Staring at Phoenix home prices and wondering how to cover the down payment? You’re not alone. Many buyers in Maricopa County have solid income and steady savings, but still need help with upfront costs. The state’s Arizona Is Home program can close that gap with down payment and closing cost assistance.
In this guide, you’ll learn what Arizona Is Home offers, who typically qualifies in Phoenix, how to apply through approved partners, and what to watch for when shopping local neighborhoods and condos. You’ll also get a practical checklist to keep your process on track. Let’s dive in.
What Arizona Is Home is
Arizona Is Home is a statewide initiative from the Arizona Department of Housing that pairs an approved first mortgage with down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible buyers. The goal is to make homeownership more reachable for low to moderate income households, including many first-time buyers.
Programs like this use different assistance structures, and Arizona Is Home commonly offers options in “tiers” based on your income, location, and loan type. Exact amounts and rules change, so you should always confirm current details on the Arizona Department of Housing website and with a participating lender.
How assistance usually works
Arizona Is Home can provide help in a few common formats. You won’t pick the format by yourself; the lender will guide you to the product that fits your eligibility and the current tier rules.
Common assistance formats
- Deferred second mortgage at 0 percent interest that is due when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. Some versions may be forgiven after a set time of owner occupancy.
- Forgivable second mortgage where the balance is forgiven after you live in the home for a required period.
- Low-interest second mortgage with a small monthly payment over a defined term.
- Grants for select buyers (less common), which usually do not require repayment.
You can typically use funds for the down payment, closing costs, or as your lender allows, to help with rate buydowns. Your lender will confirm what is allowed under the current Arizona Is Home rules.
What “tiers” mean
“Tiers” usually separate assistance levels by income bands and sometimes by area or property type. If your income falls within a certain range, you may qualify for a higher or lower assistance amount. Because tier definitions and maximums change, verify the current numbers for Maricopa County on the Arizona Department of Housing site and with your lender.
Who typically qualifies in Phoenix
Arizona Is Home targets buyers who plan to live in the home as their primary residence in Phoenix or anywhere in Maricopa County. The program can serve both first-time buyers and, in some tiers, repeat buyers who meet the rules.
Income and price limits
- Income limits are tied to Area Median Income for Maricopa County. Limits vary by household size and by tier.
- Purchase price caps also apply and can differ by county and sometimes by loan type.
- Because these limits change, always confirm the current Maricopa County chart on the Arizona Department of Housing site before you shop.
Property and loan types
- Eligible homes often include single-family houses, townhomes, and condos that meet program and lender requirements. Condos may need project approval.
- You must use an approved first mortgage product. FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional options are common, but they must align with Arizona Is Home guidelines and lender overlays.
- Lenders set minimum credit score and debt-to-income ratios based on the first mortgage program.
First-time vs repeat buyers
Some tiers require that you have not owned a home in the past three years. Other tiers allow repeat buyers if you meet income, occupancy, and purchase price rules. Your lender will place you in the correct tier based on your situation.
Education and counseling requirements
Most buyers must complete a homebuyer education course or one-on-one counseling from an approved provider. Your lender will tell you which certificates they accept and how long they remain valid.
Why the certificate matters
- The certificate is usually required to reserve assistance funds and to close.
- Courses cover budgeting, mortgage basics, taxes and insurance, escrow, avoiding predatory lending, and how to sustain homeownership.
Where to complete education
- You can take an online class or meet with a HUD-approved housing counselor in Phoenix or elsewhere in Arizona. Use the HUD housing counseling directory to locate counselors and confirm availability.
- Ask your lender to confirm the provider list that meets Arizona Is Home rules.
How to apply in Phoenix
You do not apply directly with the state. You work through an Arizona Department of Housing approved lender or partner who will guide your application and reserve funds.
Step-by-step process
Get prequalified with a participating lender. They will review credit, income, and debt to estimate your price range and program fit.
Complete the required homebuyer education or counseling and obtain your certificate.
Have the lender confirm your eligibility for Arizona Is Home and reserve funds in the correct tier. Some funds are first-come, first-served.
Submit a full loan application with documentation. The lender will underwrite your first mortgage and the assistance.
