Buying a home anytime is a big deal, but buying your first home can be quite overwhelming.  This article was written to make you aware of a few things that first time buyers should know. First of all, realize that the old adage is true; location is the most important thing.  Start by choosing an area you like, in a good neighborhood, with a home that suits your present and future needs, and then you can get started on the details. The important things to consider are listed below: Your Financial Situation and Plans for the Future: Evaluate the price of the rent you currently pay so that you will be able to compare that with all the costs of buying and owning a home.  One of the most important things to do is count your savings and see if you really have enough to cover the down payment ... 04/01/2009

One of the most often used marketing tricks that Listing agents use to attract home buyers is a Buyer Agent Commission (BAC) that is larger than what is generally offered.  Generally speaking most home sellers offer a commission of 6 percent to the agents that assist to sell their homes.  Half of the commission or 3 percent goes to the agent that listed the home for sale.  The other 3 percent goes to the agent who represents the buyer in the transaction.  By offering an inflated BAC, the listing agent is hoping that the agent representing the buyer will show their home before the home that only has a 3 percent commission. Home Buyers Beware Home buyers need to understand that sometimes their agent may be motivated to show them a home with a larger BAC, only because of the larger commiss... 03/19/2009

By: Robert A. Hulme - Realtor - Loan Officer -Utah County, Including Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine and Cedar Hills, Eagle Mountain, Payson, Saratoga Springs, Spanish Fork, Springville, Mortgage Xpress, Agent In today's Housing market many Sellers have had to use their imagination to try and sell their homes.  One of the programs that is starting to be used more often is that of Seller Financing.  The way this can be used is to "carry back" a second mortgage to help facilitate the purchase of the home.  This can happen when the seller does not need all the proceeds from their sale in order to purchase their next home. The advantage to the buyer is that by combining the down payment and the second mortgage from the seller, you may be able to avoid payi... 02/14/2009

We need Positive Price Action to confirm market bottom.  One month of price improve isn't sufficient to confirm the market bottom.  We need to see appreciation month over month for three months. PRICE ACTION                    Other good signs in addition to positive price action is lower DOM (days of the market), lower new listings and higher percent of new listings being SOLD.     This is NOT a good time for those with low and/or no risk tolerance to purchase.  A strong case can be made that those who are looking for a home for their family with plans to stay long term.  Why not buy now?  Especially if the numbers make sense, i.e. Owning vs. Renting.  Even, if the market retracts more (which is extremely likely) in the future.  Between the coming market bounce and future normal cycle ... 02/04/2009

By: Robert A. Hulme - Realtor - Loan Officer -Utah County, Including Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine and Cedar Hills, Eagle Mountain, Payson, Saratoga Springs, Spanish Fork, Springville, Mortgage Xpress, Agent When it comes time to purchase new home, your first step in the purchase process is to get pre-qualified for your home loan.  Once you contact a Mortgage loan officer, he will ask you to fill out a Mortgage Loan Application (1003) and supply him with documentation.  The documentation required will vary, but generally you will supply the following: •·         Federal income tax statements and verification of any additional income •·         Your two most recent W2's •·         Current paycheck stubs •·         Recent bank statements •·         Ass... 01/30/2009

Home sales in Lehi went down by 23% in 2008 from 804 to 618. Currently there are 505 listed homes for sale in Lehi UT.  Average home prices went down by about 6%, from $294,591 to $276,022, but are still overpriced by 20%.  Median prices decreased by a little less than 6%, from $255,000 in 2007 to $240,000 in 2008.  With 9.8 months of active inventory, homes are continuing to become more affordable.   These numbers are not official  01/17/2009

We need Positive Price Action to confirm market bottom.  One month of price improve isn't sufficient to confirm the market bottom.  We need to see appreciation month over month for three months. PRICE ACTION     Other good signs in addition to positive price action is lower DOM (days of the market), lower new listings and higher percent of new listings being SOLD.  On a year over year, YTD comparison currently 11.02% of new listings are being sold.        SUMMARY Currently we are not seeing the needed positive price action (along with other indictors) to confirm a market bottom.  This is NOT a good time for conservative buyers to purchase.  High risk tolerant investors and speculators are doing some bottom fishing.       Data considered accurate... However is NOT Guaranteed.  Contact yo... 01/11/2009

By: Robert A. Hulme - Realtor - Loan Officer The time has come when you have decided that you must sell your home.  Before you place a "For Sale" sign in front of your house there are few things you need to consider to help make the sales process run smoothly and efficiently.  Listed below are a few things that you should consider when discussing the sale of your home with your Realtor. Time Frame It really depends on where you live in the country, but most Realtors consider spring to be the best time for selling a home.  The weather is usually getting better families are starting to make plans for the summer and the following school year.  Reports state that the slowest selling months are usually during January and February.  Most important is to discuss with your Realtor, the current ... 12/07/2008

