Arizona First-Time Buyer?
Get Up to $20,000+ Free
Arizona Down Payment Assistance (DPA) is free money from state programs that helps you buy your home with $0 out of pocket. Programs like HOME Plus and Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution provide up to 5% of your loan amount—that's over $20,000 on a typical Arizona home. Best part? Most programs don't require first-time buyer status.
Most lenders offer 1 program. We shop multiple DPA providers to find your best match.
100+ Arizona Families Helped
Real people. Real homes. Zero out of pocket.
Key Takeaways
- Arizona DPA provides up to 5% of your loan amount—over $20,000 on a typical home.
- HOME Plus is available statewide with NO first-time buyer requirement.
- Minimum credit score is 640 for most programs (660 for manufactured homes).
- DPA is structured as a forgivable second mortgage—no repayment after 3 years.
- Income limit is $136,609 for all Arizona counties through HOME Plus.
Check Your Eligibility
Answer 3 quick questions to see if you qualify
Have you owned a home in the last 3 years?
How It Works
Three simple steps to your Arizona home
Take the Quiz
60 seconds. No credit check. We match you with programs you qualify for.
We Call You
A DPA specialist reviews your options and answers all your questions.
Get Your Keys
Close on your home with up to $20,000+ in free down payment help.
No credit check required to get started
Most Lenders Offer 1 Program.
We Shop Multiple Programs to Find Your Best Match.
Every down payment assistance program has different requirements — credit scores, income limits, geographic restrictions, assistance amounts, and interest rates. Our job is to navigate all of them and match you with the program that gives you the most assistance at the best rate.
We Shop 15+ Programs
State agencies, investor-specific loans, local grants — we search them all to find every option you qualify for.
Maximum Assistance
Each program has different score requirements, income limits, and geographic restrictions. We find the one that gives you the most money.
Best Interest Rates
It's not just about assistance amount — we also compare rates so you get the lowest monthly payment possible.
Personal Responsibility
Our job is to match you with your best program. We do the homework so you don't have to.
"My responsibility to you as a loan officer is to match you with the best down payment assistance program you qualify for — the most assistance AND the best interest rate."
— Tanner Cook, NMLS #2090424
Free program matching — no credit check, no obligation
Arizona Families Who Found Their Free Money
We have helped thousands of Arizona families access down payment assistance. Here is what they have to say.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Arizona offers generous down payment assistance through HOME Plus and PTHS programs.
Calculate Your DPA Benefits
Enter your details below to see an estimate of the down payment assistance you may qualify for through Arizona state programs AND nationwide options.
Compare Arizona DPA Programs
See the major Arizona down payment assistance programs side by side
| Program | Amount | Type | Credit Score | First-Time? | Eligible Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HOME Plus Arizona IDA | Up to 5% | 3-year forgivable second mortgage | 640+ | No | All Arizona counties |
Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution Pima County IDA | Up to 5% | 30-year forgivable second mortgage | 640+ | No | Pima County (including Tucson) |
PTHS Edge Pima County IDA | 1-2% rate discount | Below-market interest rate | 640+ | No | Pima County (including Tucson) |
Pima Tucson Lighthouse Pima County IDA Currently fully utilized - no new reservations | 4% of loan | 5-year forgivable second mortgage | 640+ | Yes | Pima County (including Tucson) |
HOME Plus
Arizona IDAPima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution
Pima County IDAPTHS Edge
Pima County IDAPima Tucson Lighthouse
Pima County IDAIncome limits vary by county and household size. Maximum income is typically $136,609 for HOME Plus. Check your eligibility to see which programs you qualify for.
We Know You Have Questions
Buying a home is a big deal. Here are honest answers to what Arizona home buyers ask us most.
Yes, it's real and legitimate. According to the Arizona Industrial Development Authority (Arizona IDA), HOME Plus provides down payment assistance as a forgivable second mortgage funded by state housing bonds. The DPA is forgiven at a rate of 1/36th per month—after 36 months (3 years) of living in your home as your primary residence, you owe nothing back. There's no hidden fee, no balloon payment, no gotcha. The program has helped thousands of Arizona families since its inception.
Most buyers in Arizona qualify for at least one DPA program. HOME Plus is available statewide to all buyers (not just first-time buyers) with household income up to $136,609, according to 2026 Arizona IDA guidelines. Pima County residents have additional options through the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution (PTHS). We have access to multiple programs with different requirements, so if one doesn't work, another often will.
