Great News In The Housing Market

Local market fundamentals and conditions will be favorable for the real estate market for 2016. Job growth is expected to slow slightly but this will be offset by higher rates of net-migration and improving wage rates due to a tight-labor market. There are no signs of a bubble; both sales and prices are at sustainable levels. The market and now particularly prices are now largely free of the harmful effects of closures, short sales, and underwater mortages, which held back demand and prices. And there is no indication of waning demands as demonstrated by the extremely low "days on market" data. On the supply side, the inventory of existing home listings shows demand outpacing supply and there is little concern about completing unsold inventory from home builders; their inventories are very low as well. All these positive local conditions will be supported by a very healthy statewide economy in 2016.

But beyond Utah's borders both nationally and internationally, there are some potential dangers. Most prominent is the showdown in the Chinese economy and the possible unraveling of their debt bubble. China's problem has contributed in part to the recent selloffs in stock markets internationally. Declining oil prices have also negatively affected financial markets and put fiscal and financial pressure on oil financing countries; Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Nigeria. These worrisome, international conditions raised talk in some of a showdown in the U.S. economy and perhaps a recession. The US economy is now in the 77th month in expansion, a little long in the tooth as expansions go. The average post World War II expansion is 62 months, just over five years. The longest US expansion 120 months (1991-2001). It's important to note, however, that recent expansions have been getting longer due to structural shifts in the economy (more service oriented) and technological advances in inventory management. 

International and national conditions are legitimate concerns, but over the next 12 months barring a cataclysim in China or the Mideast, they will have little impact on the local residential real estate market. Total residential sales will increase from 17,100 in 2015 to 19,000 in 2016. An increase of 11%. Sales of single-family homes will be up 10% and multifamily sales a little stronger with a 13 percent increase in sales. The median sales price of a single-family home will increase in the range of 5-7 percent while the increase in the price of multifamily units will be higher at 8 to 10 percent.In 2016, the median sales price of a home will be near $290,000 and near $205,000 for a multifamily unit.

Presented by James Woods Ivory-Boyd Fellow, University of Utah

Shauna Quick

Realtor

Exit Realty Success

801-550-4419

www.shaunaqsellshomes.com

shaunaqsellshomes@gmail.com 

ARTICLE: Despite Rebound, Home Prices Are Not Overvalued

For those who can qualify, housing is still relatively affordable in Salt Lake County. According to the US Census Bureau, the medium household income in Salt Lake County in 2014 is $62,672. Assuming a household with medium income devotes 30% of their income to a mortage payment (including taxes and insurance) that household can carry a mortage of about $290,000. In 2015 56 percent of family homes sold in the county were placed under $290,000 for a housing opportunity index of 53. An opportunity index number below 50 indicates less affordability; above 50 indicates more affordability. Overall, the local housing market, despite the rebound in prices, is not overvailued. There is still room for moderate increases provided mortage rates increases are incremental and gradual. Mortage rates forecast from another organization shows a concensus 2016 forecast of rates moving between 4 and 5 percent with a firm ceiling at 5 percent. In 2016, homebuyers will continue to enjoy some of the lowest mortage rates in the past 45 years.

Presented by James Wood, Ivory-Boyer Fellow, University of Utah

Shauna Quick
Realtor
Exit Realty Success
801-550-4419
www.shaunaqsellshomes.com
shaunaqsellshomes@gmail.com

Winter-Proof Your Car In 10 Steps

From just-above-freezing temps to record snowfall, there's no shortage of wild weather when it comes to winter. Before the season sets in, it's important to assess your vehicle and prepare it for the months ahead, say the experts at the Car Care Council. This includes:

• Checking the battery and charging system for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.

• Checking the antifreeze. As a general rule of thumb, clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system every two years.

• Checking that heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid.

• Checking the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.

• Checking the oil and filter and be diligent about changing them at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to "winter weight" oil if you live in a cold climate. Check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.

• Checking engine performance before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.

• Checking the brakes. The braking system is the vehicle's most important safety item.

• Checking the exhaust system for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

• Checking to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed. During winter, drivers should keep their vehicle's gas tank at least half-full to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.

• Checking the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stocking an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, blanket, extra clothes, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.

Shauna Quick
Realtor®
Exit Realty Success
801-550-4419 Mobile
shaunaqsellshomes@gmail.com

4 Ways To Get Rid of Kitchen Clutter

The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but it's also home to a lot of clutter. Resolve to bring order to your kitchen once and for all with these tips, courtesy of the experts at Moen.

