It's one of the biggest myths in real estate that homes do not sell as the holidays approach.

The simple truth is that those sellers who withdraw from the market at this time are making it much easier for those who continue to list, reducing competition...

And if that weren't a good enough reason to continue, here's some more:

• With fewer transactions at this time of year, sales can happen faster.
• Your home's interior is arguably more welcoming for viewers at holiday time than at any other stage of the year.
• We are fast approaching the time of year when job relocation is most common. Buyers looking to make a move for this reason will continue to actively look for their next home as they have a deadline to meet.
• Very busy people often find that the holidays provide the perfect opportunity to view properties at a more relaxing time of year.
• Tax considerations can add extra motivation to closing a purchase before year end.
• Buyers are very keen to move-in before the holidays.

In addition to these very valid reasons, there have been encouraging signs of a possible sustained downturn in mortgage rates. While the effect is slight at the moment, we could see an unusually busy end to the year if the trend continues.

And if you have family visiting, it's no problem at all to arrange any viewings to avoid certain time periods.

Why not contact us and discuss your best options - 435-327-2090.

As we have shared with you over the past year or so, we saw an unprecedented spike in property values between late 2020 and mid-2022.

So where are we at right now?

The above median sales price graphs, for Iron County and Washington County, give us some important clues.

On average, property values have corrected by 10-12% since the summer of 2022.

If we look ahead and make a best guess for the coming year, it would appear that values have leveled out.

We are not seeing a major drop at this time, as the graphs for 2023 in both counties demonstrate.

With interest rates continuing to climb to around 7.5% at the present moment, it will be interesting to see how the balance of this year plays out.

Values could easily continue to correct over the next year due to affordability issues. Yet, due to the continuing shortage of supply, it could be argued that values will hold.

Without question, we are back to a more "normalized" market, where price and condition are critically important in not just getting a home sold, but also in ensuring you get the most out of your sale.

Why not call us today for an informal chat focused on your own situation - 435-327-2090.

More than ever, today's challenging real estate market favors homes that show best.

Put simply, buyers have more choice than in the boom years we enjoyed for so long in Iron County.

And even if your home is generally in great condition, if it looks cluttered then it's more difficult for buyers to envision themselves living in it.

Of course there are a wide range of decluttering strategies available to you, but if you have outgrown your current property with the amount of stuff in it, then simplifying the layout of your rooms is a major asset for viewings.

It's reckoned that a very small percentage of buyers can see the potential of a home beyond its present appearance, so you really need to address making that easy for them.

One of the fastest and most effective ways of bringing about big changes is to use a storage facility during the selling process.

You can very quickly achieve an ultra-clean minimalist look that shows your home, not your stuff, and accentuates the flow between rooms and makes the very best of the square footage available.

It also allows you to get ahead in the packing process for the eventual move. Who wants that last minute rush!

It's impossible to know exactly when your home will sell and sometimes the move needs to happen very fast, so what better than to be well advanced in your packing plans with stuff that you rarely need or use, or which makes your home look crowded.

EZ Storage - Now Open

EZ Storage provides a convenient solution for individuals and businesses in need of extra space.

Our units come in a variety of sizes to accommodate your specific needs, whether you're storing seasonal items, furniture, business inventory, boats, RV’s, or trailers.

They can be rented on a short-term or long-term basis. Our facility is equipped with 24 hour security to keep your belongings safe and secure. Renters can access their units at any time, making it easy to retrieve or add items as needed.

Trust us to provide you with the peace of mind and convenience you need for your storage needs. Visit ezstoragecedarcity.com or call 435-704-6178 to reserve a unit today!

The above map is generated monthly by our website provider.

It shows the number of impressions, or views, on our website for July and, as you can see, although the majority of our site visitors are, naturally enough, based the Utah/Nevada/Southern California corridor, we do, in fact, attract potential home buyers right across the country.

This demonstrates that a lot of people from elsewhere are looking at homes and a possible move to this area. Our extensive online communication strategy is ensuring that, when you list with us, your home is getting exposure right across the nation.

Our website is built with advanced tools that help to attract visitors with an interest in properties in the area and we also build on this with our social media campaigns and other initiatives geared to attracting more attention to your home.

