If you are buying your first home in Georgia, you have probably heard a lot of talk about programs that “help with the down payment.” Let me slow things down and walk you through one specific option I offer: MAXPower 5 earned income. It is one of the most common things buyers ask me about, and it is also one of the most misunderstood.
My goal here is simple. I want you to understand what the potential 5% is, what it might be used for, what it is not, and what you still need to bring to the table. No hype, no pressure. Just plain talk.
What MAXPower 5 Is (and What It Is Not)
MAXPower 5 is a social innovation research program. It combines FHA financing, financial education, mentorship, potential earned income, and a homeowner-owned financed solar system. The program is administered by Attainable Housing Advocates (The AHA Group), which studies financial education, savings, and long-term homeowner outcomes. Max Mortgage, LLC is the exclusive lender offering it.
Here is the part I always say first: MAXPower 5 is not a down payment assistance program, and it is not a grant. MAXPower 5 earned income can serve several purposes, which is exactly why it does not fit the down payment assistance label.
The program is available for eligible properties in six states: Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Today I am spotlighting Georgia buyers, but everything in this post applies across all six states.
How MAXPower 5 Earned Income Works
Participants in the program may qualify to earn 5% of the purchase price, capped at $16,000. That is the heart of MAXPower 5 earned income. It is called “earned” for a reason: it is tied to taking part in the program, including financial education before closing and mentorship and surveys after closing.
A few important points about MAXPower 5 earned income:
- It is a potential benefit, not a guarantee.
- Program approval determines timing, use, and eligibility.
- It is not automatic cash to close. FHA funds-to-close rules still apply.
- You must still show 3.5% of your own funds available, even if those funds are not needed at closing. Gift funds are allowed.
No one-size-fits-all promises. Your individual loan and program review comes first.
What MAXPower 5 Earned Income Could Look Like
Here are a few examples from the program materials. Illustration only, not a loan quote.
- $200,000 purchase price: potential $10,000
- $250,000 purchase price: potential $12,500
- $320,000 or higher purchase price: potential $16,000 (the cap)
Notice the cap. Once the purchase price reaches about $320,000, the potential MAXPower 5 earned income stops growing. A $400,000 home in the Atlanta suburbs would still be capped at a potential $16,000, if approved. These numbers are illustrations to help you picture the math, not a promise of what you will receive.
Possible Uses for MAXPower 5 Earned Income
This is where buyers get excited, so let me be careful and clear. Subject to program approval and lender rules, MAXPower 5 earned income may be applied toward:
- Down payment. Yes, it can be one possible use, if approved.
- Eligible closing costs. Lender, title, and other allowable fees.
- An interest rate buydown. Through an approved mortgage buydown arrangement, which may lower your rate.
- Paying off other liabilities. Paying down debt, such as a car loan or credit card balance, may improve your monthly budget.
- Reserves. Rebuilding savings after closing so you have a cushion.
- Other permitted uses. Other approved transaction expenses under program rules.
Because MAXPower 5 earned income can go toward several of these purposes, MAXPower 5 is not a down payment assistance program. Down payment is just one option on the list. It never replaces the requirement to show 3.5% of your own funds.
Choosing the Right Use for Your Situation
Every buyer’s picture is different. Here is how I think through the options with first-time buyers in Georgia and the other eligible states:
If cash at closing is tight, applying a portion toward the down payment or eligible closing costs may make sense, if approved and if FHA funds-to-close rules allow it.
If your monthly payment is the worry, a rate buydown or paying off a high-payment debt might give you more breathing room each month.
If you want peace of mind, keeping funds as reserves means you are not starting homeownership with an empty savings account.
We walk through these side by side during your program review. That way, you are comparing real options, not guessing. MAXPower 5 earned income is a tool, and the right use depends on your goals.
What You Still Need to Qualify
MAXPower 5 earned income does not replace the basics. To be considered for MAXPower 5, you will need:
- A minimum credit score of 640
- 3.5% of your own funds available (gift funds allowed)
- An FHA purchase or refinance scenario
- A property in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, or Georgia
- A property suitable for solar installation
- The ability to meet FHA lending standards
- An eligible home type and occupancy. Condominiums are not eligible.
You can read more about FHA basics directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on HUD’s loans page.
The Commitments That Come With It
Because MAXPower 5 is a research program, it asks something of you, too:
- Before closing: financial education, about 4 to 6 hours, $149 fee
- After closing: mentorship, about 9 hours, $99 fee
- After closing: two surveys per year for five years
These commitments are part of why MAXPower 5 earned income exists at all. The program studies how education, savings, and support affect homeowners over time.
How Solar Fits In
MAXPower 5 also includes financing for an eligible solar system under the FHA Solar and Wind Technology policy. The system is owned by you, free and clear. There is no lease and no second lien. Solar financing may increase the mortgage payment, while the goal is to offset it with a lower electric bill. Actual utility costs and savings vary by property, so we review roof condition, system cost, and energy output before anything is final.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Is this down payment assistance? No. It is a research program. MAXPower 5 earned income can be applied toward the down payment, but it can also be used for closing costs, a rate buydown, paying off other debts, or reserves.
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.
How much MAXPower 5 earned income can I receive? Potentially 5% of the price, up to $16,000, if approved. It is not guaranteed.
Do I still need my own money if I qualify for MAXPower 5 earned income? Yes. You must show 3.5% of your own funds. Gifts are allowed.
Can I buy a condo? No, condos are not eligible.
Which states? Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Your Next Step: Connect, Explore, Verify, Compare
The process is simple. First, we connect to talk about your goals. Next, we explore your FHA and MAXPower 5 eligibility. Then we verify the home, solar feasibility, program rules, and documents. Finally, we compare standard FHA and FHA plus MAXPower 5 side by side, including monthly costs, cash to close, and timing.
If you are curious whether MAXPower 5 earned income could fit your plans in Georgia or any of the other eligible states, let’s talk. You can also learn more on the MAXPower 5 program page.
Ask about your eligibility. Request a program review. Schedule a homebuyer consultation.
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
