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Fall Curb Appeal

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Sep 30, 2020

A good-looking front door is everything. And one of the easiest ways to punch up your curb appeal is by adding in some fresh new greenery to your plant containers when the seasons change. What flowers fare best in the cooler weather and are also eye-catching enough to be front-door worthy? Here are seven fall plants for your front door - 7 Front Door Plants to Give Your Home Fall Curb Appeal.

Chrysanthemums - These fall bloomers are the perfect addition to your fall arrangements. Chrysanthemums love a good sunny spot and therefore require a pretty regular watering routine (every other day or whenever the soil is dry). Keep in mind - Chrysanthemums are toxic to dogs and cats.

Heucheras - (also known as Coral Bells) are perfect for adding a pop of color to your fall arrangements. They are also more shade-tolerant, so they would do nicely under a covered porch.

Ornamental grasses  - grasses are a great way to break up the texture in your containers since they come in such a variety of colors (bronze, blue, green) and forms (stiff and upright or whimsical and arching).

Pansies and violas - they will not only look beautiful in fall, but they’ll also last throughout the winter and re-bloom in the spring. And they come in such a broad spectrum of colors, you’ll be able to style your arrangement to match (or purposefully contrast) your front door. Pansies and violas like full to part sun and regular watering.

Snapdragons - like pansies and violas, snapdragons will also last through the winter and re-bloom in the spring when the temperatures start to warm up. Snapdragons are non-toxic to animals. They are happy in a good sunny spot as well as a shadier one. They prefer to have their soil kept moist (but not too moist).

Ornamental kale and cabbage - There are many varieties that run in the white to green to purple range, but it’s the rigid-yet-fringy texture that really stands out and they also come in a range of shapes and sizes, so getting creative with these is very easy. Your ornamental kale and cabbage will appreciate full sun and moist soil.

Herbs - the earthy textures and smells really bring an arrangement to life. Different types of herbs have different light and watering needs, although most will do well in full to partial sun with regular watering.

Some things to consider when it comes to front door plants: how much light your front door area gets, as well as your access to water. Will your plants be protected from strong, damaging winds? Do you have sturdy planters for your fall flower arrangements? Check out Apartment Therapy for the full article.

Looking to the interior of your home here are - 7 Finishes and Materials That’ll Impact Your Resale Value, According to Experts by Apartment Therapy. If you’re gearing up to renovate your house, you might be pondering which materials and finishes will pay off the most in the long run. Investing in high-quality and timeless materials will eventually help the resale value of your home when it’s time to move out. Choosing those materials can be difficult, especially since those renovating their homes probably aren’t considering that they might want to renovate again in 10 years if their design choices didn’t age well. 

Engineered hardwood floors - believe it or not, real hardwood isn’t always the best way to go. In fact, real hardwood floors might even hinder your ability to find a buyer.

Quartz countertops - stain resistant, durable, and don’t harbor bacteria or viruses. Quartz countertops impact value in a major way, adding elegance and a timeless look, while providing long-lasting value and durability.

Marble floors - certainly a more expensive material than its other natural stone or ceramic tile counterparts, but the price that’s paid up front will pay off in the long run. Plus, when selected and installed correctly, marble flooring will last decades.

Carpeting - Sellers will replace old carpet with new carpet thinking that will help them sell a home, but buyers prefer hardwood. For this reason, it might be best to consider if it’s worth the money to re-carpet a room as you’re getting your house ready to sell. It might make more sense to spend a little extra money on a different material for your floors.

Plastic fixtures - It’s best to put a little more money into your plumbing sooner rather than later in order to avoid flushing more money down the drain later on.

Oak millwork - a nice contrast to the white modern look and adds warmth to the space is high-end wallpaper is a more economical solution that can create a similar warmth and environment.

Wallpaper - homeowners often want to feel as though their personality is visible in their design. Avoid busy wallpaper. Less is more during a renovation.

Have a great week - stay well. Ramon and Judy

Tags: Park City, Utah, Home, updates
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Fall Updates

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Sep 23, 2020

Fall is here and Park City is full of amazing color. This week we look at the new SLC airport terminal, Utah's economy, and the end of walk up ticket sales at some of the local ski resorts.

Utah's economy is ranked the best in the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to 24/7 Wall Street, a website that analyzes and reports on economic data according to Fox13 - Salt Lake City.

Fox13 reports that Utah's low unemployment rate when compared to the rest of the country as one of the reasons the state is in the first position. While the rest of the country has seen unemployment rates reach double digits, Utah had the lowest unemployment rate in the country for the month of July, and currently, 4.5 percent of workers filed for unemployment.The site also stated that Utah's economic growth is one of the strongest in any state in the country, even before the pandemic hit. Utah also has a low poverty rate, being one of only seven states with less than 10-percent of the population below the poverty line.