We saw a tremendous influx of newcomers here during the pandemic, but this map shows that interest from other locations is still very much alive and a reflection of how increasingly popular our wonderful part of the world is still becoming.

Why not get in touch with us at 435-327-2090 and find out more about how we go the extra mile to get your home exposed to as many potential buyers as possible.

Right now our Iron County real estate market could best be described as flat.

Homes are selling quite well, certainly, but market conditions are such that we don't expect to see much of an increase in activity for the rest of this year.

A significant drop in mortgage rates would definitely help to kick start things, but that seems unlikely.

So, if you've been thinking about listing your home, don't expect things to alter for the better if you wait until the fall. Indeed waiting that long also means there will inevitably be fewer buyers around than there are at present!

One of the biggest issues for sellers right now is being able to distinguish their expectations from what is really happening in a marketplace that's a lot tougher than it was even a year ago.

While the pandemic tidal wave of sales that happened as people migrated from the big cities to communities like ours is over, there are still benefits to be gained from those boom times, especially if you've owned a home in the area for quite a while

Our perspective on this is that, from mid-2020 until late-2022, home values here increased by around 40%. Fast forward to today and we've seen a market correction in the order of 15%-20%. That still means the market is 20%-25% higher than pre-pandemic! Therefore many sellers can still look forward to a fantastic return on their investment.

Playing a waiting game risks things changing further and there is good buyer demand at the moment, so why not talk to us today at 435-327-2090. 

The main highlight of our local real estate market right now is that it is somewhat flat overall.

As the above Absorption Rate chart shows, there has been quite a recent jump in the amount of homes on the market.

Of course some of this is seasonal, given that more homes come on the market at this time of year, as can be seen from the Number of Listings chart.

There are more buyers around in the summer months too, which is partially reflected in the recent drops in the Days On Market chart. However you will also notice that it's taking over 20 days longer to sell, on average, than a year ago. 

Homes are still selling, but pricing and condition are absolutely critical, especially with mortgage rates continuing to present challenges to buyers.

This is a time to be realistic about where your home sits in the market. Successful sellers right now will have addressed this correctly.

Homes in the best condition in any market segment will always attract the most interest, but still need to be priced in line with where the market sits at the moment. It's critical that you acknowledge and respond to the needs of buyers, who are in the driving seat on deals a lot more than has been the case for a long time.

Feel free to contact us at 435-327-2090 to discuss how you can optimize your home sale, based on our intimate day-to-day knowledge of the market and current buying triggers. 

We've had record snowfall and, with water levels already high, it makes sense to take precautions against possible subsequent flooding as snow and ice melts.

Know your flood risk - If you've not previously done so, research your home's likely level of flood risk. If in doubt contact your local county for more information. Iron County publishes an emergency preparedness guide with specific flood instructions on pages 17 and 18.

Home insurance - Did you know that most homeowner policies don't include flood damage, so contact your insurer for specific advice. It also makes sense to photograph your home and possessions in advance to help with any future claims.

Water drainage - Ensure your gutters and downspouts are free of obstructing debris. If you have storm drains near your home, make sure they are also clear of debris. Landscaping should be carried out in such a way that water drains away from your home.

Plan ahead - Keep your car filled with gas, have a portable radio and flashlights with extra batteries, store food, water and critical medical supplies.

What happens if there's a flood?

• Try to keep yourself informed using internet and social media channels, paying particular attention to weather warnings.
• If asked to evacuate, do so immediately and get to higher ground. Don't forget to lock your home and take your pets with you, of course. If there's time, and it's safe to do so, shut off your main power switch, main gas valve and water valve.
• Keep away from floodwaters. Fast flowing and very cold mountain streams and rivers can be especially hazardous. Just 18 inches of water can be sufficient to sweep away a large vehicle and always remember that flooded roads may be hiding dangerous objects.
• The Iron County emergency preparedness guide contains further important information and we strongly suggest you study it.

After the flood:

• Keep away from flood disaster areas and let rescue and emergency services continue their vital work. Let family and friends know you're safe. The Red Cross Emergency website and mobile apps are great resources.
• Don't re-enter your home until the authorities tell you it's safe to do so and follow any safety guidance provided regarding switching utilities back on, usage of drinking water etc.
• Again, stay informed using internet, social media and other news resources for the latest updates.
• The Iron County emergency preparedness guide contains other essential information, so do please refer to it in advance.

