If you are a first-time homebuyer, or a real estate agent working with one, you have probably heard about MAXPower 5 and wondered, “Would this buyer even qualify?” This guide walks through MAXPower 5 qualification in plain language, one item at a time, so buyers and agents can look at the same list together.
MAXPower 5 (MP5) is a social innovation research program offered exclusively by Max Mortgage, LLC and administered by Attainable Housing Advocates (The AHA Group). It combines FHA financing, financial education, mentorship, potential earned income, and a homeowner-owned financed solar system. It is available for properties in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
One thing up front: MAXPower 5 is not a down payment assistance program, and it is not a grant. Keep that in mind as we go.
Why a MAXPower 5 Qualification Checklist Helps
Most buyers want a quick yes or no. Most agents want to know early whether a buyer and a house are a fit, before anyone falls in love with a property. A shared checklist gives both sides the same starting point.
It is only a starting point, though. MAXPower 5 qualification is confirmed through a personalized review of your FHA loan and the written program rules, not by a checklist alone. No one-size-fits-all promises. Your individual loan and program review comes first.
The MAXPower 5 Qualification Checklist
Here are the core items, taken straight from the program guidelines.
- Credit score of 640 or higher. This is the program minimum.
- 3.5% of your own funds available. You must be able to show this even if it is not needed at closing. Gift funds are allowed.
- An FHA purchase or refinance. MP5 works alongside FHA financing.
- A property in an eligible state. Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, or Georgia.
- A property suitable for solar. The roof and the property itself need to work for an installation.
- No condominiums. Condos are not eligible.
- Ability to meet FHA lending standards. Occupancy and home type must qualify, and FHA solar calculations and loan limits apply.
Every program and lender requirement for MAXPower 5 qualification still has to be verified. Let’s look at each item a little closer.
Credit: 640 Minimum
The 640 minimum score is the first gate for MAXPower 5 qualification. If you are a little below it today, that does not mean never. It means we may talk about a path forward first and compare standard FHA options in the meantime.
Your Own Funds: 3.5%, Gifts Allowed
This is the item buyers most often misunderstand. Even if you may qualify for the potential earned income, you still need to show 3.5% of the purchase price in your own funds. A documented gift from family counts. FHA funds-to-close rules still apply, and potential earnings are not automatic cash to close.
The Property: No Condos, Solar-Suitable
For agents, this is the part to check before showings. MAXPower 5 qualification depends on the home as much as the buyer. A condo will not work. A home with a roof and setup that can support an eligible solar installation is the kind of property we review.
The solar piece uses the FHA Solar and Wind Technology policy. The home and solar can be financed together, up to 120% loan-to-value, with no change to the appraisal or down payment amount. The buyer owns the system free and clear. It is not a lease, there is no UCC-1 filing, and there is no second lien.
State: All Six Count
MP5 is not limited to one state. Buyers purchasing in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia can all be reviewed for MAXPower 5 qualification the same way.
What the Potential 5% Can Be Used For
If approved, a participant may qualify to earn 5% of the purchase price, capped at $16,000. It is not guaranteed, and program approval determines timing, use, and eligibility.
Illustration only, not a loan quote: a $200,000 price could mean a potential $10,000, a $250,000 price could mean a potential $12,500, and $320,000 and up reaches the $16,000 cap.
Subject to program approval and lender rules, possible uses include:
- Down payment
- Eligible closing costs
- An interest rate buydown
- Paying off other liabilities or debt
- Reserves to rebuild savings
Because the funds can serve several purposes, MAXPower 5 is not a down payment assistance program and not a grant. It also never replaces the requirement to show 3.5% of your own funds.
Participation Commitments to Plan For
MAXPower 5 qualification is also about being ready to participate. The program asks for:
- Financial education before closing, about 4 to 6 hours, with a $149 fee
- Mentorship after closing, about 9 hours, with a $99 fee
- Two surveys per year for five years
This is a research program, so the follow-through matters as much as the paperwork.
For Realtors: Using the MAXPower 5 Qualification Checklist With Buyers
Agents, you do not need to become program experts. A few simple habits go a long way for your buyers:
- Screen early. Ask about credit and own funds in your first conversation.
- Flag condos right away so nobody is disappointed later.
- Look at roofs. A solar-suitable property keeps the option open.
- Use hedged language. Say “may qualify” and “potential,” never “you will get.”
- Send buyers to Charles for a program review before they write offers that depend on MP5.
The value for you is simple: a buyer with a clear comparison, realistic expectations, and a smoother path to the closing table.
How the Review Works: Four Steps
- Connect. Reach out to talk about your goals.
- Explore. Get a personalized review of FHA eligibility and MAXPower 5 qualification.
- Verify. Review the home, solar feasibility, program rules, and documents.
- Compare. Look at monthly costs, cash to close, timing, and responsibilities, with standard FHA side by side with FHA + MP5.
You can learn more on our MAXPower 5 program page, and you can read about FHA-insured loans directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at HUD.gov.
MAXPower 5 Qualification FAQ
What credit score do I need for MAXPower 5 qualification?
The program minimum is 640.
Do I still need my own money?
Yes. You must show 3.5% of your own funds available. Gift funds are allowed.
Can I buy a condo?
No. Condos do not meet MAXPower 5 qualification rules.
Is this down payment assistance?
No. It is a research program. Potential earnings can be applied toward the down payment, but they can also be used for closing costs, a rate buydown, paying off other debts, or reserves, which is why it is not a down payment assistance program. Earnings are not automatic cash to close.
Can the 5% go toward my down payment?
It may, if you are approved. Down payment is one of several possible uses, subject to program approval and FHA funds-to-close rules. You still need to show 3.5% of your own funds.
How much could I earn?
Potentially 5% of the price, up to $16,000, if approved. It is not guaranteed.
What does it cost?
$149 before closing and $99 after closing.
Do I own the solar?
Yes. It is owned free and clear, with no lease and no second lien.
Which states are open for MAXPower 5 qualification?
Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Ask About Your Eligibility
Whether you are buying your first home or helping a buyer who is, the best next step is a real review. Request a program review or schedule a homebuyer consultation, and we will walk through MAXPower 5 qualification together, side by side with standard FHA.
Charles Parharm, Mortgage Loan Advisor, Max Mortgage, LLC
Phone: 504-584-8999
Email: charles@callthemax.com
Web: www.maxxla.com/mp5
About the author: Charles, Mortgage Loan Advisor with Max Mortgage, LLC. 20+ years in mortgage and real estate. NAMB Certified FHA Mortgage Professional.
MAXPower 5 is presented as a research program involving earned income, financial education, mentorship and solar financing. Program participation, any payments, permitted uses, fees and state availability are subject to written program terms and lender approval. FHA financing remains subject to underwriting, property eligibility, mortgage insurance, funds-to-close requirements and all applicable agency guidelines. This is for educational and marketing purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to approval. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS #1413036 | Company NMLS #1446745
