You May Not Need 20% Down to Buy in Katy
One of the biggest myths I hear from buyers: "I need 20% down before I can even start." For many buyers in Katy, that is simply not true.
Texas has several down-payment assistance programs that can help with down payment and closing costs:
TDHCA — up to 5% as a forgivable or deferred second lien.
TSAHC — up to 5% as a grant or forgivable lien.
SETH — 4–6% as a grant.
A few things worth knowing:
"First-time buyer" may not mean what you think. For many of these programs, it means you have not owned a home in the last 3 years — not that you have never owned one.
Credit guidelines vary. Credit is typically 620+, and SETH is usually 640. Your exact options depend on the program and your full picture, so this is general information, not a promise of qualification.
Assistance is not the whole plan. You still need to know your monthly payment, your closing costs, and what you can comfortably afford — assistance helps with the upfront part, not the monthly part.
Want to know what you could qualify for? Let's run your real numbers together in a free 30-minute consultation — no pressure, just answers.
Questions? Call or text me at (832) 274-1329 — I answer my own phone. — Sarah