Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Top 10 Most Expensive Mistakes You’re Making on Your Home

Your home costs a lot of money to maintain. But are you spending extra money unnecessarily on upkeep? Here are 10 of the most expensive mistakes you could be making in your home.

This article was written and published by RISMedia's Housecall

1. Using Traditional Light bulbs

If you still have incandescent light bulbs in your home, you could be throwing a lot of money away every month on inflated electric bills. Over its life span, an incandescent bulb can use $180 worth of electricity. A CFL will only use $41 worth of electricity over the same time period. Even better is the LED bulb, which only uses $30 per bulb. Think what replacing every light bulb in your home could do to your home's bottom line.

2. Ignoring a Leaky Faucet

A leaky faucet that drips one drop per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year, which is enough water to take more than 180 showers. Some of us live in areas where water is plentiful, but for those of us in areas plagued with drought, this could be costing you a fortune. Fix or replace your leaky faucet and save a ton on your water bill.

3. Using the Wrong Air Filter Size

We all sometimes forget to change out the air filters for our HVAC systems or accidentally buy the wrong size. But using the wrong filter or a dirty filter can increase your power bill and cause expensive problems for your furnace down the road. Use the correct filters for your system, and set a reminder to change them after the recommended amount of time. You won't regret it.

4. Not Customizing Temperature

Invest in a customizable thermostat. If you're away at the office all day, you can program your heater to shift down a few degrees while you're gone and then shift back up shortly before you return home. Heating or cooling an empty home wastes a lot of money in energy costs.

5. Not Adjusting Air Vents Properly

Is one room in your home hot, while the others are cold? Oftentimes homeowners will crank up the air conditioning in the whole house to combat hot temperatures in one area. Instead, adjust air vents to direct the flow of air more evenly throughout your entire home. Professionals will come regulate this to ensure that your entire home is receiving the same amount of air conditioning or heating.

6.Over Watering Lawn

Many homeowners have their sprinkler systems programmed to come on in the early morning hours for optimum lawn health. This can become a problem, however, if you're never around to see what you're actually watering. A broken sprinkler head could be causing a fountain, or the trajectory of your sprinkler may be directed at a fence instead of your lawn. Periodically run your sprinklers during the day so you can see how they are performing when you're not around.

7. Water Heater Temperature Set Too High

Unless you have a tankless water heater, your water heater is keeping the water in its tank hot 24/7. If you don't keep an eye on the temperature as each season changes, you may be paying too much to heat your water. Decrease the temperature in the summer, and bump it back up when winter comes.

8. Leaky Windows and Doors

Leaky windows and doors in your home are great places for cold, winter winds to enter your home. Many homeowners simply ignore them and crank up their heaters. Caulk leaky windows and put rubber seal around doors to keep winter winds out and warmth in.

9. Paying a Handyman

Don't pay a handyman for a job that is simple enough to do yourself. If you're unsure of how to do something, look up video tutorials online. Doing simple tasks yourself can save you a lot of money.

10. Ignoring Curled Shingles

It may be easy to ignore problems on your roof, but it will only lead to bigger problems later. If you see any possible issues with your roof, repair them as soon as possible, as this will save you significant costs later.
Read More

SEARCH ALL UTAH Homes

lindasecrist.com

Linda Secrist’s Salt Lake City Real Estate Home Page • Salt Lake City Real Estate • Draper Utah Real Estate • Holladay Utah Real Estate • Sandy Utah Real Estate • South Jordan Utah Real Estate • Salt Lake City’s Top Real Estate Agent

Linda Secrist & Associates are the top selling team in luxury homes in the SLC Market. They have received countless awards over the past 20 years, including “Sales Team of The Year” for over 10 years! Linda Secrist is in the top 100 Agents in the World in luxury residential real estate. If you’re searching for homes in Sandy, Salt Lake, Cottonwood Heights, Millcreek, Draper, South Jordan, Bountiful, Centerville, Farmington or anywhere in northern Utah, Linda Secrist & Associates are the real estate agents to call. If you’re buying or selling a home, don’t hesitate to text or call us at 801-455-9999!

