First-time home buyer programs in Texas
Texas runs two parallel statewide programs, so first-time buyers effectively get two shots at down payment help: TDHCA's My First Texas Home and TSAHC's Home Sweet Texas. Both pair a 30-year fixed mortgage with assistance worth up to 5% of the loan amount, and both require an approved homebuyer education course.
Brokers in our network can pair these programs with competing loan offers — free, no obligation.
My First Texas Home (TDHCA)
A below-market 30-year fixed mortgage with down payment and closing-cost assistance for first-time buyers.
- Down payment assistance up to 5% of the loan amount
- Minimum 640 credit score for FHA, VA, or USDA loans
- Income and purchase-price limits vary by county
- Homebuyer education course required before closing
Home Sweet Texas & Homes for Texas Heroes (TSAHC)
Grants or forgivable second liens worth up to 5% of the loan, with a dedicated track for teachers, police, firefighters, EMS, corrections officers, and veterans.
- Assistance up to 5% of the loan amount as a grant or forgivable second
- Lower 620 minimum credit score
- Heroes track serves teachers, first responders, corrections staff, and veterans
- No first-time buyer requirement on some options
Program terms, income limits, and funding availability change throughout the year — confirm current details with TDHCA / TSAHC or a licensed Texas broker before relying on them.
Pair assistance with an FHA loan in Texas
Most Texas first-time buyers combine down payment assistance with an FHA first mortgage. 2026 FHA one-unit limits run from $541,287 (the national floor) up to $571,550 in Austin.
See all 2026 Texas FHA loan limits →Find a broker in your Texas market
Local brokers know which programs are funded right now and how to stack them:
Texas first-time buyer FAQ
How much down payment assistance can a first-time buyer get in Texas?
Both statewide programs — TDHCA's My First Texas Home and TSAHC's Home Sweet Texas — offer assistance worth up to 5% of your loan amount, delivered as a grant or a second lien. Several cities and counties (Fort Worth, Arlington, Tarrant County) layer on local programs worth up to $20,000–$50,000 more.
Who counts as a first-time home buyer in Texas?
Anyone who hasn't owned a primary residence in the past three years. Veterans are exempt from the rule in many programs, and buyers in targeted census tracts can qualify without being first-timers.
What credit score do Texas assistance programs require?
TSAHC programs start at 620; TDHCA's My First Texas Home generally requires 640. Either way, a broker can pair the assistance with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional financing.
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