✦ Complete 2026 Guide
Your Complete Guide to Utah First Time Home Buyer Programs
Utah's first-time buyer programs are built to stack. UHC provides up to 6% DPA on the mortgage side, county grants add $10K–$40K on top of that, and the SB240 new construction program adds another $20K for newly built homes. Qualified buyers can access over $30,000 in combined assistance, sometimes significantly more.
What's Covered in This Guide
Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) Programs
Utah Housing Corporation funds the mortgage side, below-market rates paired with up to 6% DPA, available through approved lenders statewide.
FirstHome Loan
- ✓First-time buyers only (no ownership in 3 years)
- ✓660+ FICO required
- ✓Up to 6% DPA, capped at $27,500
- ✓County-tiered income + purchase price limits
The flagship UHC program for first-time homebuyers. Lowest UHC interest rate. Income and purchase price limits vary by county, Salt Lake $122,700 (1-2 person) / $141,100 (3+) with $653,000 max purchase price; Davis-band higher.
FHA/VA Mortgage
- ✓Open to repeat AND first-time buyers
- ✓620+ FICO (lowest UHC minimum)
- ✓Up to 6% DPA, capped at $27,500
- ✓No purchase price limit (FHA loan limit applies)
UHC's FHA/VA tax-exempt bond loan track. Uniform $162,500 qualifying income limit. Same DPA as FirstHome but with a higher credit floor flexibility (620 vs 660) and no purchase price limit.
HFA Advantage
- ✓Open to repeat AND first-time buyers
- ✓680+ FICO (700+ for 2-4 unit)
- ✓Conventional / Freddie Mac
- ✓Lower MI than FHA
UHC's Freddie Mac HFA Advantage track, conventional financing with lower mortgage insurance than FHA. Often results in a lower monthly payment than the FHA/VA track at the same rate.
Score Loan
- ✓620+ FICO accepted
- ✓Designed for buyers recovering from credit issues
- ✓Up to 6% DPA, capped at $27,500
- ✓County-tiered income + purchase price limits
For buyers UHC describes as "recovering from previous credit challenges." Same county tiers as FirstHome.
NoMI Loan
- ✓No mortgage insurance, ever
- ✓700+ FICO required (highest UHC minimum)
- ✓Full DPA available, does NOT require 20% down
- ✓$162,500 qualifying income limit, no purchase price limit
A UHC variant of HFA Advantage configured to eliminate mortgage insurance entirely. Lowest monthly payment of any UHC program. Note: contrary to common confusion, NoMI does NOT require 20% down, full DPA is available.
HomeAgain Loan, Suspended
- ✓Currently Temporarily Suspended
- ✓See FHA/VA Mortgage or HFA Advantage instead
- ✓UHC may reactivate; verify current status
- ✓
Per UHC's official program page, HomeAgain is currently Temporarily Suspended. Repeat buyers needing UHC DPA should look at FHA/VA Mortgage (620+ FICO) or HFA Advantage (680+ FICO), both are open to repeat buyers and offer the same up-to-6% / $27,500 DPA.
Down Payment Assistance Programs
Multiple programs exist to help cover your down payment and closing costs.
UHC Traditional DPA
- ✓Up to 6% of first mortgage / $27,500 cap
- ✓30-year amortizing second mortgage
- ✓Rate is 1% above first mortgage rate (max 8%)
- ✓Available with all 5 active UHC programs
Per UHC Form 300 Rev 05/01/2026: a 30-year fixed-rate second mortgage at 1% above your first mortgage rate, never less than the first mortgage rate, max 8%. You make monthly payments on both mortgages.
UHC Deferred DPA
- ✓Up to 3.5% of first mortgage / $27,500 cap
- ✓3.5% deferred simple interest
- ✓No monthly payment
- ✓Outstanding balance + interest due at sale, refi, or maturity
An alternative DPA structure with no monthly payment. Lower DPA cap (3.5% vs 6%) but no impact on monthly cash flow.
County-Specific DPA
- ✓$10,000–$50,000 available
- ✓Davis County is largest at $50K (1% interest)
- ✓Income-based eligibility (typically 80% AMI)
- ✓Can stack with UHC loans
Salt Lake (Own in SLC County: $20K deferred), Davis County ($50K at 1%), Utah County Loan to Own ($40K, 50% forgivable after 10 yrs), and the Own in Ogden city tier ($10K–$20K) cover the Wasatch Front. Most are deferred loans repaid at sale/refi; Utah County and several city programs include forgiveness clauses.
SB240 New Construction Assistance
- ✓Up to $20,000
- ✓0% deferred loan with shared-equity recapture
- ✓New construction only
- ✓Available statewide
Often called a "grant" but technically a 0% interest deferred loan. At sale or refi, you repay the lesser of the original assistance amount or 50% of accrued equity.
Federal Loan Programs
FHA, VA, and USDA loans are all compatible with Utah's DPA programs, and each has distinct credit and down payment requirements.
FHA Loans
- ✓3.5% down payment minimum
- ✓580+ credit score
- ✓Flexible debt-to-income ratios
- ✓Gift funds allowed
FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration and offer some of the most flexible qualifying requirements available. Ideal for buyers with limited savings or imperfect credit.
VA Loans
- ✓0% down payment
- ✓No mortgage insurance
- ✓Competitive rates
- ✓Veterans & active military
VA loans offer the best terms available for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses. Zero down payment and no PMI make this an unbeatable option.
USDA Loans
- ✓0% down payment
- ✓Rural areas only
- ✓Income limits apply
- ✓Low mortgage insurance
USDA loans serve buyers in designated rural areas with no down payment required. Many Utah communities outside the Wasatch Front qualify.