#mcm #wcw #utahhomesforsale #openhouse #homebuying #utahluxuryhomes #buyahome #homebuyer #utahrealestate #utahrealtor #no1realestateagent #homesforsaleinutah #bestrealtor #skiutah #utahlistings #mlslistings #skiutah #funthingstodoinutah #relocatetoutah #thegreatestsnowonearth #utahskiresorts #worldclassskiresorts #utaheconomy #utahinvestments #stagingyourhome #villasatdimpledell #searchutahhomes #luxuryhomesforsaleinutah #mainfloormaster #homesforsaleinsandyUT #homesforsaleinpepperwood #searchutahhomes #slcvacations #slcdestinations #utahhousingmarket #slchousingmarket #hometrends #luxuryhomes #modernhomes #openfloorplans #relocate #relocation

Thursday, February 22, 2018

JUST LISTED! Majestic Maple Hills Estate

2960 S Maple Cove Ln #2200

Bountiful, UT 84010

11,342 Sq Ft

2.74 Acres

Offered At: $2,380,000

Just Listed! Hidden in the breathtaking and majestic Maple Hills of Bountiful, 20 minutes to downtown SLC or the SLC International airport is this masterfully crafted one-of-a kind custom built estate, in the prestigious Maple Cove development. Panoramic views of lakes, mountains, and city lights from nearly every window! Quality built and personal residence of a well respected Commercial Builder. Professionally designed and decorated throughout. Accessed by a private lane surrounded by pine trees and scrub oak, this home is nestled on a flat portion on over 2.5 serene and private acres. With over 5 patios, 2 decks (1 heated), it is an entertainer’s paradise. Two enormous great rooms with fireplaces, pool table and fusball areas, a stunning home theater, kids gaming area and home gym overlook the indoor basketball court. The open concept gourmet kitchen is a chef’s delight with top of the line appliances, Subzero refrigerator, warming drawers, ice makers, double ovens, pot fillers, etc..etc.. Skylights throughout this home only enhance the oversized picturesque windows and sliding doors throughout. A women’s office in the center of the home as well as an upstairs sewing/craft room could double as nanny quarters or a mother-in-law apartment. Main floor master suite with huge walk-in closet, Over 1900 sq ft garage and workspace with walk-up storage on a 2nd level in the garage for all of your adventures. Truly a masterpiece!

SEARCH ALL UTAH Homes

lindasecrist.com

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Top 5 Single-Family Home Trends to Watch Out for in 2018

Trends are an excellent way to predict things like homebuyer behavior over the coming months or years. Unlike a fad, which ends quickly, a trend is something that may continue on for 10 or more years.
Each year, Fixr conducts a survey of influencers within the building and design industry—those professionals who are helping to shape the trends that impact homeowners and homebuyers alike. This year’s survey results have shown some surprising (and not so surprising) trends that real estate professionals can use to help sell homes more quickly and influence homebuyer behavior.
We found this article on RISMedia HouseCall Site and believe it is of interest to our readers:
Pay close attention to these five trends to help make the most of all your real estate transactions in 2018:

Trend #1- Smart Home Technology

The No. 1 trend influencers say homebuyers are going to be looking for in 2018 is smart home technology. Smart homes have taken off in the last few years with the introduction of systems like Apple Home and Amazon’s Alexa. Adding smart home features to a home makes it much more attractive to younger homebuyers who currently make up the largest population of buyers.
Adding smart home technology to a home costs around $5,000 to $9,000 on average, but can increase the value of a home by about 5 percent. Keep in mind that this is only true if the upgrades were made in the last five years; after that, the technology becomes outdated. The most sought-after items include smart lights and thermostats—which can reduce energy consumption—and security features like locks and cameras.

Trend #2- Open Floor Plans

The second most popular trend is a continuation from years past: the open floor plan. Particularly on single-story homes, open floor plans continue to be one of the most requested options among homebuyers, possibly because of the flexibility this type of floor plan offers. An open floor plan allows you to configure the space in ways that work for you, rather than working around what’s already there.
As long as you aren’t removing load-bearing walls in the structure, opening up rooms and removing walls can bring up to 60 percent ROI at time of resale, while also making the home much more attractive to today’s buyers.

