5 Star Texas Advantage Program

Financial Assistance for Homebuyers in Texas

The Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation (SETH) offers Texas residents the 5 Star Texas Advantage Program, which helps eligible applicants with down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a grant. The program provides up to 6 percent of the total loan amount in grant money to qualifying applicants. They can choose the amount of assistance and loan option that best meets their needs, out of the many options available. Any borrowers financing with the Freddie Mac/conventional mortgage option and meet SETH’s Affordable Income Subsidy Limits may receive an additional 2 percent of the loan amount.

5 Star Texas Advantage Program is a true gift, as there is no repayment or recapture period for the funds provided, nor is there is a second lien on the property. Additionally, the program does not have the usual first-time homebuyer requirement.

Eligibility Requirements

• Buyers must be income eligible.
• They must purchase a home within the program’s perimeters (the entire State of Texas except the city limits of El Paso, Grand Prairie, and Travis County).
• All buyers on the mortgage must complete the online SETH Homebuyer Education Class.

The purpose of this program is to make funds available to eligible applicants who are interested in purchasing a home but need financial help to pay the upfront costs, which include the down payment, as well as the closing costs and prepaid items required to obtain homeownership. These expenses can add up to a substantial amount, and the inability to pay it might keep people stuck in a renters trap.

*Seller-funded down payment programs were eliminated in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, but States and Local government agencies are still permitted to help borrowers finance their homes with second mortgages and grants. These agencies set different requirements that a borrower needs to meet in order to qualify for the grant programs, such as property location, and purchase price and income limits.

Down payment assistance programs and/or grants were researched by the team at FHA.com. Please note that all programs listed on this website may involve a second mortgage with payments that are forgiven, deferred, or subsidized in some manner until resale of the mortgaged property.

FHA.com's compilation is not a complete list, but it can serve as a starting point in your search for the down payment assistance program or grant for your situation. It is up to the consumer to contact these entities and find out the specifics of each program.

Down Payment Grants in Texas

5 Star Texas Advantage Program

The Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation (SETH) offers Texas residents the 5 Star Texas Advantage Program, which helps eligible applicants with down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a grant.

Austin Down Payment Assistance Program

The Austin Down Payment Assistance Program helps low-income families purchase their first home by offering up to $40,000 in assistance funds, to help cover the upfront costs of a mortgage.

Harris County Community Services Department DPA Program

In order to help more residents purchase their first homes in Harris County, the Community Services Department offers eligible applicants help with its Down Payment Assistance Program.

Homeownership Across Texas

Homeownership Across Texas grants 5 percent of the loan amount with VA, FHA, or USDA financed loans. Borrowers with conventional loans receive 3 percent grants. Grants do not come with any repayment or recapture period, nor is there a first-time homebuyer requirement.

Homes for Texas Heroes Program

This initiative provides teachers, police and correctional officers, fire fighters and EMS personnel, and veterans with down payment assistance between 3 and 5 percent of the loan amount and a 30-year fixed rate mortgage with several rates and loan options.

My First Texas Home

Along with a competitive, fixed interest, 30-year home loan, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ My First Texas Home’s Taxable Mortgage Program (TMP) offers down payment and closing cost assistance of up to 5 percent of the mortgage loan.

Travis County - Hill Country Home Down Payment Assistance

This program is designed for homebuyers to purchase a home anywhere in Travis County, including the City of Austin, by helping them overcome the obstacle of down payment costs. A grant of up to 6% percent of the loan amount is applied towards the down payment or closing costs.

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