Utah Mortgage & Homebuying Guides

Straight answers on loans, down payment help, and the Wasatch Front market — written by a broker who works here every day.

29 articles
Loan Programs

USDA Loans: Buy a Home in Rural Utah With $0 Down

Learn how USDA loans let you buy a home in rural Utah with zero down payment. Discover eligible areas like Eagle Mountain, Tooele, and Herriman outski

April 12, 20269 min read
Loan Programs

VA Loans in Utah: A Complete Guide for Veterans

Complete VA loan guide for Utah veterans. Learn about $0 down payment, no PMI, VA funding fee, eligibility requirements, and how to use your VA home l

April 10, 202611 min read
First-Time Buyers

First-Time Homebuyer's Guide to the Wasatch Front

The complete first-time homebuyer guide for Utah's Wasatch Front. Learn the step-by-step process, explore neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, Provo, Lehi

April 8, 202610 min read
Down Payment & Grants

How Down Payment Assistance Programs Work in Utah

Learn how down payment assistance programs work in Utah. Explore Utah Housing Corp programs, income limits, eligibility, and $0 down options on the Wa

April 5, 20269 min read
Loan Programs

FHA vs Conventional Loans: Which Is Right for You?

FHA vs Conventional loans compared: credit scores, down payments, PMI, pros & cons. Find the right mortgage for your Utah home purchase with Vivanco M

April 1, 20268 min read
Credit & Costs

5 Tips to Improve Your Credit Score Before Buying a Home

5 actionable tips to improve your credit score before buying a home in Utah. Learn what lenders look for, how credit affects mortgage rates, and the t

March 28, 20268 min read
Credit & Costs

Understanding Closing Costs in Utah

Understand closing costs when buying a home in Utah. Learn what fees to expect, typical amounts on the Wasatch Front, buyer vs seller costs, and how t

March 22, 20269 min read
First-Time Buyers

Why Waiting to Buy a Home in Utah Could Cost You More Than You Think

Why waiting to buy a home in Utah could cost you more than you think. The math behind appreciation, rent costs, and timing the market. Por que esperar

9 min read
Housing Policy

Utah Is Turning the Corner on Housing Affordability — Here's Why I'm Optimistic

Utah housing affordability is improving thanks to bold investments, new legislation, and stronger DPA programs. Felix Vivanco shares why he's optimist

10 min read
Housing Policy

How Utah Is Leading the Nation in Housing Solutions

Utah is leading the nation in housing solutions with data-driven policy, bipartisan cooperation, and $150M in starter home investments. Utah liderando

9 min read
Utah Market

Utah Housing Market in 2026: What Buyers Need to Know

Utah housing market in 2026: price trends, interest rate outlook, best areas for value, and first-time buyer opportunities along the Wasatch Front. Me

8 min read
Utah Market

Housing Affordability and Health: What the Research Says About Utah Families

Housing affordability and health outcomes for Utah families. Gardner Institute research on how housing costs affect family wellbeing. Vivienda salud f

10 min read
Housing Policy

Utah's Housing Affordability Crisis: What It Means for Wasatch Front Families

Utah housing affordability crisis explained: Wasatch Front housing costs, median home prices, wage gap, and solutions. Crisis de vivienda en Utah, cas

10 min read
Housing Policy

Utah's 2026 Housing Laws: New Legislation That Could Help You Buy a Home

Utah 2026 housing legislation guide: HB 492, HB 436, SB 191, ADU amendments, and housing reform that could help you buy a home. Leyes de vivienda 2026

10 min read
Housing Policy

Utah's Housing Crisis Won't Solve Itself — But Here's What's Actually Working

Utah's housing crisis won't solve itself, but real solutions are working. ADU legislation, DPA programs, and new construction along the Wasatch Front.

10 min read
Housing Policy

Salt Lake City's Housing Shortage: Real Solutions for Real Buyers

Salt Lake City housing shortage solutions for real buyers. Affordable neighborhoods, DPA programs, and practical strategies. Escasez vivienda Salt Lak

10 min read
Loan Programs

When Should You Refinance Your Home in Utah?

When should you refinance your home in Utah? Learn about rate-and-term refinance, cash-out refinance, break-even analysis, and costs. Cuando refinanci

8 min read
Utah Market

New Affordable Communities Popping Up Across the Wasatch Front

New affordable communities are emerging across the Wasatch Front — from Eagle Mountain to Tooele Valley. Discover starter homes and new construction i

9 min read
First-Time Buyers

10 Mortgage Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Your First Home

10 mortgage mistakes to avoid when buying your first home. Learn common pitfalls and how to prepare for a smooth home purchase. 10 errores hipotecario

9 min read
Utah Market

Utah Housing Market: 3 Positives and 3 Challenges for Wasatch Front Buyers

Utah housing market update: 3 positives and 3 challenges for Wasatch Front buyers in 2026. Analysis by Felix Vivanco, Vivanco Mortgage Team. Mercado i

10 min read
Loan Programs

How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage in Utah

Learn how to get pre-approved for a mortgage in Utah. Step-by-step guide covering documents, credit requirements, and tips for Wasatch Front homebuyer

7 min read
First-Time Buyers

Home Inspection Checklist: What Every Utah Buyer Should Know

Home inspection checklist for Utah homebuyers. What inspectors check, common Utah issues like radon and foundation settling, red flags, and how to neg

7 min read
First-Time Buyers

Hispanic Homeownership Hits Record Highs: What This Means for Utah's Latino Community

Hispanic homeownership hits record highs in 2025. What this means for Utah's Latino community and how bilingual lenders are helping families along the

10 min read
Housing Policy

Governor Cox's 35,000 Starter Homes Goal: What It Means for Utah Buyers

Governor Cox's 35,000 starter homes goal and Utah First Homes program explained. What it means for Utah homebuyers. La meta de casas iniciales del Gob

10 min read
Utah Market

What the Gardner Institute Data Tells Us About Utah's Housing Future

What the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute data reveals about Utah's housing market, supply mismatch, and future outlook. Datos del Instituto Gardner so

10 min read
First-Time Buyers

First-Generation Homebuyer? Here's How to Make It Happen

First-generation homebuyer guide: how to buy your first home when nobody in your family has done it before. Programs, credit tips, and bilingual suppo

8 min read
Credit & Costs

Building Generational Wealth Through Homeownership

Learn how homeownership builds generational wealth through equity, appreciation, and tax benefits. Aprende como la casa propia construye riqueza gener

8 min read
Utah Market

Best Neighborhoods to Buy a Home in Salt Lake City

Best neighborhoods to buy a home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Guide to Sugar House, The Avenues, Liberty Park, Millcreek, and more. Mejores barrios para c

9 min read
Down Payment & Grants

The American Dream Grant: Free Down Payment Money for Utah Homebuyers

The American Dream Grant offers $10,000 in free down payment money for Utah homebuyers. Learn about eligibility, drawing dates, and how to apply. Subs

9 min read