Who counts as a first-time home buyer in Arizona?

Under HUD’s definition, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years. You can have owned before and still qualify. That matters because most Arizona assistance programs, including Home Plus, do not actually require first-time status — the three-year rule only applies to specific programs and the mortgage-credit-certificate.

How much down payment do you need to buy a house in Arizona?

Less than most people think. Conventional loans start at 3% down, FHA at 3.5%, and VA and USDA at 0% for eligible buyers. On a $400,000 home that is $12,000 to $14,000 — and Arizona down payment assistance can cover most or all of it, so some first-time buyers close with almost nothing out of pocket beyond the earnest deposit.

What credit score do first-time buyers need in Arizona?

It depends on the loan. FHA allows scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down. Conventional and the Home Plus assistance program want 620. Home in Five in Maricopa County wants 640. There is no single number — a 600 score has real options, and a few months of the right moves can lift you into a better tier.

Can a first-time buyer get down payment assistance in Arizona?

Yes. Home Plus gives up to 5% of the loan amount statewide (620 score, income under $155,386). In Maricopa County, Home in Five reaches up to 6.5% with its public-servant and boost tiers (640 score, household income under $157,360, per the 2026 guidelines effective June 10, 2026). The assistance is a no-monthly-payment second lien, forgiven if you stay long enough.

FHA or conventional — which is better for a first-time buyer?

FHA is more forgiving on credit (580+) and debt ratios and often wins for scores under 680. Conventional needs 620+ but drops mortgage insurance once you reach 20% equity, so it is usually cheaper long-term for stronger credit. The right answer depends on your score, down payment, and how long you plan to stay — we run both side by side.

What are the steps to buy a first home in Arizona?

Six steps: get pre-approved (a real credit-checked approval, not a pre-qual), set your budget and shop, make an offer, open escrow and complete the inspection and appraisal, clear underwriting conditions, then sign and get your keys. A clean file typically moves from contract to closing in about 30 days.

Free Guide · Updated 2026

The 2026 Arizona First-Time Home Buyer Guide

Buying your first home in Arizona, explained without the jargon: how much you actually need down, which loan fits, the assistance programs that cover the down payment, and the exact steps from pre-approval to keys. Read it here, or get the printable version emailed to you.

Who counts as a first-time buyer in Arizona?

A first-time home buyer, under HUD's definition, is anyone who hasn't owned a primary residence in the last three years. Owned a home in your twenties and rented since? You likely qualify again. That surprises people, and it matters: most Arizona assistance programs, Home Plus included, don't even require first-time status. The three-year rule only bites on a few specific programs and the mortgage credit certificate.

How much do you actually need down?

Less than the 20% myth. Here's the real floor by loan type on a $400,000 Phoenix home:

Loan type	Minimum down	On $400k	Best for
VA	0%	$0	Veterans, active duty
USDA	0%	$0	Rural AZ (parts of Pinal, Coconino)
Conventional (HomeReady/Home Possible)	3%	$12,000	Credit 620+, drops PMI at 20%
FHA	3.5%	$14,000	Credit 580+, flexible ratios

Then down payment assistance can cover most or all of that floor. Plenty of Arizona first-time buyers close with little more than the earnest-money deposit and an inspection fee out of pocket.

The loan types, plain-English

FHA is the forgiving one: 580 credit, 3.5% down, generous on debt ratios. Conventional needs 620 but lets you cancel mortgage insurance once you hit 20% equity, so it's usually cheaper over time for stronger credit. VA is the best deal in the country if you've served: zero down, no monthly mortgage insurance. USDA is zero down too, if the home sits in an eligible rural area. Most first-time buyers land on FHA or a 3%-down conventional, and the tiebreaker is your credit score and how long you'll stay.

Down payment assistance for first-time buyers

Two Arizona programs do the heavy lifting. Home Plus gives up to 5% of the loan amount statewide, needs a 620 score, and caps borrower income at $155,386. In Maricopa County, Home in Five reaches up to 6.5% with its public-servant and boost tiers, needs a 640, and caps household income at $157,360 (per the 2026 guidelines effective June 10, 2026). Both deliver the money as a second lien with no monthly payment, forgiven if you stay in the home long enough. You use one program per purchase; they don't stack with each other.

Credit score: what you actually need

There's no single cutoff. FHA opens at 580. Conventional and Home Plus want 620. Home in Five wants 640. A 600 score has real options today, and a targeted 60–90 days (paying down a card below 30% utilization, disputing a stale collection) can move you a full tier and cut your rate. If your score isn't where you want it, that's a conversation, not a dead end.

The step-by-step, contract to keys

Get pre-approved. A real, credit-checked approval — not a pre-qual guess. It tells you your true budget and makes your offer competitive.
Shop your price range. Arcadia, Gilbert, Norterra, Maricopa proper — your approval sets the ceiling.
Make an offer. We help structure it so assistance and closing costs line up.
Open escrow. Inspection and appraisal happen here; you respond to document requests within 24 hours and we handle the lender side.
Clear underwriting. A clean file usually clears fast.
Sign and get keys. Most first-time purchases go contract-to-close in about 30 days.

Do you qualify?

It comes down to credit, income, and the price range — and every program is a little different. The fastest way to see your exact match is the 2-minute matcher. No credit check, no obligation, and our team calls you back within 5 minutes during business hours.

See which programs you qualify for →

Figures reflect the 2026 program guidelines (Home in Five effective June 10, 2026); income caps and terms change — confirm current amounts with a specialist. Sources: Arizona IDA (azihda.gov), Home in Five Advantage, HUD, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, VA. This is not a commitment to lend.