Blog

Summer Highlights

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Jul 08, 2020

This week we are reviewing the top questions of home Buyers and Sellers during these changing times, outside activities that give space and some great alternatives to the top national parks.

Navigating the real estate market was already intimidating, but in this uncertain time, we all have even more questions about how to do it. Vince Malta who is president of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has channeled his 43 years of experience to offer advice about buying and selling in this strange new environment. We are sharing the top four questions of the article, click here to read all twenty-five.

1. Is now a good time to buy? Every person who dreams of owning a home has to answer that question individually based on a variety of factors — ranging from their personal financial picture to what’s available in their market to how long they plan to stay in one place.

While searching for and buying a home during the COVID-19 pandemic presents some challenges, with mortgage interest rates at an all-time low, for some it may be an ideal time to buy. Thankfully, the real estate industry has quickly adapted to the current circumstances and is leveraging technology that allows buyers to continue their home search virtually and close transactions using safety precautions or remote online notarization.

One of the biggest challenges buyers have faced in the last several years is a shortage of inventory. With the health crisis and stay-at-home orders, some sellers have pulled out of the market or delayed listing their properties, which only exacerbates the inventory challenge.

2. Is now a good time to refinance? Historical data, going back 50 years, shows that mortgage interest rates have never been lower. So, it sure sounds like a good time to consider refinancing, but this is a question to discuss with a lender or qualified financial planner.

If you do decide to refinance, be prepared: Lenders I’ve talked to are managing a high volume of applications, so you’ll need patience — along with outstanding credit. More than 2 million borrowers have sought forbearance on their mortgage payments as a result of the current situation. Some lenders have responded by tightening credit standards, including raising minimum credit scores. So make sure your financial house is in order, you’re continuing to pay bills on time, and you’re keeping debt manageable.

3. What is the best place to find information about how COVID-19 is affecting the home-buying process in my area? Realtors® can provide insights into how your local market is affected by COVID-19 and can help you understand how stay-at home orders, and other local, state and federal government actions and recommendations, are impacting the home-buying process.

4. Is it currently more of a buyer’s or seller’s market? Is COVID-19 shifting these? Every market is different, so it’s a good idea to speak with a Realtor to learn what’s going on in your area. That said, in the past few years, many areas have been experiencing inventory shortages, in part due to insufficient home building and increased tenure in home. On a national basis, a thriving economy combined with low interest rates and limited inventory have led to 97 straight months of home price increases. Generally, low inventory and increasing prices indicate a seller’s market, but historic low interest rates have helped keep homes affordable for buyers in most markets.

NAR data shows Realtors® are experiencing significant slowdowns in their business as a result of COVID-19, but that hasn’t necessarily shifted the market to a buyer’s market. In fact, the national median existing-home price for all housing types in March was $280,600, up 8% from March 2019.

To read the entire article "Everything You Need To Know About Buying and Selling a Home in This Pandemic" - click here.

As we look to get outside while keeping space we are sharing Park City Mag's Fly Fish & Feast. Here are some tips for where to drop a line and get a post-river bite for yourself.

The Middle Provo River is one of Utah’s finest blue-ribbon fisheries, stretching from Jordanelle to Deer Creek Reservoirs. Great public access is only a 15-minute drive from Park City. Take UT-224 out of Park City to US Hwy 40 East, travel nine miles, and turn right at the light at River Road. Two fisherman’s access areas are right there (one on the right, one on the left) with parking, portable restrooms, and lots of other fishers to swap tales with. You’ll catch brown, cutthroat, and rainbow trout on this beautiful, braided section of river, with lots of easy spots to fish from shore or by shallow wading (depending on water flow). Flies and lures only. Best bets: PMDs, caddis in the evenings, and grasshoppers in late summer.

Then visit Back 40 Ranch House Grill and take in the beautiful, pastoral views of the Heber/Midway Valley while sipping nothing but the water from their own artesian aquifer, but … with so many farm-to-table, locally sourced ingredients, you’d be remiss if you didn’t order, say, the smoked jalapeño cheddar burger made with beef from the Circle Bar Ranch two pastures away and artisan cheddar from nearby Heber Valley Cheese.

Each summer, Jans Mountain Outfitters hosts, beginner fly-casting lessons at the ponds at lower Deer Valley (next to the gazebo). You don’t need a reservation, but call ahead to confirm and let them know you’re coming so they can bring enough rods (bring your own if you have one). Typically, you’ll end up with a group of 8 to 10 new anglers perfecting their “10 o’clock, 2 o’clock” casting technique. Then, book a guided trip with the fine folks at Jans or Trout Bum 2 for a true fly-fishing experience on a local river.

Then visit Deer Valley Grocery Café. Sit on the outside deck and check out the duckies and stand-up paddleboarders floating by. DVGC also carries gourmet to-go items if you want to pack a picnic. 2250 Deer Valley Dr, 435.615.2400, deervalley.com

Known as an “urban fishery” since the Weber River runs parallel to I-84 and I-80, a lot of the Weber is private access only, but anglers can enjoy several nice stretches of tailwater with lots of brown trout and mountain whitefish. Try the Creamery Lane access in Coalville (20 minutes from Park City). From I-80 east, take exit 162. Travel west on Icy Springs Road (SR-280) for 0.2 miles. Turn left and travel south on the frontage road that parallels I-80 for approximately 1.3 miles. Cross over Hobson Lane and continue traveling south on the frontage road for an additional 1.4 miles to reach this access point. Flies and lures only.

Follow with the family-friendly Taggart’s Grill is located in a log house nestled in a beautiful canyon between Morgan and Henefer. Taggart’s doesn’t take reservations, so expect a bit of a well-worth-it wait.

Before You Go you need a License to Fish. Anyone older than 12 must purchase a license to fish in Utah. Purchase one at any of our local fly-fishing shops, Walmart, by downloading the Utah Hunting and Fishing NICUSA app, or online at wildlife.utah.gov. Nonresident three-day license, $24; Utah residents, $16.

Find Fishing Buddies- Join High Country Fly Fishers (highcountryflyfishers.com), the local chapter of the national Trout Unlimited organization, and be privy to monthly activities including fly-tying classes, guest speakers, women’s-only events, group fishing outings, social hours, conservation activities, and more.
Support a Cause - The 5,000-member-strong Utah Stream Access Coalition works to “promote and assist in all aspects of securing and maintaining public access to Utah’s public waters and streambeds per Utah law.” (utahstreamaccess.org)

We wrap up this week's blog with a snippet of the The Salt Lake Tribune's article, 11 great alternatives to the top national parks.  The glories of the national park system draw hundreds of millions of visitors each year, even in normal times. But in this upside-down year, with the pandemic still limiting much travel in and outside the United States, it’s likely that the National Park Service’s 419 sites, 62 with a “national park” designation, will attract even more people looking to get away.

For potential park-goers who wish to avoid these crowds (and this season, who doesn’t?), one strategy is to skip the Grand Canyon, the Great Smoky Mountains and the other top 10 parks that typically receive the majority of visitors. There are alternatives that are still awe-inspiring for your summer and fall fresh-air retreats, ones that offer many of the Top Ten’s sights, sounds, wildlife and activities.

South Carolina Congaree, instead of Great Smoky Mountains - Congaree, a park named after the original Native American inhabitants, was created in central South Carolina to preserve 15 different species of trees that are the tallest such specimens anywhere. These includes the most statuesque loblolly pine in the world, towering 167 feet above the surrounding tupelo forest. Tree lovers know Congaree, with only 159,445 visitors last year, as the Redwoods of the East — this year it’s worth forgetting about nearby Great Smoky Mountains and its 12 million-plus visitors.

Arizona Petrified Forest, instead of the Grand Canyon - In east-central Arizona, 110 miles from Flagstaff, the Petrified Forest adjoins the Painted Desert, 7,500 square miles of badlands and hills tinted lavender and red by Triassic Age strata. The annual visitation of this park is one-tenth that of the nearby Grand Canyon. The Petrified Forest, a drive-through park, holds the greatest and most spectacular concentration of fossilized, coniferous tree logs in the world. Once a lush and subtropical climate, the forest of 200-foot-tall trees was buried by volcanic ash and preserved 225 million years ago.

Utah Canyonlands, instead of Arches - Instead of ogling the sandstone formations in traffic-jammed Arches, opt for a wilderness desert experience amid the reddened Wingate sandstone in Canyonlands. Canyonlands is southwest of the tourist mecca of Moab, Utah. Most visitors take the Island in the Sky scenic drive out to spectacular overlooks, but otherwise the 527-square-mile park has few roads.

Minnesota Voyageurs National Park, instead of Glacier Bay - If you haven’t seen the Northern Lights, never mind Alaska. Instead, grab a camera and a paddle and head to Voyageurs National Park, named after the French Canadian canoeists who plied these waters three centuries ago. This park of lakes is 40% water and adjoins another 10,000 square miles of aquatic wilderness. Its remoteness, flanking the Canadian border in northern Minnesota, enables incredible stargazing opportunities all year long and an estimated 200 nights of Northern Lights (even in summer).

Colorado Great Sand Dunes or Black Canyon, instead of Rocky Mountain - Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve features the highest dunes on the continent, towering 755 feet above the surrounding trails. These are set in an otherworldly catchment basin, below the 14,000-foot high Sangre de Cristo Mountains, some 200 miles south of Denver. All trails and most of the campgrounds are now open, along with overnight backcountry access, but the visitor center remains closed.

Texas Big Bend or the Guadalupe Mountains, instead of a trip to Mexico - This park in West Texas, which opened for day use June 1, lies along the namesake curl of the Rio Grande, marking the Mexican border. At this renowned dark-sky park, you can count more than 2,000 stars — 10 times the number typically seen above most cities — surrounding the canvas of the Milky Way. During the days, especially when temperatures cool in the fall and early winter, enjoy 150 miles of trails throughout the park. You might be joined by a bird watcher or two, who roam Big Bend’s 1,200 square miles to spot more than 400 avian species, more than in any national park.

Nevada Great Basin, instead of the Grand Circle - The “Grand Circle” marketing campaign pushed Utah’s national parks to record-setting visitations in recent years, but Great Basin — a few miles over the border in eastern Nevada — got left out of the loop. The 121-square-mile park is named after the enormous basin it sits in (spanning nearly all of Nevada, it is 20 times larger than the park), which pulls all water underground so that it can’t reach the ocean and other waterways.

California Lassen Volcanic, instead of Yellowstone or Yosemite - In place of the crowded Yellowstone geysers or Yosemite mountains, a panorama of wildflowers, volcanic peaks and steaming fumaroles can be seen at Lassen Volcanic, 180 miles north of Sacramento. The 30-mile park highway reopened in late May, along with most of the trails and overnight backcountry camping. The still-smoking, glacier-clad Lassen Peak is one of only two volcanoes in the contiguous 48 states that erupted in the 20th century (Mount St. Helens erupted 40 years ago last month). Today, more than 100 years after magma first flowed from the Lassen Peak, amateur volcanologists can delight in finding the remains of the four types of volcanoes: shield, cinder cone, strato and plug.

Washington state North Cascades, instead of Mount Rainier - Although still emerging from snow banks and currently open for only day use, North Cascades is typically one of the less-visited parks of the entire parks system, seeing less than 3% of Mount Rainier’s yearly traffic. Adjoining the Canadian border, 120 miles northeast of Seattle, this wilderness has only 6 miles of internal roads — all unpaved — and stretches over 1,000 square miles. It boasts 312 glaciers (12 times Mount Rainier’s), as well as more than 500 lakes and a lush carpet of old-growth evergreens. From its dry ponderosa pines in the east to the temperate rain forest in the west, this is landscape of tremendous biodiversity.

To read the entire article, Click Here.

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Utah, Homes, selling, Buying
Posted in Social Network, Local Events, Things To Do in Park City, For Sale | 0 Responses to "Summer Highlights"

Outdoor Living

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
May 20, 2020

Spring is in full swing and this week we look at ways to spruce up your outdoor living space, easy bike rides around Park City and why you shouldn't lowball on an offer during the pandemic.

Whether you’re living in a small apartment or a tiny house with an even smaller outdoor space to match, there’s a good chance your place doesn’t come with a sprawling backyard that’s large enough to fit a pool, garden, outdoor pizza oven, and playground for the kids. Apartment Therapy asked multiple design experts to share their best tips for decorating a small outdoor space. Here are there 7 Design Tricks That Will Make Your Small Outdoor Space Feel So Much Bigger.

1. Take a Seat - No matter how small your outdoor area, you’re going to want to create a sitting area or else you won’t take full advantage of the space. Choose a petite table and loveseat or chairs that will instantly turn the little space you have into an outdoor retreat.

2. Get Your Green On - when it comes to decorating an outdoor space is to rely on plants to add color and life to the overall design. Make a selection of your favorite flowers, potted plants, and ferns to diversify the space and create that outdoor oasis you’ve always dreamed of. To create an oasis, try to cover the outdoor area in as much greenery as possible. A surrounding of greenery is not only beautiful but provides a relaxing environment.

3. Gravitational Glow When decorating your small outdoor space, lighting is a very important element. Wall lights are your best option as they create an elegant ambience without taking up space.

4. Bottoms Up - If you plan on entertaining, pick up a bar cart/console table. It’s multipurpose and mixed-use, as it’s a great way to lay out food and drink, but as the night progresses, it can double as a spot for people to set their drinks down before they go inside and/or where you set up a portable music player.

5. Strategic Stackin’ - When debating deep seating or dining, I tell clients you can eat on a couch, but you can’t lie on dining chairs. Tucking a sectional into a corner is the best way to maximize on floor space. Look for furniture with light-colored cushions, skinny frames, and high skirts.

6. Optical Illusion - Make a small outdoor space seem so much bigger by painting it all white. You can even go for a monochromatic color scheme with all-white cushions, a white outdoor rug, and white metal pieces. Add in mirrors and large-scale plants to create the illusion of a larger space.

7. The Right Rug -Use an area rug that fits the entire space to make it feel intentional and like an extension of your interiors.

Now is the time to get outside and biking around Park City is on our list as we get some fresh air. Park City Magazine shares their Biking Guide: 5 Easy Rides for Cruising Park City’s Trails.

The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail - Length: 28 miles (one way). Roll onto the trail from Old Town via the Poison Creek Trail (and the underpass below Bonanza Drive), or park at the Prospector Trailhead. Enjoy Utah’s first nonmotorized trail, designated a state park in 1992, which now travels where rail once carried coal and silver ore across the county. Today’s trail runs through wetlands as it meanders through Wanship and Coalville, ending at Echo Reservoir.

McLeod Creek Trail - Length: 4 miles. From Old Town, hop aboard the paved path alongside Highway 224, or start at the McPolin Farm Trailhead. Or reverse the ride and start in Kimball Junction or at the Willow Creek Trailhead. Cruising from town toward Kimball Junction, this wide, initially paved trail rolls alongside its bubbling namesake, past the iconic white barn (McPolin Farm), and then veers right behind Temple Har Shalom onto packed dirt, past an interactive musical sculpture, through a shady, rural stretch, and across Old Ranch Road to Willow Creek Park, where playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic tables make for a family-friendly destination.

Round Valley: PorcUclimb-Downward Dog Loop - Length: 7-mile loop. Park at Quinn’s Trailhead for Round Valley’s 700 acres of sagebrush-scented, preserved open space contains a delightful web of trails, leading to a vast array of rides. This loop starts with a wide, flat trail and gradually adds some slightly narrower trails, with a wee helping of learner-friendly, directional switchbacks thrown into the mix. Begin on Fast Pitch, connect to Ability Way, take a little uphill on Matt’s Flat to the hilltop at Seventy 101, then switchback up PorcUclimb (uphill only), take a right onto Nowhere Elks at the top, then look for the Downward Dog descent (downhill only) all the way until it intersects with Matt’s Flat singletrack, and ride back to Ability Way via Matt’s Access Trail, left on Ability Way Connector to Fast Pitch, then back to Hat Trick.

Trailside Loop - Length: 1-mile loop. Start at Trailside Park, adjacent to the bike park. This is an extremely beginner-friendly loop conveniently located next to the all-levels, skills-honing bike park (see article on Bike Parks). This subtly graded singletrack curves through sagebrush-covered terrain, allowing for ample visibility as newbies get into the dirt-riding groove.

RTS - Length: 2.5 miles. Park at RTS trailhead on Olympic Parkway located on a 316-acre swath of open space just below Utah Olympic Park’s ski jumps, RTS is ideal for beginners. Gently sloped switchbacks—sans loose rocks—allow for a pleasant roll through open aspen groves and meadows. RTS is also a great launching point for the progressively more challenging terrain of BLT, OMH, and BYOB, and you can access significantly more advanced riding along conifer-topped loops across Olympic Parkway.

Before you go - Grab a Mountain Trails Foundation (mountaintrails.org) map, available at most sports retailers and coffee shops (or online) to plot your route, or download Trailforks or MTB Project apps for real-time GPS guidance.

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has totally upended the U.S. housing market. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors, interest in buying a home has sharply declined. That’s to be expected, as the Labor Department reported that more than 26 million people have filed for unemployment benefits since the middle of March. Apartment Therapy has another great article this week in Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Lowball an Offer on a House During COVID-19.

When it comes to negotiating, it’s still all about location, location, location. Since real estate transactions tend to be a result of major life decisions, he says there will still be people who need to either sell or buy—or both. If homes in the area are selling for the asking price, a low offer is probably a bad idea. In fact, when buyers start with an insultingly low number, she says the sellers may not respond at all—and if they do, the buyers have no negotiation leverage. Crisis does not bring down property values, high interest rates do.

