Texas First-Time Home Buyer: 2022 Programs and Grants

What to know about buying a house in Texas

Buying your first home is always daunting. But first-time home buyers in Texas have plenty of places to turn for help.

The Lone Star State is home to a range of first-time home buyer programs — from advice and homebuyer 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 just for particular Texan cities, towns, and counties. So make sure you explore your local options.

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Texas home buyer overview

Home buyers in Texas have a head start over buyers in some other areas.

The average home price in the state is lower than much of the rest of the nation. In the first quarter of 2022, Texas homes averaged $325,000 while the nationwide average clocked in at about $400,000.

However, home prices and down payments vary a lot depending on your target areas and what your personal finances look like.

Texas home buyer stats

Average Home Sale Price in TX1	$325,000 (Q1 2022)
Minimum Down Payment in TX (3%)	$9,750
20% Down Payment in TX	$65,000
Average Credit Score in TX2	692
Maximum TX Home Buyer Grant3	$40,000+ in Dallas or 5% of the loan amount statewide

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 US 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 low 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, 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 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 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

Remember, your down payment isn’t the only upfront cost when buying a house. You also need to cover closing costs, which often total 2-5% of the home loan amount.

Down payment and closing cost assistance programs — discussed below — can help first-time buyers cover their upfront fees.

Also keep in mind that your mortgage payments will include property taxes and homeowners insurance on top of loan principal and interest. So factor these homeownership costs in when estimating your home buying budget.

Texas first-time home buyer programs

There are numerous sources of help for first-time home buyers in Texas. But a good place to start is with the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation.

Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC)

The TSAHC is a public body 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:

1. Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program: Fixed-rate mortgage program for teachers, firefighters, EMS personnel, police officers, correctional officers, and veterans
2. Homes Sweet Texas Home Loan Program: Fixed-rate mortgage program for Texas home buyers with low and moderate incomes for the area or county where they live

Income limits for both programs vary by county. But there’s an online eligibility test (click the applicable link above) 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.

Borrowers need a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for either program. And there are home purchase price limits, though those seem fairly generous.

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)

The TDHCA is another Texas first-time home buyer program that helps moderate- and low-income families achieve homeownership.

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

Some of the 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

To be eligible for TDHCA loans, most Texans need to 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

For qualified buyers, the TDHC offers two programs: My First Texas Home program and the My Choice Texas Home loan.

• My First Texas Home program: Down payment and closing cost assistance up to 5% of the loan amount for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. This is a no-interest deferred loan that must be paid in full when the homeowner refinances, sells, or pays off the mortgage
• My Choice Texas Home program: Also provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to 5% of the loan amount for either conventional or government-backed mortgages. This program is not restricted to first-time buyers, but a 620 minimum credit score is required

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

Home buying help for veterans

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

Texas first-time home buyer grants

If you’re approved for a home loan through the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, you stand to 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.

At the end of this article, you’ll find a list of more than 40 programs that provide help for first-time home buyers in Texas. But these are specific to counties, cities, and towns. The TSAHC program is statewide.

Each down payment assistance program (DPA) can set its own rules and offer its own benefits. You may find the one serving your area is better or worse than TSAHC’s.

Be sure to compare all the programs for which you’re eligible and see which offers the best deal.

Of course, if you’re able to 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.

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’ 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 $329,000 in February 2022. That was up 4.4% year-over-year, according to Realtor.com.

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

• $9,870 for 3% down payment
• $65,800 for 20% down payment

The City of Houston Housing and Community Development offers two programs that can help first-time home buyers in Texas.

One DPA program is available to those with a household income at or below 80% of the area’s median income, and it offers up to $30,000.

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.”

The other program is similar, but may specifically help home buyers who haven’t owned real estate in the last three years or who “are replacing a home that was damaged by Hurricane Harvey.”

San Antonio first-time home buyers

The median listing price for homes in San Antonio was $280,000 in February 2022. That was up from 14.3% year-over-year, according to Realtor.com.

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

• $8,400 for 3% down payment
• $56,000 for 20% down payment

The Neighborhood & Housing Services Department (NHSD) has a Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP 80), which lends between $1,000 and $15,000 to help first-time home buyers with their upfront housing costs.

In the words of the NHSD website, assistance is in the form of a “0% interest / no payments second loan which can be used for the down-payment required by your lender and some of the additional costs associated with purchasing a home. 100% of the loan will be forgiven over a 5-year period.”

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

Dallas first-time home buyers

The median listing price for homes in Dallas was $400,000 in February 2022, which makes growth flat year-over-year, according to Realtor.com.

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

• $12,000 for 3% down payment
• $80,000 for 20% down payment

The City of Dallas has three down payment assistance programs. The amount you get depends on your needs and in most areas is capped at $40,000.

To qualify for home buyer aid in Dallas, you must have a household income that’s 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 Austin 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 US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides a list of city- and county-specific programs across Texas. The list is as follows:

TX first-time home buyer resources by city/town

TX first-time home buyer resources by county

What are today’s mortgage rates in Texas?

You can check current mortgage interest rates in Texas here.

When you’re ready to buy, be sure to apply with at least 3-5 lenders to make sure you’re getting the lowest mortgage rate available.

Rate quotes can sometimes vary by as much as 0.50% between lenders, so shopping around for rates could save you a thousands on your new home.

 ¹Source: Texas REALTORS 2021 Texas Real Estate Year in Review

²Source: Experian.com 2021 study of 2020 data

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