Utah Housing FirstHome Conventional: Who Qualifies, Limits, and How It Compares

FirstHome Conventional is a new option from Utah Housing Corporation (UHC), available starting October 19, 2026. It adds conventional financing to UHC's FirstHome program, which is built for lower-income, first-time buyers who will live in the home. UHC lists a 680 minimum credit score for the conventional version (660 for the government version), and your household income and purchase price must fall under UHC's limits for your county. You apply through a UHC Participating Lender, and UHC down payment assistance may be paired with a UHC first mortgage.

FirstHome Conventional at a Glance

• What it is: the conventional-loan version of UHC's FirstHome program, next to FirstHome Government (FHA/VA).
• Who it's for: "lower-income, first-time homebuyers who plan to occupy the home as their primary residence" (UHC).
• Credit score: 680 minimum, per UHC. FirstHome Government is 660.
• Limits: household income and purchase price can't exceed UHC's county limits. Income limits depend on household size.
• How to apply: through a Utah Housing approved Participating Lender. Rates change daily.
• Your lender confirms: mortgage insurance, down payment, assistance terms, and final eligibility.

What Is Utah Housing FirstHome Conventional, and What's New?

FirstHome now has two versions. UHC describes FirstHome as "Government and Conventional Financing." Until now, many Utah buyers thought of UHC's first-time program as an FHA route. The conventional version is the new piece.

It started October 19, 2026

UHC posted a "Memorandum: FirstHome Conventional" to lenders dated September 16, 2026, and lenders are announcing availability beginning October 19, 2026.

The basics stay the same

FirstHome is for first-time buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. UHC says the program "offers our lowest interest rates." That's how UHC describes the program, not a rate quote. Your actual rate depends on the day you lock and your file.

Who Qualifies for FirstHome Conventional? Credit, Income, and Price Limits

Credit score: 680 minimum

UHC's program page lists 680 for Conventional and 660 for Government. Meeting the minimum doesn't guarantee approval. Your lender still reviews income, debts, assets, and the property.

Income limits by county and household size

UHC sets a maximum household income for each county group, with one limit for households of 1–2 people and a higher limit for 3 or more. UHC's limits table applies the same row, "FirstHome Government & Conventional," to both versions.

Purchase price limits by county

The home's price (UHC calls it "maximum acquisition cost") also has to come in under your county's limit. Here's what UHC posted for three counties as of October 23, 2026:

• Salt Lake County: household income up to $126,100 (1–2 people) or $145,000 (3+), and a maximum price of $666,600.
• Utah County (grouped with Juab): household income up to $143,000 (1–2 people) or $165,200 (3+), and a maximum price of $769,100.
• Washington County: household income up to $118,000 (1–2 people) or $135,700 (3+), and a maximum price of $635,300.

Every other county is on UHC's table. Find your county on Utah Housing's income and purchase price limits page. Limits change, so check the table when you're ready to shop.

FirstHome Conventional vs. FirstHome Government vs. HFA Advantage

UHC offers more than one path. Here's how they differ, based on what UHC publishes.

FirstHome Conventional

680 minimum credit score. Income and purchase price limits by county. First-time buyers, primary residence.

FirstHome Government (FHA/VA)

660 minimum credit score. Same county income and price limits. Same first-time buyer and primary residence focus.

Freddie Mac HFA Advantage

A separate UHC conventional program. UHC says it "requires a slightly higher credit score and carries a slightly higher interest rate but may have a lower monthly mortgage insurance premium than FHA programs." UHC lists one income limit for all counties ($165,200) and no FirstHome-style purchase price limit, with the loan capped at Freddie Mac's baseline conforming limit.

Which is better? It depends on your credit, your income compared with your county's limit, and how the full monthly payment shakes out, including mortgage insurance. For the general tradeoff between the two loan types, see FHA vs. conventional: which is right for you. You can also read more on conventional loans and FHA loans.

Can I Use Utah Housing Down Payment Assistance With a Conventional Loan?

UHC says its down payment assistance loan, "combined with our first mortgage, may qualify a borrower to purchase a home with little or no cash investment." The assistance amount and terms for FirstHome Conventional are set by UHC and confirmed by your lender, so ask about them up front.

For the bigger picture on Utah assistance, start with our down payment assistance hub. Veterans should also read about the VA loan and Utah Veteran First-Time Homebuyer Grant. And if you've been told you need 20% down, read do you really need 20% down?

How Do I Apply for a Utah Housing Loan?

You don't apply with UHC directly. You work with "a Utah Housing approved Participating Lender," and UHC posts rates and buydowns for those lenders daily.

Have this ready:

• Your county and a realistic target price.
• Household income for everyone in the household, since UHC's limits are based on household income.
• Household size (1–2 or 3+).
• A recent credit check or a sense of where your score sits compared with 680.
• Your monthly debts, so you can see your debt-to-income ratio. Try our debt-to-income calculator.

Rates and assistance can change day to day, so timing matters once you find a home. See how the steps fit together in our mortgage process overview and our full first-time buyer guide.

Is FirstHome Conventional Right for You? Quick Checklist

Run through these five questions:

1. 1.Is this your first home? FirstHome is for first-time buyers. Your lender confirms how that's defined.
2. 2.Will you live there? It has to be your primary residence.
3. 3.Is your credit score 680 or higher? If you're between 660 and 679, FirstHome Government may be the version to look at.
4. 4.Are you under your county's limits? Check both household income and purchase price on UHC's table.
5. 5.Does the full payment work? Compare it with FirstHome Government, HFA Advantage, and a standard loan before you choose.

If you answered yes to the first four, it's worth a closer look. The fifth question is where a side-by-side comparison helps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FirstHome Conventional only for first-time buyers?

Yes. UHC describes FirstHome as a program for first-time homebuyers who will live in the home. Your lender will confirm whether you meet UHC's definition of a first-time buyer.

What credit score do I need for Utah Housing FirstHome Conventional?

UHC lists a 680 minimum credit score for FirstHome Conventional. The government version (FHA/VA) lists 660.

Does FirstHome Conventional have income limits?

Yes. Household income and purchase price can't exceed UHC's limits for your county, and income limits are higher for households of three or more. Check UHC's limits table for your county.

Can I combine FirstHome Conventional with Utah Housing down payment assistance?

UHC says its down payment assistance can be combined with its first mortgage and may mean little or no cash investment. Your lender will confirm the amount and terms for your loan.

Does FirstHome Conventional require mortgage insurance?

UHC's public pages don't spell out mortgage insurance terms for FirstHome Conventional. Your lender will confirm mortgage insurance, minimum down payment, and assistance terms before you commit.

"FirstHome Conventional is one option, not the only one. Tell us your county, household size, income, and credit, and we'll help you compare it with other loan and assistance options so you can pick the payment that fits."

Talk to a loan officer at Hometown Mortgage.

Sources: Utah Housing Corporation, Utah Housing Matrices page; UHC Recent Updates/Memorandums; UHC Income and Purchase Price Limits, as posted Oct. 23, 2026; UHC Lenders page; Intercap Lending, FirstHome Conventional page (launch date). Program terms and limits are set by UHC and can change. The Hometown Mortgage Co. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Utah Housing Corporation. See our disclosures.