Down Payment Assistance Programs in Maricopa County, AZ

A lot of buyers hear "assistance program" and assume there's a catch, hidden fees, a higher interest rate, or some kind of trap. In reality, these programs exist because housing agencies want to help qualified buyers get into homes and build equity, especially in a market where saving 5-10% of a $450,000+ purchase price can take years. The "catch," if there is one, is usually just eligibility requirements: income caps, credit score minimums, and a homebuyer education course.

Most Arizona DPA programs work the same basic way: you get a first mortgage (often FHA, conventional, or VA) paired with a second loan or grant that covers some or all of your down payment and closing costs. That second loan is frequently structured as a "silent second", no monthly payment, no interest, that's forgiven gradually over a set number of years as long as you live in the home and don't refinance.

Home in Five Advantage (and its companion program, Home in Five Platinum) is administered through the Phoenix and Maricopa County Industrial Development Authorities and is one of the most useful programs for buyers purchasing anywhere in Maricopa County, not just Phoenix proper. How it works You can receive up to 6% of your loan amount toward down payment and closing costs.

The assistance comes as a silent second mortgage, no interest, no monthly payment, that's forgiven over the first five years of ownership as long as you don't sell or refinance during that window. You generally don't have to be a first-time buyer to use it. An extra 1% in assistance is typically available for K-12 teachers, first responders, active military, veterans, and buyers in certain income brackets, worth asking about if that applies to you.

Who typically qualifies A minimum credit score, generally in the 640 range (this can shift, so confirm the current figure with your lender). A debt-to-income ratio under a set cap, historically around 50%, but again, verify current guidelines. Household income under a program cap that's adjusted periodically. As of mid-2026 that cap has been in the neighborhood of $155,000, $157,000 for a lot of Maricopa County households, but these numbers move, so don't rely on last year's figure.

Completion of an approved homebuyer education course before closing. Because the income limits and credit thresholds get updated throughout the year, the smartest move is to have your lender pull the current numbers when you're ready to apply rather than going off something you read months ago, including this article.

If you're buying somewhere in Maricopa County that doesn't fall neatly under Home in Five's coverage area, or you just want to compare options, Home Plus (through the Arizona Industrial Development Authority) is available in all 15 Arizona counties. Pairs a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage with down payment assistance, typically in the 0-5% range depending on the loan program.

Offers both forgivable and non-forgivable assistance structures, so ask your lender which version fits your situation. Available year-round without a limited pool of funding that runs out. Open to both first-time and repeat buyers. Also requires a homebuyer education course from at least one borrower on the loan.

Talk to a lender who's approved for these specific programs. Not every loan officer works with Home in Five or Home Plus regularly. Ask directly whether they're an approved participating lender. Get pre-approved with the DPA built in. Your pre-approval letter should reflect the assistance amount, not just your base loan, this matters when you're writing offers.

Complete the required homebuyer education course. These are usually online, a few hours long, and need to be finished before closing, don't leave it until the last week. Shop within your realistic price range. DPA helps with the down payment and closing costs, not your monthly payment capacity. Get clear on what payment you're comfortable with before you fall for a house at the top of your budget.

Write your offer with the loan type disclosed. In a competitive Maricopa County market, sellers sometimes hesitate on offers with assistance programs attached out of misplaced concern about complexity. A good agent frames this correctly in your offer and, when helpful, in a cover letter to the listing agent. Stay put for the forgiveness window if you can.

If your assistance is structured as forgivable over five years, selling or refinancing early can mean paying some of it back. Know your program's terms before you buy.

Assuming DPA means a bad interest rate. Rates on these programs are usually competitive with standard first mortgages, not the premium some buyers expect. Waiting to check income limits until the offer is already written. Income caps and credit requirements shift. Confirm you qualify before you fall in love with a house, not after. Skipping the homebuyer education course until the last minute.

It's a requirement, not a formality, and it needs to be done before closing, plan for it early in your timeline. Not asking about the extra 1% for teachers, first responders, and veterans. This gets missed constantly. If you or your co-borrower qualifies, make sure your lender applies it. Assuming one program is "the" program. Home in Five and Home Plus have different coverage areas, income limits, and assistance structures.

It's worth having your lender compare both against your specific numbers instead of defaulting to whichever one they mention first.

Scenario 1: A teacher buying her first home in Avondale. She's found a $385,000 home but has only saved about $8,000, not quite enough to cover a full down payment and closing costs on a conventional loan. Because she teaches in a Maricopa County school district, she qualifies for Home in Five Advantage plus the additional 1% assistance for educators.

Combined with her savings, that's enough to cover her down payment and most of her closing costs, and her monthly payment stays close to what she was already paying in rent. Scenario 2: A repeat buyer relocating to Buckeye. He's owned a home before, so he assumed DPA programs were off the table. He wasn't a first-time buyer requirement for most of these programs, he qualifies for Home Plus based on income and credit, and uses the forgivable assistance option to reduce what he needs to bring to closing, freeing up cash for moving costs and minor repairs on the new place.

Down payment assistance is useful across the county, from starter homes in Avondale, Tolleson, and El Mirage to move-up purchases in Gilbert, Mesa, and Chandler. It's not limited to entry-level price points, either; if you're financing through FHA or a conventional loan within the program's limits, DPA can still apply even on a higher-value purchase, which matters if you're shopping in the $600K+ range and want to preserve cash reserves rather than putting all of it into the down payment.

Stephanie Pondevie is a bilingual REALTOR® in Maricopa County, AZ, helping buyers navigate financing options like down payment assistance so they can move forward with confidence instead of guesswork.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to use Home in Five or Home Plus? No. Both programs are generally open to repeat buyers as well, as long as you meet the income, credit, and other eligibility requirements. Does down payment assistance mean I'll pay a higher interest rate? Not necessarily. Rates on DPA-paired loans are typically comparable to standard mortgage rates for the same loan type.

Compare actual quotes rather than assuming. What happens if I sell or refinance before the forgiveness period ends? It depends on your specific program terms, but forgivable assistance is often tied to staying in the home for a set number of years (commonly five). Selling or refinancing earlier can mean repaying some or all of the assistance, ask your lender to spell this out clearly before you close.

Can I combine down payment assistance with an FHA or VA loan? Often, yes, these programs are typically designed to pair with FHA, conventional, and sometimes VA financing. Your lender can confirm which combination works for your situation. Is there an income limit to qualify? Yes, both programs cap household income, and the cap adjusts periodically.

Have your lender check the current limit rather than relying on an older figure, since these numbers do change during the year. What's the homebuyer education course, and how long does it take? It's a required course (usually completed online) covering the basics of budgeting, the mortgage process, and homeownership responsibilities. It generally takes a few hours and needs to be finished before closing, so it's worth doing early rather than during your final closing week.

Are these programs only for lower price-point homes? No. As long as your loan amount and household income fall within the program's limits, DPA can apply to a range of purchase prices, including higher-value homes in Maricopa County.

Down payment assistance can be the difference between waiting years to save and moving into your Maricopa County home this year. If you want a straightforward, no-pressure walkthrough of what you might qualify for, reach out to Stephanie Pondevie at yourhomecomesfirst.com. Stephanie works with buyers throughout Maricopa County, in English and Spanish, and can connect you with lenders who know these programs inside and out.

Stephanie Pondevie is a licensed real estate agent with eXp Realty, holding ABR® and SRS® designations and serving Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale and the greater Maricopa County area.

With 12+ years of experience and over 100 homes sold, she specializes in move-up buyers and sellers who need the sale and the purchase coordinated as one plan. She speaks English, Spanish and French.