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First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB)

First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Tyler, Texas.

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The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: FTHB waived for displaced homemakers.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: 620 minimum FICO.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education required.
  • Residency: Property within Tyler city limits.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying non-permanent resident alien.
  • FTHB required. Property within Tyler city limits. Income <=80% AMI Tyler MSA ($46,550-$87,800 by HH size). 620 FICO. HUD-approved 8-hour education. $500 borrower investment. Owner-occupancy required. HQS inspection. HOME affordability period.
  • A home inside Tyler city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Tyler

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Income limit

80% of Smith County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$97,300
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Tyler’s homes

  • 62% single-family
  • 4.1% townhouse
  • 7.3% 2–4 units
  • 24.8% 5+ units
  • 1.8% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$235,300

Tyler median home value

52.6%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Tyler

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education required..

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Apply through City of Tyler Community Development., and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB)?

First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Tyler, Texas. Tyler FTHB DPA up to $10,000 forgivable second; 0%, 5-yr forgiveness; 80% AMI Smith County. City of Tyler's First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB) provides up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for FTHBs within Tyler city limits. Structured as a deferred 0% forgivable second mortgage with 5-year forgiveness. Funding comes from Local, HOME, and CDBG.

Do you have to pay it back?

First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB) is forgiven after 5 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by 20% per year forgiveness over 5 years and pro-rata recapture on sale/refi/non-occupancy. The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: FTHB waived for displaced homemakers. On credit, the program states: 620 minimum FICO. A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education required. Residency requirement: Property within Tyler city limits. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying non-permanent resident alien. FTHB required. Property within Tyler city limits. Income <=80% AMI Tyler MSA ($46,550-$87,800 by HH size). 620 FICO. HUD-approved 8-hour education. $500 borrower investment. Owner-occupancy required. HQS inspection. HOME affordability period.

What are the income limits?

First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. <=80% AMI Tyler MSA: $46,550 (1-person) to $87,800 (8-person) HH size. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;s. The program lists a maximum household size of 8. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB) caps the purchase price as follows: Per HUD HOME 95% area median Tyler MSA. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, townhouse, condominium, PUD. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB) names veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members, and surviving spouses among the groups it serves. Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB) serves homebuyers purchasing in Tyler, Texas.

How do you apply?

Applications for First Time Homebuyer's Program (FTHB) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Apply through City of Tyler Community Development. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Also for Tyler homebuyers

Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.

All 114 programs for Tyler

Program terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.