Arizona Is Home
Arizona down payment assistance program with up to 5% assistance. Run by the same administrator as Home Plus, with its own pricing matrix and DPA options. Available standalone in every Arizona county except Maricopa and Pima (and excluding Chino Valley within Yavapai). Pima buyers can still access Arizona Is Home funds through the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution Advantage variant.
Quick answer: how does Arizona Is Home work?
- Where: Every Arizona county except Maricopa and Pima; Chino Valley (within Yavapai) is also excluded. Administered through the same admin as Home Plus.
- Form: non-forgivable assistance, due upon sale or refinance.
- Assistance: up to 5% of the first-mortgage loan amount.
- FICO floor: 620.
- Loan types: FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, Freddie Mac HFA Advantage.
- First mortgage: 30-year fixed-rate, fully amortizing.
- Homebuyer education course: required (HUD-approved).
How it works, step by step
- Confirm program availability for your county — eligible in every Arizona county except Maricopa and Pima (specifically Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai ex. Chino Valley, Yuma). Pima buyers can still access Arizona Is Home funds via the PTHS Advantage – Arizona is Home variant.
- Pre-qualify. We pull credit, run income against the program limits, and match you to the loan type (FHA / VA / USDA / conventional).
- Complete homebuyer education.
- Shop and close. The DPA is recorded as a non-amortizing second mortgage — no payment due unless you sell, refinance, or stop occupying.
Eligibility
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property location | Statewide Arizona except Chino Valley. |
| Property type | Owner-occupied primary residence. |
| Loan type | FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie HFA Preferred, Freddie HFA Advantage. |
| Minimum FICO | 620. |
| Income | Borrower income limits apply (vary by location and household size). |
| Homebuyer education | Required, HUD-approved. |
FAQ
How is Arizona Is Home different from Home Plus?
They're administered by the same agency and overlap significantly. Pricing, available DPA options, and specific exclusions differ. We model both side-by-side and pick whichever produces the better outcome for your file.
Why isn't Chino Valley eligible?
Specific local exclusion in the current program guide. National programs (Chenoa, Arrive, Essex) work in Chino Valley if Arizona Is Home doesn't.
Is the DPA forgiven over time?
No. Arizona Is Home's DPA is non-forgivable; it's just deferred until a triggering event (sale, refinance, end of occupancy). If you live in the home long-term, the principal stays constant. But you eventually owe it back.
Can I use Arizona Is Home with a USDA loan in rural AZ?
Yes. USDA-RD is one of the eligible first mortgage types under the program.
Curious if Arizona Is Home is the right fit?
A 20-minute call. Bring your zip code, income range, and credit ballpark. We'll model real numbers against the actual program tiers.