Credit: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto/Getty Images;Illustration: Issiah Davis/Bankrate
For Texans looking to buy a home, now may be a good time to start looking. The median single-family home price in the Lone Star State was $340,500, down 2.6% from a year ago, according to Redfin. At the same time, the number of available homes increased by 4.8%, indicating less competition and more options available to buyers.
To help you navigate today’s market, we’ve taken a closer look at lenders to help you find the best mortgage lender in Texas. Whether you’re looking for a loan from a Dallas mortgage company, a Houston mortgage company, or anywhere else in the state, we can help.
Best Mortgage Lenders in Texas
| lender | credit requirements | Minimum down payment amount | Bank rate score* |
|---|---|---|---|
| chase bank | 620 for conventional loans. 680 for jumbo loans. 640 for FHA loans. 640 for VA loans. | 3% for conventional loans. 3.5% for FHA loans. None for VA loans. | 4.9 |
| Veterans United Home Loan | 620 for conventional and VA loans | 3% for conventional loans. 3.5% for FHA loans. None for VA and USDA loans | 4.8 |
| penny mac | 620 for conventional loans. 580 for FHA loans. 620 for VA loans. | 3% for conventional loans. 3.5% for FHA loans. None for VA and USDA loans | 4.6 |
| loan depot | 620 for conventional loans. 700 for jumbo loans. 580 for FHA loans. | 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA loans, and none for USDA loans. | 4.6 |
| bank of america | Typically 620 for a conventional loan. | Lender’s Affordable Loan Solution 3% for home loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, and none for VA loans. | 4.4 |
| * Texas specific scoring |
Honorable mention
Although these lenders did not meet our methodology criteria for inclusion on our official list of the best mortgage lenders in Texas, they may still be worth consideration.
How to find the best mortgage lender in Texas
The best mortgage lender will ultimately depend on your individual circumstances and what feels “right” to you, but it can be helpful to narrow down your options. Here are some tips:
- Set priorities. Want to speak directly with a loan officer? Need to close faster? Want to track your mortgage application and status through an app? Consider these questions and more as you compile your short list of lenders to find the best Texas mortgage for your situation.
- obtain Pre-qualification or pre-approval. If you do not have a set budget for purchasing a home, first get a pre-approval for a mortgage loan. This will help you understand how much money your lender will allow you to borrow based on your preliminary financial information. If you’re ready to buy a home, skip the pre-qualification and seek pre-approval, which includes a credit check.
- Ask about first-time buyer and down payment assistance. Many Texas housing lenders work with state housing finance agencies to offer more affordable mortgages and down payment assistance to eligible borrowers. Some programs are available to both first-time and repeat buyers. Compare what different financial institutions offer and how it affects your budget.
Texas Conforming Loan Limit
Depending on the type of loan you use to purchase your home, conforming loan limits may apply.
- Conventional loan: $832,750 for all Texas counties in 2026
- FHA loan: $541,287 in 2026 for most counties.
Check out Bankrate’s county-by-county list of Texas conforming loan limits to see what applies to you.
Texas First Time Home Buyer Program
If you are a first-time homebuyer in Texas, you may be eligible for assistance through the Texas Housing and Community Affairs Authority (TDHCA). Programs like My First Texas Home can offer low mortgage rates and offer closing costs and down payment assistance of up to about 5% of the loan amount.
Eligibility for these programs is typically determined by factors such as credit score, income, and purchase price limits, and you typically must work with a TDHCA-approved financial institution to take advantage of the benefits.
Don’t limit your search to the state level. Many cities and counties in Texas have their own assistance programs. For example, the City of El Paso’s First-Time Home Buyer Program can provide up to $45,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible buyers in priority areas and up to $25,000 to buyers in other parts of the city.