Please follow us on our Facebook page UCREA. Click here to like our page!!!!

Click here to like our page!!!!

Strategies for Saving.

Every year brings with it new opportunities to make tax -savvy financial moves. Planning ahead now will make next April 15 a little more pleasant. These strategies are suggestions: You should consult with a tax advisor to choose the best plan of action for your personal situation. 

• Retire some income.
Open a Keogh Plan this year if you're self-employed, or maximize your contributions to your employer's 401(k) plan. Your contributions are tax-deferred, and will therefore help lower your gross taxable income.
• Inspect your investments.
Keep a close eye on your portfolio and consider unloading any poor performers. You can then use your losses to offset other capital gains, and possibly some other taxable income.
• Plan to contribute to a charity regularly this year.
Consider transferring stocks, bonds or other property that would be subject to the capital gains tax if you sold it. By transferring it, you can deduct the appreciated value read more...read more...

What are the basic steps to selling my home?

• Do your homework.

Visit our website to size-up the homes-for-sale competition, read home selling articles on our site, consider reading a book on home selling, attend some seller's Open Houses in the your area (ask us or see the local newspaper).
• Hire a specialist.

As neighborhood real estate agents that specialize in listing in your area, we know what it takes to sell in this market. We welcome your call!
• Set the price.

Ask your agent for an analysis of the local market and an opinion of the best price range for your home.
• Set a marketing strategy.

Have your agent discuss a marketing plan and include the main elements in the listing presentation.
• Get the house ready.

With your agent, take a hard, objective look at your home. Prioritize what needs to be done, and decide how much you can spend in time read more...read more...

For your furniture needs contact Robin Halverson at JC Penny - 801-852-3500 ext 267. She is great to work with and willing to help anyone!!!!

Congratulations to Brad Fullmer and Jason Stallings they each won a $50 gift card to Red Lobster!!!!!

What practical steps can I take to improve my chances of getting a loan?

When you're thinking about buying a home, take a good look at your financial situation from the perspective of a loan officer. For a lender, not all debts are equal. 

• 28/36 Ratio
  In the past, lenders often said borrowers could not spend more than 28% of their gross monthly income on housing expenses, and their total debt payments could not exceed 36% of their income for a typical 10% down payment loan.
  
• More Flexible Guidelines
  Today, many lenders are more flexible and allow a greater percentage of monthly income to go toward mortgage payments. But they are more stringent on credit card balances. Lenders often count 5% of the balance as a borrower's monthly payment, instead of the credit card's minimum payment.
• Pay Off Strategies
  If you are planning to pay off some debts before read more....

Congratulations Rod and Jennifer Richardson on the purchase of your new home!!!!!

Wonderful Cleaning Service!

If you every need to catch up on your cleaning or have a rental property or need help with new construction clean up... Falvia is your person. She is awesome! Her rates are reasonable and she does an excellent job. - JD

Congratulations Bernard Cope and Denny Bacon each won a $50 gift card to Bajio Mexican Grill. Thank you for entering the drawings every month!!!!!

In need of Blind or Window Service......

Call Walt Lee at Just for Windows at 801-319-1587.

http://just-for-windows.com/

Thank you Schyler and Allisa Daybell for the Recommendation!!!!

Thank You Ron Porter for Your Recommendation!!!!

How To Collect Enough Cash For Down Payment and Closing Costs.

How much cash you have going into a home purchase is critical to determine how much buying power you'll have in today's market. Do you have enough cash to swing your upcoming home purchase?

You're likely to need to have available a cash down payment of 3.5% to 20% (and possibly more) of the home's purchase price, depending on the loan you choose. Closing/settlement costs  read more...read more...

Price Reduction on this Beautiful Home in Provo! Now only $193,832!

Click here for more info

Thank you Tracy Thornwall for the recommendation!!!

Get the latest listings free by email.

Register for our FREE SERVICE to help home buyers find their dream home in our area. The moment new listings and new prices that match your criteria become available, we will automatically e-mail you. With our free updates you will read more.read more

What are some tips every home buyer should know to get started?

If you think it's about time you bought a home instead of renting, a little homework before you start looking will increase your odds of finding the best buy for you. Here's how:

• Dig up your down payment

Know where your down payment cash will come from. If it's coming from stocks, go ahead and sell them. If Aunt Jessie is loaning the money, get it in hand so you are ready to go.
• Nail down your financing

It's tough to home shop if you don't know what you can afford. Together with a reputable lender, we can help you determine how much home you can afford and which loan program willread more....

Dear Future Customer

Dear Future Customer

I sincerely appreciate you for considering me to be your Realtor and for anyone you may recommend me to.

My Goal

My Goal is to provide you with a level of service that makes it very comfortable for you to refer people you care about to me.

I am not Superman

When I get cut I bleed. Yes, I do make mistakes, but I committed to continuing growth and progress. I am a work in progress. When I do stub my toe I will not run and hide. I will face the challenges and concerns specific to your transaction.  I will admit when I am wrong and apologize.

