$0 Down.
No PMI.
Up to $5,500 in Lender Help.
Yes, certain Houston-area homes may be eligible for special financing programs that can dramatically reduce the amount qualified buyers need upfront.
It's not limited to inexpensive homes — which is why some of the properties that may qualify can be surprising.
Available to qualified borrowers and eligible properties through participating lenders. Program terms, assistance and availability are subject to lender guidelines and change.
How can a home like this qualify?
Some banks and mortgage lenders offer special community lending programs designed to expand access to homeownership. Certain programs provide additional financing benefits when a property is located within a designated Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) census tract.
This designation is based on the census tract — not the price of the individual house. That creates an unusual situation: a beautiful $400,000, $500,000, $600,000 or even more expensive home can sometimes be located within an eligible census tract.
The exact mortgage program, maximum loan amount and borrower requirements vary by lender.
$0
Down Payment
Up to 100% financing may be available to qualified borrowers under certain programs.
No
PMI
Certain programs do not require borrower-paid private mortgage insurance, even with little or no down payment.
Up to $5,500
Lender Help
Certain participating lender programs may provide assistance or lender credits toward eligible transaction costs.
These benefits are program-specific and are not automatically available simply because a property is located within an eligible census tract.
Check a Home
Check a specific address
Enter the exact property address to see whether its location may meet the geographic criteria for special financing programs.
For the most accurate result, pick your address from the dropdown suggestions.
Could you qualify?
Requirements vary by lender and program. Typical requirements may include:
- Property used as a primary residence
- Property located within an eligible geographic area when required by the program
- Minimum credit score required by the applicable lender
- Acceptable debt-to-income ratio
- Satisfactory employment and/or qualifying income
- Acceptable recent housing payment history
- Property must meet lender guidelines
- Purchase price and loan amount must fall within applicable program limits
- Homebuyer education may be required for certain programs
Important
Being located in an eligible census tract does not automatically mean that the borrower or property qualifies for a mortgage. Final eligibility is determined by the participating mortgage lender.
Do I have to be low income?
Not necessarily.
Some programs have borrower income limits. Other programs can base certain eligibility requirements on where the property is located rather than solely on the buyer's income. This is why checking the exact property address matters.
Different lenders and programs have different rules, so borrower income and property location must be evaluated against the specific program being considered.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?
Not necessarily.
Some special financing programs are available to buyers who have owned homes before, while others may have first-time-homebuyer requirements or additional benefits for first-time buyers. Eligibility depends on the specific lender and mortgage program.
Is this only for veterans?
No.
VA loans remain an excellent zero-down option for eligible veterans and service members. But the programs discussed on this page can include conventional and community lending programs that are separate from VA financing. That means buyers who are not veterans may potentially have access to zero-down or very-low-down-payment options.
Interactive Map
See every qualifying tract on the map
Houston-area census tracts shaded by 0% down eligibility — click any tract to see its income classification.
0% Down Eligibility
Showing 1562 census tracts across 5 Houston-area counties. Reference: Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA median family income $96,010/yr (ACS 2023).
Don't want to check homes one at a time?
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Frequently asked questions
The Houston Move and Jeff Brown are not mortgage lenders and do not make credit decisions. Information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. Property location within a Low-to-Moderate Income census tract does not guarantee eligibility for a particular mortgage program, 100% financing, no-PMI financing, lender credits, down-payment assistance, interest rate, or loan approval. Program terms, geographic requirements, income requirements, credit requirements, loan limits, assistance amounts and availability vary by lender and are subject to change. Buyers should consult a licensed mortgage professional to determine eligibility and current program terms.