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Updated · Mike Certo, NMLS #260555

Utah Mortgage Programs

Cornerstone First Mortgage originates Utah mortgages through Mike Certo and his team of seasoned Utah-licensed loan officers. Below is the full menu of programs we run for Utah buyers — each one explained briefly with the key facts. For program-specific eligibility, income limits, FICO requirements, or to talk through your scenario, request more information below or call (480) 296-6513.

By Mike Certo, NMLS #260555 —

Utah Down Payment Assistance

Cornerstone is approved for both Utah state-level DPA programs and the major national DPA options. We run the full menu — Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) statewide programs plus national programs that work in Utah (Chenoa Fund, Arrive Home, Essex/NHF).

Utah state DPA programs

  • UHC FirstHome Loan: First-time buyer combo first mortgage + DPA second mortgage.
  • UHC HomeAgain Loan: Repeat buyer combo first mortgage + DPA second mortgage.
  • UHC Score Loan: Alternative credit-tier UHC program with DPA pairing.
  • UHC NoMI Loan: UHC program with reduced or no mortgage insurance for qualified buyers.
  • Utah Veteran First-Time Homebuyer Grant: DPA grant for eligible Utah veterans buying their first home.

National DPA programs (also available for Utah buyers)

  • Chenoa Fund — FHA-paired DPA with both repayable and forgivable structures depending on income/credit profile.
  • Arrive Home — national DPA for low-to-moderate income buyers, includes ITIN borrower path.
  • Essex Mortgage / NHF — multi-tier DPA pairing for FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional buyers.

One DPA program per transaction. Specific eligibility (income limits, purchase-price caps, FICO thresholds, occupancy, FTHB status) varies — request more information for your specific scenario.

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Buy Before You Sell (BBYS)

Bridge financing for the move-up Utah buyer who needs to buy their next home before their current home sells. Removes the contingency from the offer — listing agents call this the deal-saver. Cornerstone's BBYS program lets the buyer write a clean offer; we underwrite the bridge based on equity in the existing home plus the new purchase.

  • Common scenario: Contract Contingent on Buyer Sale (CCBS) deals where the seller doesn't want a contingent offer; BBYS removes the contingency.
  • Process: We underwrite the bridge alongside the new purchase mortgage; close concurrently or near-concurrently.
  • Audience: Consumer move-up buyers AND industry listing agents who want their CCBS deal to actually close.

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Self-Employed Loans

Tax returns underrepresent self-employed income because of legal deductions. Standard mortgage underwriting punishes that. We run the alternative paths for Utah self-employed buyers: bank-statement loans (12 or 24 months), 1099 loans, and asset-qualifier loans (qualify on liquid assets without showing income).

  • Bank statement loans: Qualify on 12 or 24 months of business bank deposits with expense-factor adjustments — not deposit gross.
  • 1099 loans: For contractors, gig workers, real estate agents, and other 1099-only earners — qualify on documented 1099 income.
  • Asset-qualifier loans: Qualify on liquid assets (cash, brokerage, retirement) divided over an asset-utilization period.

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Jumbo & Medical Professionals

Loan amounts above conforming limits — full doc, alt doc, super jumbo (above $2M), plus the standout Medical Professionals program. Up to 100% LTV with NO PMI for physicians, dentists, and a specific list of credentialed medical roles. Utah has substantial jumbo markets in Park City, Deer Valley, Lehi (Silicon Slopes), and Salt Lake County, and Medical Professionals is a frequent Utah path for doctors at Intermountain Health, University of Utah Health, MountainStar Healthcare, and Steward Health Care.

  • Medical Professionals eligible: MD, DO, DDS, DMD, DPM, DVM, PharmD, Ophthalmology MD/DO, Psychiatry MD/DO, CRNA with DNAP/DNP.
  • Up to 100% LTV at $1.5M with FICO 680; 100% at $2M with FICO 720; 95% at $2M with FICO 680.
  • Student loan exclusion: Deferred and IBR student loans excluded from DTI for residents and fellows on resident/fellow income.

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Investor & DSCR Loans

For real estate investors buying Utah rental property. DSCR loans qualify on the rental income of the property — not your personal income. We finance below the 1.0 DSCR ratio that most lenders treat as the floor. Short-term rental specific products available for Utah Airbnb / VRBO markets.

  • DSCR loans: Qualify on the rental income vs the property's debt service — not personal income.
  • Below 1.0 DSCR: We finance scenarios most lenders refuse — request more information for your specific deal.
  • Short-term rental specific: Airbnb / VRBO-targeted DSCR products with experienced underwriting for STR income.

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First-Time Home Buyer Loans

FHA, USDA, conventional with low down payment, and Utah DPA-paired structures. Designed for the Utah buyer with real-life income and credit — not a perfect-paper applicant.

  • FHA: 3.5% down, 580+ FICO published (620+ practical overlay).
  • USDA: Zero down for USDA-eligible Utah rural areas.
  • Conventional 97: 3% down, 620+ FICO.

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Find the program that fits

Call (480) 296-6513 for a free consult, or send your scenario through the form below. Mike and his team review every Utah scenario and respond within one business day — no commitment, no salesy follow-up, just an honest read on what’s possible.