Two people at a desk reviewing a printed loan document beside a laptop

Mortgage & Financing

San Antonio Home Financing Guide

Loan types, pre-approval and the Texas programs that help with a down payment, from a broker who is also a licensed loan originator.

Why financing comes first

Know the loan before you love the house

Financing is where most purchases stall, and it is the part people understand least. Robert LeBorne holds a mortgage loan originator license (NMLS 2005075) alongside his broker’s license, so he reads a loan file the way an underwriter does and tells you plainly what has to happen next.

His mortgage work reaches buyers in Austin and Houston as well as San Antonio and Boerne. When you are ready to look, the Buyer’s Guide picks up from pre-approval.

Loan types

Which loan fits

Six ways most San Antonio buyers finance a home. Robert will tell you which ones you qualify for.

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Most buyers

Conventional

Flexible and widely available, best with solid credit and steady income. Some programs start at 3 percent down.

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First-time buyers

FHA

As little as 3.5 percent down, with more room on credit scores than most conventional loans.

A single-story stone-and-siding home with a two-car garage and a green lawn

Veterans

VA

For veterans and service members: no down payment for eligible buyers and no private mortgage insurance.

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Rural homes

USDA

For eligible homes outside the city centers, often with no down payment at all.

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Investors

Investor and hard money

DSCR, hard money and other loans for rentals, flips and distressed property.

See investment property

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Texas help

Texas programs

Down payment assistance through the Texas Homebuyer Program and TSAHC, and Veterans Land Board loans for Texas veterans.

Read the Buyer’s Guide

Run the numbers

Mortgage calculator

Estimate a monthly payment from price, down payment, rate and term. Taxes and insurance change the total, so treat it as a starting point.

Loan basics

$
$

%

Ownership costs

% / yr

Rates vary by county. Check the local assessor for an exact figure.

$ / yr
$ / mo

Pay it off faster

$ / mo

Anything extra goes straight at the principal.

Estimated monthly payment

Principal, interest, taxes & insurance

Principal & interest
Property tax
Homeowners insurance

Estimate only, for planning purposes. Taxes and insurance are assumptions you can edit, not quotes. Mortgage insurance is estimated at 0.55% of the loan per year and applies below 20% equity. Your lender confirms the exact figure. Not a loan offer or commitment to lend.

A couple reading through financial documents together at a kitchen table with a laptop

Pre-approval

Get pre-approved first

A pre-approval sets your budget, strengthens your offer and speeds up closing, because much of the paperwork is already done.

Bring these to the first conversation:

  • Recent pay stubs
  • Your last two years of tax returns
  • Recent bank statements
  • A list of your debts and your credit history
Start a pre-qualification
Talk to Robert
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Get the mortgage guide

A checklist of documents, a side-by-side of the main loan types and tips on locking a rate, as a PDF.

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The guide arrives by email. Your details stay with LeBorne Solutions; see the privacy policy.

Questions

Financing questions

How much should I save for a down payment?

Twenty percent is common but not required. Many programs ask for less, and some buyers qualify with 0 to 3.5 percent down.

Should I choose a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage?

A fixed rate keeps the payment steady; an adjustable rate may start lower. The right choice depends on how long you plan to stay.

Can I qualify if my credit is not perfect?

Often, yes. Lenders offer programs across a range of credit scores, and Robert can point you toward the ones that fit.

How long does a pre-approval last?

Pre-approvals expire, usually after a few months. If your search runs longer, the lender refreshes it with updated documents.

Do you help buyers in Austin and Houston?

With financing, yes. Robert’s mortgage work reaches Austin and Houston; for the purchase itself, he works in San Antonio and Boerne.

Resources

Read Up Before You Borrow

Next step

Know Your Budget
Before You Shop

A short call about income, savings and timing is enough to start. Robert will tell you which loan fits and what to gather.

Contact Robert

830 446 2909

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