Down Payment Assistance for Austin Home Buyers
The TSAHC programs can cover 2% to 5% of your loan amount, and you do not have to be a first-time buyer to use them. We are set up to originate both TSAHC programs and we will show you the math next to a standard Conventional, FHA, or VA loan so you can see which one actually costs less.
Or call or text 512-766-7660 and ask about TSAHC.
What TSAHC Actually Gives You
The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) is a nonprofit created by the Texas Legislature. Its home buyer programs provide down payment assistance worth 2% to 5% of your loan amount, paired with a Conventional, FHA, or VA mortgage. The assistance comes in one of two forms:
A grant. This money never has to be repaid. Grants are available with FHA and VA loans.
A deferred, forgivable second lien. This version carries no payment and no interest, and it is fully forgiven after three years as long as you stay in the home. It is available with Conventional, FHA, and VA loans, and it often comes with better pricing than the grant.
On a $400,000 loan, 4% assistance is $16,000 toward your down payment and closing costs. That is the difference between waiting another year to save and buying now, for a lot of Austin households.
Home Sweet Texas
For any eligible Texas home buyer. No special profession required. If your household income is under the limit for your county and you meet the credit requirements, this program is on the table for you.
Austin-area income limit: $201,600 (Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, and Caldwell counties, effective June 13, 2026).
Homes for Texas Heroes
A higher income limit and dedicated pricing for the people who serve Texas: teachers and school staff, police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, correctional officers and county jailers, and veterans.
Austin-area income limit: $228,480 (Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, and Caldwell counties, effective July 9, 2026).
Do You Qualify? The Short Checklist
- Credit score: 620 or higher for FHA and VA options, 640 or higher for the Conventional option. Better scores unlock better pricing.
- Income: under $201,600 for Home Sweet Texas or $228,480 for Homes for Texas Heroes (Austin-area limits as of mid-2026; they change periodically and we verify yours at no cost).
- The home: your primary residence, in Texas. Purchase price limits may apply depending on the loan type, and we check that for you.
- First-time buyer? Not required. You can have owned a home before and still use TSAHC down payment assistance.
- Education: a short, approved online home buyer course before closing. Plan on a couple of hours on the couch.
The Honest Part: DPA Is Not Always the Cheapest Path
Down payment assistance usually comes with a somewhat higher interest rate than a standard loan. If you have savings for a down payment, a plain Conventional, FHA, or VA loan may cost less over the life of the loan. If the down payment is the wall between you and owning, TSAHC knocks that wall down and the trade-off is usually worth it.
This is why working with a broker matters here. We price the TSAHC option and the standard option side by side and show you both. You pick the one with the smaller number. Banks that do not offer TSAHC will not show you this comparison.
Common Questions
Do I have to be a first-time home buyer?
No. The TSAHC down payment assistance programs are open to repeat buyers as long as you meet the income and credit requirements and the home will be your primary residence.
Does the assistance have to be paid back?
The grant version never has to be repaid. The second lien version has no payment and no interest, and it is forgiven in full after you have lived in the home for three years. If you sell or refinance before then, the remaining balance is repaid out of the transaction.
Can I use TSAHC with a VA or FHA loan?
Yes. The assistance pairs with Conventional, FHA, and VA loans. Veterans get a double win: the Homes for Texas Heroes income limits plus VA financing with no required down payment, which means the assistance can go toward closing costs instead.
How do I find out if I qualify?
Fifteen minutes on the phone, or a quick quote request, and we can tell you which program fits, how much assistance you would receive, and what the payment looks like next to a standard loan. There is no cost and no credit pull required for the first conversation.
Buyers Who Started Exactly Where You Are
From the 89 five-star reviews clients have left across Google, Zillow, and Experience.com.
“Being a first time homeowner and taking out my first mortgage loan, there were a lot of unknowns. Not only did Anthony answer all of my beginner home-buying and loan questions, he has been extremely thorough and responsive the whole entire journey…”
“First time buying a home they made me feel so welcome… They made everything digestible as I needed to learn the process. I walked away feeling like everybody won.”
“He was clear and concise, informative and didn't pull any punches. He was more interested in getting us into a home we loved and could sustain rather than just sticking us with a mortgage.”
Read all 89 client reviews on the reviews page.
Find Out in 15 Minutes
Tell us your situation and we will run the TSAHC numbers next to a standard loan, no cost and no pressure. You compare, you decide.
Schedule a 15-minute call or call or text 512-766-7660.
Program details, income limits, and assistance amounts are set by TSAHC, are current as of July 2026, and may change without notice. Qualification is subject to program guidelines and loan approval. This is not a commitment to lend. Anthony Ferrando NMLS# 1919613 | Mortgage Austin NMLS# 2403080.