Utah Buyers Information 
General information and opinions for real estate buyers.
There are currently 12 blog entries related to this category.
St George Utah Real Estate Market Absorption and Statistics
Sunday, June 5th, 2011 at 10:43am. 893 Views, 2 Comments.
Here is a St. George Utah real estate market snap shot illustrating market absorption for residential property in St. George for May 2011 and a year to date analysis as well.
Our St. George market is changing. While it's accurate to state that we have improved, noting that inventory is down and sales are up, it's to soon to determine if we have truly hit bottom and we are now in an upward trend, or if we are simply having a few great months fueled by low interest rates and rock bottom pricing.
May statistics showed (St. George Residential) a total of 1206 active, of which 239 were new listings, 142 sold listings, and 187 went pending. Just to focus on the last two numbers, it's interesting to point out that a total of 329 homes sold/went…
The Down Payment Saves Money
Sunday, May 15th, 2011 at 8:18am. 403 Views, 1 Comments.
Are you considering a home purchase in St George, Utah? Here is some useful information regarding your down payment. A down payment is the amount of money that a buyer puts down on the home they are purchasing. That is simple enough to understand. However, the importance of a down payment goes beyond just that explanation.
Simply put, as an example, if a house costs $200,000 and the buyer puts down 10 percent, or $20,000 toward the purchase, they will need to be approved for a mortgage of $180,000. The down payment basically lessens how much of a mortgage you need to take out. This may be the difference between qualifying for a mortgage or not.
However, the benefits of making a large down payment are much more far reaching than simply a…
St George Real Estate Market Conditions Recap
Thursday, April 28th, 2011 at 10:45am. 998 Views, 0 Comments.
How is the real estate market in St George? Is there still a lot of foreclosure activity in St George? Do you think the market has stabilized in Saint George? Has there been any improvement for the real estate market? What do you think will happen in the next 1-3 years in St. George real estate?
These are my “daily questions” from most St George Utah real estate buyers and sellers. I’ll try to address the current market conditions and offer my opinion for that last question too.
It’s important to note that for the third straight month, Notice of Defaults (NOD) is down. NOD’s are sent out “pre-foreclosure”. It’s when the homeowners are behind in their payments and it is the first step the bank takes to start…
Understanding What Closing Costs Mean To The Home Buyer
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011 at 11:10pm. 1036 Views, 0 Comments.
Anyone considering buying a home in St George will need to understand closing costs. Closing costs are often overlooked, it is important that the buyer understand all of the costs involved in purchasing a home in St George or Hurricane areas. These costs go beyond the purchase price. Inspections, lender fees, appraisals, surveys, and other due diligence requirements.... the terminology used in real estate can be extremely confusing for first time home buyers and to those who may not have purchased in many years. What's more, realizing who pays for these things can be even harder to figure out.
What Are Closing Costs?
Real estate agents, title company officers, and mortgage providers deal with real estate transactions on a daily…
Discover The Benefits of Working with a Buyer’s Agent
Thursday, March 24th, 2011 at 10:39pm. 894 Views, 0 Comments.
For most home buyers in St George Utah, the purchase of a home is the single most expensive and complicated transaction a person will ever experience. In addition, people typically only have the experience one, two, or three times during a lifetime so they never become accustomed to the process. The requirements for a real estate transaction constantly change over the years, because of this, there are many benefits of working with a buyer’s agent who can successfully guide, advise, and navigate the path to home ownership.
A Buyers Agent Deals With Multiple Transactions Every Month
A buyer’s agent utilizes their knowledge of the real estate market to help their client acquire their home. By using years of first-hand experience…
The Short Sale Process Pro's and Con's
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011 at 9:14pm. 956 Views, 0 Comments.
A question that is being asked frequently in the St George real estate market is, “What is a short sale?” Short sales used to be an infrequent type of real estate transaction, but with current economic conditions here in St. George, more and more homeowners are opting for this type of sale, and banks have begun to offer incentives to sellers to engage in a short sale.
A short sale occurs when a homeowner elects to sell their home for less than what is owed to the mortgage holder. There are pro’s and con’s for both the homeowner and the bank in a short sale, let's take a look from both perspectives.
A Short Sale Perspective From The Bank
There are several reasons why a mortgage holder, or bank, would agree to accept less than…
St George Home Selling Stategies
Saturday, March 12th, 2011 at 9:24am. 150 Views, 0 Comments.
A St. George Utah Buyer's Market Demands Aggressive Selling Strategies – Prepare Yourself And Your Home
Selling a house in our extremely competitive St George Utah real estate market is possible, especially if a seller is prepared to take action to help facilitate attracting a buyer. In a housing market where 'for sale' signs are springing up like mushrooms after a downpour, it's not enough to hire a REALTOR who only puts a sign in the yard, enters the information about the home on the local multiple listing service (MLS), and waits for a potential buyer to find the home.
In a buyer's market, it is imperative that sellers be more cognizant of the choices and actions they take prior to putting the home on the market. In some instances,…
Buying Direct From the Listing Agent
Thursday, November 13th, 2008 at 7:31pm. 2246 Views, 0 Comments.
Those of you who have read my numerous articles in the past, understand my stance on real estate buyer agents. I am a firm believer that a buyer will not only receive better representation, but will also achieve a better deal when utilizing the services of a buyers agent; as opposed to buying direct through the listing agent. I was inspired again to reiterate this feeling when I received an inquiry on a property today from a buyer. Once the buyer realized I was not the listing agent, they (respectfully) told me that they have been working on their own, doing all of the legwork to find their next home. They feel that they will be able to negotiate a better deal working direct with any given listing agent. While I respect and appreciate their honesty, I…
Purchase a Home With Zero Down
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 3:05am. 872 Views, 0 Comments.
So you’ve heard all of the media reporting about zero down home buying is a thing of the past…not so! Zero down loans are still possible in many areas. I personally have closed two real estate transactions in the past two months where my clients have utilized available programs.
Can I use this zero down program on any home in my price range?
No. Unfortunately this will only work with some homes. Unfortunately some real estate markets are suffering from rapid property value decline which will likely make the program unavailable. However, despite all of the reports reflecting "national average home decline" some market are fairing relatively well, some are even experiencing appreciation. The real estate market in St George Utah has been doing rather…
Should I Buy or Should I Wait?
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 at 8:21pm. 917 Views, 0 Comments.
Interest rates have, for the most part, been on the rise since January. On January 24, 2008 the national average interest rates were at a low, with an average of 5.48%. On of June 5, 2008 interest rates averaged: 6.09%.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?
Well, if you’re a buyer sitting on the dock, it’s time you jump off now before you miss the boat completely. Most buyers who are looking today, are searching for a deal. Here in my St George Utah real estate market, prices are lower than they have been in years. Buyers who were priced out of the market during past years are currently able to find a nice selection of homes at great prices. Some buyers are playing their hand at the "wait to see how low the prices will go" game. This is likely going to…