SEARCH ALL UTAH Homes

lindasecrist.com

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Experience The Winter Games at Utah Olympic Park

6 ways to experience the Winter Games at Utah Olympic Park

'We hope everyone is enjoying the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, as we are. Although Utah is a world away we all still remember our 2002 experience and relate with all the excitement and emotions going on there. We found this great article on Yahoo Sports written by Chaffin Mitchell, from AccuWeather, we thought you might love if you're here in Utah, visiting, or considering moving here'.

If you can't make the trip to the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, experience the excitement of Olympic events closer to home at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah.

A popular winter destination, Salt Lake City became internationally known when it hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. Located 28 miles east of the city near Park City, the Utah Olympic Park hosted five events during the Olympics.

'The Park is so special because it's a rarity in the entire world. The venue has been around since before the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and we still operate our sliding track and ski jumps at a world-class level and host international events all the while offering unique activities that the general public can enjoy,' said Kole Nordmann, marketing manager for Utah Olympic Park.

The hills at the Utah Olympic Park recently determined some of the Americans who get to vie for medals in the upcoming games in PyeongChang.

'We aren't just a training facility for elite athletes. We offer myriad activities and experiences that the entire family can enjoy,' Nordmann said.

Today, visitors can tour the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center, which includes a ski museum, and you can watch professional skiers practice on the Nordic and aerial jumps. When the skiers are not practicing, the jumps are open to the public.

While some of these attractions are available by purchasing a day pass, the entire park is open to the public to roam and wander the grounds, reliving the Olympic experience. Some visitors might even see an Olympian.

'Some [Olympians] work for our foundation or work as coaches for bobsled, skeleton, luge, ski jumping, aerials and moguls. You really never know who you'll run into on any given day as they are around all the time,' Nordmann said.

Here is a list of ways to experience the Winter Games at Utah Olympic Park:

Experience a bobsled ride

If you're into thrills, try the Utah Olympic Park bobsled ride. It is an exhilarating ride on the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Sliding Track, where Olympians once competed.

It is one of the longest slides in the world, with over 3,000 feet of gliding and sliding.

READ MUCH MORE:

SEARCH ALL UTAH Homes

lindasecrist.com

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

2 Luxury Open Houses- February 10, 2018 12-4 PM

'Love At First Sight'

2 Luxury Open Houses- February 10, 2018

'Be our guests on Saturday, February 10 from 12-4 PM at our 2 Luxury Open Houses'.

'Parkway Palisades Perfection'

Open Saturday, February 10, 2018

12-4 PM

11233 Aubrey Meadows Cir

South Jordan, UT 84095

Offered At: $1,049,900 (Recently Reduced)

Open 02-10-18 *Incredible NEW Price!*VERY motivated Sellers!*Endless details were thoughtfully included in this 7 Bedroom, 5 Bathroom Luxury Custom Family Home. As a past “Parade of Homes Show Winner”; it is a true decorator’s showplace. The gorgeous interiors are highlighted by 2 beautiful fireplaces, a huge family great room, custom woodworking and built-ins throughout, a gourmet main floor kitchen with high-end appliances, vaulted ceilings, grand staircase, main floor master with a large spa-like bath and walk-in closet, and a lower level sports bar, theater & 2nd kitchen. All this complete with a fabulous office/den and exercise room, plenty of storage, an over-sized 4 car garage, spacious outdoor living patio and lush mature landscaping. An active lifestyle is available for runners, bikers and sports enthusiasts since this home is in close proximity to the Jordan River Trail and Park, as well as “LifeTime Fitness”. All this and convenient access to the Freeway! This home is absolute “PERFECTION” for a large active family who loves entertainment and entertaining!