Salt Lake City International Airport is undergoing a $4.1 billion renovation project, according to USA Today. Concourse A is part of the first phase of the renovation project, while the second concourse is set to open in October, and the rest of the rest of the new airport is scheduled to be completed by 2024, added the report. The US carrier says the airport’s new Salt Lake City Airport includes convenient amenities designed to enhance the overall travel experience. Last week, Delta flew its first flight out of the new Salt Lake City International Airport, which underwent a billion-dollar renovation recently, on Tuesday. The debut flight departed for Atlanta from the airport’s new 900,000-square-foot Concourse A.“This day has been years in the making,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director of Salt Lake City Department of Airports. “To say we are excited to be here today is an understatement. After six years of construction and many more years of planning, we are proud to open the first new US hub airport in the 21st century.” Read more about the new Salt Lake City airport on Business Traveler's site.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Solitude Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort have become the latest Utah ski areas to take walk-up tickets off their menus. Both resorts are owned by the Alterra Mountain Co., which on Monday revealed some of the COVID-19 precautions it would implement across its 15 destinations throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to ending walk-up tickets, Alterra will put caps on daily lift tickets — sold online — and prioritize season-pass holders. Resorts are also creating more grab-and-go food options and more outdoor seating to encourage social distancing and will be limiting interactions on lifts and gondolas.

Deer Valley has long capped the number of skiers it allows daily. Solitude, on the other hand, has been seeing a noticeable influx of visitors since joining the Alterra family prior to the 2018-19 season. Solitude will not turn away season-pass holders but will limit sales of online, single-day lift tickets if large crowds are anticipated. The protocols apply only to resorts owned by Alterra and not those on its Ikon Pass, one of the two major multi-resort season passes on the market. Brighton, Snowbird and Alta — all of which allow limited days to Ikon Pass holders — are in the process of creating their own COVID-19 regulations.

Vail Resorts announced similar changes two weeks ago, including at Utah’s Park City Mountain Resort. In addition to ending walk-up lift tickets and prioritizing season pass holders, Vail will limit chairlifts to riders who are within the same ski party or to small groups of individuals. Perhaps most ground shaking is its plan to limit capacity by requiring all visitors, even season pass holders, to use an online reservation system to hold their spot on the mountain.

Solitude is slated to open the season Nov. 20, Alta plans to follow Nov. 21 and Deer Valley is scheduled for Dec. 5. Snowbird and Brighton have not announced their opening days.

Tags: Park City, Ski, Utah, Homes, updates, Construction
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Home Updates

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Sep 02, 2020

This week we are looking at mudroom updates and things to check when you are buying a home - whether it is your first home or fifth home. Before we get into our weekly blog we wanted to share that Visit Park City is a great site to see what is happening in and around Park City. Summit County and Park City continue to be in a low-risk phase and our town asks that all residents and visitors follow social distancing protocols including the mandating the use of face coverings/masks in a variety of public locations. Park City restaurants, bars, hotels, and recreational areas are still open and following safe business practices to protect the health and welfare of our guests and staff.

Having a place like a mudroom to sanitize before heading inside is also high on buyers’ wish lists thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.) Here are 6 Mudroom Mistakes That Might Be Costing You a Sale, According to Experts by Wendy Helfenbaum.

Things that don’t belong there have piled up - don't make your mudroom a catch-all.

Fast fix: Mudrooms are transitions between outside and inside the home, so think about what you need to accomplish here, and then clear out the room. Common functions include storage for shoes, jackets, school backpacks, hats, purses, towels (if you have a pool) and bags.

The room is serving multiple purposes, but nothing’s clearly defined - Few homeowners can devote an entire room to jackets and boots, it’s important to establish functional zones.

Fast fix: Install cabinets for pantry items and a tall tower or wall hooks for brooms to help keep organized and add a deep work sink. Remember that you’re showing buyers how they can use the space to add organization to their day-to-day living.

You have too much open storage - Sure, hooks are awesome, but must we see every. single. thing.

Fast fix: Hide as much clutter as possible, get lockers or cubbies for each family member with doors that close or get built-ins made. If they get untidy inside, no one can see it.

There’s nowhere to sit down - getting out is simpler when you’re not balancing on one foot.

Fast fix: Benches are a beautiful thing that also add hidden storage.

You’ve forgotten about furry family members - ideally their belongings should be stored in the mudroom so buyers who aren’t pet lovers won’t be turned off by messy dog or cat dishes on your kitchen floor.

Fast fix: Keep their food, water, treats and even their bed in the mudroom, if space allows add a low bath or shower for dogs, too.

It doesn’t match the rest of your house - Your mudroom shouldn’t be an afterthought.

Fast fix: Give the mudroom a fresh coat of paint that coordinates with the rest of your home. And don’t forget good lighting.

Looking to buy your first home or know someone who is - here are 7 Things I Regret Not Checking on Before I Bought My First House by Jennifer Billock. Here are a few things to watch for when making a first home purchase.

