Despite the slow real estate market rebound and slight decrease in the resale value of many remodeling projects, St. George homeowners are finding remodeling projects that are giving them the most bang for their buck.  They are discovering that some of the smartest home improvement projects are also some of the least expensive.The 2009 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report showed that small-scale exterior projects were the most profitable when it came time to resale.  According to the report, eight out of ten projects were recouped when exterior projects costing less than $14,000 were performed. Remodeling projects such as door replacement, siding replacement and wood deck additions all gave more than 80% of project costs upon resale.  Just replacing an entry door with a steel door recouped ... 01/20/2010

The Washington County Economic Summit, in it's 13th year has been  hailed as the premier business planning event of its kind in southern Utah. Attended by people from all over the state wanting to be 'in the know' regarding future projects that may impact them, their business and the state. WHEN: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM Afternoon Bonus sessions are held from 2-4 PM at no cost to the attendees.WHERE: Dixie Center1835 Convention Center DriveSt. George, UT 84790(off I-15 Exit 6 "Bluff Street")    Breakfast Keynote Speaker: U.S. Senator Bob Bennett           Lunch Session Keynote Speaker: Utah Governor Gary Herbert       Get the latest news firsthand that may impact you and plan to attend! SEE YOU THERE!   01/12/2010

01/03/2010

Did you plan to spend New Year's Day with your family or did you picture a day of post-holiday shopping? ...Or did you receive a phone from a potential buyer who is interested in a couple of your listings, wanting you to show them today? ...And they are not represented by an agent? ...And they are very interested? Well...As soon as I finish posting this, I'm putting the power of positive thinking to work and I'm off and running to write my first contract of the year! It's time to put my 2010 goals to work, NOW!   01/01/2010

Join us in celebrating the New Year at a new location as Windermere Real Estate Southland moves into a new home in the Bluff Street Executive Suites, 1031 South Bluff Street, Suite 111, St. George, Utah 84770! The advantages we will have over our previous office space are the following: A better location right on Bluff Street, no more turn this way or that way or I'll meet you at McDonald's if you get lost! A full-time receptionist to answer and field calls to better serve you A beautiful office space that suits our needs with room to grow Surveillance cameras 24 / 7 And did I mention...LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION?! Stop by and say hello, I'd love to see you! I'm excited to start the New Year off in a new place! Bluff Street Executive Suites, 1031 South Bluff Street, Suite 111, St. Geo... 12/31/2009

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO COME AND PARTICIPATE AS ST. GEORGE, UTAH RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR! Get your buttons at the following locations: Sand Hollow Aquatic Center St. George Recreation Center St. George Art Museum Boulevard Home Furnishings  Lin's Market locations Cost is $5 12 to Adult / $4 for children 2 to 11 The celebration starts at: 7:00p.m. on December 31st, with fireworks for the little ones at 9:45 p,m, and then a Spectacular Fireworks Display at Midnight! Location: Town Square in Downtown St. George - Main Street between Tabernacle and 100 South Everyone is invited! Live, local bands playing throughout the evening, Sheri Sorensen Peterson will be singing in the Tabernacle from 9 - 9:45 p.m., Greg Baker on piano. There will be games galore and plenty of entertainment for the young... 12/30/2009

Next month the $3.2 billion US DOE Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program comes into effect. The Formula Grants up to $2.744 billion are for cities with a population of 35,000 or more and counties with a population of 250,000 or more. To find out how much money is involved for Saint George, Utah go to this website document:  http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/grantalloc.html  For a complete article on the US DOE EECBG Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program including Retro-Fitting and Energy Audits, go to this website: http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/downloads/WIP_EECBG_Fact_Sheet_FINAL_Print.pdf  Alamo Infrared is the leading provider for the government required energy audits for state and local public and governmental buildings. 12/26/2009

