exclusive: Get an Agent on your side when buying
- 02/23/08 03:55 PM
If you are thinking about buying a home in the Salt Lake area, make sure you get an agent on YOUR side. Homebuyer Representation, Inc. is the only Real Estate Brokerage representing Buyers ONLY in Salt Lake City and the Surrounding Areas. We do not list any homes. We never represent Sellers. We work for BUYERS ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. We work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy... We're "Real Estate Agents who Represent the Home Buyer" TM If you have excellent credit and are thinking about buying a $250,000-$500,000 home in the Salt Lake area in the next 30-60 days, call us … (0 comments)
exclusive: Rents are Rising - But so are Rates!
- 02/23/08 03:53 PM
Apartment Rents in Salt Lake are on the rise, making a home purchase more attractive for those who will be staying in the area for a few years. Homes available for purchase are at extremely high levels and that makes it a Buyer's market. But, as the common phrase goes, Buyer Beware! Interest Rates are also fluctuating which plays a big part in determining whether or not you can buy a place for cheaper than rent. The best advice is still not to purchase a home if you will only be staying in the area for a year or two. Only during a … (4 comments)
exclusive: Re-Listing Homes - Can You Handle the Truth?
- 02/23/08 03:45 PM
The Practice of taking a home off the market and re-listing it to show 0 days on the market again is becoming more and more common. Debates are heating up on the subject from coast to coast. Listing Agents argue they are doing their client a service. They also argue that Buyers can't handle knowing the truth about how long a home has been listed because a home that has been on the market for a long time has an assumed problem or diminished value. The Public cries "foul" and says they are being deceived. Does the end justify the means? Would re-listing … (18 comments)
exclusive: "Old"Listings - What's Wrong With This Home?"
- 02/23/08 03:32 PM
Naturally, just like a Buyer, when I see homes on the market for 180, 240, 360 days or more, I also wonder "What is wrong with this home?" Often, with a little digging, we can find out if the home was under a contract that failed or if there is some other reasonable explanation for the lengthy time on the market. Other times, a market analysis confirms that the Seller is pricing their home outside of market value. What's wrong with that? Lots of Sellers price their homes above market value? True, lots of Sellers price their homes above market value, but most … (0 comments)
exclusive: To Buy Or Not To Buy? This is the Answer (Salt Lake City, Utah)
- 02/17/08 01:49 PM
Salt Lake Market in a Nutshell (February 15, 2008):Number of Homes Listed: UPNumber of Homes Sold: DOWNList Prices: DOWNSOLD Prices: UP To Buy or Not to Buy: BUY It's a Buyer's Market. What are you waiting for? If you are thinking about buying a home in the Salt Lake area, make sure you get an agent on YOUR side. Homebuyer Representation, Inc. is the only Real Estate Brokerage representing Buyers ONLY in Salt Lake City and the Surrounding Areas. We do not list any homes. We never represent Sellers. We work for BUYERS ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. We work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when … (3 comments)
exclusive: Salt Lake City, Utah Real Estate Market Update (Feb 2008)
- 02/17/08 01:47 PM
Salt Lake's Tribune released an article titled "Utah home sales plunge" on February 14th, 2008. It starts out by saying that Salt Lake is now caught "in the middle" of the national downturn. Is this true, or just an attention grabbing headline? If you read the entire article and not just the headline, you will find the truth buried in there somewhere. Let's analyze the statistics from the article itself: The report compared the home sales volume nationwide in the last quarter of 2007 with the same period in 2006. Remember: This has nothing to do with home prices, just the total number of homes that sold in … (0 comments)
exclusive: Some Things Aren't Learned In School - Like How To Buy A Home
- 02/13/08 09:02 AM
Some things just aren't taught in school. I have always believed that there are many things that, if taught in school, would make life easier and more successful for many of the next generation. "Utah lawmakers right now are considering a bill, sponsored by Sen. Patricia Jones, D-Holladay, that would set up an enhanced financial literacy program in the state's public schools. Kids would learn about basic budgeting, banking, investing, home buying and borrowing in ways that are integrated with their normal curriculum." (Jay Evensen, Deseret Morning News, February 10, 2008) One thing that should be taught young is this: Homebuyers have the … (3 comments)
exclusive: Does the "Right" way to buy a home change?
