Program

Home Sweet Texas

TSAHC is committed to helping more Texans become homeowners. Through our Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program we offer fixed-rate mortgage loans paired with down payment assistance (DPA) and mortgage credit certificates (MCCs) to help make homeownership more affordable. This program is available to low- and moderate-income households, including first-time and repeat home buyers, and other eligible Texans.

What Does the Home Sweet Texas Loan Program Offer?

Buying a home is a big step, and TSAHC is here to help make it more affordable.

If you qualify, you can receive a fixed-rate mortgage along with down payment assistance of up to 5% of your loan amount to help cover your down payment and closing costs. This assistance is available as either a grant that never has to be repaid or a forgivable second lien loan that is completely forgiven after three years, as long as you don’t sell, refinance, or move out of your home during that time.

Are You A First-Time Home Buyer?

If you’re a first-time home buyer, you may also be eligible for a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC). An MCC can help you save money every year by providing a federal income tax credit equal to 15% of the mortgage interest you pay annually. This valuable tax benefit can put money back in your pocket year after year, making homeownership even more affordable.

Are you Eligible?

The Homes Sweet Texas Loan Program helps low and moderate-income families purchase a home.

Take the Pathfinder Quiz

Contact the homeownership team

877-508-4611 homeownership@tsahc.org

Do I have to be a first-time home buyer?

Not always. Some borrowers may qualify even if they’ve owned a home before. However, certain program options and targeted areas may have different requirements. This is where connecting with a lender through the path finder quiz can be helpful!

What assistance can I receive through this program?

The Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program can help make buying a home more affordable by providing a fixed-rate mortgage along with valuable financial assistance.

Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

Eligible home buyers can receive up to 5% of their loan amount to help cover their down payment and closing costs. This assistance is available as either:

A grant that never has to be repaid, or
A forgivable second lien loan that is fully forgiven after three years, provided you do not sell or refinance your home during that time.

Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

If you’re a first-time home buyer, you may also qualify for a Mortgage Credit Certificate. An MCC provides a federal income tax credit equal to 15% of the mortgage interest you pay each year, helping you save money and making homeownership more affordable over the life of your loan.

Whether you’re buying your first home or purchasing again, the Home Sweet Texas program offers resources that can help you achieve your homeownership goals.

Is the Down Payment Assistance Free?

You can choose between:

A grant that does not have to be repaid, or
A forgivable second lien loan that is forgiven after three years if you do not sell or refinance the home

We also have a No DPA option which simply provides a very competitive interest rate to buyers wanting a better rate. This can also be combined with our MCC program making it a great combo deal!

What types of homes can I buy?

You may be able to purchase:

Single-family homes
Condominiums
Townhomes
Manufactured homes (if eligible under program guidelines)

The home must be your primary residence.

Are there income, purchase price, and credit score requirements?

Yes. The limits vary by county and household size. We also have a minimum 620 credit score requirement on government loans and 640 minimum on conventional loans. Your participating lender can help you determine if you qualify and even help you with your credit if needed. The path finder quiz is a great way to start and get connected to a trusted lender in your area!

How do you define low and moderate family income?

Income limits are based on the median income for your area and the number of people in your household. Generally, households earning up to 80% of the area’s median income are considered low-income, while households earning up to 150 to 170% of the area’s median income are considered moderate-income.

Since these limits vary by location and household size, be sure to start with the path finder quiz so you can connect with a TSAHC lender to review the income limits for your area.

How do I apply?

You apply through a TSAHC-approved participating lender. The lender will:

Review your eligibility
Help you choose the right assistance option
Guide you through the home buying process

You can start with taking the path finder quiz today. It will connect you with a TSAHC approved and trusted lender right away!

Are you a Texas Hero?

You may also be eligible for our Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan program, which offers home buyer assistance to our Texas Heroes that serve our state. This can include educators, police officers, firefighters, EMS, county jailers, correctional officers, and veterans.

To determine what program may be right for you, take our Path Finder Quiz.

Learn More About The Homes for Texas Heroes Program

Next Steps

Follow these next steps to continue your path toward homeownership.

Take the Path Finder Quiz

In just a few quick steps, you’ll see which TSAHC programs could help you move closer to your homeownership goals.

Learn More

Find a Lender

Contact one of our participating mortgage lenders to start the application process.

Learn More

Take a Homebuyer Education Class

Home buyers using TSAHC’s programs must complete an approved home buyer education course.

Learn More

Find a REALTOR®

Find a local REALTOR® to guide you through the home buying process.

Learn More

Questions? Contact the homeownership team.

Email the Homeownership Team

Hear From Our Community

“Buying a home is the biggest financial decision we’ve ever made, and we couldn’t have done it without the down payment grant we received from TSAHC. I’m so grateful to loan officer Stacy Schriever and REALTOR® Debbie Patterson for introducing me to TSAHC’s programs, which made it possible for our family to finally purchase a home of our own.”

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Felicia Bolton
Home Buyer

“Buying a home can be overwhelming, but I feel very blessed with my experience. I am very grateful for the guidance that my loan officer Tina Chumley, and REALTOR® Chelcy Gilliland provided during the home buying process. I am also thankful for TSAHC, whose programs helped me buy a home in my neighborhood so my son didn’t have to change schools.”

Ellie Moss
Home Buyer

“I previously worked in the mortgage industry, and I always knew when it was time to buy a home, it would be through TSAHC. Utilizing TSAHC’s programs sped up my ability to purchase a home by a couple of years.”

Mireille Hernandez
Home Buyer

“Using TSAHC’s down payment assistance was a super easy process. We submitted all our documents through an app, and we had no idea our closing would happen so quickly. Everyone was very kind and helpful throughout the process, and we’re so excited to be settled in our new home.”