Old School

I believe in the golden rule - treat others as you would like to be treated.  I strive for a "Baker's dozen" mentality. I want to provide services of great value. The customer read more.....

Thank You Greg and Caron for the recommendation!!

Congratulations. Adam Sellars and Nate Orme won a $50 gift certificate to Target in this months drawing!!

This house rocks.

Click here to find more outrageous houses. 

My credit rating isn’t so good. What do you advise?

One of the most common hurdles to getting a mortgage or refinancing your home can be a less-than-stellar credit rating. But it isn't always a stop sign on the road to homeownership. To overcome this problem, credit counselors advise you to come clean with potential lenders and offer a good explanation. 

Having two or three late payments on your credit report isn't going to stop most lenders. But if you've had a number of 30-day late payments, or you've been more than 60 days late on any payments, or you've defaulted on a loan within the past two years, you need to be ready to do some serious explaining. 

Tell the loan officer about any credit problems when you apply for the loan. By candidly volunteering the information and offering an explanation – perhaps a layoff, unexpected medical bills, divorce, or unanticipated emergency home repairs – the lender may still consider you a good risk. If this approach doesn't work, you might consider using a mortgage broker who specializes in helping poor credit risks Read more....

How to Use An Extra $50 (From the newsletter)

How to Use An Extra $50

A $50 bonus may not seem like much, but these days
every extra dollar can help you maintain your financial
stability. Here are three ideas for making the most of a
small bonus:
 Cut credit card debt. If you put $50 toward a $2,000
credit card balance, you’ll cut your payback time by
four months if you usually pay a minimum of $40
month. Using the $50 toward the debt can save you
$103 in interest (at 16 percent).
 Buy financial management software. Use the $50 to
help you manage your money better by putting it
toward some financial software like Quicken. It’ll help
you keep better control of your checking account and help you identify other areas
where you can save money.
 Look around the house and purchase or repair something that's been nagging at you. Bugged by a broken latch? Tired of your old shower curtain? Wish you had different pulls on your kitchen cabinets? Maybe that $50 can give you a whole new look.

Why Rent When You Can Buy?

Real Estate 101 

Real Estate 101

Why rent when you can buy?

Invest Your Rent In Your First Home
The only one who benefits from your rent check is your landlord. As a renter, you never see that money again. But as a homeowner you can profit when you sell. In addition, as a renter you can't use any of your rent payments as a tax deduction, like homeowners can. If you or someone you know is renting, it's time to put that rent check... continue reading....

Half in Illinois and Connecticut Want to Move Elsewhere

Half in Illinois and Connecticut Want to Move Elsewhere

Price reduced on this Provo home. Now only $199,832.

Click here to see this listing
3 bedroom 2 bath home on a tree lined street. Near the Provo River Parkway.

Congratulations! Rich Close won a gift certificate to Red Robin in this months drawing!!

Thank you for the wonderful score card!

More Score Cards...

Holwegs Rock!

Thank you for the new introduction!

Wealthy Americans pick real estate as best investment for 2014

StaffBirmingham Business Journal

Millionaires across the U.S. say commercial and residential real estate is the best alternative-asset investment option for 2014. Continue Reading ...

Thank you VaNese for the recommendation!

Utah's Unemployment Far Below National Average!

Latest reports show how Utah’s economy is faring

Reports » Zions Bank’s findings show index at four-year high.

By TOM WHARTON

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Jan 28 2014 01:38 pm • Last Updated Jan 28 2014 05:25 pm

Utah’s economy and unemployment remain stronger than most other states.

That was one conclusion to be drawn Tuesday after Zions Bank released its Consumer Attitude Index and Wasatch Front Consumer Price Index reports.

According to Randy Shumway, chief executive officer for The Cicero Group that compiles the numbers for Zions. The attitude index was relatively unchanged, increasing .1 points to 96.2 percent from December to January, which is the highest it has been since the report was established about four years ago. Continue Reading...

IN/OUT What's In, What's Out For 2014 Buyers & Sellers

What's In, What's Out For 2014 Buyers & Sellers

For the past few years the housing market hasn't been easy for home buyers or sellers. Waves of distressed sales, dropping prices, tightened mortgage standards...then rising prices, bidding wars, low inventory...oh, my...pot holes along the path to homeownership lurked around every corner.

Good news. The 2014 housing market is shaping up to be one of the best in years for both buyers and sellers. In this Special Issue we'll take a look at what's IN and OUT for housing in the year ahead to help you make smart real estate decisions. No question: The best way to beat the 2014 market is to get "ahead of the curve" and know how the coming changes impact your home buying power and your home selling options.

Don't stress. We'll be your guide. Our local expertise will help you navigate today's IN's and OUT's of buying or selling a home while avoiding the pitfalls even smart consumers make.

To learn what's on our real estate horizon -- and how to make the 2014 market work for you -- keep reading.

Get an immediate community report. Includes: Schools, Population, Shopping, Restaurants, Recreation, Churches and moooore.

Thank you Matt and Terri for the recommendation!

Thanks for your trust in me! I will do my best to help Brian and Barbara. - JD