Great news!  The inventory of starter homes seems to be growing daily with several great options coming on the market today.  The economy is still doing well here in Cedar City, as the factories are still challenged to fill their staffs.  The wages could be higher, but that could most likely be said of every city in the country!  The move up and executive homes also have a great selection that also seem to be growing daily.  Those homes tend to stay on the market longer than the starter homes do, but that are selling.  We are enjoying the benefits of another wintery storm front.  The good news with that is that we should have plenty of water to drink come summertime, whenever that may arrive!  Just kidding, we know that at our altitude we could have snow well into the Spring months.  Th... 02/22/2008

As many of you know I am a baseball junkie.  I can't get enough baseball.  I read an article somewhere on the internet where a computer program was fed statistics and computed that Derek Jeter was the worst fielding shortstop in the major leagues.  Sportswriters have voted him 3 gold gloves during the course of his career, yet the computer doesn't lie, or does it?  I am not going to argue that Derek Jeter is the best shortstop in baseball, and I am sure that he has plenty of detractors, playing for the Yankees and all.  In fact, I am not sure that he is the best shortstop on his team, but he is the starting shortstop.  The thing that makes this entire argument ridiculous is that it doesn't factor in the plays that he makes that no one else does.  I do think that he isn't the most gifted... 02/21/2008

I have blogged several times on the availability of great starters and especially "move up" homes in our market.  I have been neglecting the one area that we really have a great variety to choose from, land.  Whether it is large parcels or smaller builiding lots, we have a great inventory.  There is a good selection of building lots available in the more exclusive areas and in almost all of the other areas in the city or out in the county. We, ourselves have several good listings of raw land and subdivided lots, some of which would be good investments over time.  So if you're looking to build, Cedar City is a great place to do so!  Come on up and see if you want to build your own ranch, estate or just house!  Now is a great time to build that dream house in Cedar City.  Have a great week! 02/20/2008

I don't know how many have seen the Time Magazine article from 2/19/2008 saying that now is the time to buy a house if you're a 1st time home buyer.  With prices and interest rates low, if you have good credit, there is no reason to wait.  I am not going to quote the article, you can read it for yourselves www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1713483,00.html I found it an interesting read, and like it or not, it is the best time to buy if you are planning on staying in the home at least 5 years.  This goes along with what a lot of Realtors have been saying and writing for weeks, now is the time!  Before you lose the advantage of a lower payment should interest rates rise, buy a house!  If it looks like I believe that you should look at buying, you're right, but now one of the inves... 02/19/2008

My little sister emailed me this list.  I will admit that I just copied and pasted, I do not know who the author is, but thought that it might be worthwhile to incorporate into my life, maybe someone else will find it useful!  Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life!   1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.4.) When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to________ today.'5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.6.) Play more family games and read more good books than you did last year.7.) Always pray, read scriptures, and make tim... 02/19/2008

We learned some more good news for business and industry here in Cedar City.  Our newest industrial development, Port 15 got some great news as the plans to create a rail loop to service most of the lots in phase II of the development.  This should make the option to start or relocate a business or factory here in Cedar City much more attractive to potential developers.  Once the spur and the truck route from Interstate 15 are completed the entire project should really be an attractive option. I hate to keep banging the same drum, but now is the time to buy in Cedar City, before all of this happens and prices go up with demand.  We are still a beautiful area with a lot of great inventory.  We enjoy 4 Season of the year, and boast the famous Shakespearean Festival, the Utah Summer Games ... 02/18/2008

As Spring Training approaches, I will admit that I look forward to the beginning of Major League Baseball for yet another year.  Baseball, to me, in many cases is a microcosm of life.  It has a definate beginning, middle and end.  It has a lot of high points, as well as low points during the course of the season.  Unfortunately, this year it has had a lot of low points since the season ended.  There are scandals, (some, like steroids, won't go away) and there are great stories. One of the greatest stories in the history of the game is Hank Aaron.  While he was playing he was one of the most consistent, steady ball players in the history of the game.  You could start in April and write in ink that he was going hit right around .300, hit around 30 homeruns, and drive in over 100 runs.  He... 02/14/2008

