Alex Yeager's Saint George Utah Real Estate Blog: May 2009

Friday, May 29, 2009

Housing Inventory Continues to Drop…But So Does Price

By SaintGeorgeHomes.net

As the board of Realtors statistics show, single family homes and condo’s / townhomes sales were the highest we have seen in Washington County for months. Other items of good news include lending numbers in both transaction and dollar amounts. PUD/Condo sales are nearly in half while home sales are higher than this time last year.

Taken as a whole, the market is encountering a long over due sense of restoration…at least in sales. As new notices of default and actual foreclosures are both increasing…leading to more downward price pressure. Watch for the gap between new foreclosures and total home sales to eclipse as lower prices and increased loan availability drive sales up over new foreclosures. While many markets like California, Nevada and Arizona markets still struggling, watch for Southern Utah’s sales numbers to increase.

All of that being said. T.G.I.F. 5/29/09…I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

• Southern Utah Foreclosures
• Southern Utah Adult Communities
• Southern Utah Golf Homes
• Washington City Utah Homes & Condos
• Santa Clara Utah Homes & Condos
• Southern Utah Horse Property
• Washington County Board Of Realtors Hot Sheet

This last handy little link will pull you into The Washington Country Board of Realtors MLS system. From there you can see the newest MLS listings on the WCBR MLS system as well as all price reductions…Knowledge is Power!

As of today May 29, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 83 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 183 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/29/09 thru 5/29/09.
• 1,584 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 295 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

In any event its off to Twitter…I have few Twitter names, and here are two: StGeorgeHomes or EquityStGeorge. I post these same stats there if you would like to get…”Just The Fact’s” Till Tomorrow. Saint George Homes.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

St George Utah Real Estate Listings, Links, and Market Conditions

By SaintGeorgeHomes.net

As I sit and read my daily online news, so that I can write my blog…I keep noticing economic signs of life in the news. It looks like consumer confidence has soared to the highest level in eight months in May… chrushing analysts’ estimates, it seems that Americans grew optimistic that the job market and business conditions will turn the corner before year’s end.

Meanwhile rates on 30-year mortgages edge down last week, lingering below 5% for the tenth straight week, and just above record lows. The net result was that mortgage applications rose last week, reflecting an increase in demand for home refinancing as interest rates fell.

All of that being said. It’s Wednesday 5/27/09…I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May 27, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 81 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 182 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/27/09 thru 5/27/09.
• 1,586 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 301 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Friday, May 22, 2009

Utah’s, “Home Run Grant” Is Going, Going, Almost Gone!

If you have been one of the Home Buyers in Utah, looking to snag one of those Home Run Grants from the state worth $6,000, aimed at those buying a new home that had never been occupied…your time is running out fast.

Of the 1,600 grants that were originally issued by the Utah Housing Corp., in the middle of March more that 1,000 Utah residents have qualified for the grant. The 600 or so grants left a expected to go quickly. For more information on the entire home runt grant program go to my website @ www.SaintGeorgeHomes.net and click on “Home Run Grant”.

All of that being said. It’s Friday 5/22/09…I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May 22, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 82 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 200 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/22/09 thru 5/22/09.
• 1,596 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 291 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Thursday, May 21, 2009

The Last Shoe to Drop...Is the next Opportunity to Pop

As I have mentioned in some of my past blogs, the commercial sector of the Southern Utah Real Estate market has represented a big hit to the Saint George economy. With the general economic downturn continuing to extend in to the second half of 2009, and a severe credit crunch in commercial real estate lending, the National Association of Realtors® has reported there will continue to be a “dampening in commercial real estate activity”. In addition, a forward-looking index shows the forecast for commercial real estate sectors will remain weak for the remainder of the year.

When one stops to analyze the commercial real estate market, you can see that they have been hit by a combination of events… the significant job losses in all sectors of business have reduced the demand for commercial space, while a lack of credit has hindered transactions and refinancing activity. As well, the commercial real estate sector is almost always the last to recover.

All of that being said, when you factor in the growth that Saint George Utah will face in the near future and…

The new regional jet airport and all of the business opportunities that it will represent.
Dixie State College potentially becoming part of the University of Utah (educated work force)
The different businesses that will be fleeing California due to cost of doing business (we have cheap power & cost of living for employees)
Our I-15 location for the transportation of goods from Denver to San Diego (see new airport Fed Ex, UPS)

What is now a distressed market sector, will be tomorrows great investment.