1. You don't need a large pantry or countless cupboards and drawers to find the perfect spot for all your stuff. If you have blank space on the walls, consider adding a few open shelves. They provide plenty of storage while keeping everyday dishes and staples, like the coffee canister or cookie jar, within easy reach.

2. The biggest pain point for homeowners is a lack of counter space. Instead of adding to the chaos, designate a specific "drop zone" for items that find their way into the kitchen each day, like mail, paperwork or electronics.

3. Extend the "everything in its place" mentality to another kitchen staple: the dishtowel. Instead of leaving it in a damp heap on the counter, install a towel bar, towel ring or hook to the side of a cabinet or island to create a spot for it to hang. Not only will it free up space, but like in the bathroom or powder room, you'll always know where to look for it when you need it.

4. If you have a pantry, go beyond simple shelves to make this area work better - and smarter - for you. Pullout baskets and shallow drawers will ensure your pantry offers a proper place for everything. Curved cradles can turn an ordinary shelf into a beverage storage center, allowing you to store wine, water or soda bottles on their sides. And instead of wasting the space on the back of the door, install a slim, vertical storage system to provide a spot for plastic wrap, aluminum foil and other awkward-sized kitchen must-haves.

Shauna Quick
Realtor
Exit Realty Success
801-550-4419
shaunaqsellshomes@gmail.com

Year of Gratitude In Review- 2015

The new year is an exciting time to set goals, and is also the perfect time to reflect on the past year and events you are grateful for in your life.

Last year when I chose to concentrate on gratitude for the year, it ended up being exactly what I needed.  The practice of gratitude grounded me, it forced me to focus on what was positive and wonderful as opposed to obsessing about what was lacking in my life.  Practicing gratitude really made a positive impact in every area of my life.  It was amazing to look at each day with gratitude.  I became consciously grateful for the little things as well as the big events in my life.

I had so many wonderful experiences in 2015.  I was able to travel extensively with my family and really appreciate and enjoy our beautiful earth.  I recognized on a different level how blessed we are to live in the United States.  I noticed our amazing Wasatch Mountains each day, I found more joy in blooming flowers, the moon, and the midnight sky. 

One of the events I am most grateful for this year was witnessing my niece and her husband's growth through the adoption of a sweet two-year old boy.  This little guy opened their hearts so much, that they felt compelled to adopt him and his baby sister who was born a few months later. It gives me much joy knowing that my new grand niece and nephew have parents that are caring for their physical and emotional needs, they are loved, and well taken care of.  It was so incredible to see all the love that these children have brought to my extended family.  Our family has grown, and these beautiful children are so adored, they have touched the lives of all of us - aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. 

I also have so much gratitude for my clients.  Thank you for allowing me to share my year of gratitude with you, for allowing me to help you with your real estate needs, and for trusting me enough to refer me to your friends and family.

As we move into the new year I thought it would be fun for you to write down what you are grateful for each day, and see if you notice a positive shift in your life.  I hope 2016 brings you much love, joy, and abundance!

Shauna Quick

Realtor
Exit Realty Success
801-550-4419
shaunaqsellshomes@gmail.com
www.shaunaqselshomes.com

9 Tips For Selling Your Home During The Holiday

The holiday season from November through January is often considered the worst time to put a home on the market. While the thought of selling your home during the winter months may dampen your holiday spirit, the season does have its advantages: holiday buyers tend to be more serious and competition is less fierce with fewer homes being actively marketed. First, decide if you really need to sell. Really. Once you've committed to the challenge, don your gay apparel and follow these tips from FrontDoor.

1. Deck the halls, but don’t go overboard.
Homes often look their best during the holidays, but sellers should be careful not to overdo it on the decor. Adornments that are too large or too many can crowd your home and distract buyers. Also, avoid offending buyers by opting for general fall and winter decorations rather than items with religious themes.

2. Hire a reliable real estate agent.
That means someone who will work hard for you and won't disappear during Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's. Ask your friends and family if they can recommend a listing agent who will go above and beyond to get your home sold. This will ease your stress and give you more time to enjoy the season.

3. Seek out motivated buyers.
Anyone house hunting during the holidays must have a good reason for doing so. Work with your agent to target buyers on a deadline, including people relocating for jobs in your area, investors on tax deadlines, college students and staff, and military personnel, if you live near a military base.

