A Home Inspector You Can Trust

If there’s anything at all that you absolutely, most positively need to learn when buying a new home, it’s this: most real estate agents work for the seller. Their job, therefore, is to maximize the profit of their seller. Now, unless you have signed a contact saying that they are representing you as a buyer’s agent, their top priority would be the welfare of the seller, their boss.

So how does this relate to the home inspector? Well, you see, most buyers don’t anyone in the home inspection business, so most likely they will be turning to their real estate agents for advice on who to hire. Seller’s agents would recommend home inspectors for you to choose from, but whatever choice you make, the fact that these agents are working for the seller should give you a clue as to how all this may not be in your best interest.

The answer, therefore, is to hire your own home inspector whom you can trust. You can do this on your own. Just look for a home inspector who can demonstrate education, experience, and professional affiliation. You can also check the State Licensing Board or the Better Business Bureau to make sure that your home inspector has a good record and reputation in the industry.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in real estate. For complete information about the real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer your queries. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

Six hints for selecting a Real Estate Agent in

The kind of real estate agent you choose is important because they will be helping you in a time you will be risking your finances. They are there to make sure the moves you make are the right ones Your agent will be negotiating with you, teaching you all the ins and outs of selling your property as easily and most profitably as possible The most important thing you can do is to choose a real estate agent that has quality and experience. We will discuss the six necessary steps for picking an excellent real estate agent. vicinity.

Tip #1 - Look at Their Website

You can tell a lot about a real estate agent based on their website. This is where they’ll “showcase” the highlights of their service.
What qualities make them stand out from their competitors? Ask how long they have been in the real estate business. When it comes to picking the right agent; checking the potential agent's website can be a key to making the right decision.

Tip #2 - First Impressions are everything

A good relationship with your real estate agent must be built on a foundation of trust. You should be confident that your agent will not just be interested in a quick-and-easy commission but will have your best interests as their top priority.
Often times your first impressions will be dead on. Do you think this individual is trustworthy? Do you feel at ease when you conduct business with this person? Usually you’ll be able to answer these questions in just a 15-30 minute conversation.

Tip #3 - What will be your marketing plan (Seller) negotiation strategy or (Purchaser) for me?

Whether you're purchasing or selling, a good real estate agent should be able to get you the best possible price.
When you’re considering working with an agent, ask them: What will be your marketing plan or strategy for negotiating for me?

Tip #4 – Work with a Professional expert. If you’re looking for an agent in the
area, generally you want to work with someone who knows the area very well. Make sure your agent has been local for some time and has completed several transactions in the local market. Your agent should be aware of the estimated home values of the market in each area of the city.

Tip #5 – How reachable are they?

What kind of working relationship do you think you will have?
At what times is your agent available to you? Will you be dealing directly with your agent, or will you have to go through an assistant every time? How much of a delay will there be every time you schedule an appointment? Is it possible to call a few days in advance, or is it necessary to schedule an appointment a week in advance?

Know what it’s like to work with your agent before you decide whether or not to move forward.

Tip 6- Is your agent able to provide references?

Satisfied clients will oftentimes provide references, letters of recognition or a phone number where other potential clients can call to see what it was like working with this agent.

Your agent should have some references available for you to view if he or she has been in business for any length of time. Explore these references and find out if your agent is somebody you're comfortable working with.

If you are considering agents in the area, it’s important to work with someone who’s experienced and knows the local real estate market. If you don’t already have an agent, feel free to give me a call for a free consultation on buying or selling your home. You can contact me at 801-518-4599 or [Pofile.email_link].

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Holladay and Salt Lake City, UT real estate.  For complete information about the Salt Lake City, Utah real estate market including Cottonwood Heights homes for sale, property values and more, please visit the most complete website dedicated to everything Salt Lake City real estate.  See for yourself, visit www.BuySaltLakeCityHomes.com

For a FREE Weekly List of Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, Holladay, UT and surrounding areas, you may fill in the form below and you will see homes as they get listed if they fit the profile you have given.  You will get all the hot listings as they come up even before most agents see them!

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will e-mail you the list.

You may specify in the comments box if you have a particular interest in Cottonwood Heights foreclosures, or Salt Lake City HUD homes for sale. 

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah , I will be happy to help when you contact me.

Buying a home in Salt Lake City Utah can be a wonderful experience for anyone. There are all kinds of things you have to look forward to. There's the first time you meet that great real estate agent who will work with you. There's the first very first home you ever set eyes one. There's the home you finally choose and fall in love with. That's the perfect home, right?  But how does one find their perfect home in Salt Lake City Utah? Is anything ever perfect? Does the concept even really exist? Well let's take a look.

