First-Time Home Buyer in San Antonio? Here's the Down Payment Help Most People Miss (2026)

The biggest thing stopping most first-time buyers isn't the monthly payment. It's the down payment. San Antonio buyers have real help available, and most people never ask for it.

Here's every major program, broken down so you can see in a minute which ones fit you.

City of San Antonio: HIP 80

• Help: $1,000 to $30,000
• How it works: a 0% second loan with no monthly payment that is fully forgiven over time (5 years up to $15,000; 10 years above that)
• Income limit (2026): $56,350 for 1 person, up to $106,300 for a household of 8
• Max price: $260,000 for an existing home, $284,000 for new construction
• Must: buy inside San Antonio city limits, take an 8-hour HUD homebuyer class, put down at least $500 earnest money

City of San Antonio: HIP 120

• Help: $1,000 to $15,000
• How it works: 75% is forgiven over 10 years; 25% is repaid
• Income limit: $84,500 for 1 person, up to $159,350 for 8
• Max price: $301,700 for an existing home, $332,800 for new construction

City funding can run out during the year. Ask early whether HIP money is available before you write an offer.

TDHCA: My First Texas Home

• Help: 2% to 5% of your loan, as a deferred second lien
• Who: first-time buyers (veterans and buyers in targeted areas can be exempt from the first-time rule)
• Income limit (San Antonio area): $104,725 for 1–2 people, $120,434 for 3 or more
• Max price: $583,580, or $713,265 in targeted areas

TDHCA: My Choice Texas Home

• Who: you don't have to be a first-time buyer
• Income limit (San Antonio area): $172,720

TSAHC: Homes for Texas Heroes and Home Sweet Texas

• Help: up to 5% of your loan, as a grant or a second lien
• Homes for Texas Heroes: teachers, police, fire and EMS, corrections officers, veterans and active military, and nursing faculty
• Home Sweet Texas: for low- and moderate-income buyers

How to use this without getting burned

• Step 1: get pre-approved with a lender that offers these programs (not every lender does)
• Step 2: ask the lender which program gives you the lowest total cost, not just the biggest check
• Step 3: take the homebuyer class early if your program requires it
• Step 4: pick an agent who has closed with assistance programs; the timelines are tighter

Questions people ask

How much down payment assistance can I get in San Antonio?

The City of San Antonio's HIP 80 offers $1,000 to $30,000 for eligible buyers on homes up to $260,000 (existing). TDHCA and TSAHC programs offer up to 5% of the loan amount.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer?

Not for every program. TDHCA's My Choice Texas Home doesn't require it, and veterans can be exempt from the first-time rule in My First Texas Home.

Is HIP money available right now?

It depends on the city's funding at the time. Ask the City of San Antonio or a participating lender before you write an offer.

Sources: City of San Antonio HIP · TDHCA homebuyer programs · TSAHC down payment assistance. Figures change; we update this page as new data is released.