The number-one obstacle to homeownership for first-time buyers in Arizona is not the monthly payment — it's the cash to close. With Phoenix-area median home prices at $430,000–$480,000 in 2026, even a minimum 3% FHA down payment runs $13,000–$14,400, and closing costs add another $8,000–$12,000 on top of that. A buyer who can comfortably afford a $2,100/month payment often cannot accumulate $22,000–$27,000 in cash while also paying rent. Down payment assistance programs exist precisely to bridge this gap.
This guide covers every major DPA program available to Arizona buyers in 2026: state-administered programs, county programs, city programs, federal loan types, and employer assistance — with real numbers, income limits, and strategies for combining multiple programs.
What's in This Guide
- Why the Down Payment Is the Real Barrier
- ADOH HOME Plus — Arizona's Flagship DPA
- Maricopa County HOME Program
- City-Level DPA Programs (Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler)
- Federal Programs: VA, USDA, FHA
- Employer-Assisted Housing
- Stacking Programs: Maximum Assistance Scenarios
- Repayment Rules and Forfeiture
- Income Limits and the Household Rule
- First-Time Buyer Definition
- Full Program Comparison Table
- DPA Stacking Scenarios Table
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why the Down Payment Is the Real Barrier in 2026
Home affordability is typically analyzed as a monthly payment problem — but for first-time buyers, the upfront cash requirement is far more consequential than the ongoing mortgage payment. A buyer earning $85,000/year can qualify for a $350,000–$400,000 mortgage and handle the monthly payment without strain. What stops them is cash: they need $15,000–$25,000 sitting in a bank account on closing day, which often doesn't coexist with years of paying $1,600–$2,200/month in rent.
Let's look at exactly what a Phoenix-area buyer needs to close in 2026 without DPA:
Cash Needed to Close — FHA Purchase, $400,000 Home (No DPA)
That's roughly $24,000 that a buyer must have in a verified, documented bank account prior to closing. For someone earning $70,000–$90,000/year and renting in the Phoenix metro, accumulating that while also managing living expenses is a multi-year project. DPA programs reduce or eliminate this barrier.
Arizona's HOME Plus program is among the most generous forgivable grant programs in the country. In many scenarios, a qualified buyer can close on a Phoenix-area home with $2,000–$5,000 or less out of pocket — sometimes virtually nothing beyond earnest money that gets applied at closing.
ADOH HOME Plus — Arizona's Flagship Down Payment Assistance Program
The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) administers Arizona's primary DPA program: HOME Plus. This is the first program every Arizona first-time buyer should understand, because it is the most accessible, most generous, and most widely available DPA option in the state.
ADOH HOME Plus Program
What it is: A forgivable grant of 3–5% of the loan amount (not the purchase price), provided at closing. The grant is completely forgiven after 3 full years of owner-occupancy — no repayment required if the buyer stays.
How HOME Plus Actually Works
HOME Plus is not a second mortgage — it's a true grant that arrives at your closing as a line item. Your participating lender receives the grant funds and applies them to your transaction. At closing, instead of bringing $14,000 for an FHA down payment, you might bring $0–$2,000 because the HOME Plus grant has already covered the down payment requirement.
The "forgivable" mechanism works as follows: The grant is subject to a 3-year recapture provision. If you sell, refinance, or convert the home to non-owner-occupied use within 36 months, you must repay the full grant amount. At the 36-month mark, the obligation extinguishes completely — it's not pro-rated, it's all-or-nothing at 3 years.
HOME Plus Critical Rule: Grant is of LOAN Amount, Not Purchase Price
This distinction matters. On a $400,000 purchase with 3.5% FHA down payment ($14,000), the loan amount is $386,000. A 4% HOME Plus grant is 4% of $386,000 = $15,440. That exceeds the $14,000 FHA down payment requirement. The excess can generally be applied toward closing costs, reducing what the buyer needs to bring.
HOME Plus + FHA Example: $380,000 Purchase
This is one of the most powerful first-time buyer scenarios available in the Phoenix market. The buyer brings only closing costs — and even those can often be partially covered through seller concessions negotiated in the purchase contract.