All of that being said. It’s Thursday 5/21/09…I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May 21, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 83 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 190 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/21/09 thru 5/21/09.
• 1,599 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 289 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Housing Affordability index jumped 10%

Wow…on Monday – It was reported that the nationwide housing affordability index jumped 10 percentage points during the first quarter of 2009, to its highest level since 1991, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) released yesterday.

The HOI showed that 72.5 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the first quarter of 2009 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,000, up from 62.4 percent during the previous quarter and up from 53.8 percent during the first quarter of 2008.

The underlying increase in affordability are lower home prices and record low interest rates. Combined with the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time home buyers, consumers are beginning to return to the marketplace.

All of that being said. It’s Moday 5/19/09…I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May19, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 78 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 178 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/19/09 thru 5/19/09.
• 1,598 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 287 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Monday, May 18, 2009

Saint George Utah Real Estate, Listings, Links and Market Condition

As summer approaches and American travelers start looking at vacationing…while staying closer to home. Southern Utah in general, and Saint George Utah specifically starts to shine as a vacation destination for several reasons. It’s not because they can’t afford to travel out of state, but rather that they can save while they’re traveling the great Southwest.

With Zion National park just 45 minutes from downtown Saint George, its astonishing the scenic diversity that exists in Southern Utah…I had some friends from the Monterey Peninsula visiting me over the weekend. To hear them speak, you would have thought they were going on a safari to the Australian outback. After enjoying a day of hiking in Zion’s breathtaking canyons, it was off to Las Vegas (2 hours away) to see a show.

I found it interesting that my friends, who grew up in Carmel Ca., where most visitors can be heard speaking of its scenic beauty; were here in St. George, praising our natural wonders. I quickly point out the biggest difference between Saint George, and Monterey (aside from summer time temperature) is that our homes do not cost $1,000 per square foot…that’s their average. Oh yeah, and our state is not on the brink of financial ruin.

In any event, I found it interesting that my friends enjoyed our scenic diversity…All of that being said. It’s Moday 5/18/09…I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May18, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 79 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 170 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/18/09 thru 5/18/09.
• 1,600 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 290 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Friday, May 15, 2009

Southern Utah First TIme Home Buyers

Some of the Hidden Cost of Your first Home Purchase…

The time seems ripe to become a first-time homeowner. Real estate prices are down, mortgage rates are at historic lows and there are huge tax credits on the table. As well as some regional incentives…for instance the “Home Run Grant” is a mortgage assistance program that grants $6,000 to home buyers who purchase a newly-constructed, never-occupied, primary, single-family residence in Utah. The Home Run Grant is funded by the Housing Relief Restricted Special Revenue Fund, established by Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, the Utah State Legislature, and Utah Housing Corporation.

With all of these incentives one still needs to consider the following cost of buying their first home:

YOUR FICO SCORE» Start the process by improving your credit report. While the cost can be comparatively minor, it’s important now that banks are being more selective about making loans. A higher FICO score also gives you greater negotiating power over mortgage terms. A stellar score ranges from 760 to 850, while scores below 640 might mean you have to pay a significantly higher interest rate. You’re entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. Getting your FICO score costs $15.95 at www.myFICO.com.

HOW MUCH DOWN» Rates on 30-year fixed mortgages are at a record low of 4.78 percent, but more lenders are demanding bigger down payments of 20 percent or more. If your down payment is less than 20 percent you generally need to pay for mortgage insurance. This could cost $100 or more a month depending on the nature of your loan.

NEW FANNIE & FREDDIE FEES» New fees introduced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the past year will likely push the price of a mortgage higher for many people. The fees are based on credit profiles, the amount of the loan in relation to property value and the type of home you’re buying. As such, they’ll vary greatly, but could total as much as 3 percent of the mortgage.

HOME INSPECTIONS » There are plenty of inspections to consider, including home inspection after making a verbal offer that can costs hundreds of dollars. Other inspections might be for lead paint, pests or radon gas. Some of these checks might be required by the lender and included in the closing costs.

REMEMBER MAINTENANCE » Don’t focus on the monthly mortgage costs alone. It’s easy to forget all the maintenance costs and that your utility costs will likely go up significantly. There are bigger maintenance matters to consider, as well, such as repainting the house periodically. You’ll also be on the hook for any repairs for your home.

