STX Lending, Texas Mortgage Lender
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STX Lending

Texas Real Estate Lending, Simplified. We provide fast, transparent mortgage lending with competitive rates and a streamlined digital experience.

1846 N Loop 1604 W, Ste 205

San Antonio, TX 78248

(210) 750-6164hello@stxlending.com

Hours

Monday to Saturday: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

Proudly serving Texas since 2019.

Find us on Google Business Profile.

Solutions

  • Home Purchase
  • Refinance Rates
  • Texas Cash-Out
  • VA Loans
  • Get Pre-Approved
  • Texas Loan Limits

Resources

  • Daily Rates
  • Calculators
  • HELOC Calculator
  • Loan Comparison
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  • About Us

Texas Locations

  • All Texas locations
  • San Antonio
  • Austin
  • Houston
  • Dallas
  • Fort Worth
  • Corpus Christi

Legal & Support

  • Contact Us
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Awards & Recognition

  • National Mortgage News Top Producers 2025
  • 5 Star Award, Top Producer
  • Five Star Professional, Rising Star
  • Top Mortgage Professionals, 2025

Memberships

  • National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP)
  • Five Star Professional
  • Top Mortgage Professionals 2025
  • Romanian American Business Owners of America

South Texas Lending Team is a mortgage team of Neighborhood Loans, Inc. (NMLS #222982). All loans are made by Neighborhood Loans, Inc. Verify on NMLS Consumer Access.

San Antonio, TX Branch · NMLS #2774284 · 1846 N Loop 1604 W, Ste 205, San Antonio, TX 78248

Branch Manager: Benjamin Gheliuc · Mortgage Loan Originator · NMLS #1775990 · Branch line: (630) 246-4777

Corporate Headquarters: Neighborhood Loans, Inc., 1333 Butterfield Rd, Suite 600, Downers Grove, IL 60515. For complaints or questions about this branch, contact the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, 2601 N. Lamar Blvd, Suite 201, Austin, TX 78705, 1-877-276-5550.

© 2026 Neighborhood Loans, Inc. All rights reserved.

NMLS #222982NMLS Consumer Access
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Home>Purchase>First Time Home Buyer
Texas First-Time Buyer Programs

First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Texas

Your first home starts here. Texas has your back. Grants up to $25,000+. Down payments as low as 0%. STX Lending is an approved lender for every major Texas first-time buyer program: TSAHC, TDHCA, Chenoa Fund, and more.

Check my eligibility How much can I afford?
Happy first-time home buyers with keys to their new Texas home
First-Time Buyer
Grants up to $25K+
3%
Min down payment
580+
Min credit score
$25K+
DPA available

Why Texas is the best state for first-time buyers

Texas offers some of the most generous down payment assistance programs in the nation. Between state grants, federal tax credits, and flexible loan options, your first home may cost less upfront than rent. See rent vs buy math for your situation.

Grants up to $25,000+

Texas offers some of the nation's most generous grant programs. TSAHC and TDHCA provide up to 5% of your loan amount as a grant or forgivable second lien. City programs in Houston, Austin, and Fort Worth offer even more.

As little as 0%–3.5% down

FHA loans start at 3.5% down (580 credit), conventional at 3% down (620 credit). VA and USDA offer 0% down. Stack with DPA to potentially eliminate your out-of-pocket down payment entirely.

Flexible credit requirements

FHA accepts credit scores as low as 580. Conventional programs start at 620. Even with limited or non-traditional credit history, we have pathways to help you qualify for your first home.

Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

Claim a portion of your annual mortgage interest as a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. An MCC can save you thousands over the life of your loan and help you qualify for a higher loan amount.

See if I qualify
Modern starter home interior in Texas with open concept living space

Texas first-time buyer programs & grants

Every major program — all under one roof with one application.

Grant Available

TSAHC Home Sweet Texas

30-year fixed-rate mortgage with down payment assistance up to 5% of the loan amount. Available as a non-repayable grant or deferred forgivable second lien. Requires 620+ credit.

Heroes Only

TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes

For teachers, firefighters, EMS, police, corrections officers, and veterans. Same benefits as Home Sweet Texas with dedicated hero-specific underwriting support.

Below-Market Rate

TDHCA My First Texas Home

Below-market interest rates with up to 5% DPA as a zero-interest, no-monthly-payment deferred second lien. Works with FHA, VA, and USDA loans. Requires 620+ credit.

Low PMI

HomeReady / Home Possible

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac affordable programs with 3% down and reduced PMI. Count non-borrower household income to help qualify. PMI cancels at 20% equity.

Most Flexible

FHA Loans

Government-backed with 3.5% down from 580 credit score, or 10% down from 500. Most popular choice for first-time buyers nationwide. No income limits.

0% Down

VA Loans (Veterans)

0% down, no PMI, no income limits, competitive rates. Available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses.

First-time buyer loan comparison

Side-by-side: which loan type fits your situation?