Most people envision their perfect home as a home with all of the amenities. That home may have hardwood floors, very high ceilings, a fireplace or other things like that. However, oftentimes, people will see home after home without finding every single amenity they desire.

Here's another thing that happens. Oftentimes, people find a home that has everything they need, but not everything they want. Sometimes a home has a lot of the things they want, but not what they need.

The fact is that most professionals that are in the business of selling or showing homes will tell you that you will not find the perfect home. It just does not exist. You won't be able to discover a house that has every thing you have ever dreamed of and none of the things you don't want.

Most real estate agents will tell you that what you should focus on is making a list of what's really important to you. There are many different factors to consider. Think about price, style, location, condition, size, the neighbors, surrounding schools, crime rate, or the number of bedrooms you'll need. The list of what is important to you could really go on and on.

When you figure out what your most important needs and wants are, you can then get on the path to finding a home in Salt Lake City Utah that satisfies the majority of your list.

Writing things down is key. Planning to get a perfect home in the Salt Lake City Utah may leave you worn out because each home you look at just won't meet up to everything you have ever dreamed of. You may end passing up on a really good home in Salt Lake City Utah because you are so concerned with finding that perfect house. Worn out, tired, and aware that home prices are on  their way up, you may end up just buying the last home you look at simply because you are fed up.

You certainly want to have a much more pleasant experience than that when looking for a home in Salt Lake City Utah don't you? You can have one if you change your definition of "perfect" just a little. Perfect doesn't have to be an absolute. Allow for a few adjustments to your dream. Then, you will find a home that will come very close to being that perfect home you have always imagined.

For more information about finding a home in Salt Lake City Utah, you can check out my website at . You can contact me at 801-365-3150.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Holladay and Salt Lake City, UT real estate.  For complete information about the Salt Lake City, Utah real estate market including Cottonwood Heights homes for sale, property values and more, please visit the most complete website dedicated to everything Salt Lake City real estate.  See for yourself, visit www.BuySaltLakeCityHomes.com

For a FREE Weekly List of Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, Holladay, UT and surrounding areas, you may fill in the form below and you will see homes as they get listed if they fit the profile you have given.  You will get all the hot listings as they come up even before most agents see them!

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will e-mail you the list.

You may specify in the comments box if you have a particular interest in Cottonwood Heights foreclosures, or Salt Lake City HUD homes for sale. 

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah , I will be happy to help when you contact me.

During these economic times, there is the common debate of whether or not buying a home is a good idea. Many people spend years of their life paying rent on an apartment, and they hear whisperings about how buying a home is probably a much better investment. However, these people somehow remain unsure of whether or not it really is a good idea to buy a home. Well, here is when buying a home in Salt Lake City Utah is a great idea, plain and simple.

The only other option to buying is renting, and while renting may be convenient, it certainly  is not the best investment for your hard earned money. Actually it isn't an investment at all. You will never see that money you are giving your landlord ever again. However, since you will probably eventually sell your home in Salt Lake City Utah, you will make some of that hard-earned money of yours back. You may even make more money than you imagined from selling your home in Salt Lake City Utah.

Furthermore, when living in an apartment, you are very limited to the improvements you can make on the home. Sure, some landlords say that you can paint the walls or add in some carpet of your own, but in the end, you will be moving out and all of that work you did will be there just benefiting the landlord.

So when you rent, you often lose both your hard earned money and any work you plan on putting into the apartment. Furthermore, oftentimes, the landlord is looking out for his or her best interests. That means he or she may not try to make as many improvements on the place as you would like. Improvements can get expensive, and the landlord is always on a budget that suits his or her interests, not yours.

A rental space is usually always smaller than the amount of space you would have in your own home. A rental property is made to fit in a lot of renters so that the landlord can make a lot of capital. Therefore, apartments may be a bit small.

However, in a home in Salt Lake City Utah, you usually have a lot of space, and you can do whatever you want with all of it. You can get creative and paint the walls nice colors or you can buy all kinds of neat furniture. There is really no limit to how comfortable and beautiful you can make your home in Salt Lake City Utah.

So when is buying a home in Salt Lake City Utah a great idea? Anytime. Owning a home is better than renting for all kinds of reasons. For more information, you can visit the company website at . You can also contact me on my cell phone at 801-518-4599 or through my email address at KathyO@KathyOHomes.com .

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Holladay and Salt Lake City, UT real estate.  For complete information about the Salt Lake City, Utah real estate market including Cottonwood Heights homes for sale, property values and more, please visit the most complete website dedicated to everything Salt Lake City real estate.  See for yourself, visit www.BuySaltLakeCityHomes.com

For a FREE Weekly List of Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, Holladay, UT and surrounding areas, you may fill in the form below and you will see homes as they get listed if they fit the profile you have given.  You will get all the hot listings as they come up even before most agents see them!

