Houzd Community Giveback: Supporting Utah Organizations Making a Difference
At Houzd Mortgage, we spend a lot of time talking about homes. But a strong community is about a lot more than the houses in it. That is why we created the Houzd Community Giveback, a simple monthly program designed to support Utah organizations doing meaningful work in our communities. Over the past few months, […]
Utah HELOC Options: How to Use the Equity in Your Home
If you own a home in Utah, there is a good chance you have built equity over the years. A Utah HELOC, or Home Equity Line of Credit, can give you access to a portion of that equity without replacing your existing first mortgage. For many homeowners, that is the biggest advantage. Instead of refinancing […]
Freddie Mac Expands Asset Depletion Mortgage Guidelines
Have plenty of money in savings or investments, but not enough traditional monthly income to qualify for the mortgage you want? A major update from Freddie Mac could make that easier. Freddie Mac has expanded its asset depletion mortgage guidelines, allowing more borrowers to use accumulated assets as qualifying income when purchasing or refinancing a […]
Pinkbox Doughnuts Is Finally Opening in Sandy, Utah
If you’ve driven down State Street in Sandy and wondered when that very pink building was actually going to start handing out doughnuts, the wait is officially over! Pinkbox Doughnuts is opening its new Sandy, Utah location on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 10235 State Street. The grand opening celebration includes a ribbon cutting at […]
Asset Depletion Mortgage: Use Assets to Qualify for a Home Loan
Asset Depletion Mortgages: How Your Assets May Help You Qualify for a Home Loan Not everyone earns income through a traditional W-2 paycheck. Some people are retired. Others own businesses or rely heavily on investments. In many cases, a large portion of their wealth may be sitting in retirement accounts, savings, brokerage accounts, or other […]
Can You Remove PMI Early? A Guide for Utah Homeowners
If you purchased a Utah home with less than 20% down, there is a good chance your monthly mortgage payment includes private mortgage insurance, commonly called PMI. PMI helped you purchase the home without waiting years to save a larger down payment. That is the good news. The less exciting news is that you may […]
What Is LTV? A Simple Mortgage Guide
If you are buying a home or refinancing, you may hear the term LTV. But what is LTV, and why does it matter? LTV stands for loan-to-value ratio. It compares the amount of your mortgage loan to the value of the property. How Is LTV Calculated? To calculate LTV, divide the loan amount by the […]
How to Remove PMI From Your Mortgage and Lower Your Monthly Payment
If you’re paying Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) each month, you’re probably wondering: “When can I remove PMI?“ The good news is that PMI does not have to last for the life of your loan. In many cases, homeowners can remove PMI sooner than they realize, saving hundreds of dollars every month. Here’s what you need […]
Buying a Condo in Your Dream Utah Location
Imagine having your own place in Park City for ski weekends, a condo in St. George when you need sunshine, or a home base near Bear Lake for summer trips. Instead of searching for a hotel every time you travel, you could arrive at a place that already feels like home. Your clothes are in […]
Down Payment Options in Utah: How Much Do You Really Need?
Many Utah homebuyers assume they need 20% down to purchase a home. That is not always true. Depending on your income, credit, loan type, and the property you are buying, you may have several down payment options in Utah. At Houzd Mortgage, we have access to a wide range of loan programs. That allows us […]