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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Garland, TX (2026)
Garland is a diverse, family-friendly city in the northeast Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with a population of over 252,000 and a median home price around $300,000. The Garland Housing Finance Corporation offers a combined Mortgage Credit Certificate and Down Payment Assistance Program that provides $15,000 in assistance ($10,000 second lien plus a $5,000 non-repayable grant) along with a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 per year for the life of the mortgage. Additional help is available through the Dallas County UPCAP Down Payment Assistance program and statewide programs like My First Texas Home and Home Sweet Texas, which offer up to 5% of the mortgage amount. By combining the Garland HFC program with state assistance, buyers can significantly reduce both their upfront costs and their ongoing tax burden.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Garland
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garland HFC MCC with Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | $15,000 total: $10,000 second lien loan plus $5,000 non-repayable grant | Yes | View → |
| Dallas County UPCAP Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $7,500 | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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 → |
| Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with low-interest mortgage | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with below-market mortgage | Yes | View → |
| 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:
- $15,000 total: $10,000 second lien loan plus $5,000 non-repayable grant
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $7,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with low-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with below-market mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. The Garland HFC MCC with DPA program requires that you have not owned a principal residence in the last three years (exceptions for Targeted Area purchases and Qualified Veterans). Income limits are $117,300 for 1-2 person households and $134,895 for 3+ persons in non-targeted areas.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. Take a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. The Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center at (214) 819-6060 offers free counseling in English and Spanish. Catholic Charities Dallas also provides HUD-approved classes.
- Step 3:
Get pre-approved with a Garland HFC approved lender. Your lender must be approved by Hilltop Securities to participate in the program. Contact Hilltop Securities at (214) 953-4176 or the Garland Housing Finance Corporation at (972) 205-2130 for the approved lender list.
- Step 4:
Apply for down payment assistance. Your approved lender will help you apply for the $15,000 in DPA ($10,000 second lien plus $5,000 grant) and the Mortgage Credit Certificate. Program costs include a $100 MCC application fee, $250 closing package review fee, and 1% MCC issuance fee.
- Step 5:
Find a home within Garland city limits. The property must be located within the City of Garland and used as your primary residence.
- Step 6:
Close on your home. At closing, you will receive $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. The MCC will provide a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 per year for as long as you have a mortgage on the home.