Down Payment Assistance in Arlington, TX — 2026 Programs for First-Time Buyers

I'm Bond Peter Njoku, and Arlington is one of the more affordable entry points into DFW homeownership — but even affordable entry points require a down payment, and that's the single biggest hurdle for most first-time buyers I talk to. The good news: Texas has real down payment assistance programs available to Arlington buyers right now, and I'm an approved lender for the two biggest ones. Here's how they work.

TSAHC — Home Sweet Texas

The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation runs Home Sweet Texas, open to all buyers meeting income and purchase price limits — not just first-timers. It provides up to 5% of your loan amount toward your down payment and closing costs, structured as either a grant (never repaid) or a deferred second lien forgiven after 3 years. Most Arlington buyers I work with take the grant option for simplicity. It pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional financing.

TDHCA — My First Texas Home

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs pairs a below-market first mortgage with up to 5% down payment assistance at 0% interest, deferred for 30 years and forgiven if you stay in the home. It's available to first-time buyers (no ownership in the past 3 years) and veterans regardless of first-time status. A short homebuyer education course, usually 2-3 hours online, is required.

DPA Snapshot for Arlington Buyers

Tarrant County 2026 income limits run approximately $97,200 for most programs, subject to household size and program-specific adjustments.

What Stacking DPA With Your Loan Looks Like in Practice

Take a $280,000 home in Arlington financed with FHA. A 3.5% down payment is $9,800. Using TSAHC's 5% grant covers that entire down payment with room left over for closing costs, meaning a qualified buyer could arrive at closing needing very little beyond prepaid interest and first-month escrow. This is exactly how these programs are designed to work — the state wants to get you into a home, and I know how to structure the offer correctly to make it happen.

Does DPA Affect Your Rate?

Usually, slightly — DPA-structured loans typically carry a rate around 0.25% to 0.5% higher than a standard loan without assistance. For most first-time buyers, having your down payment fully funded outweighs that small rate difference, especially when the alternative is continuing to rent while you save. Once you build equity, refinancing out of the DPA structure is always an option down the road.

How to Get Started

I'm an approved TSAHC and TDHCA participating lender, which means I can check your eligibility for both programs during your pre-approval — one conversation, no separate applications. Call or text me at 469-545-7180, or start today at bondmortgagesolutions.com. DPA funding is limited and some programs close when their yearly allocation runs out, so the earlier you start, the more options you have.