Mortgage Broker in Houston, TX - More Options, Better Rates

FHA requires 3.5% down. On a $335,000 home, that's $11,725. Conventional starts at 3-5%. VA requires zero down. The City of Houston offers up to $50,000 in DPA for qualifying first-time buyers, and Texas statewide programs add up to 5% more. For many Houston buyers, especially in the $200K-$350K range, DPA can cover most or all of the down payment. I'll show you which programs fit.

For 2026, the FHA limit in Harris County is $541,287 for a single-family home. That covers the vast majority of Houston's market. If you're buying above that, conventional is the next step with a limit of $832,750.

The 2026 conforming limit is $832,750 for a single-family home, the same baseline across all Texas counties. Homes above that in neighborhoods like The Heights, River Oaks, and Memorial require jumbo financing.

Yes, and this is one of the most common conversations I have with Houston buyers. The energy sector, the Medical Center, and Houston's small business economy produce a lot of borrowers whose income doesn't look straightforward on a tax return. Bank statement programs use 12-24 months of deposits instead of tax returns. Asset depletion works for buyers with savings. 1099-only programs exist for independent contractors. If you've been told no by a bank, there's a good chance a broker can find a path.

Houston has deep options. The City's HAP offers up to $50,000. The Harvey Homebuyer Program 2.0 provides up to $125,000 for residents who were in Houston during Harvey. Harris County DAP offers up to $23,800 outside city limits. Statewide, TDHCA, TSAHC, and SETH each provide up to 5%. The Texas MCC adds an ongoing annual tax credit. And I have lender-specific DPA through my wholesale network. We look at all of them.

A bank has its own products. If your deal doesn't fit, they pass. A broker like me shops across 150+ lenders to find the best rate, program, and guidelines for your situation. Same result, a mortgage, but with more options and someone working on your behalf.

The median home price is around $335,000. With 5% down, that's $16,750 out of pocket. Monthly payments at current rates run roughly $2,400-$2,800 depending on your rate, property taxes, and insurance. Texas property taxes in Harris County average around 2.0-2.3% of assessed value, which is higher than the national average. Flood insurance is also required in many Houston flood zones and adds to your monthly cost. I can run your exact numbers in a quick call.

Closing costs typically run 2-5% of the purchase price. On a $335,000 home, that's roughly $6,700-$16,750. Some closing cost items in Texas are negotiable, and builders in areas like Katy and Cypress are often offering concessions and rate buydowns in the current market. I work with 150+ lenders and can often find options with credits to offset your costs.

Yes. Houston supports a huge number of self-employed workers in energy, healthcare, construction, and professional services. Bank statement programs use 12-24 months of deposits. Asset depletion works for buyers with savings. If your tax returns are written to minimize liability, they probably don't show what you actually earn. That's what these programs solve.

Low appraisals happen in Houston, especially in neighborhoods with rapid new development where builder pricing may outpace resale comps, or in older neighborhoods where the mix of renovated and unrenovated homes creates wide comp ranges. Your options: renegotiate the price, cover the gap in cash, challenge with better comparable sales, or walk away. In new construction, builders sometimes adjust price or offer upgrades to save the deal. I've helped clients through all of these. ---