I'm Agustin Canales, a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer at First Community Credit Union. I help buyers across Houston and the Texas Triangle get approved, negotiate smarter and close with confidence.
💬 Text meBuying a home? Start hereDown payment, programs and the steps to the keys.
Free prompts, notes and tools to turn views into buyers.
Straight answers to the questions buyers actually ask.
I've been a licensed loan officer since 2016. I grew up in Texas, I work in English and Spanish, and my job is simple: make the loan the easy part of buying a home. That means clear numbers up front, a plan for your down payment and closing costs, and updates at every step so nothing surprises you or your Realtor.
You may need far less than 20% down. We'll find the program that fits and map out your cash to close.
Business owners and 1099 earners: I'll show you how your income is calculated before you shop.
Builder incentives and preferred-lender offers, compared side by side so you know what's really on the table.
Buying and selling at the same time, larger loan amounts and strategy for higher price points.
Short, straight answers about buying in Houston, in English and Spanish.
Most buyers don't need 20% down. Here are the real minimums, and the other cash to plan for.
Read →Yes, within program limits. Here's how much a seller can pay on each loan type.
Read →My notes from the "Ask Glennda Anything" panel at HAR Engage, plus her most-viewed TikToks.
Read →Fast, clear pre-approvals and updates from application to closing, so you're never chasing the lender.
Before your seller drops the price, I'll run a side-by-side for your buyer: price reduction vs. seller-paid buydown.
The Story-Post Prompt and my Glennda Baker notes: turn views into buyers.
Get them →It depends on the loan program. Many first-time buyers qualify with 0% to 5% down, not 20%. FHA loans start at 3.5% down, some conventional loans at 3%, and VA loans can be 0% down for eligible veterans. I'll tell you which programs fit after reviewing your income and credit.
Yes, within program limits. Conventional: up to 3% of the price with under 10% down, 6% with 10–25% down, 9% with 25% or more. FHA allows up to 6%. VA allows reasonable closing costs plus up to 4% in concessions.
It depends on the numbers. A seller-paid buydown can lower the monthly payment more than a small price cut, for a similar cost to the seller. I'll run both side by side for the specific home.
Yes. Lenders usually use your tax returns, and what matters is your income after write-offs. Talk to me before you file or buy so your income is documented the right way.