Utah Housing for First-Time and Repeat Buyers (660 vs. 620)
A common myth is that Utah Housing only helps first-time buyers. It does not. UHC serves both, with different programs and credit minimums for each. Here is which door you go through, and why it matters for repeat buyers.
The first-time-only myth
Plenty of Utah buyers never look into down payment assistance because they have owned before and assume they are shut out. That assumption costs them. Utah Housing built its programs to serve repeat buyers as well as first-timers, which is not the case in every state. If you sold a home during a move, a divorce, or a job change and are getting back into the market, you can still use the assistance, as long as you meet the credit, income, and price rules for your county.
Which program you use
| First-time buyer | Repeat buyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Program | FirstHome | FHA/VA program |
| Minimum credit score | 660 | 620 |
| First mortgage type | FHA or VA | FHA or VA |
| DPA second available | Yes (Traditional or Deferred) | Yes (Traditional or Deferred) |
| County income and price limits | Apply | Apply |
A Freddie Mac HFA Advantage conventional option is also available for qualifying buyers.
Why the 660 vs. 620 gap matters
Here is a quirk worth knowing. The repeat-buyer program actually allows a lower credit score, 620, than the first-time FirstHome program at 660. So a repeat buyer with mid-600s credit may have an easier credit path than a first-timer. If your score sits between 620 and 660 and you have owned before, that is good news. If you are a first-time buyer just under 660, we will look at what is reporting and whether a few targeted moves can lift you over the line. Either way, the DPA second and the county limits are the same. Check yours on the eligibility page.
Program facts verified August 2026 against Utah Housing forms (utahhousingcorp.org). This is not a commitment to lend. Related: Utah Housing (UHC) program · Traditional vs. Deferred · Salt Lake County DPA.
Common questions
Does Utah Housing only help first-time homebuyers?
No. Utah Housing serves both first-time and repeat buyers. First-time buyers use the FirstHome program with a 660 credit score; buyers who have owned a home before use the FHA/VA program with a 620 minimum. Both get the same DPA second mortgage.
What credit score do repeat buyers need for Utah Housing?
Repeat buyers need a 620 minimum credit score through Utah Housing's FHA/VA program. That is actually lower than the 660 required for first-time buyers under FirstHome.
Can I use Utah down payment assistance if I owned a home before?
Yes. If you sold a previous home and are buying again, you can use Utah Housing's FHA/VA program with a 620 credit score and the same DPA second (Traditional or Deferred). County income and purchase-price limits still apply.
Ready to see your Utah Housing options?
Tell us your county, credit range, and whether you've owned before, and we'll map your Utah Housing path in a no-pressure 20-minute call. No obligation.