HOME Plus Participating Lenders
HOME Plus is not available through every lender. You must work with a HOME Plus participating lender — a list of approved lenders is maintained at azhousing.gov. Major banks, credit unions, and mortgage brokers participate; verify your lender's participation before getting deep into the process. Ryan Moxley works with several preferred HOME Plus-approved lenders who specialize in maximizing first-time buyer assistance — ask for a referral.
VA loans require zero down payment, so pairing HOME Plus with a VA loan means the grant covers the VA funding fee (2.15–3.3% of the loan amount for first-time VA users). A veteran buying a $400,000 home with a VA loan has a $400,000 loan amount; a 3% HOME Plus grant = $12,000 toward the funding fee, dramatically reducing or eliminating that out-of-pocket. Veterans with service-connected disability pay a 0% funding fee — pairing with HOME Plus may result in pure profit at closing (lender credits applied to closing costs).
Maricopa County HOME Program
Maricopa County operates its own down payment assistance program funded through Federal CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds. This program operates alongside (not instead of) HOME Plus, and the two can sometimes be stacked for maximum benefit.
Maricopa County HOME Down Payment Assistance
What it is: A deferred second mortgage at 0% interest, typically up to $10,000–$15,000, due upon sale or refinance (not a forgiven grant like HOME Plus). Income limits are significantly more restrictive than HOME Plus — targeted at lower-income buyers.
The Maricopa County program is a deferred-payment second mortgage rather than a forgiven grant. The $10,000–$15,000 rides silently at 0% interest until you sell or refinance the property, at which point it's repaid from proceeds. This is still an excellent program — interest-free financing reduces your total cost to buy significantly — but it's distinct from HOME Plus, which doesn't require repayment after 3 years.
Buyers with household incomes below 80% AMI (roughly $67,000–$75,000 for a family of 3–4 in Maricopa County) who need more assistance than HOME Plus alone provides. The county program can stack on top of HOME Plus in some scenarios, providing an additional layer of coverage for closing costs.
City-Level DPA Programs: Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler
Arizona's largest cities administer their own down payment assistance programs using Federal HOME funds. These are geographically restricted — the home must be purchased within the specific city's limits — but they can provide substantial additional assistance for buyers purchasing in those areas.
City of Phoenix Down Payment Assistance
Phoenix administers DPA through its Housing Department using Federal HOME funds. The program is targeted at purchases within Phoenix city limits (which excludes Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and other separate municipalities, even though they appear geographically adjacent to Phoenix).
Phoenix DPA Program
City of Mesa Down Payment Assistance
Mesa operates a similar program for homes purchased within Mesa city limits. The program uses a deferred second mortgage structure at 0% interest, due upon sale or refinance. Income limits apply and the homebuyer education course is required. Mesa's program is specifically valuable for buyers targeting areas like central Mesa, Dobson Ranch, Mesa's established neighborhoods, and east Mesa near Gilbert boundary.
City of Chandler Down Payment Assistance
Chandler's DPA program follows the same structural approach as Mesa — deferred 0% second mortgage, income limits, first-time buyer requirement, homebuyer education prerequisite. Chandler DPA is particularly relevant for buyers targeting Chandler's strong job market (Intel, Wells Fargo, PayPal campus), where incomes are often borderline for the income limits and buyers must verify eligibility carefully.
A home with a "Chandler" or "Mesa" mailing address may actually sit within a different municipality's jurisdiction. The city DPA programs require the home be within that city's official limits for tax purposes. Verify the correct city jurisdiction of any specific property at the county assessor's website (mcassessor.maricopa.gov) before counting on a specific city's DPA program.
Federal Programs: VA, USDA, and FHA Low-Down Pathways
VA Loans — The Most Powerful DPA Is Already Built In
For eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and qualified surviving spouses, the VA home loan benefit is the single most powerful homebuyer assistance program in existence. There is no down payment required, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and VA loans regularly price at or below conventional loan rates even without a perfect credit score.
VA Home Loan — Zero Down Payment
The VA funding fee (2.15% for first use, regular military) is the primary VA cost. On a $400,000 loan that's $8,600. When paired with HOME Plus at a 3% grant ($12,000), the grant more than covers the funding fee. A veteran using VA + HOME Plus can often close with zero out of pocket beyond earnest money that gets credited back.
Veterans with service-connected disability rated at any percentage by the VA have their funding fee waived entirely. These buyers can use HOME Plus grants to cover closing costs, further reducing the cash required to close.
