Utah First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) currently lists 4 programs for Utah buyers, with down payment help up to $20,000 through First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program (New Construction). Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.
Utah first-time buyer programs open now
Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 4 down payment or closing-cost assistance programs. Varies by program; UHC's standard first-mortgage/second-mortgage combination has no stated first-time-buyer restriction on the fetched pages, but the New Construction Assistance Program and the Veteran Grant are explicitly labeled 'first-time homebuyer' programs (per utahhousingcorp.org)
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Housing Corp Down Payment Assistance (second mortgage) source | Second mortgage | Up to the minimum required down payment plus all or a portion of closing costs | No | n/a | Varies by county; see UHC Income and Purchase Price Limits page |
| First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program (New Construction) source | Second mortgage | Up to $20,000 | Yes | n/a | Varies by county; see UHC Income and Purchase Price Limits page |
| Utah First-time Homebuyer Law Enforcement Officer Assistance Program source | Program | See program page | Yes | n/a | See program page |
| Utah Homebuyer Veteran Grant source | Grant (no repayment) | Up to $2,500 cash | Yes | n/a | See program page |
- Utah Housing Corp Down Payment Assistance (second mortgage). Terms: 30-year fixed-rate second mortgage, paired with a UHC first mortgage Purchase price limit: Varies by county; see UHC Income and Purchase Price Limits page Must pair with: A Utah Housing Corp first mortgage home loan Program page
- First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program (New Construction). Terms: Funds may be used for down payment, interest-rate buydown, and/or closing costs; for newly constructed homes only Purchase price limit: Varies by county; see UHC Income and Purchase Price Limits page Must pair with: A Utah Housing Corp first mortgage home loan Program page
- Utah Homebuyer Veteran Grant. Terms: Grant does not require repayment; no specific lender or loan program required Program page
How little you can put down
You do not need 20% down. Conventional loans go as low as 3% (through programs like Fannie Mae HomeReady and Freddie Mac Home Possible), FHA loans start at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can require nothing down. On Utah's median-priced home (about $575,300), 3% down is roughly $17,259. Putting 20% down lets you skip private mortgage insurance, but most first-time buyers put down far less.
Who counts as a first-time buyer
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years, so many repeat buyers qualify again. Utah programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with Utah Housing Corporation.
Stack a buyer rebate on top in Utah
Down-payment assistance and a buyer commission rebate are two different things, and in Utah you can use both. Assistance from Utah Housing Corporation helps with your down payment and closing costs; a buyer rebate returns about 2% of the price to you at closing (roughly $11,506 on a median-priced home), which can cover much of your closing bill.
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Utah?
Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) lists 4 programs: Utah Housing Corp Down Payment Assistance (second mortgage), First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program (New Construction), Utah First-time Homebuyer Law Enforcement Officer Assistance Program, Utah Homebuyer Veteran Grant. Down payment help runs up to $20,000.
How much down payment assistance can you get in Utah?
Up to $20,000 through First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program (New Construction) (second mortgage). Other Utah programs offer different amounts; see the table on this page for each one.
Do you have to be a first-time buyer to qualify in Utah?
Not for every program. 1 of 4 Utah programs are open to repeat buyers. Varies by program; UHC's standard first-mortgage/second-mortgage combination has no stated first-time-buyer restriction on the fetched pages, but the New Construction Assistance Program and the Veteran Grant are explicitly labeled 'first-time homebuyer' programs (per utahhousingcorp.org)
How much down payment do you need in Utah?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On Utah's median-priced home (about $575,300), 3% is roughly $17,259. You do not need 20% down, though 20% lets you avoid mortgage insurance.
Who counts as a first-time home buyer?
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years. Some Utah programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with Utah Housing Corporation.
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in Utah?
Yes. A buyer commission rebate is separate from down-payment assistance and is legal in Utah. Assistance helps with your down payment and closing costs up front; a rebate returns about 2% of the price at closing, which you can put toward closing costs. You can use both.
Official sources
- Utah Housing Corporation (UHC)
- Down Payment Assistance - Utah Housing Corp (UHC)
- Grants - Utah Housing Corp (UHC)
- Law Enforcement Assistance - Utah Housing Corp (UHC)
- Veterans Grants - Utah Housing Corp (UHC)
- UHC Homepage - Utah Housing Corp
- Housing Stability Division - Salt Lake City
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: down payment options and how to prepare
Utah program details last verified against Utah Housing Corporation on September 11, 2026.
Read the full guide to the cash you need to buy →
This is general information, not financial advice. Program details, limits, and loan terms change; confirm the current rules with Utah Housing Corporation and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states