In short
Down payment assistance is help for eligible buyers with their down payment or closing costs, used alongside a first mortgage. With Strategic Mortgage, programs generally start at a 620 credit score and include Own in Ogden, Utah Housing, Settlers Fund and Home Empowered. Each has its own eligibility, funding and repayment terms.
Reviewed by Ron Pippin, NMLS #218333 · Last updated October 21, 2026
Can I get help with my down payment in Ogden?
You may. Down payment assistance can help eligible buyers with their down payment or closing costs. With me, these programs generally start at a 620 credit score. I look at several options, including Own in Ogden, Utah Housing, Settlers Fund and Home Empowered. Own in Ogden is for eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence within Ogden City. I check your eligibility, current program funding and the repayment terms, then show you how it all fits with your first mortgage.
Key takeaways
For a lot of buyers, the down payment is the hard part. Before you decide you need to save for a few more years, let's check what help is out there. I look at programs like Own in Ogden, Utah Housing, Settlers Fund and Home Empowered, check whether you're eligible, and show you how the assistance fits with your mortgage. You'll know what you'd actually bring to closing before you start shopping.
Before You Assume You Need More Savings
A lot of people put off buying because the down payment looks out of reach. Sometimes that's true. Often it isn't. There are assistance programs that may help eligible buyers with a down payment or closing costs, and most people don't know which ones they could use.
So before you count yourself out, let's see what we can do.
Programs I Look At
I have multiple options to check, including:
- Own in Ogden. For eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence within Ogden City.
- Utah Housing. Statewide assistance options offered through Utah Housing.
- Settlers Fund and Home Empowered. Additional programs I check, depending on your situation and the home.
Each program has its own rules. Some depend on where the home is. Some depend on your household. Funding can change. I check what's currently available for the home you want and your situation, not just what was available last year.
What It Takes to Qualify
Down payment assistance with me generally starts at a 620 credit score. Beyond that, each program has its own eligibility requirements. The reason why I'm asking about your income, household, savings and where you want to buy is that those details decide which programs are on the table.
I'll walk through it with you:
- Eligibility. Do you and the home fit the program's rules?
- Current funding. Is money available right now?
- Repayment terms. Is it a loan you repay, and when? I'll tell you the difference between the options in plain English.
- How it fits your mortgage. The assistance has to work with your first mortgage, not against it.
Assistance Is Only Half the Picture
Getting help with the down payment is great. But the payment still has to work. We look at the full estimated monthly payment, including principal, interest, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance and any HOA dues.
Sometimes the assistance comes with a second payment or terms that affect you when you sell or refinance. I'll lay that out so you can compare it against waiting, saving more or using a different loan. What payment will work for you? That's the question we answer before you commit.
As for rates: Your rate depends on your scenario and the day's market. Reach out and I'll price it for real.
Pairing Assistance With the Right Loan
Down payment assistance sits alongside your first mortgage. That first mortgage might be conventional, FHA or another option, depending on your credit, income and the home. As an independent broker, I compare offers from multiple lenders. Different lenders can come back with different answers on the same borrower, and that matters when you're combining a program with a loan.
If one lender's rules don't work with the program you need, there's somewhere else to look.
No Closing-Day Surprises
Assistance programs add steps and paperwork. I've been doing this for nearly 30 years, including inside banks and big mortgage companies, and I know where things get held up. We work through the requirements early. You'll know where your file stands, what comes next, and who to call.
Let's Check Your Options
You don't have to be ready to apply. Call or text me, tell me where you want to buy and what you have saved, and I'll tell you what programs may fit. If it doesn't make sense right now, I'll say so and help you plan.
Smarter. Faster. Easier.
Everything on this page is a general, illustrative example. It is not an offer or a commitment to lend, and it does not reflect current interest rates or guaranteed terms. Programs, eligibility rules and funding change, so call or text me for current details on your situation.
Quick facts
- Credit score
- 620 minimum
- What it may cover
- Down payment or closing costs
- Programs
- Own in Ogden, Utah Housing, Settlers Fund, Home Empowered
- Own in Ogden
- Primary residence within Ogden City
- What I check
- Eligibility, current funding, repayment terms, fit with your mortgage
Is this loan right for you?
Who it's for
- Eligible buyers who could use help with their down payment or closing costs
- Buyers with a credit score of 620 or better
- Buyers purchasing a primary residence within Ogden City who may fit Own in Ogden
- Buyers who want to know what they'd really bring to closing before they shop
Who it may not fit
- Buyers purchasing an investment property they won't live in
- Buyers whose payment would be too tight even with help on the down payment
Pros and cons
Pros
- May reduce what you bring to closing
- Several programs to check, including local and statewide options
- Can make buying possible sooner than saving alone
- Reviewed alongside offers from multiple lenders
Trade-offs to weigh
- Each program has its own eligibility rules and funding can change
- Some assistance must be repaid, and terms can affect you when you sell or refinance
Frequently asked questions
What credit score do I need for down payment assistance?
With me, down payment assistance programs generally start at a 620 credit score. Each program also has its own eligibility rules, so we look at your full situation, not just the score.
Which down payment assistance programs do you work with?
I look at several, including Own in Ogden, Utah Housing, Settlers Fund and Home Empowered. Which ones fit depends on you, the home and what funding is currently available.
Who can use Own in Ogden?
Own in Ogden serves eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence within Ogden City. If you're buying in Ogden, it's one of the first programs I'll check for you.
Do I have to pay down payment assistance back?
It depends on the program. Repayment terms differ, and some can affect you when you sell or refinance. I'll explain exactly how each option works before you commit. Not a big deal to ask, and it's important to know.
Can I combine assistance with my mortgage?
Assistance is used alongside a first mortgage. I compare multiple lenders to find a loan that works with the program you qualify for, and I show you the full payment so you know how it all fits together.
Related loan programs
1-0, 2-1 and 3-2-1 buydowns can lower your payment in the early years. I'll show you the payment at every stage, so you have a clear plan for what follows.
Before you rule yourself out, let's run some numbers together. Strategic Mortgage compares multiple lenders and checks down payment assistance before you start shopping.
FHA financing offers more flexible credit and qualifying requirements, starting with a 520 or better credit score. Strategic Mortgage compares it with your other options.
Last updated October 21, 2026 · Reviewed by Ron Pippin, NMLS #218333. This page is educational and not a commitment to lend; program details change — ask for current figures.