If steady income and decent credit are the only things standing between you and a home is the down payment, you have more options than you think. Arizona programs can help cover your down payment and closing costs — and I'll shop the whole package across 100+ lenders so the help doesn't quietly cost you a worse loan. Eligibility varies by program.
The best-known program in the state is the Home in Five Advantage program. For eligible buyers, it can provide assistance of up to 7% of the loan amount toward your down payment and closing costs — and it may pair with an optional Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC), a federal tax credit on a portion of your mortgage interest.
One important detail: Home in Five is a Maricopa County program, so the property generally needs to be in that county. If you're buying in the Phoenix area, it's often the first program to look at. If you're buying up here in the White Mountains, we'll turn to the statewide and agency options instead — there are good ones. Eligibility, percentages, and program rules change over time, so I always confirm what currently applies before we build around it.
Most DPA comes in one of two forms: a grant (or a forgivable second loan you don't repay as long as you meet the conditions) or a repayable second loan that sits behind your first mortgage. The structure matters a lot — a forgivable grant is very different from a second payment you'll carry — so understanding exactly how a program's help is built before you use it is the whole ballgame. I walk you through that fine print so there are no surprises down the road.
How much you "earn" from a program and whether you qualify depends on the specific program's income limits, credit requirements, and terms. Eligibility varies — so this is a conversation, not a one-size promise.
This surprises people constantly: plenty of Arizona assistance programs don't require you to be a first-time buyer. Most care about your income and credit, not whether you've owned before. So even if you've had a home in the past, don't count yourself out — let's check what you actually qualify for.
Here's where a broker earns their keep. Assistance only helps if it's paired with the right first mortgage — and not every lender participates in every program. I've seen buyers grab a shiny "free" down payment and quietly pay for it with a noticeably worse loan on the mortgage underneath. That can wipe out the benefit.
Because I shop 100+ lenders, I look at the whole package: the assistance and the first mortgage together. Sometimes the assistance is clearly the right move. Sometimes a simple low-down loan (or a VA, FHA, or USDA option) gets you into the home for less overall. I'll tell you straight which one wins for you.
If a program includes an MCC, the potential tax benefit depends entirely on your personal tax situation. I'll flag it and explain what it is, but the actual tax math should be confirmed with your tax advisor or CPA — that's their lane, not mine.
DPA programs open, close, and change their terms constantly, and the fine print is where people get burned. I keep track of which programs are live, who they fit, and how the help layers onto your loan — then I shop the whole thing across 100+ lenders so you get real help without a hidden cost. Straight answers, no pressure, from a broker who lives right here in the White Mountains.
A grant or second loan that helps cover your down payment and, often, closing costs — so you can buy with little or nothing out of pocket. Arizona has several state and agency programs, and eligibility and terms vary by program. I know which are open, who they fit, and how the help layers onto your first mortgage, then shop the whole package across 100+ lenders.
The Home in Five Advantage program, offered in Maricopa County, can provide up to 7% of the loan amount toward down payment and closing costs, and may pair with an optional Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) tax credit. It's for eligible buyers meeting income and credit requirements, and the property generally needs to be in Maricopa County. Details change over time, so I'll confirm what currently applies.
It depends. Some assistance is a grant or forgivable second loan you don't repay as long as you meet the conditions; others are a repayable second loan. Terms vary widely, so it's important to understand exactly how a program's help is structured before you use it. I walk you through the fine print so there are no surprises.
Not always. Many assume DPA is first-time-only, but plenty of Arizona programs don't require it — most focus on income limits and credit rather than whether you've owned before. I'll match you to the programs you actually qualify for, first-time buyer or not.
A federal tax credit that can let eligible buyers claim a portion of their annual mortgage interest as a credit, potentially lowering their federal tax bill. Some Arizona programs offer it as an option. Whether and how much it benefits you depends on your taxes — that's a question for your tax advisor. I'll flag it, but confirm the tax math with a professional.
Yes — statewide and agency programs can be used across much of Arizona, including Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Snowflake, Taylor, and nearby communities. Note some programs are county-specific (Home in Five is Maricopa County). I know which programs reach the White Mountains and which don't, and I'll match you to the right one.
Start a quick pre-approval and I'll check which assistance programs you qualify for, then shop the whole package across 100+ lenders. Eligibility varies by program. Equal Housing Opportunity.