USDA Rural Development — Zero Down in Eligible Areas
The USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program offers zero down payment for buyers purchasing in USDA-eligible rural areas. "Rural" by USDA definition includes many areas that are suburban or semi-suburban in character — this program is more broadly applicable than most buyers realize.
USDA Guaranteed Loan — Zero Down
USDA eligibility for Arizona properties should always be verified at the USDA's online eligibility map — the boundaries can be counterintuitive. For example, certain neighborhoods in Queen Creek and San Tan Valley are USDA-eligible despite having substantial residential development. Maricopa city (the city in Pinal County, not Maricopa County) has broad USDA eligibility and is one of the fastest-growing areas in Arizona, making USDA + HOME Plus a powerful combination for buyers in that market.
FHA Loans — The Standard First-Time Buyer Tool
FHA loans from the Federal Housing Administration are the workhorse of the first-time buyer market. At 3.5% down with a 580+ credit score (10% down for 500–579), FHA provides a low down payment path that pairs exceptionally well with HOME Plus.
FHA loans require an upfront MIP of 1.75% (financed) plus an annual MIP of 0.55%/year for most buyers. On a $380,000 loan, that's about $2,090/year or $174/month in ongoing mortgage insurance — a real cost to factor. Unlike conventional loans, FHA MIP does not automatically cancel at 20% LTV; it typically runs for the life of the loan unless refinanced. Buyers who expect rapid equity growth may want to plan a conventional refi within a few years.
Employer-Assisted Housing: The Overlooked DPA Source
Some Arizona employers offer down payment assistance or closing cost grants as employee benefits — programs that many workers never discover because they're buried in HR materials rather than advertised prominently.
Banner Health
Banner Health, one of the largest employers in Arizona with major facilities throughout Maricopa County, has historically offered employee housing assistance programs. Registered nurses, physicians, and allied health workers in particular should contact Banner HR directly to inquire about homebuyer assistance programs currently available.
Arizona State University (ASU)
ASU offers faculty and staff housing programs through its Human Resources department. Programs have included down payment assistance and below-market mortgage rates for eligible employees purchasing near campus areas (Tempe, downtown Phoenix, West campus). Current program details are available through ASU HR.
Intel
Intel's Chandler campus (Fab 52/62) employs 12,000+ workers. Intel has historically offered employee financial wellness programs including homebuyer assistance; check with Intel's Total Rewards team for current availability.
Check Your Employer
Beyond these named examples, any large employer in the Phoenix metro — hospitals, universities, major manufacturers, government agencies — may have employer-assisted housing as a lesser-known benefit. Ask HR specifically: "Does our company have any homebuyer assistance, down payment assistance, or housing grant programs for employees?"
Stacking DPA Programs: Maximum Assistance Strategies
The most sophisticated approach to Arizona DPA is stacking — combining multiple programs to maximize the reduction of out-of-pocket costs. Not all programs can be combined, but many can, and a skilled mortgage professional who specializes in DPA programs can often engineer a scenario where a qualified buyer closes with minimal cash.
Stack 1 — FHA + HOME Plus 4% (Most Common)
How it works: FHA 3.5% down payment; HOME Plus 4% grant covers the full down payment and part of closing costs.
Result: Buyer brings closing costs only (and can negotiate seller concessions to cover much of that).
Best for: First-time buyers, 640–720 credit, income $65K–$122K.
Stack 2 — VA + HOME Plus (Best for Veterans)
How it works: VA requires zero down; HOME Plus 3% grant covers VA funding fee (2.15%).
Result: Veteran covers only closing costs; the funding fee is paid by the grant. Total out-of-pocket is minimal.
Best for: Veterans, active duty, qualifying surviving spouses with 640+ credit, income under $122,100.
Stack 3 — FHA + HOME Plus + Employer Assistance
How it works: HOME Plus covers down payment; employer assistance covers part of closing costs; buyer's gap is minimal.
Result: Triple-layer coverage; buyer may close with $500–$2,000 out of pocket.
Best for: Healthcare workers, ASU employees, Intel employees who've verified their employer program.
Stack 4 — USDA + HOME Plus (For Eligible Areas)
How it works: USDA zero down in eligible area; HOME Plus covers USDA guarantee fee (1.0%) and closing costs.