All of that being said… today is 5.15.09, In an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May15, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 84 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 173 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/15/09 thru 5/15/09.
• 1,606 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 290 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Southern Utah Real Estate Market Conditions

As someone who has been trying to refinance my home. I have found a limited availability of jumbo loans (more than $417,000) and unusually high interest rates for these products. There is no doubt in my mind that this is hurting the upper end of the housing market. While doing my morning crawl through the haze of real estate news, I found an article from NAR. According to just-released research from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® the ongoing credit crunch in the jumbo mortgage market has stalled home sales homes with a value of more than $417,000 despite some recovery taking place in some mid- and low-priced home markets.

The mortgage market has three primary types of loans. Loans up to $417,000 are considered “conforming,” loans between $417,000 and $729,500 are “conforming jumbo,” and loans over $729,500 are “super-jumbo.” Although conforming mortgage rates are at 50-year lows, jumbo loans in general continue to remain very costly. Which helps to explain the heavy consumption on the bottom end of the MLS inventory…while we the upper end continues to stagnate.

All of that being said… today is Wednesday 5.14.09, In an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May14, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 84 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 173 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/14/09 thru 5/14/09.
• 1,606 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 290 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Median Price for Single Family Homes Fall 14%

By SaintGeorgeHomes.net

The median price for a single-family house fell 14% to $169,000 in the first quarter from a year earlier, the National Association of Realtors reported. NAR said first-time home buyers accounted for half of all purchases in the quarter, and many of them zeroed in on foreclosed homes. According to NAR that dragged down the median.

Sales of single-family homes and condominiums declined 6.8% from a year earlier to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.6 million units. But sales were up sharply in some areas hardest hit by the housing bust, largely because bargain hunters were out in force. States with big sales increases from the depressed levels of a year before included Nevada (up 117%), California (81%) and Arizona (50%) and Florida (25%). See Full Story

All of that being said… today is Wednesday 5.13.09, In an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May 13, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 84 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 173 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/13/09 thru 5/13/09.
• 1,606 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 290 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

More Green Shoots For Southern Utah

Well it looks like we might be nearing a bottom in the real estate market here in Southern Utah / Saint George. As the number of homes listed for sale on the Washington County Board Of Realtors continue to drop. And the number of foreclosures on the MLS has dropped to 87 properties. When I first started tracking MLS data to try and find a bottom for the Southern Utah housing market, we had over 300 properties listed as REO, or Bank Owned.

On a national basis, inventories typically increase in April as for-sale signs bloom for the spring home-shopping season.Our April MLS housing inventory has been steadily decreasing…More “Green Shoots”.

All of that being said… today is Tuesday 5.12.09, In an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May12, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 87 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 196 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/12/09 thru 5/12/09.
• 1,605 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 307 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Monday, May 11, 2009

Is Southern Utah Done with the Great Recession ?

By SaintGeorgeHomes.net

Saint George Utah Homes are starting to sell, and not just at 10 cents on the dollar. Some agents say their business is picking up and sales have been posted on the the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system. Real estate attorneys are starting to get calls for deals. Title companies, some of which look like dark, empty caves rather than places people come together to close on deals, are also getting calls. Insurance policies are being ordered. Most of the deals being done are foreclosures. Some are being sold at 10 to 15 cents on the dollar. But a few of the deals I’m hearing about are for prices that are below list price, but not 50 percent below list price. In many markets, nothing is moving. But activity is starting to stir in some places, like neighborhoods in The Ledges, Entrada, Washington Fields and Bloomington Country Club.

All of that being said… today is Monday 5.11.09, busy Monday in Saint George…in an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May11, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 87 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 196 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/11/09 thru 5/11/09.
• 1,609 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 307 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Saint George Utah Real Estate

Federal Stimulus Money at Work in Southern Utah

By SaintGeorgeHomes.net

The Transportation Expo I recently attended revealed some new plans regarding access to the DixieCenter and moved up design and construction date to where they are beginning immediately. This should be interesting. The new right hand turn lane was just finished on Bluff Street that provides southbound access to I-15. Population projections now estimate traffic patterns 3-4 times what they are now in the very near future. Therefore the design and construction phases will begin immediately. There is no doubt ‘shovel money’ from the Obama Administration has much to do with these funds being available. For the gory details, go to http://www.udot.utah.gov/dixiedriveinterchange/