Inventory is low, which works in a seller’s favor - Sellers know they have the upper hand. On the other hand, it appears that some buyers are quite enthusiastic.

Mortgage defaults are making sellers less likely to budge- There’s one other reason sellers may not be feeling pressure to lower their asking prices. With banks rolling out mortgage forbearance programs, most sellers are not in immediate danger of losing their home or desperate to accept a lowball offer. The Federal Housing Finance Agency recently announced that after the forbearance is over, homeowners with mortgages backed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will not have to make lump sum repayments. Instead those amounts will be added to the end of the loan’s life.

But don’t abandon negotiating altogether - When considering a lowball offer, do your research to see if you or your realtor can discover any details that might motivate the seller to move forward despite the loss of financial gain they originally anticipated. It’s always wise to negotiate. It may be possible for a buyer to get an extended closing date in-line with their needs, or a buyer could make a lower offer with a quick close. Another option would be to make a low offer, but take the property ‘as-is,’ meaning the seller would not have to make repairs that could take time and cost money, especially given many states’ stay-at-home orders for nonessential employees.

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Utah, Biking, Housing, Offers
Posted in New Construction, Real Estate Stats, Things To Do in Park City, For Sale, Food and Beverage | 0 Responses to "Outdoor Living"

What Does the Home Buying and Selling Process Look Like Now?

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
May 03, 2020

Things are a little different, but when you're equipped with the right technology and tools, the process is streamlined and efficient. Here's a look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed real estate processes, and how we've adapted with it.

 

VIRTUAL HOME BUYING

  1. Virtual Consultation. Schedule an appointment by phone or video conference to understand your real estate needs and goals.
  2. Reporting. Create a report consisting of available properties, market history and statistics through MoxiWorks, a dynamic CMA platform.
  3. Online Home Search. We will continually send you newly listed homes that match your search criteria as soon as they hit the market.
  4. Mobile App. Explore homes and areas with our Utah Properties mobile app featuring real-time MLS updates.
  5. Virtual or Live Tour. See selected homes virtually or with a live tour. We will follow proper CDC & NAR guidelines when touring a home.
  6. Digital Negotiations/Addendums. Create offers and addendums via digital platforms.
  7. Electronically Sign. All of the paperwork is done electronically and securely.
  8. Title and Escrow. Wire deposits directly, Escrow handled remotely.
  9. Inspections. Inspections reports sent and reviewed digitally.
  10. Closing. Funds and documents are completed digitally to facilitate closing.
  11. Get the keys!
VIRTUAL HOME SELLING
  1. Virtual Consultation. Schedule an appointment by phone or video conference.
  2. Establish Pricing. Your pricing strategy is facilitated via an intensive proprietary market analysis system that features live MLS updates.
  3. Market Preparation. We will walk you through the necessary steps to make sure your home is market-ready including home staging ideas and tips.
  4. List Home for Sale. We complete the necessary steps to officially list your home to the market.
  5. Market and Syndicate Home Online. Over 90% of consumers search for property online. We syndicate and market your listing locally and globally.
  6. Track Buyer Activity/Views Online. We monitor the interest your property receives online.
  7. Virtual or In Person Home Tours. We will follow proper CDC & NAR guidelines when showing your home to buyers.
  8. Offers and Negotiations. Made via mobile communication and digital negotiation.
  9. Go Under Contract. All of the paperwork is done electronically and securely.
  10. Final Details. We will give you frequent updates to ensure the transaction closes.
  11. Closing! Escrow and Closing can be completed digitally.
Whether you're buying or selling, I have access to the exclusive digital tools to search or showcase your home anytime, anywhere. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. I'm here to help!

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Utah, Home, selling, Buying
Posted in Real Estate Stats, Things To Do in Park City, For Sale | 2 Responses to "What Does the Home Buying and Selling Process Look Like Now?"

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Staying Safe

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Apr 07, 2020

On Monday March 29th, Real Estate was deemed essential and we can continue to market and sell Real Estate with COVID-19 precautionary measures in place.

Intermountain Healthcare has opened 20 new COVID-19 Testing Sites. When should you visit a testing site? Well, understanding the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 is an important first step to finding the right point of care. If you have very mild cold or flu-like symptoms, please stay home, self-isolate, and rest.

When to Stay at home: If your symptoms are not apparent or mild, which is most cases, stay at home and recover. Rest, drink fluid, stay six-feet away from others, and wash your hands and surfaces often.

Use Intermountain’s Symptom Checker: If symptoms are mild to moderate use our symptom checker or call the COVID-19 Hotline at 844-442-5224 to determine your risk and refer you to the right services for care.

Visit a Testing Site: If your symptoms are mild to severe visit one of Intermountain’s 20 testing sites locations in your community. Please don’t visit a testing site if you aren’t experiencing symptoms.

Do you have extra goggles? Goggles for Docs is an effort to get used or new ski goggles into the hands of healthcare workers who currently have no eye protection as they treat COVID-19 patients. If you are a skier/rider, shop, or manufacturer and have goggles to donate, use the link below to find hospitals to send your goggles to. gogglesfordocs.com

Looking for something new - the team at Apartment Therapy shares how You Can Virtually Hike Grand Canyon National Park and See the Colorful Rock Layers Up Close.

If you’re yearning for the great outdoors and want to be transported to another land, you’re in luck. Anyone with an electronic device can virtually travel to one of the most iconic national parks across the country: the Grand Canyon.

Thanks to Google Earth, users can enter the Grand Canyon National Park with the click of a button. You get to visit 18 stops throughout the grand tour, letting you witness the hanging cliffs, canyon walls, and panoramic views that the park is famously known for.

And there are many more stops where that came from (15, to be exact). Each one reveals a new perspective of the rock formations, plus a few attractions that you might not have known existed. Check out a 800-year-old ruins of an Ancestral Puebloan village, and walk across a suspension bridge that extends over Colorado River.

In addition to the Grand Canyon, Google Earth also offers tours of 30 other national parks across the U.S., from Yosemite to Badlands and Joshua Tree. So once you’re done with the Grand Canyon, there’s still plenty of exploring left to do.

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Utah, Safe, Essential, Goggles
Posted in Social Network, New Construction, Real Estate Stats, For Sale | 0 Responses to "Staying Safe"

Business Friendly Utah

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Mar 11, 2020

This week we are looking at business in Utah, the Park City Follies and beautiful countryside getaways. The Spectrum has shared How Utah ranks among the most 'business-friendly' states coming in second on the list. Across the United States, the environment in which businesses operate can vary considerably. Factors like regional policy, tax codes, infrastructure reliability, availability of skilled workers, and operation costs, among others, differ from one state to the next.  24/7 Wall St. created a weighted index of 42 measures to identify the best and worst states for business. These measures fall into one of eight categories: economic conditions, business costs, state infrastructure, the availability and skill level of the workforce, quality of life, regulations, technology and innovation, and cost of living. Data sources include the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Tax Foundation, a tax policy research organization.

Utah comes in right behind Massachusetts and ahead of Colorado with the following stats:

• 1-yr. real GDP change: +3.7% (8th best)

• Avg. earnings per job: $52,364 (14th lowest)

• Adults with a bachelor's degree: 34.9% (13th highest)

• 2018 venture capital deals: 3.4 per 100,000 people (8th most)

Four of the top five states for business are located west of the Mississippi River, and of them, Utah ranks the highest. Startup companies in the state are also drawing far more venture capital investment than those in most other states. Utah companies drew in nearly $1.2 billion in VC funding in 2018, equal to $369 per state resident, more per capita than all but four other states. To read the entire article CLICK HERE.

Every spring for the past 20 years, when ski lifts stop running, traffic dissipates and local restaurants take a couple weeks to recuperate, the Park City Follies enters the scene. KPCW shares about the magic of the Park City Follies. The Park City Follies has sold out for years as locals and visitors alike want to see the popular stage performance which pokes fun at Park City lifestyle, politics and culture.

In past years, the Follies creators select an overarching theme and build the show around high profile community issues. Tom Clyde is the MC and one of the co-writers and says it’s always a gamble when starting the creative process early, never entirely sure the topics will be current in April when the curtain goes up. Clyde says they’re planning a variety of vignettes with some familiar characters returning this year. “They'll be some people you recognize in it and just trying to have fun with the fact that we've been around for a lot longer than anybody ever intended.” Tickets are on sale now. There are nine shows starting Friday, April 24. They’ll perform through May 3 each night except Monday, the 27th. For tickets, go to Park City Shows.com.

Looking to get out of town, head south to Under Canvas Zion, Utah. Under Canvas Zion gets you up close and personal with one of the country’s most Instagrammed landscapes. The luxury camp—which also has outposts in Yellowstone, Glacier, and the Grand Canyon—spans 196 acres on the edge of Zion National Park. But don’t worry, you won’t be roughing it: tents are kitted out with a king bed, wood stove and a private deck. Rock climbing, canyoneering, and hot air ballooning in Utah’s dramatic desert is sure to sell you. Check out Jetsetter to find out more about this spot and seven others in the 8 Best Countryside Getaways in the U.S.

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Utah, Travel, Business, Entertainment
Posted in Local Events, Real Estate Stats, Things To Do in Park City, Food and Beverage | 0 Responses to "Business Friendly Utah"

World's Most Admired Companies

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Feb 11, 2020

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Great news! Berkshire Hathaway has been named in the top 5 of the WORLD’S MOST ADMIRED COMPANIES for 2020.

For the seventh year in a row, Berkshire Hathaway is one of Fortune Magazine's top 5 most admired companies in the world. We are honored to be apart of such a prestigious network that provides so much value to our clients.

This week we are highlighting an upcoming non-profit event and two local developments.

 Red, White & Snow is the National Ability Center’s premier fundraiser. This culinary, wine, and ski festival is among the top in the country and continues to rise in popularity and recognition. The weekend-long event celebrates some of the nation’s top chefs and finest vintners. The program offers a unique opportunity for culinary and wine connoisseurs, vintners and snow sports enthusiasts from across the country to mingle in an extraordinary setting. Learn more about this exciting event here.
Pendry Residences Park City, a new luxury offering by Montage, has broken ground in Canyons Village. Debuting in winter 2021, Pendry Residences Park City will offer fully serviced condominium residences that combine Montage's legendary service culture, four distinct restaurant and bar offerings, Spa Pendry, indoor event space, curated retail, Pinwheel Kid's Club, and a rooftop pool deck are all part of the impressive year round experience. Studio to four bedrooms from $470K to over $3M. Reserve yours today!
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Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Utah, BHHS, local
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Home Trends And The Annual Report

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Jan 15, 2020

This week we will take a look at home ideas for 2020 and share the Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Utah Properties 2019 Annual Report. Click on this link to open the full report.

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What’s Trending Next? Here are A Dozen Home and Design Ideas for 2020.

REALTOR® Magazine asked our favorite real estate trend watchers and influencers what to expect in 2020 and beyond. For starters, most agree that gray is on its way out, while deep hues are becoming the stars in interior paint. And more homeowners are following the craze of decluttering and tidying up popularized by Marie Kondo so they can focus on experiencing joy in their home.

While some fads are natural evolutions and others are more far-fetched, we’ve whittled it down to a dozen that are sure to inspire your buyers and sellers alike. Plus, don’t miss five up-and-coming kitchen trends that are bound to spark interest and maybe a remodel.

1. Comfortable Dining Rooms - Homeowners have decided they don’t want to give up their dining rooms—that’s in the past. Now they want dining rooms to be less formal and more functional, says architect Elisa Morgante of Morgante-Wilson in Chicago. The best way to do this is by investing in a multipurpose table that can take wear and tear, comfy chairs with high backs and armrests, and washable fabrics. Fun light fixtures are replacing delicate ones, and some traditional dining room furnishings are disappearing—such as china cabinets used for fancy entertaining, says real estate broker Jennifer Ames, partner at Engel & Volkers in Chicago.

2. Fabulous Foyers - Homeowners know the importance of exterior curb appeal, but now they’re taking advantage of the foyer as another opportunity to impress, says Liz Brooks, vice president of sales and marketing for Belgravia Group, a development firm in Chicago. At Belgravia’s condo building Renelle on the River, foyers are “gracious” in size with walls to hang a mirror or art or offer views through to a living room and beyond. The architects at Morgante-Wilson like foyers in multilevel homes to incorporate a dramatic stairway with wider or more curved treads, risers, and railings fabricated from novel materials. Some include a clerestory or skylight at the top to flood the area with light, says Morgante.

3. Mass Timber - Mass timber is beginning to receive recognition as a smart building material because its production generates less carbon emission than steel or concrete, says sustainable architect Nathan Kipnis of Kipnis Architecture + Planning in Evanston, Ill. The material is also fire-resistant and strong and performs well during seismic activity, according to the Mass Timber Code Coalition. Plus, it’s cost-efficient and can be constructed faster since it’s prefabricated, and it can be used on walls, floors, and roofs—even in innovative sculptural forms. “With mass timber, there’s no waste on a site that must go into a landfill,” says Sam Ebersol, general manager of Mid-Atlantic Timber Frames, a heavy timber construction company in Paradise, Penn.

4. Home Elevators - As the baby boomer population ages, first-floor master bedroom suites are becoming more popular. But not every house or townhome provides space to include them. In cases where a home has multiple levels, an elevator provides help for those who have trouble climbing stairs, says Kipnis. He recommends building the feature in new homes, or at least leaving adequate space—3 1/2 feet by 4 1/2 feet on each level for future installation. The cost will vary depending on materials, finishes, and an electrician’s hourly labor charge, but the total expense might run about $15,000 per floor.

5. Communal Oases - Developers of multifamily buildings now recognize that homeowners want a green space to garden, even after they’ve vacated suburban homes. And while rooftop gardens have become more prevalent, other green spaces are popping up, too, as more developers note their health benefits. Carl Dranoff, founder of Dranoff Properties based in Philadelphia, planted a two-level garden at his newest project, Arthaus Condominiums in downtown Philly, which will include a greenhouse to grow orchids, outdoor plots to raise vegetables, flowers, and herbs, and an extended lawn off a communal event space. A horticulturalist will offer residents professional expertise. The architecture and interior design firm CetraRuddy in New York has focused on adding greenery in another way—through large terraces that bring more light and air and a sense of space into the interior of its ARO building in Manhattan, as well as its surrounding block. Such tactics are more important in denser urban environments, say the building’s principals, Nancy Ruddy and John Cetra.

6. Graphic Bathroom Floors - Boldly patterned floors are adding a spark of interest in bathrooms that were recently trending very monochromatic and spa-like. Staging and design expert Kristie Barnett, aka The Decorologist, in Nashville, took this approach in one client’s homes. She used an encaustic, graphic floor tile, similar to those that show up along kitchen backsplashes. But Barnett adds one caveat for bathrooms: “When choosing this kind of pattern, it should be the lead actor in the show while other elements play supporting roles. A bathroom should still be a personal sanctuary, and too much visual noise could weary the eye.”

7. Remodeling Before Listing - Many homeowners don’t want to take on the work and extra cost of fixing up their home before they list. Yet many buyers don’t want to invest in a home where they know there are walls to paint, countertops to replace, and floors to resand. Consider the latest trend that helps remove buyer objections: a contractor who tackles the work and fronts the cost or who partners with a firm that provides financing. Sellers then pay back the funds at closing. The big reward usually is a higher price and speedier sale, says Mike Valente, a licensed general contractor who works with many homeowners through his Renovation Sells firm in Chicago. Compass, a national real estate firm, has established its Compass Concierge service to deliver a similar revamp option. A calculator on the company’s website helps suggests how much sellers might spend.

8. Living Walls - For homeowners downsizing to a property with a smaller yard—or for those who have trouble bending down—living walls offer a way to connect to greenery by growing plants, vegetables, and herbs along the walls of a home, garage, or outbuilding. Landscape designer Michael Glassman of Michael Glassman & Associates in Sacramento, Calif., says, “Gardening is going up rather than out for aesthetics and consumption.” He recommends vines like star jasmine and creeping fig, edibles such as tomatoes and cucumbers, and herbs like rosemary and basil. “Plant walls” resembling art are also showing up inside, especially when homeowners don’t have an outdoor space, says David Dynega, CEO of Detail Renovations in Great Neck, N.Y. 

9. Better Looking Performance Fabrics - Instead of looking only at fabrics that appeal for color, pattern, or texture, homeowners want materials that will last and perform—hence, the name they’ve earned: performance fabrics. Originally, they were designed for outdoor spaces, where the sun, wind, water, or inclement weather took their toll. But as the fabrics have become more attractive, designers and homeowners have started using them indoors, where they can withstand the wear and tear of pets and people, says Chicago designer Rebecca Pogonitz of GOGO Design Group, who’s a big fan of the trend. Greg Voorhis, executive design director of Sunbrella, well-known for its performance fabric designs, says his firm is seeing the rise of more textured chenilles, boucles, and chunky wovens. “They bring new energy into familiar spaces without sacrificing comfort or durability,” he says.

