FHA loan requirements in Utah are designed to make homeownership accessible with flexible credit guidelines and down payments as low as 3.5%. This guide explains the 2026 requirements, costs, property rules and Utah FHA loan limits.
FHA provides mortgage insurance; FHA-approved lenders originate and underwrite the loan. Eligibility remains subject to the complete borrower, property and transaction review.
FHA baseline guidelines shown. Lender requirements and individual underwriting results may be more restrictive.
An FHA loan is a mortgage made by an FHA-approved lender and insured by the Federal Housing Administration. That insurance can allow lenders to offer more flexible qualifying guidelines to eligible borrowers.
The borrower provides information about income, employment, credit, assets, debts and the intended property.
The lender verifies the application, evaluates eligibility, reviews the appraisal and determines whether the loan meets applicable requirements.
FHA establishes program standards and insures eligible mortgages originated by approved lenders.
FHA uses the borrower’s Minimum Decision Credit Score to determine the maximum insured financing available. Your complete credit history and underwriting result still matter.
FHA’s baseline score range for maximum insured financing on an eligible purchase.
FHA baseline guidelines limit the mortgage to a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 90%.
A borrower with a Minimum Decision Credit Score below 500 is not eligible for FHA-insured financing.
FHA defines how the Minimum Decision Credit Score is selected from the scores reported for each borrower. When more than one borrower applies, the lowest applicable borrower score is generally used to determine maximum financing.
General FHA baseline guidance only. Final eligibility depends on the complete application, verified documentation, underwriting, property requirements and applicable lender guidelines.
FHA underwriting considers whether your qualifying income is documented and likely to continue, along with your existing obligations and complete proposed housing payment.
Income used for qualification must meet the applicable documentation and calculation requirements.
The lender verifies recent employment and income history, but job changes do not automatically make a borrower ineligible.
Required payments on debts and liabilities are considered when calculating the borrower’s total monthly obligations.
Qualification is based on the complete proposed mortgage payment, not principal and interest alone.
Not for every file. Loans receiving an acceptable automated underwriting recommendation are evaluated through the FHA TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard. Manually underwritten loans follow more prescriptive ratio and compensating-factor requirements. The appropriate result depends on the complete application.
Your payment includes more than principal and interest. FHA mortgage insurance, property taxes, homeowners insurance and applicable property expenses all affect the total.
Most FHA mortgages require an upfront mortgage insurance premium equal to 1.75% of the base loan amount. It may generally be financed into the mortgage or paid entirely in cash.
The annual MIP rate and the length of time it remains are not the same for every FHA loan.
For many FHA mortgages longer than 15 years, annual MIP lasts 11 years when the starting LTV is 90% or less and for the mortgage term when the starting LTV exceeds 90%.
For a base loan amount of $726,200 or less with more than 95% LTV, the current annual MIP is 0.55% and generally continues for the mortgage term. Other loan amounts, terms and LTVs can produce different premiums.
Calculator results are estimates and are not a loan quote or approval. Actual interest rates, insurance premiums, taxes, HOA expenses, closing costs and loan terms depend on the property and completed application.
FHA loan limits are based on the county where the property is located and the number of residential units. Higher-cost Utah counties may have limits above the national floor.
| Utah county or area | Market classification | One-unit FHA limit |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake and Tooele | Salt Lake City MSA | $637,100 |
| Utah and Juab | Provo-Orem-Lehi MSA | $601,450 |
| Davis, Morgan and Weber | Ogden MSA | $744,050 |
| Washington | St. George MSA | $607,200 |
| Summit and Wasatch | High-cost area | $1,163,800 |
| Wayne | High-cost area | $997,050 |
| Grand | High-cost area | $839,500 |
| Most other Utah counties | National floor | $541,287 |
The FHA limit applies to the eligible base loan amount. A buyer may purchase above the county limit by contributing enough additional funds, provided the complete transaction qualifies.
One-unit limits shown for FHA case numbers assigned during calendar year 2026. Two-, three- and four-unit limits are higher. Always verify the property’s county and current HUD limit before relying on a loan amount.
FHA single-family programs generally finance eligible one- to four-unit residential properties that will be occupied as a principal residence.
Detached, semi-detached, attached, townhome and row-house properties may qualify when applicable FHA requirements are met.
Residential multi-unit properties may qualify when at least one borrower occupies one of the units and the property meets the applicable requirements.
A condominium may qualify through an FHA-approved project or an eligible single-unit approval process.
