First Time Home Buyer Utah: Programs & Grants
Looking for first time home buyer programs in Utah? This guide covers statewide and local down payment assistance — including grants and forgivable loans — with combined help up to $85,000+, plus income limits, stacking rules, and how to qualify in your city or county.
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What Qualifies as a First-Time Home Buyer?
In Utah, you're considered a first-time home buyer if you haven't owned a home in the past 3 years. This includes:
- People who have never owned a home
- Renters who previously owned but sold 3+ years ago
- Divorced individuals who only owned with a spouse
- People who only owned a mobile home (not on permanent foundation)
Note: Some programs also serve repeat buyers who meet income requirements. Take our quiz to see all programs you qualify for.
Top First-Time Buyer Programs in Utah
These programs offer the highest assistance amounts for first-time home buyers
Provo Home Purchase Plus
Deferred / partial forgiveness
Davis County Homeownership
Deferred Loan
Salt Lake City CDCU DPA
Deferred Loan
Own in Ogden
Deferred Loan
FHLB HELP Grant
Forgivable Grant
UHC DPA Second Mortgage
Second Mortgage
First time home buyer grants vs other DPA in Utah
Searchers often look for a “grant,” but Utah assistance comes in several forms. Understanding the difference helps you compare real offers.
Grants & forgivable help
Little or no repayment if you meet the rules (e.g. FHLB HELP forgivable grant; UHC Veteran Grant). Best match for “grant” intent.
Deferred loans
No monthly payment; repaid when you sell, refinance, or reach maturity (common for city/county DPA and some UHC options).
Second mortgages
Monthly payment at below-market rates (UHC traditional DPA). Often stackable behind a UHC first mortgage.
How to Get First-Time Buyer Assistance
Follow these steps to access your down payment assistance
Check Your Eligibility
Take our free 5-minute quiz to see which programs you may qualify for based on your income, location, and situation.
Complete Homebuyer Education
Most programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Many are available online and take 4-8 hours.
Get Pre-Approved
Work with a participating lender to get pre-approved for a mortgage and verify your DPA eligibility.
Find Your Home
Search for homes within program price limits. Your real estate agent can help identify eligible properties.
Apply for Assistance
Submit your DPA application through your lender. They'll coordinate with the program administrators.
Close on Your Home
Your assistance funds are applied at closing, reducing your out-of-pocket costs significantly.
Utah First-Time Buyer Income Limits
Most programs use Area Median Income (AMI) to determine eligibility. Here are typical 2026-oriented limits for a family of 4:
Limits vary by household size. Take our quiz for personalized limits.
What Counts as Income?
Programs typically count gross household income from all adults:
- Wages and salaries
- Self-employment income
- Alimony and child support received
- Social Security and retirement income
Tip: Some income like foster care payments may be excluded. Check with your lender for specifics.
First-Time Buyer Programs by Location
Find programs available in your area
Utah First-Time Home Buyer FAQ
Common questions about first-time buyer programs
What qualifies as a first-time home buyer in Utah?
In Utah, a first-time home buyer is generally defined as someone who has not owned a home in the past 3 years. This includes people who have never owned a home, as well as those who owned previously but have been renting for at least 3 years. Some programs have additional requirements.
How much down payment assistance can first-time buyers get in Utah?
Utah first-time home buyers can access up to $85,000 in combined down payment assistance by stacking multiple programs. Individual programs range from $2,500 (UHC Veteran Grant) to $60,000+ (Provo Home Purchase Plus). The average buyer uses $30,000-$50,000 in assistance.
What are the income limits for first-time buyer programs in Utah?
Most Utah first-time buyer programs use 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) as the limit. For 2026, this ranges from approximately $70,000-$100,000 for a family of 4 depending on the county. Some UHC programs allow up to 120% AMI ($120,000+).
Do I need perfect credit to qualify for Utah first-time buyer programs?
No, perfect credit is not required. Most programs require a minimum credit score of 620-680, depending on the program and loan type. FHA loans (popular with first-time buyers) allow scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down. Some programs help buyers with credit repair.
Can I buy any home with first-time buyer assistance in Utah?
Most programs require the home to be your primary residence and have purchase price limits (typically $400,000-$600,000 depending on the county). Single-family homes, condos, and townhomes usually qualify. Investment properties and second homes do not qualify.
Do I have to pay back first-time buyer assistance?
It depends on the program type: Grants require no repayment. Forgivable loans are forgiven if you stay 5-10 years. Deferred loans are repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off the mortgage. Second mortgages have monthly payments but at below-market rates.
How long does it take to get first-time buyer assistance in Utah?
The timeline varies by program but typically takes 30-60 days from application to closing. Most programs require a homebuyer education course (4-8 hours) which can be completed online. Pre-approval usually takes 1-3 days.
Can I combine multiple first-time buyer programs in Utah?
Yes! UHC programs can stack with local city or county DPA when the local program agrees to third lien position (UHC 2nd, local DPA 3rd). Own in Ogden and Davis County have confirmed this. Example: Own in Ogden ($20,000) + UHC DPA ($27,500). Some buyers access $50,000-$97,500+ by combining programs.
Are there first time home buyer grants in Utah?
Yes. Examples include FHLB HELP (up to $20,000 forgivable grant for many first-time buyers) and the UHC Utah Veteran Grant ($2,500 true grant when funds remain). Many other programs are forgivable or deferred loans rather than pure grants — take the quiz to see which fit your county and buyer type.
What is Utah Housing Corporation for first-time buyers?
Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) offers statewide first mortgages (FirstHome, FHA/VA, HFA Advantage) and down payment assistance up to $27,500. See our Utah Housing Corporation hub for product details, then stack local DPA when available.
Ready to Buy Your First Home?
Take our free 5-minute quiz to see which Utah first-time home buyer programs you may qualify for. No SSN required.
Looking for a lender who can stack these programs? Read our guide to the best lenders for down payment assistance in Utah or learn how to buy a house in Utah with no money down.
This guide is maintained by licensed Utah mortgage professionals
Utah DPA Finder is a free educational resource. Program eligibility is determined by administering agencies and participating lenders.