About Salt Lake County, UT

Mild Winter for Sandy Utah

What a strange winter! Some snow on the hills, a few chill winds and the odd snow flurry in town.

Last year we could not turn the snow off - this year, the snow plow operators sit idle. With promises (unfulfilled mostly) of elusive storms, they become strangely active, showing their presence in Sandy streets, getting truly excited over a mere inch of snow if they can find it to play with.

With last week's dump, I had my moments on my electric scooter, bursting through dry powder, making my way to the Trax stations, and onto sliding trains. Plowed snow quickly ices making my endeavors a real challenge - spinning my wheels, for the most part on slush in roadways, Often easier to begin my day in town than to try to return home around 6am

Another storm promised two hours ago - after high 50s temperatures. Nothing yet. What a change that will be to recent sunshine, and WARMTH. Buds are bursting forth - to decorate approaching Spring. After all, it's less than four weeks to LDS Church Conference, and only a few days away from Daylight Saving.

Overcast, windy, with dropping temperatures.

Snowbird has a snow cover in excess of 100 inches (to keep our National, and International visitors happy - and there are heaps of them.)

As always, this is a great time to visit Sandy, Utah, or even to consider making it your home.

I would love to show you around.

Tenants not opening the door for scheduled showings. I get frustrated for the sellers and my buyers when a tenant wont open the door for us to show the home. I cringe when I see in the comments that its tenant occupied. I let my buyer know ahead of time that it may be challenging getting in to see the home and theres only so much we can do.

I was reminded yesterday of how frustrating this can be. I schedule my showings the day before making sure sellers have plenty of notice. I'm told by the agent that yes we can show the home, the tenant will be home and they will let us in......

Fast forward: Knock, Knock, Knock.....

dogs barking, kids laughing, no one answers the door.......

I wonder how many sellers are unaware of their tenants actions.........

I wonder how many sellers care?

If I was trying to sell my home and my renter wouldn't let potential buyers in I would want to know..

I provide feedback to the agents so they know what happened. I'm sure its frustrating for everyone involved.

Sellers please be aware of the issues you may have when you are trying to sell your home and it currently has renters in it. Hire a good property management company to oversee your property while its rented. They will be able to help advise you on your rental contract, what rights your renters have and what hurdles you will have to jump over to put your home up for sale while its currently being rented.

• Provide the post office with your forwarding address two to four weeks ahead of the move
• Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of your change of address
• Create a list of friends, relatives and business colleagues who need to be notified about your move
• Arrange to disconnect utilities and have them connected at your new home
• Cancel the newspaper, or change the address so it will arrive at your new  home
• Check insurance coverage for the items you're moving.  Usually movers only cover what they pack
• Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving or for staying
• Note the weight of the goods you'll have moved.  Watch for movers who add excessive padding to add weight
• Check with your condo about any restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits for moving
• Have a keep with me, or a open first box with the things you'll need most, such as toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pencils, paper, snacks, daily essential

• Get copies of your medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family.  If possible refill all prescriptions before you go so you don't have to worry about it immediately when you move
• Get copies of your children's school records for transfer
• Arrange for your pets travel needs
• Let a friend or relative know your route
• Empty your safety deposit box

8 things you should avoid if you want to buy a home in Salt Lake.

The world of lending and real estate is constantly changing

From interest rates ~ to whether its a buyers market ~ a sellers market or what the local housing market shows as the newest trend. With everything changing one thing stays the same the top mistakes people can make to sabotage their chances of getting a home loan.

1. Don't~ buy or lease an auto. This will affect your debt to income ratio and also your credit score

2. Don't ~ be tempted by low introductory rates or store discounts. Again this will ding your credit score and depending on what and how much you charge your debt to income ratios

3. Don't move assets from one bank to another and make sure you have money in your accounts (no bounced checks please). This could complicate the application process. Ask your lender before you do anything.

4. Don't change jobs. This could seriously impact your ability to qualify for a loan

5. Don't make any major purchases. ie. furniture for the new house, decorations .. If the purchases increase the debt load that you have it can disqualify you from the loan or deplete your funds to close.

6. Don't attempt to consolidate bills or pay items off before speaking to your lender. Different types of debt weigh differently on your credit score and how your debt to income is calculated.

7. Don't pack or ship important documents. If you are in the process of moving, leave all important documents out. Keep your last two years of tax returns, w-2's, divorce decrees, paycheck stubs, bank statements ... keep them out you may need to show them to your lender again and if you have them packed you may have a hard time finding them.

8. Don't throw away pay stubs and bank statements. Save everything until after your loan closes. As a general rule of thumb you will need two months worth of documentation when you apply for your loan and may need to provide additional paperwork prior to closing.

Even if you have been prequalified~ follow the rules above~ ask your lender before you do anything that can impact your financial situation.

ps. DIVORCE? if you are in the middle of a divorce or decide to get a divorce during the loan process~ let your lender and agent know immediately...

Salt Lake Buyers, Tips for Buying in a Tight Market. That's right a tight market if you're a buyer looking for a home under or around 200,000 in Salt Lake County. I have been out and about showing homes in this price range daily over the last two weeks. There are a lot of homes for sale but the problem comes down to quality.

Quality vs. Quantity

Yes we have ample amounts of homes for sale.

No there are not ample amounts of good, quality homes for sale around or under the 200,000 price range.

So in order to increase your chances of getting your dream house in a competitive market and lower your chances of losing out to another buyer....

* Make sure you meet with your lender, discuss the type of loan you would like, and make sure you have all monies that you will need based on your discussion with your lender and also your agent. Your agent will also have information regarding the types of homes you are looking for and what is required for the offer process. ie. HUD homes, REO, Short Sales, Home Path

* Get prequalified for a mortgage. There is a difference between a preapproval and getting prequalified. I prefer to have my buyers prequalified.

* Stay in close contact with your real estate agent to find out whats new on the market. Be ready to look as soon as you see the home hit the market. If its a good home, good location, good condition... it will go fast.

* Be ready to make a decision.

*Keep your contingencies to a minimum.

*Don't get caught up in the craziness. Just because others are showing the home when you are looking at it, doesn't mean you need to buy that home.

If you are looking for a home in Salt Lake County, give me a call! I would love to help you.