Question of the day – To Buy or Rent or Both

Buying VS Renting

As home prices begin their slow crawl in a positive direction, many people are asking the questions, “to buy or rent or both?” Recently, the real estate listings data site Trulia came out with a new analysis that addresses these questions. Their findings are that it is still a sound choice to buy a home rather than rent a home. Renting is only better if you can’t qualify for a low mortgage rate or if you move around a lot.

This analysis also showed that some consumers think buying a home is less attractive than renting. Today, buying a home is around 44% cheaper than renting and many of them can’t see that it’s a much better deal than renting.

Home prices have gone up much faster than rent prices; however, when you factor in the low interest rates, buying a home can be a much better choice than renting a home. The current interest rate on a 30-year fixed –rate mortgage is 3.54%, but that changes often. So, when you are trying to decide to rent or buy, check out the current interest rates to help you make the right choice for your situation.

There is also the option of buying a second home or investment property to rent out. You will have real estate to help your net worth, while your renters pay your mortgage. If you rent your home for the right amount, you can pay your mortgage, set some aside for repairs and maintenance and have a little left over. Buying and renting can be a win, win situation.

So, are you ready for home ownership over renting? Ask yourself these questions:

* Can you quality for a low mortgage rate?

* Which tax bracket will you be in?

* How long will you live in the home?

All these questions are important when deciding to purchase a new home. To determine if you will save money by buying a home you should have answered yes to each question. You can save the most by qualifying for the low mortgage rate of 3.5%. You can save even more if you itemize your federal tax deductions and fit into the 25% tax bracket. Even more savings come when you live in your home for at least seven years.

This buying vs renting information is brought to you by: Erika Rogers – your real estate resource for St. George, UT and surrounding communities.

 

Photos Courtesy of: www.informantive.com & www.nationalmortgageinvestigation.com

 

Looking to Retire? Head to Sunny St. George, UT

St. George, UT Retirement Communities

Photo Courtesy of: www.UtahStGeorge.com

If you’re looking to retire and want the best place in the country, head to sunny St. George Utah! This friendly diverse community is tucked away in the southwestern corner of Utah. There are many advantages to choosing St. George Utah for retirement, one of them being four-season golfing.

There are 12 golf courses in the St. George area which are known for their challenging designs, affordable green fees and their spectacular scenic features. The St. George golf lifestyle is like no other, with mild winter weather and other nearby recreational areas combed to make St. George the place to be in your retirement years.

Considered one of the fastest growing retirement areas in the country, St. George, Utah is acquiring a reputation as “the” place to retire. AARP Magazine (July/August 2006 issue) lists St. George as one of the best places to retire in the country. AARP conducted an intensive nationwide search for “five cities that offer culture, cachet, or, in some cases, just peace and quiet.” St. George was one of the choices.

A desert oasis, the St. George, Utah area has temperate weather and scenery with classic Utah flair. Temperatures average approximately 60 degrees during the year with summer temperatures in the 100′s and winter temperatures around 55 degrees. Our temperate climate allows world class St. George golf courses to be accessible year round.

Near Utah’s Zion and Bryce National Parks, the St. George retirement area provides several recreational opportunities. In addition to the wide range of St. George golf options, there’s, hiking, biking, and exploring the natural resources of the area, all just around the corner. The St. George area also is within a couple hours drive to skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. One of the top twenty marathons in the country is also hosted here in St. George Utah. All are perfect reasons why southern Utah is one of the best places to retire.

St. George, Utah is located approximately 120 miles from Las Vegas and midway between San Diego and Salt Lake City. Not far from the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell, the area is secluded enough to offer the quiet of the perfect retirement community but close enough to major U.S cities for sparkling lights and big-city getaways.

Retiring in St. George, Utah also provides useful tax advantages, with several property tax exemptions that appeal to retiring taxpayers including exemptions for up to 45% of the fair market value of property as well as a Circuit Breaker property tax relief for individuals 65 or older.

This St. George community information is brought to you by: Erika Rogers – your real estate resource for St. George, UT and surrounding communities.

Homes for Sale in Coral Canyon-St George Utah | April 2013 Market Report

Homes for Sale in Coral Canyon-St George Utah | April 2013 Market Report

Coral Canyon in Washington Utah is a beautifully master planned community situated on 2,600 acres. Coral Canyon is home to a championship 18 hole golf course with panoramic views of the red rocks which surround it.The close proximity to I-15 make it the perfect community for home owners coming from the north. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle of town to enjoy the majesty of the red rocks, yet just 5 minutes to shoppingtheaters and Red Cliffs Mall.

