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 Increase Your Equity Over The Next 5 Years
How to Increase Your Equity Over the Next 5 Years Many of the questions currently surrounding the real estate industry focus on home prices and where they are heading. The most recent Home Price Expectation Survey (HPES) helps target these projected answers. Here are...
If you are Thinking about Selling and Live in Utah? You should read this first!
If you are Thinking about Selling and Live in Utah? You should read this first! Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Sell Your House As a homeowner, it’s always tempting to dream about the next big project you’re going to tackle. The possibilities are endless. Should I...
Utah Realty Expert Insights On Inventory In The Current Market
3 Expert Insights On Inventory In The Current Market The current housing landscape presents greater home values, low interest rates, and high buyer demand. All of these factors point to the strong market forecasted to continue throughout the rest of the year. There...
What Experts are Saying About the Current Housing Market
What Experts are Saying About the Current Housing Market We’re halfway through the year, and with a decline in interest rates as well as home price and wage appreciation, many are wondering what the experts predict for the second half of 2019. Here’s what some have to...
Home Prices Up 5.05% Across the Country Utah is just under nine percent
Home Prices Up 5.05% Across the Country [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights: The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently released their latest Quarterly Home Price Index report. In the report, home prices are compared both regionally and by state. Based on the latest...
Salt Lake City Median House Prices
Wasatch Front median home prices bottomed in 2011, years after The Great Recession ended. Since then, home prices (all housing types) have been on the rise. The median price of Wasatch Front homes sold in the first quarter of this year was $308,000, 75 percent higher...
The Cost of Waiting: Interest Rates Edition
Some Highlights: Interest rates are projected to increase steadily heading into 2020. The higher your interest rate, the more money you will end up paying for your home and the higher your monthly payment will be. Rates are still low right now – don’t wait until they...
Is Your First Home Now Within Your Grasp?
Is Your First Home Now Within Your Grasp? Some Highlights: According to the US Census Bureau, “millennials” are defined as 18-36-year-olds. According to NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, the median age of all first-time home buyers is 32. More and...
Utah is Number Three in the nation in house-price appreciation.
Utah is No. 3 in the nation in house-price appreciation. In the first quarter, prices in the Beehive state increased 8.94 percent, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Idaho was No. 1 in price increases. Maryland came in last place. Home prices there...
4 Tips to Sell Your Home Faster
4 Tips to Sell Your Home Faster Since June of last year, we have seen an increase in the inventory of homes for sale month per month. Every spring and summer, the inventory increases because people want to sell their home. For those with children, they may want to be...
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!”


