Tucson · Phoenix · Texas · Nationwide · NMLS# 667008
Not ready to apply yet? Get Prequalified · Call (520) 495-8989
Help with your down payment and closing costs, plus Mortgage Credit Certificate tax credits for eligible buyers in Pima County and Texas. I work with local programs in Tucson and Phoenix, Texas TSAHC programs, and an in-house DPA program available nationwide in the states where I am licensed: Arizona, Texas, and California. Here is a plain-English guide with links to every official source.
Prequalification is not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of approval. Terms subject to credit approval and underwriting.
The basics
Down payment assistance, or DPA, is money from a housing agency or nonprofit program that helps with your down payment or closing costs. It is paired with a first mortgage like FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional. Depending on the program, the help can be a grant, a forgivable second loan, or a deferred second loan.
A Mortgage Credit Certificate, or MCC, is different. It does not help at closing. It gives you a federal tax credit on part of the mortgage interest you pay every year. That can lower your costs for as long as you keep the loan and live in the home.
Programs
Down payment and closing cost help as a 0% interest, 30-year forgivable second mortgage. No first-time buyer requirement. All of Pima County, including Tucson. Can be paired with the CIC Tucson MCC.
See details and quick checkA federal tax credit of 20% of your mortgage interest, up to $2,000 a year, through CIC Tucson. Claim it every year you live in the home and keep the mortgage. Can be paired with the Pima-Tucson Homebuyer's Solution down payment assistance.
Try the MCC calculatorFixed-rate loans with down payment assistance up to 5% of the loan amount. Pair TSAHC down payment assistance with their MCC if you are eligible. First-time and repeat buyers.
See Texas programsAvailable nationwide, not tied to a county or state housing agency. Available in the states where I'm licensed (see Licensing). Flexible qualifying, a 600 minimum credit score, and no income limits. No program DTI overlay. Many down payment assistance programs cap debt-to-income at 45% to 50%. This one follows automated underwriting approval instead. Ask me for current terms.
See in-house DPAHome in Five Advantage offers up to 6% of the first mortgage for homes anywhere in Maricopa County. Not limited to first-time buyers for most options. The City of Phoenix Open Doors program helps first-time buyers inside city limits.
See Phoenix programsUp to 4% assistance, forgiven after 5 years, in every Arizona county. 620 minimum credit score. First-time buyer not required.
See HOME PlusA great market for first-time buyers. HOME Plus, USDA eligibility checks, FHA, VA, and in-house DPA from your Rio Rico home loan specialist.
See Rio Rico home loansPaste a Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, or Homes.com listing link, or enter a price and ZIP. See an estimated monthly payment, a ballpark cash to close, and which of these programs may fit that home. Estimates for illustration only.
Try Payment by ListingProgram facts are summarized from official sources and were checked on October 16, 2026. Each program page links to its source.
Quick start
Rates
Housing finance programs set their own rates and update them every business day. Rather than post a number that could be stale by tomorrow, I link straight to the official charts.
Rates change daily, so I send today's rate to you personally.
Official rate charts show program pricing for participating lenders. Your actual rate, APR, and costs depend on your scenario and are confirmed in your Loan Estimate.
Client reviews
Rated 4.98 out of 5 from 128 reviews on Experience.com.
“with Andy it was more like "this is how we are going to make it work."”
“Andy and his team were wonderfully! Communication was great and they were always willing to answer any questions or concerns I had. It can be stressful buying a new home but they made it as easy as possible! 10/10!”
“Andy and his team kept me fully informed through the loan process. When I had questions or concerns they were prompt to provide answers an additional information making the loan process much more simple. I highly recommend Andy and his team and Neighborhood Loans.”
FAQ
Not always. The Pima-Tucson Homebuyer's Solution has no first-time buyer requirement. TSAHC's Homes for Texas Heroes and Home Sweet Texas programs serve first-time and repeat buyers. Mortgage Credit Certificates are generally for first-time buyers, with exceptions for qualified veterans and homes in target areas. Ask me about first-time buyer rules for the in-house DPA program.
It depends on the program. Some assistance is a grant. Some is a forgivable second loan with conditions, such as keeping the loan and living in the home for a set time. I will walk you through the exact terms before you choose.
Down payment assistance helps with cash at closing. A Mortgage Credit Certificate is a federal tax credit on part of the mortgage interest you pay each year, so it helps after you move in. You can pair them. The Pima County MCC can be paired with the Pima-Tucson Homebuyer's Solution, and in Texas you can pair TSAHC down payment assistance with TSAHC's MCC. Program rules and eligibility apply.
Program administrators post their own rate charts. eHousingPlus posts the Pima-Tucson Homebuyer's Solution chart on its program highlights page, and TSAHC posts Daily Interest Rates. I link to both so you always see the official, current numbers.
Get prequalified with me. I review your income, credit, and savings, then show you which programs you may qualify for and what each one costs and saves.
Tell me a little about your plans. I will check which programs you may qualify for and follow up personally.
Program availability, terms, interest rates, income and purchase price limits, and assistance amounts are set by each program administrator and can change or end at any time without notice. Assistance funds may be limited. The information on this page was checked against the official program sources linked above on October 16, 2026. It is general education only. Always confirm current guidelines with me before you make decisions.
This is not a commitment to lend, a loan approval, or a rate lock. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, property eligibility, and program guidelines. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates shown on official program pages are not offered by this website and may not be available to you.
The Pima-Tucson Homebuyer's Solution is offered by the Industrial Development Authorities of the County of Pima and the City of Tucson and administered by eHousingPlus. The Mortgage Credit Certificate program for Pima County is funded by the Pima County Industrial Development Authority and administered by Community Investment Corporation (CIC). Homes for Texas Heroes and Home Sweet Texas are programs of the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). These agencies do not endorse any lender. Andy Braun and Neighborhood Loans are not government agencies.
Andy Braun, Senior Loan Officer | Sales Manager, NMLS #667008, AZ LO-1006099. Neighborhood Loans, Inc. NMLS #222982, AZ BK 1004602. Licensed in Arizona, Texas, and California. Equal Housing Lender. Verify licensing at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
Program rates change daily. I will send you today's rate for this program personally.
Not a commitment to lend or a rate lock. Rates depend on your credit, loan type, and program option.
