Down payment assistance programs provide a grant or a forgivable second loan that covers part or all of your down payment, paired with a primary mortgage like FHA, USDA, or conventional financing.
Mountain Country Mortgage helps Northern Arizona buyers find and combine the down payment assistance programs they qualify for, on your behalf.
Down payment assistance, often called DPA, covers some or all of the upfront cost of buying a home. Assistance can come as a grant that never needs repayment, a forgivable second loan, or a deferred loan repaid only when you sell or refinance.
DPA is almost always paired with a primary mortgage. It works alongside an FHA Loan or a USDA Loan to shrink or eliminate the cash you need at closing.
Mountain Country Mortgage is a broker, not a lender. We review your income, location, and loan type to identify which Northern Arizona programs you may actually qualify for.
Home prices in parts of Northern Arizona have climbed faster than local wages, and that gap is exactly where down payment assistance earns its keep. Teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, and other steady earners often have the income to qualify but not the years of savings a full down payment demands.
Layering a DPA program onto an FHA or USDA loan can turn a multi-year savings plan into a purchase you make this year, without draining your emergency fund in the process
A first-year teacher in Show Low had steady income and good credit but almost nothing saved. A down payment assistance grant layered onto an FHA loan covered the down payment entirely, and she closed on her first home without touching her savings.
| Requirement | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Income Limits | Vary by program and county. Ask your loan officer for current limits in your area. |
| Minimum Credit Score | Typically 620 or higher, depending on the paired loan program. |
| Purchase Price Limits | Set by the specific program. Confirm the current limit before you shop. |
| Property Type | Primary residence only. |
| Homebuyer Education | A homebuyer education course is required by most programs. |
| Primary Loan | You must qualify for and close a primary mortgage to use most DPA funds. |
Most programs ask for 620 or higher, matching your paired loan program's minimum.
We identify which DPA programs you qualify for alongside your primary loan.
Shop within any purchase price limits your specific program sets.
We layer your DPA funds with your primary loan and manage the file.
Once underwriting clears, you sign, fund, and get your keys.
A couple of quick stops before you go further, so you walk into your first conversation with a loan officer already prepared.
A plain-English walkthrough of the whole process, from checking your credit to closing day.
See every loan program Mountain Country Mortgage offers, from first-time buyer options to investor financing.
Not always.
DPA can be a grant that never needs repayment, a forgivable second loan waived after a set number of years, or a deferred loan repaid only when you sell or refinance. Each type carries different terms.
Many programs require it, but not all.
First-time typically means you have not owned a home in the past three years. Some programs are open to repeat buyers, especially in specific professions or target areas. Your loan officer can confirm which programs fit you.
Usually not, if the assistance is a grant.
Forgivable or deferred second loans usually carry no separate monthly payment during the assistance period. Your loan officer will show you the full picture before you commit to anything.
Yes. FHA is one of the most common pairings for DPA programs.
Assistance can cover the FHA down payment and, in some cases, closing costs as well.
It depends on the specific program.
Some programs pair with a below-market rate on the primary loan. Others use a standard market rate. Your loan officer will lay out the tradeoffs so you can decide with full information.
Yes, in many cases.
DPA is not tied to one specific loan type. Your loan officer will confirm which programs pair with the loan type that fits your situation best.
Yes, some programs are tied to specific counties or communities.
Availability can differ between Coconino, Yavapai, Mohave, Navajo, and Apache counties. A local loan officer can confirm exactly what applies to your specific address before you start shopping.