- 02/13/08 05:37 AM
Last year, CNN Money posted a Spring Home-Buying Guide. The link is: CNN Money - Spring Home-Buying Guide: 6 ways to do it right They say to get pre-approved first, shop at least 4 or 5 lenders, work with an agent who will represent you only, etc. etc. etc. The most important factor is making sure you have someone on YOUR side of the transaction, protecting YOUR interest and working to get YOU the best price and terms. If you have an Exclusive Buyer's Agent on your side, they should help ensure that you are doing the rest of the important things. Do it Right! Homebuyer Representation, … (2 comments)
exclusive: How Street View Helps Homebuyers in Salt Lake City!
- 02/13/08 05:08 AM
Salt Lake City is one of a handful of cities that has recently been added as a Google StreetView City! You are either really excited about this or really freaked out about it, but the bottom line is that this is good news for homebuyers. Listing agents tend to take pictures from angles that conveniently leave things out like huge power lines in front of the house, substations or water treatment facilities next door, or avoid showing you that the home is on one of the busiest roads in town. (Among countless other things) Now, from the convenience of your home or office, you can … (2 comments)
exclusive: Ummel Case - National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents Statement
- 02/09/08 04:46 PM
Being an Exclusive Buyer's Agent and a member of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (Disclosure: I'm also on the Board of Directors), I was excited to see the following article on FoxBusiness.com: Buyer Agent Organization Comments on Ummel Home Buying Case The Association's position is simply that part of a Buyer's Agent's due diligence is to prepare comparative market analyses on properties being considered for purchase. (Certainly before submitting an offer on a property.) As stated, all the details of the case are not readily available, but when a consumer hires a Buyer's Agent to help them with their home purchase, they believe … (6 comments)
exclusive: Salt Lake Named one of the Best Cities for Bargain House-Hunting
- 02/08/08 02:15 AM
In the evening edition of Forbes.com 2/7/2008 an article titled "Best Cities For Bargain House-Hunters" names Salt Lake City, Utah as one of the Best Places to buy real estate in today's market. (Salt Lake is ranked #1) What exactly do they say? "They'd be smart to look for markets where job growth is strong, foreclosures are relatively low and inventory is high. With these factors in place, buyers can still dictate terms of sale and negotiate prices, but aren't as exposed to the economic and lending risk problems that have sunk many markets around the country. "Good places to look? Salt Lake City and Raleigh, N.C., … (4 comments)
exclusive: Salt Lake's Smartest Homebuyers!
- 02/06/08 08:14 AM
What clients are saying about Homebuyer Representation, Inc. Utah's Exclusive Buyer Brokerage! "We wanted someone who would work with us and not be constrained or biased by their own listings or those from colleagues in their same office or group. Benjamin was extremely responsive and even did virtual walk-throughs with us via video on the web. With his help, we found the ideal home."Benjamin came up with a brilliant approach that gave us a real advantage in the negotiations. We closed at a price well below the original asking price. We are extremely pleased with the property. Thank you Benjamin!"-Vance Checketts Family, Provo, Utah "I … (0 comments)
exclusive: Working with Clients as an Exclusive Buyers Agent in Salt Lake
- 02/02/08 03:28 PM
Tell us a about your philosophy of customer service. First, if we get along, we will both have a good time. I do my best to educate my clients and let them stay in control over the decisions that are made. I do my very best to assure that my clients are truly getting the best possible deal. How do you relate to your clients? I have been a Buyer myself and have always tried to find the best home possible and then get it at the best possible terms. I look at each of my client's transactions in the same way. … (0 comments)
exclusive: Benjamin Clark - Background
- 02/02/08 03:23 PM
How long have you been an Exclusive Buyer Agent? What brought you to this unique niche? I have been a real estate agent since 1997. I worked mainly for buyers during my first few years, but I also took some listings. I quit listing homes in 2000. I didn't know what EBA was, but I was practicing it the best I could. (Meaning I had sworn to list no homes and to only represent Buyers.) I saw Buyer's getting the short end of the stick and wanted to work on their side of the table. I was looking for a Buyer-Brokerage … (0 comments)