Result: Buyer in Maricopa, San Tan Valley, or other eligible area closes with minimal out of pocket.
Best for: Buyers specifically targeting USDA-eligible areas; moderate-income buyers.
Stack 5 — FHA + HOME Plus + Maricopa County HOME (Lower Income)
How it works: HOME Plus covers down payment; Maricopa County adds $10,000–$15,000 for closing costs as a deferred second mortgage.
Result: Near-zero out of pocket for qualified lower-income buyers.
Best for: Buyers below 80% AMI who need maximum assistance; first-time buyers in Maricopa County.
DPA Repayment Rules and the 3-Year Recapture Cliff
Understanding when you are and are not obligated to repay your DPA is critical for financial planning. The rules differ materially by program type:
HOME Plus Forgivable Grant
The HOME Plus grant operates on a cliff-vesting model, not pro-rata forgiveness. The entire grant amount is subject to recapture if you sell, refinance to extract equity (rate-and-term refis may be permitted — verify with lender), or stop using the property as your primary residence before the 36-month mark. At exactly 36 months, the entire obligation extinguishes simultaneously. There is no partial forgiveness at 12 or 24 months.
If you receive a $15,000 HOME Plus grant and sell your home at month 35 — even one month before the forgiveness cliff — you owe back the full $15,000. The 3-year timeline is not negotiable. Plan accordingly: if you have any reason to believe you might sell within 3 years (job transfer, life change), factor in repayment as a closing cost on your projected future sale.
Deferred Second Mortgage Programs (County and City DPA)
These 0% interest second mortgages are due upon sale or refinance. They ride alongside your first mortgage invisibly (no monthly payment required) and are repaid from proceeds when you sell. Some county and city programs include partial or full forgiveness after 5–10 years of occupancy — verify the specific terms for any program you use.
What Counts as "Sale or Refinance" for DPA Repayment
- Traditional sale to a third-party buyer: Always triggers repayment of deferred second mortgages
- Cash-out refinance: Triggers repayment of deferred second mortgages (and HOME Plus recapture if within 36 months)
- Rate-and-term refinance: Generally does NOT trigger HOME Plus recapture; may or may not trigger deferred second mortgage repayment (verify program terms)
- Short sale: Deferred mortgages are subject to lender negotiation
- Divorce with buy-out: Consult with DPA lender about buyout treatment
Income Limits: What Counts as Household Income
The most common misconception about DPA income limits is that they apply only to the borrower's individual income. Most Arizona DPA programs — including HOME Plus — apply income limits to all adults in the household who will occupy the home, regardless of whether they are on the mortgage.
HOME Plus Household Income Rule
HOME Plus uses the income of all persons who will reside in the home and are 18 years or older, whether or not they appear on the mortgage application. If a buyer earning $80,000 purchases a home with their spouse (who earns $50,000 but won't be on the mortgage), the household income for HOME Plus purposes is $130,000 — which exceeds the $122,100 limit, disqualifying them from the program.
Types of Income That Count
- W-2 employment wages (gross, not net)
- Self-employment income (typically 2-year average from tax returns)
- Social Security income
- Pension and retirement distributions
- Child support and alimony received
- Rental income (net after expenses)
- Investment distributions from brokerage accounts (varies by program)
What Might Not Count
- Minor children's income (under 18)
- Live-in caregivers' income (may depend on program)
- Foster care payments (typically excluded)
If your household income is near the $122,100 HOME Plus limit, have your lender calculate precisely using your actual documented income sources. Many buyers who initially self-disqualify actually fall under the limit when income is calculated correctly. Conversely, some buyers who assume they qualify are pushed over the limit by a second earner's income they didn't account for.
The First-Time Buyer Definition — Who Actually Qualifies
The federal and state definition of "first-time homebuyer" is more generous than most people assume. The standard definition used by most DPA programs is:
"A person who has not owned a principal residence at any time during the 3-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property."
This definition means:
- Previously owned a home but sold it 3+ years ago? You qualify as a first-time buyer.
- Divorced and your ex kept the house? After 3 years of non-ownership, you re-qualify.
- Owned investment rental property but never a primary residence? You may qualify — check specific program terms.
- Co-signed on a parent's mortgage? Co-signing for someone else's home generally does not count as ownership for DPA purposes — verify with lender.