 

  Coral Canyon near St George Utah Real Estate Market Report~March 2013 is as follows:

                             11 Coral Canyon homes sold in the month of April 2013~
                                    1 home sold for between $140,000 and $160,000
                                    1 homes sold for between $160,000 and $180,000
                                    5 homes sold for between $180,000 and $200,000
                                    2 homes sold for between $200,000 and $250,000
                                    1 home sold for between $300,000 and $400,000
                                    1 home sold for between $400,000 and $500,000
                                   

 

There were 22 homes for sale in the Coral Canyon Master Planned Community in April 2013 which is a 35.3% decrease from April 2012 when there were 34 homes for sale.

Sales in Coral Canyon were up 266.7% in April 2013-from 3 sold in April 2012 to 11 sold in April 2013. 

Average sales price for a home in Coral Canyon in March 2013 was $223,729.  Average sales price increased 46.08% in April 2013 over April 2012 when the average sales price was $153,150.

Average days on the market has dramatically decreased over the last year-in April 2012 homes in Coral Canyon took an average of 148 days to sell. In April 2013 average days on the market has decreased to 124!  Homes in Coral Canyon sold for 96.9% of their original listed price in April 2013.

If you’re interested in  Coral Canyon Homes for Sale or any other St George Homes for Sale, please feel free to give me a call or drop me an email. I’ll be glad to provide you with more information and answer any questions you may have.  Thinking of selling your home in Coral Canyon I have buyers looking right now for their dream home in Coral Canyon, your’s might be the one!  Call me if you’d like to discuss selling it.

Homes are Selling Quickly in SunRiver St George 55+ Active Adult Community

Homes are Selling Quickly in SunRiver St George 55+ Active Adult Community

4352 Aspen Glow St George Utah 84790 | PENDING SALE | Sun River St George Homes for Sale

A tremendous place to retire in St. George Utah, SunRiver St. George is southern Utah’s premier master-planned active adult lifestyle community, the first of its kind in the area. This unique Southern Utah community shares many of the amenities provided by similar communities without the high density, crowded neighborhoods, and stressful urban settings of the other communities. Built in an unspoiled, rural location, SunRiver St. George provides a quiet, superbly planned community with occupancy limited to at least one resident 55 or older with no permanent residents under the age of 18.  Some of the amenities at Sun River are indoor & outdoor pools & spas, fitness center, ballroom, billiards room, library equipped with computers, pickleball, horseshoes, tennis and golf course.

If you would like more information on homes for sale in Sun River or if you own a home in SunRiver and are interested in selling, please feel free to call me at 435-229-8801.  I have sold many homes in SunRiver 55+ community and have more buyers looking for their dream home now!

 

SunRiver 55+ Community in St George Utah
Overview
Maps
Photos
$205,000
Single Family Home
Main Features
2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1 Unit
Interior: 1,310 sqft
Lot: 0.07 acre(s)
Location
4352 Aspen Glow Dr
St George, UT 84790
USA

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Erika Rogers Erika Rogers

ReMax First Realty
(435) 229-8801
erikarogersrealtor@gmail.com
http://www.relocatetosunnystgeorge.com

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Home Selling Mistakes to Avoid

Home selling tips

Now that home selling demands are on the rise due to low interest rates and a recovering economy, there are some home selling mistakes to avoid that will keep you from making a negative impact with many potential buyers. Therefore, I have some tips about those mistakes and how to avoid them.

Home selling tips:

The Cleanup – A clean home is a happy home. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. When you look at a home for sale, you won’t buy a dirty home will you? Not likely. And that is why it is so important to clean up your home and property and maintain a clean home. When a buyer sees a dirty home, they will quickly move on to the next home for sale.

Home showings – Give the potential buyers some space when they are viewing the home. Many buyers will feel pressured or uncomfortable if you are peering over their shoulders the whole time. A good way to avoid this is to simply say, “Feel free to look around, and I’ll be right here to answer any questions you may have”. Let them venture off on their own, but be nearby for questions.

Home price – One of the most important parts of selling a home is getting the price just right for potential buyers. A Realtor® can help you do just that. They are up-to-date on all the real estate market changes and how each change affects property values. Your agent will help you price your home to sell fast.

Photos are important – While curb appeal is still one of the most attractive parts of a home, photos are still just as important. Many buyers just do not have time to go to each home they are interested in. And, they may be moving from out of town. Therefore, photos are a jewel to some prospective buyers. There are many things you can do to make sure you have the best photographs.

Photograph tips:

* Take photos when natural sunlight is at its best.

* Make sure the home is clutter-free if you are still occupying the home.

