First-time buyers · Phoenix
Ahwatukee under South Mountain, the historic districts around Central, the ranch blocks of Arcadia and North Phoenix, condos downtown and in Midtown, and the new-build neighborhoods out in Laveen — Chad works with buyers across the city. Here is how buying works in Phoenix, what help exists, and what to do first.
Where buyers are looking in Phoenix
Licensed statewide in Arizona — these are just the areas that come up most. Any address in Phoenix works.
Down payment help in Phoenix
The Arizona IDA's HOME+PLUS program is the state's workhorse down payment assistance program, and it is available in every county, city and ZIP code in Arizona. It pairs a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage — conventional, FHA, VA or USDA — with down payment assistance delivered as a second lien that carries no monthly payment and is forgiven over a short term if you stay in the home. The assistance can go toward the down payment, closing costs or both. A statewide income limit applies, homebuyer education is part of the deal, and you do not have to be a first-time buyer.
Chad · Loan OfficerBuying in Phoenix, specifically
Because Phoenix is in Maricopa County, buyers here have a second assistance option alongside HOME+PLUS: the Home in Five Advantage program, with a little extra for teachers, first responders, veterans and healthcare workers. The rule is one assistance program per purchase, so Chad runs both and tells you which one actually saves more on your file.
Downtown, Midtown and Biltmore condos are a strong first-home price point, but the building has to qualify too — budgets, reserves, owner-occupancy, litigation and insurance all matter, and Arizona condo insurance has been a moving target. Chad checks the association early so a great unit never dies at the finish line.
The historic districts around Central Avenue are full of 1920s–1950s homes with original plumbing, roofs and electrical. FHA has minimum property standards, so Chad reads the inspection with you early and, when a house needs work, shows you what a renovation loan would look like instead of walking away.
Loan programs for Phoenix first-time buyers
The workhorse of home financing — flexible terms, competitive costs, and down payments as low as 3% for first-time buyers.
Learn more →The first-time buyer favorite — 3.5% down, friendlier credit requirements, and forgiving guidelines for real-life finances.
Learn more →For those who served — $0 down, no monthly mortgage insurance, and some of the strongest terms in all of lending.
Learn more →$0 down for homes in eligible communities across Arizona and most of New Mexico — far more towns qualify than buyers expect.
Learn more →Arizona and New Mexico both have real down payment help — HOME+PLUS, Home in Five and Housing New Mexico programs can put thousands toward your down payment and closing costs.
Learn more →Six myths busted and the six-step path from first text to keys — the page to read before anything else.
Start here →How it works from Phoenix
Text, phone, video, secure document upload, and a closing at a title company near you. Your real estate agent and Chad talk directly at every milestone — offer-day numbers in minutes and a call to every listing agent included.
Timing varies by file and depends on receiving complete documentation. Turnaround figures are typical, not guaranteed. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement; not all customers will qualify. Rates, programs and terms are subject to change. All loans subject to credit and property approval.
Phoenix first-time buyer questions
Phoenix buyers can use conventional loans with 3% down, FHA with 3.5% down, VA with $0 down for eligible buyers, the Arizona IDA's HOME+PLUS program statewide, and Maricopa County's Home in Five Advantage program. Only one assistance program can be used per purchase; Chad compares them for your file.
Yes. Home in Five Advantage is a Maricopa County program that pairs a 30-year fixed mortgage with down payment and closing cost assistance, with additional help for certain public-service occupations. HOME+PLUS is also available anywhere in the county.
Often, yes — the condo project must be FHA-approved or eligible for a single-unit approval, and the association must meet requirements on reserves, owner-occupancy and insurance. Conventional options exist as well. Chad reviews the association before you commit.
Yes. Chad Stallings is licensed in Arizona (NMLS #221569), which covers Phoenix and every other city in the state, and works from Fairway Home Mortgage's Phoenix branch in Ahwatukee.
Phoenix buyers
After that it's just a conversation. Text Chad what you're wondering about buying in Phoenix — tonight is fine.
Applications happen on Fairway's secure site — never here. Prefer your phone? Get the FairwayNow app.