Additionally, some programs (including HOME Plus) do not require first-time buyer status at all — HOME Plus is open to repeat buyers. The program focuses on income limits and credit scores, not first-time buyer status.
Table 1: Arizona DPA Program Comparison (2026)
| Program | Type | Amount | Income Limit | Min. Credit | Loan Types | 1st-Time Required? | Forgiven / Deferred | Geographic Restriction | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADOH HOME Plus | Forgivable grant | 3–5% of loan amt | $122,100 (household) | 640 | FHA, VA, Conv, USDA | No | 100% at 36 months | Statewide AZ | Most AZ first-time buyers |
| Maricopa County HOME | Deferred 2nd mortgage | Up to $10K–$15K | Below 80% AMI (~$67K–$75K) | 620–640 | FHA, Conv | Yes | Due on sale/refi | Maricopa County only | Lower-income first-timers |
| City of Phoenix DPA | Deferred 2nd mortgage | Varies (check current) | Below 80% AMI | 620 | FHA, Conv | Yes | Due on sale/refi | Phoenix city limits only | Lower-income buyers in Phoenix |
| City of Mesa DPA | Deferred 2nd mortgage | Varies (check current) | Below 80% AMI | 620 | FHA, Conv | Yes | Due on sale/refi | Mesa city limits only | Lower-income buyers in Mesa |
| City of Chandler DPA | Deferred 2nd mortgage | Varies (check current) | Below 80% AMI | 620 | FHA, Conv | Yes | Due on sale/refi | Chandler city limits only | Lower-income buyers in Chandler |
| VA Loan (zero down) | Federal loan program | 0% down required | None (DTI-based) | 580–620 (lender overlay) | VA only | No | N/A (not a grant) | Statewide / nationwide | Veterans, active duty |
| USDA Rural Dev. | Federal loan program | 0% down required | Moderate income (~$110K–$130K Maricopa) | 640 (preferred) | USDA only | No | N/A (not a grant) | USDA-eligible rural areas | Buyers in eligible suburban/rural AZ areas |
| Employer-Assisted | Varies (grant or loan) | Varies by employer | Varies by employer | Varies | Usually FHA or Conv | Sometimes | Varies | Employer service area | Healthcare, university employees |
Table 2: DPA Stacking Scenarios for Phoenix Metro Buyers
| Stack Scenario | Home Price | Loan Type | Down Pmt Covered By | Grant / DPA Amount | Estimated Buyer Out-of-Pocket | Monthly Payment Benefit | Best Candidate Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA + HOME Plus 3% | $350,000 | FHA | HOME Plus partially | ~$10,149 | ~$3,000–$5,000 (closing costs only) | No PMI reduction; saves $10K upfront | 640 credit, income $65K–$100K, low savings |
| FHA + HOME Plus 4% | $380,000 | FHA | HOME Plus (exceeds 3.5% FHA) | ~$14,668 | ~$2,000–$4,000 | Grant exceeds down payment; applied to costs | 640–680 credit, income $70K–$115K, minimal savings |
| FHA + HOME Plus 5% | $420,000 | FHA | HOME Plus (well exceeds 3.5%) | ~$19,950 | ~$1,000–$2,000 | Grant covers down pmt + most closing costs | 720+ credit, income $85K–$122K, excellent history |
| VA + HOME Plus | $400,000 | VA | VA (zero down) + HOME Plus covers funding fee | ~$12,000 (3% of $400K) | ~$0–$2,000 | Zero PMI; grant covers 2.15% VA fee | Eligible veteran, 640+ credit, income < $122K |
| USDA + HOME Plus | $310,000 | USDA | USDA (zero down) + HOME Plus covers guarantee fee | ~$9,300 (3% of $310K) | ~$500–$2,500 | Near-zero upfront; USDA annual fee ongoing | Moderate income, USDA-eligible area (Maricopa city, San Tan Valley, etc.) |
| Conv + HOME Plus | $400,000 | Conventional 5% down | HOME Plus (3–5% covers most of 5% conventional) | ~$14,250 (3.75% of $380K) | ~$4,000–$6,000 | Avoids FHA MIP; conventional underwriting | 700+ credit, good income, prefers conventional |
| FHA + City of Phoenix DPA | $320,000 | FHA | City DPA for down pmt, HOME Plus if stackable | Varies (~$10K–$15K) | ~$2,000–$5,000 | Deferred 2nd mortgage; no monthly payment | Below 80% AMI, purchasing within Phoenix limits |
| VA (disabled vet, zero funding fee) | $450,000 | VA | VA zero down; $0 funding fee; HOME Plus covers closing costs | ~$13,500 (HOME Plus toward costs) | ~$0 | Potentially the best possible scenario: zero upfront | Veteran with service-connected disability rating, 640+ credit, income < $122K |
The Arizona Homebuyer Education Requirement
Many Arizona DPA programs — including county and city programs — require completion of an approved homebuyer education course before assistance is provided. HOME Plus itself does not require homebuyer education, but many participating lenders encourage it and some programs stacked with HOME Plus do require it.
