The National Parks surrounding Utah are providing a boost to the economy, according to a report by the National Parks Service. Specifically, Southern Utah received $433 million in economic benefits due to national park visitors in 2014.

Visitors come to the area and they need transportation, fuel, food and places to stay. The prime real estate in St. George means residents reap a lot of the rewards of visitor spending.

The study reports that most of the spending went towards lodging, followed by food and then gas and oil. Since Washington County is usually the last stop for many people traveling to these national parks, most of that money is going into the St. George economy. For every $1 spent on National Parks, there is a $10 return on…

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Happy Earth Day! Since we live in a desert, one of our most precious natural resources is water. Take some time today to make some adjustments in your home to save some water. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1 Fix Leaks

A small leak in a faucet, bathtub or toilet can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day. That’s over 7,000 gallons of water a year! Check all your bathroom and kitchen appliances to fix any possible leaks. Also, pay attention to your water meter and bill. If you see a sudden spike in water use one month, it may be a good indication that there is a hidden leak somewhere in your home or yard.

2 Only Run Full Appliances

Only turn on your dishwasher or washing machine when they’re full. To save even more water, not to…

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One of the biggest deterrents to buying a home is being able to afford the down payment. The more you can pay for the home upfront, the better your loan options and payment plan will be. It is recommended that you pay about 20% for a down payment, but other financing options are available. If you are looking to buy a home in St. George, use these tips to save for your down payment.

Create a Budget

The first step to saving for a down payment is controlling how much you spend and save. The only effective way to do this is through budgeting. Budgeting software like Mint.com can help you track money more effectively and reach your ultimate goal of downpayment.

Look for Ways to Save

As you start to create your budget, you may realize you are…

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According to a recent report by CNN, 21% of all real estate purchases last year were vacation homes. This is up 57%  from 2013, and the highest rate since 2003. While this is a great sign for the American economy overall, it is an especially good thing for St. George. Washington County is a popular vacation home destination, giving visitors from up north a break from the snow in the winter and plenty to do during summer. If you are one of those interested in buying a vacation home in St. George, use these tips to make the best purchasing decision.

Manage Expenses

Are the expenses worth the investment? While you probably won’t use your vacation home as much, expenses can still  stack up, especially if you hope to rent it out and need to pay for…

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Have you been thinking of starting your own vegetable garden? There are many benefits to gardening, both mental, emotional and physical, plus your family will save money on grocery bills! Spring is the time to plant your garden, so here are some tips to get you started.

Decide How Much You Want to Grow

Do you have a large family of vegetable eaters? Or are you just trying to feed yourself? Determine what you want to grow and how much. Some plants are easier to grow than others, so start with simple plants such as tomatoes, lettuce or potatoes.

Soils, Seeds, Sun and Space

Once you know what you are going to grow, you need to make sure you have the seeds, soil, sun and space to get started! Most vegetables need a minimum of 6-8 hours of sun…

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Spring is the perfect time to tackle some annual cleaning projects. You can clean the winter gloom out of the house, and the weather is nice enough to work outside. In St. George, cleaning projects become more difficult during the summer when it’s too hot. Now that the beautiful April weather is here, let’s go over six great spring cleaning projects!

Clear Out Clutter

Springtime is all about shedding the heaviness of winter. Take this literally and get rid of as much clutter as you can. Go through paperwork and receipts (which will also help with your taxes) and recycle whatever you don’t need.Clear out your kids’ toys and clothes they don’t use anymore and donate it all to a local charity. Each year, turn the hangers in your closet around to…

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April is here which means it’s tax season! As a homeowner, there are more factors to consider and more tax breaks to take advantage of. You don’t want to miss out on any of these deductions or end up paying more taxes than you have to. Follow these homeowner tax tips when you file your taxes this year.

Deduct Property Taxes

You can deduct any property taxes that you pay on your federal tax return. Keep all this paperwork handy, and make sure you deduct the right amount of taxes for your tax year. Some property tax authorities work a year behind, (ie: you paid 2013 taxes in 2014) but that doesn’t matter. File a return for whatever you paid this tax year. .

Deduct Private Mortgage Insurance

If you paid less than 20% on your down payment,…

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Buying a home can feel like an overwhelming transaction. Luckily, your St. George real estate agent is here to help! Here is a step-by-step guide to purchasing your next home.

  1. Research

There are several aspects of your next home to research before you even start looking. You need to figure out where your credit score is at, and what your budget looks like. You also need to research possible locations, school districts, and neighborhoods to decide where you want your family to settle. You need to decide what you need in a home, and what you’re willing to compromise on. Answer these basic questions before you do anything else.

  1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Once you have figured out your budget and determined you have an…

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