCA My Choice Texas Home program

Borrowers interested in a conventional loan can use My Choice Texas Home. In addition to government-backed loans, this home buying program allows financing through a Fannie Mae HFA Preferred conventional loan. It also provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to 5% of the loan amount. The program is not restricted to first-time buyers.

Veterans Land Board Housing Assistance Program (VHAP)

If you’re a veteran or service member, the Veterans Land Board Housing Assistance Program might provide you with low-interest loans to buy a home or land.

These VLB loans frequently do not require a down payment. If the loan term is between 15 and 30 years, you can borrow up to $726,200, and veterans with a VA disability score of 30% or higher are eligible for even lower interest rates.

Remember that in order to be eligible for the loan program, the property you intend to buy must also meet certain standards. For example, you will need to purchase a condominium or single-family home. Additionally, a multi-family property you buy must have been constructed at least five years before the loan was underwritten. Visit the VLB program website⁷ to find out more.

Texas first-time home buyer grants

If you’re approved for a home loan through the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, you will receive a mortgage credit certificate worth up to $2,000 a year off your taxes (20% to 25% of the yearly interest you pay on your mortgage).

You could also receive down payment assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount as an outright grant (which never needs to be repaid) or a forgivable second mortgage.

Each down payment assistance program (DPA) can set its own rules and offer its own benefits. You may find the one serving your area better or worse than TSAHC’s. So be sure to compare all the programs for which you’re eligible, and see which offers the best deal.

Of course, if you can put 20% down and have good credit, you might not need home buyer assistance at all. In this case, a standard conventional loan is likely your best and most affordable option.

Other Texas home-buyer assistance programs

City of Corpus Christi Homebuyer Assistance Program

For those considering Corpus Christi⁸, there’s potential assistance awaiting as well. Qualified borrowers could benefit from up to $25,000 for the down payment and an additional $10,000 towards closing costs. This comes as a zero-percent interest forgivable loan with a term spanning either five or ten years. Again, the property should be located in Corpus Christi, with a price tag not exceeding $238,000, and there are income restrictions to keep in mind.

Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)

If you’re a first-time homebuyer eyeing a place in Austin⁹, you might be in luck. The city offers up to $40,000 in assistance for both down payment and closing costs through a forgivable loan.

However, there are criteria: for a single-person household, the income must not exceed $55,400 (though this threshold increases with larger households). Moreover, the home’s sales price must be under $614,054.70 and lie within Austin’s boundaries.

Houston NeighborhoodLIFT DPA

Lastly, in Houston, there’s the NeighborhoodLIFT program¹⁰. It offers eligible borrowers up to $15,000 to assist with the down payment and closing costs. To qualify, there are specific income limits to meet, and completion of a homebuyer education course is mandatory.

Texas first-time home buyer key stats

The median list price for homes in Texas hit $341,000 in February 2024. That rose 3.1% from the year prior, according to Redfin.

Saving enough to purchase a home is a big challenge for many first-time home buyers. Thankfully, The Lone Star State offers special mortgage loans, tax credits, and down payment assistance.

Keep in mind that home prices and down payments can vary a lot, depending on your target areas and what your personal finances look like.

Texas home buyer stats

Down payment amounts are based on the state’s most recently available average home sale price. “Minimum” down payment assumes 3% down on a conventional mortgage with a minimum credit score of 620.

If you’re eligible for a VA loan (backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs) or a USDA loan (backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture), you may not need any down payment at all.

First-time home buyer loans in Texas

If you’re a first-time buyer in Texas with a 20% down payment, you can get a conventional loan with a competitive interest rate and no private mortgage insurance (PMI). Putting 20% down will keep your monthly mortgage payments low. It might also give you an edge in competitive housing markets like Austin or Dallas.

However, few first-time borrowers have saved that much. The good news is that Texans have access to a wide range of mortgage loans that can help them get into a new house with low or even no down payment:

• Conventional 97: Backed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. 3% down payment and 620 minimum credit score. You can usually stop paying mortgage insurance after a few years
• FHA loan: Backed by the Federal Housing Administration. 3.5% down and a 580 minimum credit score. You’re on the hook for mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) until you refinance to a different type of mortgage, move, or pay off your loan
• VA loan: Only for veterans and service members. Zero down payment is required. Minimum credit score varies by lender, but often 620. No ongoing mortgage insurance after closing. These are arguably the best mortgages available, so check your eligibility if you have a military service history
• USDA loan: For those on low-to-moderate incomes buying in designated rural areas. Zero down payment required. Credit score requirements vary by mortgage lender, but often 640. Low mortgage insurance rates
• Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation loans: Special home loans for public servants and low-income buyers. More info below

Note that government loan programs (including FHA, VA, and USDA home loans) require you to buy a primary residence. That means you can’t use these loans for a vacation home or investment property.

