Finance with JodieJodie Barber · NMLS #76185

Texas

Texas Mortgage Broker

Buying or refinancing in Texas? Work directly with Jodie Barber — 30 years' experience, VA/FHA/USDA/conventional, and the local knowledge that actually moves your loan forward.

5.0 · 37 reviews · NMLS #76185
Median home price
$343,779 · +0.9%
2026 conforming limit
$832,750
FHA floor
$541,287
Property tax (effective)
~1.6% · no income tax

2026 is a statewide buyer's market: rising/elevated inventory (~181,844 active listings, ~4-5 months supply in many metros) and heavy price-cut activity (~24.6% of listings had price drops, up YoY). Prices flat-to-modestly-up statewide (+0.9% YoY) but declining in Austin and Fort Worth; Dallas and Houston up. Median ~$343,779 (Redfin, May 2026); TAMU TRERC/HomeStats corroborate ~$342K-$344K. No state income tax + highest property taxes in Jodie's Tier-1 states are the dominant local affordability story.

Down payment help in Texas

  • My First Texas Home (MFTH)

    up to 5% of loan amount. First-time buyer (or veteran / targeted-area exemption); 620 min FICO; income limits vary by county/household (~$97K for 1-2 person, ~$111,550 for 3+ in most counties, higher in Austin/Dallas); homebuyer education required; stackable with MCC

  • My Choice Texas Home (MCTH)

    up to 5% of loan amount. Repeat buyers allowed (NO first-time requirement); same 620 FICO, county income limits, and homebuyer-ed rules as MFTH

  • Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

    federal tax credit worth 20%-40% of annual mortgage interest (up to $2,000/yr). First-time buyer / veteran / targeted area; stackable with MFTH DPA; income & purchase-price limits apply

VA loans & Texas military communities

  • Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood)

    Serving Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Belton, Temple. CRITICAL wedge. Highest VA purchase/refi intent in TX; 'VA loans near Fort Cavazos' + BAH-driven price bands + PCS relocation content.

  • Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)

    Serving San Antonio, Universal City, Schertz, Converse, Live Oak. Massive VA demand across a metro of 2.6M. Randolph AFB anchors Universal City/Schertz/Converse/Live Oak; Lackland/Fort Sam anchor SW/central San Antonio.

  • Fort Bliss

    Serving El Paso, Socorro, Horizon City, Fort Bliss (NM side / Chaparral). Anchors the entire El Paso VA market; strong VA + first-time-buyer intent at low price points (median ~$254K).

  • NAS Corpus Christi

    Serving Corpus Christi, Portland, Ingleside, Flour Bluff. Coastal VA niche; smaller but distinct from the big three.

See our military & PCS home-loan hub →

Let's find your Texas home.

Straight answers, no pressure — from someone who's done this for 30 years.

5.0 from 37 clients

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