Conventional loans
Down payments as low as 3% with private mortgage insurance until you build equity. The most common path for buyers with decent credit.
The first-time buyer hub
Your first home is closer than you think.
Every first-time buyer I work with starts with the same questions: what can I afford, what do I need, and how does this all work? This hub answers all three with real numbers and a plan, no jargon.
Your checklist
The 8 boxes to check first
Work this list top to bottom, with me or on your own. Most buyers take two to four months from the top of the list to the keys, and that is a healthy pace.
The good news about timing
Arizona's market has real seasons. Spring listings, slower summers, and the winter move crowd all matter, but the right plan beats the perfect month. We time your search to your life, not a calendar article.
- 1
Pull your credit report and fix obvious errors
- 2
Save for the down payment, closing costs, and a cushion
- 3
Get pre-approved with a local lender
- 4
Check Arizona down payment assistance programs
- 5
Decide on neighborhoods with commute and schools in mind
- 6
Write down the must-haves and the nice-to-haves
- 7
See homes with a strategy, not with heart eyes alone
- 8
Budget for the inspection, appraisal, and moving costs
Loan programs
How much do I need for a down payment in Arizona?
The old rule was 20% down. The reality for most Arizona first-time buyers is 3% to 3.5%, and sometimes zero. Here are the paths that actually exist today.
FHA loans
Down payments as low as 3.5% with more flexible credit standards. A classic first-time buyer option, backed by the FHA.
VA loans
Zero down, no monthly mortgage insurance, for eligible veterans, active-duty members, and surviving spouses. See the military and veterans page.
USDA loans
Zero down financing for eligible properties in approved rural and suburban areas of Arizona.
Arizona Is Home
State program pairing a 30-year fixed mortgage with up to 4% down payment assistance for income-qualified first-time buyers.
HOME+PLUS & WISH grants
Additional help: HOME+PLUS offers up to 4% assistance, and WISH grants at several Arizona credit unions match your savings toward the down payment and closing costs.
Program rules, income caps, and credit thresholds change regularly. Before you commit to any path, we verify the current terms with a local lender, because the right program for your income and county can save you tens of thousands.
Stuck on a specific question?
The FAQ answers the questions buyers ask before they call, like what an agent costs and what happens after the offer.