Licensed in Texas · Louisiana · Florida

Loan Programs · Down Payment Assistance

Down Payment Assistance

The down payment is the #1 barrier to owning a home. Let's get past it.

For most buyers it isn't the monthly payment that holds them back — it's the cash to get in the door. DPA programs help cover your down payment, and often closing costs too, through grants and flexible second-lien programs. There are state, county, and city options across Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, and matching the right one to you is what we do.

See If You Qualify

Down Payment Assistance, Explained

Video coming soon

What is down payment assistance?

Down payment assistance is help — usually from a state housing agency, local government, or nonprofit — that covers some or all of your down payment, and sometimes your closing costs. It can come as a grant you never repay, or as a second loan with flexible terms (some are forgiven over time, some sit silent until you sell or refinance). DPA is layered on top of a first mortgage like FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional — so it works alongside the loan you were already going to use.

How it works

The forms assistance can take.

Grants

Funds you don't pay back — the most straightforward form of help, applied toward your down payment or closing costs.

Forgivable second liens

A second loan that's gradually forgiven the longer you stay in the home — often disappearing entirely after a set number of years.

Deferred / silent seconds

A second loan with no monthly payment that sits quietly until you sell, refinance, or pay off the home.

Bond & MCC programs

State bond programs and Mortgage Credit Certificates can lower your rate or give you a tax credit on mortgage interest — stretching your buying power further.

Who it's for

Could DPA work for you?

First-time buyers

Most programs are built for first-time buyers — and "first-time" often just means you haven't owned in the last three years.

Moderate-income households

Many programs have income limits set generously by area — more buyers qualify than expect to.

Teachers, first responders & essential workers

Some programs offer enhanced assistance for educators, police, firefighters, EMS, and healthcare workers.

Buyers in targeted areas

Certain programs aren't first-time-only and apply in specific communities, counties, or revitalization zones.

Which option fits you?

Two ways we help buyers get in.

We're focusing on two down payment assistance options. The biggest difference is the credit score each one starts at — here's the overview so you can see where you might land. We'll confirm the exact fit on a quick call.

620+ credit score

FHA loan with a forgivable grant

Pairs your down payment assistance with an FHA first mortgage
Assistance comes as a forgivable grant — help you don't pay back when you meet the program terms
Grant can be up to roughly 5% of the loan amount, with several rate and assistance options
A mortgage tax-credit certificate (an annual federal tax credit) may be available, often for first-time buyers

Best fit if: your credit score is 620 or higher.

580+ credit score

FHA loan with 5% down payment assistance

Opens the door to assistance with credit scores as low as 580
Assistance worth up to 5% of the purchase price, applied to your down payment and/or closing costs
Provided as a repayable second lien — a separate, affordable monthly payment alongside your first mortgage
No income cap to qualify — first-time and repeat buyers welcome on owner-occupied homes

Best fit if: your credit score is in the 580–619 range, or you want maximum assistance (5%) and don't need it to be forgivable.

Overview only. Eligibility, assistance amounts, income limits, and terms vary by program and can change; assistance funds are limited and may run out. Final eligibility is confirmed during application. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Not sure which one?

We'll match you to the right option.

Tell us your situation and we'll check what you qualify for — including options beyond these two if they fit you better.

Find My Option

Common questions

Down payment assistance FAQs.

Do I have to pay down payment assistance back?

It depends on the program. Some DPA comes as a grant you never repay. Others come as a second loan — and even those are often forgivable over time or deferred with no monthly payment until you sell or refinance. We'll show you exactly how each option you qualify for works before you commit to anything.

Am I eligible for DPA?

Eligibility usually comes down to a few things: your income (against limits set for your area), your credit, the home's location and price, and whether you're a first-time buyer (often defined as not having owned in the last three years). Many buyers who assume they won't qualify actually do. The fastest way to know is a quick call where we check the programs available to you.

Can I combine DPA with an FHA or VA loan?

Yes — that's typically how it works. DPA is layered on top of a first mortgage like FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional. We structure the two together so your assistance covers the down payment (and sometimes closing costs) while your first loan does the rest.

Does DPA cover closing costs too?

Often, yes. Many programs allow the assistance to go toward closing costs in addition to (or instead of) your down payment. How much depends on the specific program. We'll map it out so you know your true cash-to-close before you write an offer.

Is there a catch?

DPA is real help, but it comes with rules — income limits, property requirements, and sometimes a minimum time you need to stay in the home to keep a forgivable loan forgiven. For most buyers none of it is a dealbreaker; it just needs to be set up right. That's exactly what we handle for you.

Let's see what you qualify for.

Programs change constantly and funding can run out — so the best time to check is now. Schedule a 15-minute call and we'll tell you what's available for you.

Schedule a Consultation Call (972) 497-1152