Almost every Texas buyer I talk to assumes down payment assistance is an FHA-only tool. It isn't. I'm Bond Peter Njoku (NMLS #2670329), and I regularly stack TSAHC and TDHCA assistance onto conventional loans for DFW buyers who have the credit score to qualify conventional but not quite enough cash for a down payment.
Which down payment assistance programs work with a conventional loan in Texas?
| Program | Amount | Type | Works with conventional? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSAHC Home Sweet Texas | 3–5% of loan amount | Grant — never repaid | Yes |
| TDHCA My First Texas Home | Up to 5% | Deferred second lien, forgiven over time | Yes |
| Dallas DHAP | Up to $60,000 | Forgivable over 5 years | FHA-focused — confirm with program before assuming conventional eligibility |
| Fort Worth HAP | Up to $25,000 | Forgivable over 5 years | FHA-focused — confirm with program before assuming conventional eligibility |
The two statewide programs — TSAHC and TDHCA — are the ones I pair with conventional financing most often, since they're built to be loan-type flexible rather than FHA-specific. See the full conventional loan requirements in Texas for how these interact with the 620 credit score floor and DTI guidelines.
Do I need to be a first-time buyer to use DPA on a conventional loan?
It depends on the program. TSAHC's Home Sweet Texas does not require first-time-buyer status, which is exactly why it's the more flexible pairing for conventional buyers who already own a home. TDHCA's My First Texas Home does require first-time-buyer status, with an exception for eligible veterans regardless of prior ownership.
How much does DPA actually add to my buying power?
On a $320,000 conventional purchase with 5% down, that down payment is $16,000. A TSAHC grant at 4% of the loan amount adds roughly $12,160 toward that — meaning a buyer who might have needed to save for another year can often close with a fraction of the cash they expected to need, sometimes covering most of the down payment plus a meaningful chunk of closing costs.
Does stacking DPA change my conventional loan's rate or terms?
Usually the rate is set slightly differently than a standalone conventional loan without assistance, since DPA-paired loans run through their own investor pricing. It's still frequently the stronger net outcome once you weigh the assistance dollars against that adjustment — but I always run the comparison both ways so you can see exactly what you're trading.
Named example: a Garland buyer who stacked TSAHC with conventional
I worked with a Garland buyer with a 665 credit score and steady W-2 income who qualified conventional but only had about $6,000 saved — not enough for 5% down plus closing costs on her $275,000 target home. We paired her conventional loan with a TSAHC Home Sweet Texas grant at 4%, adding roughly $10,600 toward her down payment and closing costs. She closed with under $2,000 out of pocket, on a conventional loan she wouldn't have otherwise been able to afford to close on for another 8-10 months of saving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use down payment assistance with a conventional loan in Texas?
I'm Bond Peter Njoku (NMLS #2670329). Yes — TSAHC's Home Sweet Texas program and TDHCA's My First Texas Home program both work with conventional financing, not just FHA. Dallas County's DHAP is FHA-focused, but the state-level programs are loan-type flexible. Call or text me at 469-545-7180 and I'll tell you which program fits your conventional loan.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to stack DPA with a conventional loan?
I'm Bond Peter Njoku (NMLS #2670329). TSAHC's Home Sweet Texas program does not require first-time-buyer status, which makes it one of the more flexible options to pair with conventional financing. TDHCA's program does require first-time-buyer status unless you're a veteran. Call or text me at 469-545-7180 and I'll match you to the right program based on your buyer history.
How much down payment assistance can I get with a conventional loan in Texas?
I'm Bond Peter Njoku (NMLS #2670329). TSAHC's Home Sweet Texas typically provides 3-5% of your loan amount as a grant that never has to be repaid, and TDHCA's My First Texas Home offers up to 5% as a deferred second lien forgiven over time. Call or text me at 469-545-7180 and I'll show you exactly what that looks like in dollars on your target home price.
Does using DPA on a conventional loan affect my interest rate?
I'm Bond Peter Njoku (NMLS #2670329). DPA programs are typically paired with a slightly adjusted rate compared to a standalone conventional loan without assistance, since the program has its own investor and pricing structure. It's usually still a strong net outcome once you factor in the assistance amount, but I always run both scenarios side by side so you can see the real trade-off. Call or text me at 469-545-7180 and I'll show you both numbers.
See what DPA + conventional looks like on your numbers.
I'm Bond Peter Njoku (NMLS #2670329). I'll run your conventional loan both with and without down payment assistance so you can see exactly what changes. Call or text me at 469-545-7180, message me on WhatsApp, or start your pre-approval online.