From the windows… Make sure all the windows open and close properly and are in good condition. This is especially important in the wintertime in colder climates. When people tend to keep windows closed all the time, it’s easier to forget to check if they’re functional.

To the walls - Beware of wallpapered homes. If you don’t want wallpaper, you’ll have to spend a ton of time removing it. Also, be mindful of how high the ceilings are. You may love cathedral-height walls, but it’s going to cost a lot to air condition and heat the space.

And also to the floors - Especially if the home you’re buying is old, check the floors. You want them to be stable without any softness or bounce to them that could indicate a larger problem. The floor might be damaged underneath rugs and furniture as well, so don’t feel bad about asking someone to check or lifting up the edge of a rug yourself.

Water issues - Water damage is sneaky and can show up places you don’t expect - look up at the corners and edges where the wall and ceilings meet, and do that in closets as well. Also look for water damage under sinks, around radiators, among the plumbing, on wood beams, around gutters, or anywhere else water might cause damage. And then check the water pressure in the sinks, tubs, showers, and hoses to ensure it’s all in working order.

Electrical work - It’s always important to check the electrical panel to make sure the electric has been recently updated.

Structural problems - this includes the roof, the walls, supporting beams, and the basement. Check for cracks, sagging spots, missing shingles, and water leakage around the foundation of the home.

The neighborhood - It’s not in the house, but make sure to check out the surrounding neighborhood, potential loud neighbors, rush hour traffice and how far it is to a grocery store.

Tags: Park City, Utah, Home, Buyers, Outside, updates, Visit
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The Woodward

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Sep 18, 2019

The nation’s first all-in-one action sports & ski resort is set to open in Park City for the 2019-20 winter season with their grand opening party on December 14th. The Woodward Park City, will feature a fully integrated and state-of-the-art campus, complete with indoor and outdoor action sports venues for year-round adventure. Part of the POWDR portfolio of adventure lifestyle businesses and conveniently located just 27 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport, Woodward Park City will be open 365 days and nights a year starting this 2019-20 winter season.

The first of its kind and located in one of North America’s premier adventure destinations, Woodward Park City is imagined from the ground up to encourage intuitive growth and progression in 10 different sports and activities including: snowboarding, skiing, tubing, mountain biking, skateboarding, BMX, scooter, parkour, cheer and digital media.

“Woodward Park City is for all athletes from families and never-evers to pros,” says Shaydar Edelmann, Woodward Park City general manager. “Our progression-based facilities enable visitors of all skill levels to learn and achieve their goals in a dedicated environment.” Woodward Park City will offer a variety of ways for passionate action sports athletes of all ages and abilities to play. From lift-accessed snowboarding, skiing and tubing in the winter to biking and skating in the summer Woodward Park City will

be on every Utah visitor’s must-do bucket list. Access will be available through all-access passes, day sessions, lift tickets, drop-in sessions, day camps, lessons, monthly memberships, and special events. Monthly memberships are available now for the introductory rate of $100/month. Source: Woodward Park City

We still have a week until summer bids us farewell, but with major retailers already rolling out new Halloween items and the buzz about the arrival of pumpkin spice lattes spreading by the day, it’s clear that quite a few people are prepared to embrace the upcoming season.

Here’s When Fall Foliage Will Look Its Best Near You, So You Can Plan Your Leaf Peeping - Fall lovers are undoubtedly looking forward to the usual changes (and an excuse to break those cozy sweaters out of storage), namely when the first huge cool snap will occur and when to expect the fall foliage to transform from lush green into beautiful shades of orange, red and yellow.

In anticipation of the leaf-changing watch, SmokyMountains.com has updated its annual fall foliage predictive map, an interactive, algorithm-based tool that forecasts the exact moment when “peak fall” will arrive at any location in the continental U.S. So, precisely how accurate is this leaf color-changing predictor? According to data scientist Wes Melton, the factors vary but the map—which is produced from scratch every year—becomes more accurate as time passes.

“Although the scientific concept of how leaves change colors is fairly simple, predicting the precise moment the event will occur is extremely challenging. The major factors impacting peak fall are sunlight, precipitation, soil moisture and temperature. Although we cannot control Mother Nature and ensure 100% accuracy, our data sources are top-tier and each year we refine our algorithmic model achieving higher accuracy over time.”

For anyone interested in finding out when autumn will arrive in all its brilliant colorful glory this year, simply use the date selector at the bottom of the map to see precisely how fall will progress over a particular region in the US. As one of the only fall leaf prediction tools available, the map “will enable travelers to take more meaningful fall vacations, capture beautiful fall photos and enjoy the natural beauty of autumn,” SmokyMountains says. In other words, this map will help fall lovers create lasting vacation memories, snap Instagram-worthy photos and enjoy the season to the fullest.

Here are the Current Mortgage Rates for Utah from Fairway Mortgage - enjoy.

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Tags: Stats, Ski, Utah, Fall, woodward, updates
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