You should always verify who you're working with. Cornerstone First Mortgage is a licensed mortgage company (NMLS #173855), verifiable through the NMLS Consumer Access website (nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Tanner Cook (NMLS #2090424) and Zac Cook (NMLS #2111496) are licensed Mortgage Loan Originators. We are an approved participating lender in Arizona IDA programs. Check our Google reviews for real feedback from Arizona families we've helped.
Yes. According to HOME Plus program guidelines, the minimum credit score is 640 for most loan types (660 for manufactured homes). This is lower than many people expect—the average FICO score for FHA borrowers nationally is around 665. HOME Plus works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans. If your score is below 640, we've helped buyers improve their scores by 50-100 points in 60-90 days through credit optimization strategies.
There's no minimum income requirement for Arizona DPA. These programs, funded by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority, are specifically designed for low-to-moderate income buyers. HOME Plus has an income limit of $136,609 for all Arizona counties. What matters is that you can afford the monthly mortgage payment based on your debt-to-income ratio. Our quiz will tell you if your income falls within the program limits.
The HOME Plus program has a limit of $136,609 across all 15 Arizona counties. If you're slightly over, PTHS in Pima County has different income limits based on household size, up to $146,503 for some loan types. According to HUD guidelines, income limits are calculated based on Area Median Income (AMI). Take our quiz—we'll tell you exactly where you stand and which programs you may qualify for.
According to industry data, the typical mortgage closing timeline is 30-45 days. With DPA, expect 45-60 days from first conversation to closing. The eligibility quiz takes 60 seconds. We can usually tell you if you qualify within 24 hours. Arizona DPA integrates smoothly with standard mortgage timelines—the DPA is structured as a second lien that closes simultaneously with your first mortgage.
Yes. HUD and Arizona IDA require pre-purchase homebuyer education for all DPA recipients. The course is available online through HUD-approved providers like eHomeAmerica, takes 6-8 hours (you can pause and resume), and covers budgeting, the mortgage process, and home maintenance. Most buyers complete it over a weekend. The course fee is typically $75-99 and is sometimes covered by the lender.
According to Arizona IDA HOME Plus guidelines: minimum 640 FICO for standard loans, 660 for manufactured homes, and 680 for debt-to-income ratios above 45%. PTHS requires 640 minimum. These scores work with FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% down for eligible veterans), USDA (0% down for rural areas), and conventional loans. If your score is below 640, credit improvement strategies can often raise scores 50-100 points within 2-3 months.
Income limits are set by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority. HOME Plus has a statewide limit of $136,609 for all 15 Arizona counties, regardless of household size. PTHS in Pima County follows HUD Area Median Income (AMI) guidelines, with limits varying by household size: approximately $89,000 for a 4-person household at 80% AMI. Limits are updated annually based on HUD data.
Yes. According to HUD and Arizona IDA guidelines, HOME Plus and PTHS work with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans. FHA loans require only 3.5% down—and Arizona DPA can cover the entire amount, allowing qualified buyers to purchase with zero out of pocket (closing costs may apply). HOME Plus offers DPA from 0% to 5% of your loan amount as a 3-year forgivable second mortgage at 0% interest.
No. One of the best features of Arizona DPA is accessibility for all buyers. According to Arizona IDA, HOME Plus does NOT require first-time homebuyer status—it's available to repeat buyers as well. PTHS also has no first-time requirement. This policy was implemented to help more Arizona families, including those relocating, upsizing, or starting over after life changes.
Still have questions?
Our team is here to help. Call us for a free, no-obligation consultation about Arizona DPA programs.
Or take our free eligibility quizMeet the Cook Brothers
With deep expertise in Arizona down payment assistance programs, Tanner and Zac have helped thousands of families access grants and forgivable loans to achieve homeownership. As part of Cornerstone First Mortgage (NMLS #173855), they bring institutional knowledge and a personal touch to every transaction.
Tanner Cook
Loan Originator
Tanner specializes in helping first-time home buyers navigate Arizona DPA programs. He has helped hundreds of families access grants and forgivable loans to achieve homeownership with little to no out-of-pocket costs.
Zac Cook
Loan Originator
Zac is an Arizona DPA expert with deep knowledge of HOME Plus and PTHS programs. He works closely with veterans, teachers, and first responders to maximize their DPA benefits and find the best loan structure.