When you're ready to complete a purchase and sale agreement on a home, your offer will generally be contingent on a professional inspection of the entire property-including improvements.  The home inspector looks beyond the cosmetics to make sure that the home's general systems operate properly.  The inspector will also look for large repairs that are needed and report on the condition of the home.The standard home inspector's report will review the conditions of the home's heating and cooling systems; interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors; foundation, basement and visible structures.  The inspector will also look for cracks in cement walls, water stains that indicate leakage and any indication of wo... 10/30/2010

Your home may be your single biggest investment and one of the largest financial transactions you'll ever make.  So when you sell, you want to get the best price and the most favorable terms.  But there's much more to marketing a home than placing a classified ad in the newspaper and putting a "For Sale" sign in the front yard.  There are many marketing options, legalities and details that go into the sale, from the time you sent the price to the final closing.The best to make sure you sell your home for the best price, and in the shortest amount of time, is to work with a full-service professional Windermere agent.  I'm educated in every aspect of the transaction, from writing an offer to negotiating the price, to arrange financing and following the transaction through to escrow.  If I... 10/29/2010

Utah County Homes for Sale - Home Buyers Beware (BAC) One of the most often used marketing tricks that Listing agents use to attract home buyers is a Buyer Agent Commission (BAC) that is larger than what is generally offered.  Generally speaking most home sellers offer a commission of 6 percent to the agents that assist to sell their homes.  Half of the commission or 3 percent goes to the agent that listed the home for sale.  The other 3 percent goes to the agent who represents the buyer in the transaction.  By offering an inflated BAC, the listing agent is hoping that the agent representing the buyer will show their home before the home that only has a 3 percent commission. Home Buyers Beware Home buyers need to understand that sometimes their agent may be motivated to show them a home... 10/29/2010

What if I need to sell my home before I buy a new one?  To put yourself in the best negotiating position before you find the new home you want, hire a qualified real estate agent to help you put your home on the market.  Once you write an offer on a new home, your offer will be "contingent" upon the sale of your home.  A buyer in this position may not have the same negotiating power as one whose home has already sold (or at least has an accepted offer).  The seller may be hesitant to accept your offer because there are too many things that must happen before the sale can close.  A bridge loan may be an option for you.How does my offer get presented to the seller?  I will call the agent who is the listing agent for the home you have chosen.  We will make an appointment with the seller to... 10/25/2010

It looks like UTA has been given the go ahead for the Draper TRAX line to be completed.  The line that the TRAX is going to operate on was bought in 1990  and it runs along the old railway corridor.  Draper Trax line was approved by the FTA in September with the acceptance of the eviromental impact statement.  Draper is going to recieve 3 stops, one on 11400 South, one on 11800 South, and the final on 12400 South.  The line is going to end near the Draper City Hall.  They could start work as early as this fall, and should be completed by 2014.  If you would like more informatin you can always visit the UTA website at www.rideuta.com. 10/24/2010

Utah County Homes for Sale - Home Warranty As a Realtor who represents the Home Buyer, I have found through the years, the Home Warranty to be a very important factor in the home purchase process.  The last thing a new home buyer wants to worry about after closing is the possibility of something breaking down.  There are many things that could go wrong, for peace of mind; it would be a good idea to get a home protection plan.  I believe it is especially important for First-time home buyers, with little experience maintaining a home. Generally the Seller pays for the Home Protection plan and Home Warranty coverage.  This is not only a benefit for the Home Buyer, but it also protects the Seller, because the home buyer won't be calling and bothering him when things go wrong. For an annual ... 10/24/2010

When looking for a Realtor, they are all a local business.  Yes, several are associated with a regional or national name, but each individual Realtor is a local business.  For this reason I focus my efforts on a specific suburb of the Salt Lake Regional area known as Draper, Utah.  That is also why I try to support local business in the when I need goods and services.  It is good to know that we are surrounded by local business everywhere.  A good way to find out who local business's are there are groups that help support local business, here we have a group called Locals First.  Locals First sometimes will recognize local business as well.  They recently recognized a store call Your Planet located at the Salt Lake International Airport.  A store owned by Air Terminal Gifts, a local bus... 10/23/2010

Some new things are happening around the South Mountain community.  The new directional sign near the roundabout on Rambling Rd. and Mike Weir Dr. has been started.  Foundation is in and starting to try and find power for the lights. There has also been talked about a South Mountain HOA appreciation day for next summer or fall.  We are now looking into different type of events to take place at the new Draper Amphitheater.  Some ideas were tossed out, but this is just in the beginning stages of the process. 10/22/2010

Keeping in touch with clients is what keeps my business growing.  I try to have a short conversation with everyone once a month along with monthly mailers and newsletters.  This allows them to know that I am still in the business.  I also keep them up to date on any changes in the market place on a yearly basis.  If I get a new designation I will be sure to send that out as either an e-mail or a postcard to let them know that I am stayng current on what is going on in the market.  In today's market you cannot just sit back and wait for you phone to ring.  It has been all over the news about how there are fewer agents then a few years ago, and if you are not staying in contact with them they think you left the business to.  Contact is the key face to face, on the phone, or mailers will h... 10/21/2010