Close on your home. The assistance will be recorded at closing as a second mortgage or grant based on the product you use.
Documents you will need
Your lender will give you a full list, but most Phoenix buyers should plan to provide:
- Government ID and Social Security numbers for all borrowers
- Recent pay stubs, W-2s, and federal tax returns
- Bank and asset statements for checking, savings, and retirement accounts
- A gift letter if you are receiving funds from a relative
- Rental history and landlord contact information if requested
- Homebuyer education certificate
- Signed purchase contract and a homeowner’s insurance binder
Keep your paperwork updated. Lenders often need 60 to 120 days of current documents. Be ready to document the source of large deposits.
Phoenix buyer tips with Arizona Is Home
Match neighborhoods to price caps
List prices vary across Phoenix. Before touring homes, compare current Arizona Is Home purchase price caps to typical list prices in the neighborhoods you like. This helps you target homes that align with the program.
Check stacking with city or county help
Some local funds may be allowed alongside Arizona Is Home, but rules change. Ask your lender whether you can combine assistance with City of Phoenix or Maricopa County programs. You can also review options on the City of Phoenix Housing Department site and then confirm stacking rules with your lender.
Plan for condos and HOAs
Condos can be a great option, but they add underwriting steps. The condo project may need approval, and the HOA’s budget and any special assessments will be reviewed. Confirm condo eligibility with your lender early so you do not lose time in escrow.
Understand mortgage insurance
If your down payment is less than 20 percent, you will likely have FHA mortgage insurance or conventional PMI. Some assistance can be used to reduce upfront costs or help with rate buydowns, depending on current rules. Ask your lender which uses are allowed.
Budget for inspections and repairs
Plan for a standard home inspection and any follow-up checks the property might need. Assistance is usually not designed to pay for repairs. If a home needs work, you may need a different loan product or a seller or lender credit.
Know occupancy and resale rules
Many assistance options require you to live in the home for a number of years. If you sell, refinance, or move out early, you may need to repay all or part of the assistance. Your lender will review your specific repayment or forgiveness schedule.
Timeline and funding reservations
Arizona Is Home funds are typically reserved before closing and can have deadlines. Some allocations are limited and may run out temporarily. Prequalify early, complete your education, and have your documents ready so your lender can reserve funds as soon as you are under contract.
Avoid common pitfalls
- Starting home tours before confirming your Maricopa County income and price limits
- Waiting to take the homebuyer education course
- Overlooking condo project approval when shopping condos
- Assuming assistance will cover repairs
- Forgetting occupancy requirements that could trigger repayment
Work with a local guide
A knowledgeable agent helps you align neighborhoods, price caps, and timelines so your Arizona Is Home funds are ready when you find the right property. As an East Valley–based team serving buyers across Metro Phoenix, we coordinate with participating lenders, help you structure competitive offers, and keep your transaction on track through inspection and closing.
Ready to explore your options and build a plan around Arizona Is Home? Connect with Snow Realty & Property Management to get started.
FAQs
How much assistance can I get through Arizona Is Home in Phoenix?
- Assistance amounts vary by tier, income, and county. Confirm the current Maricopa County maximums and product types with a participating lender and the Arizona Department of Housing.
Am I eligible for Arizona Is Home if I owned a home before?
- Some tiers require first-time buyer status, while others allow repeat buyers who meet income, price, and occupancy rules. Your lender will place you in the correct tier.
Can I use Arizona Is Home with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loans?
- Yes, many buyers use Arizona Is Home with these loan types, subject to program rules and lender overlays. Your lender will confirm which first mortgage options qualify.
What homebuyer education is required for Arizona Is Home?
- Most buyers must complete an approved education course or HUD-approved counseling before closing. Verify accepted providers and certificate timelines with your lender. You can search providers in the HUD counseling directory.
Can I combine Arizona Is Home with City of Phoenix programs?
- Sometimes. Stacking depends on current Arizona Is Home policy and city rules. Ask your lender to review compatibility and confirm details with the City of Phoenix Housing Department.
How long does Arizona Is Home approval take in Phoenix?
- Timelines vary. Prequalification, education, fund reservation, and underwriting can take several weeks or more, depending on your document readiness and funding availability.
