Data as of 2024-01 - U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023) & public MLS estimates.
Local Housing Market
Dallas County (county seat: Dallas) is one of the most active first-time-buyer markets in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, with the deepest inventory and lender competition in the region. The largest population centers are Dallas, Irving, Garland. With a median home price near $365K and a median household income near $72K, the affordability ratio here is one of the key reasons buyers shop Dallas County.
Notable: Reunion Tower • Deep Ellum
Dallas County Down Payment Assistance (2026)
Dallas County buyers can look at city-level help on top of statewide programs.
Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP)
City of Dallas program now administered by BCL of Texas. Up to $50,000, or up to $60,000 in designated High Opportunity areas. Intake paused during the 2026 transition — check status before planning on it.
SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage
Up to 5% assistance as a second lien. Not available inside Grand Prairie city limits.
TSAHC & TDHCA statewide programs
Homes for Texas Heroes, Home Sweet Texas, and My First Texas Home are available countywide, subject to income limits.
Funding and limits change often. Confirm with the administering agency. Check which may fit you →
Searching homes in Dallas County?
Get a free program review from a local North Texas partner, then browse active listings on SearchHomesDFW.com.
Homebuyer Programs in Dallas County
Down Payment Assistance
The two statewide programs - TSAHC (Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation) and TDHCA's My First Texas Home - both serve Dallas County and can layer down payment assistance on FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional 97% loans. Dallas County buyers should also ask their lender about any active city-level DPA in the county seat.
First-Time Homebuyer Resources
Both TSAHC and TDHCA define a 'first-time buyer' as anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last 3 years. Income and purchase-price limits apply and depend on household size.
VA Homebuyer Information
Dallas County sees regular VA-loan activity. Most local lenders are comfortable with VA contracts; on resale homes, expect a VA appraisal (with its property-condition requirements) and budget for the VA funding fee unless you are exempt.
USDA Rural Development
Most of Dallas County is outside USDA Rural Development eligibility. Buyers needing low/no down payment generally use FHA (3.5% down) or the TSAHC/TDHCA DPA stack on a conventional 97% loan.
FHA Loans
The 2026 FHA single-family loan limit applicable in Dallas County is $563,500. FHA loans require 3.5% down at 580+ FICO and pair well with TSAHC/TDHCA down payment assistance.
Savings Strategies
The fastest way to lower your monthly payment in Dallas County is to negotiate seller-paid closing costs on resale listings (often 2–3% of price) and ask new-construction builders about 2/1 rate buydowns plus permanent rate locks, and to pull the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) when you close - it converts part of your annual mortgage interest into a federal tax credit each year you keep the loan and occupy the home (TSAHC and TDHCA currently issue at a 15% credit rate).
Stack Eligible Savings Programs
- Pair a TSAHC or TDHCA grant with a Mortgage Credit Certificate to compound an ongoing federal tax credit.
- Combine seller-paid closing costs with a lender credit to free up your DPA for the down payment itself.
- Use builder incentives on new construction to fund a permanent 2/1 rate buydown alongside DPA.
- Run an FHA vs. USDA vs. VA scenario side-by-side — the cheapest monthly often isn’t the option with the lowest down payment.