Hand Picked Top Lenders We Know, Trust and Recommend
Each of these individuals have their own unique qualities and loan programs
Meet Our Mortgage Lenders
Samantha Quirante
Mortgage Loan Officer – Mountain America Credit Union
Sandy: 10600 South
Midvale: Union Park Avenue
West Jordan: 9000 South
Office: 801-325-6172
Cell: 801-793-0511
NMLS 487126
squirante@macu.com
https://www.macu.com/squirante
Dan Allen
RōBUS Mortgage
5295 S Commerce Dr, Ste 205
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
Office: 801-590-4499
Cell: 801-898-2983
NMLS 801113
dallen@robusmortgage.com
Marc Johnson –
Robert Whitaker –
Unified Lending
Guide: Key Steps to Buying a Home in Utah
1. Assess Your Financial Readiness
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Review Your Credit Score: Most Utah lenders require a score of 620 or higher.
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Calculate Your Budget: Include down payment (often 3-20% of purchase price), closing costs, and monthly expenses.
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Estimate Pre-Approval Amount: Use mortgage estimator tools to see what you can afford.
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Check for Assistance: Investigate Utah down payment assistance programs (programs list).
2. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
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Contact Local Lenders: Shop rates and ask about first-time buyer incentives.
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Pre-Approval Letter: Strengthens offers and shows sellers you’re serious.
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Gather Documents: Proof of income, tax returns, bank statements, ID.
3. Hire a Knowledgeable Utah Real Estate Agent
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Find a Local Expert: Choose an agent familiar with your target neighborhoods.
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Discuss Your Needs: Share your priorities for location, schools, commute, and property type.
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Understand Representation: Utah agents work as buyer’s agents, listing agents, or dual agents—know who’s representing your interests.
4. Start House Hunting
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Online Listing Sites: Use Utah MLS, Zillow, Redfin, and local agent websites.
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Open Houses & Tours: Visit homes in person to assess neighborhood and property condition.
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Evaluate Priorities: Balance needs vs. wants; consider future resale value.
5. Make an Offer & Negotiate
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Market Analysis: Your agent will help determine a fair offer based on recent sales.
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Draft the Offer: Includes offer price, earnest money, and contingencies (financing, inspection, appraisal).
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Negotiate Terms: Be prepared for counteroffers; multiple offer situations are common, especially in urban areas.
6. Complete Due Diligence
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Home Inspection: Hire a licensed inspector to check the property for issues (including radon, termites, and earthquake risks common in Utah).
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Appraisal: Required by most lenders to verify the home’s value.
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Title Search & Insurance: Confirms no outstanding liens or ownership issues.
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HOA/CC&R Review: For condos or communities with associations.
7. Secure Your Mortgage
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Choose Loan Type: Conventional, FHA, VA, and Utah Housing loans each have different requirements and benefits.
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Rate Lock: Lock in your mortgage interest rate—timing can matter in a moving market.
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Finalize Application: Submit last required documents; lender will underwrite your loan.
8. Review & Sign Closing Documents
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Final Walkthrough: Verify that repairs are made and the property is as agreed.
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Closing Disclosure: Review loan terms, fees, and cash-to-close.
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Sign Documents: You’ll meet at the title or escrow office to finalize the purchase and get the keys.
9. Move In & Celebrate!
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Transfer Utilities & Services: Set up water, power, internet, and garbage collection in your name.
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Change Address: Update addresses with banks, postal service, and subscriptions.
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Enjoy Your New Home: Welcome to homeownership in Utah!
News and Blog Posts
Value Adjustments according to Ai
Appraisal adjustments vary according to build quality and area While specific dollar values for adjustments in residential home appraisals can vary based on numerous factors, including the specific neighborhood and current market conditions, here are some typical...
7 Things I Wish I’d Known as a First-Time Homebuyer
Robert and Kacie share insights on personal finance and home buying. Robert emphasizes the importance of a good real estate agent and home inspections. Kacie advises looking beyond bad online listings for potential hidden gems. Both stress the financial challenges and...
10 Tips for Finding Cheap Housing
Looking in less popular neighborhoods or cities and being willing to relocate can reduce housing costs. Strategies include low-income housing programs, finding roommates, negotiating rent, and making compromises. Making a detailed budget plan is crucial to determine...
Selling Your Home in 2025? Expect More Competition
More homeowners will list their properties as mortgage rates stabilize, improving inventory but increasing competition.Buyers may gain leverage, leading sellers to offer price cuts or concessions in competitive markets.
New Tariffs Could Raise Construction Costs by 60%!
U.S. construction faces rising costs as new tariffs could increase material prices by up to 60%. Construction inputs for multifamily projects have already surged 35% in 5 years, squeezing project feasibility.
Follow These 5 Steps to Own a Home in 2025!
Before buying a house in 2025, ensure you are debt-free and have 3–6 months of expenses saved. Limit your home budget to 25% of your take-home pay, covering mortgage, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees.
Renting costs a lot less than buying a home, especially in the West
Salt Lake City ranks fifth in the U.S. for the rent-buy cost gap, with renting at $1,680 monthly and buying at $3,197, making buying 90.4% more expensive. Nationwide, renting is cheaper as mortgage payments rise while rents decline or stabilize. The largest gaps are...
Happy Mother’s Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. The origins of commemorating motherhood dates back to the Ancient Greeks, where in spring festival, they...
What 2025 Housing Trends Keep Foreclosure Rates Low?
2025 home prices will rise slowly, with an average price of $510,300 and median at $419,200. In 2025, home prices will stabilize; expect to pay close to asking price, especially in tight markets.
Tax Cuts for All Utahns at Every Stage of Life
Utah's Legislature is set to provide $127 million in tax relief, aimed at supporting retirees, young families, and individuals. Key measures include reducing the income tax rate to 4.5%, eliminating social security tax for those earning up to $90,000, and...
Some of our past clients comments, raves and recommendations.
“Marty Gale far exceeded our expectations as a Buyers Agent in the recent purchase of our home. His knowledge of the Utah real estate market is exceptional and with his experience in residential home construction he was able to provide beneficial advice in selecting well-built homes. The network of professionals that Marty works with are top shelf, his recommendations for home inspection and mortgage broker were perfect. Customer service from this team of professionals is some of the best we have worked with; this is our fifth home purchase. You will not be disappointed in choosing to work with Marty!”