Feature
FHA
Conventional 97
VA
Min down payment
3.5%
3%
0%
Min credit score
580
620
580 (typical)
Income limits
None
None (120% AMI for HomeReady)
None
Mortgage insurance
MIP (life of loan)
PMI (cancels at 20%)
None
Seller concessions
Up to 6%
Up to 3–6%
Up to 4%
Gift funds for down
100%
100%
N/A (no down)
Texas DPA compatible
Yes
Yes
Yes
MCC compatible
Yes
Yes
Yes
Property types
1–4 unit, condo
1–4 unit, condo
1–4 unit, condo
Education required
No
HomeReady: Yes
No
Loan limits (2026)
$498,257–$832,750
$832,750
No limit (full entitlement)
Best for
Lower credit scores
Strong credit, PMI cancel
Veterans & military

City-level down payment assistance

Texas cities offer their own DPA programs — stackable with state grants.

City
Amount
Program
Notes
Houston
Up to $50,000
Homebuyer Assistance Program
Income-qualified, first-time buyers within city limits. Harvey-impacted areas may qualify for up to $125K.
Austin
Up to $40,000
City of Austin DPA
Forgivable loan for buyers within city limits. Home price limit $579,025 (2026). Income limits apply.
Fort Worth
Up to $25,000
Homebuyer Assistance Program
Down payment and closing costs for homes within city limits. Income and purchase price limits apply.
San Antonio
Up to $15,000
SAHA DPA Program
Down payment and closing cost assistance through San Antonio Housing Authority and local nonprofits.
Dallas
Varies
Dallas Homebuyer Assistance
Financial aid for low- and moderate-income first-time buyers within city limits. Homebuyer education required.
Explore all DPA programs

Your first home in 4 simple steps

We guide first-time buyers through every step.

01

Free pre-qualification

We check your credit, income, and DPA eligibility — all in one call. No commitment, no credit impact. You'll know exactly what programs you qualify for.

02

Get pre-approved & apply for grants

Lock in your pre-approval and we submit your DPA applications to TSAHC, TDHCA, and any city programs simultaneously. No extra paperwork for you.

03

Find your Texas home

Shop with confidence knowing your maximum budget and how much assistance you're receiving. We provide a pre-approval letter that makes sellers take your offer seriously.

04

Close in 14–21 days

Complete your homebuyer education (if required), finalize your loan, and close. Many first-time buyers close with less than $1,000 out of pocket.

Tools to plan your loan

Run the numbers before you sign. These calculators answer the most common buyer questions.

Mortgage Payoff

See how extra payments shave years off your loan and save tens of thousands in interest.

Bi-Weekly

Split your monthly payment in half — paid every 2 weeks — and shave ~5 years off a 30-year loan.

Texas Property Tax

Estimate your annual Texas property tax with homestead exemption math built in.

First-Time Buyer FAQ

Common questions from Texas first-time homebuyers.

In Texas, you're considered a first-time home buyer if you haven't owned a home or had an ownership interest in a primary residence within the past three years. Veterans and buyers purchasing in targeted census tracts may qualify for first-time buyer programs even if they've owned before. This definition is used by TSAHC, TDHCA, and most grant programs.
Texas offers several major grant and assistance programs: TSAHC Home Sweet Texas (up to 5% grant), TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes (for teachers, first responders, veterans), TDHCA My First Texas Home (up to 5% DPA), and Chenoa Fund. Additionally, cities like Houston (up to $50K), Austin (up to $40K), and Fort Worth (up to $25K) offer local programs. Many of these can be stacked together.
FHA loans require a minimum 580 credit score with 3.5% down payment (500-579 requires 10% down). Conventional loans typically require 620+. TSAHC and TDHCA state programs require 620+. VA and USDA loans have no official minimum, but most lenders require 580-620. Higher scores unlock better interest rates and lower mortgage insurance premiums.
Yes, through several pathways. VA loans offer 0% down for eligible veterans and service members. USDA loans offer 0% down in eligible rural areas across Texas. By combining a 3%-3.5% down conventional or FHA loan with Texas DPA programs (TSAHC or TDHCA grants covering that 3%-5%), many first-time buyers achieve effectively zero out-of-pocket home purchases.
An MCC is a federal tax credit available to first-time homebuyers and veterans in Texas. It allows you to claim a portion of your annual mortgage interest (typically 20-40%) as a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your federal income taxes. This can save you $2,000+ per year and also helps you qualify for a higher loan amount by reducing your effective housing cost.
Most Texas DPA programs (TSAHC, TDHCA) and affordable conventional programs (HomeReady, Home Possible) require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Free online options like Framework® take about 4-6 hours and cover budgeting, the mortgage process, and homeownership responsibilities. STX Lending provides direct links to approved courses.
A general guideline is that your monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) shouldn't exceed 28-33% of your gross monthly income. Use our Affordability Calculator for a personalized estimate. With Texas DPA programs reducing your upfront costs, you may be able to afford more than you think.
At STX Lending, our in-house processing and underwriting allow most first-time buyer loans to close in 14-21 days after going under contract. The full process — from pre-approval to closing — typically takes 30-60 days depending on how quickly you find your home. DPA program approvals are handled concurrently to avoid delays.

Ready to buy your first home?

Free eligibility check

No credit impact

Talk to a first-time buyer specialist

(210) 750-6164

Your first home, on Texas's terms

Grants. Low down payments. Built for families like yours.

Check my eligibility