Is it free money, or do I pay it back?

It depends on the program, and this is the question to get answered in writing before you close. Some assistance is a true grant. Some is a forgivable second lien that disappears if you stay in the home for a required period. Some is a deferred second you repay when you sell or refinance. All three get called "assistance." You should know exactly which one you're taking and what triggers repayment.

How much assistance can I actually get?

It varies by program, county, and your income — and the amounts change, so I won't quote you a number that might be stale by the time you read it. What I'll do is check the current published terms for the programs you'd qualify for and connect you to a lender approved for them.

Does my whole household's income count?

Usually yes, and this catches people out. Many programs count household income rather than just the income being used to qualify for the loan — so an adult family member living with you may affect eligibility even if they aren't on the loan. Worth checking before you plan around it.

Paying for It

Down Payment Assistance in the Houston Area

If you can carry the monthly payment and the cash to close is the only thing standing between you and a house, that is precisely the gap these programs exist to fill. Texas has real ones — the state housing agencies, Harris County, and the City of Houston each publish their own — and several are written specifically for teachers, first responders, veterans, corrections officers, and nurses. Two things catch people out. First-time buyer usually means you haven't owned in the past three years, not that you've never owned. And “assistance” covers three different things — a grant, a forgivable second lien, and a deferred second you repay when you sell or refinance. Which one you're being handed, and what triggers repayment, is the question to get answered in writing before you close.

Browse homes for sale

Is this right for you?

The honest fit

Best for

You can handle a monthly payment but the cash to close is what's stopping you
You're a first-time buyer — which usually means you haven't owned in three years, not that you've never owned
You're a teacher, first responder, veteran, corrections officer, or nurse — several programs are built specifically for you

Maybe not if…

You already have the cash to close comfortably — assistance often carries strings worth avoiding
You need to close very quickly; these programs add process and time
You're buying an investment property — assistance is for the home you'll live in

The process

How it works

01
We check which programs your income, household size, and target area actually qualify you for — several are county-specific.
02
You get connected to a lender approved for that specific program. Not every lender is, and that trips people up constantly.
03
The assistance is applied at closing, as a grant, a forgivable second lien, or a deferred second depending on the program.
04
You close, and we make sure you understand the strings — how long you must stay, and what happens if you don't.

The trade

What you get — and what to weigh

What you get

Help with the exact thing that stops most qualified buyers: cash to close
Access to lender-specific programs alongside the state and county ones
A straight explanation of grant versus forgivable versus repayable — they are not the same and the difference matters

The trade-offs (straight talk)

Most assistance carries an occupancy commitment; selling or refinancing early can trigger repayment
The underlying interest rate is sometimes slightly above market — the trade can still be worth it, but it should be a decision, not a surprise
More paperwork and a longer close
Program funds run out and terms change; availability is a moving target

Typically qualifies

• Income at or below the program's limit for your county and household size
• A purchase price within the program's cap
• Owner-occupancy — you have to live there
• A homebuyer education course for most programs

“The programs themselves aren't a secret — the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, Harris County, and the City of Houston all publish them. What's missing is anyone connecting a specific buyer to the specific program they'd actually qualify for, with a lender approved to write it. That's the part I do.”

Homes sold: 175+Homes sold
In closed sales: $54M+In closed sales
Texas markets served: 2Texas markets served
Counties served today: 6Counties served today

Career totals across two Texas markets — DFW, then Greater Houston.

Questions, answered

Frequently asked questions

Often, but the definition is more generous than it sounds — most programs define a first-time buyer as someone who hasn't owned a primary residence in the past three years. And several programs waive it entirely for veterans or for buyers in designated target areas. Don't rule yourself out on the label.

Find out what you'd qualify for

Tell me your household size, roughly your income, and where you're looking.I'll check the current programs and get you to a lender who can actually write them.

Name

Phone

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Call (832) 709-2540

Talk to a lender

These are the lenders Allen works with who handle this kind of loan. For any of them you’d like to talk to, tap Make introduction — we’ll make the introduction for you.

Zin Team
Zin Mortgage Group
913-294-7771 Email
Cindy West
Matador Lending
(832) 370-7373 Email Apply now
Gary Warstler
Rocket Mortgage
(713) 387-9873 Email Website

Allen Markel is a licensed Texas REALTOR®, not a mortgage lender or loan originator. He does not quote rates or terms and does not decide whether you qualify — only a lender can do that. Introductions are a courtesy; you choose who to work with.

Program terms, income limits, purchase-price caps, and available funding change regularly and vary by county. Nothing here is a commitment of funds or a determination of eligibility — official program terms govern, and eligibility is determined by the program administrator and an approved lender.

Not sure this is the right path? Let's figure it out together.

A quick, no-pressure conversation is all it takes.