Arizona mortgage market at a glance
| Item | Arizona 2026 |
|---|---|
| Conforming loan limit (1-unit) | $832,750, baseline statewide, no high-cost counties |
| FHA loan limit (1-unit) | $541,287 floor in most counties; check your county on HUD’s lookup |
| Foreclosure process | Non-judicial (trustee’s sale) |
| State housing agency | Arizona Department of Housing / Arizona IDA (HOME Plus) |
Phoenix prices ran hard for a decade, but Arizona still sits entirely at the baseline conforming limit, and the no-transfer-tax rule keeps closing costs honest. The catch is one of the fastest foreclosure clocks in the country. Borrow like you mean it.
Loan limits in Arizona
Every Arizona county carries the 2026 baseline conforming limit of $832,750 for a single-family home. Under that line, your loan can be sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and you get the sharpest pricing on the market. Over it, you need a jumbo loan with bigger down payment and reserve requirements. Even with Scottsdale and Paradise Valley prices, most Arizona buyers fit under the cap.
The FHA limit sits at the $541,287 floor across most of the state. In metro Phoenix, with the median price in the mid-$400s, FHA still covers the bulk of the entry-level market. That makes it a real option if your score is in the 600s or your down payment is under 5%.
First-time buyer programs in Arizona
Arizona’s statewide down payment program is HOME Plus, run by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority and promoted through the Arizona Department of Housing. It pairs a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA) with down payment and closing cost help structured as a zero-interest, no-payment deferred second loan. It works in every county, city, and zip code in the state. One borrower must finish a homebuyer education course.
There is an income cap but no first-time buyer requirement on the main program. Unusual, and useful. Details and current income limits are at housing.az.gov.
What closing on a home costs in Arizona
Arizona is a cheap state to close in. Voters banned real estate transfer taxes by constitutional amendment in 2008. Escrow and title companies run the closings, no attorney required. Recording fees are small. Your negotiable lines are lender origination fees and title insurance, and both respond well to shopping.
The flip side: Arizona’s non-judicial trustee’s sale process is brutally fast. From the recorded notice of trustee’s sale, foreclosure can wrap in roughly 90 days. No court case buys you time. If you miss a payment, call your servicer that month.
How to get the best rate in Arizona
- Quote three lenders in the same week, mixing a national lender, a local credit union, and an online shop. Our best mortgage lenders list is the place to start.
- Ask about HOME Plus before you write a contract. The assistance changes which loan type wins for you.
- Run FHA against conventional side by side if your score is under 700. Phoenix-area pricing makes this a genuinely close call.
- Stress test the payment with our mortgage calculator, including Arizona’s rising homeowners insurance costs.
- Decide your down payment strategy on math, not folklore. Our down payment guide shows when 5% down plus reserves beats 20% down and broke.
For rate trends and lender reviews, head to our mortgages hub.