All of that being said… today is Sat. 5.9.09, busy Monday in Saint George…in an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May9, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 87 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 161 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/9/09 thru 5/9/09.
• 1,612 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 307 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Friday, May 8, 2009

Southern Utah Real Estate Market Conditions

Saint George Utah Real Estate Market Conditions

By SaintGeorgeHomes.net

Its great to hear that Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500), which began reaching out to at-risk borrowers in early April, has sent out 100,000 letters to borrowers who could potentially benefit. It has issued some modifications, although it’s not releasing data on just how many. Everything you need to get started is located here http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/

The troubled mortgage finance company Fannie Mae, , reported a first-quarter loss of $23.2 billion on Friday. The mortgage giant also reported that it submitted a request for $19 billion from the Treasury Department, to cover its net worth deficit of $18.9 billion.

All of that being said…T.G.I.F. today is 5.8.09, busy Monday in Saint George…in an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May 8, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 84 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 161 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/8/09 thru 5/8/09.
• 1,601 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 307 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Southern Utah Real Estate...Links, Listings, and Market Conditions

Saint George Utah Real Estate…Listings, Links and Market Conditions

By SaintGeorgeHomes.net

O.K. so you though our distressed inventory was an issue…I was watching CNBC yesterday and witnessed a story about a Texas bank that was in the middle demolishing 16 new and partially built houses acquired in anabandoned housing tract in Victorville, a high-desert city about 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Purchased through foreclosure, and figuring it was better to knock them down than to try selling them in the depressed housing market…that’s one way of eating through distressed inventory.

Meanwhile our market continues improve.

All of that being said…today is 5.7.09, busy Monday in Saint George…in an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May 7, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 87 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 167 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/7/09 thru 5/7/09.
• 1,609 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 298 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Southern Utah Real Estate...Housing Starts Down...Sales are Up!

It sure is good to hear Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke say that he expects the national economy to start growing later in the year as he addressed Congress on 5.5.09. It would seem that some of our regional authorities hope to see Southern Utah follow a parallel timeline, if not possibly recovering earlier.
During the first two months of 2009 only 63 permits were filed countywide, a 58 percent decrease from the same time period in 2008. This decline while painful, is an absolute necessity in order to consume the existing inventory of distressed properties…why would anyone build right now, you can buy a new home for less than it would take to build one.
All of that being said…today is 5.6.09, busy Monday in Saint George…in an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.
• Southern Utah Foreclosures• Southern Utah Adult Communities• Southern Utah Golf Homes• Washington City Utah Homes & Condos• Santa Clara Utah Homes & Condos• Southern Utah Horse Property• Washington County Board Of Realtors Hot Sheet
This last handy little link will pull you into The Washington Country Board of Realtors MLS system. From there you can see the newest MLS listings on the WCBR MLS system as well as all price reductions…Knowledge is Power!
As of today May 6, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…
• 89 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system• 167 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/6/09 thru 5/6/09.• 1,611 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS• 298 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”
In any event its off to Twitter…I have few Twitter names, and here are two: StGeorgeHomes or EquityStGeorge. I post these same stats there if you would like to get…”Just The Fact’s” Till Tomorrow. Saint George Homes.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Saint George Utah Real Estate Market Conditions

While it is obviously my job to see the Southern Utah Real Estate housing glass as half full (which is not hard for me to justify right now), I keep finding supporting evidence of “Green Sprouts” of hope… NAR (National Association of Realtors) reported on Monday the quantity of signed Real Estate Purchase Contracts (REPC) to buy previously occupied homes rose for the second month in a row to a seasonally adjusted index of 84.6 in March for “pending sales” up by 3.2 percent.

Buyers are taking advantage of bargain prices on distressed properties in Southern Utah as well. Our monthly sales numbers on the Washington County Board of Realtors are up significantly from the end of last year. With our Saint George area home buyers enjoying low interest rates, tax credits for first-time buyers, and in St George Utah, the $6,000 “*Home Run Grant” program our market is doing better than most had anticipated. I’m starting to like 2009

*funded by the: Housing Relief Restricted Special Revenue Fund, established by Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, the Utah State Legislature, and Utah Housing Corporation.

