6%
Down Payment Assistance — Utah 2026
DownPayment ProgramsUtah 2026.
Utah has some of the best down payment assistance programs in the country — and most buyers who qualify have no idea they exist. This guide covers every current program, income limit, and exactly how to access them.
What UHC Assistance Can Cover
Up to 6%
of your loan amount — toward down payment and closing costs
On a $400,000 purchaseUp to $24,000
On a $450,000 purchaseUp to $27,000
On a $500,000 purchaseUp to $30,000
Minimum credit score660+
Your out of pocketAs low as $0
4UHC Programs
660+Min. Credit Score
6%Max Assistance
3-yrFirst-Time Rule
FreeTo Find Out If You Qualify
!
The 3-Year Rule — You May Already Qualify
In most UHC programs, you qualify as a "first-time buyer" if you have not owned a primary residence in the last three years — regardless of whether you previously owned a home. Recently divorced homeowners, people who owned in another state, and buyers who rented by choice after selling may all qualify.
Why Most Buyers Miss This
Down Payment Help Most Northern Utah
Buyers Never Know About
Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) is the state's primary affordable homeownership program — and it consistently offers some of the most competitive first-time buyer financing available anywhere in the country. UHC programs are available through participating lenders statewide, including Northern Utah lenders serving Davis, Weber, and Salt Lake Counties.
The reason most buyers miss these programs is simple: they are only available through participating approved lenders, not through banks or credit unions that most buyers approach first. If your first conversation is with a lender who is not UHC-approved, you will likely never hear about these programs — even if you qualify for them.
I Can Connect You with UHC-Approved Lenders →Do You Qualify?
Who Qualifies for
Utah Down Payment Assistance
You Likely Qualify If You...
Have not owned a primary residence in the last 3 years — even if you previously owned a home
Have a credit score of 660 or higher
Meet income limits for your county (set at accessible levels for Davis and Weber Counties)
Are buying a primary residence in Utah — not an investment property or vacation home
Are willing to complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course (typically 6-8 hours online)
Sold a home after a divorce more than 3 years ago and have been renting since
Previously owned in another state but have been renting in Utah
You May Not Qualify If You...
Currently own or have owned a primary residence in the last 3 years
Have a credit score below 660 (though FHA programs go to 580 — see the loan types guide)
Exceed income limits for your household size and county
Are buying an investment property, second home, or vacation property
Are purchasing above the UHC purchase price limits for your county
Not sure? The fastest way to confirm eligibility is a 5-minute call with a UHC-approved lender. I can provide referrals to participating Northern Utah lenders who will tell you immediately whether you qualify.
The Programs
Utah Housing Corporation Programs
Explained in Plain Language
01
UHC Program 01
FirstHome Loan
Below-market rate for first-time buyers
UHC's flagship first-time buyer program — 30-year fixed rate mortgages at below-market interest rates for qualifying buyers in Utah. Available through participating lenders statewide including Northern Utah lenders. When combined with the Score second mortgage, the total out-of-pocket cost for a qualifying buyer can be just closing costs — sometimes less.
Min. Credit Score
660+
First-Time Required
Yes — 3-yr rule
Down Payment Assistance
Available (Score)
Rate vs Market
Below market
02
UHC Program 02
Score Loan
Down payment assistance — up to 6%
The Score program provides a second mortgage covering up to 6% of the loan amount for down payment and closing costs. It is not a grant — it is a repayable low-interest second mortgage — but the payment is low and for most qualifying Northern Utah buyers it completely eliminates the need for an out-of-pocket down payment.
Assistance Amount
Up to 6% of loan
Structure
Low-rate 2nd mortgage
Repayable?
Yes — 30 yr fixed
Out-of-Pocket Down
Can be $0
03
UHC Program 03
Home Again Loan
No first-time buyer requirement
The Home Again program offers the same below-market rate structure as FirstHome but does not require first-time buyer status. Any buyer who meets income and purchase price limits can access it. This makes it a strong option for Northern Utah buyers who previously owned a home but still want the benefit of UHC's below-market rates and the optional Score assistance.
