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FIRST-TIME BUYER

First-time home buyer programs in Texas.

From FHA at 3.5% down to TSAHC down-payment assistance, the Texas-specific roadmap to your first home.

Young couple carrying moving boxes into their first home
Programs that fit first-timers

Four programs most Texas first-time buyers compare.

The right program depends on credit, military status, property location, and household income. We map your file across all four before recommending one.

FHA Loan

Best for first-time buyers when your FICO is between 580 and 700, your down payment is modest, and you want a forgiving credit review. 3.5% down with 580+ FICO.

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Conventional 3% Down

Best for first-time buyers when your FICO is 680+ and you want PMI you can drop later. Agency-standard underwriting at 3% down for qualifying buyers.

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USDA Loan

Best for first-time buyers when the property is in a USDA-eligible Texas area and household income is at or below the county limit. Zero down.

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VA Loan

Best for first-time buyers who are veterans, active-duty service members, or qualifying spouses. Zero down, no PMI, assumable loans.

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Texas down-payment assistance

DPA that stacks with your loan program.

Texas runs one of the most active state DPA ecosystems in the country. The two biggest are TSAHC and TDHCA, both of which can layer on top of an FHA, Conventional 3% Down, VA, or USDA file.

See all Texas DPA programs

TSAHC My First Texas Home

The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation runs grant and second-lien DPA tied to a 30-year first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional). Income limits apply by county; the program targets first-time buyers and qualifying veterans.

TDHCA Down Payment Assistance

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs runs two flagship DPA programs (My First Texas Home and My Choice Texas Home) that fund 2–5% of the loan amount toward down payment and closing costs. Stacks with FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional.

Home Sweet Texas Home Loan

TSAHC’s bond program for non-first-time buyers and households above the My First Texas Home income limits. Same DPA mechanic, broader eligibility — useful for move-up Texas families.

How the process works

Six steps from inquiry to keys.

  1. 01

    Get pre-qualified

    Soft-pull pre-qualification with no FICO ding. We confirm what you can borrow, what cash you need, and which program fits before you ever talk to a Realtor.

  2. 02

    Find a Realtor

    Choose a Texas-licensed Realtor (we partner with 100+ DFW agents and can refer if you need one). Your Realtor coordinates showings and writes offers.

  3. 03

    House hunt

    Tour homes that match the pre-approval and your priorities. We update your pre-approval letter on demand for offer-specific price points.

  4. 04

    Make an offer

    Your Realtor writes the offer. We back it with a credible pre-approval letter — listing agents in DFW know a Q letter holds up at the closing table.

  5. 05

    Inspection + appraisal

    Once the offer is accepted, you order an inspection (your call) and we order the appraisal. We negotiate any repair credits and clear underwriting in parallel.

  6. 06

    Close

    Closing disclosure goes out at least three business days before close per TRID. You sign at title, funds wire, and you get keys.

Frequently asked

Common first-time buyer questions.

What is the minimum down payment for a first-time home buyer in Texas?
It depends on the program. FHA allows 3.5% down with 580+ FICO. Conventional allows 3% down for qualifying first-time buyers. VA allows 0% down for veterans. USDA allows 0% down on properties inside the USDA Eligibility Map. With Texas DPA layered on top (TSAHC, TDHCA), many first-time buyers close with very little out-of-pocket.
What credit score do I need to buy a home in Texas?
The practical floor for most first-time-buyer programs is 580 (FHA). VA and USDA also work down to 580–620 depending on the lender. Conventional starts at 620. Higher scores unlock better pricing — 720+ is where conventional pricing typically becomes more attractive than FHA. We pull a soft credit report on every file before quoting.
How much do I need in savings to buy my first home?
You need enough to cover the down payment, closing costs (typically 2–4% of the purchase price in Texas), prepaid escrows (taxes + insurance), and a reserve cushion. On a $300,000 FHA purchase, that is roughly $10,500 down plus $6,000–$12,000 in costs and reserves. Texas DPA programs and seller credits can offset much of this — we model the actual cash-to-close before you write an offer.
What are typical Texas closing costs for a first-time buyer?
Texas closing costs run roughly 2–4% of the purchase price. They include lender fees (origination, underwriting), third-party fees (appraisal, credit report, flood cert), title charges (title insurance, escrow, recording), and prepaid escrows (property taxes, homeowners insurance). On Texas purchases, the seller often pays the owner’s title policy by custom — we walk you through line items on the loan estimate.
How long does it take to buy a home in Texas?
From pre-approval to closing, plan on 30–60 days once you are under contract. Pre-approval itself is 24–48 hours after we have your documents. House hunting timelines vary widely — some buyers find their home in a weekend, others take months. Conventional and FHA close in 30–35 days; USDA runs 35–45 days because of the USDA conditional commitment step.

Ready to start your Texas home purchase?

Pre-approval in 24 hours. No FICO ding, no commitment. We will tell you yes, no, or here is what we need to make it work.

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