Realtor.com Says Early Fall Is Now The Best Time To Buy a House — Here’s Why
Given that the real estate market has been totally flipped on its head over the last two and a half years, it’s unsurprising that buyers, sellers, and experts alike are having a tough time making any concrete predictions about what to expect in the near future. In an effort to make sense of things, the pros at Realtor.com have analyzed data to determine the best time of the year to buy a house, and it turns out that early fall is the way to go.
Best Time To Buy Report:
As part of their fourth annual Best Time to Buy Report, it seems that the start of this year’s fall season — more specifically, September 25 through October 1 — marks the ideal time for buyers to make their offers, thanks to a slew of stats that make it the prime time to shop.
“The best time to purchase a home is the last week of September, because that’s historically when the market is most hospitable to buyers,” as Realtor.com economic data analyst Hannah Jones shared in the newly-released report. “Typically, the early fall is when there are fewer buyers. There are also more homes on the market, and the housing market is generally calming down from the summer rush.”
Research
Researchers analyzed home list prices, the number of homes for sale, the number of new listings to go on the market, days on the market, Realtor.com property views, and price reductions in 2018, 2019, and 2021, skipping 2020 due to the COVID-induced upheaval of the market.
Prices are coming down as buyers and sellers alike are out of the summer rush to move around before the start of school, but this early fall period still has 8.4 percent more homes up for grabs than any other timeframe of the year, with an added bonus of properties typically priced an average of around $20,000 less than usual.
Though things still haven’t settled down to their pre-pandemic seasonal patterns, the researchers note that the active listing inventory has recovered “significantly” when compared year-over-year and even the year so far in 2022.
What Experts Predict:
Along with a buyer-friendly slowdown, the experts predict that the last week in September may see up to 46 percent more active listings than this year’s average so far, giving more options to those who are on the hunt.
No matter where you’re located in the country, it seems late September into early October is the ideal time to score your dream home, though there are some geographic advantages to take note of. While the first full week of October is a great time nationwide, the experts note that the week of Sept. 12–18 is best for those in the Boston, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, and Portland, Oregon, metropolitan areas. The following week, Sept. 19–25, gets the nod for those in Austin, Texas; Chicago; Memphis, Tennessee; San Antonio, Texas; and Washington, DC.
Check out the full report for all the details and to see when, exactly, you’ll be able to find the most inventory at the best prices and with the lowest competition.
Linda Secrist & Associates is 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 including 2019! Linda Secrist is #54 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!
5 Utah cities make the ‘Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.
UTAH (ABC4) – Recently, Livability, otherwise known as “the go-to resource for anyone looking to discover the best places to live, work, and visit,” released its annual data-driven list of the “Top 100 Best Places to Live in America.” Of the vast number of cities in the U.S., over 19,000 to be specific, five of Utah’s 54 earned a spot on the list, putting them in the top 1% of best places to live in the nation.
According to representatives, Livability’s Top 100 changes with every trip Earth takes around the sun. Prior to compiling the list each year, organizers say they gather information through a number of exclusive studies and surveys, tweak their algorithm as-needed and evaluate new variables and data points to be added to the ranking process. This year, Livability notes that more than 2,300 U.S. cities were examined based on nine different categories: amenities, economy, demographics, housing, social and civic capital, education, health care, transportation and infrastructure and remote readiness.
Of the Top 100 Best Places to live in America, Provo, Utah came in at No. 87, while Orem, Utah was placed at No. 60, Logan, Utah earned spot No. 41, Sandy, Utah came in at No. 33, and Salt Lake City took the cake at No. 8.
If you're looking for a place to settle down, raise a family and find peace, Provo is the place for you. Though it’s well-known as the state’s third largest city, Provo has a slight population of only 116,886, contributing to the area’s exceptional rates of public safety.
Nicknamed the “Happy Valley,” Livability found that the majority of Provo residents reported an above-average state of wellbeing. Of course, the “remarkably beautiful and peaceful surroundings” of Utah Valley make for a natural mood-booster.
Not ready to add another face to the family? Prioritize yourself by taking a class at Provo’s very own Brigham Young University, the college that’s on a mission to “assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life.”
Orem, Utah shares several similarities with its neighboring city, Provo, including a high performing economy, breathtaking geography, kid-friendly way of life and affordable cost of living.
Additionally, Orem’s position just 41 miles south of Salt Lake makes for a quick trip into the city.
A quaint but aesthetic looking city, Logan, Utah is made up of unique looking buildings. Founded in 1859, the city’s architect was Truman O. Angell. According to HistoryToGo, Angell made a name for himself as “an LDS Church architect who designed many early Utah structures including the Salt Lake Temple.”
