A straight answer
Can Utah's first-time buyer program help me buy a new home?
The direct answer
Possibly, if you're buying a newly built home that hasn't been lived in. Utah Housing runs a first-time homebuyer assistance program for new construction, used with its own first mortgage. I'm Zach von der Linden (NMLS 1652805), a mortgage broker with West Capital Lending, based in San Clemente.
The program requires a Utah Housing Participating Lender. I arrange Utah Housing financing through a Utah Housing participating lender, which closes the loan. Check the current program terms with Utah Housing before you build an offer around it.
Zach von der Linden, mortgage broker and Branch Manager, West Capital Lending · NMLS 1652805
Wholesale pricing · California, Utah, Oregon and Arizona
5.0 across 66 reviews on Experience.com (read on 2026-09-24) · Text reaches Zach directly · Last updated 2026-10-19
Buying a new build in Utah? Text me where you are in the process.
No credit pull happens from a conversation. Texts go to Zach's cell.
What kind of home qualifies for Utah's program?
A newly constructed home that hasn't been lived in, which you'll occupy within 60 days of purchase. Utah Housing's eligible property types include detached homes, condominiums, townhomes and owner-occupied two-unit homes. It lists a maximum purchase price of $450,000 and says limits may be adjusted by location or home type, so check the current limit on its site.
How much is the assistance, and do I make monthly payments on it?
Utah Housing says you may receive up to $20,000, usable for the down payment, closing costs or a permanent interest rate buydown on the Utah Housing first mortgage. It is a loan with no monthly payment, secured by a deed of trust. When you sell or refinance, you repay the lesser of the assistance you received or a share of your home equity, as Utah Housing defines it. Your repayment terms are in the program disclosure, so read it before you close.
Who counts as a first-time buyer?
Utah Housing uses a three-year rule: you haven't had an ownership interest in a principal residence in the past three years, with an exception for some single parents who owned a home with a former spouse. You must have lived in Utah for the twelve months before closing, and income limits follow the Utah Housing loan program you use.
Is funding still available?
Utah Housing says funds are available until depleted. Its program FAQ, updated in July 2026, said funds were currently available and pointed to a running tally of remaining loans on its website. Check that tally and the current program terms before you count on it.
How does it fit with my first mortgage?
It works only with a Utah Housing first mortgage through a participating lender, and any Utah Housing first mortgage program can be used with it. Once you've credit-qualified, the lender can request a reservation of program funds before you've picked a home; Utah Housing describes an initial 90-day reservation with possible extensions.
If you are buying an existing home, this program does not apply. I can still look at the first-mortgage side with you, including Utah Housing's FirstHome Conventional loan for first-time buyers.
Ready to shop? Get pre-approved, and tell me you are looking at new construction in Utah.
More on buying, refinancing and home equity in the state: Utah mortgage questions.
Questions people ask next
Is the program only for first-time buyers?
Yes. Utah Housing's definition is no ownership interest in a principal residence in the past three years, with an exception for some single parents.
Does the home have to be new construction?
Yes. The program is for newly constructed homes that haven't been lived in.
Are condos eligible?
Yes, if newly built. Utah Housing lists condominiums and townhomes among eligible property types. The condo still has to pass the first mortgage's project review.
Is funding still available?
Utah Housing says funds are available until depleted and keeps a running tally on its website. Check it, and the current program terms, before you rely on the assistance.
What is the current maximum assistance?
Up to $20,000, according to Utah Housing. Check the current program terms before you count on a figure.
What is the current home-price cap?
Utah Housing lists a maximum purchase price of $450,000 and says limits may be adjusted by location or home type. Check the current limit on its site.
What clients say
Zach was so easy to work with. He made a stressful situation into a very positive experience for us and did push us one way or another. He listened to what we hoped we could accomplish and made it happen.
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Sources and checked dates
Sources: Utah Housing Corporation, First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program (New Construction) (checked 2026-10-07) · Utah Housing Corporation, First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program FAQ (checked 2026-10-07) · Supplied by Zach, September 9, 2026 (checked 2026-09-09) · Confirmed by Zach, October 2026 (checked 2026-10-19).
Show each claim on this page, what it depends on, and the date it was checked (4)
| What we say, and what it depends on | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Housing Corporation: Utah Senate Bill 240 (2023) created the First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program, allocated by Utah Housing, to help first-time homebuyers purchase a newly constructed but not yet inhabited home. "Up to $20,000 in Program funds can be borrowed for the home. Purchase Price not to exceed $450,000. Funds are available until depleted. First-time homebuyers must qualify for a Utah Housing Mortgage, with a Utah Housing Participating Lender." | Utah Housing Corporation, First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program (New Construction) | 2026-10-07 |
| Utah Housing's First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program FAQ (updated 7/16/26): program funds "are currently available and will be as long as funds are available," with a running tally on Utah Housing's website; the program loan carries no monthly payment and is secured by a recorded deed of trust; up to $20,000 may be used for down payment, closing costs and/or a permanent interest rate buydown on the qualifying mortgage; a Utah Housing Participating Lender must be used and any Utah Housing first mortgage program may be used with it; a reservation may be submitted after credit qualification and before a property is identified, for an initial 90 days with possible extensions; the maximum purchase price is $450,000 and limits may be adjusted by location or home type; income limits follow the Utah Housing loan program; recipients must have been Utah residents for the previous twelve months; eligible types include detached homes, owner-occupied two-unit dwellings, condominiums and townhomes; first-time homebuyer follows the three-year non-ownership test with a single-parent exception; on a sale or refinance the recipient repays the lesser of the assistance received or a share of the home equity as the program defines it. | Utah Housing Corporation, First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program FAQ | 2026-10-07 |
| Zach reports placing loans through more than one wholesale lender and program via his broker channel: the standard home equity line described on this site, plus conventional, government, bank statement and investment-property options. Individual lender names are kept off the public pages until the executed broker agreement for each is on file (California 10 CCR 2848(a)(3)). | Supplied by Zach, September 9, 2026 | 2026-09-09 |
| I arrange Utah Housing financing, including FirstHome Conventional, through a Utah Housing participating lender. I am the broker; the participating lender closes the loan. | Confirmed by Zach, October 2026 | 2026-10-19 |
Written for and accountable to: Zach von der Linden, Mortgage broker and Branch Manager, West Capital Lending.
Last updated 2026-10-19.
Verify him: NMLS Consumer Access, ID 1652805 · 66 reviews on Experience.com.
Sources for product claims are listed on this page, with the date each was checked.
Text Zach about buying in Utah
Tell me where you are: a builder, a home, or just the program. I'll tell you what to check first, and I arrange the Utah Housing loan through a Utah Housing participating lender.
No credit pull happens from a conversation. Texts go to Zach's cell.