Second Home Mortgages In Texas
Buying a lake house, beach home, or Hill Country getaway? Texas residents may qualify for second home mortgage rates that are as low as a primary residence by working with LendFriend Morgage.
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Why Texas Residents Can Secure Smarter Second Home Financing With LendFriend
At LendFriend Mortgage, we specialize in second home mortgages across Texas — from lake properties near Austin and Dallas to coastal homes outside Houston and Hill Country retreats near San Antonio. With the right structure and down payment, qualified Texas residents may secure second home mortgage rates that are as low as primary residence pricing.
Here’s why buyers across Texas work with us for their vacation and second homes:
Access to rates that are just as low as primary residence rates. Most lenders price second homes meaningfully higher than owner-occupied properties. Through select Texas portfolio options, qualified residents purchasing a second home in Texas may eliminate that gap at 25% down — a major difference in long-term cost.
Strategic ARM and fixed options. A 30-year fixed isn’t always the best fit for a second home. 5/6 and 7/6 ARMs often deliver lower initial rates and can make sense if your expected ownership timeline is under 10 years.
Clean qualification guidance. Second homes must meet specific occupancy standards. We help structure the file correctly from the start — avoiding issues around rental intent, reserve requirements, and property eligibility.
Designed for lifestyle buyers, not investors. True second homes require different positioning than short-term rental or investment properties. We make sure the loan aligns with how you plan to use the property.
Experienced, trusted, and proven. LendFriend has funded over $1.5 billion in home loans and earned 500+ five-star reviews, helping Texas residents finance second homes in communities from Celina and Prosper to New Braunfels, League City, and Port Aransas.
Straightforward Second Home Qualification for Texas Buyers
Buying a second home in Texas shouldn’t mean paying a dramatically higher rate if you're working with the right lender. With the right down payment and the right lending partner, qualified Texas residents may secure second home pricing that’s as low as a primary residence.
We make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Clear expectations.
We walk you through down payment requirements, reserves, and how second homes are defined — so you know exactly what qualifies.
Access to better rates.
Most lenders have to offer higher rates on second homes. However, there are Texas portfolio options that reduce that gap at 20% down and remove it entirely at 25% down, which can make a huge difference in monthly payment.
Smart loan options.
Whether a fixed rate or an ARM makes more sense depends on how long you plan to keep the property. We help you choose based on your timeline, not guesswork.
Get Started on Your Second Home in Texas
Whether you're buying near Canyon Lake, Port Aransas, Galveston, Fredericksburg, or South Padre Island, we’ll structure your financing around how you actually plan to use the home.
From conventional second home loans to Texas-specific portfolio options, we help you compare your choices clearly and move forward with confidence.
Apply online or speak with a Texas loan expert today.
What Our Borrowers Say About LendFriend
5/5 Star Reviews on Google, Zillow, and Experience.
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LendFriend has been an outstanding lending partner, reliable, transparent, and incredibly easy to work with. Their team made the entire process smooth from start to finish, always available to answer questions and guide us through each step. I highly recommend LendFriend to anyone looking for a trustworthy and efficient lender.
Trung Nguyen
Closed July 2025 -
My husband and I recently closed on a house, and we had a fantastic experience with LendFriend! Eric and his team were wonderful. They made the process as seamless as could be. We can't recommend them enough!
Olivia Westmoreland
Closed February 2026 -
Eric is my go to guy for all lending needs. This is my third time with Lendfriend and will be back for future purchases and refi!
Eddie Huang
Closed February 2026 -
Eric, Morgan, Crystal, and the entire LendFriend team were the perfect mortgage partners for us. They were incredibly informative, supportive, flexible, and understanding throughout the process. Every question we had was met with clear answers and thoughtful guidance, and they kept us proactively updated at every step. After comparing a few different lenders, we realized that working with a brokerage was the best choice. I highly recommend them for their transparency, speed, and excellent execution end to end.
Alisha T
Closed December 2025 -
I am so grateful for Micheal and his team at LendFriend. As a first time homebuyer with multiple businesses, I was very nervous about the loan process. Anyone who’s self employed knows loan processes for us are more extensive but LendFriend made it an ease. From getting a great rate to closing, they made clear communication and were extremely helpful in making sure I had everything I needed to ensure we got the final approval well in advance of closing date. They are truly amazing people to have on your team. Thank you Micheal, Morgan and Crystal for your encouraging words and optimism throughout this process.
Annie Momin
Closed September 2024
FAQs – Second Home & Vacation Home Mortgages in Texas
What qualifies as a second home in Texas?
