San Antonio · Texas
San Antonio first-time home buyer programs,stacked and explained.
San Antonio's HIP 120 reaches up to 120% AMI, so middle-income earners qualify when they wouldn't in other Texas cities. Pairing HIP with TSAHC and the MCC is one of the highest-leverage stacks in the state — when the program is actively accepting applications.
- Median price
- ~$270,000 (illustrative)
- HIP 80 AMI
- ≤ 80%
- HIP 120 AMI
- ≤ 120%
- HIP 120 DPA
- $1,000–$15,000
The San Antonio stack
Programs most San Antonio buyers never hear about.
San Antonio's Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) is one of the most-used city DPAs in Texas and stacks cleanly with state and federal tools.
- 1City of San Antonio Homeownership Incentive Program — HIP 80 is a 0% deferred loan funded by HOME for buyers at or below 80% AMI inside city limits; HIP 120 lends $1,000–$15,000 as a 0% second loan for buyers up to 120% AMI. Both pause periodically between fiscal years.
- 2Bexar County Family Independence Initiative — for properties outside San Antonio city limits.
- 3TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes — DPA for teachers, first responders, EMS, military.
- 4TDHCA My First Texas Home — first-time buyer mortgage with DPA.
- 5MCC — up to $2,000/yr federal tax credit.
Most San Antonio buyers stack at least three of these. Take the eligibility quiz to see which apply to your situation.
Program status: HIP 80 and HIP 120 have paused new applications between fiscal years. Confirm current intake status with the City of San Antonio Neighborhood & Housing Services Department.
Where buyers ask about
Common San Antonio neighborhoods for first-time buyers
These neighborhoods come up most often from San Antonio buyers using our calculators. Inclusion here is informational only and not a recommendation — eligibility for any program depends on the specific address and current funding.
Southtown Tobin Hill Government Hill Beacon Hill Eastside Westside
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