Single-family home sales in 2010 could rise as much as 10 percent in Salt Lake County compared to 2009, according to a study released today by the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS.
The study, by economist James Wood, noted that 2008 was likely the bottom of the housing recession. Sales of single-family homes increased 3 percent in 2009 compared to 2008. In 2010, single-family sales could reach 10,000, up from 9,100 sales in 2009.
Home prices in 2010 will continue to fall another 3 to 5 percent, Wood said. Single-family home prices have already fallen 11 percent from their peak.
Home Sales To Rise, Prices Still Falling
January 11, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Salt Lake City October Home Sales Climb 24%
December 1, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
This is great news, and evidence that the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit may be working:
The Salt Lake Board of REALTORS reported that sales of existing homes and condominiums climbed 24% in October. There were 1,061 homes/condos sold in October compared to 855 sales in October 2008.
The full story is available at the Salt Lake Tribune at: www.sltrib.com/business/ci_13851384.
Home Energy Monitor
November 20, 2009 by · 2 Comments
One of the things I enjoy about being Salt Lake City’s “Green Realtor,” is meeting other great people involved in sustainable living. Last night I attended the Third Annual Fall Party and Fundraiser for HEAL Utah. In addition to an inspiring presentation given by the mayor of Greensburg, Kansas (the town that was leveled by a tornado in May, 2007 – and in the process of being rebuilt as a highly sustainable town), I also met several representatives from other green businesses offering exciting solutions.
Of all the things available to improve your home’s energy efficiency, I became more educated last night on one simple device that can make a big difference in energy consumption – a simple device that attaches to your power meter, and gives real-time feedback on the amount of electricity your home is using. Information is power – and once you know how much your behaviors are costing you, it might cause simple lifestyle modifications that will translate to more $$$ in your pocket!
Contact me to learn more: 801 680-4325 or Beverly@SLCGreenHomes.com
Utah Ranks High for Energy Efficient Homes
November 12, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
While energy-efficient homes are becoming important to home buyers and homeowners, a recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency gives Utah high marks for getting onboard with this trend. Utah ranked 15th nationally for the number of Energy Star rated homes. I ask: “how do we become number ONE?”
SLC Green Homes specializes in helping homeowners, and home-buyers, identify ways to make their homes more efficient and healthier. Simple changes to a home, such as insulation and energy efficient windows, can make a home much more comfortable and give a valuable return on investment.
Save Energy by Slaying “Energy Vampires”
October 31, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
On Halloween, I figure it’s appropriate to slay vampires…energy vampires! These vampires are all the things you have plugged in that use energy even when they’re turned off. And they’re costing you a lot of money: up to 20% of your electric bill, and costing Americans about $10 billion per year. If this energy wasn’t wasted, we could shut down 30 coal-fired power plants.
How can you cut down on energy vampires?
- Use the energy-saving features built into most computers.
- Unplug energy-sucking appliances when they’re not in use.
- Purchase a “kill-a-watt” device to measure the energy consumption of your home appliances and electronics when turned on and turned off.
- Next time you need a new appliance, purchase one that is Energy Star rated.
See www.sierraclub.org/gtips for more tips for energy efficiency.
Salt Lake City Homeowner Installs Geothermal
October 22, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Kudos to local Salt Lake City homeowner who made the decision to install a sustainable, energy efficient geothermal heating and cooling system. There’s no doubt that he’ll benefit from this system while he lives in the home, and upon sale down the road. Comfort Tech is a company I’ve worked with – they do great work! Read the article, and contact me if you want to learn more about energy efficient systems for YOUR home.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
August 18, 2009 by · 2 Comments
The following is useful information for anybody considering the purchase of a new appliance – such as a refrigerator, washer or dryer. Also be aware that there are a lot of rebates being offered by manufacturers and/or utility companies.
https://www.ecobroker.com/misc/articleview.aspx?ArticleID=13
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Technology Snapshot & Benefits:
Both immediate and indirect economic savings can come from energy-efficient appliances such as refrigerators, horizontal-axis washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, etc. Immediate and continuing savings accrue from lower utility bills for electricity and/or water. The performance levels of these appliances meet, and generally exceed, those of industry “standard” models. As a case in point, consider household refrigeration. By the late 1970s, refrigerators reached their most inefficient performance by requiring about 1750 kiloWatt-hours per year to operate. Modern energy-efficient refrigerators provide the same or better service at 450-550 kiloWatt-hours per year, and they are much quieter in operation.