* Clean the home until is shines; including flooring, doors, walls, fixtures, lighting, windows, doors, etc.

These home selling tips are brought to you by: Erika Rogers – your real estate resource for St. George, UT and surrounding communities.

St George Utah Real Estate Market Report-April 2013

St George Utah Real Estate Market Report-April 2013

Below is a graph tracking the St George Utah real estate market statistics through April 2013.

The inventory of homes for sale rose slightly and sales decreased for the month of April.  Typically, we see strong sales in the month of March due to the Parade of Homes that is held in February each year. After that flurry of sales, we usually see a slight decrease in sales the following months, which has been true this year also.

The number of foreclosures is decreasing as well as Notices of Default.  Many sellers are receiving multiple offers if their homes are in good condition and priced competitively.  Just for an example, I listed a darling little home in downtown St George priced at $120,000 on Monday and received an offer on it that same night!  We had 4 showings the first day and many more calls to show it the following days.  Demand is high for homes priced under $250,000. Homes in Coral Canyon continue to be very popular and there is a good selection priced under $250,000.

SunRiver St George also continues to show stronger numbers than other areas, due to higher demand from the 55+ active adult community buyers. Currently SunRiver is celebrating it’s 15 year anniversary with lots of fun activities planned thorughout the week!

St George Utah Housing Market Report | April 2013

Stone Cliff Homes for Sale – St. George UT

Homes for sale Stone Cliff in St. George UT

Photo Courtesy of: www.StoneCliff.com

Come by and see the gated, luxury community of Stone Cliff in St George Utah There are many amenities to boast about like an indoor swimming pool as well as an outdoor pool, tennis courts, club house and the landscaped common areas are well manicured and maintained. This gated community also has a guard on duty, to assure your privacy.

Located on an affluent south bluff of town, Stone Cliff in St George Utah exemplifies true lifestyle by offering discerning buyers an accentuated way of life. Designed to utilize the imagination and sophistication of residential buyers, Stone Cliff offers an ambiance that enhances the elegant side of St. George while providing access to all that southern Utah has to offer. Beautiful water features, rock walls, and lush plants and bushes, surround the neighborhood. Because Stone Cliff is built on a bluff, every lot has a fabulous view. Most of the lots are terraced, offering spectacular views of the Saint George valley and mountains. Pine Valley Mountain is to the north, the mountains of the Arizona Strip to the south, Zion National park to the east, and the red rock and black hills around St George to the west.

Stone Cliff is one of the most popular communities for second/vacation home buyers in the St George area. Vacation home buyers appreciate the guard gated atmosphere along with the privacy that Stone Cliff offers. It’s also reassuring to know that the landscaping of your vacation home and the neighborhood are impeccably maintained year round. Top it off with the other wonderful amenities and Stone Cliff is an ideal location to purchase a second home.

If you’re interested in homes for sale in Stone Cliff or any other St George Utah homes for sale, please feel free to contact Erika Rogers, your real estate resource for St. George, UT and surrounding communities.

This information is brought to you by Erika Rogers and was taken from data on the Washington County Utah MLS Market data does not show FSBO, non broker members listings, or listings not published.

Upcoming May 2013 Events in St. George, UT

Upcoming May 2013 Events in St. George, UT – Don’t miss out on the fun and festivities.

St. George, UT Events

Washington City Cotton Days – Don’t miss the last day of Cotton Days festivities.

Date: May 3 & 4, 2013

Time: All day

Location: 350 N Community Center Dr.

Ironman 70.3 St. George – The new location for the US Pro Championship. There will be 75 age groups open for the 2013 Ironman 70.3. Over 2500 athletes have registered for the event that is completely sold out. However, you can still check out the festivities at in Town Square on Friday between 10am and 6pm.

Date: May 3, 2013 – 10am to 6pm

Date: May 4, 2013 A free pancake breakfast from 8am to 10am at the corner of Main St. and Bueno Vista Blvd.

Location: 50 South Main St. Town Square

 

ReMax Country/Western Invitation – A new fine art gallery by ReMax will have it very first invitational. The theme; Country/Western, will run through the month of May. This invitational is provided to give local artists a chance to show off their art. Best of all, they don’t take any part of commissions from sold art work. Artists get 100% of their revenue.

Date: May 1 – 30, 2013

Time: 10am to 5:30pm

Location: 20 North Main St., Suite 405, St. George, UT.

Armed Forces Day Celebration – Come to the Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum and see the Armed Forces past and present. There will be a fly in the sky silent auction, a vintage aircraft display, food, toys, and Warbird Rides in a T-6 Texan.

