FHA Loan Requirements in Arizona

An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, part of HUD. HUD sets the floors, and each lender can set higher minimums. Arizona follows the national rules, except for the county loan limit.

FHA in Arizona at a glance

Sources checked October 6, 2026.

Here’s what FHA asks for:

1. A credit score at or above the floor. For the 3.5% down option, FHA’s credit score floor is 580.
2. A down payment. 3.5% at 580 or higher. 10% at 500 to 579.
3. Steady, documented income.
4. Debts that fit. FHA allows a higher debt-to-income ratio (DTI) than many conventional loans when the rest of the file is strong.
5. A home you’ll live in. FHA is for a primary residence, from one to four units.
6. A loan within the county limit. See the limits below.
7. A home that passes FHA’s appraisal for value and basic safety.

You’ll also need cash for closing costs. In Arizona, plan on about 2.5% of the purchase price as a working estimate. See our closing costs guide for Arizona and how much money you need in total to buy a house in Arizona.

The FHA credit floor is 580 for 3.5% down. A score from 500 to 579 can still be eligible with 10% down. Below 500, FHA isn’t available.

Many lenders set their own floor above HUD’s, so we check your score against the lenders we work with, not just against HUD. Arizona assistance programs set floors too (620 for Home Plus), so a 600 score can meet the FHA floor and still miss assistance. More in our guide to the minimum credit score for an Arizona home loan.

3.5% of the purchase price with a 580 score or higher. 10% with a score from 500 to 579. Those are program minimums.

For 2026, the one-unit FHA limit is $557,750 in Maricopa and Pinal counties and $541,287 in Pima County. Limits for two- to four-unit homes are higher.

FHA updates each county’s limit every year. The limit caps the loan, not the price of the house. Source: HUD FHA Mortgage Limits, checked October 6, 2026. Confirm the current figure for your county with your loan officer before you rely on it.

Yes. Arizona’s main assistance programs work with FHA. Assistance isn’t its own loan. It rides on top of a standard first mortgage as a second lien.

• Home Plus is statewide. Up to 4% assistance, a 620 minimum credit score, household income under $146,503, and a homebuyer education course.
• Home in 5 Advantage covers Maricopa County and the City of Phoenix. Up to 6% assistance, a 640 minimum credit score, household income under $153,440, and a DTI under 50%. Purchase only.

The programs set the rules. We help you access them. Terms change, so confirm current figures on each program’s materials. More in our guides to Arizona down payment assistance programs and how much income you need and how lenders count it.

Yes, if the condo project is on HUD’s FHA-approved condo list, or if the single unit gets its own approval.

HUD’s list is searchable by project name or location. Single-unit approval applies to a unit in a completed project with at least five units that meets HUD’s financial and owner-occupancy rules. Manufactured homes are excluded. Source: HUD Condominium Mortgage Insurance page, checked October 6, 2026. The condo’s status decides whether FHA is on the table, so it’s worth checking before an offer.

It depends on your score and any seller credits. FHA’s floors are lower. Its mortgage insurance has an upfront premium and often lasts the life of the loan. Conventional mortgage insurance is priced more on your credit score, and it can come off once you build enough equity.

Sources: HUD Handbook 4000.1 and Mortgagee Letter 2023-05; Fannie Mae; FHFA; CFPB. Checked October 6, 2026.

The fair way to compare is two Loan Estimates for the same home, side by side. Our page on conventional loans covers the other half.

FHA covers purchases and refinances.

Purchase. Buy a primary residence with one to four units. 3.5% down with a 580 score or higher.

Rate-and-term refinance. Change your rate or your term, even if your credit has taken a hit.

1. Start a pre-qualification estimate online, or call 602-730-2270.
2. A Forward Loans loan officer reviews your credit, income, and debts, and checks your score against FHA’s floor and each lender’s minimum.
3. We compare FHA options from the lenders we work with, plus any assistance you’re eligible for, so you don’t apply lender by lender.
4. You get a Loan Estimate in writing. If conventional fits too, we price both.
5. Your file goes through full underwriting.

What do you bring to the first call?

Your recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, bank statements, a photo ID, and a list of your monthly debts. If you’re self-employed, bring your business tax returns too. If you have a condo in mind, bring the project name.