'Incredible Value in Draper'

Open Saturday, February 10, 2018

12-4 PM

13962 S Wild Hay Circle

Draper, Utah

Offered At $ 409,900 (recently reduced)

Open 02-10-18 NEW PRICE! Incredible 2-story located in a quiet cul-de-sac with amazing valley and mountain views! Soaring vaulted ceilings, new gorgeous hardwood flooring and carpet, updated kitchen with gas range, master suite with walk-in closets and a new euro shower. New appliances, water heater, A/C, 5 micron furnace filter system, April Aire humidifier and hot water re-circulation system. All new lighting fixtures, new bathroom fixtures and new ceiling fans throughout. Convenient location near the Draper Temple, Amphitheater, Draper pool and the Corner Canyon Trail System. This home is a must see!

SEARCH ALL UTAH Homes

lindasecrist.com

Linda Secrist & Associates

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Utah One of 10 States With Strong Housing Markets

The 10 States Predicted to Have Strong Housing Markets in 2018

According to a recent blog post from Credit.com, the following information lists Utah as #5 in strong housing markets for 2018. It seems everything being predicted from many sources over the past month confirms what we are presently experiencing in the Utah real estate market.

The housing market in the U.S. has experienced a major uptick over the past two years. In 2016, existing home sales were the strongest they’ve been since 2006. More than a decade after the worst housing crisis in U.S. history, it seems we’re finally in a sustainable recovery period.
As we enter 2018, the housing market shows no signs of slowing, and is slated to remain among the world’s top performers, according to a forecast from Fitch Ratings. U.S. home prices are expected to rise 4.6 percent this year.
Here are 10 states that are predicted to be among the top performers in 2018:

Nevada

Housing forecasts for Nevada suggest that the market will continue to be strong, and that home prices will continue to rise in 2018. The fact that the state is home to Las Vegas — where median home values are expected to rise approximately 5.8 percent over the next 12 months — accounts for much of the market strength. Home values in Sin City rose 8.6 percent during the most recent 12-month reporting period, according to S&P/Case-Shiller’s Home Price Index. The median home price is approximately $285,045.

Texas

Thanks to a booming economy, Dallas and many other areas in the Lone Star state have seen a boom in housing over the past several years. A steady flow of profitable companies continue to relocate, expand, or launch their businesses here, thanks to lower taxes and a lower cost of living. The median home price in North Texas is $339,950. In 2018, home sales are expected to grow by six percent in 2018.

Florida

Led by cities including Deltona and Lakeland, Florida will continue to see a strong housing market in 2018. With the appeal of oceanside living, warm weather, and the ability to live an active lifestyle, Florida’s most popular areas are expected to see a more than 5 percent boost. The median home price in Deltona, the state’s most-booming housing area is $275,050.

California

With the economy expected to continue growing statewide, housing demand is poised to remain strong into 2018. However, a shortage of available homes for sale and affordability constraints make it a more challenging market to get into for homebuyers. Those with top credit scores have a competitive advantage over the competition when it comes to securing a mortgage. One of the fastest-growing areas, Stockton, is predicted to grow its housing market by 4.6 percent, and the median home price there is $385,050. In the most desirable areas, would-be homebuyers have been largely squeezed out altogether. For example, the median price of a home in San Francisco has increased $100,000 in the past year.

Utah

Businesses continue to flock to many parts of this state, making for a booming housing market that’s set to continue into 2018. The Provo/Orem region was recently ranked as the best-performing city by the Miliken Institute, thanks to a robust high-tech sector and broad-based job and wage growth. In Salt Lake City, the median home price averages $360,000, and the market is predicted to grow 3.2 percent in 2018.

North Carolina

North Carolina’s strong housing market is being largely driven by the amount of people relocating there from other states. Home sales are predicted to grow 6 percent in 2018, and the median home price averages $325,000. Charlotte is among the fastest-growing because it has capitalized on the popularity of mixed-use developments that surging in popularity across the country.

Colorado

The home of the Mile High City has seen some of the steepest price increases in housing of any other state in the U.S. over the past two years. While the market will remain strong, it is poised to level out a bit in 2018 to around 3.1 percent. Colorado Springs tops the cities for growth and the median home price there is slated to rise 5.7 percent this year.

