Realtors and homeowners should take steps to protect themselves from potentially violent buyers.  Putting yourself in a situation where you are alone with a stranger is not a good idea.  There are creeps out there who will take advantage of just such a situation.  Make sure your office knows where you are, take a friend with you, pre-qualify all clients, dress professionally, learn how to defend yourself, and carry mace or a pistol if necessary.  Don't become a victim!

Capital gains tax is something no one wants to pay.  The good news is that there are some exceptions to the rule.  Before you fork over the money, check with your tax advisor or the IRS to see if you qualify to keep your money.

I recently heard of a way to make an impossibly stained sink look great again.  Lay some paper towels in the sink and spray them with bleach.  Let the towels sit for several minutes and the stains are gone!  I tried it on my porcelain kitchen sink and it worked great.  You will have to repeat the process a few times to get the whole sink but it made my sink sparkle like new when I thought there was no hope for it.  

I just read an article in the Deseret Morning News that anybody involved in Utah real estate would be interested in.  The article reported on the results of the U.S. Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight report on residential appreciation.  According to the article, Utah registered the highest rate of appreciation in the nation during the first three months of this year as compared to the same period in 2006.  At 17%, Utah is well ahead of second place Idaho that came in at 12.27%.  Montana, Wyoming, and Washington states came in just below Idaho.  The national average was 4.25%.Real Estate is Great in Utah!  

I have found that many buyers and agents feel that ordering a home inspection is unnecessary with new construction.  Nothing could be farther from the truth!  Sure the home has passed the building inspection and everything is new but don't let that lull you into a false sense of security!  I recently wrote an offer on a new home with some clients and they (wisely) chose to have the home inspected.  The inspector came up with a whole page of items that needed to be repaired.  The repairs including such things as a cabinet drawer that wouldn't close all the way because it was hitting the sink drain and a counter-top that was not fastened to the cabinet.  It is much better to discover such problems prior to closing than waiting until after you move in.  It is much harder to get a builder back for repairs after he already has your money than before.