Steve Tomaselli | NMLS 358920
Buying a home in Texas? You may qualify for up to 5% in down payment assistance — covering your down payment and closing costs with zero out-of-pocket on many loans. Texas offers several state-backed programs through TSAHC and TDHCA that are open to both first-time and repeat buyers across all 254 counties.
Use the eligibility navigator below to check your income limit, compare programs, and see exactly how much assistance you may qualify for — based on your county and household size.
Steve Tomaselli · NMLS 358920 | Edge Home Finance · NMLS 891464
Ready to move forward? Let's confirm your eligibility and lock in a program.
Texas down payment assistance refers to state- and federally-backed programs that provide eligible homebuyers with funds — typically 2% to 5% of the loan amount — to cover their down payment, closing costs, or both. These programs dramatically lower the cash required at closing, making homeownership accessible to buyers who have stable income but limited savings.
In Texas, the two primary agencies administering statewide Texas homebuyer assistance programs are the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Together, they fund thousands of closings every year across all 254 Texas counties.
As a licensed Texas mortgage broker with over 33 years of experience, Steve Tomaselli (NMLS 358920) works with buyers across every county in Texas to identify the right assistance program and pair it with the best loan structure for their situation. Whether you're in the Hill Country, the Gulf Coast, the Piney Woods, or the Panhandle, these programs are available to you.
Not every first-time home buyer program in Texas works the same way. Here's a plain-English side-by-side of the three main statewide options so you can see which one fits your situation.
| Program | Agency | 1st-Time Required? | DPA Amount | Loan Types | Repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSAHC — Home Sweet Texas | TSAHC | ✗ No | 2%–5% of loan | FHA, VA, USDA, Conv. | Grant (never) or 3-yr forgivable |
| TSAHC — Homes for Texas Heroes | TSAHC | ✗ No | 2%–5% of loan | FHA, VA, USDA, Conv. | Grant (never) or 3-yr forgivable |
| My First Texas Home | TDHCA | ✓ Yes | 2%–5% of loan | FHA, VA, USDA | 0% deferred or 3-yr forgivable |
| My Choice Texas Home | TDHCA | ✗ No | 2%–5% of loan | FHA, VA, USDA, Conv. | 0% deferred or 3-yr forgivable |
All four programs require a minimum middle FICO score of 620, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, and that the home be your primary residence. Income and purchase price limits vary by county — use the eligibility calculator above to check your specific numbers instantly. You can also estimate your monthly payment once you know your program.
TSAHC down payment assistance is widely regarded as the most flexible statewide option because it's open to both first-time and repeat buyers, requires no minimum time since previous homeownership, and offers a true grant — meaning the assistance never has to be repaid if you choose that structure.
Available to any qualifying Texas buyer who meets county-specific income limits. There are no restrictions based on profession, and the program is active in all 254 Texas counties. You can combine it with FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional financing, and the assistance ranges from 2% to 5% of the total loan amount.
Designed for the professionals who serve our communities — including K-12 teachers, school counselors, police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, correctional officers, and veterans. Heroes often qualify for slightly more competitive interest rates and, in many counties, higher income limits — sometimes up to 170% of Area Median Income (AMI). Veterans who qualify for a VA loan in Texas can layer Heroes benefits on top for even greater savings.
If you serve Texas in any of these roles, this track of TSAHC down payment assistance is almost always the right starting point. Use the eligibility checker above and check the "Hometown Hero" box to see your county-specific cap.
If you haven't owned a primary residence in the past three years, you qualify as a first-time buyer under Texas's definition — and that opens additional doors. The My First Texas Home program (TDHCA) is built specifically for buyers in this category and pairs a 30-year fixed mortgage with a 0% interest second lien that covers 2%–5% of the purchase price.
Key features of first-time home buyer programs in Texas through TDHCA:
Steve originates first-time home buyer loans across all of Texas — from Bexar and Comal counties in the San Antonio metro to Harris County in Houston, Dallas and Collin counties in North Texas, Travis and Hays counties in the Austin area, and every rural county in between. Use the Texas Home Affordability Calculator to understand your buying power before you shop.
