A participating Texas down payment assistance lender who tells you straight.
This site exists to make Texas's down payment assistance easy to understand. Mike Certo is a Branch Manager and licensed loan officer with Cornerstone First Mortgage, a participating Texas down payment assistance lender. He originates the Texas down payment assistance first mortgage and the assistance second directly, this isn't a lead-referral directory.
Why this site exists
Search "down payment assistance in Texas" and you'll hit pages that call the Texas down payment assistance second a "grant" or quote year-old limits. We keep this site current to the actual Texas rules, the two statewide operators (TDHCA and TSAHC), the 2% to 5% assistance, the 620 credit floor, and the current county income and price limits. We are clear about which help is a repayable second, which is forgiven after three years, and which is a TSAHC grant. It is a strong set of programs for a lot of Texas buyers. When it isn't the right fit, we say so.
What we do
- Originate both TDHCA and TSAHC loans directly, statewide.
- Match the program to your situation, first-time vs repeat buyer, Homes for Texas Heroes eligibility, FHA vs conventional.
- Serve Texas statewide, Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, and every county.
- Give honest tradeoff advice, including when saving your own down payment beats taking assistance.
Cornerstone First Mortgage
Cornerstone First Mortgage, LLC (NMLS #173855) is a national mortgage lender. Mike Certo (NMLS #260555) runs the branch behind this site. Reach him at (480) 296-6513 or mcerto@cfmtg.com.