10. Downsizing Homes, Rooms, and Ornate Features - The McMansion craze has been dead for years, resulting in more homeowners looking to downsize and millennials never planning to go big. “They favor experiences over owning large high-maintenance, high-cost homes filled with lots of stuff,” says Ames. “It’s the Marie Kondo version of shedding stuff.” Many home shoppers are also looking for simpler architectural detailing that pares maintenance and cost, as well as fewer rooms that will go unused, Ames says. Lendlease, a development company that created the new Cirrus building in downtown Chicago, heeded this mantra when it planned its range of scaled-down units and beefed up its many shared amenity spaces, says Ted Weldon, executive general manager. Sheri Koones’ new book, Downsize: Living Large in a Small House (The Taunton Press, 2019), offers an abundance of information for homeowners looking to pare down

11. Deeper Hues - You can read into the emerging palette of deep hues a desire to counter global unrest, as some designers speculate, or you can take the colors as an antidote to years of pale grays. Either way, the darker hues are coming on strong. Pantone anointed “classic blue”—a very royal tone—as its color of the year. Could it be a nod to the Sussexes or appeal of The Crown? Sherwin-Williams’ Sue Wadden, director of color marketing, touts her company’s “naval” (SW 6244), “anchors aweigh” (SW 9179), “ripe olive” (SW 6209), and “dard hunter green” (SW 0041) as choices to visually mitigate stress. Another emerging trend: monochromatic rooms, donning a single paint color on the walls, trim, and ceiling.

12. Hipsturbia - Live/work/play has become a way of life for millennials who aren’t willing to compromise when they have children. As they move to the suburbs for more space, they choose communities with urban amenities—thriving walkable downtowns with dining, shopping, entertainment, public transportation, and jobs. “Success has a way of spreading,” the Urban Land Institute noted when it coined the term “hipsturbia” in its Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2020 report, says Mary Cook, founder of Chicago-based Mary Cook Associates. “Every development we work on today is located in areas that fit this formula and foster community interactions,” she says. One example is Toll Brothers’ Apartment Living Oleander building outside Atlanta, which offers residents flexible community spaces equipped with state-of-the-art technology to accommodate events, co-working spaces, and more. The building sits on Emory University’s expanding Executive Park campus near new medical complexes designed to attract health care professionals.

Top 5 Kitchen Trends - Instead of adding a 13th trend to the list, we decided to give kitchens their own section because they remain the number one focus in the home. The new fads being cooked up are giving this room an update in style, appliances, materials, and colors, as well as a way to enhance surrounding spaces since many are part of the open plan living-dining-kitchen area. While white may still dominate cabinets and countertops, other colors and materials are popping up—so are new technologies that help homeowners prepare food more effortlessly and healthily. Here are five kitchen trends to watch in 2020.

  1. Materials. GE appliances are showing an uptick in more white and black matte finishes as well as a new look of glass-covered stainless steel fronts that’s emerging. These new materials fit in better with other room furnishings, too, says Marc Hottenroth, executive director of GE’s industrial design division. Also showing up in kitchens is a greater mix of metals, such as brushed bronze and copper to help freshen appliances, which generally last about 10 years.
  2. Technology. Voice assistants now read recipes and cooking directions for homeowners so they don’t have to turn cookbook pages with flour-coated fingers. Appliances with gourmet guided cooking technology provide recipes and tutorials through an app that communicates with the appliance via Bluetooth. The chef no longer has to turn knobs to adjust temperatures. For instance, a rack of lamb might be roasted, then finished with a broil, which would all be adjusted automatically. And a new wall oven with hot air-fry capability is offering a healthier alternative to deep frying.
  3. Function. A new kitchen island is emerging, which combines an island with a dinette, according to Gena Kirk, vice president of design at KB Home, a national home builder based in Los Angeles. The island features a place to prepare meals at one height and an additional countertop that slides out at a lower level for people to eat around when desired. Scaled-down appliance sizes are becoming popular in smaller open-plan homes and condos. In its new Cirrus building, a 47-story tower going up on Lake Michigan, Lendlease camouflaged appliances behind millwork paneling, says Linda Kozloski, creative design director. The company also went with smaller, more European-size appliance choices because of the units’ smaller sizes, which helps counter rising construction costs. Example: a 24-inch-wide refrigerator was selected instead of a 48-inch model.
  4. Workspace. After so much buzz about whether to stay with granite or switch to quartz or quartzite, KB Home offers another idea: natural wood cutting boards for a portion of the countertop surface. The wood area provides a convenient workspace without having to pull out a cutting board or leave one out all the time.
  5. Details. Chicago kitchen designer Mick De Giulio, principal of de Giulio Kitchen Design, is introducing design character in novel ways to surprise and contradict. One example includes the hand-hammered finish on a stainless steel Bacifiore sink to add sophisticated sparkle instead of a plain-Jane stainless or ceramic white model. Another is the instillation of polished stainless steel toe kicks at the bottom of cabinets that hardly show the dirt, scuffs, or mess that painted wood ones do.
Trends are meant to inspire rather than make agents and their clients feel the need to rush into a renovation to make a house hip or more marketable than another. These points represent what’s new or coming through the pike. In the future, for example, there may be more technology that will warn homeowners about natural disasters before they occur. And before clients invests in any updates, make it clear that it’s best to do so for personal enjoyment rather than to boost salability.

Trend to Watch: Car Charging Stations - The jury may still be out when it comes to electric car charging stations at home. They’ve become a popular amenity at multifamily buildings, and now some single-family homeowners who have invested in electric cars to shrink their carbon footprint are seeing the wisdom of installing charging stations in their garages, says architect Nathan Kipnis of Kipnis Architecture + Planning in Evanston, Ill. The cost is relatively modest, perhaps $500 for the charging box and an electrician’s hourly charge to bring a 220-volt line into the garage. The outlet is best installed on the side of the garage where a homeowner plans to park their vehicle to avoid stepping over a cord, he says. But not everyone is convinced that it’s a huge trend. According to a recent survey from Erie Insurance, only 6% of respondents said they would want one, 55% would not, and 39% took a noncommittal stand and said they might. Sounds like a trend definitely to watch.

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Utah, Home, Market Review
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Happy New Year!

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Jan 01, 2020

Judy and I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year! We have enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with family and friends and look forward to another year of providing excellent service to our clients. Best wishes of happiness and health in 2020.

This week we will kick off the New Year with the 2020 Housing Market Predictions: A Snapshot by RISMedia as well as 2020 home trends.

Home-Building - Although homebuilders maintain optimism, buyer demand is stronger, and analysts are divided on whether inventory is meaningfully rising. For 2020, the National Association of REALTORS® expects 10.6 percent more housing starts (multifamily and single-family), while realtor.com® researchers forecast a 6 percent increase in single-family starts. On the flip side, the Urban Land Institute projected single-family starts to tumble 4.7 percent. According to Census data, construction in November spiked—an encouraging indicator.

Home Prices - After a cooling-off period, home prices reignited this year, and are expected to further increase in 2020. How much? At most, a cohort of economists at the NAR Forecast Summit predicted a 3.6 percent rise; at least, realtor.com predicted 0.8 percent; and in the middle, both the ULI and Zillow settled within 2 percent (2.5 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively). By comparison, from January-November 2019, the median price rose 3.18 percent, according to data from Homesnap.

Home Sales - Despite benefiting from low mortgage rates, buyers continue to grapple with limited options, contributing to muted sales this year—a challenge continuing into 2020, experts predict. As of September, NAR expected a 3.4 percent gain in home sales in 2020; in December, however, realtor.com researchers dialed down to a modest 1.8 percent. On an annual basis, existing-home sales inched up 2.7 percent, according to NAR’s November report.

Mortgage Rates - Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve kept the key rate unchanged, and with the economy humming, analysts anticipate continued lows in 2020. Out of the NAR Forecast Summit, economists expected a favorable 30-year fixed mortgage in 2020, at 3.8 percent. Realtor.com researchers have a similar take: 3.88 percent. According to Freddie Mac, as of December 19, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 3.73 percent.

Odds of a Recession - Throughout much of 2018 and 2019, analysts debated the probability of a recession, either in 2020 or 2021. The consensus at the NAR Forecast Summit: at best, no recession, and at worst, a 29 percent chance. For its part, Zillow forecasted no recession whatsoever, thanks to Americans’ confidence (equaling increased spending), a heartening labor market and promising wages.

The Takeaways - “While we are seeing near-term positive market conditions with a 50-year low for the unemployment rate and increased wage growth, we are still underbuilding due to supply-side constraints like labor and land availability. Higher development costs are hurting affordability and dampening more robust construction growth.” – Robert Dietz, Chief Economist, National Association of Home Builders

“For the last few years, the lack of inventory has constrained the pace of home sales and increased the rate of home-price growth, leading to affordability challenges across the country. November’s strong monthly and annual gains indicate that potential homebuyers next year will have more properties to choose from…[and] the continued increase in permits indicates that the pace of construction should stay strong in early 2020.” – Mark Fratantoni, Chief Economist, Mortgage Bankers Association

“While the economy is in a sweet spot, improvements in housing market sales volumes will be modest heading into next year simply due to the lack of available inventory. The demand is clearly not being met for entry-level millennials and trade-up Generation X homebuyers. If there was more inventory of unsold homes for buyers to choose from, home sales would be rising at a faster rate.” – Sam Khater, Chief Economist, Freddie Mac

“As inventories of starter homes continue to be a barrier for millennials, we will see more non-traditional households, such as roommate situations or even multigenerational living, popping up to support the financial load. This trend shows no sign of slowing down in the coming year, which presents an opportunity for agents to appropriately guide these younger adults to homes that balance both their desire for homeownership and potentially elevated costs.” – David Mele, President, Homes.com

“If current trends hold, then slower means healthier and smaller means more affordable. Yes, we expect a slower market than we’ve become accustomed to the last few years, but don’t mistake this for a buyer-friendly environment—consumers will continue to absorb available inventory and the market will remain competitive in much of the country.” – Skylar Olsen, Director of Economic Research, Zillow

“Housing remains a solid foundation for the U.S. economy going into 2020. Although economic output is expected to soften—influenced by clouds of uncertainty in the global outlook, business investment and trade—real estate fundamentals remain entangled in a lattice of continuing demand, tight supply and disciplined financial underwriting. Accordingly, 2020 will prove to be the most challenging year for buyers, not because of what they can afford, but rather what they can find.” – George Ratiu, Senior Economist, realtor.com

“The consensus [at the Forecast Summit] was that mortgage rates may rise, but only incrementally. I expect to see home price affordability improvements, too. This year we witnessed housing costs grow faster than income, but the expectation is for prices to settle at a more reasonable level in the coming year, in line with average hourly wage growth of 3 percent on a year-over-year basis.” – Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, NAR

Now, before you pack up your brass fixtures, terrazzo accents, and macrame, take some time to sneak a preview of what real estate experts say are the top home trends we’ll be checking off our lists in 2020.

Minimalist kitchens - We’re currently in age of Marie Kondo, when tossing out appliances that bring us no joy (au revoir, blender) is all the rage. Whether removing unwanted kitchen clutter completely or cleverly concealing it, experts agree minimalism is key. This minimalist cabinet lends itself to a streamlined look. “Kitchens may be designed [to make] more of a design statement than a functional statement,” Arriz says.

Elissa Morgante, founding partner of Morgante Wilson Architects, concurs. “There’s definitely a trend toward modern, cleaner looks, achieved through everything from concealed appliances to slab stone backsplashes,” she says. Further, “Even in homes where the kitchen itself is tucked away, there’s a desire to remove unnecessary visual clutter so that it’s a more inviting space.”

Speaking of tucked away kitchens, Frank Bodenchak, licensed salesperson and senior global real estate advisor, has seen this trend materializing in the Hamptons. Bodenchak describes “prep areas behind kitchens, which allow homeowners to entertain in the main kitchen, while food is prepared or warmed in the secondary area.” Talk about kitchen inception!

Thoughtful foyers - The foyer is often overlooked in condominium design, but it is one of the most important elements of a floor plan because it evokes a grand sense of arrival. “Buyers, especially those opting for a condominium in lieu of a single-family home, appreciate having a dedicated entryway that allows for a more graceful, defined transition to the rest of the home.” The added sophistication is appreciated by those living in multi-unit buildings that might lack this classic home feature. Says Arriz, “I think there is like a little bit more of a pause when you walk into an apartment, because people do like that it adds elegance.”

Award-winning interior design firm Est Est, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, uses its foyers to set the tone for highlighting the breathtaking landscape of the Southwest. This is especially evident in their work on the renowned Optima Kierland luxury apartments and condominiums.

Keeping palettes black and white - In addition to classic white, black is now developing a reputation as a household neutral. According to Morgante, “We’re seeing a trend toward more adventurous choices such as special dark, monochromatic and very saturated wall colors. “Black certainly fits into that category, and it can be very dramatic, classic, casual, or modern depending on how it’s used. There was a long period of time where people were intimidated by black or thought it was too goth, but that’s not the case anymore as they’ve seen—either through magazines, TV or the internet—how it can be used as a neutral to ground a space. We’re using it everywhere from whole rooms and accent walls to black-stained floors, cabinetry and trim.”

A recent survey by Sherwin-Williams confirms the trend, with 66 percent of professional interior designer respondents sharing that black is now a new neutral. With that said, the more traditional white walls aren’t going anywhere in 2020. Bodenchak shares, “Clean palettes are in! Bright white has replaced off-whites and colors as the paint of choice. New home buyers are appreciating homes with straight lines, minimal trim, or even no trim (like no crown moldings) in favor of the busier trim popular a decade ago.”

Smart and savvy homes - No list of 2020 trends can be without tech advancements. With voice-activated services assisting us from turning off our lights to ordering takeout, our preference for—and even reliance on—technology is evident in upcoming home design.

Says Bodenchak, “All new constructions these days have some ‘smart’ home features, but to varying degrees. Most thermostats and pool equipment, for example, can be controlled remotely by the customer’s iPhone. But more expensive houses often take it to the next level, offering integrated control over heating/cooling, pool, music, theater, alarm, and video surveillance. More advanced homes offer remote lighting capabilities, allowing the homeowner to regulate lighting for certain paths, or their entire home, remotely.”

As the nation braces itself for full deployment of the fifth generation of wireless technology, folks may find themselves enjoying not just faster, more efficient connection, but the opportunity for new devices, collaborations, and services to support our smart homes.

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Sundance and Small Towns

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Dec 11, 2019

The 2020 edition of the Sundance Film Festival is set to run January 23rd through February 2nd in and around Park City. This week we share the unveiling of the Sundance lineup, the best small town in Utah and what to do if you cross paths with a moose.

Sundance Unveils Female-Powered Lineup Featuring Taylor Swift, Gloria Steinem - the indie festival, which is close to achieving its goal of gender parity, will debut films that center on a Russell Simmons rape accuser, Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and the opioid crisis, among many others.

As Sundance director John Cooper’s 11-year run at the helm of the indie film festival comes to a close, he is going out with a bang. With a nod to what he dubs “youth’s role in activism,” Cooper has packed the 2020 fest lineup with a slew of hot-button films that cover everything from an abortion road-trip drama to high school gun control efforts.

Cooper, who will step down after the 35th incarnation of the festival wraps and segue to the newly created role of emeritus director, has filled his final slate with such films as Eliza Hittman’s Never Rarely Sometimes Always , which revolves around a pair of teen girls in rural Pennsylvania who hit the road to cross state lines when one is faced with an unplanned pregnancy, and Kim A. Snyder’s documentary Us Kids , which tracks the survivors of a Parkland, Florida, school shooting and the birth of a youth gun control movement. Both films are playing in competition.

Among the 118 films that will screen across 10 major categories are Julie Taymor’s The Glorias, featuring Alicia Vikander, Julianne Moore and Steinem herself as the trailblazing feminist at varying ages, as well as Lana Wilson's doc Taylor Swift: Miss Americana, which delves into the pop icon’s transformation from apolitical star into someone willing to harness the full power of her voice. And Barack and Michelle Obama will be represented by Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht’s doc Crip Camp , about a 1970s summer camp for disabled teens (the Obamas’ Higher Ground banner produced the film).

Unlike other high-profile film festivals, Sundance is close to reaching its goal of gender parity. This year’s lineup features 118 full-length films, representing 27 countries and 44 first-time feature filmmakers. Of the 65 directors in the four competition categories, comprising 56 films, 46 percent are women, 38 percent are people of color and 12 percent are LGBTQ+.

The Robert Redford-founded fest often embraces and reflects current events, and the upcoming edition will be no exception with a slate that includes Rodrigo Garcia’s Four Good Days (Glenn Close stars as the mother of an opioid-addicted daughter), Bryan Fogel’s doc The Dissident (about the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi) and an untitled Kirby Dick-Amy Ziering doc , which chronicles the plight of a former hip-hop executive who accused one of the most powerful men in the music industry of rape (though the film’s logline is vague, the music mogul is said to be Russell Simmons).

As was the case for the 2019 edition, the most commercial films of the coming fest will screen in the premieres section, namely Jim Rash and Nat Faxon’s Downhill (starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell), the Benedict Cumberbatch Soviet-era drama Ironbark, Miranda July’s Kajillionaire (led by Evan Rachel Wood), the Margot Robbie-produced Carey Mulligan-starrer Promising Young Woman and the serial killer drama Lost Girls, documentarian Liz Garbus' narrative feature debut . And though Sundance also hosts a robust acquisitions market, many of the hottest titles are already spoken for, including Downhill (Fox Searchlight) and Taylor Swift: Miss Americana and Lost Girls (both Netflix). Kajillionaire was poised to be distributed by Annapurna/United Artists, but it is now being sold by UTA.

Sundance 2020 will also see the return of directors who enjoyed breakout career moments at the festival in the past, including Dee Rees (The Last Thing He Wanted , starring Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck, Willem Dafoe and Rosie Perez), Justin Simien’s horror satire Bad Hair and Benh Zeitlin’s Wendy , which offers a twist on the classic story of Peter Pan. But the event known for discoveries should produce several in this year’s U.S. and world competition sections.

