Match the Utah assistance program to the home you plan to buy
Utah Housing Corporation administers mortgage and homebuyer assistance programs with different requirements. The city directories above help you research providers; the official resources below help you ask about a specific financing package. A listing in Mortgage Firm does not establish Utah Housing participation.
Ask which second mortgage is included in the proposal
Utah Housing's loan overview, revised June 2025, distinguishes traditional and deferred down payment assistance. Both are second mortgages paired with a Utah Housing first mortgage. The deferred option postpones monthly payments, but principal and deferred interest become due at maturity, sale or refinance. Treat deferred payments as a timing difference, rather than assuming the assistance is a grant.
Ask the participating lender for current terms, the combined monthly payment and an explanation of the assistance balance over time. Compare that package with an offer without assistance using the same property, down payment and closing assumptions. The overview is a starting point for questions; obtain the current loan documents before deciding.
Separate new-construction assistance from general down payment help
The separate First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program is for qualifying Utah homes that are newly constructed and not yet inhabited. Utah Housing's February 2026 program matrix also requires qualifying mortgage financing, owner occupancy and prior Utah residency. A first-time purchase of a previously occupied home does not satisfy the new-construction requirement.
The matrix describes a loan without monthly payments, with repayment tied to home equity at sale or refinance. Ask the lender to explain that calculation and the agreement's other repayment conditions. Do not apply the general down payment loan's repayment rules to this separate program.
A Utah Housing participating lender must qualify the borrower before requesting a reservation. Confirm current funding, the reservation deadline and what happens if construction is delayed. If you switch lenders after receiving a reservation, ask about cancellation and a new request: the matrix says a reservation cannot simply transfer to another lender.
Describe rental space before selecting a mortgage program
Utah Housing's June 2025 overview applies different rental-use rules to FirstHome, FHA/VA and Freddie Mac HFA financing. Tell the lender about a basement apartment, accessory dwelling unit or proposed rental use before choosing a product. Ask which property configuration and occupancy rules apply; approval under one option does not establish eligibility under another.
Arrange a certificate for each person who needs one
Utah State University Extension offers online homebuyer education for first-time and repeat buyers. Its course covers financial preparation, mortgage choices and closing. Each person needing a certificate must complete the course individually with a separate email address and login; a household enrollment does not produce certificates for everyone automatically.
USU also provides instructions after the course for arranging individual counseling through its housing-counseling partner. Before paying or registering, have your lender and any assistance administrator confirm course acceptance, who must attend and whether a separate counseling appointment is required. Use the course page for current fees and certification questions.
Find counseling that fits your location and question
Use the CFPB's ZIP-code search to find HUD-approved counseling agencies serving your area. Check for pre-purchase counseling when you want help reviewing mortgage terms; services differ by agency. For a Utah purchase outside the provider's immediate area, ask about service coverage, remote appointments, language support and any fee before booking.
Published by Mortgage Firm, an independent directory. Program administrators and lenders determine current availability and eligibility. Our editorial approach