First-Time Required
No
Min. Credit Score
660+
Rate vs Market
Below market
Income Limits
Yes — by county
04
UHC Program 04
NoMI Loan
No mortgage insurance below 20% down
The NoMI loan is a conventional option that eliminates private mortgage insurance even below 20% down — typically saving Northern Utah buyers $100-250 per month compared to a standard conventional loan. Requires a 700+ credit score. No first-time buyer requirement or income limits, making it accessible to a broader range of buyers who simply want to avoid the ongoing PMI cost.
PMI Required
Never
Min. Credit Score
700+
First-Time Required
No
Monthly Savings
$100 – $250/mo
What It Looks Like
in Real Numbers
in Real Numbers
$400,000 home purchase in Northern Utah — with and without UHC programs.
Without UHC Programs
Standard FHA Loan — $400,000
Down payment (3.5%)$14,000
Closing costs (est.)$9,500
Total cash needed$23,500
Monthly mortgage insurance~$240/mo
MIP durationLife of loan
Requires significant savings. Monthly MIP adds $86,400+ over 30 years to your total cost.
With UHC Programs — Optimal
FirstHome + Score DPA — $400,000
Down payment covered by Score$0
Closing costs (some covered)$2,000 – $4,000
Total cash needed$2,000 – $4,000
Second mortgage payment~$115/mo
Rate vs FHABelow market
Dramatically lower upfront cost. Total savings vs standard FHA: $15,000-20,000 at closing alone.
See your exact payment with and without UHC assistance
Open Mortgage Calculator
How to Access These Programs
Four Steps to Get
UHC Assistance in Northern Utah
1
Call Me for a UHC-Approved Lender Referral
UHC programs are only available through participating lenders — not all lenders offer them. I connect Northern Utah buyers directly with UHC-approved lenders who can confirm eligibility in minutes.
2
Complete Homebuyer Education
All UHC programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Typically 6-8 hours, completed online at your own pace. Schedule it early — you need the certificate before closing.
I Can Point You to Approved Courses →
3
Get Pre-Approved
Your lender will confirm your specific eligibility — income limits, purchase price limits, and which combination of UHC programs applies to your situation. Most pre-approvals take 24-48 hours.
4
Find Your Home and Close
I set you up with a live MLS search alert and guide you through the purchase. UHC programs close like any other mortgage — there is no extra complexity at the closing table.
Check Your Readiness Score First →
Utah Mortgage Calculator
Calculate your payment with UHC programs factored in — real Northern Utah property tax rates by county
Open Calculator
"We had no idea Utah Housing programs existed until Randall connected us with an approved lender. We bought in Layton with under $4,000 out of pocket."
First-Time Buyers — Layton, Utah · Davis County
Common Questions
Down Payment Programs FAQ
Is the Score loan a grant — do I have to pay it back?+
No — the Score loan is a second mortgage, not a grant. You do pay it back, structured as a 30-year fixed rate second mortgage at a below-market rate. The monthly payment is low, and for most Northern Utah first-time buyers the benefit of having the down payment covered outweighs the cost of the second mortgage payment.
How do I access Utah Housing Corporation programs?+
UHC programs are only available through participating approved lenders — not all banks and credit unions offer them. Call me at (801) 430-4000 and I will connect you with UHC-approved lenders in Northern Utah who can confirm your eligibility and issue a pre-approval quickly.
What are the income limits for UHC programs in Northern Utah?+
Income limits are set by county and household size. Davis County and Weber County limits are set at levels that make the programs accessible to a wide range of buyers given the region's median income levels. The fastest way to confirm whether your household income qualifies is a conversation with a UHC-approved lender — I can connect you with one immediately.
Can I use UHC programs on new construction in Northern Utah?+
Yes, in most cases. UHC programs can be used on new construction homes in Northern Utah as long as the home meets program requirements and the purchase price is within county limits. Some builders also have preferred lender arrangements that may include their own buyer incentives — I can help you compare the total cost of both options.
What happens to the Score second mortgage if I sell the home?+
The Score second mortgage is paid off from the proceeds when you sell the home, just like your primary mortgage. There is no penalty for selling — the remaining balance on the second mortgage is simply paid at closing from your sale proceeds.
For official Utah Housing Corporation program details, income limits, and participating lenders, see UtahHousing.org.
UHC-Approved Lender Referrals Available
Find Out If You Qualify
in 5 Minutes
Most Northern Utah first-time buyers qualify for more assistance than they expect. Call me and I will connect you with the right UHC-approved lender immediately.
Also see: First-Time Home Buyer Guide Utah →