What is EcoBroker®? Why Should I Work with One When Buying/Selling a Home?
August 10, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
EcoBroker is the premiere green designation program for real estate professionals.
EcoBroker Certified® professionals help clients market properties with green features, save money, and live comfortably, through energy efficiency and environmentally-sensitive choices.
Founded in 2002, EcoBroker is the first and largest green real estate training and communications program in the world. With members in all 50 United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and New Zealand, EcoBroker and its members serve real estate consumers, communities, and the environment with an unparalleled level of care, commitment, and follow-up. With the benefit of oversight from the Association of Energy and Environmental Real Estate Professionals (www.aeerep.org), EcoBroker’s green designation training and communications provide professionals with the resources to be constructive green ambassadors in an ever-changing business and consumer world.
EcoBroker offers education and tools to real estate professionals that in turn help consumers take advantage of energy efficiency and environmentally sensitive design in real estate properties. Through EcoBroker’s unique energy and environmental curriculum, real estate professionals acquire the knowledge and resources to become Certified EcoBrokers. These real estate professionals assist clients in their pursuit of properties that provide affordability, comfort and a healthier environment (reducing carbon footprints).
In order to earn the EcoBroker Designation, licensed real estate agents must fulfill a straight-forward set of requirements. The most important requirement of EcoBroker Certification is that you complete our energy, environmental, and marketing training program.
Everything you need to know about the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
August 10, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
IT EXPIRES SOON!!!
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expanded the first-time homebuyer credit by increasing the credit amount to $8,000 for purchases made in 2009 prior to December 1st.
At a glance:
- Applies to purchases that CLOSE after 4/8/2008 and before 12/1/2009
- Applies only to homes used as a taxpayer’s principal residence
- Reduces a taxpayer’s tax bill or increases his/her refund, dollar for dollar
- Is fully refundable, meaning that the credit will be paid out to eligible taxpayer’s, even if they own no tax or the credit is more than the tax owed
- Certain restrictions and eligibility requirements apply
First-time homebuyers represent a significant portion of existing single-family home sales. The expansion in the first-time homebuyer credit will make it easier for first-time homebuyers to enter the housing market this year.
For purposes of the credit, you are considered to be a first-time homebuyer if you, and your spouse if you are married, did not own any other main home during the three-year period ending on the date of purchase.
The previous tax credit had a limit of $7,500 and had to be repaid. The new tax credit has a limit of $8,000 and does not… free money!
You do not have to repay the credit, provided the home remains your primary home for 36 months after the purchase date.
Qualifying tax payers who purchase a home before December 1st receive up to $8,000, of $4,000 for married individuals filing separately.
You are eligible for the credit in your 2008 taxes if you filed and extension.
If you have already filed 2008 returns, you can follow up with an amended return to claim the credit this year.
You can claim the credit in 2009 rather than 2008. For some taxpayers, it may make more financial sense to wait and claim the homebuyer credit next year when they file the 2009 tax return. This will benefit taxpayers who might qualify for a higher credit on the 2009 tax return. This could include people who have less income in 2009 because of factors such as a job loss or drop in investment income.
The amount of the credit begins to fade out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is more than $75,000, or $150,000 for joint filers. Taxpayers can claim 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000, or $4,000 for married individuals filing separately.
SALT LAKE COUNTY HOME SALES UP 5% IN JUNE, ACCORDING TO THE SALT LAKE BOARD OF REALTORS®
August 10, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
27 July 2008 (Sandy) – The Salt Lake Board of REALTORS® reported today that home and condominium sales in Salt Lake County during the month of June increased 5 percent compared to home sales in June 2008. During the month, 1,203 homes and condominiums were sold, up from 1,150 sales in June 2008. Home sales in June were up 20 percent compared to 1,002 sales in May.
“The increase in home sales is evidence that buyers are finding deals and renewed confidence in the market,” said Ryan Kirkham, president of the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS®. “Nearly a year has passed since we have seen monthly year‐over‐year increases in home sales.”
The median price of homes and condominiums sold in June in Salt Lake County fell to $224,000, down 3 percent compared to a median price of $230,000 in June 2008. Since home prices peaked in June 2007 ($243,000), the median sales price has fallen 8 percent. The median price per square foot for homes sold in June was $105.02, down 14 percent compared to $121.46 per square foot in June 2008.
