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
Avoid Mortgage Mistakes Buyers Make: Expert Tips
Key mortgage mistakes to avoid include not getting pre-approved, overlooking credit scores, and failing to compare mortgage options. Buyers should budget for total homeownership costs, including property taxes and maintenance. Skipping home inspections and neglecting...
Top Strategies to Sell Your Home Fast in 2025
Price your home right from day one to attract more offers and avoid sitting on the market too long. Boost curb appeal with simple upgrades—fresh paint, landscaping, and clean entryways make a strong first impression. Use professional photos and staging to showcase...
5 Smart Tips to Save Money on Home Closing Costs
Closing costs can add up to more than $10,000, but buyers have strategies to reduce them. Local banks may offer grants, credits, or fee waivers that cut costs without repayment obligations. Conventional loans with larger down payments often reduce costs compared to...
5 Key Takeaways: How to Negotiate to Cut Costs When Closing on a Home
Homebuyers can save money by negotiating key aspects of the purchase, including repairs found during inspections, closing costs, and the closing date. Buyers may also negotiate for home contents like appliances and furniture to be included, as well as for sellers to...
Chasing 4%: The Future of Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates are expected to gradually ease over the coming years, though a return to 4% remains a longer-term possibility. Past 4% levels were achieved during periods of strong monetary support, showing rates can fall when economic conditions shift significantly. A...
Will 2029’s Home Prices Surpass Pre-Bubble Levels?
National home prices expected to rise by 19.8% through 2029, averaging 3.7% annual growth. Price Growth 2025 (+3.4%) 2026 (+6.8%) 2027 (+10.8%) 2028 (+15.2%) 2029 (+19.8%)
8 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers
First-time homebuyers should save for a down payment, typically 20%, and budget for additional costs like fees, moving, and furniture. Choose a neighborhood that fits long-term needs, prioritize must-haves, and get a home inspection to avoid surprises. Use a mortgage...
5 Reasons Enticing Me to Buy a Home Before 2025 Ends
Slide 1 Mortgage rates dropped to around 6%, down from the 7.79% peak in 2023. Slide 2 Housing supply rose 15.7% in 2025, giving buyers 1.55 million homes to choose from. Slide 3 Home prices are still high but rising slower, with just 2.9% annual growth mid-2025....
22 Real Estate Investment Strategies
Real estate investing offers strategies for wealth building, passive income, and portfolio diversification, including buy-and-hold, fix-and-flip, REITs, and rental property diversification. REITs have shown stability and often outperform stocks over time, while...
Housing Market’s Next Chapter: Second Half 2025
Borrowing costs set to ease, boosting affordability and enticing sidelined buyers back into the market. Sales expected to strengthen modestly, with fall poised to show the year’s best momentum. Prices likely to rise gradually, reflecting steady demand and limited...
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!”


