Kandy Clayton

Salt Lake City and surrounding communities have a great new program called the Salt Lake County Green Business. This program is part of the Division of Environmental Health's Bureau of Water Quality and Hazardous Waste, which was created in partnership with the Salt Lake County Mayor's Office. Their goal is to encourage all area businesses to improve their environmental practices in four specific areas, including pollution prevention, energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainability and waste management. As a Salt Lake City area resident, I like the idea of area businesses going green.

Businesses participating in the program will be rewarded with public recognition. They will have use of the Salt Lake County Green logo and will save significant amounts of money on their waste disposal and utility bills.

To implement the Salt Lake County Green Business program, all participating restaurants will have to set simple goals for the upcoming years. These goals include reducing water by 10%, reducing electricity by 10%, reducing waste hauls by one per month through recycling efforts, purchase local products and improving pollution prevention by using non-toxic cleaning products along with other methods.

Here are some examples of how to reduce your usages:

Reducing water usage by 10% can be done by:

· Installing low-flow pre-rinse nozzles.

· Train all staff on water conservation.

· Purchase waterless urinals and low-flow toilets.

Reducing trash hauls by one per month can be done by:

· Recycle as much as possible. Hire a recycling hauler.

· Train all employees how to recycle properly.

· Post multi-lingual signs at bins.

Reducing electricity usage by 10% can be done by:

· Switching from regular lights to CFLs.

· Participate in Cool Keeper Program.

· Install automatic switches in bathrooms.

Improving pollution can be done by:

· Use dry cleaning methods.

· Train all employees on pollution prevention.

· Switch to non-toxic cleaners.

Becoming a more sustainable business can be done by:

· Buy renewable energy from by Blue Sky program.

· Join Local First Utah.

· Purchase "green" paper products, eliminate bottled water and plastic soda bottles.

As you can see, it is really easy to become a green business and the benefits are very rewarding to you, your business and your environment. To apply for the Salt Lake County Green Business program, visit www.slvhealth.org/eh/html/GreenApply.html.

Realtor® Kandy Clayton - Salt Lake City, Utah Real Estate

Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City

Looking for a "Green Community"? Salt Lake City is it.

Salt Lake City, Utah is one of the most beautiful places in the country to work, live and play. And I'm not just saying that because I live here myself, but I hear it over and over again from visitors. Salt Lake City is also the "Fittest City in America." So what better place could you ask for?

That being said, I thought sharing some of Salt Lake City's facts and figures would be beneficial to the community's happy homeowners, buyers and sellers.

Population:

Salt Lake City Population - 180,651

Salt Lake County Population - 1,009,518

Utah Population - 2,645,330

Salt Lake City Males - 91,491

Salt Lake City Females - 89,160

Demographics:

Salt Lake City Median Resident Age - 30 years

Utah Median Resident Age - 27.9 years (which is the lowest in the U.S.)

Salt Lake City Median Household Income - $43,000

Utah Median Household Income -$55,109

Salt Lake City Median Home Value - $240,200

Utah Median Home Value - $218,700

Salt Lake City Racial Diversity:

White Non-Hispanic - 70.6%

Hispanic - 18.8%

Other Race - 8.5%

Two or more races 3.5%

American Indian - 1.9%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander - 1.9%

Black - 1.9%

Vietnamese - 0.9%

Chinese - 0.9%

Japanese - 0.5%

Salt Lake City's Surrounding Area Ski Resorts at a Glance:

There are over 7,500 skiable acres with 330 runs around Salt Lake City, which receive over 500 inches of snow annually.

· Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort has over 2,500 skiable acres.

· Alta Ski Area has 2,200 skiable acres.

· Solitude Mountain Resort has over 1,200 skiable acres.

· Brighton Ski Resort has 1,050 skiable acres.

Salt Lake City's Events Space:

The Salt Palace Convention Center - 675,000 square feet

Exhibit Space - 119,000 square feet

Ballroom Space - 15,000 square feet

Elevation and Climate:

Salt Lake City's Average Elevation - 4,327 feet

(Average daily highs between 1971 and 2000)

January - 29.2 F

February - 34.5 F

March - 43.1 F

April - 50 F

May - 58.9 F

June - 69 F

July - 77 F

August - 75.6 F

September - 65 F

October - 52.5 F

November - 39.6 F

December - 30.2 F

Mileage from Salt Lake City to Area's National Parks:

Canyonlands National Park - 270 miles

Grand Canyon National Park - 368 miles

Bryce Canyon National Park - 270 miles

Yellowstone National Park - 325 miles

Arches National Park - 232 miles

Zion National Park - 350 miles

Capitol Reef National Park - 229 miles

I hope these facts and figures help you understand and appreciate Salt Lake City, Utah just a little more.