It takes belief in your brand and yourself to attract clients, a dedicated work ethic to build your knowledge and improve your expertise as a real estate professional, and a connection to a larger community, by fostering relationships wherever you go.  Regardless of the number of tools at your disposal, it is really up to you alone to make things happen. 10/20/2010

Utah Homes for Sale - Home Buyer Mistakes Well you have finally decided that it is time to stop renting and that you need to purchase a new home.  Be aware that is important to stay calm and think your way through the process; don't get so excited that you overlook a few very important steps. Failure to get pre-qualified before making an offer on a home: •         The very first step you need to take when considering the purchase a new home is that of interviewing and hiring a Mortgage Broker or Loan Officer.  Understanding how much you are qualified to purchase up front can save you a lot of time and frustration later on.  The pre-qualification letter is very important to the seller when it comes time to make offer on their home.  Taking the time to get pre-qualified gives you time to ... 10/20/2010

Experience shows that taking time to prepare your home increases desirability, provides a marketing "edge" and results in shorter market time while assuring the highest return. Before predenting your home to buyers I will give you a checklist to help you prepare your home for sale. I can also help you stage your home or refer you to an accredited staging professional. Before buyers come to you home Turn on all inside lights, even during the day. Turn on soft music. Keep hea at 68 degrees. Keep pets in a separate area; change litter boxex daily. Put money and other valuables away and out of sight. Keep draperies and shades open. Open all doors inside the home, except closets. When an agent shows your home A buyer will likely spend more time previewing your home if you are not in the home... 10/19/2010

I am looking to create a discussion here.  It is the talk of the news and lots of web sites out there.  Please post your any other concerns you may have here, and what answers to you have.  Some of my personal concerns are as follows.  1)  With so many homes in foreclosure and now with the freeze on these properties it is slowing down the economy by keeping possible commissions tied up? 2)  What is the percentage of people that are on tight budgets at this point going to stop making payments on their mortgage because they do not think the bank will be able to take the house now? 3)  Are the AG's just doing this because it it a election year?  (free press) 4)  Is it going to continue to keep housing prices down longer? 10/18/2010

I have been using Craigslist for a while with my listings.  However, I feel that it is not as effective as it was before.  So, what I would like to know has anyone else seen this same trend with the use of craigslist?  I will continue to use it, but I am just not sure how much good it is doing for helping my listings sell or provide me with buyers.  I am just not sure if I am going the right direction on the site or if people are begining to move away from craigllist due to the bad press it has gotten lately. 10/13/2010

Looking up the price per square foot in Draper, Utah, I have found that the price per square foot has begun to return.  (Hopefully)  The current price per square foot is now $104.94 which is the highest it has been since October of 2008.  Is anyone elso seeing a similar upward trend and how long has it been for your market? 10/13/2010

There's a lot to consider when you decide to buy a home, especially if it's your first.  How much can you afford? What kind of loan should you choose? Which neighborhoods are both affordable and a good investment?  these are just a few of the questions you'll be asking yourself.  But with an experienced agent to help you, you''ll get the guidance you need to come up with the right answers - and a home you love. First things first. Before you start shopping, you need to find out how much home you can afford to buy.  Your agent can refer you to a loan officer who will help you determine how much of a down payment you can manage, as well as the monthly payment, taxes and insurance costs.  Your lender can then pre-qualify you for a dollar amount, which can help you focus your search.  You c... 10/13/2010

6 Winter Home Preparation Tips: 1.  Check your fireplaces, spaces heaters and chimney.  be sure that they are clean and free of obstructions such as leaves and birds nests.  If you do not know how to do these, call an expert who can do it for your. 2.  Check your exhaust ducts and vents to be sure that there are no obstructions. 3.  Try to cover cracks or any holes in your windows.  If your windows need replacement it is better to replace them before winter comes.  Weather strip your doors.  Weather stripping prevents the air entry into your house.  Choose ther correct type that is appropriate to your need.  4.  Check your attic, ceinling, walls, floors and insulate as needed.  As we know heat will flow from warm to cool areas but if we have a proper insulation, the unsulation will resi... 10/12/2010

There is a reason that some adages become old…because they are so true.Statistically we know that more than 90 percent of the people searching online for homes wantto see photos, photos and more photos. In order to make the best first impression, I  displayonly professional photography that will appeal to as many buyers as possible.The premise is simple. Give buyers the information they want and it will prompt action. 10/12/2010

Energy Auditing Historical Buildings like the old Draper Park School, Utah | Information gathered from any Utah energy audits in the Historic Areas of Salt Lake County, Utah will be used to determine energy efficiency, retrofitting and weatherization projects. Retrofitting projects will include air infiltration, energy efficient windows and doors, insulation levels, weather-stripping and caulking, and electric base loads.   Using the data from the energy audit to retrofit and improve the energy efficiency of a number of it's municipal buildings that will result in substantial reduction in energy usage.   DOES ADDING INSULATION REALLY HELP?    Third Party Energy Auditing Verification by Alamo Infrared on Episode 116 of Homes Today Utah. An old home was chosen in Salt Lake City, Utah for ... 09/03/2010

Real Estate in Draper Utah slipped by 30 homes sold.  Both median and average prices of Draper homes increased by about 3%. 07/06/2010