See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 6, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Carrollton, TX (2026)
Carrollton is a diverse, family-friendly suburb in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with a population of approximately 136,000, straddling both Dallas County and Denton County. With a median home price around $400,000, Carrollton is a competitive DFW market. While the city does not currently offer its own city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers here benefit from strong county and regional options. The Dallas County UPCAP provides up to $7,500 in down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time buyers purchasing in participating suburban cities including Carrollton. The Denton Affordable Housing Corporation AHOP sells homes at 10% to 30% below market value to income-eligible first-time buyers in Denton County. Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity of Denton County both serve portions of Carrollton. State programs like My First Texas Home and Home Sweet Texas add up to 5% of the loan amount in additional assistance. By layering county, nonprofit, and state programs, Carrollton homebuyers can piece together meaningful help toward their purchase.
County Programs in Dallas County / Denton County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas County UPCAP Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $7,500 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $7,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Texas
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program | Grant | 2%, 3%, 4% or 5% of the total loan amount (borrower chooses); grant on FHA/VA/USDA loans or 0% 3-year forgivable second lien | No | View → |
| Homes for Texas Heroes Program | Grant | Up to 5% of the loan amount (between 3% and 5%) | No | View → |
| My First Texas Home | Forgivable Loan | Up to 5% of the first lien mortgage amount | Yes | View → |
| SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 5% of the loan amount | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- 2%, 3%, 4% or 5% of the total loan amount (borrower chooses); grant on FHA/VA/USDA loans or 0% 3-year forgivable second lien
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the loan amount (between 3% and 5%)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the first lien mortgage amount
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the loan amount
- First-time only:
- No
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCL of Texas NeighborhoodLIFT Program | Forgivable Loan | $15,000 ($17,500 for veterans, teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs) | Yes | View → |
| DAHC Homebuyer Assistance Loans Program | Deferred Loan | Up to half of down payment and closing costs; gap financing available for very low-income buyers | Yes | View → |
| Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with low-interest mortgage | Yes | View → |
| Denton Affordable Housing Corporation AHOP | Grant | 10% to 30% discount on home purchase price | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Denton County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage sold at no profit | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $15,000 ($17,500 for veterans, teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to half of down payment and closing costs; gap financing available for very low-income buyers
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with low-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- 10% to 30% discount on home purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage sold at no profit
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of area median income. The Dallas County UPCAP also has a maximum purchase price of $318,000, which may be challenging in Carrollton's market. Determine whether your property falls in Dallas County or Denton County, as different programs apply to each.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency is located at 1925 East Beltline Rd, Suite 453, Carrollton, and can be reached at 972-418-1850. BCL of Texas also offers homebuyer education classes in the Dallas area.
Step 3: Contact Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center for the UPCAP program at HLCC@dallascounty.org. For homes in the Denton County portion of Carrollton, contact the Denton Affordable Housing Corporation at 940-484-7048 about their AHOP program.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a TSAHC or TDHCA approved lender to access state down payment assistance programs like My First Texas Home or Home Sweet Texas, which offer up to 5% of the loan amount.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. The Dallas County UPCAP has a $318,000 maximum purchase price. DAHC AHOP homes are sold directly through their program at below-market prices.
Step 6: Submit your application through your lender. For UPCAP, you must be pre-approved by a lender and your housing ratio cannot exceed 35% of gross monthly income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Carrollton?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Does my county matter for program eligibility in Carrollton?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay with assistance?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
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