exclusive: Why You Shouldn't Wait to Buy A Home in Salt Lake - Simple Analysis
- 12/12/07 07:31 PM
If you are considering a home purchase in the Salt Lake City, Utah area, you may be getting mixed signals as to whether you should buy a home now, or wait another year. A recent article Forbes Magazine stated, "In Salt Lake City, the median home sale price for the third quarter this year rose 14% over the same time in 2006, according to data released today by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That's the biggest increase of the country's 50 largest metros measured." (November 21, 2007) I would suggest that since September the appreciation rate has slowed to about … (4 comments)
exclusive: The Benefits of Being Late to the Housing Boom Party
- 12/12/07 07:20 PM
The market in Salt Lake is certainly slowing down, but for all our sakes, that is a good thing. Last year's appreciation rates of 20-25% were great for all homeowners and created a bit of a buying-frenzy that had many buyers involved in multiple-offer transactions and many Builders and Sellers seemed to be raising list prices on a weekly basis. Those days are gone, but those who own homes and those who are considering a home purchase should be welcoming the current slowdown in the market because it is this very slowdown that will protect your investment. Being late to the housing … (3 comments)
exclusive: NAR's Price Analysis for the Salt Lake City Metro Region - October 2007
- 11/02/07 09:20 AM
October 2007 NAR's Price Analysis for the Salt Lake City Metro Region states that "Home prices in the Greater Salt Lake City Metro Region are still booming." I wouldn't say "booming" - I would say still rising - at about 9% (based on 3rd Quarter Statistics). Copyright National Association of REALTORS®, Reprinted from REALTOR.org with permission. The report also comments on Utah's low unemployment rate and the fact that national mortgage interest rates are still historically low. Even so, it does mention the slowing in home sales and specifically attributes the slowdown to sellers who are overpricing their homes: "Sales activity has come down notably … (0 comments)
exclusive: The Truth About "Buyer's Guides"
- 10/20/07 06:25 PM
Are You Missing The "HOT" Listings?If you're relying on the "Buyer's Guides" that are distributed in grocery store racks to find your home, you will likely find that the only homes still available are the "leftovers." It can take up to 45 days for some "Buyers Guides" to be compliled, printed and distributed. In Utah's market today, that means you will miss out on the best homes. Nice homes, priced fairly (called "Hot Listings") usually sell quickly, often within a few days. Thus, by the time you see them, most of the good homes are already gone. These so-caled "Buyer's Guides" also don't really … (3 comments)
exclusive: Your Credit Might Not Be As Bad As You Think
- 05/14/07 05:00 AM
Many buyers in the Salt Lake City, Utah area have been unsure of their standing in the credit department. This has led them to agree to pay a higher interest rate, convinced that they should, when in reality, their credit may not have been low enough to merit the higher rate. Those who believe their credit score is excellent are often correct. Many who are unsure are often surprised to find out that their credit actually is still great or excellent. Some don't understand how scores are calculated or they may have had a late payment or two a while back. This usually isn't … (1 comments)
exclusive: How to Know About the Newest Homes on the Market Each Day
- 05/14/07 04:54 AM
Get Technology Working For YouWith our Preferred Buyer Search, Salt Lake City Area Buyers help us program our database to search the entire inventory of listed homes for sale. Our computers will easily find the homes that match YOUR specifications. This search accesses the Wasatch Front Regional Multiple Listing Service's mainframe database (The MLS). You'll know about new listings the day they are entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). We can program the database to flag new listings, price reduced listings or otherwise changed listings that match your criteria and email them to you that same day! (And daily thereafter!)No matter what style of home … (3 comments)
If you are thinking about buying a home in the Salt Lake area, make sure you get an agent on YOUR side.
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