Home in Five Advantage — the teacher and first responder 1% bonus
Maricopa County and Phoenix IDA's Home in Five Advantage gives teachers, K-12 staff, and qualified first responders an extra 1% on top of the standard 4% down payment assistance. That bonus is real money — and most agents never mention it.
Who qualifies for the bonus
- Full-time K-12 public school teachers (Arizona Department of Education certified).
- Charter school teachers with state certification.
- K-12 school administrators, librarians, counselors.
- Sworn police officers (city, county, state, federal).
- Active firefighters and EMTs.
- Paramedics (advanced EMT or higher).
- Active US military (covered separately under different programs).
The math on a $400K Phoenix purchase
| Item | Standard Home in 5 | Teacher/First Responder bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| FHA loan amount | $393,000 | $393,000 |
| DPA percentage | 4% | 5% |
| DPA dollars | $15,720 | $19,650 |
| Cash to close | ~$3,000 | Approaching $0 |
| Bonus impact | — | $3,930 extra |
Documentation required for the bonus
School ID + most recent pay stub showing employer name + Arizona Department of Education certification (for teachers). Police/fire need active service ID, oath of office, or department-issued documentation. EMT/paramedic need active state license.
Pre-approve with the bonus assumed. We collect documentation during the loan process — the bonus paperwork rarely delays close if started early.
Common questions
Can charter school teachers qualify?
Yes if state-certified. Some private school staff may also qualify — verify with the program.
Does the bonus require staying employed in the role?
The DPA itself forgives over 5 years regardless of employment. But if you take the bonus and immediately change careers, that could be reviewed.
Can a couple where one spouse is a teacher and one isn't claim the bonus?
Yes — as long as the qualifying spouse is on the loan.
Does this stack with Home Plus?
Generally no — borrowers use one HFA DPA program per purchase. Choose the one with the best fit.
How Mike + Cornerstone help
I work with Phoenix-metro teachers and first responders constantly through Home in 5 Advantage. We claim the bonus upfront in pre-approval — most loan officers miss it and the buyer never gets the extra $3-5K. The documentation is straightforward; just need to know to ask.
Talk to Mike first Get pre-approved
No pressure, no commitment. Free 20-minute consult. Mike will look at your scenario and tell you straight whether this works for you.