FHA Loan FAQs
Arizona FHA Loan FAQs
What credit score do I need for an FHA loan in Arizona?
FHA guidelines allow 3.5% down with a credit score of 580 or higher, and some borrowers with scores between 500 and 579 may qualify with 10% down. Individual lenders set their own overlays, which is why working with a broker who compares multiple wholesale lenders helps borrowers with imperfect credit find a program that says yes.
Can I get an FHA loan in Arizona with bad credit or after a bankruptcy or foreclosure?
Often, yes. FHA has the most forgiving credit standards in mainstream lending: shorter waiting periods than conventional loans — generally 2 years after a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge and 3 years after a foreclosure — plus compensating factors that can offset past late payments, collections, or a thin credit file. Because each lender adds its own overlays, a decline at one lender can be an approval at another, and we shop multiple wholesale lenders to find it.
Can I use down payment assistance with an FHA loan in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona's statewide Home Plus program pairs with FHA loans and provides down payment and closing cost assistance, subject to income limits and a homebuyer education course. Maricopa County buyers may also consider the Home in Five Advantage program. Combined with FHA's 3.5% minimum down payment, assistance can dramatically reduce your cash to close.
How much is the down payment on an FHA loan — and can it be a gift?
The FHA minimum down payment is 3.5% of the purchase price with a 580+ credit score, and 100% of it can come from approved gift funds from family. Seller concessions can also cover a large share of closing costs. For cash-strapped Arizona buyers, gift funds plus a down payment assistance program can reduce out-of-pocket cash to little more than earnest money and prepaids.
How much can I borrow with an FHA loan in Arizona?
FHA loan limits are set by county and updated every year. Metro Phoenix (Maricopa County), Tucson (Pima County), and other Arizona counties each have their own limit. We'll confirm the current limit for the county where you're buying during pre-qualification.
What is FHA mortgage insurance and how much does it cost?
FHA loans include an upfront mortgage insurance premium, which can be financed into the loan, plus an annual premium paid monthly. In exchange, FHA allows lower down payments and more flexible credit than most conventional programs. If you later build 20%+ equity, refinancing into a conventional loan can remove mortgage insurance.
Is an FHA loan only for first-time homebuyers?
No. FHA loans are popular with first-time buyers, but any eligible borrower purchasing or refinancing a primary residence in Arizona can use one. You can also use FHA more than once, as long as the new home will be your primary residence.
How long does it take to close an FHA loan in Phoenix or anywhere in Arizona?
Industry-wide, FHA loans typically close in 30–60 days, but with responsive borrowers and electronic document signing, ASJ Mortgage Solutions typically closes in around 21–30 days. We're Peoria-based, available evenings and weekends, and we keep every file moving so you close on time.