RHOSLC Star Britani Bateman Reveals What Everyone Gets Wrong About Utah

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Britani Bateman is forming some close ties with another popular reality TV series, after joining the real estate firm that is featured on "Sold on SLC"—a position that she's using to clear up some common misconceptions about the Mormon mecca where both Bravo series are set.

The 53-year-old cast member lives in Provo, UT, just outside of Salt Lake City, where she was born and later attended Brigham Young University. 

Although Bateman and her family moved from the largely Mormon community to Folsom, CA, for much of her childhood, she has remained an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints— and she admitted to Realtor.com® that she believes followers of her faith are often misunderstood by outsiders.

“Utah is actually extremely progressive with very open-minded people,” said Bateman. “There are so many well-traveled, well-spoken, well-educated, extremely business-minded and motivated people here. I feel like I’m constantly around people that should be giving TED talks on the regular.”

While Bateman’s lived experience points to Utah’s modern and diverse population, the state’s reputation is still often conflated with the conservative and homogenous track record of the church.

“Utah is underrated massively,” Bateman said, while noting she has conflicting interests as a resident and a real estate agent when it comes to encouraging folks to give the Beehive State a chance.

“On one hand, Utah is a great-kept secret and I want to keep it that way. But on the other hand, I want to bring people to Utah, too.”

As a licensed agent and developer, helping homeowners in Utah and honing her real estate skills have been Bateman’s professional focus for the past few years.

“I came into the market during COVID-19, and during that time, it felt like anyone could sell a house. It was a completely different market than now. Since then, the strongest real estate agents have continued selling—agents with skills, passion, and a great network.”

Bateman’s network now formally includes fellow real estate agents at Presidio Real Estate, the Utah-based brokerage founded by Jennifer Yeo, which was recently showcased on “Sold on SLC.” Bateman joined the team in January, but revealed her real estate roots run much deeper.

“I grew up in a development family. My mom and dad built beautiful luxury spec homes in San Diego until I was 13. I always tell people that I grew up with a hammer.”

Since entering the home development arena in adulthood, Bateman has built a name for herself by completing a number of notable construction jobs.

“The first house that I’m really proud of is one that I purchased and remodeled in Lindon, UT,” she shared. “It was an award-winning house in the Parade of Homes of 2007, and I feel like what I did to it made it that much better. It’s still just a masterpiece to me.

“I [also] built a home in Promontory [Club] and sold it. It was the most beautiful 7,200-square-foot modern masterpiece in a beautiful Park City community, and I’m really proud of that one.”

Through those projects, Bateman learned she has a passion for each stage of the building process.

“I love taking a piece of raw ground and creating an idea with an architect, entitling it with the City Council and with the civil engineers, and then building it and realizing that dream. It’s so exciting to see it come to life from dirt to a drawing on architectural paper to something you can walk through and enjoy and make memories in.”

That payoff is something Bateman experienced firsthand when she brought her own childhood dream home to life.

“When I was little, I used to sketch out my dream home over and over and over,” she said. “I’ve always known exactly how I wanted my dream home to be, and I’m finally living in it right now. 

“I’ve always wanted the master suite to be on the main level with a cozy bedroom but a massive closet and a large bathroom, because I knew that that’s where I wanted to spend the most time. 

“I also wanted a gigantic kitchen, family room, and dining room combo area, because at every party, people gather in the kitchen, and if the kitchen isn’t large enough, then the party feels squished. 

“I have the perfect dream home right now, and I would build it for anyone that wants me to build them this exact same home.”

Bateman’s Provo property spans nearly 10,000 square feet and includes a main home with six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and two kitchens. The “casita in the back ... has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen.”

As far as style goes, the exterior “looks like a French country estate,” while Bateman designed the interior to have a “modern transitional warmth” to it.

“I like to bring exterior elements inside, like rock walls and brick walls,” she said.

The next upgrades on her renovation list are “building out a pool and a really beautiful backyard” as well as adding “another garage with an apartment above” so the property can “be an open home for nieces, nephews, [and] kids that need a place to live temporarily.”

Bateman’s vision for her home is modeled after her parents’ house in California, which served as the family retreat up until her mother’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent move to Utah for treatment.

“Their house was just the hub that everyone came to live in at some point, and I just really love family and being that open home feeling, welcoming everyone, like my mom used to have before she passed away.”

With her father now living with her, Bateman is well on her way in manifesting her ideal household, and advised anyone looking to do the same to put in the effort—and of course, have a little faith.

“I’m a firm believer in putting out into the universe exactly what you’re looking for—and then working hard to get it.”