The 2020 edition of the fest is set to run Jan. 23-Feb. 2 in and around Park City.

A list of the films confirmed for the 2020 Sundance Film Festival follows.

A few days ago, The Best Small Town to Live in, in Every U.S. State was released as Heber tops the list for Utah. There’s something universally alluring about a small town like “Gilmore Girls”’ Stars Hollow. The coffee shop owner knows your order, your name, and if you’re having a bad day. There’s no traffic. It doesn’t take 30 minutes to find a parking space when meeting friends for a drink. It turns out, The Wall Street Journal reported that more and more millennials have been relocating to small towns, claiming that, “Since 2014 an average of about 30,000 residents between 25 and 39 have left big cities annually.”

According to Beatrice de Jong, Consumer Trends Expert at Opendoor, there are many reasons why we’re seeing more folks head to small towns. She tells Apartment Therapy, “Remote work is becoming more common, and this growing trend has empowered homebuyers to live outside of major metropolitan areas. While cities have historically been prime real estate with higher price tags, homeowners can get more bang for their buck in the suburbs or rural areas.”

On top of the flexibility and cost, small towns tend to have better public school systems than cities do. Broker Michael J. Franco at Compass Realty explains, “One of the other main reasons I see people leaving New York is the cost of raising kids in the city and schools where the process can be complicated and, of course, expensive with private schools. Many suburban areas have top-ranked public schools where attendance is granted simply by your residency/domicile.”

We defined a small town as one having a population of less than 20,000 based on the most recent Census data available, and our criteria included attractiveness in terms of what the town offers its residents (parks, shopping, landmarks, food options, etc.). We noted median home listing or value based on data from Zillow, as well as median rent, according to data from Best Places—most of the small towns we chose are less expensive than big cities, minus a few special gems.

Heber City, Utah - Population: 15,792 - Median home price listing: $660,726

Median monthly rent: $1,033 for a 2-bedroom

Life in Heber City is lived outdoors. Located about a 45-minute drive to Salt Lake City, the town is home to Jordanelle State Park, Deer Creek, and Uinta National Forest—all perfect for those who love to hike or go camping. In town, make it a date at the Avon Theater, and grab dinner at Back 40 (known for its fresh, farm-to-table eats), or Snake Creek Grill, which looks like a vintage saloon and serves some of the best comfort food in Utah.

Around this time of year we always like to share Park City Magazine's Trail Safety 101: When You Meet a Moose - How to avoid angering one of Park City’s most frequently seen wild animals.

If you’ve spent any time of Park City’s trails, you’ve probably spotted a moose or two. Around these parts, moose are even known to wander into town to take a stroll down Main Street. Presumably, most people who live here know how to handle themselves around these notoriously irritable animals, but it’s always worth mentioning again for those of us who just can’t seem to help wanting to get closer.

If You Meet a Moose

  • Give the moose plenty of space and DO NOT approach it. Keep at least 50 feet between yourself and the moose while you walk past slowly. From a distance, a moose may simply be content to watch you warily or move away, but if you get closer, your presence might agitate it.
  • Make sure your dog is leashed and under control. The moose will likely decide you and/or your dog is a threat if your pup is running around and barking. Moose will not hesitate to kick a dog, which can be lethal.
  • Don’t get between a mama moose and her calves. If you happen upon a female, be extra careful to assess the scene in case she has little ones nearby. Baby moose are vulnerable to a number of predators, including cougars and bears, so mothers won’t hesitate to aggressively defend their young.

Reasons a Moose Might Charge & Signs of Aggression

Just like other animals, moose have their way of telling you they’re feeling threatened. An angry moose will likely pin its ears back, lower its head, or raise the hackles along its shoulders. If the moose starts moving towards you, it’s a crystal clear message for you to run and get under cover if possible. Usually, if you stay well away from them, moose will simply run away or eye you suspiciously as you pass. A stressed, cornered, or harassed moose, however, might decide to charge. Bull moose are more aggressive and particularly dangerous in September and October during the mating season while cows get prickly during the late spring during calving season.

If A Moose Charges

Should a moose decide to charge you, your only option is to run and take cover. Moose can reach speeds of 30+ m.p.h. so you probably won’t outrun it for long, but at least you’re not going to trigger a predatory response. Your best bet is to try find some kind of cover or climb up a tree if you have time. If the moose catches up and knocks you down, curl into a ball, cover your head as much as you can, and don’t move until the moose leaves. Getting up might make the moose think you’re a renewed threat.

Remember, if you provoke a moose, you’re setting yourself up for a loss since they’re much bigger and more dangerous than you. Best to make some noise, stay away, and let it go about its day.

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Utah, Sundance, Moose
Posted in Social Network, Local Events, Things To Do in Park City, Food and Beverage | 0 Responses to "Sundance and Small Towns"

Happy Thanksgiving

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Nov 27, 2019

Judy and I would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.

The Best Ski Resorts for Families list is out from Travel+Leisure and Park City Mountain's expansive trails make it one of the best ski resorts for families in the United States. Adults will love exploring the 330 trails over 7,300 acres of terrain on this Utah mountain while kids (and adults who are learning) will find themselves at home at the resort’s High Meadow Park, which includes “Adventure Alleys” where beginners can try their hand at “off trail, groomed” runs. After a day of skiing, relax with a 23-minute snowcat-pulled sleigh ride up the mountain to a yurt where guests are served a five-course dinner and greeted with hot spiced glogg. Park City Mountain Resort, 1345 Lowell Avenue, Park City, UT.

Park City Mountain Resort also makes the list in Travel + Leisure's Best Ski Resorts in the US. Whether you're gliding down black diamond runs or down Main Street, you're sure to have a great winter vacation in Park City. Take a skiing tour of the city's old, abandoned mining buildings to learn about its history. Later in the evening, pick from several après-ski options while still in your ski and snowboard gear, or close out the night with a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride.

Total trails: More than 330 Total skiable acres: More than 7,300 Longest run: 3.5 miles

We understand that skiing and snowboarding is not for everyone and wanted to share Park City Magazine's 20+ Things To Do In Park City This Winter That Have Nothing To Do With Skiing or Snowboarding. The slopes might be Park City’s calling card, but you don’t need to strap on a pair of skis or a snowboard to have a great time here. Not only are there plenty of other ways to enjoy the snow, our little mountain town also offers a plethora of options for foodies, art connoisseurs, and anyone who just wants a bit of rest and relaxation.

There’s no better way to see Park City’s winter wonderland than by strapping into a pair of snowshoes. It’s a fun, easy, and economical winter sport to get into. You can rent a snowshoe set up (plus trekking poles) for as low as $18 a day from local retailers (Cole Sport, JANS Mountain Outfitters, and White Pine Touring) and strike out on the surrounding trails. If you don’t want to do the planning, no worries. Multiple outfitters offer tours with guides, including excursions across the local wetlands with the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter. You’ll be surprised with what a good workout this almost 6,000-year old form of winter travel, so dress in light layers and don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses on bluebird days.

No ski town would be complete without ice skating options. Gliding across the ice is an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. For a dreamy outdoor experience, check out the cozy Resort Center Ice Rink (1415 Lowell Ave) in the middle of Park City Mountain’s base area or if you’d prefer to skate indoors, head over to larger sheet of ice at the Park City Ice Arena and Sports Complex (600 Gillmor Way, Quinn’s Junction). Other options include Basin Recreation’s neighborhood ice rink at Willow Creek Park and the city ice rink in the cute Swiss-inspired hamlet of Midway. Click here for details.

Unless you follow winter sports avidly, you may never even have heard of curling. This relatively obscure winter sport, first played in Scotland during the 16th century, is surprisingly entertaining. Curling teams consist of four players who take turns sliding 42-pound stones across a sheet of ice to try to score points (a bit like a giant shuffleboard). If you’re keen to learn, check out the latest information from the Park City Curling Club and book yourself a time to throw some rocks at the Park City Ice Arena (600 Gillmor Way). Curling is also available at the Olympic Oval and Ogden Curling Club.

Live out your own version of jingle bells in a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the wintry wonderland of Park City. You could hardly ask for a more romantic outing or escort to dinner. Whether you’re looking for a one-horse open sleigh or one large enough to accommodate the entire family, local sleighing companies have your back. This is just one of those unique activities you really can’t get back in the city.

Horses don’t have a monopoly on pulling sleighs; by way of a team of dogs and a musher, aka dogsledding, is another exhilarating way to experience winter. On your trip, you’ll not only be zipping along the snowy trails, you’ll also get to meet the dogs, usually huskies, and learn about the art of dogsledding from the sleigh handler, a.k.a. musher. This is a perfect excursion, especially for families with kids (ages 3+) and we guarantee you’ll leave with a smile on your face.

If you lived somewhere cold as a kid, chances are high that you remember sledding on a local hill. In Park City, you have the chance to relive those childhood days sans the exhausting trudge uphill when you hit up local tubing areas Gorgoza Park (closed 2018-19 season) and Soldier Hollow. Both locations offer lower lanes for the younger kiddos and longer runs that are thrilling even for adults.

Shredding powder isn’t exclusively for skiers and snowboarders. For adrenaline-pumping fun without breaking a sweat, hop on a snowmobile and go full throttle. Even if you’ve never been on a snowmobile before, or even considered the possibility, you might just find yourself an enthusiast after one go. Head 45 minutes out of town to Daniels Summit Lodge for a snowmobile retreat, or check out a few of the outfitters in town like Destination Sports and Adventures, Red Pine Adventures, Summit Meadows Adventures, Thousand Peaks, and Wasatch Adventure Guides.

Park City is well-known for its stellar mountain biking scene, but for winter excursions on two wheels fat tire bikes are the way to go. Some of the best areas to hit up include Round Valley, McLeod and Willow Creek, Glenwild, and the Historic Rail Trail. Just keep in mind, many of Park City’s trails are multi-use so make sure to stay clear of classic skiing tracks and review the trail conditions before heading out. For rentals, check local outfitters All Season Adventures, Storm Cycles, Jans Mountain Outfitters, and White Pine Touring.

Have you ever done yoga on a paddle board inside a geothermal crater? Well, now’s your chance yogis because Park City Yoga Adventures offers sessions at the Homestead Crater, a geothermal spring with Caribbean-clear blue water that’s a balmy 95 degrees--go ahead and fall in! You can also pair your yoga session with snowshoeing or sunrise/sunset hikes. We dare you to find a more unique yoga class out there!

A trip up to the Utah Olympic Park is worth an entire day for many. They offer a number of winter activities, including rock climbing, zip lining, adventure courses, and the unforgettable bobsled experience where you zoom down the 2002 Olympic sliding track. While you’re there, you can also visit their free museums chronicling the Salt Lake Winter Games and the Alf Engen Ski Museum to learn about the skiing history in the area through interactive displays, games, and a virtual reality ski theater.

You can’t beat the spectacular bird’s eye view of the Wasatch mountains from a hot air balloon. Pop a bottle of champagne with your sweetie over a romantic breakfast for two above the world or bring the whole family along for an unforgettable ride. Two companies in town offer balloon rides, Skywalker Ballooning Company and Park City Balloon Adventures.

Traditional horseback riding and sleigh rides are both readily available in the area, but there are far more ways to enjoy horses than just saddling up. Park City Horse offers a number of unique experiences--from horse meditation circles and reiki to family adventures and corporate team building--that allow you to connect with horses and yourself while exploring self-awareness, intention, and communication. Or, check out Wild Heart Sanctuary where you can practice yoga and experience the healing powers of rescued wild horses.

Park City isn’t just an outdoors mecca, this quaint mountain town also embraces arts and culture in a major way, too. For two weeks every January, the film industry pours into Park City for the iconic Sundance Film Festival. But that’s really just the tip of the iceberg, er, mountain.

Park City’s historic Main Street has a higher density of art galleries than most places. Walking up and down the street, you can pop into more than a dozen. While you can pop into the galleries any time, we recommend joining in on the Last Friday Gallery Stroll when local gallerists throw open their doors and ply passersby with refreshments from 6 to 9 p.m. on the last Friday of each month.

For a dose of independent film, check out the exquisitely curated program from the Park City Film (PCF). Almost every week of the year, PCF screens films ranging from artful child-inspired sagas to thought-provoking documentaries and features. They also have some pretty amazing popcorn toppings (everything from Parmesan cheese to chile sauce).

If music is more your thing, you don’t have to look far because even if you don’t ski the après concerts at Park City Mountain and Deer Valley are free and open to everyone. You can also hit up popular live music venues on Main Street, including Park City Live and O.P. Rockwell or see what’s on Park City Institute’s line-up.

While the cultural program at the Eccles Center, the home of the Park City Institute, includes its fair share of concerts, there’s much more available on the line-up. This venerable organization, which celebrated its 20th birthday in 2018, also prides itself on bringing in unique dance groups and a variety of entertainers, authors, and public figures.

Find out the nitty, gritty history of our mountain town by visiting Park City Museum. This isn’t some small, outdated town museum smelling of moth balls and mildew either. Inside you’ll find interactive, attention-grabbing displays that will immerse you in the by-gone days of Park City’s formative silver mining era. The museum even houses its own dungeon, a.k.a. the town’s old jailhouse, which is supposedly haunted.

This historic Egyptian Theatre may have changed names over the years, but its been a constant in Park City’s cultural map since the late 1800s. Today this landmark venue hosts a variety of music performances, theater productions, comedy acts, film, and community events, and more.

In addition to art exhibits, the Kimball Art Center also hosts dozens of classes throughout the year in almost every artistic discipline. Highlights include family-friendly holiday themed classes like Gingerbread House Sculpture, Egg Dying, and Valentine’s Day Bowls and adult only Sip & Paint sessions at Old Town Wine Cellars where you can (as the name implies) sip wine while creating. Whether you’re looking for a one-off session or multi-week courses, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Did you know Park City is home to a number of ghosts? Find out all about them and the rough-and-tumble mining days by taking a Park City Ghost Tour. Even if you’re not a big believer in the supernatural, the tour guides make the experience entertaining and the stories they tell about Park City’s earliest residents are quite interesting despite the inclusion of horrific deaths.

Are you ready to get your Catan on? If you’re a board game lover in Park City, then you need to check out the new Sunset Room Board Game Café (1781 Sidewinder Dr). With a library boasting dozens of different types of games, ranging from classics like Monopoly to strategy, deck building, and party games, this is a great place to chill out, relax, grab some food and drink, and make new friends.

Are you ready to shop till you drop? Forget the chain stores you can find anywhere and opt for the mom and pop chops unique to Park City. Spruce up your wardrobe with Western flair at Burns Cowboy Shop or mountain chic looks at Farasha, Flight Boutique, Prospect Clothing, and Cake Boutique. Don’t limit yourself to the Main Street thoroughfare, you’ll also find cute shops in Prospector and Kimball Junction, including Indigo Highway (1241 Center Dr), Whimsy (1351 Kearns Blvd), and The Exchange (1755 Bonanza Dr).

While Park City’s food scene is certainly inspired by our surroundings, skiing is certainly not a prerequisite for indulging in the dining scene. We couldn’t possibly name all the options out there, but here are a few to get you started.

Despite the significant (and sober) Mormon population, the craft distilling and brewing scene are blossoming in Utah these days, including right here in Park City where High West Distillery reigns supreme. Stop by their saloon for a tour and finish off with a meal and craft cocktails featuring their whiskeys or take the short drive out to Wanship to visit their new distillery on the Blue Sky Ranch. But don’t stop there, you’ll want to hit all the stops on our roadmap to beers, wine, and spirits in town.

If wine is your thing, then check out one of the many tours and classes offered by the Fox School of Wine. This is “educational happy hour,” meaning in addition to tasting several wines, you’ll also learn about their characteristics and add to your wine vocabulary.

You can make dinner into an event when you book a table at the Snowed Inn. Your evening begins with a horse drawn sleigh ride up to the Snowed Inn (located on the mountain at Park City Resort) followed by a gourmet western dinner, entertainment, and finally a sleigh ride back down the mountain.

There’s nothing quite like a spa day to make your feel like you can take on the world. Pamper yourself with full body treatments, facials, waxing, and, of course, massages of all kinds. You’ll find no lack of options in town with hotels/resorts ready to cater to all your wellness needs, including the Spa Montage, Knead A Message, Remède Spa at the St. Regis Deer Valley, the Spa at Hotel Park City, and more.

Channel Eleven from Stranger Things and lose yourself in a sensory deprivation tank at the new Sync Float (1200 W Lori Lane). The tanks are loaded with nine hundred pounds of Epsom salt to you can float effortlessly and forget the world. As the name implies, sensory deprivation removes external inputs like light, sound, and gravity so your body can heal physically and mentally. Just don’t open a door to the upside down!

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Outdoors, Utah, Thanksgiving, Visit
Posted in Social Network, Local Events, Things To Do in Park City, Food and Beverage | 0 Responses to "Happy Thanksgiving"

Stephen Roney - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Nov 05, 2019

Judy and I have been a part of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties team for many years and we wanted to share a recent article on Stephen Roney, the CEO and owner.

 

Stephen C. Roney: Service and Marketing Expertise Make the Difference - As the former president and CEO of the First American Corporation’s Residential Group and its subsidiary, MarketLinx, Stephen C. Roney was responsible for building one of the largest residential real estate platforms to provide transaction management, MLS and CRM software and services to more than 500,000 agents and brokers. Today he serves as CEO and owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties, one of the state’s largest brokerage firms.

What are you seeing in the Utah market this year?