4. Price it to sell.
No matter what time of year, a home that’s priced low for the market will make buyers feel merry. Rather than gradually making small price reductions, many real estate agents advise sellers to slash their prices before putting a home on the market.

5. Make curb appeal a top priority.
When autumn rolls around and the trees start to lose their leaves, maintaining the exterior of your home becomes even more important. Bare trees equal a more exposed home, so touch up the paint, clean the gutters and spruce up the yard. Keep buyers’ safety in mind as well by making sure stairs and walkways are free of snow, ice and leaves.

6. Take top-notch real estate photos.
When the weather outside is frightful, homebuyers are likely to start their house hunt from the comfort of their homes by browsing listings on the Internet. Make a good first impression by offering lots of flattering, high-quality photos of your home. If possible, have a summer or spring photo of your home available so buyers can see how it looks year-round.

7. Create a video tour for the Web.
You'll get less foot traffic during the holidays thanks to inclement weather and vacation plans. But shooting a video tour and posting it on the Web may attract house hunters who don't have time to physically see your home or would rather not drive in a snowstorm.

8. Give house hunters a place to escape from the cold.
Make your home feel cozy and inviting during showings by cranking up the heat, playing soft classical music and offering homemade holiday treats. When you encourage buyers to spend more time in your home, you also give them more time to admire its best features.

9. Relax — the new year is just around the corner.
The holidays are stressful enough with gifts to buy, dinners to prepare and relatives to entertain. Take a moment to remind yourself that if you don't sell now, there's always next year, which, luckily, is only a few days away.

Source HGTV

Shauna Quick

Realtor

Exit Realty Success

801-550-4419

shaunaqsellshomes@gmail.com

www.shaunaqsellshomes.com

Declutter Your Home In Six Easy Steps

Does your home look like a storage locker or a pack rat's dream? If so, it's time to purge, declutter and refresh. It may sound daunting, but it doesn't have to be! Here are some quick, effective ways to declutter your home without feeling overwhelmed:

1. Set time aside. If you don't plan for decluttering, you'll probably keep putting it off. So, make yourself do it, whether you spend the entire weekend, one evening a week or just a few minutes or a few hours a day. If you're not sure how or where to start, a home organizer can help you create a game plan.
2. Make a list. A list will help you get organized, whether it's your entire living space that needs work or just one particular area. Creating a list of what needs decluttering will also help keep you motivated from start to finish.
3. Start in one spot. Never attempt to declutter all areas at once. Start in one room - or a specific area of one room - and work your way out from there, understanding that it may take a few hours to get it done. Some areas commonly in need of a good declutter include:

• Counters: Get rid of any old appliances, decorative pieces and utensils you don't need or use.
• Shelving: Remove old books, trinkets and toys -- anything that's just sitting there gathering dust.
• Closets: Gather the clothes, shoes and accessories you never wear. Donate the items that are in good shape and toss or make rags out of the rest. Invest in closet organizers for what's left in your closet to ensure everything stays in its proper place.
• Cabinets: Go through your kitchen or bathroom cabinets and remove everything that's been "stuck in the back" or is otherwise cluttering the space. Old dishes, dishtowels and other items can go to secondhand stores or the trash.
• Drawers: If you have a junk drawer, dump it out on your bed. Then go through it and remove everything but the essentials. When you go to put the drawer back, organize what's left for easier access and retrieval.

4.Take it one trash bag at a time. You don't have to keep a box of trash bags on hand when you start decluttering. Just start with one and see how long it takes you to fill the bag. You might be surprised at how much trash and clothing you'll come up with. If you can't fit all of the secondhand store bags in your car, call one of the many donation groups that will pick the bags up from your home.
5. Give away slowly. If you feel that decluttering your space and giving things away will emotionally drain you, space out the process. Once you've rid the house of the absolute non-essentials - trash, junk, waste, broken toys and shoes, etc. - then it's down to those items you hold onto for personal, emotional reasons.
6.Work your way up to it one piece at a time. You might be surprised at how good it feels to give!
Designate a routine moving forward. Put a process in place to keep future clutter at bay, and include everyone in the house in that process. Kids should know where their clothes and toys go, and everyone may need to have a dedicated place for shoes and other items near the entryway. Developing a habit for where items go will help you keep your home better organized.

Source Sharper Agent

Shauna Quick
Realtor
Exit Realty Success
www.shaunaqsellshomes.com
shaunaqsellshomes@gmail.com
801-550-4419