Livability says that the city’s location in Cache Valley ensures that residents will never go bored. Enjoy the summertime by exploring Logan’s different hiking and biking trails, and prepare to gear up for skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling come winter.
Along with a long list of things to do, Logan presents a slew of job opportunities. According to Livability, the city is buzzing with a number of thriving industries, including health care and social services, manufacturing, retail, arts, sports, entertainment and recreation. Logan reportedly has one of the lowest unemployment rates in America.
Though a job won’t be hard to find in this northern Utah oasis, a house may be. Livability notes that the average home value hovers over just $275,000, a reasonable price for the city’s residents, nearly 50% of whom range from age 18 to 30.
Like its sister cities, Sandy, Utah is recognized for its strong economy, job market and infrastructure, though this location is just about as close to Salt Lake as you can get without leaving the suburbs.
Roughly a 20-minute drive to SLC, residents of Sandy experience the best of both worlds with the Wasatch Mountain Range “right in their backyard” and Little Cottonwood Canyon just a short drive away.
Looking for more to do? Go watch Sandy’s very own Major League Soccer team, Real Salt Lake, play at Rio Tinto Stadium, or catch a performance at the Sandy Amphitheater.
Livability says that all of these factors contribute to Sandy’s title as “one of the most sought-after cities near Salt Lake.”
Earning a spot on Livability’s “Top 10 Places to Live in America”, Salt Lake City is versatile, convenient and booming with growth.
SLC, nestled just beside the Wasatch Mountain range offers city dwellers a simultaneously urban and active way of life.
Start the day off in city bounds by visiting one of Salt Lake’s buzzing coffee shops. Explore the area’s history when visiting Salt Lake Temple, known around the world as the largest Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) Temple on Earth. Indulge in the arts by seeing a show at the “Broadway-style” Eccles Theater or by taking a trip to one of several museums.
Ready to unwind? SLC has quite the beer scene. Swing by one of the city’s breweries for a taste of what the locals are sipping. According to Yelp, some of the best breweries in Salt Lake include Epic Brewing, Fisher Brewing, T.F. Brewing and Squatters Pub.
On the weekend, escape into the mountains where you’ll find world-class ski resorts along with an abundance of hiking and biking trails, or embark on a journey nearby to one of Utah’s five national parks.
Additionally, Livability notes that SLC includes a “robust transportation system” and its very own international airport.
The city is also home to the University of Utah, home of the Utes! Planning on moving in? If so, expect to become familiar with that red logo–us Salt Lakers are die-hard fans!
To see Livability’s full list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America, click here.
Linda Secrist & Associates is 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 including 2019! Linda Secrist is #54 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!
Two Of The Best Biking Trails In The U. S. Are Right Here In Utah!
Good skiers make good mountain bikers. And, of course, vice-versa. So, it’s no wonder that America’s best ski towns morph into the best mountain biking towns each summer and early fall. Meandering through the mountains that were previously coated with snow are some of the best biking trails in America.
Beyond the exhilaration factor, mountain biking is a great off-season activity, good for your legs, core, heart and lungs, which will help you on those top-to-bottom burners when ski season rolls around again. Mountain biking is also great for your balance, coordination, and reaction time. Aside from the exercise, it’s a fun way to explore the mountains in the summer. Need some inspiration? Below we feature some of the best single track biking trails in the USA.
The Tahoe Rim Trail passes through two states (California and Nevada), six counties, one state park, three national forests and three wilderness areas with riding itineraries that span from lake and waterfall rides to wildflower and peak rides. Of the 165 miles of trail that encircles the largest alpine lake in North America, more than 80 miles are open to mountain bikes. The views are vast, the terrain varied and it can be enjoyed by bikers of all abilities. Many local bike shops provide shuttles for the point-to-point rides within the Rim Trail.
Phil’s Trail, a network of intersecting trails, offers hundreds of miles of singletrack mountain biking, only minutes from downtown Bend. Phil’s is all about flow, with descents that don’t require constant breaking and gradual climbs that allow for fun cornering, even while going uphill. The opportunities for exploration are endless, as trails span out west toward Mt. Bachelor. From the trailhead, the first five miles or so are gradual and suitable for beginners. Beyond that, things get more interesting. The maze of trails can be challenging to navigate, but most of the intersections are marked with numbers and names that are on most local mountain bike maps.
The Ketchum-Hailey-Sun Valley area boasts more than 400 miles of singletrack, much of it some of the smoothest, buffest mountain biking in the country. The area’s most famous mountain bike ride is the Fisher Creek Loop, which rips one of the world’s great cross-country descents, Williams Creek. This 18-mile trail has no shortage of spectacular views, but the single track that winds through the burn area (from a 2005 fire) is some of the most unique. If you can time it right, try to coordinate with wildflower season.