Approved homebuyer education options in Arizona include:
- Online courses via Framework (frameworkhomeownership.org) — Self-paced, about $75, accepted by most DPA programs
- HUD-approved housing counseling agencies — Free or low-cost; in-person or phone counseling; find approved agencies at hud.gov
- Fannie Mae HomeView — Free online course; accepted for many conventional loan programs
Complete homebuyer education early in your process — ideally before you find a home. Some programs require a certificate dated before the purchase contract is signed.
The Arizona Non-Disclosure State Advantage
Arizona is a non-disclosure state, meaning sale prices are not public record. This affects DPA in an important way: because comparable sale data is MLS-dependent, buyers using DPA programs won't face arbitrary appraisal scrutiny based on publicly accessible recent sales. However, FHA and USDA have their own appraisal guidelines that limit the purchase price based on appraised value — if you're paying above appraised value (common in competitive markets), the DPA grant may not cover the gap. Always get the property appraised and understand the appraisal contingency in your contract.
Arizona Closing Timeline and DPA Coordination
Arizona is a dry funding state — closing, recording, and key delivery all happen on the same day. This means the DPA funds must be coordinated to arrive at the title company on or before the scheduled closing date. HOME Plus participating lenders are practiced at this coordination, but it's essential to start the DPA approval process early — ideally simultaneously with your mortgage pre-approval, not as an afterthought.
HOME Plus approval runs through your participating lender and typically adds minimal time if done correctly. However, county and city DPA programs often have additional paperwork, income verification, and approval timelines that can add 2–4 weeks to the process. For city and county DPA programs, always notify your REALTOR® and title company as early as possible that DPA is involved — it affects how the transaction is structured and the timeline for closing.
How to Get Started with Arizona DPA
The process for accessing Arizona down payment assistance follows a clear sequence:
- Verify credit score and household income: Pull your credit report (annualcreditreport.com) and calculate all household members' gross income. Compare to program limits.
- Identify which programs you're eligible for: Use the table above. If income is under $122,100 and credit is 640+, HOME Plus is your primary option. If income is under 80% AMI, add county/city programs to your list.
- Find a HOME Plus participating lender: Go to azhousing.gov and select a participating lender. Compare 2–3 lenders to find the best rate and service.
- Complete homebuyer education (if required): Start this immediately — some programs require it before a purchase contract is signed.
- Get pre-approved: Your participating lender will issue a DPA-approved pre-approval letter reflecting the HOME Plus benefit.
- Work with a REALTOR® who knows DPA: Not all agents are practiced at writing and negotiating DPA transactions. The contract must be structured correctly to accommodate the second mortgage or grant, and seller concessions for closing costs must be calculated properly.
- Close and start the 3-year clock: If using HOME Plus, your 36-month forgiveness clock starts on your closing date. Note it on your calendar.
Ryan's Take on DPA in the Current Market
I've helped dozens of first-time buyers in the Phoenix metro use Arizona DPA programs to buy homes they were told they "couldn't afford." The math is usually in their favor — they can handle the monthly payment, they just couldn't accumulate the cash to close while paying rent. HOME Plus solves that problem cleanly for buyers at the right income level.
The key is working with the right lender and understanding the 3-year timeline. If you're confident you'll be in the home at least 3 years, the grant is essentially free money. I regularly work with clients who close on $380,000–$450,000 homes with $2,000–$5,000 in total out-of-pocket. The programs are real, the money is real, and the results are real.
If you want to know specifically what you qualify for, call or text me at (480) 227-9143. We'll look at your numbers and find the best path forward.