The Utah based Chenoa fund homebuyer program offers a forgivable soft second grant option. The Chenoa Fund forgivable soft second grant program also allows for 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price to be used towards your down payment on an FHA first mortgage loan. The forgivable soft second will be treated and recorded as a second mortgage with no interest or monthly payments. If you keep your home and make on time payments for a minimum of three years the Soft Second will be forgiven.
Qualification & Highlights:*
Purchase loans only
Must qualify for an FHA loan
3.5% of purchase price available for down payment
May be used anywhere in Utah
Must follow maximum income limits
Owner occupied only
1-2 Unit property (additional restrictions apply)
Min Fico Score 600
Utah County has a first time buyer program that will allow up to $40,000 in down payment assistance (DPA). The ‘Loan to Own’ down payment assistance program is available in all cities in Utah County except for Eagle Mountain, Fairfield, Alpine and Provo. The DPA can be used for down payment and closing costs, but no prepaid items such as interest, taxes and insurance. The final amount of the DPA will be determined by the type of mortgage you get and the home buyers closing costs. If you plan to sell the home within two years of closing this is not the assistance for you. If you do sell within two years of closing you may face a hefty $5,000 penalty in addition to paying the full amount of the DPA given to you back. If selling in within two years is a possibility you may want to consider either the Chenoa Fund or a Utah Housing loan.
Qualifications & Requirements:
Min of 650 qualifying fico score
Must be at least six months with current employer
Maximum purchase price of $551,000
First time home buyer only
Must be under maximum income limits
$5,000 penalty if property sold within two years of closing
0% Interest no payments as long as you live in the home
DPA must be paid back in full when the property is no longer the primary residence of the borrower(s)
The Utah based Chenoa Fund home buyer program offers a Repayable Second mortgage for anyone who qualifies and is over the income limits for the area. Saving money can be hard even if you are making above the median income, however you can still get help with your down payment. The Chenoa fund program will help you with a repayable second mortgage of 3.5% of the purchase price to help with the down payment of your FHA loan. This home buyer program will require the homebuyer to make payments and payoff the amount borrowed for the down payment. Only when the assistance is paid in full will the lien be removed from title.
The Utah based Chenoa Fund Grant is the favorite program available for most Utah home buyers. With this grant it does not matter if you are a first time buyer or have owned a home before. The grant will be completely forgiven shortly after closing. You are virtually receiving instant equity in your home. All programs with the Chenoa Fund Grant will require a homebuyer to qualify for an FHA first mortgage. When a home buyer is ready for closing they are able to receive 3.5% grant/gift of the purchase price of the home they are purchasing. Typically this will cover your entire down payment for the home. There are no geographical restriction so the grant is available for the entire state of Utah.
The Chenoa Fund is an affordable housing program that provides a down payment solution in conjunction with FHA loans. It fulfills a need for qualified homebuyers that do not have or do not want to use their own funds for a down payment. There are three different programs available to fit most homebuyer’s unique needs. The three programs are Grant/Gift, Forgivable Soft Second & the Repayable Second.
The Utah Housing HomeAgain Loan can be used by first time homebuyers or buyers that have previously owned a home. It allows for 2+ units as long as one is owner occupied. It is a great mortgage for anyone who does not have or does not want to put an initial down payment on a home. The DPA portion allows for up to 6% of the FHA first mortgage loan in the form of a fixed rate second lien to go towards down payment and/or closing costs.
Qualification and Requirements:*
Must qualify for an FHA loan
Minimum of 620 mid Fico score
Purchase loans only
6% of the first loan amount is available for DPA
May be used anywhere in Utah
Maximum qualifying income limit $151,900
No maximum purchase price
The Utah Housing Score Loan is Utah mortgage loan program for borrowers who do not meet the minimum Fico requirement of the FirstHome or HomeAgain loan. For the Score Loan Utah Housing Corporation has set a 620 mid score for the minimum fico score. You still must be able to qualify and meet all the requirements for an FHA backed mortgage. The DPA portion allows for up to 4% of the FHA first mortgage loan in the form of a fixed rate second lien and can go towards down payment and/or closing costs. The property must be owner occupied and throughout the term of the UHC loan no portion of the property may be rented.
Qualification and Requirements:*
Must qualify for an FHA loan
Minimum of 620 mid Fico score
Purchase loans only
4% of the first loan amount is available for DPA
May be used anywhere in Utah
Must follow maximum income limits
Debt ratio will be limited to a maximum of 45%
Homebuyer Education required within 90 days of closing
Maximum income limit is $95,800
No maximum purchase price
The Utah Housing Corporation offers several options for down payment assistance programs for first time buyers and buyers who have previously owned a home. Utah legislation created the Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) in 1975 to serve the public to provide an adequate supply of money with mortgage loans at a reasonable interest rate. This Utah mortgage homebuyer program is very helpful with low to moderate income families.
Since the UHC was created it has grown to offer five different types of programs. Each program has its unique advantages and helps Utah home ownership grow. You can explore each loan by clicking the link below.
If you are a Utah first time home buyer looking to buy a home in West Valley City Utah a $14,999 government grant program can help make buying a home a little easier. The West Valley Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) offers funds to help low to moderate income families realize their dream of owning a home. The funds are provided by HOME funds and the CDBG and may be used for down payment and/or closing costs.
This West Valley grant does not have to be repaid so long as the homeowner resides in the home for at least five (5) years and doesn’t refinance, transfer title, or sell the home. Funding is limited for the down payment assistance program and is distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
Qualifications Requirements:
Buyer must contribute a minimum of $4,000 towards the purchase of the home. $2,000 can be gifted by a family member and $2,000 must come from the buyer.
Maximum purchase price not to exceed $387,000
A Grant Technician will review the application and occupancy status
Home must pass a lead-based paint and safety inspection
An eligible home will be vacant, owner occupied, and/or not used as a rental in the last six (6) months
VERY IMPORTANT: Applicant must complete a First Time Home Buyer class, receive a certificate AND be approved with a state approved lender for a first mortgage BEFORE an offer is made on a home. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the grant being denied.
“At Home in Layton” is a first time home buyer grant money program offered by Layton City Development Block Grant Program in cooperation with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Eligible home buyer applicants will receive up to $10,000 in grant money that may be used towards 50% of the down payment closing costs or a principal reduction. The Layton City first time homebuyer grant is forgiven in full If you live in the home for at least five (5) years. If the home buyer ceases to occupy the property within the first five (5) years the grant will have to be repaid on a pro-rated basis.
Qualifications & Requirements:
Property must be located in Layton City, Utah
First time homebuyer must provide 50% of required down payment
