Who qualifies for Arizona down payment assistance in 2026?

To qualify for Arizona Home Plus DPA in 2026: minimum 640 credit score, gross income under approximately $155,386, purchase price under $500,000, primary residence only, must complete a homebuyer education course, and must use a participating lender. First-time buyers and repeat buyers both qualify.

Can I use down payment assistance with an FHA or conventional loan in Arizona?

Yes — Arizona Home Plus works with both FHA and conventional loans. Home in Five Advantage (Maricopa County only) works with FHA and conventional loans. The DPA covers your down payment and sometimes closing costs, layered on top of the primary mortgage.

Arizona Down Payment Assistance Programs 2026 | Home Plus, Home in Five

Arizona DPA Guide 2026 · Todd Uzzell NMLS #1525192

Arizona Down Payment Assistance Programs 2026

Q: What is the Arizona Home Plus down payment assistance program?

Arizona Home Plus is the state's flagship down payment assistance program, providing 3-5% of the loan amount as a soft second mortgage that is forgiven after 60 months. It is available statewide on both FHA and conventional loans, with income limits around $155,386 and purchase price limits of $500,000.

Q: Do I have to repay Arizona down payment assistance?

Arizona Home Plus DPA is a soft second mortgage — it is forgiven after 60 months (5 years). If you sell or refinance before 60 months, a prorated portion may be due. Home in Five Advantage (Maricopa County) is also a soft second forgiven after 3 years. Neither program requires monthly payments on the assistance.

You do not need 20% — or even 3.5% — saved to buy a home in Arizona. State and county programs can cover your entire down payment. Here is how they work and whether you qualify.

Down Payment Possible

Max DPA Available

60 mo

Until Forgiven

Arizona's Two Main DPA Programs

🏠 Arizona Home Plus

AvailableStatewide — all AZ counties

DPA amount3–5% of loan amount

StructureSoft second mortgage

Forgiven after60 months

Monthly paymentsNone on DPA

Income limit~$155,386

Price limit$500,000

Credit score min.640

Loan typesFHA, Conventional, USDA, VA

First-time only?No — repeat buyers OK

🏙️ Home in Five Advantage

AvailableMaricopa County only

DPA amountUp to 4% of loan amount

StructureSoft second mortgage

Forgiven after3 years

Monthly paymentsNone on DPA

Income limitVaries by household size

Price limit$396,257 (FHA limit)

Credit score min.640

Loan typesFHA, Conventional

Extra boost+1% for qualifying military

Important: Arizona Home Plus DPA is a soft second mortgage — not a grant. It is forgiven after 60 months. If you sell or refinance before 60 months, a prorated portion may be due back. No monthly payments are required on the assistance. There is no 5% "tier" — the Home Plus program maxes at 5% and the Home in Five program is a separate Maricopa County program. These are the two programs, not tiers of one program.

Who Qualifies for Arizona DPA in 2026

✓ Credit Score

Minimum 640 for most DPA programs. Higher scores qualify for better first mortgage rates paired with the assistance.

✓ Income

Home Plus income limit is approximately $155,386 gross annual income (April 2026). Covers most working Arizona households. Verify current limits at application — they are updated periodically.

✓ Purchase Price

Home Plus: $500,000 limit. Home in Five: based on FHA loan limits for Maricopa County. New construction and existing homes both eligible.

✓ Primary Residence

Must be your primary home — not an investment property or vacation home. You must occupy the home within 60 days of closing.

✓ Homebuyer Education

A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required for most DPA programs. Typically completed online in 4–8 hours for about $75–$100. Ask Todd for a recommended provider.

✓ First-Time Buyer?

Home Plus does NOT require first-time buyer status — repeat buyers qualify. Some enhanced tiers within Home in Five may require no homeownership in the past 3 years. Confirm your specific situation with Todd.

How Arizona DPA Works in Practice

Here is a real-world example of how Home Plus DPA works on a Phoenix home purchase:

Example: $420,000 Phoenix Home, FHA Loan, Home Plus 3.5% DPA

Without DPA

Down payment (3.5%)$14,700

Closing costs (est.)$8,500

Total cash needed$23,200

With Home Plus 3.5% DPA

DPA covers (3.5%)-$14,175

Closing costs remaining$8,500

Total cash needed~$8,500*

*Closing costs can be further reduced through seller concessions — potentially bringing total cash to close under $3,000 or even $0.

✓ The zero out-of-pocket scenario: DPA (covers down payment) + seller concessions (covers closing costs) = $0 cash to close. Todd has closed Arizona transactions with under $1,000 out of pocket using this combination. Eligibility and seller cooperation required — call 480-330-1724 to see if this works for your purchase price and income.

How to Apply for Arizona Down Payment Assistance

Check Income and Credit Eligibility

Confirm your gross household income is under the current limit and your credit score is 640+. Todd can confirm in one quick call — 480-330-1724.

Complete Homebuyer Education

Take a HUD-approved course online — typically 4–8 hours and $75–$100. Keep the certificate. This is required before DPA funds can be committed.

Apply with a Participating Lender

Not all lenders offer DPA programs. Todd is a participating lender with access to both Home Plus and Home in Five — apply directly through him.

Get Pre-Approved with DPA

Pre-approval includes both the first mortgage and the DPA second — so sellers see a complete picture and you know your exact buying power.

Find Your Home and Make an Offer

Shop with confidence knowing your down payment is covered. DPA works with most property types — single family, townhome, condo (if eligible).

Close and Start the Clock

DPA funds are disbursed at closing. Your 60-month (Home Plus) or 36-month (Home in Five) forgiveness clock starts. No monthly payments on the DPA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Arizona Home Plus down payment assistance program?

Arizona Home Plus is the state's flagship DPA program, providing 3–5% of the loan amount as a soft second mortgage forgiven after 60 months. Available statewide on FHA, conventional, VA, and USDA loans. Income limit approximately $155,386, purchase price limit $500,000, minimum 640 credit score. Both first-time and repeat buyers qualify.

Do I have to repay Arizona down payment assistance?

Home Plus DPA is forgiven after 60 months — no repayment if you stay in the home 5 years. If you sell or refinance before 60 months, a prorated portion may be owed. Home in Five is forgiven after 36 months. Neither program requires monthly payments on the assistance amount.

Can I use DPA with an FHA loan in Arizona?

Yes — Arizona Home Plus and Home in Five both work with FHA loans. The DPA covers your 3.5% FHA down payment, and the first mortgage is a standard FHA loan. You get the FHA rate and mortgage insurance structure with the down payment covered by the second mortgage.

Does Arizona DPA affect my interest rate?

Yes — DPA programs pair with a first mortgage at a specific rate set by the program. The rate is typically slightly above the best available market rate. The trade-off (slightly higher rate in exchange for down payment coverage) is almost always favorable for buyers who lack a down payment but can afford the monthly payment.

Todd Uzzell

Licensed Arizona Mortgage Lender · NMLS #1525192

Participating lender for Arizona Home Plus and Home in Five DPA programs. Todd has helped hundreds of Arizona buyers close with minimal out-of-pocket costs using DPA combined with seller concessions. Starboard Financial NMLS #156931, BK-0910725. 480-330-1724.

Check Your DPA Eligibility in 5 Minutes

Todd will confirm whether you qualify for Home Plus or Home in Five — and tell you exactly how much down payment assistance you can receive on your target purchase price.

Check My DPA Eligibility → 📞 480-330-1724

NMLS #1525192 · Equal Housing Lender · Program terms subject to change · Income and purchase price limits current as of April 2026