Stephen Roney: Along the Wasatch Back (Park City area), there continues to be significant development activity throughout our market area coupled with enhancements to both Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain. We believe this, in conjunction with anticipated inventory increases and low interest rates, will continue to drive our markets in a positive direction. As the market begins to stabilize, we see increased buying opportunities in Summit and Wasatch counties, especially with the continued growth around the Jordanelle Reservoir and Heber Valley. Along the Wasatch Front (Salt Lake Valley through Ogden), strong demand and low inventory levels persist. We expect appreciation to continue, sales to remain strong, and a variety of development options to emerge across all sectors of the Wasatch Front. We anticipate mortgage rates will reduce slightly in the near term and also expect increased buyer activity, especially at or below median prices. With a strong regional economy in Utah, we see little sign of a market downturn in the foreseeable future.

Are you planning to grow your firm in the next 12 months? If so, in what capacity…increasing agent count, new offices, new markets, mergers/acquisitions, etc.?

SR: In short, yes. We have recently opened an office in St. George, which has seen rapid growth as retirement, warm weather and business expansion bring more and more buyers to the area. We are also actively evaluating entry possibilities in other markets in Utah and nearby states.

What most sets your firm apart in the marketplace?

SR: In one word, culture. We have great agents and employees who demonstrate knowledge, services, integrity and teamwork every day. Additionally, we have unparalleled experience in development marketing, sales and advisory services in our markets. We also have an in-house marketing department that includes marketing strategy/planning, graphic design, digital and social media marketing, and print and public relations capabilities.

How are you updating your technology and training to provide the resources agents need to succeed?

SR: Our chief technology officer and executive leadership team are constantly evaluating new technology and maintaining alignment with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ existing platforms and future initiatives.

How are you attracting new agents to your firm and retaining top producers?

SR: We have a very selective recruiting process for new agents. We look for strong-producing agents or other individuals with significant sales and service backgrounds who will fit our culture and benefit from the strength of our marketing capabilities, development experience, and leadership team. We also place great value on collaboration and collegiality. Retaining top-producing agents requires building and maintaining the “best in market” leadership team and support capabilities.

What do you look for in someone new coming into the company?

SR: A successful and sustainable business will flourish in a culture that honors service, knowledge and a strong work ethic. Preserving the trust of our agents and their clients is our No. 1 priority.

Vitals: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties - Years in Business: 43

Size: 30 offices, 475 agents - Regions Served: Northern Utah: Wasatch Back (Park City, Heber Valley, East Summit County, Jordanelle), Wasatch Front (Utah, Salt Lake, Davis and Weber Counties); and moving into Southern Utah: St. George

2018 Sales Volume: $2.195 billion - 2018 Transactions: 3,556 - www.bhhsutah.com

We will wrap up this blog with 4 Tips for Home-Buying During the Colder Months. Here are four ideas to help make the home search process faster and more convenient during the colder months:

Attend cozy open houses - Use the time you're looking for a home to mingle and fight the winter blues. Go see what's open in your area, check out a new location or inspect a home you really want. Open houses provide many opportunities including the chance to mingle and network. Even if you don't like the house you visit, you may hear of others nearby. You'll find many houses for sale in the winter that have open houses, and checking them out in person can show you exactly what the house will be like during the colder months.

Read the home inspection reports - While it's chilly outside, pull up a comfy chair and a mug of hot chocolate or coffee and do some research. With the bad weather and cold air that come with the season in some areas of the country, it's easier to sit inside and get the monotonous part of moving out of the way first. Plus, getting some of the boring stuff done early gives you more time to spend on the fun things like getting open house gifts.

Look for drafts and other leaks - There's no better time than winter to check out houses for sale. With the home working at the highest level, potential buyers can easily check out windows and doors for air leaks. Gaps are easier to find because drafts are often present when the winter wind is blowing hard outside. Plus, going to showings in the winter lets you see the property during the drab months of the year, allowing you to envision it in the nicer weather.

Check out the parking in bad weather - When you need a parking spot close to home in the winter, it's best to go for showings during this season. Looking at houses when there's snow on the ground lets you see where the problems occur in the area. You can avoid houses that have access problems, drainage issues or are last on the list for the snowplow.

Many people think winter is a bad time to look for a new home; however, several advantages make this season better than most. For example, if you don't want to go out in the cold weather, then chances are neither will your neighbors. Second, a home will show all its problems in the winter because the systems have to work extremely hard to keep up with frigid temperatures.

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Utah, BHHS, Properties
Posted in Social Network, Local Events, Real Estate Stats, For Sale | 9 Responses to "Stephen Roney - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties"

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Airplanes and Food

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Sep 25, 2019

This week we have the update on the Heber City Airport, how to make your home look better in 10 minutes or less, and fun food festivals coming up this weekend. Recently, the Heber City Council approved a grant agreement to fund the Airport Master Plan update. The Heber Airport Master Plan will be updated for the first time since 2003 in the coming months (taking around 18 to 24 months). The update will fulfill grant assurances the city made to the Federal Aviation Administration which subsidizes the costs of operation at the airport. Without the master plan update the city would be required to pay for upkeep of the airport on their own. The master plan update will be managed by Heber City Manager Matt Brower, Airport Engineer Jeremy McAlister and Airport Manager Travis Biggs.

The Community Advisory Committee will provide the Airport Master Plan update with a voice for the community as a whole as different elements and impacts are considered. Heber City Manager Matt Brower noted that they still need a few more recommendations from council to fill out the list of 10-15 committee members.

“There is a representative we’re looking for from Midway still, from Charleston, from the local airport committee or I should say (Users and Tennent's Association) we have two at large members,” Brower explained. “So, we're looking to council right now to see if we can't make sure we round out this committee.” The Technical Advisory Committee on the other hand is much smaller and is meant to have members with a technical background in aviation, airports and the FAA. “The FAA pays for 90.63% the state pays for 6.6% and we pay for the other 4.685%,” Biggs said. “So, our costs will be $27,781 which has been included in the budget.”

Fall and cooler weather is upon us and before you get too comfortable, here is How To Make Your Home Look 10 Times Better in 10 Minutes Or Less.

Cut the clutter - Almost everybody has these little spots of clutter—a box over here, a pile of papers over there. You may barely even notice these things, because you’re so used to seeing them. A neat trick - Take a picture of your home, this will help you see it through new eyes, and maybe inspire you to find permanent homes for things that are sitting out.

Take something away - So many interiors have just a little too much stuff. By removing one or two items creates a more breathable, relaxing atmosphere, and gives the things that are left a chance to really shine. This doesn’t mean you have to get the rid of the things you love—move them to another room, or put them in storage, and then rotate them back in (and take something else out) when you’re ready for a change.

Let your furniture breathe - Try taking furniture pieces and moving them just slightly farther away from one another. Even a few inches can make a big difference. If you have the space, giving your furniture a little extra room to breathe can give your space a lighter, airier, feel. Another trick - Pulling furniture just a few inches away from the wall.

Add flowers - If you look closely, you’ll notice a thing that many of the most beautiful house tour shoots have in common: fresh cut flowers. A touch of the natural adds liveliness and texture to a room, and can help to soften the lines of a modern space. Having fresh flowers all the time could get a bit spendy, but you can achieve the same effect with a houseplant, which is a (hopefully) one-time purchase.

Embrace the diagonal - One way to make a picture a little more exciting is to take one thing in the photo and angle it just a bit. You can try this with furniture pieces like accent chairs or ottomans—there’s no rule that says everything has to sit on a grid. By looking at your home like a stylist, you can unlock the potential that’s been there all along.

The Gastronomic Salt Lake City has shared the Feast Of The Five Senses - The 2019 edition of this event promises to the biggest and best yet – returning for its 15th year in one of the grandest and most unique settings – The Salt Lake Masonic Temple (650 E. South Temple).

The evening usually begins with passed appetizers, cocktails/wine/beer and a silent auction before moving onto a seated multi course dinner with wine pairings (ably selected and supplied by Francis Fecteau). After dinner wrapped up last year we all left with little goodie bags courtesy of Caputo’s Market too. Those participating for the 2019 event so far include: Shon Foster – Sego Restaurant, Logen Crew – SLC Eatery, Alan Brines – Current Fish & Oyster, Mariah Christensen & Casey Bowthorpe – Harmons, Park City Culinary Institute, Buzz Willey – Pallet, Nathan Powers – Bambara, Adam Kreisel – Chaia Cucina and Romina Rasmussen – Les Madeleines. Tickets are priced $125 per person with wine pairings priced $25 extra. They can be purchased online here.

Celebrate The Bounty - If you can’t wait for October, this yearly celebration of local producers is back for another go around come September 26th from 7-9 pm. The event moved to the new Caffe Molise digs in 2018, and will reprise that location for 2019. The event is a fundraiser for Local First Utah and the 2019 party will partner local restaurants with local distillers/bars. Food only tickets are priced $65, food and drink tickets are $75 and VIP tables (seating for eight guests) are are available for $1,000. Tickets are on sale at www.localfirst.org/celebratethebounty.

Oktoberfest 2019 - An increasing number of local operations are getting in on the Bavarian festivities for 2019. Make sure your stein never runs empty – and be sure to keep note on the following events:

Snowbird - The granddaddy of all Utah Oktoberfest events. Snowbird’s Oktoberfest attracts thousands of visitors each year making it one of the largest festivals in Utah. Admission to Oktoberfest is free and the event runs from noon – 6 p.m every Saturday and Sunday now through October 20th. More details.

T.F. Brewing -Bavarian food provided by Beltex Meats, pretzels and treats… and of course…plenty of German style biers. Ticket includes entry into the event and a special edition glass to take home. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of. $10 Beltex Bier Brats with side. Pretzels and other snacks will be available. Event is 21 and over and will be held on September 28th and 29th. More details.

4th West Oktoberfest - Also on Saturday and Sunday 28/29th – this 2-day festival features live music from local artists, local Salt Lake Valley food trucks, Utah vendors, and fun for the whole family. Games will include giant jenga, corn hole, children’s activities, and much more! Enjoy the music, the eats, and all over fun with natural, gluten-free ciders from Mountain West Hard Cider and beers from Red Rock Brewery. More details.

Tags: Real Estate, Utah, Home, Food, Planes
Posted in Social Network, Local Events, Things To Do in Park City, Food and Beverage | 0 Responses to "Airplanes and Food"

Skyscrapers

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Sep 11, 2019

Last week we shared that the millennial population represents approximately 23 percent of the Utah population which makes sense that Downtown Salt Lake City is increasingly a hub for young, tech-savvy workers who live and play among the skyscrapers. The Salt Lake Tribune shares that Salt Lake City’s downtown is thriving — and changing. Young, educated and tech-smart workers are moving into condos and apartments close to their jobs and a host of new restaurants, bars and theaters across the business core.

A new study, commissioned by the Downtown Alliance, representing merchants in the heart of Salt Lake City, has documented that growth in the working-age population, comparing it to other large cities in the West. Its key finding: Utah’s downtown workforce is more tech based but also on the lower end of the national salary scale for that sector.

The availability of highly skilled workers is a leading factor — more important than office rents or other metrics — for companies deciding to locate in Salt Lake City, said Matthew Vance, senior research director and economist for CBRE, who led the research. And as Salt Lake City’s downtown continues to flourish along with Utah’s overall economy, that talent pool is giving it a competitive edge among major cities such as Denver, Portland, Seattle, Boise, Omaha and Austin. It is also pushing related growth in markets for office space, residential units, hospitality and retail outlets. “Job growth is the driving force for all things real estate,” Vance said.

Matt Baldwin, board chairman for the Downtown Alliance, said “the future for Salt Lake City’s downtown has never been brighter. The economy is growing and the skyline is rising.” Baldwin noted that five major high-rise projects would get underway in 2020, adding nearly 100 stories to the skyline between them, along with 2 million square feet of new office space and hundreds of apartments and hotel rooms.

Along with the pending renovation of the Salt Lake Temple by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he said, those projects will make next year the city’s “Year of the Construction Crane.” Commissioned by the Downtown Alliance and conducted by analysts at real estate firm CBRE, the study finds that Utah’s capital ranks high among comparable cities, many with larger populations, for the recent growth in its working-age population.

Those workers are younger — median age just above 32 — and have more technology degrees per capita than their counterparts in at least six other metropolitan areas. And at least in the technology sector, the average wages in a range of top jobs are lower here than in Seattle, Denver, Portland and Austin, CRBE found. Only similar workers in Omaha and Boise had lower average wages, at $70,349 and $66,556 yearly, respectively, compared to Salt Lake City’s average annual wage of $71,710.

This probably why Salt Lake City is also the Best City for Young Entrepreneurs. Small Biz Trends shares which cities are most popular with young entrepreneurs between the ages of 25 and 34 and Salt Lake City comes in first. The rankings reflect the percentage of young entrepreneurs to the overall population in metropolitan areas of the United States with over 50,000 people. We also identify factors such as industry clusters, lifestyle, infrastructure, costs, workforce availability and a thriving entrepreneurial community nearby.

1. Salt Lake City - Known for its booming tech industry leading to the area’s designation as part of the Silicon Slopes, Salt Lake City is a magnet in the western U.S. for young entrepreneurs. Today, 1,973 young entrepreneurs call the city home, accounting for .17% of the population. Plenty of networking and a welcoming business community are hallmarks of Salt Lake City. Entrepreneurs like Robert Brady, the Founder of Righteous Marketing says he travels from his home base in Idaho down to Salt Lake regularly to network and connect with other entrepreneurs. “They are an amazing group of people.”

2. Oklahoma City - Often called simply OKC, the city is also OK with young entrepreneurs.

3. Denver - Millennial migration to Denver is now well documented. So the presence of so many young entrepreneurs in the metro area is a no-brainer.

4. Seattle - The city that launched Kurt Cobain and the Grunge revolution is still young at heart.

5. Los Angeles - LA is home to 15,409 young entrepreneurs. That may make it sound like the city deserves a higher ranking here. But in the behemoth that Los Angeles is, that number represents only .12% of the metro population.

6. Portland - Oregon’s largest city keeps young entrepreneurs busy and when not working on their businesses, these young entrepreneurs have plenty to do in Portland’s unique culture that celebrates “weird.”

7. Tampa - The city’s major industries include finance, retail and insurance, But the local economy is also buoyed up by shipping, national defense, professional sports, tourism and real estate.

8. Minneapolis - The city trails only Chicago and Detroit as the largest economic centers in the Midwest. And it is home to such Fortune 500 companies as Target, U.S. Bancorp and Ameriprise Financial.

9. San Diego - San Diego is named for a Spanish saint but the metro area is clearly revered by young entrepreneurs as well.

10. San Jose - Located in California’s Silicon Valley, the area is already known for tech entrepreneurs. And there are many young entrepreneurs too — a total of 2,156 of them work in the metro area making up .11% of the population.

Sometimes we need to relax and here are 6 Tremendous Spa Treatments for the Athlete (and Weekend Warrior) by Park City Magazine. Recover from hard-charging, on-mountain fun with these specialty massages, salty floats, and more.

Foot Zoning

Park City Massage and Spa (formerly Silver Mountain Spa) In addition to all the classic spa treatments, Park City Massage and Spa’s robust menu offers everything from jet lag recovery to Cranial Sacral Therapy to body mapping. One unique option for athletes is Foot Zoning, done by intuitive wellness and certified foot zone therapist Wendy Wise. Using massage that taps into the nerves on your feet (which connect to corresponding areas in your body), foot zoning “improves circulation and the body’s ability to communicate with itself and detoxify,” Wise says. “We nickname it the ‘Ph.D. level of reflexology’ because people have heard of reflexology, but it’s much more than that—it’s easiest to understand once you experience it.” By focusing on your feet, Wise says she can strategically open structural space and help oxygenate the entire body. You’ll learn a lot about your immune and hormonal systems and overall health in the process, too.

Alpine Body Rescue

Spa Montage Deer Valley To alleviate muscle pain and tension from outdoor endeavors, Spa Montage Supervisor Dominic McKenzie recommends the Alpine Body Rescue, a strong-pressure massage that includes a therapeutic heat pack and aromatic blend to relieve neck and shoulder tension. For a more relaxing head-to-toe treatment, he also suggests the Seasonal Renewal, a blend of full-body exfoliation and dry brushing followed by a hot stone massage and grounding foot treatment.

Float Therapy

SYNC Float Center Athletes have long used Epsom salt baths to recover from hard workouts, and float therapy amplifies those pain-relieving benefits. During a 30- or 60-minute float, you’ll be immersed in a pod filled with water and 1,000 pounds of magnesium sulfate, which allows you to float on the surface. “There are three different therapies going on during a float,” explains SYNC co-owner Justin Hunter. “Magnesium absorbs into the skin and helps relax tension and lowers stress response, facilitates healing, and increases antioxidant production.” Also, the water allows you to spread out over the surface and elongates your muscles—great for compressive sports like mountain biking or skiing—and the sensory reduction enhances focus, clarity, and creativity. “Research has shown that an hour float is equal to four hours of sleep as far as what the body can get done,” Hunter says.

High Mountain Foot Recovery

The Spa at Hotel Park City Runners and hikers putting in high mileage should consider the High Mountain Foot Recovery, a therapeutic 25-minute massage that combines reflexology techniques with a skin hydration treatment. Hotel Park City also has a full lineup of treatments, including skin, hair, and nails, with a sauna and eucalyptus steam room to relax in afterwards.