If there's one thing that most people know about Utah, it's that everyone here considers family an important part of life.  And there's no better way to share your love with your family than a traditional Christmas Eve service in St. George, Utah. I've compiled a list below of where you and your family can enjoy one of these traditional services in St. George on Christmas Eve. 12/24/2009 - The Dixie Center (1835 S. Convention Center Dr.) at 6:00pm. Come enjoy a Christmas story from the Bible with songs of Christmas that we all know and love.  This is a free event.  For more information, call 674-4955. 12/24/2009 - Unity Church of Positive Living (1071 E. 100 S.) at 7:00pm. Come for a Christmas Eve candlelight service.  12/24/2009 - New Promise Lutheran Church (244 S. Valley View Dr.) at... 12/23/2009

St George real estate has the perception from local people to have undergone an extreme fluctuation from real high price appreciation to depreciating in about the same amount, back down close to what it once was.  In fact, the only reason why there was such a drastic price appreciation in 2004 through into 2005 is because in comparison with major cities in the southern mid-west to southwestern region of California, we did not experience the slight appreciation for some time that the rest had felt.  Not only did people from these areas recognize this, but being located still in the high, but desert regions of the south with the milder weather, not to mention our scenic byways into features like Zion National park, we became "appreciated" real quick like.  Local residents thought we appre... 12/19/2009

As long as I have lived in southern Utah, one of my favorite Christmas scene's is on Main Street in St. George at the Doc's Book Loft, a book store that is also serves as a personal residence. Every year, with care, the Christmas Nativity scene is put up with care and greets everyone who passes by. This is one of the highlights of the Holiday Season for me. Some of the reasons I love living in a small community are the little things that local residents or businesses do to enhance special occasions. From the block of houses who compete against each other to see who will be the  Mayor's Choice for their extreme light shows, to the familiar holiday decorations that magically appear year after year. I love southern Utah!     12/13/2009

As the year comes to an end, many of us look forward to a new year with new hopes.  Some of us will even be looking to retire and will be looking for that perfect retirement community.  Therefore, I'd like to introduce you to Sun River St. George. If you're looking for a premier master-planned active adult community, you can find everything you need in southern Utah's Sun River St. George.  It's the first of its kind in the area.  It's a unique community that shares many of the amenities that are provided by similar communities, but without the over-crowded neighborhoods and stressful settings.  Sun River St. George has been built in an unspoiled, natural location that provides a quiet, splendidly planned community for retired adults 55 and over. With many outdoor activities being such ... 12/11/2009

  When we moved to southern Utah in September of 1996, I was single with 2 boys, one and three years of age. My one year old, Spensyr had emergency lung surgery in August, just after his 1st birthday due to a life threatening virus that settled in his lungs. This was the first time as a parent that I felt utterly helpless because there was nothing I could do for my little boy except be there to comfort him! I accepted a job in late October after being out-of-work for several months to take care of him. Christmas was fast approaching and my mother unbeknown to me had contacted Coins for Kids so that my children would have toys under the tree. I was so grateful to this organization who stepped in and delivered bags of toys and clothes for my two boys. I was so overwhelmed by the spirit o... 12/08/2009

As we started home from the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, the roads were dry and less congested as they were on the trip to Salt Lake City the previous Wednesday. A couple of hours into the drive, (it's a 300 mile trip) my husband says, "It's snowing." Automatically I started gearing up for what lies ahead and sure enough, we are soon... going 40 m.p.h. down the highway following a looooong line of cars and trucks visibility is poor to none I-am-whiteknuckling-it despite my husband saying "It's okay, I got it." I started thinking...There's No Place Like Home! There's No Place Like Home! It took us 6 hours to get home! Whew! I admit since we moved to Southern Utah in 1996, I have become spoiled with year 'round mild weather, clean air, low crime, no traffic jams AND-NO-SNOW! I am lucky t... 11/30/2009

