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
Utah’s Housing Growth at Risk?
Rapid price hikes in Salt Lake City and Provo raise serious affordability concerns. Many buyers priced out, causing declining demand and potential home value drops.
Happy Easter
Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.However, according to many theologians, Easter originally began before the arrival of Christianity.It is believed that Easter is named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess of the...
Tariffs Could Add 5% to Home Prices
The US faces a shortage of 4.4M homes, including 1.3M single-family homes for lower-income buyers. New tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports could raise home construction costs by ↑ 5%, worsening accessibility.
Home Upgrades Booming by 2032 With 6% CAGR Predicted!
The home improvement market is set to grow from $974.57B in 2025 to $1.46T by 2032, driven by innovation. The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity projects a 1.2% increase in year-over-year home renovation spending for 2025.
Cities With the Most Expensive Homes in Utah
Typical home values in various Utah metro areas show significant increases over the past year and five years. Provo-Orem has a typical home value of $658,066 with a 1-year change of +2.9% and a 5-year change of +49.7%. Salt Lake City’s typical home value is $662,640,...
Act Now: Prep for Spring Home Buying
Winter is slow, but 2025 will see more sellers returning, possibly leading to a more balanced market. Buyers should start credit repair now, as spring sees the biggest jump in available homes from February to March.
When’s the Best Time of Year to Sell Your Home?
Spring and Early Summer Are Ideal: These seasons often see increased buyer activity and higher sale pricesLocal Market Variations Matter: Optimal selling times can differ based on regional demand and climate.
Is your homeowners association overstepping? Here are 6 unenforceable HOA rules — and how to protect your rights
An estimated 30% of the U.S. population lives in homeowners associations (HOAs), which can impose rules that may be overly restrictive. However, certain rules are unenforceable, including those that violate state and federal laws, infringe on political speech,...
Key Benefits of Health Insurance in the U.S.
Health insurance covers essential medical expenses like doctor visits, hospital stays, and preventive care. It protects you from high out-of-pocket costs during unexpected medical emergencies.
Guide to downsizing for retirees’s
Single Level Living is the best choice for Retiree's Retirement marks a significant transition in life, often prompting reevaluation of one's living situation and possessions. Downsizing can offer a simplified, more manageable lifestyle that aligns with the needs of...
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!”