As I look out my window at what seems like the umpteenth blizard this winter, I had to stop and smirk.  I am up to my buttocks in global warming!  I am not trying to make light of climatic changes, but rather express my lack of enthusiasm for yet another 12 to 14 inches of snow.  It was 50 degrees this morning!  I guess that's enough complaining, no one really cares anyway, besides it is hitting most of the country as it has us here in Cedar City. This, I know, is a freak type storm, it is supposed to snow again tomorrow, then be in the 50's again on Saturday.  All I can really say, is that if you have to travel in this weather, BE SAFE!!  Another thing is to be prepared for winter driving conditions with warm clothing and supplies in case you become stranded!  Once again, I wait for Sp... 02/13/2008

Wow, I can't believe that my last blog entry was my 100th!  I am glad that I mentioned my beautiful wife, Darcy in it.  I am amazed at how much I get from everyone that blogs on AR!  I have been looking at blogs from all over the country and getting small snipets of how the market is doing in other places.  Some are up and some are even slower than ours has been.  All in all, it is a great time to be in Real Estate!  I have taken some great excitement in reading last night, that the market in Las Vegas and some of the Southern California Markets are picking up and showing some upward movement. Surprisingly enough, our market in Southern Utah is tied to those markets.  When they go up, we nearly always follow suit.  We have noticed increased activity in our office and on our web site.  T... 02/12/2008

Just an early reminder that Valentines Day is tomorrow.  This is especially for all of the men out there!  Remember to acknowledge that special someone in your life!  Take some time to tell them how important they are to you.  I would hate to think where my life would be without my beautiful wife, Darcy!  I am not going to tell you to buy them jewels, or roses, or anything else.  What you do to make them know how much they mean to you, is well, up to you!  If you're not into the commercialization of Special Days, that's fine, just remember to make the day special for that someone special.  This is just an early reminder!  Have a Great Day with your special someone!!!! 02/12/2008

While working my other job (the one that I am hoping to make go away once I get Real Estate back on track like it should be), there was an envelope place out for one of my coworkers to buy flowers for his wife and new baby.  I planned on putting a few bucks in, like everyone else.  When I got looking at the envelope it had the names of people who had put money in, as well as my name printed large enough to be seen across the room with a question mark beside it.  I have been on my days off, and sick the two days prior to those, so I haven't been at work for 4 nights. What irritated me the most is that the whole thing is a donation, and supposedly anonymous at that.  Am I wrong to take offense at this?  If it were to be done so that everyone knew, why not just send out an email saying tha... 02/12/2008

In many parts of the country I realize are still in the throes of winter, but here for a few days it looks like Spring may be breaking through.  We have enjoyed warm temperatures for the past week,(which really made it hard to be sick!) and where grass has been exposed to the sun, it is starting to green up a bit.  We are supposed to have a nasty, but quick moving cold front through here tomorrow and Thursday, and be back into the high 40's on Friday.  Spring is my favorite time of year, the earth is in a renewal cycle that reminds me that in the grand scheme of things, I am not so important after all.  It keeps me grounded and reminds me that there is a higher power watching over not just me, but everyone.  Temperatures are warm, not yet uncomfortable, yet nights are still cool and cri... 02/12/2008

I don't know what it means to the market here in Cedar City, but today I had floor in the afternoon.  After having the last 7 times of doing floor time and having a lot of time to work on Blogs, listing packets, etc.  Today was busy.  I had two good, solid walk ins, and another agent took another solid walk in while I was showing a house to the first of my new clients.  Darcy had floor last Saturday and she also a real solid walkin who is now a client.  Like I said, I don't what it mean in the overall market, but to me it looks like things may be starting to move.   I am excited at this.  The agent that got the other walkin said that he has had that happen more than once in the past week, he has been doing paperwork and been asked to pickup and help a walk in or a caller.  This is more ... 02/07/2008

