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
How to Protect Your Belongings With Insurance
Ensure your coverage includes extended or guaranteed replacement cost to cover spikes in repair costs. Don’t skip flood insurance—99% of counties faced flooding between 1996-2019, according to FEMA.
3 buildings in Utah among hundreds of federal properties ‘designated for disposal’
Three federal properties in Utah, including the IRS Service Center in Ogden, the St. George Federal Building, and the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building in Salt Lake, are among hundreds designated for disposal by the GSA. These buildings are considered “non-core” and...
How Stable Is Utah’s Housing Market?
Utah's housing market has a 20.7% chance of a 5% price drop over the past 25 years, lower than the US 26.4% avg. Since 2000, the median home price ↑ 210%, higher than the national ↑ 196%.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
St Patrick's Day is the day we all turn a bit Irish. 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed worldwide on St. Patrick's Day. Green is now the traditional color of St. Patrick's Day.
US Market Trends: Is Passive Investing Out?
Positive sentiment is growing, with lower interest rates fostering liquidity and selective investment opportunities.Investors must focus on active management and asset selection as the market evolves post-2024.
Fed Holds Rates Steady at 4.24%-4.5%
The Federal Reserve held key interest rates at 4.25%-4.5% despite Trump’s calls for immediate cuts.Inflation remains at 2.9%, with steady job growth and strong consumer spending supporting the economy.The Fed’s next policy meeting is scheduled for March 18-19, 2025.
Is requiring buyers to live in the homes they purchase a solution to Utah’s housing issues?
A bill in Utah aims to address the impact of investors on first-time homebuyers by requiring buyers of single-family homes in Salt Lake County to sign an affidavit stating their intent to live in the home for at least a year if purchased within the first 30 days on...
First-Time Homebuyer: Do You Qualify?
A first-time home buyer hasn’t owned a primary residence in the past three years. Renters, even those with no prior homeownership, qualify for first-time buyer assistance programs.
Happy Women’s Day
International Women's Day, also known as IWD for short, grew out of the labour movement to become a recognized annual event by the UN.It all started in 1908 when 15K women marched through NYC demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote....
10 Best States to Buy a House in 2025
As 2025 approaches, many are exploring the best states for homeownership in the U.S. Key contenders include Iowa, known for its low cost of living and stable housing market; Indiana, offering affordability and a blend of urban and rural living; and Utah, with a strong...
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!”