Realtor® Kandy Clayton - Salt Lake City, Utah Real Estate

Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City

As a Realtor in Salt Lake City, I'm always looking for new things in the community to show my clients what is so great about living in Salt Lake City and here is something else to add to that list. Salt Lake City has just rolled out an aggressive green plan that is aimed at improving air quality, curbing emission, and reducing the amount of waste we send to landfills.

The city has vowed to shrink emissions by 20% by the year 2020 and to cut garbage being sent to landfills in half by 2015. The city may also take curbside recycling citywide with some financial incentives. It seems that many on the city council believe that the landfill battle will only be won house by house.

Currently, 82% of Salt Lake City residents voluntarily participate in recycling programs, but the biggest complaint from those residents is glass recycling. There is already a funding source in place for sustainability projects and the Salt Lake Valley Landfill is working on a revenue surplus which would go toward landfill improvements.

The city will be improving the city's air quality by focusing on bike and transit improvements. This could mean an overall reduction in the city's carbon footprint in the long-term. Many people would like to see the city become a biker's paradise, with entire lanes dedicated to non-motorized travel in areas of the city. And progress is already underway.

The Utah Transit Authority is already underway with plans for a bicycle transit center at the Intermodal Hub. The center could be ready as early as summer, with talks to feature indoor bike parking, bike repair, bike rentals and an accessory shop. The center will be located near 300 West and 600 South.

It seems like, with all these new bike trails or bike lanes, Salt Lake City will remain "America's Healthiest City."

Salt Lake City, Utah Community Information

Salt Lake City, Utah Real Estate

Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City Realtor® Kandy Clayton

Salt Lake City, Utah has just been named the "Fittest City in America" by Men's Fitness magazine. Men's Fitness has been in business for more than a decade. The magazine did a recent survey of the top 50 cities in the United States to find which city takes health and fitness the most seriously. Salt Lake City was the big winner this year.

It is believed our great community gained the "Fittest City" distinction because of motivated residents, low obesity rates and an abundance of park space. Salt Lake City's metro region ranks highest above all others in participation in many activities such as yoga, kickboxing, hiking, running, walking, swimming and basketball. Salt Lake City residents also limit their television watching time and eat a healthier diet. Eating a healthier diet is attributed to the many health food stores per resident in the metro area.

Along with a comfortable climate, Salt Lake City has seen an increase in an outdoor-oriented lifestyle. The city has become increasingly more bikeable, walkable and is within close proximity to some really great biking and hiking trails. People who work and live in Salt Lake City are so motivated with the beautiful outdoors and limitless activities, they can't help but be fit.

Here is the list of America's top 10 "Fittest Cities," published by Men's Fitness Magazine:

1. Salt Lake City, UT

2. Colorado Springs, CO

3. Minneapolis, MN

4. Denver, CO

5. Albuquerque, NM

6. Portland, OR

7. Honolulu, HI

8. Seattle, WA

9. Omaha, NB

10. Virginia Beach, VA

Here is the list of America's top 10 "Fattest Cities," published by Men's Fitness Magazine:

1. Miami, FL

2. Oklahoma City, OK

3. San Antonio, TX

4. Las Vegas, NV

5. New York, NY

6. Houston, TX

7. El Paso, TX

8. Jacksonville, FL

9. Charlotte, NC

10. Louisville, KY

Congratulations to all those great, healthy and fit Salt Lake City residents.

Salt Lake City Real Estate

Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City Realtor® Kandy Clayton

To save on the costs of owning a home and to have more options, a first-time homebuyer may want to look at smaller homes, fixer uppers and cheaper commutes to work to save on the costs of buying and owning a home. Many first-time homebuyers expect more than what they can afford when looking for a new home. Once they start looking, they tend to get very discouraged. Move-in conditions tend to be on the top of the list for 81% of first-time buyers. Only 7% consider a fixer-upper.

Many real estate professionals will agree that buyers should examine the fixer-upper option to get the affordability they want. Once upon a time, first-time buyers bought older homes to save money and break into homeownership. Today, that's just not the trend. First-time homebuyers should remember that a fixer-upper can build equity over time. They can later move on up to a second stage home or their dream home.

When househunting, look for homes that have been heavily discounted. These homes are more likely to need some fixing up than homes than aren't discounted. Be sure to get the home professionally inspected to determine what fixing up is necessary so you are not biting off more than you can chew.

Most fixer-uppers will need a basic face lift, like carpet, paint, landscaping and other cosmetic touches. When buying a fixer-upper, you will have to weigh the pros and cons from the price of the home to the cost of improvement. Most first-time buyers want a large home to start off. But bigger doesn't always mean better when it comes to price. Many times, a smaller home can come with much more affordability.

Salt Lake City, Utah Real Estate

Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City Realtor® Kandy Clayton