Conventional 97
- ✓3% down payment
- ✓620+ credit score
- ✓PMI required
- ✓No income limits
Conventional 97 loans allow just 3% down for qualified buyers. While PMI is required, there are no income limits unlike many assistance programs.
Utah First-Time Buyer Programs Side by Side
Compare every major program available to Utah first-time buyers in 2026
| Program | Assistance | Min Credit | Down Payment | First-Time Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UHC FirstHome Loan | Up to 6% / $27,500 cap | 660+ | 0% with full DPA | Yes |
| UHC FHA/VA Mortgage | Up to 6% / $27,500 cap | 620+ | 0% with full DPA | No |
| UHC HFA Advantage | Up to 6% / $27,500 cap | 680+ (700+ multi) | 0% with full DPA | No |
| UHC HomeAgain Loan | Suspended | Suspended | Suspended | See FHA/VA Mortgage |
| UHC Score Loan | Up to 6% / $27,500 cap | 620+ | 0% with full DPA | No (credit recovery focus) |
| UHC NoMI Loan | Up to 6% / $27,500 cap | 700+ | 0% with full DPA | No |
| SB240 New Construction | Up to $20,000 (0% deferred loan) | 620+ | Reduces cash to close | Yes |
| Salt Lake County DPA | Up to $20,000 deferred | 620+ | 1% buyer | Yes |
| Davis County DPA | Up to $50,000 deferred (1% interest) | 620+ | 1% buyer | No (open to all) |
| Utah County Loan to Own | Up to $40,000 (50% forgivable @ 10 yrs) | 650+ | $1,000 buyer min | Yes |
| FHA Loan | Low down payment | 580+ | 3.5% | No |
| VA Loan | $0 down, no PMI | 580+ | 0% | No |
| USDA Loan | $0 down (eligible areas) | 640+ | 0% | No |
| Conventional 97 | Low down payment | 620+ | 3% | Yes (Fannie/Freddie rules) |
* Program terms are subject to change. Income and purchase price limits apply. Contact us for current details.
2026 Income Limits by Program
Income limits vary by program, county, and household size. These are general guidelines, exact numbers depend on your county and current program year.
| Program | 1–2 Person HH | 3+ Person HH | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| UHC FirstHome (Salt Lake Co.) | $104,800 | $120,520 | Salt Lake County |
| UHC FirstHome (Utah Co.) | $101,600 | $116,840 | Utah County |
| UHC FirstHome (Davis/Weber Co.) | $100,400 | $115,460 | Davis / Weber County |
| Salt Lake County DPA | $80,000* | $95,000* | Salt Lake County |
| Davis County DPA (80% AMI) | ~$62,400 | ~$78,000 | Davis County |
| Utah County DPA (80% AMI) | ~$61,000 | ~$76,250 | Utah County |
| SB240 New Construction | $130,600* | $130,600* | Statewide |
| USDA (Salt Lake Co.) | $110,650 | $146,050 | Eligible rural/suburban zones |
| FHA / VA / Conventional | No limit | No limit | Statewide |
* Approximate, income limits updated annually. Exact numbers depend on program year and household size. View full income limits by program →
How to Stack Utah Programs for Maximum Assistance
Utah's programs are designed to work together, most buyers qualify for multiple at once.
Highest possible assistance (new construction)
= Up to $67,500+ combined
All three programs have repayment terms, verify combined LTV and program compatibility with your lender
Veterans / military (Davis County)
= $0 down + up to $50K toward purchase
Available throughout Davis County including Clearfield, Layton, and Hill AFB corridor. Davis DPA is repaid at sale/refi (not forgivable).
Repeat buyer (resale home, any county)
= Up to $77,500+ combined
HomeAgain currently suspended, FHA/VA Mortgage is the active repeat-buyer track. Open in Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, and Weber counties.
Rural / suburban buyer (USDA eligible area)
= $0 down payment
USDA and UHC stacking requires an approved lender, verify eligibility for your specific address at eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov
How to Check Your Eligibility
Follow these steps to determine which programs you qualify for and maximize your benefits.
Check Your Credit Score
Your credit score determines which programs you qualify for. Most programs require a minimum of 580–660, but higher scores unlock better rates and terms.
- ◆Get free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com
- ◆Dispute any errors you find
- ◆Pay down credit card balances below 30%
- ◆Don't open new accounts before applying
Calculate Your Income
Most first-time buyer programs have income limits. You'll need to calculate your household's gross annual income including all earners who will be on the loan.
- ◆Include all W-2 income, bonuses, and overtime
- ◆Self-employment income uses 2-year average
- ◆Child support and alimony count if documented
- ◆Check both individual and household limits
Determine Your Budget
Understanding what you can afford helps identify the right programs. Consider not just the purchase price but also your monthly payment comfort zone.
- ◆Use our mortgage calculator for estimates
- ◆Include property taxes and insurance
- ◆Factor in HOA fees if applicable
- ◆Leave room for maintenance costs
Get Pre-Approved
Pre-approval gives you a clear picture of your options and makes you a stronger buyer. A lender will verify your information and provide a commitment letter.
- ◆Gather pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements
- ◆Pre-approval typically lasts 60–90 days
- ◆Rate lock available after finding a home
- ◆Multiple inquiries within 45 days count as one
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What's your real total across every Utah program you qualify for?
Most buyers come in knowing about one program, UHC or maybe a county grant. A lot leave having qualified for both, plus SB240 on top. Takes 15 minutes to find out what your specific situation unlocks.
What Utah first-time buyers actually ask before applying
Common questions about Utah first-time home buyer programs