We sincerely hope that you'll never need to use this advice. Nonetheless it pays huge dividends to be prepared for such an eventuality.

The first quarter of 2023 has seen a modest but encouraging reversal of recent negative trends in Iron County.

The above graph demonstrates that the number of sales have begun to climb again, following the downward trend over the past year. This is partially explained by the recent lower mortgage rates and, as can also be seen in the above graph, an overall drop in inventory of available homes for sale, putting sellers in a slightly stronger position. New listing numbers have been quite flat in the past couple of months, setting up a good situation for sellers who are already listing as the inevitably stronger spring market takes hold.

Looking at the Listing Prices graph below, we can also see a corresponding jump in sold median sale price in the area. Significantly, median listing prices are now more realistic and are closer to what homes are actually selling for than for some months. Another encouraging sign that sellers' expectations are becoming more in tune with actual market conditions and what buyers are able/prepared to spend.

With all these factors in play, March saw a significant drop in the average number of days a home is on the market before it sells (see final graph below). Another strong indicator that the market is moving more fluently again.

The next few weeks will see more buyers out and about and seriously looking for a home, so if you've been on the fence about listing at the moment, there is now some clear evidence that conditions are improving.

Please don't hesitate to contact us at 435-327-2090 today and discuss your best options and find out how we are continuing to achieve great results for our clients.

Can owners sell on their own? Answer: yes, without question. Yet, at what cost? How much are they potentially leaving on the table?

When solely focusing on an agent's commission, an owner might not truly understand the real VALUE a professional Realtor brings to the table. Not to mention a few other safety concerns when selling on their own vs. hiring a professional.

Maximizing Exposure - We've built a complete professional structure to market your home. This includes membership of the local multiple listing service (MLS), our website, social media and other market communications techniques and personal connections designed to reach ALL qualified and motivated buyers, not just locally but nationally and beyond.

Market Knowledge/Statistics - We study a wide range of MLS and industry market data that you don't have direct access to. This enables us to cast an experienced eye over stats and fine tune our marketing strategies and tactics to match ever-changing market conditions.

Handling Buyers and Showings - DIY selling means it's you who'll be making all the appointments to view your home. You'll also be showing it too! Unfortunately, because you've not hired an agent and have no MLS and little or no market exposure, you very likely won't be busy anyway...

Priced to Sell - We operate in this real estate market on a daily basis, meaning we totally understand it and your home is expertly priced to obtain the maximum amount of buyer interest, as opposed to being unrealistically priced on your emotions as to what you think it's worth vs. actual market value. 

Handling Negotiations - Just who is shopping homes for sale by owner? Quite often it's the buyer identifying the opportunity for a steal by dealing with an inexperienced seller/negotiator. We are skilled in the art of negotiating a sale to achieve top dollar for our clients, having identified and targeted buyers who are willing to make a reasonable offer, based on market value.

Better Safety/Security - Go it alone and you'll be letting complete strangers view your home. We ensure that all home viewers have been through a thorough pre-qualification process.

Dealing with Legalities/Paperwork - We oversee all legal documents and closing procedures for your home sale. Go it all alone and it's all down to you and that can be daunting and very risky, especially if you have no experience of handling these matters.

Still have questions or concerns? Call us today at 435-327-2090.

We're delighted to be able to bring you some really good news about our Iron County real estate market.

Mortgage rates have recently dropped to the low 6% range!

Today's typical rate for a 30 year fixed rate conventional loan is hovering around 6.25%!

This is what many buyers have been waiting to see and the results are already surfacing.

Above are three homes that are now pending, with buyers acting fast to take advantage of the best situation we've seen with mortgage rates for some time.

With Spring just over a month away, we can confidently expect to see more people looking for a home in the coming weeks, with the extra motivation that falling mortgage rates will inevitably stimulate.

More homes will start to appear on the market too, so why not get ahead of the crowd and beat the competition for a more robust realistic asking price.

Contact us today at 435-327-2090 to make the first steps.