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will e-mail you the list.

You may specify in the comments box if you have a particular interest in Cottonwood Heights foreclosures, or Salt Lake City HUD homes for sale. 

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah , I will be happy to help when you contact me.

There are a number of steps involved when you are purchasing a home in Salt Lake City Utah.   One of the first things you need to do is figure out how much of a mortgage you can reasonably afford.  Many people take out a loan without considering their future income or any emergencies that may arise. They can find themselves in a situation where they cannot afford the monthly payments. Don't let this happen to you. Take a look at a few factors will that can will help you decide what kind of loan payment you're willing and able to commit to for a new home in Salt Lake City Utah.

FACTOR #1 You can find a Salt Lake City Utah real estate agent and work with him before  you are ready to start looking for homes. They have helped many people in the beginning stages of considering a real estate purchase, and will have some good advice about local resources in Salt Lake City Utah. They will also be able to point you to a mortgage calculator you can use on the Internet to help you determine the monthly payments on different loan amounts.

Factor #2 Make a list of what you consider a good estimate of your future income will be, and also make a list of any potential expenses that will probably come up. For example if you have a child, you will need to consider the cost of sending him or her  to college.

Factor #3 When you have finally decided on a loan amount that you feel is reasonable, lower it a little bit more just as a safety net. This way you are covered if anything unexpected happens. If your future income becomes higher than what you had previously expected, then you can always use your home equity at that point to reinvest in a more expensive home in Salt Lake City Utah.

Remember that this is a long-term commitment. Take plenty of time to study your mortgage payment options and don't rush into anything. Make sure you are completely satisfied that   you will be able to meet your monthly commitments in the future. You don't want to risk    losing your new Salt Lake City Utah home for any reason.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

For a FREE Weekly List of Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, Holladay, UT and surrounding areas, you may fill in the form below and you will see homes as they get listed if they fit the profile you have given.  You will get all the hot listings as they come up even before most agents see them!

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will e-mail you the list.

You may specify in the comments box if you have a particular interest in Cottonwood Heights foreclosures, or Salt Lake City HUD homes for sale. 

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah , I will be happy to help when you contact me.

Once a purchase price has been established on a house sale, the next question becomes, "How much of a deposit should I give?"  Individual real estate agents and brokers in the Salt Lake City Utah area may each have a different answer, but follow the same general guidelines.

The point of leaving a deposit with an offer to purchase a property is to let the sellers know you are serious or "earnest" about your offer.  That is why it is referred to as "earnest money."  If a potential buyer did not leave any money with an offer they would not have any risk involved.  Money offered with the offer to purchase tells the sellers the buyer is serious about the offer.  There is risk involved for both parties.  In the Salt Lake City Utah area it is common for buyers to leave a deposit of between one and five percent of the purchase price.  Professional real   estate agent Kathy Opolski, of RE/MAX Associates states under certain conditions a  larger deposit is wise.  For example, if the purchase offer is weak, or if there are several offers competing against each other, a larger deposit may sway the sellers towards the buyer's offer.  However, normally, the lower deposit is sufficient.

There are some risks when giving a deposit with a purchase offer.  However, states have minimized this risk with regulations and through the use of escrow companies.  Although the deposit "belongs" to the seller, it is held by either the real estate company or an escrow company until closing.  If the deal falls through it is easier to get the deposit back to the correct party.  In some cases that would be the buyer and in other cases it would be the seller.  One complication with using an escrow company is the parties involved need to be in agreement before the funds are released.  In order to protect your interest it is best to use a professional real estate agent or broker in the Salt Lake City Utah area.  If you would like more information about agents in the Salt Lake City Utah area go to www.BuySaltLakeHomes.com or call Kathy Opolski at 801-518-4599 or email at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate at www.BuySaltLakeHomes.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

For a FREE Weekly List of Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, UT and surrounding areas, you may fill in the form below and we will compile a list from two wholesale databases and send them to you right away. 

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will e-mail you the list.

You may specify in the comments box if you have a particular interest in Salt Lake City foreclosures, or Salt Lake City HUD homes for sale. 

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah , I hope you will contact me.

The latest buzz words in real estate are “green building” and “eco-friendly.”  Savvy homeowners in the Salt Lake City Utah area are taking advantage of this fact with their remodeling projects.  When it comes time to sell their homes, eco-updated houses have an edge, appealing to a larger buyer pool.

