See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in DeSoto, TX (2026)
DeSoto is a southern Dallas County suburb with a median home price around $315,000. While the city discontinued its own Down Payment Assistance Program in 2022, buyers here can access the Dallas County UPCAP program offering up to $7,500 as a deferred payment loan for down payment and closing costs. The Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity also serves DeSoto with affordable homeownership programs. Combined with TSAHC and TDHCA state programs offering up to 5% of the loan amount in down payment grants, DeSoto buyers can still layer meaningful assistance toward homeownership.
County Programs in Dallas 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 | Up to 5% of the total loan amount | 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:
- Up to 5% of the total loan amount
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with low-interest mortgage | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with low-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Dallas County UPCAP requires household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, first-time homebuyer status (no homeownership in the past three years), and liquid assets under $7,000.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center offers free or low-cost homebuyer education seminars in English and Spanish. Contact them at (214) 819-6060.
Step 3: Contact the Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center at (214) 819-6060 or homeloancounselingcenter@dallascounty.org to apply for the UPCAP program offering up to $7,500 in deferred payment assistance.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage through a TSAHC or TDHCA participating lender to layer state-level down payment grants on top of the county program.
Step 5: Find a home in DeSoto within the UPCAP purchase price limit of $318,000.
Step 6: Submit your application and work with your lender to close. The UPCAP lien is released after 5 years of residence.