We still are having a low percent of new listings being SOLD.  Currently 6.61% on a year over year comparision.  We need positive % in lists sold, with positive price action to confirm market bottom. Please see data below.                                                                                                      PRICE ACTION   We need positive price action to confirm the market bottom. Other good signs inaddition to price action, are positive action on % of new listings sold. Lower DOM (days of the market) and lower new listings.       For more details or just to chat about market conditions please feel free to contact me. Thank you   11/30/2008

   Selling Yourself.   Is it possible?   Sure it is.  All you need is the right resources.   Knowledge is power and the internet is also a great resource.   www.MarkWatterson.com is specifically designed as a Property Resource.   Get a Market Evaluation and then get your sign up.       You will want to consider other marketing.  Don't forget the internet (World Wide Web) it is the most powerful marketing tool in the tool box.           Now it time for staging and showing.                  Make sure you're showing to qualified buyers.  Most of the time that means they need to be approved for financing, unless of course they are the rare cash buyer.      People not qualified to buy, can waste your time and take your home off market and you may miss the qualified buyer.        Wrap up the ... 11/29/2008

Home Inspection a Must By: Robert A. Hulme - Realtor - Loan Officer -Utah County, Including Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine and Cedar Hills, Eagle Mountain, Payson, Saratoga Springs, Spanish Fork, Springville, Mortgage Xpress, Agent Well, you just made an offer on a beautiful new home.  You are excited about the possibilities that this new home is going to bring to you and your family.  Don't let this dream turn into a nightmare because you decided not to spend a little extra money on a Home Inspection. A study conducted by the American Society of Home Inspectors and the NAR in 2001 found that 77% of all homebuyers insisted on a Home Inspection prior to purchasing their property, and 97% of that group believes the service was a good value for the price... 11/20/2008

During these times when home sales are down nationwide, home sellers need all the help they can get to unload the property they have on the market.  Aside from selecting the most suitable real estate agent who meets all of the seller's expectations, there are also several ways to encourage the sale of a property quicker. Curb appeal (First Impression) Always remember how important it is to make a good first impression.  The home buyer's interest must be piqued when they first lay their eyes on the home.  This includes trimming hedges, mowing the lawn, painting the fence.  The exterior of the home should also be looked at, maybe a fresh coat of paint and having the windows sparkle, should be done before you even put up the For Sale sign. Interior Repairs Another good tip to get to buyer... 11/18/2008

After half a year of 2008 real estate sales, the Lehi market is officially slow. Home sales were down, and there are currently lots of homes on the market that are just a little too expensive. Approximately 350 listings were sold in Lehi in the first half of the year. These homes sold for a median list price of $250,000 and an average price of $282,868. Right now there are 682 active listings for sale in Lehi. These homes for sale have a median price at $303,500 and the average dollar value is nearly $370,000. The price of these listings is a little more than what people are buying, and because there are so many of them, the ones that will sell this year are homes that are going to be priced below the competition. 07/16/2008

this house is totally finished 4022 square feet of beautiful home with a magnificent yard - best in the area!! owners have already moved out so your client can move right in address 367 W 2660 N MLS 716532 6 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a 3/4 bath and a half bath form the basis for this amazing home there are so many features, my flyer has to be printed on two pages so i will not try to get it all in here except to say, at $459 000 this is a bargain!! 09/17/2007

Julie Neerings | Keller Williams Salt Lake City | 801-859-9381 1262 Bridalwood Loop, Lehi, UT Darling Lehi Townhouse 3 Bdrm Townhouse offered at $195,500 Year Built 2004 Sq Footage 1,467 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 1742.04 acres HOA/Maint $55 per month DESCRIPTION Beautiful home nestled in a quiet Lehi community.Shows very well with hardwood floors, new paint, jetted tub,open living, storage space, close to clubhouse and playground.Nice yard in which fence can be installed.Small pets OK. Major appliances included. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Living room Dining room Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Washer Dryer Laundry are... 09/14/2007

Lehi is city located in Utah county, which is in the state of Utah.  Lehi was named after a religious figure from Latter Day Saint scripture.   As of the 2000 census, the city population was 19,028. as of 2005 that number has jumped to over 32,000 (estimated). Lehi is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. For more details on Demographics of Lehi City.A group of Mormon pioneers settled the area now known as Lehi in the fall of 1850, at a place called Dry Creek, in the northernmost part of the valley near Utah Lake.  It was renamed Evansville in 1851, after David Evans, a local bishop of the LDS church. (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) The land was organized into parcels of forty acres, and new settlers received a plat of this size until the entire tract was exhaust... 01/25/2007