Ninety-Nine 90 Therapeutic Leg Recovery

RockResorts Spa at The Grand Summit, Park City Mountain Named after the iconic expert lift at Park City Mountain, this leg-focused massage (50 or 80 minutes) at Canyons Village’s RockResorts Spa is useful for yes, skiers, but also anyone who uses his or her leg muscles in a big way. “The therapists focus on the legs to move out the lactic acid and they know which muscles need to get worked on the most based on what activities the athlete is doing,” says spa concierge Sally Smith. The treatment includes a cooling aromatic compress on your legs in combination with targeted compressions, stretching, and pressure-point massage to regenerate muscles and eliminate swelling.

CBD Massage Experience

Align Spa Tapping into the anxiety-reducing and pain-relieving properties of CBD, Align Spa allows you to upgrade your massage—Swedish, Reflexology, Deep Tissue, and more—with a CBD experience. Using wide spectrum raw hemp, CBD oil is incorporated into your full-body massage followed by a custom tea blended with CBD, and a take-home muscle relief or calming bath bomb.

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Sales, Utah, Business
Posted in Social Network, Local Events, Things To Do in Park City, Food and Beverage | 0 Responses to "Skyscrapers"

Ski Resorts and The Tour of Utah

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Aug 13, 2019

The Deseret News shares that a developer plans to make Utah site the first new full-service ski resort in country since 1980 - By Amy Donaldson. For nearly 40 years, no developer has managed to build and open a new, full-service ski resort, but it’s not because there wasn’t demand for one or a desire to do so.

"I know that the mountains are littered with developers who thought they were going to do something and nothing happened,” said Gary Barnett, founder and chairman of Extell Development Company, who unveiled plans Monday for a ski resort and village that includes hotels, condominiums and residential housing. ”I mean, nothing has really been done in the country in the last 30 years, since Beaver Creek, really. … It’s so hard to do.”

So what makes a guy who doesn’t even ski think he can do what no one else has managed since 1980? A unique set of circumstances and colleagues with a vision.”I think once again, one of the important things for us was the ability to tap into tax increment financing,” he said, referring to the fact that Wasatch County had designated the Mayflower Resort area as a place where Utah’s Military Industrial Development Agency could build a recreation hotel, which returns some of the property tax generated from development to developers in exchange for reduced fees for military personnel.

”The fact that MIDA is there, supporting it and helping speed up the process, was a very necessary component for me to get involved. I would not have gotten involved otherwise,” Barnett said. The project — Mayflower Mountain Resort — is ambitious in its scope, with plans for 5,600 acres that are just west of U.S. 40 and Jordanelle Reservoir (near Exit 8) and adjacent to Deer Valley that includes 1,520 residential units, 825 hotel rooms and commercial units and 600 skier parking spaces.

It will be the first recreation project created to work with the military for the state, said Kurt Krieg, vice president of development. The Military Industrial Development Agency is a state-run economic development entity with a military focus, which in this case, offers ski resort vacation opportunities to military personnel at a fraction of the cost.

Among the advantages the new resort will have is its proximity to one of the state’s top rated resorts — Deer Valley. ”We have the ability to connect to Deer Valley,” Barnett said, noting that Extell just renegotiated a lease of land to Deer Valley that makes the future more predictable for both entities. ”Obviously, they’d have to purchase a Deer Valley ticket, but there is that ability to provide skiing. We feel like the access from our side of the mountain is exceptional.”

The location of Mayflower may offer it some unique advantages that other start-ups don’t enjoy, including 35 minutes and no stop lights from the Salt Lake City International Airport to the freeway exit.

”There is no other resort of this scale, maybe around the world, that I know of that is 35 minutes from a major, international airport,” he said. “It’s going to have access to everywhere. … That’s the No. 1 thing Utah has going for it is this access. And we have straight highway, no traffic lights. … So we’ve got everything in our favor to get this thing done.” The goal is to have the village and some ski runs open within five years.

Extell has discussed climate change challenges, as they planned the development and acquired land, Barnett said. It also hopes to be supportive, if not involved in, Utah’s bid for another Winter Olympics in 2030 or 2034. “We love the idea, and we’d love to be involved in it,” he said. “Anything we do would have to be coordinated with Deer Valley and the state of Utah, but we certainly love the idea of playing a very active role. We hope we get it in 2030.”

Some of what Barnett and his team envision is similar to what’s out there. Some of it is unique. But before they can begin to build anything, they are conducting a voluntary cleanup of the mountain, because the last mining companies left in 1969 without the resources to clean up any contamination. The land has been vacant, even as development occurred around it, in part because of the contamination and in part because it was owned by a foreign trust with a trustee who sought a higher price than anyone was willing to pay.

As the trustees re-negotiated representation, the land became available and then it was a matter of cleaning up the contamination in order to develop it in the ways Extell envisions. On Monday, several members of the Extell team and the Military Industrial Development Agency representatives took media on a tour of the picturesque site, pointing out where ski lifts might be, where water tanks will be installed and how cleanup will work.

In some places, as much as 18 inches of soil is being removed and it will be taken to a central location and capped, as is standard in these types of cases, according to Krieg, who led the tour. While no other full service resort has opened in the U.S. since 1980, about a half dozen terrain parks or ski resorts without on-site lodging have opened, including Cherry Peak, which is 20 minutes outside Logan, and two hours north of Salt Lake City. But nothing like most of Utah’s resorts — and nothing like what Extell has planned for Mayflower Resort.

”We have the makings of a really beautiful resort town,” he said. “And that’s what we’re looking at doing.”

The Tour of Utah is once again scheduled to pedal two of its six legs through Summit County and finish on Main Street in Park City. This year’s race covers 477 miles around northern Utah as racers compete in 13 King of the Mountain climbs up an estimated 37,882 feet, and through another 15 sprint competitions. The main events for Summit County spectators are scheduled to take place on Saturday, Aug. 17, the fifth leg of the race, and Sunday, Aug. 18, the sixth and final stage.

The fifth stage of the race begins at 2:30 p.m. and will loop from the Canyons Village at Park City mountain around the Jordanelle and Rockport reservoirs before heading back to the resort. There will be sprint lines in Kamas and Hoytsville, bracketed by King of the Mountain challenges back up to the Jordanelle and through Browns Canyon.

In the day’s final miles, racers will ride through Kimball Junction up to the Utah Olympic Park and will cut down Bear Hollow drive before a final push along Canyons Resort Drive and High Mountain Road to the finish near the Umbrella Bar in Canyons Village. Frontrunners are expected to finish around 6 p.m. A free concert with Florida-based jazz trio Honey Hounds is set to take place after the awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

The route, first introduced in 2012, covers 78.2 miles with 10,000 feet of climbing. Racers will leave from Main Street at approximately 12:30 p.m. and head out of the city to Brown’s Canyon with another sprint line in Kamas before zig-zagging into a 2.1-mile KOM climb through Wolf Creek Ranch. The riders will descend into Wasatch County down to Heber, entering the race’s final sprint section in Midway before the grueling six-mile climb along Pine Canyon Road up to Empire Pass. After topping out, racers will ride the switchbacking descent down Marsac Avenue and race up Main Street to the finish line.

“We’re excited to have the Tour of Utah returning to Main Street,” said mayor Andy Beerman via email. “Main Street is an iconic finish to a race that not only highlights amazing athletes, but also Utah’s most spectacular landscapes.” For more information go to TourofUtah.com.

It’s official: Deer Valley is hosting another freestyle World Cup this winter. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard sent out a press release confirming the FIS winter schedule, including the Intermountain Healthcare Freestyle International, on Feb. 6-8. The Freestyle International will include moguls, aerials and dual moguls competitions, with a viewing area at the top of Deer Valley’s Burns and Snowflake lifts above Snow Park Lodge. This year will be the 20th that Deer Valley has hosted the event, which has become a favorite of athletes and spectators.

“Deer Valley is honored to have been selected as a venue for another freestyle skiing World Cup and to be able to continue our long tradition of hosting these international competitions,” said Emily Summers, a spokeswoman for Deer Valley in an email. “We are looking forward to welcoming the mogul and aerial teams back to Deer Valley in 2020.”

The resort was the host site for the 2019 World Championships and has a storied past in freestyle skiing. It was where Jonny Moseley performed the Dinner Roll during the 2002 Olympics, spurring a rules change to allow inversions, and where Mikael Kingsbury became the winningest moguls skier in history last year.

The event is particularly pertinent to the U.S. freestyle teams, which are based out of Park City and consider the venue their home turf. At the World Championships in February, Americans Brad Wilson and Jaelin Kauf both medaled in dual moguls.

The U.S. Alpine team will host the HomeLight Killington Cup on Nov. 30 through Dec. 1 in Vermont. That event is followed on the Alpine calendar by Birds of Prey at Beaver Creek in Colorado on Dec. 6 through 8.

In cross-country skiing, the Fastenal Parallel 45 Winter Festival in Minneapolis will be held over four days in March, including a music festival, panel discussions and the first cross-country World Cup to come to the U.S. in 19 years. The longstanding drought was broken thanks to the U.S. team’s performance at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, where Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall took home the nation’s first-ever gold.

The World Cup cross-country freestyle sprint event will be held on March 17, and will act as the second leg of a mini sprint tour that begins in Quebec City the weekend before.

The freeskiing and snowboarding World Cup halfpipe season is scheduled to begin at Copper Mountain on Dec. 11-14.

On Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, skiers and boarders will compete in slopestyle and halfpipe at Mammoth Mountain in California. One more major freeski and snowboarding event will be added to the U.S. calendar in the coming weeks, the press release stated.

“Fans of ski and snowboard sports have a lot to look forward to in the coming season, especially here in the U.S.,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard President and CEO Tiger Shaw in the press release. “We have the cross-country World Cup coming back to America for the first time in nearly 20 years with the event in Minneapolis in March. That is going to be an awesome event, giving Jessie Diggins, Sophie Caldwell, Sadie Bjornsen and their teammates (including Park City’s Rosie Brennan) the opportunity to race at World Cup level on home soil for the first time in their careers, in front of thousands of people.”

Market Reports:

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Ski, Utah, Bike
Posted in New Construction, Local Events, Real Estate Stats, Things To Do in Park City, For Sale | 2 Responses to "Ski Resorts and The Tour of Utah"

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Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Jul 10, 2019

Since 2006 my wife and I have had the great pleasure of being a part of the real estate community. We represent buyers and sellers in the Greater Park City area as well as in Salt Lake City. This week we wanted to share the Top 6 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home - As a homeowner, there's only so much you can do when trying to sell your home. When it comes to real estate, hiring a professional agent is more of a need than an option. A real estate agent's greatest goal is to sell your house at a higher price in a lesser number of days.

While it's possible to sell a home without representation, it's important to remember that real estate is also a legal matter. In fact, there has been a massive increase in scammers targeting real estate clients because they're fully aware that some people don't seek agent representation. If you decide to sell your house, understand that it's a heavy process with many stakes involved. Here are some reasons why hiring a real estate agent is crucial:

Years of Experience - Nothing can beat experience. As a homeowner, you might believe in relying on the internet, family or friends; however, the experience of a professional real estate agent is what will truly help you secure a worthy investment. With years of experience in cracking the real estate code, agents know the times of the year when house prices go up and when potential buyers are most active. Hiring an agent will save you the stress of learning everything about buying and selling a house.

Negotiation Skills - Experience also endows real estate agents with impressive negotiation skills. Dealing with buyers, brokers and legal representatives on a daily basis, real estate professionals know exactly what each stakeholder wants. Agents have the skills to negotiate prices well and secure a worthy investment. You'll never be disappointed after hiring a competent agent because they'll provide the best representation for your property.

Access to a Critical Database - Real estate agents have deep connections and access to crucial real estate databases. The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is an interface of all the current homes for sale. When you hire an agent, all the information required to sell your house will be available over the MLS for other agents. Your agent can effectively advertise your property by featuring an attractive package. With instant visibility, there are far more chances of selling your house quicker than when you may have tried it on your own. With greater access to buyers, you can sell your house fast instead of waiting and lowering the price. Hiring an agent may seem costly at first, but it can give you the upper hand in steering the price of your house.

Network of Professionals - Agents can never give their best service in isolation. With experience and education, they will always have a pool of professionals that they stay in touch with for speedy selling, buying and referrals. Agents work with many other people who can directly impact the price of your property.

Knowledge of Market Conditions - Real estate professionals have to stay updated with the rising house prices, and the best times to invest in the real estate market. They have insights into the market conditions that'll eventually dictate the price at which you sell your house. There are many calculations involved when it comes to learning the real estate climate. Data like the average-per-square foot cost, average house sale prices, list-to-sold prices and how long a house stays on the market are all things that ultimately decide how fast your house sells. Learning about this can be a hefty task, especially when you have to take care of the investment and insurance. Instead of taking all the stress yourself, hire an agent to guide you accordingly. You'll save both time and money.

Confidentiality and Security - As mentioned, with scammers on the rise, it only makes sense to hire a professional who will keep all your information confidential until the deal closes. With your identity papers, bank statements and mortgages at stake, hiring an agent is critical. Sometimes, even the smoothest transactions can have issues like tax assessments and missing stamps. Missing even a single step of selling your house can come back to haunt you. Enjoy the peace of mind that follows placing your property in safe hands.

Buying and selling a house is no joke—it's a lifetime investment. While these are only a handful of reasons eliciting the importance of a real estate agent, hiring one will save you from the trouble of paperwork, taxing complications, and, most of all, fraudulent schemes.

With the beautiful weather in Park City, it is time to be outside and if you’re lucky enough to have outdoor space (even if it’s just a sliver of grass) you’ll want to make the most of it. But knowing where to start can be tricky. Here are 7 Design Ideas to Make the Most of Your Backyard:

Swinging Seat - If you have the space, consider creating a variety of seating options — the neutral color palette ties together each of these. Warning: Hanging a hammock or swinging chair means that guests will be rushing over to your place whenever they get the chance. Kids and adults alike will love kicking back with a good book and a refreshing glass of lemonade all summer long. And when in doubt: add string lights.

Family Friendly Features - This backyard allows for plenty of space to play. But despite all of the kid-friendly equipment, it still manages to look stylish. Hang a macramé piece under a covered area for a boho touch, and set out some mod chairs to keep the look current.

Comfy and Cool - How stunning is this covered patio space? The homeowners with the backyard featured in the previous photo also did an excellent job styling this seating area. We love the addition of string bulb lights (again, a backyard essential) and the fun and funky egg chair. Pillows and a throw blanket add texture and necessary warmth for chillier nights.

Festive Fire Pit - Gather round! Group your chairs around a fire pit and set out poufs for extra seating if the weather permits. You’ll have the ideal space to spend many a summer evening talking and laughing with friends and neighbors—and indulging in a s’more or two.

Poolside Perch - Lucky enough to have a pool? Add a comfy outdoor couch and chairs, and you’ll never want to leave the yard. Adults can supervise little ones while kicking back and relaxing in the shade.

Patterned Patio - Having guests over? Jazz up patio furniture with the addition of colorful throws and patterned pillows to bring a well-traveled look to your backyard space. Pattern-mixing newbie? Stick to one color palette (here: pinks, blues, browns, and whites), to tie everything together.

Kids Only - Create a special oasis for the kids by setting up an outdoor dining space that’s just their size. Giant buckets make for great toy storage (which means easy access while the adults are still eating).

Tags: Real Estate, Utah, Homes, Agent, Buyers, Sellers
Posted in Local Events, Real Estate Stats, Things To Do in Park City, For Sale | 2 Responses to "Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent"

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Architecture And Design

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Jun 26, 2019

When you think about architecture, you might imagine the timeless columns of a Grecian revival or the clean lines of a mid-century modern home. But for every classic architecture style, there are a few that didn’t quite weather the test of time. It’s why you can sometimes tell exactly when a home was built based on its architectural style alone (looking at you, 1990s ranch). The trick to transitioning from trend to style staple is choosing one or two of the elements from the style you love for your home. Resist the urge to pile all of the trends into one space. Instead, check out some of our favorite 2019 architecture trends to see which features you’d choose. These are the 2019 Architecture Trends by freshome.

Hidden tech - Smart homes are nothing new in the world of tech and design, but architects are learning to be sneakier about it. Today, technology exists as part of the home’s design instead of being its main feature. Building smart outlets or speakers directly into the home means you get all the tech you love without tripping over wires. It’s also important that tech is seen as a seamless part of life, rather than an add-on. Expect to see even more solutions to keep tech hidden, yet totally functional.

Flex design -No two families are exactly alike, so why are so many floorplans the same? The idea of flexible design is one of those 2019 architecture trends we can really get behind. After all, it just makes sense that designers would start to see that different families have different ways of doing things. The result is a flexible approach to design that leaves the details up to the homeowners. Creating rooms that pull double duty (a combination guest room and office, anyone?) or getting rid of formal, less-used spaces (bye, formal dining room!) means architects can create homes where every inch is optimized for each family.

Sustainability - Designing for sustainability isn’t anything new on the architecture scene, but the solutions architects are using are so 2019. Sustainability isn’t just about using energy-rated appliances and a few solar panels, but really considering the impact building has on the environment. With that in mind, more designers are turning to locally sourced, sustainable building materials to get started. Sustainability is being built right into the walls with more efficient fixtures and even indoor green spaces. You might not even know that your architect is a stickler for sustainability because great designers simply make it a seamless part of your build.

Smaller scale - Just a decade ago, size really mattered most when designing a home. It was all about how much square footage you could get, which is why the real estate market is packed with 1990 and early 2000 “McMansions.” These are usually homes that, while large, are often cheaply finished or cursed with small lots. It’s interesting to note that one of the most common 2019 architecture trends is choosing to build smaller. It’s not always a question of budget; homeowners are simply choosing to create smaller footprints. Not only does this leave more outdoor space, but it means easier upkeep and less maintenance. It also allows homeowners to invest in good-quality finishes and furnishings so their smaller home stands the test of time.

