The 20% Down Myth: You Might Already Afford an Austin Home

The number one thing keeping people out of homes they could already afford isn't the price. It's a myth: the belief that you need 20% down to buy.

You don't. I help buyers all over the Austin metro get into homes with little to nothing out of pocket, and most of them had no idea the following programs even existed.

The Real Down Payment Options

• USDA loans → $0 down. Despite the name, you don't need a farm — just a home in an eligible area, and a lot of communities around Austin (Hutto, Manor, Elgin, Bastrop, Del Valle, and more) qualify.
• VA loans → $0 down. If you or your spouse served, this is the best mortgage product available. No down payment, no PMI, lower rates. Texas has one of the largest veteran populations in the country — don't leave this on the table.
• FHA → 3.5% down. The go-to for buyers with limited savings or who are rebuilding credit. Your down payment can even come from gift funds.
• Texas down payment assistance → can cover the rest. Programs like TSAHC and the City of Austin's AHFC can put up the down payment and closing costs you'd otherwise have to save for years to reach.

Stack the right loan with the right assistance program and a seller concession, and "I can't afford a home" turns into "I'm a homeowner" — sometimes within 60 days.

If You've Been Waiting Until You "Have Enough Saved"

That's the whole point of this. A lot of people are sitting on the sidelines waiting to hit a savings number they don't actually need to hit. The waiting is the cost.

If that's you, let's talk. No pressure, no sales pitch — just an honest look at the real numbers for your situation, in English or Spanish. You might be a lot closer than you think.

Reach out anytime, or if this is your first purchase, start with our first-time buyer guide.

Want the full breakdown of every zero- and low-down program, with real Austin examples and a side-by-side cost comparison? Read How to Buy a Home in Austin with Little to No Money Down.