Children from St. George’s Red Mountain Elementary school got a big surprise from the Intermountain Healthcare Life Flight Tuesday, when one of the helicopters on loan from Salt Lake City dropped in for a special visit to congratulate them on the school’s Jubilee of Trees fundraising project.  The children got explore the helicopter and have their pictures taken around it and with the medical personnel.  Because of the school's Jubilee of Trees fundraising event, Southern Utah should have their very own helicopter by the end of next year.  The helicopter is needed to transport patients to Dixie Regional Medical Center from outlying communities and remote locations quickly. The Red Mountain Elementary trees fundraiser was voted, by far, the favorite project at the Jubilee.  Their theme w... 11/25/2009

Surround yourself with Christmas wishes as you enter the beautifully decorated Jubilee of Trees celebration, complete with glowing lights and festive décor at every turn! Where: The Dixie Center located at 1835 S Convention Center Drive, St. George, Utah When: Open Daily 10:00 am to 8:00 pm except Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Adults $3.00 / Children Age 3-12 $1.00 / Children 2 & Under Free Saturday Evening Admission - 6:00 pm - $5.00 per personMonday Family Fun Night - 6:00 pm (Free Admission) To purchase tickets or make a donation: http://www.jubileeoftrees.org/purchase-tickets-and-donations  A little history... Since 1981, the Jubilee of Trees has raised more than $2 million dollars for neonatal healthcare for babies as well as mothers-to-be and also to fund the Life Flight helicopter ... 11/19/2009

On our way into St. George the other morning, my mind already on the full day in front of me, I barely noticed the sun trying to break through the dark, ominous clouds. My son Spensyr suddenly said, "Mom, do you see that rainbow?" I looked to the right side near the red cliffs and was amazed to see a FULL RAINBOW! And a double rainbow is starting just above the left side if you look closely. I-have-been-known-to-chase-rainbows! I quickly pulled the car over, got out and proceeded to take a series of pictures that I hoped to piece together later to show everyone! I hope I represented this unexpected beauty to its fullest potential! Thank you Spensyr for opening my eyes to the wonders and beauty of Mother Nature at work and for getting me out of ‘work ahead mode' and instead, putting me ... 11/16/2009

I love waking up to still see flowers blooming around my house. I thought I'd be fun to put smiles on the flowers faces because that is how I feel when I see them. Every year, I take the seeds from these flowers and put then in a bag and when Spring comes, I throw them in our flower garden and come Summer, I am rewarded! Happy Thursday everyone! 11/12/2009

St. George Magazine and Classy Closets Etc. are helping homeowners take control of their closet clutter with awesome makeovers.  To get your closet made over, just send a photo of your cluttered closet along with your contact information to features@thespecturm.com or send the picture to: The Spectrum, 275 E. St. George Blvd. before November 17th. Classy Closets Etc. will be making over closets before Thanksgiving.  For more information, contact Lisa at 674-6214. For homeowners who are not into contests and just want to get your closet organized, you can always give your closet a makeover yourself with this helpful advice.  Closet organizing can be a big chore, especially if it has been some time since you have tried to give it a good cleaning.  You can start by getting rid of items you... 11/11/2009

Have you given any thought to joining efforts with another person or several people to form a team? There are many things that should be considered before making the commitment: Trust: This has to be established before making any decision to go forward as partners. You must trust! Likeminded goals: Be sure your goals are closed matched. Otherwise the partnership will be unbalanced. Work ethic: Your partner should share the same work standard that you possess and is willing to push to gain measureable results. Being a teamplayer: Make sure the people you invite into your team are willing to work with others in order to achieve a positive outcome. Me, me, me will not work! Temperament: As a team, your partner's ability to resolve problems with patience, avoiding outbursts of anger is nece... 11/10/2009

For those of you who haven't met Diana...this is the newest member of my brother's family! She is a Westie and is absolutely adorable and wants to PLAY--ALL--THE--TIME! He takes her to the dog park, where she is free to run and play and meet new friends every day! She loves the attention she gets by people passing along the street to and from the park. I look forward to meeting her and saying...LET'S PLAY! Happy Sunday to you all! 11/08/2009