Buying your first home in North Texas
No jargon, no pressure — just clear, honest answers to the questions first-time and returning buyers actually ask. Here's what's new in Texas, what the 2026 Dallas–Fort Worth market looks like, and the assistance programs that can help you get to the closing table.
Talk it through with meGood to know · Texas SB 1968
A written buyer agreement before we tour — here's the plain-English version
Under Texas law (SB 1968), buyers and their agent now sign a short written representation agreement before touring homes together. It's not fine print to be nervous about — it simply puts in writing what I'll do for you and how I'm paid, so everything is transparent from day one. This is standard practice across the country now, and it's genuinely designed to protect you.
- Spells out my role and your rights in plain language
- Makes commissions clear and upfront — no surprises
- We can review every line together before you sign
- Zero pressure to commit before you feel ready
Have questions about the agreement? Ask me anything — I'll never rush you into signing.
DFW market update · 2026
Where the Dallas–Fort Worth market stands right now
More inventory means more choice — and more room to negotiate than buyers have had in years. Here's the quick snapshot; I'll always ground it in real local comps for your specific neighborhood.
- $395K–$415K
- Median home price
- ≈ 9–28%
- Inventory up year-over-year
- Low 6%
- Typical mortgage rates
Across the DFW Metroplex in 2026
More homes to choose from than last year
Talk to a lender for your exact number
Figures reflect general 2026 DFW Metroplex conditions and vary by city, price band, and property type. Not a guarantee of any specific price or rate.
Help with the down payment
2026 assistance programs for DFW buyers
You may not need as much cash up front as you think. These programs are built to help first-time and income-eligible buyers — I'll help you sort out which ones fit and connect you with a lender who knows them inside and out.
Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP)
City of Dallas assistance for income-eligible buyers purchasing within Dallas city limits — help with down payment and closing costs, often as a forgivable or deferred loan.
TSAHC
The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation offers down-payment grants and forgivable second liens for teachers, first responders, veterans, and everyday buyers across Texas.
My First Texas Home
A statewide program for first-time buyers pairing a low-rate mortgage with down-payment and closing-cost assistance — and it can be combined with a Mortgage Credit Certificate.
Program availability, amounts, and eligibility are set by each agency and can change. This is a friendly overview, not financial or legal advice — always confirm current terms with the program and a licensed lender.
Questions & answers
The questions buyers ask me most
Straight answers on the new Texas buyer agreement, 2026 assistance, DFW prices, welcoming neighborhoods, and what it really takes to buy.
What is Texas SB 1968 and the written buyer agreement?
Texas SB 1968 formalizes something that's now standard nationwide: buyers and their agent sign a written representation agreement before touring homes together. It simply spells out — in plain language — what your agent will do for you and how they're paid, so there are no surprises. Think of it as a clear, upfront handshake that protects you. I'm always happy to walk through every line before you sign anything, and there's zero pressure to commit before you're comfortable.
What down-payment assistance programs are available in DFW for 2026?
DFW buyers have real options in 2026. The Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP) offers up to $60,000 for income-eligible buyers inside Dallas city limits. Statewide, TSAHC provides down-payment grants and forgivable second liens, and My First Texas Home pairs a low-rate loan with down-payment help and a potential mortgage tax credit. Eligibility depends on income, location, and buyer status — I can help you figure out which ones you may qualify for and connect you with a lender who knows them well.
What are DFW home prices doing in 2026?
The median home price across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex is running roughly $395K–$415K in 2026. The encouraging news for buyers is that inventory is up meaningfully year-over-year — by about 9% to 28% depending on the submarket — which means more choices and more room to negotiate than in recent years. Mortgage rates are hovering in the low 6% range. Every neighborhood is a little different, so I always ground these numbers in real, local comps before we make a move.
Which DFW neighborhoods are known for being LGBTQ+ friendly?
Oak Lawn is the historic heart of Dallas's LGBTQ+ community, warm and walkable with the Cedar Springs strip at its center. Bishop Arts District brings an artsy, welcoming, small-business energy just south of downtown Dallas. And over in Fort Worth, the Near Southside is a creative, inclusive, mixed-use neighborhood that's grown into a genuine community hub. These are wonderful places to start — but affirming, welcoming pockets exist all over the Metroplex, and I'll help you find the one that feels like home.
How much income do I need to buy a $400K home in Dallas?
As a general rule of thumb, a $400,000 Dallas home tends to fit a household income in the ballpark of $105K–$130K per year — but that range moves a lot with your down payment, interest rate, property taxes, insurance, and any other monthly debts. A larger down payment or a down-payment assistance program can lower the income you need; a smaller down payment raises it. The honest answer is that a quick, no-pressure conversation with a good lender will give you a real number — and I'm glad to introduce you to one.
Everyone welcome here
Let's map out your first home — at your pace
Bring your questions, big or small. I'm a safe, affirming advocate for first-time buyers, LGBTQ+ clients, and families across Dallas–Fort Worth — and there's never any pressure.
- No-pressure guidance
- Plain-language education
- Assistance-program savvy