Vernal, UT

I you will be headed our way in July there are several fun things to do.

The Outlaw Trail Theater is July 1-3 at the Western Park Ampitheater. Of course there will be Independence Day celebrations. There will be a parade on Main Street in the morning, and fireworks in the evening at the Ashley Valley Park.

Dippy the Dinosaur will be having a birthday celebration again this summer. This party celebrates the discovery of the Diplododus skeleton. This skeleton is on display in the museum. I am sure Dippy will want to invite his dinosaur friends.

The Country Show Down is July 8th at the Western Park Ampitheater.

The PRCA Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo will be held July 9-12.

Each year there are activities to celebrate Pioneer Day. It is a state holiday to celebrate the arrival of the first pioneers to settle in Utah. In Vernal, there will be a parade on the Main Street.

Alive After Five in Cobble Rock Park will start July 31st, and continue each Thursday in August.

Come and join us!

The weather has been kind of cold and unusual out this way. Now it is warmer and it seems like summer is going to stay. A sure sign of summer in Vernal is seeing the beautiful planters and pots along Main Street filled with petunias. Varieties of purples and pinks, with a touch of white. Thought I would share this wonderful site!

Cobble Rock Park

Fountains at Cobble Rock Park

Petunias along the front of the park

Petunias along the Natural History Museum

Welcome to Spring of 2008! Did you know June is National Homeowners Month? This year's theme is "Back to Basics".

From the HUD.gov website: This year's theme - "Back to Basics" - is designed to underscore the importance of having strong, common-sense fundamentals as a way to maintain a sustainable housing market. Many of those basics were ignored in the lead-up to the housing bubble. HUD's Federal Housing Administration is at the center of the Administration's efforts to help qualified homeowners refinance into safer, more affordable mortgage products.

Despite many news stories that suggest that buyers must put down at least 20% as a down payment in order to buy a home, there are many loan programs that allow a buyer to put a lower down payment, or even to refinance an existing loan with a fairly high loan-to-value ratio.

One of the oldest, most stable loan programs is the FHA loan program. FHA stands for Federal Housing Administration and as you can glean from the name of the program, it is a government-backed loan program, administered by HUD.

You might not realize that the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) has insured over 34 million home mortgages, and has been in existence since 1934.

FHA loans are for ANYBODY -- not just first time buyers. FHA loans can be used on single family houses, certain condominiums, duplexes, 3-plexes and 4-plexes. If duplex, 3-plex or 4-plex, the borrower must live in one of the units, and the loan limits for these kinds of properties are higher than for single family homes.

I have started collecting FHA tips from several lenders I work with. Here are a few that I think many of you may find helpful and interesting.

** The cost for the seller to accept an offer with an FHA loan is now only the tax service fee which is about $85. It previously cost $100 - $200 in years past.

** FHA requires only 3% down. Some of the loans above the standard FHA loan limits (temporary limits by Congress) do require 5%, but some lenders offer a loan program only requiring 3% down for the temporary limits too.

** FHA does allow seller paid closing costs. The minimum contribution for funds to close by the borrower is 3% and the funds can be gifted.

Buyers, or homeowners wanting to refinance, can apply for an FHA loan through a local mortgage lender. Not all mortgage lenders can or will do an FHA loan, so don't hesitate to ask for referrals. Take the time to explore your financing options before you go home hunting, it can well pay off in valuable information.

If you would like to learn more about an FHA loan, or apply for one, simply CLICK HERE to contact me today.

Kyle

Spring is finally here. I took the chance to enjoy nature and photograph the beautiful flowers here in Vernal. It was nice to get outside and relax. I did not worry about things that needed to be done and just enjoyed the beauty of nature.

Hope you are able to just relax and enjoy the view! Check out the Hawk Moth that is in two different picutres! They look like hummbirds, but they are moths.

On the technical end I learned more about my camera today and will use the micro lens next time to get closer to the flowers. I will also be watching for shadows, especially mine!

I even caught a Hawk Moth enjoying the flowers. They look like hummingbirds with the way their wings move so quickly. They also have the long proboscus for getting nectar from the flowers. If you look closely at the left side of the first picture on my blog you will see the hawk moth in it too.

There is always something to do in Vernal Utah.

On May 3rd there will be a Health Beat Health fair and on May 22nd and 23rd there is a Uintah Basin Energy Symposium and Golf Tournament. For more information on these events and future events check the Chamber of Commerce site.

There are several museums and monuments to visit. The temporary visitor center at the Dinosaur National Monument is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. It is closed November through February. There is hiking, auto tours, wildlife, a chance to see replicas of dinosaur bones, and remnants of old cabins built by homesteaders. For a printable travel guide visit www.nps.gov/dino/pphtml/print.html

Want to check out geology and photos visit www.nps.gov/dino/dinos.htm

The Duchesne County Visitor and History center, is open May through September from Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm. Check out the historical photos and antiques.

The ladies of the White House Doll Collection is open Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. It is closed Sundays and Holidays. Dolls representing the First ladies are on display.

The Regional History center and The Outlaw trail History Center is open Monday to Thursday 10 am to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm. It is closed Sundays and Holidays. It contains historical photos, newspapers, and history items.

The Uintah County Daughters of the Pioneers Museum is open June through August on Tuesdays to Saturday from 10 Am to 4 pm. September to May Friday and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. On display are photographs, artifacts, and history of the area.

The Utah Field House of natural History State park Museum is open 8 am to 7 pm seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The rest of the year it is open 9 am to 5 pm daily. Check out the fossil wall and the replicas of dinosaurs!

The Western heritage Museum is open Memorial Day to Labor Day Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm. Saturday 10 am to 5 pm. Winter hours are Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. Saturday 10 am to 2 pm. Check out the western memorabilia, photos, Native American art, and quilts.

If you are interested in Hiking, boating, snowmobiling, skiing, four wheeling check out the Utah State Parks website.

There is something for everyone and never a dull moment!