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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Although it is still February, it’s time to start thinking about spring break in St.George, and this means more than just your family’s spring break.St. George plays host to many events that attract athletes, runners and tourists during this time of year. While it may feel like the north is invading, there are some things you can do to manage the influx.

Prepare for Crowds

More people means more crowds, everywhere. While St. George is never really crowded, stores and restaurants can get a little busier this time of year. Allow time for a little more traffic while traveling and don’t be surprised if you need to wait a longer at stores and restaurants. Mentally preparing and adjusting for the crowds will make spring break season a lot easier.

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While some people go their whole lives without ever meeting their neighbors, this doesn’t have to be the case with you. You and your neighbors can have a mutually beneficial relationship. Whether you’re new to the area, or have lived in the neighborhood for years, use these tips to get along with your neighbors.

Be Considerate

The first step to having a good relationship with your neighbors is to be a good neighbor yourself. Don’t play music loud or be noisy, especially at night. Keep your yard clean and well maintained. If you have dogs, make sure they don’t bark excessively, especially late at night. Your behavior can be a good example of what it means to be a good neighbor. Remember the Golden Rule: “Treat others how you want to be…

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With real estate prices, trends and laws constantly in the news, there is a lot of misinformation floating around. Real estate myths spread like wildfire and not doing your proper homework could cost you. Here are six real estate myths to clear up.

Selling a Home Yourself Saves You Money

Some people might think that they can save money by selling a home themselves and saving on a real estate agent’s commission. As shown in another blog post, this is not the case. Sellers who use a real estate agent almost always make more money than those who try to go it alone. Even after paying a real estate agent’s commision, you are still more likely to walk away with more money.

When Selling, You Don’t need to Stage Your Home

You may think it’s…

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The Utah State legislature is currently in the middle of their 2015 session, and one of the big issues is clean air, again. While St. George and surrounding Southern Utah don’t deal with the inversion and pollution that’s such an issue in Salt Lake City, DSU Sustainability Club President would like the region to be proactive in its fight against pollution.

How St. George Residents Can Reduce Pollution

Last Saturday, the DSU Sustainability club held a rally on campus to accompany similar rallies going on around the state. Anderson told St. George News that he hopes DSU students and St. George residents can implement greener habits. “If we get more students riding bikes than using cars,” he told St. George News, “that’s helping the air.”

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When selling your home, keep in mind that there are many different factors that contribute to the resale value. A recent study shows that one business, one coffee house in particular, is increasing property values of the homes around it.

And yes, that coffee house is Starbucks.

A recent study printed in the book, Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate by Spencer Rascoff and Stan Humphries, explains how Starbucks is affecting the real estate market. While homes have appreciated by an average of 65% since 1997, homes near Starbucks have appreciated by 96%. To compare, homes near Dunkin Donuts appreciated by 80%, which is still better than the national average, but not as fast as Starbucks. Home prices near Starbucks have recovered more quickly…

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New technology and internet companies are quickly taking the place of everyday services. Hotels, taxis, and car dealers have to compete with sites such as Airbnb and Uber. Can real estate agents also be replaced by the latest app or website? Does the internet make it easy enough to sell and buy a home without representation? Not necessarily. In fact, trying to go it alone can cost you a lot of money and add unnecessary work and stress to your real estate transaction. Here are reasons why you should still work with a real estate agent.

Knowledge of the Area

A quick Google search may make you feel like you know all the real estate options in St. George, but this is never the case. New homes are going onsale all the time, and people who try to…

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A recent article in the New York Times argued it was time to refinance your mortgage since interest haven fallen to their lowest point in years.

“The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 3.8 percent at the end of last week. That is down from 4.5 percent as recently as last spring, the lowest since May 2013 and far below the 5 percent-plus rates that prevailed as recently as early 2011.”

Is it a good time to refinance your mortgage? Is that always a good decision? Here are some things you need to know about refinancing your mortgage.

How Does Refinancing Work?

Refinancing your mortgage mean you effectively pay down your current mortgage and take out a new one with a new interest rate. As the New York Times article points…

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If it is your first time buying a home in St. George, one of your most important relationships is with your real estate agent. We want to make your house hunting experience a positive one, so we’ve provided some tips for working with a real estate agent. Use these to find the best house that’s right for you!

Be Honest

When you first begin working with a real estate agent, be honest about your expectations. Let them know what your priorities are and where you are willing to compromise. Be honest about your price range and let them know how flexible your budget is. The more information your real estate agent has, the more they can better serve you. If you don’t like a house or a listing, let them know. Be honest and be specific about what you…

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In our recent blog posts, we have discussed how St. George is growing and recovering from the economic recession. Better home prices and more qualified home buyers are good signs. News coming out of last week’s St. George city council meeting signals the potential for more growth as well.

New Plan at Mall Drive Bride

A plan was approved to develop commercial real estate around Mall Drive Bridge according to a recent article in The Spectrum.

“The St. George City Council approved a scaled-back request to change its general plan on Thursday to accommodate plans for commercial development along the south sides of the intersection of Mall Drive and 3000 East.” reported the Spectrum.

The original plan was to include 121 acres of land, but that…

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