While most mountain bikers come to this area to bike at the popular Mammoth Mountain Bike Park, no trip to the Eastern Sierra would be complete without riding Lower Rock Creek Trail. The upper section of the trail is moderately difficult, while the lower section requires advanced skills. As the canyon walls get deeper, the rock gardens get more frequent as the trail descends nearly 2,000 feet (and climbs only 50 feet). There’s even a stream crossing at the end to cool off in. If you shuttle, arrange to be picked up at the bottom near Paradise Lodge. Or, you can ride the 8-mile, 2,000-foot climb on the rarely used Old Hwy 395.
5 Tips in staying cool while riding in the heat
1. Stay hydrated
Make sure that you plan your trip accordingly to the amount of water that you will carry with you. You should at least drink a 500ml bottle an hour. If it is hotter than usual, then consider increasing the bottle size.
2. Apply and re-apply enough sunscreen
Roughly 30 minutes before you start your tour, apply sunscreen of at least SPF30 with a UVA star rating of 4 or 5 stars. Re-apply sunscreen is pivotal during your ride, therefore, recommended timeframe to re-apply sunscreen is every two hours. If the sun is too strong and if you’re heavily sweating, consider reapplying more regularly. Always carry a small bottle of sunscreen in your jersey pocket or backpack.
3. Wear the right clothes
Keep in mind, that although your skin is covered by your cycling gear, it is not necessarily protected. Ensure to choose a special cycling jersey and shorts that are made of UPF fabric or fabric featuring UV protection.
4. Pick the right time of the day
The time you ride plays a crucial part in how hot your surroundings will get. Aim to get out on the road as early as possible, before the sun is not yet at its fiercest. It’s best to avoid a ride from noon through the afternoon. Plan your ride with plenty of shade-providing options like woodland. If you ride best once the sun is down, ensure you wear reflective gear, charged bicycle lights, and, preferably, put a light on your helmet.
5. Plan ice-cold refreshment breaks
Pick a route that provides lakes or other free-to-use water resources in nature to slowly pour some cold water over your neck or wrists. If your trip leads you through a city of any size, make sure to stop at the local ice cream shop.
Extra: Ride in a group
It is always better and recommended, in case of an emergency, to ride in a group. Make sure to inform people where exactly you’re going, carry a GPS on you, and regularly report back to your loved ones.
Flying Dog is a scenic, fairly non-technical IMBA-designated Epic Ride. It’s perfect for groups with intermediate mountain bikers, as well as experts, who can enjoy cruising down the fast, buffed out dirt and over bridges that cross ponds and streams. The shortest route is a 10-mile ride with a 1,500 vertical feet elevation change. Options include a 10-mile easier ride, a 16-mile moderate ride and a 23-mile ride with 3,000 feet of climbing.
Hermosa Creek is considered by many to be one of Durango’s, and even one of Colorado’s, top mountain biking rides. The 20-mile straight shot begins from a meadow at the top of Durango Mountain Resort and follows Hermosa Creek down 3,000 feet (with some climbs mixed in) to the small town of Hermosa. It’s almost always ridden as a shuttle, though hardcore locals and pros have been known to ride it from town as a 50-mile loop.
For decades, 401 has lured riders who come with visions of downhill switchbacks through head-high wildflowers. The middle-chain dirt road warm-up deposits riders into the alpine, where the rolling terrain gives way to a ridge with spectacular views. Finish with the unmatched natural banked slalom to town (through the wildflowers, if you’re lucky).
In the mountains of West Virginia Snowshoe offers some of the east’s best lift-served trails. The resort even hosts a popular downhill race series. A favorite of east coast riders, Powerline trail twists through the deciduous on firm, bermy single track, crossing roots and a handful of jumps. It’s got enough going on to entertain even the seasoned pro. The Snowshoe Bike Park offers plenty of lessons to get the whole gang up to speed.
The Stowe Mountain Bike Club (SMBC) opened Kimmer’s as a flowing 8-mile trail with berms, bridges and rollers. It was built for all skill levels to enjoy, while bonus features up the ante for advanced riders. It’s best ridden as an out and back or as a link between the Trapps Trails and the town of Stowe. Join the SMBC for one of their weekly rides to learn more about the network of trails around Stowe.
Moab has been dubbed by many as the Mountain Bike Capital of the U.S. You’ll be riding from an alpine pass above the tree line, and then it’s the canyon of sandstone that makes up the base of the Colorado River. There’s single track and even some paved trail to give your insides a break. The Whole Enchilada is famous because everything Moab has to offer will explode your senses in this one ride. While you’re at it in Moab, Captain Ahab and Slickrock are no slouches.
Linda Secrist & Associates is 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 including 2019! Linda Secrist is #54 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!
