FHA Loans in Provo, Utah

The minimum credit score for an FHA loan with 3.5% down is 580. If your credit score is between 500 and 579, you may still qualify with a 10% down payment. These are FHA minimums, individual lenders may have overlays that require higher scores. We work with multiple FHA-approved lenders to find the best fit for your credit profile. If your score is below the minimum, we can recommend credit counseling resources to help you get mortgage-ready.

FHA loans require both an upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) of 1.75% of the loan amount and an annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) paid monthly. The annual MIP rate depends on your loan amount, down payment, and term length. For most borrowers putting 3.5% down on a 30-year loan, the annual MIP is 0.55% of the loan balance. Unlike conventional PMI, FHA MIP remains for the life of the loan unless you refinance to a conventional loan after building sufficient equity.

Yes. FHA loan limits vary by county and are updated annually. In Utah County and Salt Lake County, the current FHA loan limit for a single-family home is significantly higher than the national baseline. We can confirm the exact limit for Provo and help you determine if the median home price in your desired neighborhood falls within FHA limits. If you need a loan above the FHA limit, we can explore conventional and jumbo options.

Yes. The FHA 203(k) rehabilitation loan lets you finance both the purchase price and renovation costs in a single mortgage. There are two types: the Limited 203(k) for cosmetic improvements up to $35,000, and the Standard 203(k) for larger structural renovations. This can be especially valuable in older neighborhoods where homes may need updating. We guide you through the contractor selection and draw process.

BYU's 34,000+ students create enormous rental demand, particularly for approved housing within walking or short driving distance of campus. BYU-approved housing must meet university standards (including Honor Code occupancy rules), which limits the competitive set and supports occupancy. Academic-year leases often turn annually. Housing that is not in the approved program can still lease near campus, often with longer tenancies. Understanding BYU's housing policies is essential for campus-area investment.

Downtown Provo's walkable renaissance has created a vibrant urban core with restaurants (Communal, Black Sheep, the food hall), boutiques, and the Covey Center for the Arts. Properties in and near downtown can market walkability to restaurants, the Covey Center, and FrontRunner. The Tree Streets historic district borders downtown and offers character homes that command premiums when thoughtfully renovated. The downtown opportunity combines lifestyle marketing with genuine urbanity rare in Utah County. Rents reflect the walkability premium, and tenant demand is supported by downtown employment and the growing tech sector.

Competition in Provo's student housing market is intense, decades of development have created significant inventory. However, BYU's enrollment remains large and stable, and students consistently need housing. The saturation concern applies mainly to undifferentiated, dated apartment complexes. Updated units with modern finishes, in-unit laundry, and good internet outperform dated competitors. Location matters enormously, walking distance to campus commands premiums. For investors entering the student market, condition and proximity are the differentiators that drive occupancy above the market average.