Mortgage lenders in Texas

Fully explore government assistance options, compare closing costs and keep your mortgage from becoming a Texas-sized headache when you go to buy your dream home.

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Features	Loan types: Conventional, Refinance, Home Equity, HELOC, Jumbo, Reverse, FHA, VA, USDA Minimum credit score: 620 Minimum down payment: 3.5%

Mortgage lenders for veterans in Texas

Specialized land and home loans are available to veterans looking to settle in the Lone Star State through the Texas Veterans Land Board. Eligible Texans can pay as little as 5% down for a land loan and even less down for a low-rate home loan.

How to compare mortgage lenders in Texas

A good way to gauge a lender is to learn how much you’re required to put down and the APR you’re eligible for, along with any minimum credit requirements.

Programs through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs include My First Texas Home designed for first-time homebuyers and My Choice Texas Home, which doesn’t have the first-time requirement. These programs can ease the financial burden of down payments and closing costs.

What to consider when looking for a mortgage in Texas

Texas supports state programs designed to encourage homeownership, and they aren’t limited to first-time homebuyers. Review the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs website to learn about benefits and eligibility. Veterans can apply for specialized mortgages and cost assistance through the state’s Veteran Land Board.

Texas requires that both the broker and sales agent you end up working with are licensed by the state. It’s required by the Texas Real Estate Commission, and it protects you if something goes wrong.

Closing cost fees in Texas

Closing costs can take a hefty chunk of change if you don’t qualify for one of the state’s government programs. Analyzing a 2019 sample of data, our researchers found that Texas comes in at No. 36 in the ranking of states from lowest to highest closing costs in the US, including Washington DC.

Learn more about how closing costs in Texas stack up against other states.

Bottom line

Qualifying for a TDHCA or VLB program can cut thousands of dollars from the upfront costs you’ll pay on a mortgage in Texas.

Before moving forward with a lender, learn more about mortgages and the factors to weigh when comparing your options for the best fit with your budget and goals.

Frequently asked questions

• Do I have to work in a specific job to qualify for TDHCA assistance?

  No. Eligibility is open to all occupations, and you don’t need to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify.

• Can I qualify for assistance with bad credit?

  It depends. You need a credit score of at least 620 to be eligible for closing cost and down payment assistance through TDHCA, but there’s no such requirement for those looking to join the credit certificate program.

• What's a Texas mortgage certificate?

  It’s a certificate offered through the TDHCA that allows a reduction in federal taxes as long as you have a mortgage. This program is for first-time homebuyers only, but you can combine it with the My First Texas Home program.