Tennessee

Namely in Nashville, the housing market will continue to flex its muscle in 2018. According to a Nashville Realtor, single-family homes in the city’s premier suburbs often fetch multiple offers above asking price “overnight.” Currently the median home price hovers around $358,500.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City boasts one of the strongest — yet affordable — housing markets as we move into 2018. That makes it an attractive option for those looking to secure a mortgage with a manageable payment. Home prices average $99,000 there, which a bit lower than the national average, and also lower than the statewide median home price of $116,800. Thanks to a lower cost of living, steady job economy, and low crime rate, the state will continue to stay at the top of the U.S. housing market this year.

Georgia

This “peach” will continue to be sweet in 2018. In a one-year period between July 2016 and July 2017, home values jumped 10 percent. Thanks lower median home prices of $218,350, and a smaller amount of home available for sale, we will continue to see a strong housing economy, particularly in and around Atlanta.

If you’re looking to purchase a home in 2018 and need to know where your credit stands, you can check your three credit reports for free once a year. To track your credit more regularly, Credit.com’s free Credit Report Card is an easy-to-understand breakdown of your credit report information that uses letter grades—plus you get two free credit scores updated each month.

SEARCH ALL UTAH Homes

lindasecrist.com

]

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Aubrey Meadows Open House- Saturday, February 3, 2018 12-4 PM

Parkway Palisades Perfection

OPEN HOUSE- SATURDAY, FEB. 3, 2017

OPEN 12-4 PM

11233 S Aubrey Meadows Cir

South Jordan, UT 84095

Offered At: 1,040,900

*Incredible NEW Price!*Endless details were thoughtfully included in this 7 Bedroom, 5 Bathroom Luxury Custom Family Home. As a past “Parade of Homes Show Winner”; it is a true decorator’s showplace. The gorgeous interiors are highlighted by 2 beautiful fireplaces, a huge family great room, custom woodworking and built-ins throughout, a gourmet main floor kitchen with high-end appliances, vaulted ceilings, grand staircase, main floor master with a large spa-like bath and walk-in closet, and a lower level sports bar, theater & 2nd kitchen. All this complete with a fabulous office/den and exercise room, plenty of storage, an over-sized 4 car garage, spacious outdoor living patio and lush mature landscaping. An active lifestyle is available for runners, bikers and sports enthusiasts since this home is in close proximity to the Jordan River Trail and Park, as well as “LifeTime Fitness”. All this and convenient access to the Freeway! This home is absolute “PERFECTION” for a large active family who loves entertainment and entertaining!

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Top 10 Most Expensive Mistakes You’re Making on Your Home

Your home costs a lot of money to maintain. But are you spending extra money unnecessarily on upkeep? Here are 10 of the most expensive mistakes you could be making in your home.

1. Using Traditional Light bulbs

2. Ignoring a Leaky Faucet

3. Using the Wrong Air Filter Size

4. Not Customizing Temperature

5. Not Adjusting Air Vents Properly

6.Over Watering Lawn

7. Water Heater Temperature Set Too High

8. Leaky Windows and Doors

9. Paying a Handyman

10. Ignoring Curled Shingles

Thursday, February 22, 2018

JUST LISTED! Majestic Maple Hills Estate

2960 S Maple Cove Ln #2200

Bountiful, UT 84010

11,342 Sq Ft

2.74 Acres

Offered At: $2,380,000

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Top 5 Single-Family Home Trends to Watch Out for in 2018

Trend #1- Smart Home Technology

Trend #2- Open Floor Plans

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

6 ways to experience the Winter Games at Utah Olympic Park

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

'Love At First Sight'

2 Luxury Open Houses- February 10, 2018

'Be our guests on Saturday, February 10 from 12-4 PM at our 2 Luxury Open Houses'.

'Parkway Palisades Perfection'

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

The 10 States Predicted to Have Strong Housing Markets in 2018

According to a recent blog post from Credit.com, the following information lists Utah as #5 in strong housing markets for 2018. It seems everything being predicted from many sources over the past month confirms what we are presently experiencing in the Utah real estate market.

Nevada

Texas

Florida

California

Utah

North Carolina

Colorado

Tennessee

Oklahoma

Georgia

Thursday, February 1, 2018