What first-time home buyer programs are available in Arizona in 2026? Two of the most searched options are Arizona is Home (Home in Five Advantage) and Home Plus down payment assistance. Both can help eligible buyers with down payment and/or closing costs through a forgivable second loan, paired with approved first mortgages — but income limits, education, county coverage and forgiveness timelines differ.
If you searched "first time home buyer arizona down payment," "arizona home plus" or "az is home down payment assistance," this guide summarizes published program facts only. A participating lender — not a blog post — confirms whether you qualify.
Program details below are taken from the program sites linked in each section. Rules change. Always verify with the program and your lender before you write an offer.
Arizona is Home (Home in Five Advantage)
Program site: https://homein5advantage.com/azishome
Also see: Arizona Department of Housing — https://housing.az.gov/general-public/arizona-home-program
Down Payment Assistance
- DPA options: 3%, 4%, 5% or 6%
- Structured as a 7-year forgivable second loan
- Interest-free second; no payments unless the home is sold, transferred or refinanced before the 84th month
First Mortgage Products
- 30-year fixed FHA, VA, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage
Who Qualifies (Published Rules)
- First-time homebuyer: has not owned residential property in the last 3 years
- Arizona resident for a minimum of 6 months
- Minimum FICO 640
- Maximum credit-qualifying income cannot exceed $131,520 for all borrowers (as stated on the program page)
- 1% origination fee plus customary closing costs at closing
- Occupy as principal residence within 60 days
- Complete 8-hour homebuyer education through an approved Arizona counseling agency
- Home must be in Maricopa County
- New purchases only
- Property types: houses, condos, PUDs, townhouses
- No purchase price limit (per program page)
The Arizona Department of Housing page notes the Arizona Home Program covers Maricopa and Pima counties and references 120% AMI or below. This draft does not invent AMI dollar amounts — confirm current AMI tables with Housing.az.gov or your lender.
Home Plus Down Payment Assistance
Program site: https://homeplusaz.com/home-plus-dpa/
Key Terms
- Available in all Arizona counties (statewide)
- Up to 4% DPA for down payment and/or closing costs
- Borrower annual income not to exceed $155,386.00 (as of 4/6/2026)
- One borrower must complete homebuyer education before closing
- Forgivable second after 5 years / 60 months
- If you sell or refinance within 60 months, you repay the DPA
- Per their site: available year-round and does not deplete funding
- Rates set by the Arizona IDA and may be slightly higher than market — compare total cost with your lender
Home Plus is often the better geographic fit when the purchase is outside Maricopa County, or when income sits above Arizona is Home's published cap but within Home Plus limits — your lender maps which path fits your file.
Quick Comparison
- Geography: Arizona is Home — Maricopa County (ADH also notes Maricopa & Pima); Home Plus — all Arizona counties
- DPA: Arizona is Home 3%–6% options; Home Plus up to 4%
- Forgiveness: 7 years (84 months) vs. 5 years (60 months)
- Published income caps: $131,520 (Arizona is Home, all borrowers) vs. $155,386.00 (Home Plus, as of 4/6/2026)
- Education: 8-hour approved counseling (Arizona is Home) vs. one borrower before closing (Home Plus)
Scottsdale Market Context (Not a Promise)
Assistance programs help eligible buyers who meet program rules. They are not a guarantee you can buy any Scottsdale listing.
Phoenix REALTORS® / ShowingTime, Scottsdale, September 2026 (current as of October 3, 2026):
- Single-family median sales price: $1,200,000
- Townhouse/Condo median: $485,000
- Months of supply (SFR): 3.7
Source: https://phoenix-public.stats.showingtime.com/docs/lmu/x/Scottsdale
Many luxury single-family listings sit above what a DPA-backed first mortgage is designed for. Townhomes and condos can be a realistic path for some buyers — without steering toward or away from any neighborhood. Fair housing: assistance is for eligible buyers meeting program rules, not a promise of a specific price point or area.
How to Move Forward Without Getting Ahead of Yourself
- Talk to a participating lender first. They confirm income, credit, property eligibility and which program fits.
- Complete education early. Both paths require homebuyer education before closing (Arizona is Home: 8-hour approved agency).
- Budget the full stack. DPA helps; you may still owe an origination fee (Arizona is Home: 1%) and customary closing costs.
- Compare rate + assistance. Home Plus notes rates may run slightly higher than market — model the payment, not just the down payment help.
- Write offers with your agent once financing is clear. An agent helps with strategy; the lender confirms eligibility.
“First-time buyers often assume down payment assistance either solves everything or applies to every Scottsdale listing. Neither is true. I connect you with a participating lender who maps Arizona is Home versus Home Plus to your income and credit. Then we shop what you actually qualify for — including townhomes and condos when that is smarter — without promising a price point the program was never designed to reach.”
— Elizabeth Vijan, Tackett Team, eXp Realty
FAQ: Arizona First-Time Buyer Assistance
What first-time home buyer programs exist in Arizona?
Arizona is Home / Home in Five Advantage and Home Plus DPA are two primary options with published down payment assistance. Confirm current terms on their sites and with a participating lender.
How much down payment assistance can I get?
Arizona is Home lists 3%, 4%, 5% or 6% DPA options. Home Plus offers up to 4%. Exact availability depends on the loan and your approval.
What are the income limits?
Arizona is Home: max credit-qualifying income $131,520 for all borrowers (program page). Home Plus: borrower annual income not to exceed $155,386.00 as of 4/6/2026. ADH also references 120% AMI — verify current AMI dollars with the agency or lender.
Do these work for Scottsdale purchases?
Possibly, if you meet program rules and a participating lender approves the property and loan. Scottsdale SFR medians are high; many buyers explore townhouse/condo inventory or other financing. Eligibility is rules-based, not neighborhood-based.
Get a Clear Path From Assistance to Offer
If you are a first-time buyer in Arizona, I can short-list homes that fit your budget while you work with a participating lender on Arizona is Home or Home Plus — so you know what you can offer before you fall in love with a listing.
Elizabeth Vijan | Tackett Team, eXp Realty
Scottsdale & Phoenix Real Estate
Request My First-Time Buyer Game Plan · Call or text 602-885-7752
Disclaimer: Program terms are summarized from homein5advantage.com/azishome, homeplusaz.com/home-plus-dpa/ and housing.az.gov and can change without notice. This is not a loan offer, commitment or guarantee of eligibility. A participating lender must confirm all terms. Market medians from Phoenix REALTORS® / ShowingTime Scottsdale LMU, September 2026 (as of Oct 3, 2026). Equal Housing Opportunity. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Tackett Team, eXp Realty · Get in touch