Since reading Fred Carver's article on the tragic incident in Canada, I have been thinking of how my wife and I can do a better job at protecting ourselves.  The worse thing that we can do is to begin thinking that everyone that calls on a sign to see that house is out to get one of us.  That being said, there are some things that we can do. I have come up with just a couple of ideas, although there probably are many more that I haven't thought of, or that someone trained in personal safety could teach you.    We can ask the caller if they can come to the office, we may have another house that they might like even better than the one that they are parked in front of, if we knew what they were looking for.  That isn't always practicle, and in our market area, there are some listings that... 02/05/2008

Here in Utah whether a home is sold in as is condition, or not the seller needs to fill out property condition disclosures.  If the home has never been occupied by the owner, they can fill out a non occupant addenda.  This past weekend showing fixer uppers our buyers found a home that they can live in while fixing it up.  They are getting a loan so they asked if they could see a property condition disclosure to see if they could qualify the house for a loan.  Short of that, if they could find out what the owner knows needs to be repaired, sort of a list. One answer we know would be to hire a home inspector, but they don't want to do that until they are sure if this is a project that is worth taking on.  The other agent called back, and wasn't sure what had been done nor what needed to b... 02/04/2008

I will admit it, I tuned into the Superbowl expecting a blow out.  I really didn't think that anyone would be able to stop the Patriots quest for perfection.  Deep down I had hoped that the Giants would, simply because virtually no one gave them a chance, not because I am a fan.  What a great game!  Both teams played well, especially on defense.  Congradulations to the New York Giants!, you earned that win! I was a little disappointed in the commercials, normally the ads are better and much more memorable than the game.  Usually, there are a number of those ads that just stick in your brain.  I am not sure whether it was the game, but there are really only two ads that even stand out.  One of the things that I am happy about is that the Utah Association of Realtors decided to buy one of... 02/04/2008

This past weekend, Darcy and I had the priviledge of showing a family some fixer uppers here in our market.  To be honest, it has been a while since we have shown anyone any fixer uppers.  Whether it has been the market conditions, or just that many sellers in our market were pricing fixer uppers as though they already been fixed up.  This weekend was an eye opener, we have a couple of great opportunities with some fixers.  I don't know that there is enough margin there to fix and flip, but certainly good solid investments to someone looking to buy and fix it up for a residence.  There is easily some equity to be had with them all repaired, although not quite enough to make the flippers happy.  In short, it was a great weekend with a very nice, new, client, finding some real gems in our... 02/04/2008

There is something warm and inviting about a wood burning fireplace or wood stove, but as winter continues to grasp much of the country it it's icy grip, please be careful.  Here in the Cedar City area chimney fires are way down this year but they still happen.  Please remember to clean your fireplace and wood stove as often as it is recommended.  This is advice to to tell your sellers also.  No one wants to buy a house that has been on fire.  In our state it is something that by law has to be disclosed if there is prior knowledge.  More importantly keep your families safe.  It seems that each year we read or see a tragedy of someone perishing from house fire, smoke inhilation, or carbon monoxide poisoning.  These are too great of a price not to do the maintenence required to keep woodb... 01/30/2008

I got thinking that it has been several weeks since I wrote a thought blog, so here goes.  Todays thought comes from Will Rogers, it says: "Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there!"  This is a great quote for me, I tend to let myself become lazy and need to be reminded that I need to get out and take some action. Several years ago I worked in a truck shop with a mechanic that used to end breaks by saying, "better go and do something, even if it's wrong."  I don't know how I am going to make this match the Will Rogers quote other than by saying there is a level of success that is achieved by action.  Obviously, action combined with doing the right things will ultimately lead to success more quickly than just doing something even if it is wrong.  I do... 01/30/2008

Great news!  Governor Huntsman in his State of the State address mentioned that the economy in Utah is flourishing!  This comes from a Governor that was a businessman prior to becoming a politician!  That is good news!  We are turning the corner on Winter and heading towards Spring, which always makes me feel good.  The annual rebirth of life in all of it's miraculous splendor, reminds me of my place in the world.  That being said, there is still a lot of snow available for Winter fun, whether it is skiing, snowmobiling or just viewing!  We generally receive a lot of "late season" snowfall in the mountains, so those activities could go on for months yet. We are still a little cold, but that is to be expected in January at our elevation 5300 feet above sea level, and our geographic locat... 01/23/2008