See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Socorro, TX (2026)
Socorro is a city in El Paso County, Texas, located in the far western tip of the state along the Rio Grande. With a median home price around $253,000, Socorro offers some of the most affordable homeownership opportunities in the El Paso metro area. First-time buyers can access Texas statewide programs through TDHCA, including the My First Texas Home and My Choice Texas Home programs, which provide down payment and closing cost assistance. Note that the SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage Program excludes the city of El Paso but does serve other El Paso County communities like Socorro. Habitat for Humanity of El Paso serves the broader El Paso County area and provides affordable housing programs for qualifying families. Buyers in Socorro benefit from relatively low home prices combined with strong state-level assistance programs.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity of El Paso Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage; average home cost around $55,000 with monthly payments of $350-$400 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage; average home cost around $55,000 with monthly payments of $350-$400
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility for Texas statewide programs through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) at tdhca.texas.gov. Income limits and purchase price caps vary by county and household size.
Step 2: Contact a TDHCA-approved lender to get pre-qualified for the My First Texas Home or My Choice Texas Home program. These lenders can walk you through down payment assistance options including the SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage Program, which serves Socorro.
Step 3: Complete a homebuyer education course from a HUD-approved counseling agency. This is required for most assistance programs and helps you understand the full homebuying process.
Step 4: Contact Habitat for Humanity of El Paso at habitatelpaso.org to learn about affordable homeownership programs serving El Paso County residents.
Step 5: Work with your lender and real estate agent to find a home within program price limits in the Socorro area and submit your application for assistance along with your mortgage application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance is available in Socorro, TX?+−
Are City of El Paso homebuyer programs available in Socorro?+−
Are there income limits for these programs?+−
Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What are typical closing costs in Socorro?+−
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