Segmented spaces - We all know that the open concept home has been the gold standard for the last 10 years. After decades of small, specific rooms, American families are choosing spaces that allow more room and fewer labels. But while open concept offers the most room to roam, it still has a few issues. There can be such a thing as too much openness in a home, so architects have had to learn to create defined spaces without using walls. Segmented spaces, which use architectural features like sunken rooms, varying ceiling heights and other features help to divvy up the space while keeping it open.

Outdoor living - The backyard isn’t an afterthought anymore. More architects are taking the time to design the outdoor living space as much as the indoor. Whether it’s space for a backyard barbecue, a sunny pool oasis or even just a kid’s paradise, expect to see more outdoor design in 2019. As architects consider the way families live and use their homes, it’s more apparent that outside is just as important as inside. Design a smart outdoor space and you’ll increase your home’s size without increasing square footage. What’s more, planning for outdoor space as part of the design and build means more efficient budgeting.

Modern farmhouse - For the last couple of years, the farmhouse has reigned supreme as the top trend. Homeowners love the comfortable warmth and architectural interest farmhouse design brings to the table. But there were a few drawbacks, including the risk of becoming cluttered and kitschy. That’s why we’re not surprised to see modern farmhouse take over the list of 2019 architecture trends. It takes what everyone loves about farmhouse design (warmth, character) but uses clean lines and architecture to ensure it doesn’t become clunky and cluttered. It’s a perfect marriage of two design styles to create something as functional as it is beautiful — and we’re here for it.

Using every possible trend in your home is what could push your design out of the “timeless” category. Instead, choose two or three trends that you’d like your architect to incorporate and then allow him or her to work magic on your design. When done well, your 2019 home can stand the test of time and always look totally on trend.

Design also flows into your outside spaces and in Designing Your Outdoor Living Space This Summer: 4 Hot Trends - From bohemian cues to minimalistic touches, the decor in our homes is migrating outdoors for the summer—and balance, in both colors and materials, is the overarching theme, according to a new report by Zillow. "The lines have been blurred between what's indoor-only and what you can use outside, which means it's never been easier to create an outdoor space that's cohesive with your indoor design," says Kerrie Kelly, design expert at Zillow.

The Hottest Outdoor Trends - Comforts of Indoors, Out. Most of us delineate our indoor living spaces in a structured way, from arranging anchor furniture and hanging lighting to rolling out rugs. According to the Zillow report, this approach is appropriate for outside, as well, in accents like chandeliers and cushions in durable materials, centered around a fireplace or fire pit—ideal for interaction, movement and warmth.

Bright, Saturated Shades - Beyond the comforts of the indoors, citrusy colors are a top trend, with the beginning of the rainbow specifically in vogue. From corals and scarlets to tangerines, these bright hues liven up outdoor spaces, as well as coordinate with less peppy shades, making them simple to swap.

Scandinavian Touches - Classified by minimalism and a monochromatic palette, Nordic/Scandinavian design is also heading outdoors—think aluminum furnishings and neutral textiles. The aesthetic beautifully pairs with wood, according to the design experts at Zillow, complementing a deck or porch well.

Green as a Statement - Eco-friendliness is having its moment, the report shows. To add "green" to your outdoor space, consider installing LED lighting powered by solar, or a dramatic living wall, which won't detract from the natural surroundings.

Looking to get outside this weekend, here are some of the festivals and events happening this weekend — Summer is in full swing, and with the end of the school year come longer days and seemingly endless activities with which to fill them. Get out of the house and have some fun with these festivals and events happening in June throughout the Beehive State.

June 27–29: Taylorsville Dayzz

Taylorsville Dayzz will be held at Valley Regional Park, 5100 S. 2700 West, and will include live entertainment, a parade, a car show, carnival rides, a "Ralph Breaks the Internet" screening, fireworks and more. Most activities are free.

June 29: LOVELOUD

Kesha will headline the third LOVELOUD festival, the brainchild of Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds. Other performers include Tegan & Sara, Martin Garrix, K. Flay and more. The event will be held at Usana Amphitheater, 5150 Upper Ridge Rd in West Valley City. Tickets for the festival, which begins at 2:30 p.m., start at $29 and can be purchased here. Proceeds benefit local and national LGBTQ+ charities.

Utah Valley

June 22–30: Lehi Round-Up Week

Enjoy events like a picnic in the park, art shows, a barbecue, miniature float parade and more at Lehi’s Round-Up Week, culminating in a weekend rodeo. Locations and pricing vary by event; find more info here.

Northern Utah

June 28–Aug. 10: Deer Valley Music Festival

The Deer Valley Music Festival is the summer home of the Utah Symphony. This year’s festival kicks off with Chris Botti and the Utah Symphony on June 28 at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater, 2250 Deer Valley Dr. in Park City. Tickets start at $15.

Southern Utah

June 26–29: Bryce Canyon Annual Astronomy Festival

The 18th annual festival will have telescopes available and feature various astronomy-themed activities and programs. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Amber Straughn, associate director of astrophysics science at NASA.

June 27–Oct. 12: Utah Shakespeare Festival

The Utah Shakespeare Festival returns to Cedar City starting June 27, with "Macbeth" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" as its opening-night performances. Ticket prices, venues and plays vary; find a full schedule here.

June 28–30: Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally & 5K

Watch dozens of balloons rise into the sky in the morning, then head to historic Main Street on Saturday evening for the balloon glow. A 5K race will take place on Saturday morning as the balloons take off.

Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Utah, Homes, Design, Architecture
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Entrepreneurial Spirit

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
May 29, 2019

For those people with an entrepreneurial spirit, Utah's capital city is one of the best places in the country to try your luck at being your own boss, new reports say from KSL. A report by FitSmallBusiness.com ranked Salt Lake City No. 6 among the top 10 cities for entrepreneurs in 2019. The study looked at business survival rate, economic growth rate, new business growth, the local financial landscape, area tax climate, the labor market, quality of life and cost of living, explained special project editor Jeff Steen.

"There are a lot of factors, but at the ground level it's about opportunity," he said. "Part of that is an existing infrastructure that supports startup culture." He said in the top-ranked cities, accessibility to investment capital is better than in many other locales compared to the overall population and startup density in those markets.

"Based on those factors, is it possible for startups to secure the funding they need to get off the ground?" he said. "Additionally, the best cities are places that offer resources to entrepreneurs that help them in their quest to get their companies up and running, including mentorship."

The entrepreneurial spirit is strong even in the donut world as The Park Record has shared where to get the best donut in Utah. Votes are in and we agree: Utah’s best donut is sold out of a Kamas gas station! The team of bakers at Mirror Lake Station used to think they made the best doughnuts in the state. Now, they have a plaque to prove it as they were awarded Utah’s Best Donut Award during the Utah Dough Show, a convention for donut-lovers that took place for the first time this year, in Salt Lake City. The station’s raspberry fritter beat out doughnuts from 22 other bakeries from around the state.

The Mirror Lake Station doughnuts have been a Kamas favorite since the station started serving the sweet pastries 40 years ago. Bakers make all of the doughnuts from scratch in a bakery behind the station. On average, 400 doughnuts a day with most of the doughnut recipes having remained the same over the last 40 years. The bakery also makes cookies, bagels, turnovers and croissants. Clara Sargent, the bakery manager, has led the bakery for 15 years. She said she wants to switch things up a little, but she intends to keep the crowd favorites on the shelves for the next 40 years.

We will wrap up this week's blog with the most recent market reports.

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Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Utah, Market, Donuts
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Spring Investments

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
May 15, 2019

Spring is here and summer is on the way and it’s time to get back in the saddle again. Park City Magazine shares Back in the Saddle Again - Take to the trails with early-season mountain biking tips from a pro. Former mountain bike pro, PMBIA certified instructor, and owner of MTB-focused business Women in the Mountains, Erica Tingey shares tips on how to seamlessly get back into fitness after a long winter.

Start slow. Give yourself some space and expect that you’re going to be slow on your first ride out—and that’s OK, Tingey says. “Find a trail that’s not challenging for your first ride back,” she recommends. “I start in Round Valley because there are not any long, sustained climbs.” She also recommends riding the RTS Loop Trail near the Utah Olympic Park, so you can do a few laps. “Find a loop and ride it a few times to feel yourself improving, and to feel your blood vessels and muscles opening up.”

Re-train your vision. Without even realizing it, when you’re in mountain bike shape, your eyes naturally look far ahead to anticipate the terrain and any obstacles. Over the winter, it’s easy to lose that skill, Tingey says. “When you’re getting back into riding, try to look ahead a little bit more than you naturally would. It takes self-control to do this, and to anticipate what’s coming up. The tendency is to look down—force your eyes up.”

Loosen up.“No matter what you’ve been doing over the winter, riding always feels different,” Tingey says. “Your hands might get that itchy feeling from bouncing. And when you’re nervous or tired, you tend to grip too tight, and it’s really hard on your upper body. See if you can loosen up on the climbs and the descents.”

Start with an athletic stance. When you get tired—which can happen quickly during the early season—your posture is one of the first things to decline. Start the year with good habits and think about holding an athletic stance with your core tight, your spine strong, and your neck up. “It might be hard to hold a good posture for all three laps,” Tingey says, “but it’s a good clue to know that when you can’t hold a very good posture, you should call it a day. If you’re not riding in a strong position, you’re setting yourself up for more accidents.”

Turn your fear into excitement. If you’re a bit more skittish on technical sections than you were last year, try to put your nerves to good use. “When I was racing, instead of saying ‘I’m not nervous,’ I’d say, ‘I’m excited to be on my bike,’” Tingey says. “Turn it into positive self-talk. As in ‘I’m OK to get off my bike and walk it.’” She also notes that there’s a difference between trying and doing. “Think Yoda: There is no try.”

Just get on a saddle. If the trails are still too muddy, grab your road bike and to get used to being back in the saddle. “Using your road bike is a way to get some miles in and get used to being back in that position,” Tingey says.

Don’t forget a maintenance check. Whether it’s you or your trusty mechanic, do a thorough check of your bike before hopping on. Check the bolts with torque wrench, clean and lube the drivetrain, and test the front suspension (Tingey says to put a hand on each brake, engage, and stand behind the bike and shock it down—does it feel like it’s going up and down at the same rate as last year?). And, of course, put air in your tires, but maybe a little less than you think. “This year, try three psi less than you ever have and just see if you can get away with it,” advises Tingey.

A reminder: Wait until the trails are dry. “Riding muddy trails ruins it for everyone else for the rest of the season,” Tingey says. “It leaves ruts that aren’t magically fixed from a summer of riding. They are stuck for the rest of the year. You’re really ruining it for yourself and it’s also really hard on your bike.”

Where to find trail updates: Check the Mountain Trails Foundation’s website and Facebook page for the latest trail conditions; Basin Recreation also frequently updates the status on its Instagram and Facebook pages.

Forbes has shared The Best Cities In Utah To Own Investment Property - Based on the Census Bureau’s annual estimates of resident population, from July 2010 to July 2018, Utah’s state population increased by 13.9%, second only to the District of Columbia, and No. 1 out of all 50 states in terms of growth. Utah is an interesting state when it comes to buying and owning investment property. People and businesses have been flocking to the state, and many of its major cities have seen swelling numbers of renters. Major universities, healthcare companies and financial firms like Ally Bank can be found in Utah’s main cities, all of which help boost the economy, and increase the number of residents and appeal of the city to potential investment property owners.

1. Logan, Utah - With 61% of its occupied housing filled by renters, Logan is a fast-growing city whose population is expected to double by 2050. A key feature that makes Logan conducive to investment property owners is the presence of Utah State University, with a student population of nearly 28,000, many of which are renters or looking to rent in off-campus residences. In addition to them, professors, university staff and employees, as well as employees of businesses closely associated with the university, add to a large supply of renters and potential renters in the city. Logan also has the highest gross rental yield of major cities in Utah, i.e. cities with more than 10,000 total occupied housing units.

  • Percentage of renter households: 61%
  • Number of renter households: 10,039
  • Median property price: $235,000
  • Median rent: $1,588
  • Annual rental income: $19,056
  • Gross rental yield: 8.1%
2. Ogden, Utah - Located north of Salt Lake City, about a 30-to-40-minute drive up Interstate 15, Ogden is another great place for potential investment property owners. Property prices are affordable in terms of buy-in, and rents are comparatively high enough to produce a gross rental yield of 6.3%, behind only Logan’s 8.1%.Like Logan, Ogden is a college town, home to Weber State University, which has an undergraduate population of 27,111, according to U.S. News and World Report. The university’s students and staff provide a large pool of potential renters of your investment property in Ogden. In fact, according to the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Weber State University is the No. 4 largest employer in Ogden, behind the Department of Treasury, Weber County School District, McKay-Dee Hospital Center, and ahead of Autoliv, the world’s largest automotive safety supplier, according to their website.
  • Percentage of renter households: 44.6%
  • Number of renter households: 13,442
  • Median property price: $229,900
  • Median rent: $1,207
  • Annual rental income: $14,484
  • Gross rental yield: 6.3%
3. Midvale, Utah - A majority of occupied homes in Midvale are renters, which bodes well for rental property owners. According to Census data from the 2017 American Community Survey, the number of renter-occupied housing units has risen by over 29% from 2010 to 2017. Compare that to the U.S. overall, which has seen an increase of 12.7% over the same period of time. Several major companies have operations in Midvale, with some of the largest employers including Overstock.com, the staffing agency TEKsystems and the financial company SoFi, according to the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for 2018.
  • Percentage of renter households: 58.5%
  • Number of renter households: 7,293
  • Median property price: $308,900
  • Median rent: $1,503
  • Annual rental income: $18,036
  • Gross rental yield: 5.8%
4. South Salt Lake - South of Interstate 80, and bisected by the north-south Interstate 15, South Salt Lake is cheaper than Salt Lake City proper, and has a better gross rental yield than the latter city. This is because the median property price is less than $300,000 — whereas in Salt Lake City, it’s $425,000 — while the median rent is still high enough to yield solid rental income over the course of the year. According to South Salt Lake’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for 2018, the biggest private employer is Marriott Vacations Worldwide, a leading timeshare company and publicly traded, which was originally a division of Marriott International before being spun off into its own firm.
  • Percentage of renter households: 58.6%
  • Number of renter households: 5,185
  • Median property price: $291,900
  • Median rent: $1,394
  • Annual rental income: $16,728
  • Gross rental yield: 5.7%
5. Orem, Utah - Orem is an interesting case for potential investment property owners looking to get into the Utah market. According to Census data, from 2017 to 2017, the number of renters increased by 16.4%, while at the same time, the number of owner-occupied homes actually declined: From 17,013 in 2010 to 16,200 in 2017. Like other Utah cities on this list, Orem benefits from being home to Utah Valley University. This public university has an undergraduate population of close to 37,000, according to U.S. News. Besides this vast pool of potential student renters, Utah Valley University is the largest employer in Orem, according to the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
  • Percentage of renter households: 41.1%
  • Number of renter households: 11,318
  • Median property price: $315,038
  • Median rent: $1,449
  • Annual rental income: $17,388
  • Gross rental yield: 5.5%
6. Provo, Utah - Along with Orem, Provo comprises the Provo-Orem metropolitan area, which has a combined population of 617,678, according to Data USA. The Provo metro area boasts an impressively low unemployment rate of 2.8% in Feb. 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, from Feb. 2014 to Feb. 2019, unemployment in the Provo metro are has averaged 3.1%. Over that same period, the national unemployment rate averaged 4.8%. For investment property buyers, Provo benefits from a high percentage of renters, due no doubt in part because it’s home to Brigham Young University, one of the largest private universities in the country.
  • Percentage of renter households: 59.2%
  • Number of renter households: 19,475
  • Median property price: $309,000
  • Median rent: $1,334
  • Annual rental income: $16,008
  • Gross rental yield: 5.1%
7. Salt Lake City, Utah - The population of Utah’s capital has grown from 184,488 in 2010, to 194,188 by 2017. That’s a little over a 5% increase, and similar to the increase in renter-occupied housing units over the same period: 5%, from 37,735 to 39,626. This trend, along with the majority of the city’s residents being renters, bodes well for potential investment property owners in Utah.
  • Percentage of renter households: 51.5%
  • Number of renter households: 39,626
  • Median property price: $425,000
  • Median rent: $1,598
  • Annual rental income: $19,176
After scrambling for venues last year, the Park City Institute announced its St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights Summer Concert Series will continue this year in The Eccles Center for the Performing Arts. Park City Institute Executive Director Teri Orr announced the new location during an unveiling of the series at the Kimball Art Center.According to an Institute press release, the series is as follows: 

 — The Brothers Osborne, July 7. The Grammy Award-nominated duo features T.J. and John Osborne, who have climbed the country charts with the hits “Stay a Little Longer” and “Rum,” while collecting CMA and ACM awards along the way.

 — The Punch Brothers, July 30. The quintet of mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny and violinist Gabe Witcher formed in 2006. The band’s latest album, “All Ashore,” won the 2019 Grammy for Folk Album of the year. Thile is known for his work in Nickel Creek, and is also the host of the weekly NPR broadcast “Live From Here.”

 — Taj Mahal Quartet, and Marc Cohn featuring special guest vocalists, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Aug. 13. Taj Mahal is a two-time Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, film composer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who has collaborated with artists such as Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and Wynton Marsalis.

