I'm Bond Peter Njoku, a licensed Mortgage Loan Officer (NMLS #2670329), and Forney is one of the fastest-growing markets I work in — new subdivisions going up constantly, and a lot of first-time buyers moving out from Dallas and Mesquite for more house at a lower price. What most of them don't realize until we talk is that Forney also sits largely inside a USDA-eligible zone, which changes the down payment conversation entirely.
Kaufman County's Income Limits
Forney sits in Kaufman County, where the 2026 income limit for TSAHC and TDHCA assistance is approximately $97,200 for a one-to-two person household — closer to Dallas County's limit than to neighboring Rockwall County's higher $119,700. For USDA specifically, Kaufman County's limit runs higher: around $112,450 for a household of 1-4 and $148,450 for a household of 5-8. I check both limits since they apply to different programs.
Programs Available to Forney Buyers
| Program | Assistance Amount | Type | First-Time Buyer Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSAHC Home Sweet Texas | 3–5% of loan amount | Grant — never repaid | No |
| TDHCA My First Texas Home | Up to 5% of loan amount | Deferred, forgiven at year 3 | Yes (or veteran) |
| USDA Rural Development (eligible areas) | 100% financing | No down payment required | No, but income-qualified |
| FHA base loan | 3.5% minimum down | Insured mortgage | No |
Forney's new-construction homes commonly price $240,000–$300,000, so a 5% grant runs roughly $12,000–$15,000. Because so much of Forney qualifies for USDA, I usually run a USDA loan comparison alongside the grant math — for many Forney buyers, zero-down USDA financing beats grant-plus-FHA on cash needed at closing.
Credit and Qualifying Requirements
| Factor | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score (FHA + DPA pairing) | 620 (case-by-case to 600) |
| Minimum credit score (USDA) | 640 typical |
| Kaufman County income limit — TSAHC/TDHCA (1-2 person) | ~$97,200 |
| Kaufman County income limit — USDA (1-4 person) | ~$112,450 |
A Realistic Forney Scenario
On a $280,000 Forney home, a 5% Home Sweet Texas grant is $14,000, which paired with FHA's 3.5% down of $9,800 leaves about $4,200 for closing costs. If that same property falls in a USDA-eligible zone — a very likely scenario in Forney — a buyer could close with no down payment at all. I run both scenarios so you see the real difference before we pick a strategy.
Next Steps for Forney Buyers
Forney's combination of grant eligibility and broad USDA coverage makes it one of the best entry points I see for first-time buyers in DFW. Visit my Forney location page for a market overview, my Forney DPA combo page for full program breakdowns, or my USDA loans in Forney page to see if zero-down financing fits better than a grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance is available for Forney TX buyers in 2026?
Forney buyers can use TSAHC Home Sweet Texas (a 3-5% grant with no repayment) and TDHCA My First Texas Home (up to 5%, forgiven at year three). Much of Forney also qualifies for USDA's zero-down financing, which I check on every Forney file. I'm Bond Peter Njoku (NMLS #2670329) — call or text me at 469-545-7180 to check your eligibility.
What is the income limit for down payment assistance in Forney?
Forney sits in Kaufman County, where the 2026 income limit for TSAHC and TDHCA is approximately $97,200 for a one-to-two person household — closer to Dallas County's limit than to neighboring Rockwall's higher $119,700. For USDA, Kaufman County's limit runs higher, around $112,450 for a household of 1-4. I'm Bond Peter Njoku (NMLS #2670329), call or text me at 469-545-7180 to see where your household falls.
Is USDA financing an option instead of down payment assistance in Forney?
In much of Forney, yes — USDA Rural Development loans offer 100% financing with no down payment at all, which is often a stronger option than a grant-plus-FHA structure since Forney is one of the larger USDA-eligible pockets in the DFW area. I'm Bond Peter Njoku (NMLS #2670329) — call or text me at 469-545-7180 to check if a specific address qualifies.
Do I need to be a first-time buyer for Forney down payment assistance?
Not for every program. TSAHC Home Sweet Texas has no first-time buyer requirement, so a Forney move-up buyer can use it too. TDHCA My First Texas Home requires first-time buyer status unless you're a veteran, and USDA has no first-time buyer requirement at all. I'm Bond Peter Njoku (NMLS #2670329) — call or text me at 469-545-7180 for a full eligibility check.
Find Out What You Qualify For in Forney
I'm Bond Peter Njoku (NMLS #2670329). I'll check your income against Kaufman County's 2026 limits, confirm whether USDA applies to your target address, and show you which path saves the most upfront cash. Call or text me at 469-545-7180, message me on WhatsApp, or start your pre-approval online.