Data as of 2024-01 - U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023) & public MLS estimates.
Local Housing Market
Travis County (county seat: Austin) is one of the most active first-time-buyer markets in the Austin area, with the deepest inventory and lender competition in the region. The largest population centers are Austin, Pflugerville, Manor. With a median home price near $545K and a median household income near $95K, the affordability ratio here is one of the key reasons buyers shop Travis County.
Notable: State Capitol • Lady Bird Lake • Zilker Park
Homebuyer Programs in Travis County
Down Payment Assistance
The two statewide programs - TSAHC (Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation) and TDHCA's My First Texas Home - both serve Travis County and can layer down payment assistance on FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional 97% loans. Travis 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
Travis 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 Travis 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 2024 FHA single-family loan limit applicable in Travis County is $531,300. 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 Travis 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 returns up to $2,000/year in federal tax credit for the life of the loan.
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.