--- title: "How Much Cash Do I Need Besides Down Payment in Utah? | Ondo Real Estate | Ondo RE" canonical: https://www.ondorealestate.com/blog/utah-cash-to-close-besides-down-payment/ --- # How Much Cash Do I Need Besides Down Payment in Utah? Down payment is the line everyone quotes. Cash to close is the file. [Home](/)[Learn](/learn/)First-Time BuyersFirst-Time Buyers Educational [← Mortgage learning hub](/learn/) Besides down payment, you typically need earnest money, closing costs, and prepaids — and sometimes reserves. On a $450,000 illustration, 3.5% down is $15,750. That is not cash to close. Dollar figures on education pages are worked examples for illustration. They are not your payment, cash to close, or an offer of credit. Snapshot as of 2026-08. ## The cash stack, in order - **Earnest money.** Due per the Utah REPC. Usually credited at closing, not extra forever, but it leaves your account when you go under contract. Three lines: [earnest vs down payment vs closing costs](/blog/earnest-money-vs-down-payment-vs-closing-costs/). - **Down payment.** Program minimums differ. Gift funds and DPA can fill this line when documented. See [gift funds](/blog/gift-funds-down-payment-rules/) and [DPA stacked with an FHA gift](/blog/dpa-stacked-with-fha-gift-funds/). - **Origination and lender fees.** Can show as a fee or a lender credit. Credits reduce cash; they are usually paid for in rate. - **Title, escrow, and recording.** Utah residential closings typically fund at a title company, not through a real-estate attorney as in attorney-closing states. Owner’s and lender’s title premiums and escrow/closing fees vary by title company even inside the same county. Treat any range as a range. Details: [Utah closing costs](/blog/utah-closing-costs-title-origination-prepaids/). - **Prepaids.** Homeowners insurance, prepaid interest, and tax impounds. Utah property tax billing is county-specific. The first escrow analysis can surprise buyers because the tax year and the mortgage escrow year do not line up the same way in every county. - **Reserves.** Some programs and overlays want months of PITI left after closing. That is still cash even if it stays in your account. See [mortgage reserves (months of PITIA)](/blog/mortgage-reserves-months-of-pitia/). ## Utah-specific, without cloning city pages Utah does not levy a statewide real estate transfer tax. County recording fees still apply and differ by county. Recording and tax amounts still differ in [Salt Lake City](/loans/salt-lake-city/), [Lehi](/loans/lehi/), [Provo](/loans/provo/), and [Draper](/loans/draper/). Those landings are market context, not a second set of fee tables. ## What happens next Use the [closing-cost calculator](/calculators/closing-cost/) for a range, then ask for a Loan Estimate. Compare cash to close on that form, not a blog illustration. First-time program overview: [first-time buyers](/buy/first-time/). ## Common questions ### Is 3.5% down the amount I need in the bank? ### Does earnest money count toward down payment? ## Keep going [First-time buyer cash, assistance, and closing How much cash besides down payment, how DPA stacks with gifts, and how Utah closings actually fund. Informational only.](/learn/first-time/)[Earnest Money vs Down Payment vs Closing Costs Three different cash lines. Earnest money is usually credited at closing. Timing and the Utah REPC still matter. Not legal advice.](/blog/earnest-money-vs-down-payment-vs-closing-costs/)[Mortgage Reserves: How Many Months of PITIA Reserves are remaining liquid assets after cash to close, counted as months of PITIA. Not extra closing costs. Gift funds often cannot fill this line.](/blog/mortgage-reserves-months-of-pitia/)[Closing Costs in Utah: Title, Origination, and Prepaids Utah funds at title companies, uses deeds of trust, and has no statewide transfer tax. Recording, title premiums, and tax calendars still vary by county.](/blog/utah-closing-costs-title-origination-prepaids/)[Gift Funds for a Down Payment: What Lenders Need to See Gift letters, paper trails, and program differences for FHA, conventional, and VA. Family help is common. Undocumented cash is not.](/blog/gift-funds-down-payment-rules/)[Closing cost calculator Estimate buyer closing costs, taxes, and prepaids.](/calculators/closing-cost/) ## What to do next Education first. A conversation with a loan officer is how you find out what may actually fit your file. [Estimate closing costs](/calculators/closing-cost/)[Start a mortgage conversation](/qualify/) Loan information is provided by Ondo Real Estate (NMLS ID on file). This is not a commitment to lend, a loan approval, or an offer of credit. Rates, terms, and payments shown are estimates for illustration only, are not a quote, and are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and market conditions. You are not required to use Ondo for financing to buy or sell with Ondo. Equal Housing Lender. Program rules, fees, and county loan limits change. Confirm the current published schedule and lender overlays. Nothing here is a quote, a lock, or a credit decision. [Licensing and disclosures](/licensing/)