Eligible manufactured homes may qualify when the home, site, foundation, title and transaction meet FHA program requirements.
At least one borrower must generally occupy the property within 60 days of signing the security instrument and intend to continue occupying it for at least one year. Certain FHA programs may have different occupancy provisions.
An FHA appraisal supports the lender’s review of the property’s value and provides preliminary verification that the home meets applicable FHA property-acceptability requirements.
The appraiser develops an opinion of value and reports observed conditions that may affect the property’s acceptability for FHA-insured financing.
An appraisal is performed for the mortgage transaction. Buyers should consider a separate professional home inspection to better understand the condition of the property.
Observed conditions should not present unacceptable health or safety risks to the property’s occupants.
The property should not have observed conditions that jeopardize its structural integrity or continued residential use.
The property must provide acceptable collateral for the FHA-insured mortgage and satisfy applicable eligibility criteria.
FHA may provide valuable flexibility, but conventional financing can sometimes offer a lower complete cost. The better option depends on your credit, available funds, property and long-term plans.
Review the payment, mortgage insurance, cash required, expected time in the home and potential future refinance options before selecting a loan program.
Program availability, pricing, mortgage insurance and qualification depend on the completed application, property, market conditions and lender guidelines.
FHA financing includes more than a standard home purchase. The right program depends on the property, planned improvements, existing mortgage and long-term goals.
Purchase an eligible one- to four-unit principal residence using FHA’s standard forward-mortgage requirements.
Finance an eligible home purchase or refinance together with qualifying nonstructural repairs and improvements.
Combine eligible acquisition or refinance financing with a more extensive rehabilitation project under FHA’s renovation program.
Add eligible energy-efficiency improvements to an FHA-insured purchase or refinance when program requirements are satisfied.
Purchase an eligible two- to four-unit property while occupying one unit as your principal residence.
Depending on the existing loan and transaction, options may include streamline, simple, rate-and-term, rehabilitation or cash-out refinancing.
Specialized options such as renovation financing may require additional documentation, approved contractors, consultants, reserves or lender-specific program availability.
Program availability and eligibility depend on the borrower, property, transaction, current FHA requirements and participating lender guidelines.
Get straightforward answers about FHA eligibility, down payments, credit, property rules and mortgage insurance.
Check My FHA EligibilityNo. Qualified repeat buyers may also use FHA financing. The property generally must be an eligible principal residence, and FHA normally limits borrowers to one FHA-financed principal residence at a time unless an exception applies.
FHA’s baseline rules allow maximum financing with a Minimum Decision Credit Score of at least 580. Scores from 500 through 579 are limited to 90% loan-to-value, while a score below 500 is not eligible. Lenders may require higher scores.
An eligible purchase may receive maximum FHA financing of 96.5%, creating a minimum required investment of 3.5% of the adjusted property value. Scores from 500 through 579 are limited to 90% loan-to-value.
Standard FHA financing does not generally impose a maximum borrower income limit. The borrower must still document enough qualifying income to support the proposed payment and debts. Assistance programs used with FHA may have separate income limits.
Eligible gift funds may be used when the donor, transfer and documentation meet FHA requirements. Down payment assistance may also be available, subject to the assistance program and participating lender requirements.
Potentially. FHA can finance eligible two- to four-unit residential properties when at least one borrower occupies a unit as a principal residence. Additional property, rental income and self-sufficiency requirements may apply.
No. Repairs or additional inspections are required when observed conditions prevent the lender from confirming that the property meets applicable FHA property-acceptability requirements.
The annual MIP rate and duration depend on the mortgage term, base loan amount and starting loan-to-value ratio. For many loans longer than 15 years, MIP lasts 11 years at 90% LTV or less and for the mortgage term above 90% LTV.
General FHA guidance only. Final eligibility depends on the complete application, verified documentation, property, underwriting and applicable lender requirements.
Start with a quick eligibility check or move directly into complete FHA loan pre-approval when you are ready to begin shopping for a home.
Answer a few questions to identify possible FHA options and a practical next step without completing a full application.
Complete the secure mortgage application so your credit, income, assets and potential homebuying range can be properly reviewed.
Not sure which path to choose? Talk through your situation with Victor Emmel, The Mortgage Guide.
Schedule a CallEligibility checks and pre-approvals are not commitments to lend. Final approval remains subject to verified documentation, underwriting, property eligibility, current FHA requirements and lender guidelines.