Date: May 11, 2013

Time: 8am to 5pm

Location: 4196 South Airport Parkway, St. George, UT.

Equality Utah Banquet – A fundraiser banquet with a silent auction and dance.

Date: May 18, 2013

Time: 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Location: 1835 Convention Center Drive – Dixie Center Garden Room

The Color Palooza – Join in the fun with an all-out crazy color party. There will be lots of people trying to live like there’s no tomorrow getting in the 5k run. There will also be music and food.

Date: May 18, 2013

Time: 9am to 1pm

Location: 225 S 700 E – Dixie State University – Hansen Stadium

These St. George, UT May events are brought to you by: Erika Rogers – your real estate resource for St. George, UT.

 

 

A Continuing Housing Recovery – Home Prices Up, Up, Up

Housing Recovery 2013

2013 Real Estate Update:

The housing recovery of 2013 continues as home prices go up, up, up. In January home prices were up 8.1% from the year before. The S&P Case0Shiller index shows we are seeing the biggest home price gain since June 2006, marking it the highest increase since the housing bust. In February, the average home sold for $246,800, which was up from 3% the previous year.

It is currently looking like 2013 is the year for new-home sales to be strong. And, home sales are expected to be even stronger in the last half of 2013. The housing recovery appears to be widespread and not localized to certain regions. Twenty of the hardest hit housing markets are now showing price gains year-over-year; however, Detroit is still lagging behind.

Some of the most hurt housing markets from housing bust are enjoying the largest gains. And, now experts are seeing a lot of strength in whole the housing market. Of course we are not at the peak we saw in 2006 when the index was at an all time high. But we have come a long way in the healing process.

A number of factors have helped home prices raise in recent months, such as the inventory of available homes for sale, a drop in foreclosures, a decline in unemployment, and near record-low mortgage rates.

Because of the housing recovery, we are all enjoying economic growth. Even home builders are trying to get enough help to keep up with new demand. A rise in home prices also helps reduce the amount of people who owe more than their homes are worth. This will help more and more homeowners refinance their home loans at lower rates and free up some money so they can spend it on other things.

This housing recover information is brought to you by: Erika Rogers – your real estate resource for St. George, UT and surrounding communities.

Cheap Ways to Give Your Home a High End Look

Many homeowners want the high end look when it comes to décor; however, once you buy a home, your budget can be too low to reach your goals. Therefore, I have found some cheap ways to give your home a high end look.

Get the high end look for less:

Try a trio – You can give any room that wow factor by using a trio of paneled art. This style has been getting more popular over the years and can put a big dent in your wallet if you buy the paneled art new. You can make your own for so much less by having art you like printed at your local printer. They will be able to print long prints for you. Cut the image out and place them in panel frames.

3 Panel Wall Art

Photo Courtesy of: www.WayFair.com

Go big – When you use an extra large area rug, your room will feel bigger. You can also tape together smaller rugs to achieve an extra large rug for less. Place mirrors behind your sofa and you have a larger room (at least by appearance).

Taping Area Rugs

Photo Courtesy of: www.HomeDepot.com

Use less – You know the saying, “less is more”? Turns out, that is true when it comes to home décor. When decorating your home, don’t overcrowd your spaces. Add objects of various heights and color to give the room personality.

Decor Tips

Photo Courtesy of: www.GoodHouseKeeping.com

Be bold – Don’t be afraid to be bold. You should have a focal point in your room. You can create a focal point by using wall art that pops or by painting one wall a bold color. If you are artistic, you can create your own wall art on blank canvas. You can even ask your local art schools or colleges if any students would be interested in earning a little extra money. This can save you thousands.

Focal Wall Ideas

Photo Courtesy of: www.TheDesignFile.net

Add flair – Get crazy with a textured accent wall. This can add warmth to your room and give you a polished look at the same time. If you are on a budget, just do one wall.

Textured Wall Ideas

Photo Courtesy of: www.FresHome.com

Try the unexpected – Make your own headboard for your bed out of old doors. You can use a pair of old doors to add to the visual weight of your bedroom. You will get a dreamy, airy look that will enhance any room.

Door headboards

Photo Courtesy of: www.SallyLeeByTheSea.com

These cheap home décor tips are brought to you by: Erika Rogers – your real estate resource for St. George, UT and surrounding communities.

 

Discover St. George

Meet Erika Rogers

Erika Rogers - St George Utah Real Estate

Erika Rogers, REALTOR®

ReMax First Realty

1224 S River Rd.
Suite A-200
St. George, UT 84790

435-229-8801    Cell
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