Buyer guide · Down payment help
Down payment assistance in Texas, explained.
The money for your down payment might not have to come from your savings. Here are the main programs Houston-area buyers use, how they work, and what to watch for.
Three ways the help can come
- Grant: money you never pay back.
- Forgivable second loan: a small second lien that goes away if you keep the home and stay current for a set number of years.
- Deferred second loan: usually 0% interest with no monthly payment. You repay it when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home.
Programs Houston buyers use most
| Program | Who runs it | How much | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| My First Texas Home | TDHCA (state) | Up to 5% of the loan | For first-time buyers and veterans. 0% deferred second loan. Statewide. |
| My Choice Texas Home | TDHCA (state) | Up to 5% of the loan | No first-time buyer rule. Statewide. |
| Home Sweet Texas | TSAHC (state) | Up to 5% of the loan | Grant or forgivable second loan. No first-time buyer rule. |
| Homes for Texas Heroes | TSAHC (state) | Up to 5% of the loan | For teachers, police, firefighters, EMS, corrections officers, veterans, and other eligible professions. |
| SETH 5 Star | Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corp. | Up to 5% of the loan | Houston-area counties. No first-time buyer rule. |
| Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) | City of Houston | Has offered up to $50,000 | Inside Houston city limits only. Income limits apply, first-time buyers, homebuyer class required, limited funding. |
| Harris County assistance | Harris County | Varies by funding cycle | For homes outside Houston city limits in Harris County. Income limits apply. |
What you’ll usually need
- Household income under the program’s limit for your county and family size
- A credit score around 620 or higher for most state programs
- A home under the program’s purchase price limit that you’ll live in
- A homebuyer education course, often online
The honest trade-offs
Some programs come with a slightly higher interest rate than a loan without assistance, and a second loan has to be paid back if it isn’t forgiven. Sometimes a seller credit or a slightly bigger down payment is the cheaper path. I’ll run both ways side by side so you can see the real cost over the years you plan to own the home.
Find out which programs fit you.
Send me a few details and I’ll check which programs you may qualify for, then call you with the numbers. No credit pull for this step.
Thank you for your response. ✨
General information only, not a commitment to lend. Assistance programs are run by the agencies named above, have their own eligibility rules and limited funding, and can change or close without notice. Not every lender offers every program.
