Arizona First-Time Buyer?
Get Up to $20,000+ in Down Payment Help

Then we look at the other doors. HOME Plus is open statewide to first-time and repeat buyers, and for 2026 the borrowers' pre-tax income, as the lender calculates it, can't be more than $155,386. Pima County buyers can also look at the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution (PTHS), and some lender-sponsored programs use different credit and income rules. If nothing fits today, we'll tell you plainly what would need to change.

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.

Possibly. HOME Plus has a program minimum credit score, your score also has to meet the requirements of the FHA, VA, USDA or conventional loan it is paired with, and a lender can add its own overlay. If you're short of the minimum your lender quotes, a loan officer can go through your credit report with you and point out the items that usually matter most, such as card balances and reporting errors, so you know what to work on before you apply.

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 caps borrower income at $155,386 for 2026 in every Arizona county, and only the people on the loan are counted. 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.

For 2026, HOME Plus allows up to $155,386 of borrower income in all 15 Arizona counties (published April 2026). Only people on the loan count: a parent or roommate who lives with you but isn't a borrower adds nothing, and the limit doesn't change with household size. If you're over the limit, don't rule yourself out—other programs use different criteria: PTHS in Pima County sets its own limits by household size and loan type, and some options have no income cap at all. Many of those other programs base their limits on Area Median Income (AMI). Take our quiz—we'll tell you exactly where you stand and which programs you may qualify for.

The quiz takes about a minute. After that, timing depends on how quickly your documents come in, the appraisal, and the assistance program's own review, because the DPA second lien closes at the same time as your first mortgage. Ask your loan officer for a timeline built around your contract dates.

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. Many buyers finish it over a weekend. Fees vary by provider, and your lender can point you to an approved course.

Arizona IDA says HOME Plus buyers need a score that meets the program minimum and the requirements of the new first mortgage, and a lender may set a higher bar, especially for manufactured homes or higher debt-to-income ratios. We confirm the current figure for your loan type when we review your credit. PTHS requires 640 minimum. HOME Plus pairs with FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% down for eligible veterans), USDA (0% down in eligible rural areas) and conventional loans. If your score is short, ask a loan officer which credit steps to take before you apply.

Each program sets its own. For HOME Plus, the Arizona Industrial Development Authority sets one 2026 limit of $155,386 for all 15 Arizona counties, measured on the borrowers' pre-tax income rather than everyone in the household. 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. Both sets of limits are updated periodically.

Yes. According to HUD and Arizona IDA guidelines, HOME Plus and PTHS can be paired with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans. FHA's minimum down payment is 3.5%, and HOME Plus assistance of up to 4% of the loan amount can go toward that down payment and toward closing costs. On the forgivable option, the second lien has no monthly payment and is forgiven after 60 months. What you still bring to closing depends on the price, your costs and the amount you take, so ask for a written estimate.

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. Arizona IDA does note that owning other real estate can narrow your HOME Plus options, so tell us about any property you own.