Texas loan officers

Texas Mortgage Broker | The Loan Nerd | NMLS# 2592315
Texas Mortgage Broker

Home Loans in Texas, Done Right.

The Loan Nerd is an independent mortgage brokerage serving Texas homebuyers and homeowners. We shop dozens of lenders to find the right loan for your situation — not just the most convenient one.

Texas Market Snapshot
$806,500
2025 Conforming Loan Limit
50+
Lenders We Work With
No
State Income Tax
3
Licensed Loan Officers
The Loan Nerd, LLC  |  NMLS# 2592315  |  Licensed in Texas  |  Equal Housing Lender
Serving Houston Dallas Austin San Antonio Fort Worth El Paso The Woodlands Plano And All of Texas
What We Offer

Loan Programs for
Texas Borrowers

Whether you’re buying your first home in Houston, refinancing in Dallas, or exploring government-backed options anywhere in the Lone Star State, we have the right program for you.

Conventional Loans

Flexible terms, competitive rates, and no upfront mortgage insurance for qualified borrowers. Ideal for Texas buyers with strong credit and solid savings — with loan amounts up to $806,500 in most counties.

FHA / VA / USDA

Government-backed programs with lower down payment requirements. VA loans offer outstanding terms for Texas veterans and active-duty military. USDA covers eligible rural Texas communities with zero-down financing.

Refinance

Lower your rate, shorten your term, or tap your home equity. In a high-equity Texas market, refinancing can be a powerful financial move. We compare options across our full lender network to maximize your benefit.

First-Time Homebuyer

Texas has strong first-time buyer programs through TDHCA including the My First Texas Home and Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate. We walk you through every option and every step from pre-qual to closing.

The Texas Market

Why Texas Borrowers Choose an Independent Broker

Texas is one of the most active and competitive housing markets in the country. From Houston’s sprawling suburbs to Austin’s fast-moving urban core, buyers face conditions that reward speed, preparation, and the right financing partner.

As an independent broker, The Loan Nerd isn’t tied to a single lender’s product menu. We access wholesale rates from dozens of institutions — rates and terms that retail bank branches simply can’t offer. When your monthly payment matters, that difference is real money.

Texas has its own quirks worth understanding: no state income tax, but property tax rates that rank among the highest in the nation. Homestead exemptions, new construction financing, and rural land loans all require specific expertise. We’ve built ours right here in Houston, serving borrowers across the state.

2025 Conforming Loan Limit $806,500
State Income Tax None
Avg. Property Tax Rate ~1.60%
FHA Loan Limit (most counties) $524,225
VA Loan Limit No Cap*
Homestead Exemption Up to $100K
Our License NMLS# 2592315
Your Loan Officer

Meet Your Texas
Mortgage Expert

You’ll work directly with a licensed Texas loan officer — not a call center, not an algorithm.

John Christoff, Loan Officer
John Christoff
Loan Officer  |  Texas

John Christoff has 30+ years of mortgage expertise and has called Houston home since 2010. A U.S. Navy veteran and University of Colorado graduate, he’s worked with borrowers in almost every situation — first-time buyers, refinances, move-up buyers, and complex loan scenarios. He’s known for creative problem-solving when income is complicated, credit needs work, or a file has unique challenges, and for finding cost-saving strategies that reduce out-of-pocket expenses. In Texas’s competitive market, that combination of experience and resourcefulness makes a real difference.

NMLS# 674876  |  Licensed in Texas  |  The Loan Nerd, LLC NMLS# 2592315
Common Questions

Texas Mortgage FAQs

Questions we hear from Texas borrowers every day.

A bank can only offer its own loan products. As an independent broker, The Loan Nerd works with dozens of wholesale lenders — meaning we shop on your behalf and present multiple options. This typically results in better rates, more flexible qualifying criteria, and loan programs a single bank simply can’t offer.
It depends on your loan program. FHA requires as little as 3.5% down. Conventional loans can go as low as 3% for qualifying first-time buyers. VA and USDA loans may require no down payment at all for eligible borrowers. Texas also offers down payment assistance through TDHCA’s My First Texas Home program.
Texas property tax rates average around 1.60% of assessed value — higher than most states. However, there is no state income tax, which offsets this for many buyers. Texas also offers a Homestead Exemption of up to $100,000 off your appraised value for your primary residence. We factor estimated property taxes into your total monthly payment from day one so there are no surprises.
A typical purchase loan closes in 21–45 days from application, depending on the loan type and complexity of your file. Getting pre-qualified early puts you in the best position to move quickly when you find the right home — especially important in competitive Texas metros like Houston and Austin.
Yes. The Loan Nerd, LLC is a licensed residential mortgage brokerage (NMLS# 2592315) based in Houston, Texas. Our loan officers are individually licensed and registered with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System. You can verify our credentials at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

Ready to Find Your Texas Home Loan?

Start with a no-obligation pre-qualification. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and tell you exactly where you stand — no pressure, no runaround.

Start Your Pre-Qualification

The Loan Nerd, LLC | NMLS# 2592315 | Licensed Mortgage Broker | Texas | John Christoff NMLS# 674876

This is not a commitment to lend. All loan approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines, credit approval, and property eligibility. Loan programs, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a loan application or guarantee of financing.

*VA loans have no set loan limit for eligible borrowers with full entitlement. Lender limits and eligibility requirements apply. Loan limit figures are subject to annual adjustment by FHFA.

Verify our license: nmlsconsumeraccess.org

Equal Housing Lender. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation.

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