In addition, most programs allow you to use gifted money or down payment assistance (DPA) to cover your down payment and closing costs. Depending on the mortgage loan you choose, you could potentially get into your new house with minimal cash out of pocket.

If you’re unsure which program to choose for your first mortgage, your lender or real estate agent can help you find the right match based on your finances and home buying goals.

Buying a home in Texas’s major cities

Buying a home in a major city is often more expensive than in rural areas or small towns. The competition might be hotter in metro real estate markets, too.

If you’re planning to buy in one of Texas’s biggest cities, you’ll want to know what to expect. Here’s an overview.

Houston first-time home buyers

The median listing price for homes in Houston was $334,000 in February 2024. That fell 3.2% year-over-year, according to Realtor.com.

At today’s home prices, making a down payment in Houston, Texas might cost:

• $10,020 for 3% down payment
• $66,800 for 20% down payment

The City of Houston Housing and Community Development offers a DPA program that can help first-time home buyers.

The city’s Homebuyer Assistance Program is available to those with a household income at or below 80% of the area’s median income and can offer up to $50,000. Its website says: “Our assistance is a no-interest, forgivable loan secured by a lien. The loan is fulfilled if the buyer lives in the home for five years. If the buyer sells or moves out of the home before the end of five years, they will pay back the City for a portion of the original loan amount.”

San Antonio first-time home buyers

The median listing price for homes in San Antonio was $299,000 in February 2024. That held flat year-over-year, according to Realtor.com.

At today’s home prices in San Antonio, a down payment would cost around:

• $8,970 for 3% down payment
• $59,800 for 20% down payment

The Neighborhood & Housing Services Department (NHSD) has a Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP 80), which lends between $1,000 and $30,000 to help first-time home buyers with their upfront housing costs.

In the words of the NHSD website, assistance is a “0% interest / no payments second loan which can be used for the down payment required by your lender and some additional costs associated with purchasing a home.” On balances less than $15,000, the entire loan balance will be forgiven over a 5-year period. However, that period extends to 10 years on balances greater than $15,001.

San Antonio also has two other down payment assistance programs; one for first responders and another for employees.

Dallas first-time home buyers

The median listing price for homes in Dallas was $439,000 in February 2024. That rose 2.2% year-over-year, according to Realtor.com.

At today’s home prices, a down payment in Dallas might cost:

• $13,170 for 3% down payment
• $87,800 for 20% down payment

The City of Dallas has a down payment assistance program called DHAP. The amount you get depends on your needs, and in most areas is capped at $50,000. To qualify for home buyer aid in Dallas, you must have a household income of no higher than 80% of the area’s median income.

The website says, “The assistance is a second lien as a forgivable deferred loan. Loan terms are interest-free with no monthly payments, prorated annually based on the affordability period (residency term of the loan). Partial repayment is due upon sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of the property.”

That’s more vague than Houston and San Antonio’s offerings, but you can call (214) 670-3644 to get a clearer idea of what’s offered. Or, talk to your loan officer about what local aid you might qualify for.

Where to find home buying help in Texas

All the organizations we’ve listed above should provide advice freely to any first-time home buyer in Texas. In addition to our selection, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)⁶ provides a list of city- and county-specific programs across Texas.

• Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation loans (TSAHC) and its home purchase price limits
• Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program
• Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program
• Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCAA)
• City of Houston Housing and Community Development
• Neighborhood & Housing Services Department (NHSD)
• The City of Dallas down payment assistance programs

What are today’s mortgage rates in Texas?

You can check current mortgage interest rates in Texas here. Experiment with a mortgage calculator to see how down payment, interest rates, homeowners insurance, and property taxes will all affect your monthly mortgage payment.

When you’re ready to start the home buying process, make sure you get personalized rate quotes from at least three mortgage lenders. Don’t just look at advertised rates online. Apply for preapproval and compare the interest rates and fees you’re offered. Because that’s the only way to know you’re getting the best deal possible on your new home loan.

 ¹Source: Redfin Texas Housing Market

²Source: Experian.com 2023 study of 2022 and 2021 data

³Based on a review of the state’s available DPA grants at the time this was written

⁴Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation loans (TSAHC)

⁵Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCAA)

⁶U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

⁷ Veterans Housing Assistance Program (VHAP)

⁸ City of Corpus Christi

⁹ Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)

¹⁰ Houston NeighborHoodLIFT Program