Mortgage Lender in Houston, Texas
When you call Intra-Mortgage, you reach a real loan officer on our team, not a call center three states away routing your file to whoever picks up.
See what you may qualify for
Answer a few quick questions to get a personalized starting home price range.
No credit pull. No obligation. No calls unless you ask for one.
Takes about 3 minutes. Not a loan application or commitment to lend.
Houston market snapshot
LiveWe know Houston, not just the state average
Houston is one of the largest housing markets in the country, and it is made up of dozens of distinct neighborhoods that each carry their own character and price range. Whether you are looking at a bungalow in the Heights, a townhome in Midtown, a suburban home in Katy or Sugar Land, or a property out in Cypress or Pearland, the market dynamics can shift significantly from one ZIP code to the next. A loan officer who understands those differences can help you structure an offer that fits what sellers in that specific area tend to expect.
Harris County and the surrounding counties, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Galveston, each have their own appraisal districts and property tax structures, and those taxes affect what you actually pay each month as a homeowner. Appraisals in fast-moving Houston submarkets can sometimes come in below the agreed purchase price, and knowing how to prepare for that scenario before it happens is something our team can help you think through. We work with buyers using a range of loan types, including Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, government-backed financing that allows lower down payments, as well as conventional and other programs, and we can walk you through which structure fits your situation.
Houston also has a strong network of down payment assistance (DPA) programs, help covering the cash needed to close, offered through the City of Houston, Harris County, and the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). These programs have income limits and property eligibility rules that change, so the right guidance matters. As a licensed mortgage lender and broker serving the greater Houston area, Intra-Mortgage can help you understand which programs you may qualify to apply for and what the full cost picture looks like before you make an offer.
A licensed lender with real roots
We're not a lead-generation site that sells your information. We're a licensed mortgage team, and we're here in Texas.
A real team
You work with a licensed mortgage team and a loan officer who knows this market, not a national portal that sells your information to the highest bidder.
Market knowledge
We know Houston's neighborhoods, appraisers, title companies, and county quirks, because we close here every week.
A human, not a call center
You get one loan officer with a direct line, not a 1-800 number and a different rep every time you call.
Multi-state licensed
Licensed across OH, IN, PA, TX and more. Moving out of state later? We can likely still be your lender.
The right loan for your situation
Not sure which fits? See what you may qualify for above, or read the full guide on any option below.
FHA Loans
As little as 3.5% down with a 580 credit score. The most flexible path for first-time and credit-building buyers.
FHA in HoustonConventional
3–5% down for strong-credit buyers. Mortgage insurance drops at 20% equity — the long-term cost winner.
Conventional guideVA Loans
Zero down, no monthly mortgage insurance, for eligible veterans and active-duty service members.
VA loan benefitsRefinance
Lower your rate, shorten your term, or tap equity. We'll run the break-even math honestly.
Refinance optionsFirst-Time Buyer
Down payment assistance, education, and step-by-step guidance built for people buying their first home.
First-time buyer guideNot sure yet?
Compare FHA vs. Conventional side by side, or talk to a loan officer who'll run both on your actual numbers.
Compare loan typesDown payment assistance in Houston
Texas buyers can often stack state, county, and city assistance on top of an FHA or conventional loan to cover part, sometimes all, of the down payment. What you qualify for depends on your income, the home, and the program.
No credit pull to start, we'll check your assistance eligibility with you.
Real footprint
We close loans across the entire Greater Houston metro, city neighborhoods, suburbs, and the core counties we serve.
Houston Neighborhoods
Suburbs
Statewide context, then your city
Houston sits near the statewide median with more inventory than Austin, and most area counties use the FHA floor rather than a high-cost limit. Compare that with the rest of Texas on the statewide mortgage lender page.
Texas mortgage lender
Statewide property tax, county loan limits, and down payment assistance — and how the five Texas metros compare.
Texas home loansAustin
The highest-priced of the five. Jumbo vs. conforming shows up here more often than in Houston or San Antonio.
