Buying a Home in Austin

Your first house. Your fifth investment property. Same standard of care.

We match you with the strategy, not just the rate. Every program explained, every number transparent. Whether it's an FHA starter home or a DSCR rental, you'll close knowing exactly what you're signing.

10 min
Application Time
0
Hard Credit Pulls Up Front
100%
Education First

Purchase Programs

Every loan, explained in plain English.

We don't push products. We match you to the program that fits your timeline, your credit profile, and the way you actually live.

Strong Credit, Standard Path
Conventional

Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac backed loans. The default for strong credit profiles buying a primary, second home, or investment property.

  • 3–5% down with first-time buyer programs
  • No mortgage insurance at 20% down
  • Loan amounts up to $766,550 (2026 limit)
  • Best long-term cost for borrowers 740+ FICO
3–5% DownNo MI @ 20%Most Popular
First-Time Buyers · Rebuilding Credit
FHA

Government-backed flexibility. Lower barriers, real opportunity. Often the right call for first-time buyers and borrowers below 700 FICO.

  • 3.5% down with 580+ credit score
  • Gift funds OK for entire down payment
  • Higher DTI ratios allowed than conventional
  • Refinance to conventional later to remove MI
3.5% Down580+ FICOGift Funds OK
Veterans & Active Duty
VA

One of the most powerful loan products on earth, and one of the most underused. Zero down, no PMI, lender-competitive rates.

  • 0% down payment on eligible properties
  • No private mortgage insurance, ever
  • Use your benefit more than once
  • Funding fee can be waived for disabled veterans
0% DownNo PMIBest Rate
Higher Loan Amounts
Jumbo

Loans above conforming limits ($766,550+). Common for Austin Westlake, Tarrytown, and lake-area purchases.

  • Up to $3M+ with strong qualifications
  • Pricing often competitive with conforming
  • Asset depletion qualifying available
  • Interest-only options for cash-flow buyers
$766K+Up to $3M+IO Available
Self-Employed · Business Owners
Non-QM / Bank Statement

Built for borrowers whose tax returns understate their real income. Qualify on deposits, P&Ls, assets, or property cash flow.

  • 12 or 24 months of bank statements
  • P&L only options for established businesses
  • Asset depletion (retirement or liquid)
  • 1099-only qualifying for contractors
Bank Statement1099 OnlyP&L Only
Real Estate Investors
DSCR / Investor

Qualify on the property's cash flow, not your personal income. The dominant tool for scaling a rental portfolio.

  • No tax returns, no W-2s, no DTI
  • Close in an LLC, no PG required on some
  • 20–25% down depending on DSCR ratio
  • Short-term rental income counts (1007 / 1025)
No Tax ReturnsLLC OKSTR Income

How much home can you actually afford?

The bank's number and your real number are different. We run DTI, reserves, payment comfort, and tax strategy together, so you walk into the offer with confidence, not guesswork.

Run my numbers →
Front-End DTI
28%
Back-End DTI
43%
Reserves Goal
6 mo
Payment Comfort
∼30%

How It Works

From first call to closing table.

01
Start Application

10 minutes online. Soft pull only. Enough to have a real conversation.

02
Strategy Call

We review your numbers together. Programs, payments, and tradeoffs in plain English.

03
Pre-Approval

A fully underwritten letter that wins offers, not a pre-qualification estimate.

04
Clear to Close

We coordinate with your agent and title, keep you on schedule, and close on time.

Common Questions

Buying a home. Answered.

How much do I really need for a down payment?

Depends on the loan. VA: $0. FHA: 3.5%. Conventional: 3% with first-time buyer programs, 5–20% otherwise. Don't forget closing costs (2–3%) and reserves. We'll run the actual cash-to-close number on the strategy call.

What credit score do I need to qualify?

FHA goes down to 580 (sometimes 500 with 10% down). Conventional typically wants 620+. The better question is what score gets you the best pricing, usually 740+ on conventional. We'll show you the rate impact at each tier.

Pre-qualification vs. pre-approval. What's the difference?

Pre-qual is an estimate based on what you tell us. Pre-approval pulls credit, verifies income, and runs through underwriting. Real pre-approvals win offers. In Austin's market, we always do a real one.

Can I close in an LLC?

For DSCR and most investor loans, yes, and we often recommend it. For owner-occupied loans, no. We'll structure the entity and the loan together if you're buying as an investor.

Should I lock my rate now or wait?

If you're under contract, lock. If you're shopping, watch the 10-year Treasury and the MBS pricing, both are tracked daily on our Market Desk. We also offer float-down options on certain locks.

Ready to start your home search?

10-minute application, no credit pull, no pressure. We'll have a real conversation about your options before anything goes on paper.

Start My Application →

Austen Smith · NMLS #265697 · Barton Creek Lending Group NMLS #264320 · Equal Housing Lender