Real Estate Guides
Straightforward, honest guides to help you make the best decision — whether you're buying or selling in Salt Lake County.
First Time Buyer's Guide to Salt Lake County
Everything you need to know to buy your first home in Utah — from budgeting and pre-approval to closing day.
- How much you actually need saved
- Pre-approval vs. prequalification
- Neighborhood breakdowns across the county
- Making competitive offers in a hot market
- First time buyer programs in Utah
What Sellers Get Wrong About Pricing
The six pricing mistakes that cost Utah homeowners thousands — and the right way to price your home to sell fast and at top dollar.
- Why "leaving room to negotiate" backfires
- The truth about Zillow Zestimates
- How days on market affects your leverage
- What your upgrades are actually worth
- How to price it right from day one
DSCR Loans for Investment Properties
How to use rental income — not your personal income — to qualify for an investment property loan in Salt Lake County.
- How the DSCR ratio works
- Qualification requirements
- DSCR vs. conventional investment loans
- Pros, cons, and prepayment penalties
- Running the numbers in the $500K–$700K range
FHA Loans & Utah Housing Corp Programs
How to buy a home in Utah with less down — and how state programs can help cover the gap.
- FHA loan basics and requirements
- Utah Housing Corp loan programs
- Down payment assistance explained
- FHA vs. conventional comparison
- How to use FHA in Salt Lake County
VA Loans for Utah Homebuyers
The complete guide to using your VA home loan benefit in Salt Lake County — 0% down, no mortgage insurance, and the strongest loan product available.
- Who qualifies and how to get your COE
- The key benefits, including funding fee waivers
- VA appraisal and minimum property requirements
- VA vs. FHA vs. conventional comparison
- How sellers perceive VA offers — and how to win
What You'll Actually Net from Your Home Sale
A line by line breakdown of every cost a Utah seller pays — so the number on closing day isn't a surprise.
- Every closing cost itemized with real dollar ranges
- How to read a net sheet
- Mortgage payoff explained (it's always higher than you think)
- A complete $575K example net sheet
- What moves your number up or down
How to Make a Competitive Offer
Why offers lose in Salt Lake County — and the specific tactics that help buyers win without just throwing money at the problem.
- The real reasons offers get passed over
- Pre-approval vs. fully underwritten approval
- Escalation clauses and appraisal gap coverage
- Contingencies — what to keep, what to consider waiving
- Terms that win without paying more
Moving to Salt Lake County? Here's What to Know.
An honest guide for out of state buyers — neighborhoods, cost of living, the buying process from a distance, and what $600K actually gets you here.
- Neighborhood profiles across the county
- Cost of living vs. California, Seattle, and Denver
- How to buy remotely without getting burned
- Utah property taxes, income tax, and HOA landscape
- How to plan your house hunting trip
Find Your Neighborhood
Every area has its own personality. Here's the honest take on the parts of the valley I know best.
9th & 9th
Salt Lake City's most beloved local district. Independent shops, great restaurants, and craftsman bungalows on tree lined streets.
"9th and 9th is the neighborhood people move to when they've looked everywhere else and want something real. It has a culture to it that newer parts of the valley simply can't manufacture."
Explore 9th & 9th → $550K and upThe Avenues
Salt Lake City's most historic neighborhood. Victorian architecture, tree lined streets, and five minutes from downtown.
"The Avenues is unlike anywhere else in the valley. Real architecture, real character, and a neighborhood that actually feels like a neighborhood. Buyers who move here rarely leave."
Explore The Avenues → $475K and upSugar House
Salt Lake City's most walkable neighborhood. Eclectic, full of character, and always in demand.
"This is where Salt Lake feels most like a real city. Walk to breakfast, know your neighbors. People move here once and don't leave."
Explore Sugar House → $500K and upMillcreek
Fast growing, close to the canyons, and one of the valley's best values per square foot.
"I point buyers here when they want to be close to everything without paying Sugar House prices. Canyon access, good restaurants, room to grow."
Explore Millcreek → $575K and upHolladay
Established, private, and spacious. Gets attention fast when inventory comes up.
"Holladay doesn't shout. Big lots, mature trees, real privacy. When something good comes up here it moves fast so be ready."
Explore Holladay → $625K and upCottonwood Heights
Mountain access, quiet streets, and views that make every dollar worth it.
"If you ski or hike, this is the one. I have never had a buyer regret purchasing in Cottonwood Heights."
Explore Cottonwood Heights → $450K and upSandy
Strong schools, solid infrastructure, and real value for what you pay.
"Sandy is the quiet workhorse of the south valley. Not flashy, but families who move here tend to stay for decades. That tells you something."
Explore Sandy → $650K and upDraper
Panoramic views, newer construction, exceptional trails, close to Silicon Slopes.
"Draper has the views, the trails, newer construction, and ten minutes to Silicon Slopes. It costs more than most of the valley and buyers consistently tell me it was worth it."
Explore Draper →South Jordan
Home to Daybreak, one of the west's largest master planned communities, plus newer suburbs with strong schools.
"Daybreak alone is worth the trip out here. I have walked it dozens of times and it genuinely keeps improving. Nothing else in the valley is built like it."
Explore South Jordan → $450K and upHerriman
Fast growing city at the Oquirrh Mountain foothills. Newer builds, bigger lots, and top ranked schools.
"Herriman gives you the most house for your money with great schools and newer construction. A lot of my buyers end up here once they see what their budget actually gets them."
Explore Herriman → $350K and upWest Valley
The county's most accessible price point, 15 minutes from downtown, with strong TRAX and freeway connections.
"West Valley is the most overlooked area in the county. TRAX access, close to downtown, and the most accessible price point in Salt Lake County."
Explore West Valley → $500K and upRiverton
Newer construction, top rated schools, and 15 minutes from Silicon Slopes. A strong value play in the south valley.
"Riverton keeps showing up on my buyers list because the value is real. Good schools, newer homes, and you are not fighting east bench prices to get there."
Explore Riverton → $375K and upWest Jordan
Large, established suburb with great freeway access. More house for the money without sacrificing location or schools.
"West Jordan is for buyers who care more about what they get than what the zip code sounds like. Solid homes, good schools, and easy access to everything."
Explore West Jordan →