Arizona keeps things simpler than its neighbors: no patchwork of high-cost counties, one set of loan limits across the Valley, and a statewide down payment program that doesn't run out of money in March. Here's what Phoenix-area and Prescott buyers need to know about the 2026 numbers — and the state assistance most first-time buyers haven't heard of.
2026 loan limits in Arizona
Arizona's counties are all at the national baseline for conventional loans, with FHA limits set by local median prices:
| County (Metro) | 2026 Conforming Limit | 2026 FHA Limit (1-unit) |
|---|---|---|
| Maricopa (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale) | $832,750 | $557,750 |
| Pinal (Queen Creek south, San Tan Valley, Casa Grande) | $832,750 | $557,750 |
| Yavapai (Prescott, Prescott Valley) | $832,750 | $541,287 |
The conforming limit of $832,750 covers the overwhelming majority of homes in both metros — at typical Valley and Prescott-area prices, most buyers never get near it. The FHA limits ($557,750 in Maricopa and Pinal, $541,287 in Yavapai) comfortably cover the entry and mid-market, which is exactly where FHA's 3.5% down payment does its best work.
Two notes worth flagging:
- Buying above the FHA limit doesn't mean 20% down. Conventional loans start at 3–5% down well past where FHA stops.
- Veterans and active-duty buyers: VA loans have no loan limit with full entitlement. With Luke AFB in the West Valley and a large veteran population across Arizona, VA is often the strongest structure available — typically with nothing down.
Home Plus: Arizona's statewide down payment assistance
The Home Plus program, run by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority, is the state's main down payment tool — and unlike many city programs that exhaust their funding, it's designed to be available year-round, in every Arizona county, city, and zip code.
How it works:
- Up to 4% of the first mortgage amount in assistance, usable for down payment and/or closing costs.
- Structured as a second mortgage that is completely forgiven after five years (60 months) — stay in the home and it costs you nothing.
- Pairs with a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage — FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional options through approved lenders.
- Income limit: $155,386 per year (borrower income, as of April 2026) — notably generous, and it applies statewide.
- One borrower completes a homebuyer education course before closing.
- Credit score minimums apply and vary by loan type.
Run the math on a typical purchase: on a $420,000 loan, 4% is $16,800 — more than FHA's 3.5% minimum down payment on that loan. That's why Home Plus buyers frequently arrive at closing with far less cash than they expected to need.
Phoenix-area buyers should also ask about Home in Five — a separate Maricopa County program with its own terms that's worth comparing against Home Plus depending on your profile.
The Phoenix angle
The Valley remains a market where the loan limits genuinely don't constrain most buyers — the constraint is cash to close and monthly comfort. Between FHA at 3.5% down up to $557,750, conventional options past that, VA with zero down for those who've served, and Home Plus wiping out much of the down payment for eligible buyers, the toolbox in Arizona is deeper than most first-time buyers realize. The right combination depends on your credit profile, income, and how long you plan to stay — a conversation worth having before you start touring homes, not after you've found one.
Three things to remember
- FHA limits differ between Maricopa/Pinal and Yavapai — if you're comparing Phoenix and Prescott, your FHA ceiling drops about $16,000 up the hill.
- Home Plus forgiveness takes five years. Sell or refinance before the 60 months are up and some or all of the assistance can come due — confirm the payoff terms with your lender and plan your timeline honestly.
- Limits reset every year. Figures above are current as of August 2026; FHFA and HUD publish new limits each November/December, and Home Plus terms are set by the Arizona IDA.
Sources
- FHFA: Conforming Loan Limit Values for 2026 (announced Nov 25, 2025)
- HUD: FHA Announces 2026 Loan Limits and Mortgagee Letter 2025-23
- HUD CHUMS county limit data file, CY2026 (county-level FHA values)
- Arizona IDA: Home Plus program and HomePlusAZ.com (assistance terms, income limit, forgiveness period)
- VA home loan limits (no limit with full entitlement)
Loan limits shown are for one-unit properties. Home Plus terms are set by the Arizona IDA and subject to change; credit score and other eligibility requirements apply. This is general information, not a loan offer or a commitment to lend — talk to a local Xpert loan officer for numbers specific to you.