Utah's Outlook is Marvelous

According to the 2018 Prosperity Now Scorecard, Utah earned the number 7 spot for the most desirable state for home ownership.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included in this study.

- Average annual pay is found by including all workers covered by unemployment insurance and adjusted by state for cost of living. The Utah average is $46,655 and the national average is $53,621.

- Households with a savings account - 88.1% of Utahans have a savings account. The national average is 70.8%

-Home ownership rate is calculated by the percent of occupied housing units that are owner occupied. The Utah average is 69.9% and the national average is 63.1%.

- Emergency savings - 71% of Utahans stated they set aside some money for emergencies. The national average is 56%.

-Foreclosure rate is calculated by how many loans are in foreclosure. Utah's rate is .43%, the second lowest in nation.

-The delinquent mortgage loans result is the percentage of mortgage loan payments 90 days or more past due. The national average is 1.2% and Utah is at .68%.

- Affordability of homes is found by dividing the median housing value by the median family income. Utah ranks 33rd.

-Prosperity of residents - This number is the cumulative result of the study - the scorecard. It takes into account Financial assets and income, Businesses and jobs, Home ownership and housing, Healthcare, and Education. 

Of the 3,051,147 Utah residents and 943,147 households in Utah, 30.2% of them are under 18 years old and 10.5% are 65 and over.

I enjoy seeing statistics like these and thinking about the real estate market not only in the state but in our valley as well.

There is a strong, solid, housing market statewide and especially in the Heber Valley. This means that if you currently own a home, you're in a sweet spot because it's value is increasing. Your equity is increasing and your resale value is as well. If you are planning on being a homeowner but currently are not, this means the sooner you buy in, the better. 

As Utah's business and job market continues to increase, as well as the state's exceptional educational opportunities, more people will be drawn to move into the state. With those moving in and those that were raised here stay as adults to live, work, and raise families, we will continue to see Utah come out on top of these kinds of studies as a desirable place to be. Take a look at the study, it really is very interesting with much more information than what I just shared with you.

I enjoy helping families find a place to call their own. Let me know if you would like my help. Call or text 801 631-3430.

Brought to you by Heath @ HeathsHomes.com

Quickly build up that down payment with this tip

wind·fall

1. /ˈwin(d)fôl/

   noun

   an apple or other fruit blown down from a tree or bush by the wind.

    - a piece of unexpected good fortune, typically one that involves receiving a large amount of money.

   "windfall profits"

   synonyms: bonanza, jackpot, pennies from heaven, stroke/piece of luck, godsend, manna from heaven

   "the inheritance from Uncle Larry was an unexpected windfall"
2. 
   

When financial institutions give advice to those looking for good ways to start saving for a down payment for a home, they all include this suggestion - take advantage of windfalls. Windfalls you may receive are bonuses, tax refunds, large commission checks, inheritances, sale of personal assets, birthdays, weddings, or other occasional events that bring you extra money. 

An article found at www.moneyunder30.com says that if you put these windfalls into a saving account set aside specifically for a down payment on a home, you can significantly reduce the amount of time you actually have to save. Resisting the temptation to splurge and spend these windfalls, especially seemingly smaller ones that add up, will significantly cut down on your savings time frame. 

Saving so much money can seem like a daunting task but last year well over 1 million Americans bought their first home without any equity from a previous home sale. My good friend Tom Stone at Guild Mortgage in Heber City may surprise you with what he has to tell you about qualifying for a home loan and how much money you will actually need as a down payment to make your dream home a reality. Tom and I make a great team and together we have already helped dozens of families find their new home. Give me a call and we will take care of you. 801 631-3430.

Brought to you by Heath @ HeathsHomes.com

Lodge at Stillwater

437 square foot studio condo overlooking Jordanelle Reservoir. Built in 2001, third floor living. New flooring, new paint and open floor plan. $149,000

Live here, take pleasure in the views, and enjoy year round adventures or use as a great investment property in an outdoor paradise for all seasons. 

Call me today to book an appointment to see this property.

801 631-3430

Brought to you by Heath @ HeathsHomes.com

Dinner in a hurry

We had this sloppy joe recipe last week. It was pretty snacky-delish. We had to triple it of course, but the whole crew liked this take on sloppy joes. Throw together a green or pasta salad and maybe some baked beans to go with them and you're golden.

1 pound ground beef

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp of prepared yellow mustard

3/4 cup ketchup

3 tsp brown sugar

salt and pepper to taste

In a medium skillet brown the beef, onion, and green pepper. Drain off all the liquids and fat. Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar and mix well. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 -30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

When we ate it last week, it was a busy kid night - scouts, dance, and track. After I browned the beef, onions, and pepper, I threw it all in the crock pot for a few hours to cook and be ready for us whenever the crew was ready to eat. It worked out nicely. Hopefully your family enjoys it as much as we did. Here is the link to the recipe I found online.

Brought to you by Heath @ HeathsHomes.com

Are you ready to sell?

Have you asked yourself the question - What do I absolutely, bare bones, need to fix before I sell my house?

Here are the basics, hopefully it's not as daunting as you think!

1. patch holes and cracks in the wall

2. fix all broken appliances

3. leaky faucets

4. repaint any marred walls

5. replace any broken windows

6. repair any roof issues

then.... for a bonus,

change any outdated light fixtures

Now you are ready to call your realtor, sign a few papers and get some pictures taken of your spiffy house. I would be happy to help. My sign would look great in your front yard and I will do my best to keep you the best informed seller and get you the best buyer for your house. 801 631-3430

P.S. You might also be interested in going the extra mile and doing some remodeling or improvements that will make your home more desirable to potential buyers. Take a look at these blog posts to get your efforts going in the right direction. Click here and here, but this one is my favorite.

Brought to you by Heath @ HeathsHomes.com