Everyone Has an Opinion. The Numbers Don't.

The rent-vs-buy debate generates strong feelings but usually weak analysis. "Renting is throwing money away" is as misleading as "buying is always better." The answer depends on local prices, local rents, how long you're staying, and what you'd do with …

Stop Looking for Perfect — Start Looking for Smart

First-time buyers in Southern Utah make the same mistake everywhere: they shop for a dream home on a starter home budget. The result is months of frustration, missed opportunities, and eventually settling for something they could have bought three months earlier …

Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval: They're Not the Same

A pre-qualification is a rough estimate based on what you tell the lender verbally. No documents verified, no credit pull, no commitment. It's essentially worthless in a competitive offer situation.

A pre-approval means the lender has pulled your credit, verified your …

The Real Number: 2%–4% of the Purchase Price

In Southern Utah, buyer closing costs typically run between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. On a $400,000 home, that's $8,000 to $16,000 on top of your down payment. The exact number depends on your loan …

What an Appraisal Actually Is

An appraisal is a lender's independent evaluation of what a property is worth. When you're using a mortgage to buy a home, the bank isn't just trusting the purchase price — they're sending a licensed appraiser to verify the home is …

Why the Inspection Matters More Than You Think

A home inspection isn't just a checklist — it's your one chance to understand exactly what you're buying before you're legally committed. In Southern Utah, where construction styles, soil conditions, and climate differ from most other markets, a …

What Is Earnest Money?

Earnest money is the deposit a buyer puts down after a seller accepts their offer. It tells the seller you're serious — that you're not just kicking tires. In Utah, earnest money is held by the title company in an escrow account until closing …

Gerardo Lopez | RE/MAX Properties

Most buyers who lose money on a house in Southern Utah did not lose it at the closing table. They lost it the night they wrote the offer and skipped the homework.

Here is the seven-item checklist I run before I let a buyer of …

Gerardo Lopez | RE/MAX Properties

Getting your offer accepted is a milestone, but it is not the finish line. Between acceptance and closing, there are roughly 30 to 45 days of due diligence, financing, and paperwork that determine whether the deal actually closes. Here is what to expect at each …