First-Time Homebuyer Guide

Cash besides down payment, assistance programs, and Utah title closings

Cash besides down payment is the first question

A 3.5% down payment is not cash to close. Earnest money, title, prepaids, and sometimes a second-lien DPA still have to be sourced. Start with first-time cash and closing.

First-time cash map

Cash besides down payment, DPA, and Utah title closings.

Know cash to close

Down payment plus title, prepaids, and earnest money. Three cash lines: earnest vs down vs closing costs.

Down payment assistance + gifts

How DPA and an FHA gift can sit on the same file. Signatures when a parent is the donor: who signs what.

First-Time Buyer Programs

FHA Loans

• HUD policy can allow 3.5% down at 580+; many lender overlays sit higher
• Upfront and annual MIP — compare to conventional PMI on two Loan Estimates
• Primary residence; condos need FHA project approval
• See FHA vs conventional at a 640 FICO

USDA Loans

• Zero down only when map, household income, and occupancy tests pass
• Address-specific USDA map — a city name is not enough
• Household income limits, not just the borrowers on the note
• No monthly PMI; USDA charges a guarantee fee instead (confirm current RD notice)

See housing grants & down payment assistance →Should I wait for 20% down?How long a first purchase takes File mistakes, not listicles Utah REPC deadlines Townhome vs condo HOA docs Utah closing costs

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First-time buyer reading

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.

How Much Cash Do I Need Besides Down Payment in Utah?

Earnest money, title, origination, prepaids, and reserves sit on top of down payment. Utah closings vary by county and title company.

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.

Should I Wait for 20% Down?

Waiting for 20% can avoid conventional PMI. Buying sooner with PMI is a cash-and-timeline trade. Distinct from how MIP vs PMI later ends, and from PMI removal mechanics.

What a Utah REPC Deadline Actually Does to Your Loan

Due diligence, financing, and appraisal are separate Utah contract clocks at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. A lender timeline is not a REPC deadline. Not legal advice.

First-Time Buyer Mistakes That Are Really File Mistakes

New debt, a job change, large deposits, and occupancy changes are the common reasons underwriting stalls for first-time buyers.

What to do next

Education first. A conversation with a loan officer is how you find out what may actually fit your file.

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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