One of the most common misconceptions buyers have is that down payment help in Texas is only available in big cities. That's simply not true. Every statewide program described on this page is available in all 254 Texas counties — whether you're purchasing in a major metro or a rural community.
Here are some of the markets where Steve regularly helps buyers access Texas homebuyer assistance programs:
Income limits vary by county and program. In 2026, the TSAHC limit for most standard Texas counties is approximately $123,500 for any household size. The San Antonio metro (Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Bandera, Wilson) is approximately $130,833. The Austin metro (Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell, Williamson) is approximately $167,250. The Dallas metro (Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Rockwall) is approximately $146,625. TDHCA My Choice Texas Home carries higher limits — the Austin metro exceeds $227,000. Use the calculator above to see the exact cap for your county.
Yes. Both TSAHC programs (Home Sweet Texas and Homes for Texas Heroes) and the TDHCA My Choice Texas Home program are fully available to repeat buyers. Prior homeownership is not a disqualifier as long as the property will be your primary residence and you meet the income and credit guidelines.
All major statewide Texas down payment assistance programs — including TSAHC and TDHCA — require a minimum middle FICO score of 620. This applies regardless of loan type (FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional). If your score is below 620, Steve can help you build a credit improvement plan. Schedule a call to discuss your situation.
TSAHC offers two structures. The grant option is a true gift — it never has to be repaid under any circumstances, even if you sell or refinance. The 3-year forgivable second lien is technically a loan, but it is fully forgiven if you remain in the home for at least three years. Most buyers choose the grant for maximum flexibility.
Yes — and this is one of Steve's specialties. New construction financing with TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance is absolutely possible, though it requires careful coordination between the builder's timeline and the program's rate lock process. Steve has extensive experience pairing DPA with new construction loans across Central Texas and the Hill Country. Book a call to get started.
Yes — in all 254 Texas counties. Whether you're buying in New Braunfels, Wimberley, Fredericksburg, Seguin, Marble Falls, Boerne, Dripping Springs, Lockhart, or any rural community in Texas, these programs are available. USDA loans are also compatible with TSAHC and TDHCA assistance and work well in many rural and suburban markets. Steve originates Texas down payment assistance loans statewide.
TSAHC is a self-sustaining nonprofit that funds programs through mortgage revenue bonds. Its programs have no first-time buyer requirement, offer a true grant option, and are generally faster to process. TDHCA is a state agency offering My First Texas Home (first-time buyers only) and My Choice Texas Home (open to all). TDHCA carries 0% interest second liens — no grant option — but often has higher income limits in high-cost markets like Austin. The best fit depends on your county, income, and homeownership history.
Yes. The Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) is a federal tax credit allowing eligible buyers to claim up to 40% of their annual mortgage interest as a direct credit against federal income tax — dollar for dollar, every year they own the home. Heroes and first-time buyers can layer the MCC on top of TDHCA assistance for maximum savings. The MCC adds a $400 fee at closing but can generate thousands in annual tax savings. Ask Steve if you qualify.
Steve Tomaselli (NMLS 358920) has been originating mortgages since 1994 — over 33 years in the industry. He is affiliated with Edge Home Finance Corporation (NMLS 891464) and licensed in Texas, Florida, and Massachusetts.
Steve specializes in matching Texas buyers with the right down payment assistance program — not just running applications through a generic process. That means comparing TSAHC vs. TDHCA side by side for your specific county and income, evaluating whether an MCC makes sense for your tax situation, and structuring new construction loans that work with builder timelines. He also works with real estate investors through DSCR investment loans and partners with agents through the agent co-marketing program.
Steve serves buyers across all 254 Texas counties. His primary market is Central Texas and the Hill Country — New Braunfels, Boerne, San Marcos, Seguin, Wimberley, Fredericksburg, Kyle, Buda, and the greater San Antonio and Austin metro areas — but he originates Texas down payment assistance loans statewide. Reach out directly to get started.
Free 15-minute call. No pressure. Steve will tell you exactly which program fits and how much assistance you qualify for.