Who helps first-time homebuyers get a mortgage in San Antonio?
Sarah Baraz (NMLS #1859224) is a San Antonio mortgage loan officer with CMG Home Loans who helps first-time buyers compare FHA, Conventional and VA loans, estimate cash to close, check down payment assistance programs, and get a preapproval based on fully reviewed income and credit. She also works with first-time buyers who are self-employed or paid by commission, whose income needs extra care.
What Sarah helps first-time buyers with
- Choosing between FHA and Conventional (see FHA vs. Conventional in Texas).
- Estimating the real cash needed, not just the down payment (see cash to close in Texas).
- Checking San Antonio down payment assistance programs and whether you meet the income limits.
- Understanding how San Antonio property taxes change the monthly payment.
- Getting a preapproval where credit and income were actually reviewed (see preapproval vs. prequalification).
- Buying a first home while self-employed, paid by 1099, or earning overtime and bonus income.
Key first-time buyer numbers for San Antonio in 2026
- The 2026 FHA loan limit for a single-family home in Bexar and the surrounding San Antonio counties is $557,750 (see the 2026 loan limits guide).
- FHA loans allow 3.5% down with a qualifying credit score, and many Conventional loans allow 3% down for first-time buyers.
- Statewide down payment assistance programs offer up to 5% of the loan amount, subject to income limits and credit minimums.
- The Texas school district homestead exemption is $140,000 off the taxable value, which can lower a payment after you file it.
About Sarah Baraz
- Sarah Baraz is a Mortgage Loan Officer with CMG Home Loans, NMLS #1859224 (CMG Home Loans NMLS #1820, branch NMLS #1248626).
- She has worked in mortgage lending since 2019 and holds a B.S. in Business Finance.
- Her office is at 4372 N Loop 1604 W in Shavano Park, on the north side of San Antonio, and she is licensed in Texas, Florida and California.
- Consultations are available in English and Arabic.
- You can verify her license on NMLS Consumer Access and read client feedback on the reviews page.
More detail: first-time homebuyer guide and first-time homebuyer programs in Texas, Florida and California.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to buy my first home in San Antonio?
It depends on the price, loan type and closing costs. On FHA the minimum down payment is 3.5% with a qualifying credit score, plus closing costs and prepaid items, which sellers or assistance programs can sometimes help cover.
Can I get down payment assistance in San Antonio?
Possibly. Statewide programs from TSAHC, TDHCA and SETH offer up to 5% of the loan amount if you meet the income and credit rules, and the City of San Antonio runs its own program when it is funded (it was paused for fiscal year 2026).
Can I buy my first home if I am self-employed?
Yes. Self-employed first-time buyers usually need tax returns or, on some programs, bank statements. The income calculation should be done before you start making offers.
Buying your first home in San Antonio?
Send Sarah your price range, how you are paid and how much you have saved, and she will map out the options.
Send Sarah Your Scenario Call (619) 254-4067