Mortgage lender in AustinDallas
Shares a metro name with Fort Worth and not much else on price or inventory. Several Dallas-area counties sit above the FHA floor.
Mortgage lender in DallasFort Worth
More purchasing power than Dallas or Austin. Naval Air Station JRB is why VA loans come up so often here.
Mortgage lender in Fort WorthSan Antonio
The most approachable of the five on price. Joint Base San Antonio is why VA and first-time assistance often pair here.
Mortgage lender in San AntonioFrom "just looking" to keys in hand
A clear four-step path, with a real person guiding you at each stage.
Get pre-qualified
Answer a few questions, no credit pull, no obligation. We'll tell you what you can realistically afford in Houston.
~60 secondsApply & get pre-approved
A full application and verified pre-approval letter, the kind Houston sellers take seriously in a multiple-offer situation.
1–2 daysUnderwriting & approval
Your file goes through full underwriting, appraisal, title, and conditions handled by a team you can actually reach.
2–3 weeksClear to close
Sign, fund, and get your keys. We coordinate with your title company to keep closing day smooth.
Day of closeJoe Heister and Katie Smith are outstanding to work with. Joe is professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about his clients — he goes above and beyond to make sure everything goes smoothly from start to finish.
I'm a real estate agent and have known Joe Heister for over 15 years. I have always respected him as a lender with integrity who consistently puts his client's interests first.
As a first-time homebuyer, I had so many questions about the mortgage process, but Katie made everything so much easier. From the beginning she took the time to explain every step and answered all my questions patiently.
I recently refinanced with loan officer Mitra Dhital, and he was very helpful and professional throughout the process. He explained everything clearly and made the experience smooth and stress-free.
Thank you to Keshabi Acharya for making our home buying experience so smooth and stress free. She was very quick to respond and very knowledgeable on the topic of loans.
I worked with Joe Heister and Katie Smith and the process was seamless. Professional, organized, and low rates. Highly recommend.
Houston mortgage FAQs
No. Different loan programs have different credit requirements. FHA loans, for example, are designed to be accessible to buyers with credit scores below what conventional loans typically require. Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), how much of your monthly income goes to debt, also plays a role. A loan officer can review your full picture and help you understand where you stand before you start shopping.
A conventional loan is not backed by the government. It typically requires a stronger credit profile and a larger down payment, but it avoids the mortgage insurance premium (MIP), a fee on FHA loans that protects the lender, that FHA borrowers pay for the life of the loan in many cases. Conventional loans do carry private mortgage insurance (PMI), a monthly fee added when the down payment is under 20 percent, but PMI can be removed once you build enough equity.
Yes. The City of Houston, Harris County, and state programs through TSAHC offer down payment assistance (DPA) to qualifying buyers. Each program has income limits, purchase price caps, and property eligibility rules. Availability and funding levels change, so it is worth asking a loan officer about your options early in the process rather than after you are already under contract.
Closing timelines vary based on loan type, how quickly documents are gathered, and the complexity of the transaction. Many purchases close in roughly 30 to 45 days. FHA loans and programs involving down payment assistance can sometimes take longer due to added review steps. Starting the pre-approval process early gives you and your real estate agent more flexibility when negotiating timelines with a seller.
That depends on your financial situation, your plans for the property, and how long you expect to stay. Houston's population continues to grow, and the market has historically shown resilience compared to many other large metros. We do not predict market direction or advise on timing as a financial matter, but we can help you understand what you qualify to apply for today so you can make an informed decision.
Our loan officers know Houston's appraisal patterns, its property tax landscape, and the neighborhoods where specific loan programs may or may not apply. You get a direct line to a real person who can answer questions specific to your file. Intra-Mortgage is a real team, not a lead-generation site passing your information to a lender you never chose.
Texas loan guides
In-depth guides on loan programs, limits, and buyer assistance across Texas.
Get pre-qualified for a Houston home loan
See what you qualify for in about a minute, or talk to a loan officer who actually knows the Greater Houston market.