Are there still deals out there for first home buyers?

Christy, thirteen people answered and not one of them worked with the number you actually gave, so let me do that. Yes, 1,300 to 1,500 a month buys a house in the Fort Worth area. The catch is that in Texas the payment is not mostly the mortgage. Here is the part that trips up every first-time buyer in Texas. Her monthly payment has four parts: principal, interest, property taxes and insurance, plus HOA dues if there are any. Texas has no state income tax, and it funds itself with property taxes, so the tax portion carries a much larger share of the payment here than it would in most states. Two houses at the same price in two different taxing jurisdictions can have meaningfully different payments. Insurance in North Texas is also not cheap, largely because of hail. So do not shop by price. Shop by payment, backward. Have a lender build it as: her target payment minus the actual annual taxes on that specific parcel divided by twelve, minus the insurance quote, minus any HOA, and whatever is left is what can service principal and interest. Then convert that into a loan amount at today's rate. That number, not a general price range, is her budget. Three Texas-specific things that move the payment and get overlooked: The homestead exemption. When she buys and occupies it as her primary residence, she files for the homestead exemption with the county appraisal district, and it reduces the taxable value. It is free and it lowers the payment. Many first-time buyers never file it. There is a deadline, so she should ask her title company or agent to remind her after closing. MUD and PID districts. Many newer subdivisions in the Fort Worth area sit inside a municipal utility district or public improvement district, which adds an assessment on top of the regular tax rate. This is one of the most common payment shocks in North Texas. Before she falls in love with a newer-build community, have the agent confirm whether it is in one of these and what the total rate actually is. The tax escrow reset. If she buys a home whose current assessment reflects a prior owner's exemption or an older valuation, the taxes can jump after purchase and her escrow payment goes up in year two. Ask the lender to escrow based on the expected reassessed value rather than the seller's current bill. This surprises people constantly and it is avoidable by asking one question. On the programs, the thread has covered FHA and down payment assistance. What I would add is that in Texas she should specifically look at the state housing agency programs and the local city and county programs for Tarrant County and Fort Worth, because local assistance stacks on top of state programs and the local ones are usually the ones nobody tells you about. Have the lender pull the full list for her specific address and income, not a general list. Where the payment math actually works at her number: townhomes and condos, though watch the HOA because it comes straight out of the payment budget, older homes in established neighborhoods farther from the newer subdivisions, and the outlying towns where USDA eligibility sometimes reaches and the tax rates are often lower. One honest note on timing. You asked this in June 2024 and it is now 2026. Rates, prices and program funding have all moved since then, so if your daughter has not bought yet, none of the specific numbers she was quoted back then apply. The right first step is one conversation with a lender who will build the payment backward from 1,500 rather than telling her what she qualifies for on paper. Those are different numbers, and the second one is usually higher than what she should actually spend. I am a real estate professional, not a lender. The qualifying and program availability need to come from a loan officer licensed in Texas. Fort Worth is not my market, I am Zoltan Peresztegi, and I work Los Angeles and the South Bay. If you would like an introduction to a Tarrant County agent who works with first-time buyers and will respect the 1,500 ceiling rather than talk her past it, I am glad to make one. Zoltan

Yes, there are still opportunities for first-time homebuyers, even in today’s market. Whether your daughter can find a home with a monthly payment of $1,300 to $1,500 will depend on factors such as her income, credit score, down payment, current interest rates, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and the local housing market. A good first step is to get pre-approved with a lender. This will give her a clear understanding of her budget and help identify any loan programs she may qualify for, such as FHA, VA (if eligible), USDA (in qualifying areas), or Texas first-time homebuyer and down payment assistance programs. She may also want to consider condos, townhomes, or homes in surrounding communities where prices are more affordable. Expanding the search area can often make a significant difference. Working with a local Realtor and lender as a team will help her explore all available options and avoid wasting time looking at homes outside her budget. Homeownership is still achievable for many first-time buyers—it just takes the right strategy and preparation. Juan Picos Realtor | JohnHart Real Estate Burbank, CA www.juanpicos.com

Yes, there are still opportunities for first-time homebuyers, but the options will depend on your daughter’s income, down payment, credit, current interest rates, and the local market. A monthly payment of $1,300 to $1,500 may be enough to purchase a home in some areas, especially with the help of first-time buyer programs. In higher-priced markets, it may require looking at smaller homes, condos, townhomes, or expanding the search to more affordable neighborhoods. I recommend that she start by speaking with a local lender to get pre-approved. A lender can determine exactly what price range fits her budget and let her know if she qualifies for programs such as down payment assistance, FHA, VA (if eligible), or other state and local first-time homebuyer programs. Once she’s pre-approved, a local Realtor can help identify homes that fit both her budget and her long-term goals. Even if buying isn’t possible today, knowing the target price and what steps to take can help her prepare for a successful purchase in the near future. Many first-time buyers are surprised to learn they qualify for more assistance than they expected, so it’s definitely worth exploring the available options. Juan Picos Realtor | JohnHart Real Estate Burbank, CA www.juanpicos.com

