Questions? Call or text Frank Roccuzzo at (480) 788-6929
By Frank Roccuzzo | Mortgage Broker & Arizona Real Estate Professional
Serving Arizona Homebuyers and Homeowners
Updated June 2026
Buying a home in Arizona can feel challenging, especially when rising home prices, closing costs, and down payment requirements all hit at the same time. The good news is that many Arizona buyers may have access to down payment assistance programs that can help reduce the amount of money needed upfront.
As both a mortgage broker and Arizona real estate professional, I help buyers understand their financing options, compare available loan programs, and structure the purchase in a way that makes sense before they start shopping for homes.
Down payment assistance, often called DPA, is money that may help qualified buyers cover part of their down payment, closing costs, or both. Depending on the program, assistance may come in the form of a grant, forgivable second mortgage, deferred payment loan, or repayable second lien.
The exact structure matters. Some programs may be forgiven after a certain period of time, while others may need to be repaid when the home is sold, refinanced, or paid off.
The Arizona HOME Plus program is one of the best-known statewide down payment assistance programs in Arizona. It can pair a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with assistance that may be used toward the down payment, closing costs, or a combination of both.
HOME Plus may be available with several loan types, including FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional financing, depending on the buyer’s qualifications and current program guidelines.
The Arizona Is Home program is another assistance option designed to help eligible low-to-moderate income buyers. This program may provide down payment assistance and mortgage support to qualifying first-time homebuyers, subject to income limits, funding availability, and program guidelines.
Because funding can be limited, buyers should check eligibility early instead of waiting until they are already under contract.
For buyers purchasing in Maricopa County, the Home in Five Advantage program may provide assistance for down payment and closing costs. This can be useful for buyers purchasing in areas such as Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Peoria, and other Maricopa County communities.
Eligibility depends on the program, but common factors may include:
Not every buyer will qualify for every program. That is why it is important to compare options before assuming you need a large down payment to buy a home.
Yes, many Arizona buyers use down payment assistance with FHA financing. FHA loans already offer flexible credit and down payment guidelines, and pairing FHA with assistance may reduce the upfront cash needed to purchase.
This can be especially helpful for first-time buyers, renters, and buyers who have stable income but limited savings.
Eligible veterans and active-duty service members may already qualify for VA financing with no down payment required. However, down payment assistance may still help with closing costs or other upfront expenses, depending on the program and loan structure.
Not always. This is where buyers need real guidance.
Some assistance programs may come with a higher interest rate, additional restrictions, repayment rules, or limited lender options. In some cases, a buyer may be better off using a different loan structure, seller concessions, lender credits, or negotiating closing cost help from the seller.
The goal is not just to get assistance. The goal is to buy the home with the smartest overall financing strategy.
We help Arizona buyers explore mortgage and real estate options in communities including Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Tempe, San Tan Valley, Apache Junction, Glendale, Peoria, Goodyear, Buckeye, Surprise, Tucson, and surrounding areas.
If you are thinking about buying a home in Arizona, the first step is to review your budget, credit, income, and available loan options. From there, we can determine whether down payment assistance makes sense or whether another strategy may be stronger.
Roccuzzo Mortgage Group at Barrett Financial helps Arizona homebuyers compare FHA, VA, conventional, USDA, jumbo, refinance, DSCR, and down payment assistance options. Frank Roccuzzo is also an Arizona real estate professional, helping buyers with both financing and the home search process.
Ready to see what you may qualify for? Contact Frank Roccuzzo and Roccuzzo Mortgage Group to review your Arizona home buying options.
Not always. Some programs are designed for first-time buyers, while others may be available to repeat buyers depending on the program guidelines.
In many cases, yes. Some programs allow assistance to be used for down payment, closing costs, or both.
Yes, many Arizona buyers use FHA financing with down payment assistance, subject to credit, income, property, and program requirements.
Sometimes, but not always. Some assistance may be structured as a grant or forgivable loan, while other programs may require repayment when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home.
The best program depends on your credit, income, loan type, purchase price, location, and long-term goals. A mortgage review can help compare the available options.
Every buyer's situation is different. Income limits, credit scores, loan programs, and available assistance can vary.
Call or text Frank Roccuzzo at (480) 788-6929 for a personalized review of your options.
Ready to explore Arizona down payment assistance programs, first-time homebuyer options, or available loan programs? Start your application online or connect directly with Frank for personalized guidance.
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