A second home (also called a vacation home) is a property you intend to occupy part-time for personal use, located a reasonable distance from your primary residence. It cannot be a full-time rental property, and it must be suitable for year-round occupancy.
Lenders will review occupancy intent carefully. The property cannot be subject to mandatory rental programs, and you must have the financial capacity to carry both housing payments.
Are second home mortgage rates higher than primary residence rates?
In many cases, yes. Traditional conventional lenders typically price second homes higher than owner-occupied properties.
However, Texas residents purchasing a second home located in Texas may qualify for portfolio options that significantly reduce that gap — and in some cases, pricing can be as low as a primary residence when structured correctly with sufficient down payment.
Down payment, credit profile, reserves, and property type all influence final pricing.
How much down payment is required for a second home in Texas?
Most conventional second home loans require at least 10% down, with stronger pricing typically starting at 20%–25% down.
At 25% down (75% loan-to-value), LendFriend Mortgage can provide access to Texas portfolio programs that offer rates as low as rates to primary residence rates for qualified borrowers.
At 20% down (80% loan-to-value), this Texas portfolio program applies only a 0.25% rate adjustment compared to primary residence pricing — significantly lower than the typical 0.75%–1.00% adjustment seen with standard conventional second home loans.
What credit score is needed for this Texas second home program?
For this Texas portfolio second home program, a minimum 700 credit score is typically required.
Because the program offers reduced second-home pricing adjustments — including only a 0.25% adjustment at 80% LTV and primary-residence pricing at 75% LTV — it is designed for well-qualified borrowers with strong credit profiles.
Borrowers with higher scores (720–740+) may receive the most competitive pricing and smoother underwriting, particularly when combined with sufficient reserves and stable income.
What is the maximum loan amount for a jumbo second home under this Texas program?
This Texas portfolio second home program allows jumbo loan amounts up to $3 million, subject to credit, income, and reserve requirements.
The program is designed for higher-value second homes located in Texas and supports both conforming and jumbo balances. Loan size, debt-to-income ratio, asset reserves, and credit profile will determine final approval and pricing.
Because this is a portfolio program, it provides more flexibility than many agency jumbo second-home options — particularly for borrowers purchasing properties in markets such as Horseshoe Bay, Lake LBJ, Fredericksburg, Port Aransas, Rockport, and other high-demand Texas vacation areas.
What cities in Texas are popular for second homes?
Common Texas second home markets include:
Horseshoe Bay
Lake LBJ
Port Aransas
Rockport
Galveston
New Braunfels
Canyon Lake
Fredericksburg
South Padre Island
Lake Livingston
Lake Texoma
Financing strategy can vary depending on property type, condo eligibility, flood zone designation, and local market dynamics — especially in coastal markets like Galveston and South Padre Island where insurance and condo approval guidelines require closer review.
Why work with a mortgage broker for a second home in Texas?
Second home pricing adjustments vary widely between lenders. A mortgage broker compares wholesale lenders, portfolio options, jumbo programs, and specialty structures to identify the most competitive solution for your scenario.
LendFriend has funded over $1.5 billion in home loans and earned 500+ five-star Google reviews from Texas homeowners. When you’re structuring financing for a second property, experience directly impacts outcome.
Why Choose LendFriend?
At LendFriend Mortgage, jumbo loans aren’t just one of the programs we offer—they’re a core specialty. We match borrowers with the right jumbo lender for their property, financial profile, and goals, with no hidden fees and a process built for speed. Whether you want a fixed 30-year, a 7/1 ARM, or a flexible non-QM option, we make it simple to get approved and close quickly.
Around the Clock
We’re available 7 days a week to help you compare jumbo mortgage rates, review lender options, and move forward with confidence—whether you’re buying a primary home, second home, or investment property.
Loan Options
We offer a full range of jumbo financing solutions, from conventional fixed rates to ARMs, bank statement loans, and asset depletion programs—so you get the right fit for your goals.
Get Pre-Approved Quickly
Our jumbo preapproval process strengthens your offer and gives sellers confidence in your ability to close on higher-priced properties. You can apply for a jumbo loan online in minutes, making it faster and easier to get started.
Competitive Rates with No Points
We shop multiple jumbo lenders to find the most competitive rates for your profile—without unnecessary points or hidden charges.
Personalized Mortgage Guidance
You’ll work one-on-one with a jumbo mortgage expert who will explain your options, help you structure your file for approval, and guide you through underwriting with clarity.
Close in less than 30 days
Our process is designed for larger transactions, so most jumbo loans close in 30 days or less—even in competitive markets like Austin, Dallas, and Houston.