A buyer resource for Maricopa and Pinal County

Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance in Arizona

What buyers should know about help with the down payment and closing costs, who it's for, and how to check which programs you may be eligible for.

Saving for a down payment and closing costs is often the biggest hurdle to buying a home. Many buyers don't realize how many assistance programs exist in Arizona, or that many of them aren't limited to first-time buyers. Some help with the down payment, some help with closing costs, and some help with both. This page explains how they work, so you can decide whether it's worth checking your options.

How many programs are there? Down Payment Resource tracked 118 homebuyer assistance programs from 60 agencies in Arizona as of July 1, 2026, and 94 of them had funds available at that time. Funding changes often, so a program that is open today may close later in the year.

The main types of help

Down payment assistance

Grants, forgivable loans, or deferred second loans that help cover the down payment and sometimes closing costs. Some never have to be repaid. Others are due when you sell or refinance.

Closing cost assistance

Grants or credits that help pay closing costs such as lender fees, title and escrow. Some come from housing agencies, and some come from lenders, such as bank grants offered in eligible areas.

Affordable first mortgages

Programs that may offer a reduced interest rate or lower mortgage insurance costs. Many can be combined with down payment assistance.

Mortgage Credit Certificates

An MCC turns part of the mortgage interest you pay each year into a federal tax credit, often up to $2,000 a year. It doesn't help with the down payment, but it can lower your taxes for as long as you keep the loan.

A statewide option: Home Plus

Home Plus, from the Arizona Industrial Development Authority, is available in every Arizona county, including Pinal County and the City of Maricopa. Based on the program's published guidelines (April 2026):

  • Assistance of up to 4% of the purchase price for down payment and closing costs
  • The assistance is a no-interest, no-payment second loan that is forgiven after 5 years. If you sell or refinance within those 5 years, it must be repaid.
  • No first-time buyer requirement
  • Household income up to $155,386 (as of April 6, 2026)
  • Minimum credit score of 620
  • At least one buyer completes a homebuyer education course before closing
  • You apply through a participating lender, not the agency

An Arizona Mortgage Credit Certificate can be combined with Home Plus. MCCs are generally for buyers who haven't owned a home in the past 3 years, and veterans may also be eligible.

Maricopa (the city) is not in Maricopa County

The City of Maricopa is in Pinal County. That matters because some well-known programs, such as Maricopa County's Home in Five, are only for homes in Maricopa County. If you're buying in the City of Maricopa, look at statewide and Pinal County options instead.

What usually affects eligibility

  • Household income. Most programs set an income limit.
  • Price and location of the home. Some programs focus on specific areas or have price limits.
  • Credit score. You still need to qualify for the first mortgage. Many programs, including Home Plus, look for a minimum score of 620.
  • Homeownership history. Some programs are for first-time buyers, but many are not.
  • Military service. Some programs offer added help for veterans and active military and can be combined with VA loans.
  • Profession. Some programs offer added help for teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, healthcare workers and city employees.

Common requirements

Most programs are for buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. Many ask buyers to put in a small amount of their own money and to complete a homebuyer education course, which is often available online.

Why it can matter

Assistance can lower the amount you borrow and your monthly payment, and it may improve your mortgage insurance pricing. It can also help you keep more of your savings in the bank and buy in a higher price range than you could on your own.

Closing cost help from lenders

Some banks offer their own closing cost grants and credits, separate from government and nonprofit programs. Bank of America, for example, offers buyer assistance programs in eligible areas. These programs are usually based on the home's location and the buyer's income, they're only available when you finance with that lender, and they can change or run out of funding without notice. Because they're lender products, they often don't appear in down payment assistance search tools.

My Maricopa listing pages note any lender programs that have been confirmed for that home's location. Buyer eligibility and lender approval always apply.

Seller concessions can help too

A seller can also agree to pay part of the buyer's closing costs or a rate buydown as part of the offer. This is negotiated in the contract, and loan programs set limits on how much a seller can contribute.

Down payment money is available. See if you're eligible.

See which programs you may be eligible for

This free search takes a few minutes. It asks about your household, your income and where you want to buy, then shows programs that may match.

CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Common questions

Do I have to be a first-time buyer?

Not always. Many programs, including Home Plus, don't require it. Others use a broader definition, such as not having owned a home in the past 3 years, and some make exceptions for veterans.

What credit score do I need?

You still need to qualify for the first mortgage. Many programs, including Home Plus, look for a minimum credit score of 620. A lender can tell you where you stand.

Is down payment assistance free money?

Some is a grant. Some is a forgivable loan that goes away after a set number of years. Some is a deferred loan that must be repaid when you sell or refinance. It's important to know which type you're getting.

Is there help with closing costs, not just the down payment?

Yes. Many down payment programs can also be used for closing costs, and some lenders offer their own closing cost grants in eligible areas. A seller may also agree to pay part of your closing costs as part of the offer.

Can I use assistance on a resale home?

Yes. Many programs apply to both resale homes and new construction, as long as the home and the buyer meet the program's guidelines.

Can I combine programs?

Sometimes. For example, an Arizona MCC can be combined with Home Plus. Many programs allow only one source of down payment assistance, so a participating lender can tell you which combinations work.

Do Maricopa County programs apply in the City of Maricopa?

No. The City of Maricopa is in Pinal County, so programs limited to Maricopa County don't apply there. Statewide programs like Home Plus do.

Program information is based on published sources as of October 2026: the Arizona Industrial Development Authority's Home Plus and MCC guidelines and Down Payment Resource's Homeownership Program Index (Q2 2026). Programs, funding, income limits and terms change often. Eligibility, funding availability and lender approval apply to every program. Please confirm current details with a participating lender. I'm not a lender or tax advisor.

HomeSmart · Good Life AZ Homes · Jill Moyaerts, REALTOR® · 602-421-7722 · Equal Housing Opportunity.