That being said; today is 5.5.09, busy Monday in Saint George…in an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May 5, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 93 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 146 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/5/09 thru 5/5/09.
• 1,614 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 397 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Monday, May 4, 2009

St. George Utah Homes for Sale

As I have mentioned in many of my latest blogs our distressed inventory (Short Sales / Foreclosures) is moving very fast. While Southern Utah in general, and Saint George Utah specifically foreclosures numbers continue to vacillate. The fact of the matter is that both investors and first time home buyers are jumping into the market. As our distressed inventory tries to increase, our future retirees, first time home buyers, and investors are all stepping up to the home buying plate and taking advantage of the historically low interest rate, and extremely motivated sellers.

What the smart investors seem to know is that between the $6,000 Utah home run grant, the $8,000 fed tax incentive, a 30 year fixed @ 4.78%, and all of the tax deductions that come along with being a home owner…at the end of the year you will pay less to own a home than rent it. And by the way what kind of a sign is it when you can buy a new home, for less than you can rent it…I’m pretty sure that a bottom is near.

That being said; today is 5.4.09, busy Monday in Saint George…in an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May 4, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 90 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 146 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/4/09 thru 5/4/09.
• 1,618 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 397 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, Links, and Market Conditions

Saint George Utah Real Estate MLS Listings, Links and Market Conditions

By SaintGeorgeHomes.net

Well, It’s Saturday morning and I have to get ready for my open house @ 4487 Hiko Springs in Sunriver, Saint George. Its a great home about 1,424 sq. ft. total…a nice little 224 sq. ft. casita, It has been a 2nd home, of the original owner. Open from 9-4 pm. Listed @ $219,000.

As such, I’m just going to post some cool Saturday Links: A Money dot com link that shows what your state unemployment rate is.

A map of the USA illustrates how focused the housing problem is. Unfortunately, for us, Washington County got nicked also. See the map at:

7 Tips to Negotiate Your Way to a Mortgage Loan Modification:

Lower interest rates have triggered a race to buy and refinance homes. Home market activity jumped with 30-year term loans under 5%. There´s an informative USA Today article on March 26th that provides current data.

The National Association of REALTORS distributes Home Delivery every month to real estate, personal finance and consumer journalists.

That being said; today is 5.2.09, Open House Saturday in Saint George…in an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May 2, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 91 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 160 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/2/09 thru 5/2/09.
• 1,631 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 303 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Friday, May 1, 2009

Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, Links and Market Conditions

Now this is what I like to see…mortgage rates continue to fall, a windfall to homeowners eager to refinance mortgages and to those audacious enough to ponder the purchase of a new houses. And, in an unusual development, rates on adjustable rate mortgages exceed those on 30-year fixed-rate loans, according to mortgage giant Freddie Mac.

30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell to 4.78% in the week ended April 30, the lowest since mortgage giant Freddie Mac began tracking the rate in 1971. The comparable rate a year ago averaged 6.03%. The decline, in part, reflects the aggressive moves by the Federal Reserve to push down mortgage rates by buying mortgage-backed securities and lending to Freddie Mac and its sibling Fannie Mae.

Freddie Mac said the fixed rate on 15-year mortgages averaged 4.48%, down from 5.62% a year ago and the lowest level since Freddie Mac began tracking this rate in August 1991.

That being said; today is 5.1.09, and another great Friday in Saint George…in an attempt to keep up with the many request for different types of Southern Utah Real Estate Listings, I keep these live links posted for the different search criteria that I receive the most requests for.

As of today May 1, 2009 there are currently on the Washington County Board of Realtors MLS system…

• 90 Active Southern Utah Foreclosures in Saint George Utah on the WCBR MLS system
• 145 Closed Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condo’s in St George Utah, on MLS from 4/1/09 thru 5/1/09.
• 1,618 Active Single Family Homes & Condo’s in the Greater Saint George area of Southern Utah on WCBR MLS
• 316 Southern Utah Single Family Homes & Condos in the Greater Saint George area currently under contract or “pending”

Friday, May 29, 2009

Housing Inventory Continues to Drop…But So Does Price

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Friday, May 22, 2009

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Monday, May 18, 2009

Friday, May 15, 2009

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Monday, May 11, 2009

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Federal Stimulus Money at Work in Southern Utah

Friday, May 8, 2009

Saint George Utah Real Estate Market Conditions

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Saint George Utah Real Estate…Listings, Links and Market Conditions

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Monday, May 4, 2009

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Saint George Utah Real Estate MLS Listings, Links and Market Conditions

Friday, May 1, 2009

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