Cohn, mostly known for the hit “Walking in Memphis,” has performed for Park City Institute three times and as a songwriter has been praised by Time Magazine as “one of the honest, emotional voices we need in this decade.”

The multiple Grammy-winning Blind Boys of Alabama formed in 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind and have since performed for three presidents — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

 — Gone West, Aug. 16. This pop-infused country group features Colbie Caillat, her fiance Justin Young, Caillat’s longtime collaborator Jason Reeves, and Reeves’ wife, Nelly Joy. The band formed, in part, as a result of their experience working together on Caillat’s 2016 tour. The Park City Institute presented Caillat at the Eccles Center in a sold-out performance during that tour.

 — CAM, Aug. 24. Country singer CAM began her career as a songwriter for artists including Sam Smith and Miley Cyrus. Her 2015 Grammy-nominated song “Burning House” hit No. 2 on the U.S. and Canadian country charts, and sold more than 2 million copies. A vocal advocate for music education and inclusion, CAM holds a degree in psychology from University of California Davis, sits on the board of the Academy of Country Music and joined the Recording Academy’s Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion in 2018.

Tags: Real Estate, Summer, Park City, Biking, Spring, Investment
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Spring Is Here

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
May 01, 2019

The snow may be back this morning in Park City, but here are some Tips for Reviving Your Lawn After Winter. Early spring is one of the best times of the year to make your home look great. This busy season coincides with an uptick in activity in the real estate market, making it that much more critical for you to get your lawn back in great shape.

Feed It Well - Spring is the most critical time to give your lawn a boost. Winter drags on in many areas of the country, which can deplete a yard come spring. If you find yourself in this situation, try applying a quick-release fertilizer to prepare your lawn for spring. This fertilizer will get to the roots and green up your yard in a few days. However, be cautious when applying a quick-release fertilizer, as putting too much in one spot can kill your grass.Other fertilizer options include slow-release fertilizers that'll feed your lawn over time. This kind of fertilizer usually comes in granules or pellets that sit on top of your soil. They dissolve over time and provide the best long-lasting energy option for lawns.

Water in the Morning - Fertilizer applications need moisture to work best. Watering your lawn in the spring may seem counterintuitive given the rainfall that some climates receive, but watering your lawn regularly is essential to help the grass grow strong. Consider watering your yard in the morning before 10 a.m., as this will allow the lawn time to soak up the water and dry out under the afternoon sun. Watering in the evening or at night may seem smart, but it can actually cause lawn care problems such as disease and fungi.

Ease Into Mowing - While your lawn may have grown a little throughout the winter depending on your location, lawns need some time to ease into the spring. Refrain from mowing your lawn on a low setting as temperatures go up. Short lawns expose the root system, which can create a stressful situation for the grass. Consider doing a light mow early on in the season to take off the tips of the blades. Doing so will ease your lawn back into the growing season and will help keep it looking great.

Start Fighting Weeds - Homeowners looking to put their home on the market should combat any weeds in their lawn. There are many weed and feed chemicals to help prevent weeds. These mixes often include different fertilizers, so be sure to read the directions so that you don't give your lawn too much. Locate any problem areas in your yard and consider applying weed control to those areas, as well.

Seed Thin Spots - It's common for bare spots to appear after a long winter. Immediately care for areas of the lawn that have thinned or are completely bare. These spots can cause problems, not only with weed growth, but also in presenting a beautiful lawn to a prospective buyer. Rake out these spots in your yard and apply a good amount of seed. Give these spots extra water a few weeks after you seed them to encourage new grass roots to take hold.

There are many ways to help your lawn come back after a long winter. Mow the grass on a high setting until it has had time to recover, fertilize and water the lawn to boost growth, and be sure to keep weeds away by using preventive measures. Follow all the tips listed above and your lawn will be back to its former glory in no time.

When you are not working on your yard, here are some Fun early spring activity recommendations in the Salt Lake area from KSL. Here are some recommendations to take advantage of the improving weather, no matter if it is in your town or the mountains.

Go on a low elevation hike. The sun is higher in the sky, melting the snow at lower elevations. These locations are mostly snow-free and conveniently located near the valley floors.

  • The Bonneville Shoreline Trail: Following the shoreline of the now dried-up Lake Bonneville, you can easily do a small section of this trail from one of these convenient access points (the trail extends for over 100 miles along the Wasatch Front).
  • Ensign Peak: This short climb above downtown and Capitol Hill affords beautiful views of the city and surrounding mountains.
  • Antelope Island State Park: Besides breathtaking views of the Great Salt Lake and desert landscapes that are uniquely Utahn, the park features excellent access to wildlife, including large animals like bison and, its namesake, the antelope. Antelope Island State Park is about a 1-hour drive north of Salt Lake City and has a $10-per-vehicle access fee.
See the sights. Explore these cultural, historical, and entertaining sites that Salt Lake City has on offer.
  • Temple Square: Located in the historic center of Salt Lake City, there are so many things to do at Temple Square you may need to visit more than once. Among other activities, this destination features tours, activities specifically for kids, the world’s largest genealogical library, and free performances by The Tabernacle Choir. You won’t be bored and admission is free.
  • Liberty Park and the Tracy Aviary: Located minutes from downtown, Liberty Park features great walking paths, playgrounds for children, and the Tracy Aviary. The aviary features daily events like live bird feedings and bird species from condors to colorful macaws. Liberty Park is free to access and daily admission to the aviary costs $11.95 for adults and $7.95 for children.
Other resources for activities. If none of these activities pique your interest, these online resources offer a virtual treasure trove of ideas.

Visitsaltlake.com: If you are looking to stay close to Salt Lake City, this website showcases dozens of activities in the area.

Visitutah.com: This Utah Office of Tourism website features some of the major attractions and adventures throughout the state.

Timeout.com: This website offers a list of 11 bona fide activities in Utah.

If you missed reading the First Quarter Market Review last week - CLICK HERE to view our electronic version.

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Tags: Real Estate, Park City, Snow, Market, Spring
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Skiing, Biking and Music in Park City

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Mar 06, 2019

It is still snowing in Park City even with spring right around the corner. This week we wanted to share what is happening in the ski resort world, an upcoming bike challenge and the 2019 Deer Valley music festival lineup.

Bloomberg Businessweek has posted One Pass to Ski Them All Epic Vs. Ikon which shares the evolution of the ski industry - a must read. Alterra and Vail Resorts are going head to head snapping up resorts. Can they save skiing and make selling lift tickets a viable business?

Even among the world’s most polished ski resorts, Deer Valley—with its vast carpets of flawlessly groomed snow spread across four Utah peaks—was always conspicuously clubby. Skiers can pick up a free copy of the Wall Street Journal on their way to the fire, while instructors eat lunch in separate employee cafeterias, lest they mingle with the guests. “The idea was to replicate the service and experience of a five-star hotel,” says Bob Wheaton, who ran the resort for 22 years before stepping aside in January.

But when the lifts started cranking this season, things looked a little different. Among the affluent families were young couples and packs of Salt Lake City friends navigating the runs for the first time. The reason: Deer Valley had suddenly become a bulk-buy product. In 2017 a new conglomerate (later dubbed Alterra Mountain Co.) bought 11 of America’s most popular ski resorts and teamed with dozens more mountain owners to honor a single-season lift ticket called the Ikon Pass. Compared with buying a string of daily lift tickets for as much as $200 a pop, the Ikon Pass (which ranges from $599 to $899) can pay for itself in as few as three days. Only one other product is in direct competition with Ikon: The Epic Pass from Vail Resorts Inc. admits skiers to its aggressively expanding chain of 20 destinations including the company’s namesake ski area in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

Together, Alterra’s and Vail’s passes can be swiped at 58 North American resorts, as well as a handful of resorts in Oceania and Europe. The two competing conglomerates are trying to turn occasional skiers into frequent skiers and frequent skiers into serial skiers who incidentally buy a lot of midmountain beers and slopeside hotel rooms. Deer Valley and resorts like it have become a sort of research and development lab forecasting possible futures for the long-struggling ski industry. Skiing isn’t necessarily a bad business—it’s just lumpy and volatile, given natural cycles both economic and meteorological. To read the entire article - CLICK HERE.

Warmer weather will be here before we know it and so will all the spring and summer activities that come with it. In Park City there are amazing bike trails and one of the toughest biking competitions in the world. Here are The Most Challenging Mountain Bike Races You Can Enter in 2019, From XC to Downhill. With most of these events attract world-class athletes, set your sights on personal goals rather than winning. Keep training simple and focused on getting into the best shape possible. Simply finishing any of these events is a huge accomplishment in and of itself.

Park City P2P - One of the few true point-to-point races in North America, riders won’t traverse the same section of trail twice. This race is over 90% singletrack over a total distance of 75 miles with around 12,000 feet of climbing, all while traveling through two of the country’s premier mountain resorts. The P2P is a true adventure-style event, just like the old days of mountain bike racing. Since the course is not closed and there’s no guiding tape, racers will want to prepare, study the course map, and bring a GPS unit with the route pre-loaded. The mental challenge at the P2P is nearly as great as the physical on August 31, 2019. For the the entire article and the other 9 challenging courses - click here.

Looking for something a little less physically taxing, the Utah Symphony's 2019 Deer Valley Music Festival is bringing some big names to Park City this summer. Kristin Chenoweth, Marie Osmond, Indigo Girls, jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, and Broadway singer Renée Elise Goldsberry from the original cast of “Hamilton," are all set to perform with the Utah Symphony. Disney in Concert is also slated for a performance of the studio's biggest hits from its animated films. The concert series will also feature smaller, more intimate performances on Wednesdays at St. Mary's Church in Park City.

Below is the entire schedule of events for the concert series.

2019 DEER VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

MAIN STAGE – DEER VALLEY SNOW PARK OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER

2250 Deer Valley Dr. S, Park City, UT

Chris Botti with the Utah Symphony

June 28, 2019 (Friday) | 7:30 p.m.

Conner Gray Covington, conductor

Chris Botti, trumpet

Utah Symphony

Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti returns to kick off the Utah Symphony’s 2019 Deer Valley Music Festival with an evening of jazz under the stars.

Marie Osmond with the Utah Symphony

June 29, 2019 (Saturday) | 7:30 p.m.

Jerry Williams, conductor

Marie Osmond, vocalist

Utah Symphony

Marie Osmond has spent five decades entertaining audiences throughout the world. Her iconic talent is showcased with the Utah Symphony in this concert featuring “Paper Roses,” “Somewhere” from “West Side Story” and selections from her latest album.

Patriotic Celebration with Broadway star Hugh Panaro

July 5, 2019 (Friday) | 7:30 p.m.

Michael Krajewski, conductor

Hugh Panaro, vocalist

Utah Symphony

Hugh Panaro is best known for playing the coveted role of Phantom in Broadway’s “The Phantom of the Opera” over 2,000 times. Audiences are invited to celebrate America as he performs hits from Broadway and patriotic favorites at this performance.

Bravo Broadway! Life is a Cabaret

July 6, 2019 (Saturday) | 7:30 p.m.

Randall Craig Fleischer, conductor

Morgan James, vocalist

Debbie Gravitte, vocalist

Hugh Panaro, vocalist

Utah Symphony

“Chicago.” “Cabaret.” “New York, New York.” The songwriting duo Kander and Ebb collaborated for more than 40 years and delivered hit after hit on the stage and screen. In Life is a Cabaret, the Utah Symphony salutes their contribution to the Great American Songbook while also featuring other Broadway favorites from musicals like “Hairspray,” “Les Misérables,” “Mamma Mia” and “Cats.”

A Tribute to Aretha, Queen of Soul

July 12, 2019 (Friday) | 7:30 p.m.

Lucas Waldin, conductor

Capathia Jenkins, vocalist

Ryan Shaw, vocalist

Utah Symphony

Aretha, the “Queen of Soul,” created a legacy that spanned six decades. This concert features Capathia Jenkins and three time Grammy Award-nominee Ryan Shaw performing her iconic hits like “Respect,” “Think,” “A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools” and “Amazing Grace.” Created in conjunction with Lucas Waldin and Lesley Sabol

“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”–Film in Concert with the Utah Symphony

July 13, 2019 (Saturday) | 7:30 p.m.

Conner Gray Covington, conductor

Utah Symphony

Director Steven Spielberg's heartwarming masterpiece is one of the brightest stars in motion picture history. Filled with unparalleled magic and imagination, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” follows the moving story of a lost little alien who befriends a 10-year-old boy named Elliott. Experience all the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world, complete with John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score performed live by the Utah Symphony in sync to the film shown on the big screen. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Disney in Concert – A Magical Celebration

July 19, 2019 (Friday) | 7:30 p.m.

Conner Gray Covington, conductor

Utah Symphony

The magic of Disney comes to Deer Valley in this multimedia showpiece featuring music from Disney’s “Coco,” “Frozen,” “Moana,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and more. Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts All rights reserved

Renée Elise Goldsberry with the Utah Symphony

July 20, 2019 (Saturday) | 7:30 p.m.

Renée Elise Goldsberry, vocalist

Utah Symphony

An evening of music with “Hamilton’s” Tony and Grammy Award-winning star Renée Elise Goldsberry. Her spiritually uplifting set includes music from “Rent” and “The Lion King” in addition to tributes to some of the strongest ladies to ever grace a stage such as Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughan.

America in Space: A Cinematic Celebration

July 26, 2019 (Friday) | 7:30 p.m.

Amy Andersson, conductor

Utah Symphony

America in Space honors the 50th Anniversary of NASA's moon landing featuring film scenes and music from beloved Hollywood films about astronauts, as well as new symphonic music from a NASA Exhibit and NASA documentary footage.

July 27, 2019 Concert

The program and artist for the July 27, 2019 concert at Deer Valley Snow Park Amphitheater will be announced at a later date.

Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture" and Piano Concerto No. 1

August 2, 2019 (Friday) | 7:30 p.m.

Conner Gray Covington, conductor

Anna Fedorova, piano

Utah Symphony

Cannoneers of the Wasatch

Tchaikovsky’s explosive “1812 Overture” is paired with live cannon fire and a program that also features Ukrainian pianist Anna Fedorova performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1

An Intimate Evening with Kristin Chenoweth and the Utah Symphony

August 3, 2019 (Saturday) | 7:30 p.m.

Mary Campbell, conductor

Kristin Chenoweth, vocalist

Damien Bassman, drums

Utah Symphony

Kristin Chenoweth shares her memorable songs and show tunes from “Wicked,” “Glee” and more in this performance with the Utah Symphony.

The Music of The Rolling Stones: Circa 1969

August 9, 2019 (Friday) | 7:30 p.m.

Brent Havens, conductor

Tony Vincent, vocalist

Utah Symphony

A multi-media celebration of the 50th Anniversary of two iconic albums—“Beggars Banquet” and “Let It Bleed.”

Indigo Girls with the Utah Symphony

August 10, 2019 (Saturday) | 7:30 p.m.

Conner Gray Covington, conductor

Indigo Girls

Utah Symphony

This concert features the Indigo Girls’ and the Utah Symphony performing larger-than-life arrangements of their songs that don’t sacrifice the emotional intimacy and honesty that have defined the Indigo Girls’ music for decades.

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SERIES – ST. MARY’S CHURCH

1505 White Pine Canyon Road, Park City UT

Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto

July 10, 2019 (Wednesday) | 8 p.m.

Conner Gray Covington, conductor

Maria Ioudenitch, Violin

Utah Symphony

STRAVINSKY “Danses concertantes”

MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto

FAURÉ Suite from “Pelléas et Mélisande”

DEBUSSY “Suite bergamasque”

Schumann’s Cello Concerto

July 17, 2019 (Wednesday) | 8 p.m.

Christian Reif, conductor

Rainer Eudeikis, cello

Utah Symphony

BEETHOVEN “Coriolan Overture”

HONEGGER “Pastorale d’été”

R. SCHUMANN Cello Concerto

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2

Beethoven & Dvoák: The Romantic Violin

July 24, 2019 (Wednesday) | 8 p.m.

Conner Gray Covington, conductor

Kathryn Eberle, violin

Utah Symphony

BEETHOVEN (arr. Mahler) String Quartet No. 11, "Serioso”

BEETHOVEN Romance No. 2 for Violin and Orchestra

DVOÁK Romance for Violin and Orchestra

RAVEL “Pavane for a Dead Princess”

MOZART Symphony No. 36, "Linz"

Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23

July 31, 2019 (Wed) | 8 p.m.

Conner Gray Covington, conductor

Aristo Sham, piano (2018 Gina Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition Silver Medalist)

Utah Symphony

MOZART Piano Concerto No. 23

ARVO PÄRT “If Bach had been a Beekeeper”

BRAHMS Serenade No. 2

Schubert’s Symphony No. 3

August 7, 2019 (Wed) | 8 p.m.

David Danzmayr, conductor

Bokyung Byun, Guitar

Utah Symphony

MOZART Divertimento No. 1

RODRIGO “Fantasia para un gentilhombre”

TAUSKÝ Coventry (Meditation for String Orchestra)

SCHUBERT Symphony No. 3

GALLERY SERIES

Small ensembles from the Utah Symphony performing at these concerts will be announced at a later date.

Gallery MAR

436 Main St, Park City, Utah

Monday, July 15, 2019 | Doors 6 p.m. | Performance 6:30 p.m.

Susan Swartz Studios

260 Main St, Park City, Utah

Monday, July 22, 2019 | Doors 6 p.m. | Performance 6:30 p.m.

www.deervalleymusicfestival.org.

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