The Casa Grande First-Time Home Buyer Guide
Straight answers on the loan programs available to Pinal County buyers, including VA and USDA, the Arizona down payment assistance you may qualify for, what buying actually costs month to month, and the step-by-step process from pre-approval to keys. Written for Casa Grande and Pinal County, not generic national advice.
- How low down payment programs work and how to find out if you’re eligible. VA requires eligible military service; USDA requires an eligible property location and household income.
- Arizona assistance programs, including HOME Plus, that first-time buyers often overlook. Assistance amounts and eligibility are set by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority and its participating lenders, vary by loan type and income, and are subject to funding availability and change.
- The 6 mistakes I see first-time buyers make most often, and how to steer clear of them
- 2026 conforming and government loan limits for Pinal County. Loan limits and assistance program terms change; confirm current figures with your lender before relying on them.
The guide is being rewritten
I’m updating this guide so the numbers and program details are current. In the meantime, call or text me at (480) 773-4489 and I’ll walk you through any of it directly.
Who wrote this?
I'm Josh Bernal, REALTOR® with Yost Realty Group at RE/MAX Casa Grande, licensed in Arizona since 2015. First-time buyers are a big share of my business, and this guide is the exact walkthrough I give my own clients. Nothing in it is legal, tax, or lending advice; for those, your lender, CPA, or attorney has the final word.
Financing note. Josh Bernal is a licensed Arizona real estate salesperson, not a mortgage lender, mortgage broker, or loan originator, and does not offer or negotiate terms of credit. Information about loan programs on this page is general education. It is not an offer or commitment to lend and is subject to lender approval, credit qualification, and program availability. Down payment requirements, repayment terms, and Annual Percentage Rate (APR) vary by lender and borrower and are not quoted here. Program rules, income limits, and eligible-area maps are set by the relevant agency and change over time. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Housing Administration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or the Arizona Industrial Development Authority. Equal Housing Opportunity.