First-Time Home Buyer Guide for Fort Worth

The short answer: buying your first home in Fort Worth is very doable, and there are down payment assistance programs worth checking before you assume you need a big pile of cash. The most useful first moves are to learn the full monthly cost, talk to a lender early and find out whether you qualify for local or state help.

This page is general information, not financial advice. Program rules change, so always confirm current terms with the program itself and with your lender.

What to understand before you start

The full monthly payment is more than the mortgage

Your monthly cost includes the loan payment, property taxes, homeowners insurance and any HOA dues or special district taxes. The how much house can I afford page walks through how those pieces fit together, and the cost of living page covers the bigger picture.

Your debt-to-income ratio matters

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, your debt-to-income ratio is all of your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income, and different loan products and lenders have different limits. Ask a lender how they calculate it for your situation.

You will pay more than a down payment upfront

Plan for closing costs, an inspection, an option fee, earnest money and your first insurance payment. Ask a lender for an official Loan Estimate so you can see the cash you need to bring, and compare it across lenders.

Down payment help in Fort Worth and Texas

These are the two programs I would look at first. Details below come from each program's own website and can change.

City of Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program

  • According to the City of Fort Worth, the program offers up to $25,000 in payment and interest-free assistance for eligible first-time homebuyers buying within Fort Worth city limits. Funds can cover down payment and closing costs.

  • The city says household income cannot exceed 80 percent of the area median income, adjusted for household size. For 2026, the limit for a household of four is $88,250.

  • Applicants must be first-time buyers or not have owned a home in the last three years. The home must be within Fort Worth city limits, and the sales price cannot exceed 95 percent of the area median sales price.

  • The city lists a minimum personal contribution, an eight-hour HUD-certified homeownership education course, a qualifying first mortgage from an approved lender, two months of mortgage payment reserves and a property inspection and environmental review.

  • The assistance works as a forgivable loan. The city says keeping the home as your primary residence for 10 years results in complete forgiveness, and selling earlier requires repaying the remaining balance from the sale proceeds.

Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) Home Sweet Texas

  • According to TSAHC, Home Sweet Texas offers fixed-rate mortgage loans paired with down payment assistance and mortgage credit certificates.

  • TSAHC says down payment assistance can be up to 5 percent of the loan amount, either as a non-repayable grant or as a forgivable second lien loan that is forgiven after three years if you do not sell or refinance.

  • TSAHC says first-time buyers can also receive a mortgage credit certificate, a federal income tax credit equal to 15 percent of the mortgage interest paid each year.

  • TSAHC lists minimum credit scores of 620 for government loans and 640 for conventional loans, income limits that are generally between 80 and 170 percent of area median income, and a primary residence requirement.

  • You apply through a TSAHC-approved lender.

My take: if you think you might qualify for either program, tell your lender before you start shopping. Some programs have price limits, education requirements and inspection steps that are much easier to plan for at the beginning than the middle.

Your first-time buyer steps, in order

  • Learn your numbers. Start with the affordability page.

  • Talk to a lender. The CFPB describes four core steps: prepare to shop, explore loan choices, choose a loan offer and get ready to close.

  • Pick an area. Compare neighborhoods and suburbs, and read Fort Worth vs. Dallas if you are undecided.

  • Search and offer. Read the buyer guide for how the Texas contract, option period and closing work.

  • Claim your homestead exemption. The Texas Comptroller says school districts must provide a $140,000 exemption on a residence homestead, and you apply through your county appraisal district, generally before May 1.

First-time buyer FAQ

How much do I need for a down payment?

It depends on the loan type, the lender and any assistance you qualify for. Ask a lender for a Loan Estimate that shows your actual cash to close.

Does Fort Worth have down payment assistance?

Yes. The City of Fort Worth lists a Homebuyer Assistance Program for eligible first-time buyers, with eligibility, price and education requirements. Confirm the current terms with the city.

Can I buy if I have not owned a home in a while?

Some programs count a buyer as first-time if they have not owned a home in the last three years. The City of Fort Worth program lists that rule. Check each program's definition.

Do I need an agent as a first-time buyer?

You are not required to use one, but many first-time buyers do. If you work with an agent, ask them to explain what services they provide and how they are paid before you start touring.

Want a plain-English walk through the first steps?

If you are early in the process, tell me where you are and what worries you most, and we can start there. There are no dumb questions about a first purchase.

Sources: City of Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program, TSAHC Home Sweet Texas, CFPB on debt-to-income, CFPB home buying steps, Texas Comptroller. Program terms change, so confirm current details directly. This is general information, not financial advice.