Christy, yes, but she should start with a lender first to see what price range fits a $1,300 to $1,500 payment. Taxes, insurance, HOA fees, and interest rates make a big difference. She should also ask about FHA, USDA, VA if eligible, and Texas first-time buyer or down payment assistance programs. A Realtor can then help find homes that truly fit the payment.

Yeah, they still exist, but the monthly payment is the real test, not the house price. In a lot of markets, $1,300 to $1,500 won’t buy much unless she’s using a low-down-payment loan, buying in a cheaper area, or getting help with closing costs or the rate. Programs like FHA, 3% down conventional, VA, USDA, and some grants can make the payment workable if her credit and income fit. Here’s the blunt part, if she’s shopping in a pricey area, that budget is tight. If she’s flexible on location, condo vs. house, or willing to start with a smaller starter home, it can absolutely work. Fresh paint and “dream home” expectations don’t matter here, what matters is payment, taxes, insurance, HOA, and interest rate, because those can blow the budget fast. The smartest next move is to get her pre-approved and ask the lender for a real payment estimate, not a guess. She should tell them the exact monthly ceiling, include taxes, insurance, and HOA, and ask what price range that actually buys in her county. That’s how you find out if she’s shopping, or if she’s just daydreaming.

There are no large scale nationwide federal programs that currently exist like back in circa 2009, but there are statewide programs and specialty programs that she might qualify for. Speaking to a mortgage professional would be the next step to take. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

This is a common question among Florida buyers and sellers, and the answer depends on your specific situation and local market conditions. Understanding the fundamentals before making any decisions protects your investment and your timeline. In Weeki Wachee, Hernando County, Florida, the real estate landscape has its own characteristics that affect how this plays out in practice. The Hernando County market attracts a diverse buyer pool including relocators from higher-cost states, retirees, and local move-up buyers, which creates consistent demand across most price points and property types. The strategic approach is to work with a local agent who can pull current comparable sales data and walk you through the specific factors that apply to your situation in Florida. Every market is different at the neighborhood level, and decisions based on general advice or national headlines often miss the local nuances that matter most to your outcome. Making informed decisions based on local data is always the strongest position. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells, Keller Williams Elite Partners

They do exist but location is everything at that budget. At $1,300 to $1,500 a month with current rates around 6.5 percent, she is looking at a purchase price in the $175,000 to $215,000 range depending on taxes, insurance, and how much she puts down. That price point is realistic in many Midwest and Southern markets but very difficult in high cost coastal areas. Cities like Indianapolis, Columbus OH, Memphis, Oklahoma City, and parts of the Carolinas still have inventory in that range. A USDA loan could also open up suburban and rural areas with zero down, which keeps the monthly payment lower and makes that budget go further. The most important first step is getting pre-approved so she knows exactly what her number looks like based on her credit and income. From there a local agent in an affordable market can show her what is actually available. The deals are out there, they just require some flexibility on location.

Yes, they exist and go fairly quick. So my advice is to get with a lender and be ready with an experienced agent.

One tip is to ask your real estate agent to search for homes that may have fallen out of contract and are back in active status. That can be a good time to make an offer. Good luck!

REach out to a Local REALTOR expert. They can give you better answers on the market she is looking for for that range. Also, talk to a local lender! They often have 1st time home buyer options and can even get some closing cost assistance and maybe grants for the down payment assistance. When looking at a Mortgage Calculator app, that price range is probably around $165-200,000 range depending on taxes, insurance and what a down payment would look like for her.

There are several first time home buyer programs available in Texas. I’m a lender would love to assist your daughter.

You might be amazed at the number of loan products there are out there. Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, TSAHC, is as good a place to start as any. They have many resources to help her get started.

The local housing authority or a trusted Realtor would know about any local first time home buyer programs. With the current interest rate she could purchase a home around $150,000 with 20% down. Look for properties like townhomes and smaller sqft homes. Sometimes moving a little further away from town can get the prices down as well. During negotiations, her Realtor can request the seller put money towards closing costs or to buy down the rate, ensuring the most money goes towards a more affordable payment.