Texas First-Time Home Buyer Programs of 2023

Phil Metzger
By Phil Metzger 
Updated
Edited by Mary Makarushka

Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners.

Buying a house is a huge financial decision. If you’ve never done it before, it’s easy to feel like you’re in over your head. Loan programs for first-time home buyers can make the process easier, especially if you’ve had credit issues or found it hard to save up a down payment.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) offers first-time home buyer programs to assist qualified borrowers in the Lone Star State. Some national loan programs also have features that can benefit first-time home buyers. Browse the options below to find the right mortgage for your needs.

TDHCA highlights and eligibility requirements

If you haven’t owned a home as your primary residence within the past three years, you’re considered a first-time home buyer by the TDHCA. This requirement is waived if you’re an honorably discharged veteran, and one state program is available to some repeat home buyers.

Highlights

  • Down payment and closing cost assistance.

  • Tax credit possible for annual interest paid on mortgage loan.

  • Some programs can be combined for maximum benefit.

  • Homes in “targeted areas” enjoy higher income and purchase price limits.

Eligibility

  • Borrowers must have a minimum credit score of 620.

  • Borrowers must meet income requirements.

  • Property must be in Texas and not exceed purchase price limits.

  • Property can be a single-family home, condo or townhome, manufactured home or other eligible dwelling.

Mortgage loans from our partners

Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
580

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

NBKC - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on NBKC

Guaranteed Rate - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Guaranteed Rate - PURCHASE logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on Guaranteed Rate

New American Funding - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
500

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on New American Funding

TDHCA first-time home buyer loan programs

My First Texas Home loan

Best for:

Buying yourself some time to repay a no-interest loan

What you need to know:

The My First Texas Home program offers 30-year fixed-interest-rate mortgages for first-time home buyers and veterans. The program includes down payment and closing cost assistance of up to 5% of the mortgage amount as a no-interest, no-monthly-payment second lien.

My First Texas Home loans can also be combined with the Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program to reduce your federal tax bill.

While the My First Texas Home loan program is available throughout Texas, purchase price and income limits are higher for properties in certain “targeted areas.” Learn how to determine whether a property is within a targeted area on the TDHCA website.

My Choice Texas Home

Best for:

30-year loan with cash assistance for all buyers

What you need to know:

The My Choice Texas Home is not restricted to first-time buyers. This program offers 30-year fixed-rate loans. Qualified buyers can get help with down payments and closing costs up to 5% of the loan amount. Income and property value limits apply, and a minimum credit score of 620 is required.

Texas mortgage credit certificate

Best for:

Reducing your tax bill

What you need to know:

Every mortgage payment includes interest charges that go to the lender rather than your loan balance. First-time home buyers in Texas may be able to recoup a limited portion of that interest on their federal tax bill using the MCC.

It is valid for the lifetime of the loan, so long as the home remains your primary residence.

Ready to take the next step toward being a Texas homeowner? It’s time to dig into the specifics. For full details on any of the programs listed above, visit the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs website.

The TDHCA doesn’t approve applications or lend money; instead, it has a network of participating lenders that provide access to first-time home buyer programs. These lenders may have additional rules about income limits, credit scores and eligible properties. If you’re interested in these home buyer assistance programs, reach out directly to a lender for more information.

First-time home buyer programs near Texas

National first-time home buyer loan programs

No matter where you live, these loan programs have benefits that may help you buy your first home, like low down payment and credit score requirements.

Conventional mortgage

Best for:

Low down payments, limited mortgage insurance premiums

What you need to know:

A conventional mortgage is a home loan that isn’t guaranteed or insured by the federal government. Conventional mortgages that conform to the requirements set forth by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allow down payments as low as 3% for first-time buyers or lower-income home buyers. Unlike FHA loans, conventional loans allow borrowers to eventually cancel their mortgage insurance or avoid mortgage insurance altogether if they put at least 20% down.

VA loans

Best for:

Military, low down payments

What you need to know:

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs helps service members, veterans and surviving spouses buy homes. VA loans are especially generous, providing competitive interest rates, often requiring no down payment or mortgage insurance. Although there is no official minimum credit score, most VA-approved lenders require scores of at least 640.

FHA loans

Best for:

Low credit score, low down payments

What you need to know:

This is the go-to program for many first-time home buyers with lower credit scores. The Federal Housing Administration allows down payments as low as 3.5% for those with credit scores of 580 or higher. The FHA will insure loans for borrowers with scores as low as 500 but requires a 10% down payment for a score that low. Mortgage insurance is required for the life of an FHA loan and cannot be canceled.

USDA loans

Best for:

Low down payments, rural home buyers

What you need to know:

A USDA home loan is a zero-down-payment mortgage for eligible rural and suburban home buyers. USDA loans are issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program. There are income limitations, which vary by region. Applicants with credit scores of 640 or higher receive streamlined processing. Those with scores below that must meet more stringent underwriting standards.

More from NerdWallet:

Explore mortgages today and get started on your homeownership goals
Get personalized rates. Your lender matches are just a few questions away.
Won’t affect your credit score
Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.