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
Forecast Signals Confident Buyers, Steady Prices by Late-2025
Slide 1 Total home sales in 2025 are forecast at 4.74 million units. Slide 2 Mortgage rates expected to finish 2025 at 6.5%, dipping to 6.1% by 2026. Slide 3 Forecast revisions are modest, keeping housing sales stable despite economic uncertainties. Slide 4 Fannie Mae...
Multifamily Housing Starts Surge 21% in Q2 2025
Multifamily housing starts reached 109K units in Q2 2025, with 102,000 built-for-rent, ↑ 21% yearly. Rental units made up 94% of multifamily starts, far above the long-term avg of 80% and the historical low of 47% during the 2005 condo boom. Condo construction starts...
The 8 best real estate markets in the country right now
WalletHub ranked 300 U.S. cities to identify the strongest housing markets in 2025, considering factors like home-price appreciation, foreclosure rates, affordability, job growth, and new home construction. With rising mortgage rates and a seller-friendly market,...
Are 2027 Trends Favoring Long-Term Gains?
Home prices are projected to rise 4% in 2027, reaching 10.8% cumulative growth since 2024. Experts forecast continued moderate gains in 2027, following slower increases in 2025 and 2026.
Utah: Hottest Spots for New Home Builds
Utah is one of the top states in the country for new home builds. Utah ranks No. 4 nationally, building 18.6 new homes per 1,000 existing.
Utah: Among States With High Home Values by 2030
Slide 1: "Utah’s Silicon Slopes drive home prices toward $673K by 2030." Slide 2: Limited housing and zoning challenges keep prices rising fast."
4 Smart Ways To Find a Reliable Real Estate Agent
Homebuyers and sellers can benefit from working with reliable real estate agents, as 89% of recent homebuyers chose to do so. To find a trustworthy agent, consider these strategies: 1. Research recent property sales in your area to identify active agents. 2. Call...
5-Year Forecast Favors Buying Over Renting
Buying isn’t just a home — it’s a wealth-building move for your future. Example: Buy a $300K home with 5% down = $82K equity in 5 years.
Do New Roofs Save Money and Energy?
Impact-resistant shingles and metal roofs extend roof life while safeguarding against costly storm damage. Solar-compatible roofs allow easier renewable energy adoption, even for homeowners not installing panels yet. Cool roofing systems lower household cooling bills...
Smart Steps to Buy Your First Home
Start with patience, flexibility, and assembling a trustworthy Real Estate team from day one. Work with a reliable realtor to avoid rushed or financially risky buying decisions. Compare lenders to find strong pre-approval options, like a pre-underwritten mortgage....
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!”


