Home financing in Presidio County.

Home financing means borrowing money to buy, build, or improve a home, then repaying that loan over time — usually 15 to 30 years — with interest. The lender holds a lien on the property until the loan is fully paid off.

In Presidio County, the market has two distinct sides. Marfa has seen rising property values driven by arts tourism and second-home buyers, while the City of Presidio and surrounding colonias remain among the most economically underserved areas in Texas. This means financing options, property values, and lender availability vary significantly depending on where in the county you are looking.

For buyers in rural or colonia areas, standard conventional loans from big banks are often hard to access — either because the loan amounts are too small to be profitable for large institutions, or because income is earned informally, seasonally, or in a mix of U.S. and Mexican pesos.

That is exactly why local CDFIs, credit unions, and specialty lenders exist: to fill that gap.

This guide focuses on those local intermediaries, not just federal program names.

Presidio County has a population of roughly 6,000–7,000 people, with the city of Presidio sitting directly on the U.S.–Mexico border. The local economy relies heavily on ranching, agriculture, retail trade across the border at Ojinaga, Chihuahua, government employment, and small businesses serving both the Marfa arts scene and the broader rural community.

Here is what qualification looks like in this context:

**If you have a Social Security Number (SSN) and steady income:** You can apply for conventional, FHA, VA (if a veteran), or USDA loans. Lenders will look at your credit score (typically 580–640 minimum depending on loan type), your debt-to-income ratio, and proof of income.

**If you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead of an SSN:** You are not excluded from homeownership.

Several lenders and CDFIs offer ITIN mortgage programs designed specifically for mixed-status families and immigrants who pay U.S. taxes.

ITIN loans typically require 10–20% down, two or more years of ITIN tax returns, and consistent proof of income — but do not require a Social Security Number or U.S. citizenship.

**If your income is informal, seasonal, or in cash:** Some community lenders and CDFIs use alternative income documentation — bank statements, letters from employers, records of livestock sales, or a combination — rather than requiring traditional W-2s or pay stubs.

**If you live in a colonia:** Presidio County includes recognized colonia communities. Texas has dedicated colonia programs through state agencies and CDFIs that address the unique needs of residents in these areas, including help with land titles, lot loans, and modest home construction financing.

Do not assume you do not qualify before talking to a local CDFI or credit union. Many borrowers who were turned away by large banks have been successfully financed through local intermediaries.

Every lender has slightly different requirements, but here is a practical checklist that covers most home loan applications in Presidio County:

**Identity and Residency**

- Government-issued photo ID (U.S. passport, driver's license, consular ID/matrícula consular, or foreign passport)

- ITIN card or SSN card (whichever applies)

- Proof of current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement)

**Income Verification**

- Last two years of federal tax returns (1040s), including all schedules — filed with your SSN or ITIN

- Last two to three months of bank statements (all accounts)

- W-2s or 1099s for the last two years, if applicable

- For self-employed borrowers: profit-and-loss statement, business bank statements, and any business licenses

- For ranch or agricultural income: records of livestock sales, crop contracts, or USDA farm records if available

**Property Information**

- Address and legal description of the property you want to buy

- Purchase agreement or contract (if already negotiated)

- For land or lot purchases: survey, deed, and confirmation of colonia status if applicable

**Assets**

- Two to three months of bank or investment account statements showing your down payment funds

- If funds are a gift: a signed gift letter from the donor

**Credit**

- Lenders will pull your credit report. If you have no U.S. credit history, some ITIN lenders accept alternative credit references: utility payment history, rent payment letters from a landlord, or remittance records.

Gather these documents before you start talking to lenders — it speeds up the process and shows you are organized and serious.