To get a down payment assistance loan in Salt Lake City, work with a lender approved to originate Utah Housing Corporation programs and experienced in layering that assistance onto an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage. Not every lender offers these programs, so this is a question worth asking up front. The Sharla Jolley Ellis Team at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation helps Salt Lake City buyers access Utah down payment assistance and pairs it with the loan program that fits their situation.
That is the short answer. Below we explain the main down payment assistance options available to Utah buyers, how to tell whether a lender can actually deliver them, and how to qualify. Program details change over time, so the descriptions here are illustrative, and we verify current terms when you apply.
Down payment assistance, often shortened to DPA, usually comes from a state housing agency rather than the lender itself. In Utah, the main source is the Utah Housing Corporation. To offer these loans, a lender has to be an approved participating lender and has to know how to structure the first mortgage and the assistance together. Some lenders simply do not participate, which is why two buyers can get very different answers depending on who they call.
So the first thing to confirm is straightforward: ask the lender directly whether they originate Utah Housing Corporation programs and how often they do. A lender who handles these regularly will know the income limits, the purchase price limits, and how the assistance interacts with your first mortgage.
Ask a prospective lender
Are you an approved Utah Housing Corporation lender?
Which down payment assistance programs do you offer, and which fits my income and price range?
How is the assistance structured, as a second mortgage, a deferred loan, or a grant?
What are the income and purchase price limits for my household size in Salt Lake County?
Can the assistance be paired with the first mortgage that works best for me?
Utah offers several assistance programs that can help bridge the gap between what you have saved and what you need to close. The details below are illustrative, since programs and limits are updated periodically. We confirm current availability and terms during your application.
Utah Housing Corporation FirstHome Loan. Designed for first-time buyers who meet income and purchase price limits. Offers competitive financing and down payment assistance, often structured as a second mortgage that helps cover the down payment and some closing costs.
Utah Housing Score Loan. Built for buyers with credit scores as low as 620. Frequently paired with an FHA or conventional first mortgage and includes down payment assistance for those who qualify.
HomeAgain Loan. For repeat buyers, or buyers who owned previously but do not currently own a home. Down payment assistance is available to qualified borrowers.
Employer, nonprofit, and federal programs. Some employers and community organizations offer homebuyer assistance that can sometimes layer with state programs. We help you check what you may be eligible for.
For a fuller walkthrough of what is available and how the pieces fit together, see our guide to Utah down payment assistance options in 2026.
We will check your eligibility for Utah down payment assistance, match it to the right first mortgage, and show you what your numbers look like. No pressure and no obligation.
Ask the Sharla Jolley Ellis Team about down payment assistance
Eligibility varies by program, but most Utah down payment assistance loans look at a similar set of factors. Knowing these in advance helps you walk into the conversation prepared.
Income limits. Most programs cap household income based on size and county. In Salt Lake County, the limits cover a broad range of moderate-income households.
Purchase price limits. The home you buy generally has to fall under a maximum price set by the program.
Credit score. Minimums vary by program, with some available to buyers at 620 or higher.
Homebuyer education. Many assistance programs require a short homebuyer education course before closing.
Primary residence. Assistance programs are for homes you will live in, not investment properties.
If you are not sure whether you fit, that is exactly what a first conversation is for. We check your eligibility as part of the pre-approval process and layer in assistance when it makes sense. If you are early in your journey, our first-time homebuyer roadmap for Salt Lake City shows where assistance fits in the larger picture.
Layering assistance onto the right first mortgage takes experience. Done well, it can open the door to a home that felt out of reach. Here is how we approach it.
We confirm your eligibility first, checking income, price range, and credit against current program limits.
We compare your first mortgage options, conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA, then match the assistance that pairs best with each.
We show you the full picture, including how the assistance is repaid or deferred, so there are no surprises later.
We draw on more than 30 years of local experience, so the structure holds up through underwriting and closing.
We are not the only lender in Salt Lake City who can help with down payment assistance, but it is a part of the market we know well, and we are glad to walk you through whether it is the right path for you.
Work with a lender approved to originate Utah Housing Corporation programs and experienced in pairing assistance with an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage. Not every lender offers these, so ask directly. The Sharla Jolley Ellis Team at Fairway Independent Mortgage in Salt Lake City helps buyers access Utah down payment assistance and match it to the right loan.
The Utah Housing Corporation offers programs such as the FirstHome Loan, the Score Loan, and the HomeAgain Loan, each with its own eligibility rules and assistance structure. Some employer, nonprofit, and federal programs may also apply. Program details and limits change over time, so current terms are confirmed at application.
Not always. Some programs, such as the FirstHome Loan, target first-time buyers, while others, like the HomeAgain Loan, are designed for repeat buyers or those who do not currently own a home. Which program fits depends on your situation, which a lender can help you sort out.
It depends on the program. Assistance often comes as a second mortgage with its own terms, sometimes with deferred payments, and in some cases as a grant that does not require repayment. Your lender will show you exactly how your specific assistance is structured before you commit.
Yes, Utah down payment assistance is commonly paired with an FHA or conventional first mortgage, and in some cases VA or USDA loans. The right combination depends on your credit, income, and the home you are buying. An experienced lender will structure the first mortgage and the assistance to work together.