Smart remodeling involves choosing products that are environmentally friendly as well as economical.  Being green can mean using sustainably harvested wood for flooring.  Or, another great choice for flooring is cork.  The price of cork has come down considerably.  Most likely this is due to the increase in popularity, according to Kathy Opolski, who sees this trend in homes for sale in the Salt Lake City Utah area.  Cork is a bark that can be harvested anytime from every nine to twelve years.  It is also a very durable material and has an appealing look that has become quite popular with decorators.

Another way to be eco-friendly is with using recycled materials in your remodeling project.  Carpeting made from recycled bottles can now be purchased.  Recycled carpet padding is another item to consider.  Using natural fibers such as wool for a carpet rather than nylon can be both economical and environmentally sound. 

Linoleum is a flooring material that is making a big come back.  Real linoleum is a natural material.  It is made from linseed oil and other natural materials.  It comes in different colors and patterns. 

Many homes for sale in the Salt Lake City Utah area have already installed these eco-friendly green products.  If you would like to discuss you remodeling project for resale with a real estate agent in the Salt Lake City Utah area, contact Kathy Opolski at 801-518-4599 or email at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

No remodeling project would be complete without a fresh coat of paint.  Consider using paint with low vocs or even zero vocs.  Voc stands for volatile organic compounds and can be toxic and make people sick.  Paints with low voc or zero voc are especially popular with pregnant woman as well as other health conscious individuals.

When it comes time to sell your newly remodeled house you will be able to appeal to both design conscious buyers as well as environmentally conscious buyers.  The broader the market of potential buyers you have, the quicker your house will sell.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate at www.BuySaltLakeHomes.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

For a FREE Weekly List of Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, Holladay, UT and surrounding areas, you may fill in the form below and we will compile a list from two wholesale databases and send them to you right away. 

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will e-mail you the list.

You may specify in the comments box if you have a particular interest in Salt Lake City foreclosures, or Salt Lake City HUD homes for sale. 

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah , I hope you will contact me.

Most people understand the concept that buying a home is a solid investment, but many people still renting may not be clear of the other benefits associated with owning your very own piece of Salt Lake City Utah property. Here are a few of the best benefits of becoming an owner in Salt Lake City Utah and leaving the renter's world behind.

Housing Costs

Rental costs in Salt Lake City Utah are increasing and will continue to increase for as long as  you rent. Taking into consideration how much rent you paid ten years ago, and what you are paying now, will be a good indication of what you can expect to pay ten years from now. A mortgage gives a much more stable option. Buying a home in Salt Lake City Utah with a fixed  rate mortgage ensures that your payments will remain the same for the entire length of the loan. Even a mortgage with an adjustable rate will keep your payments in a very stable position.

Income Tax Deductions

Anyone that purchases a home in Salt Lake City Utah saves money at tax time. Not only is the interest deductible, but so are the property taxes. Rent doesn't give you any tax breaks, and quite often costs more than a mortgage on a small Salt Lake City Utah house.

Future Savings

When you own a Salt Lake City Utah home you are technically saving money for the future. You are not only putting money into a future investment, but as you are paying it off, your Salt Lake City Utah home is raising in value. You are saving money and making money at the same time. It is truly a win-win situation.

If you have never looked into all the savings you can have by investing in your own home in Salt Lake City Utah then take a look at all of the savings and add them up. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that owning can be cheaper than what you are currently paying for rent in Salt Lake City Utah.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

For a FREE Weekly List of Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, UT and surrounding areas, you may fill in the form below and we will compile a list from two wholesale databases and send them to you right away. 

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will e-mail you the list.

You may specify in the comments box if you have a particular interest in Salt Lake City foreclosures, or Salt Lake City HUD homes for sale. 

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah , I hope you will contact me.

Getting the right loan for your Salt lake City home purchase is the first step to getting you into the home of your dreams.  The question is "What is the best loan for me considering all the options?"  Here is one option:

In simple terms a buydown mortgage is a lump sum payment which is made with the initial purchase of a home. It essentially involves making a prepayment on interest. This reduces the interest rate that the lender has to pay on the mortgage loan. Buydown mortgages are available in two different types, and you may want to consider either of these when you are purchasing a new home in Salt Lake City Utah.

Temporary buydown mortgage

A temporary buydown mortgage will reduce the interest rate for the first few years of the mortgage. A 3-2-1 option is a typical buydown, which means that the person borrowing the money will pay 3% below the full interest rate during the first year, 2% in the second and one percent in the third. In the fourth year the borrower must pay the full interest rate. Many homebuyers in the Salt Lake City Utah area are choosing this type of mortgage as a way to lower their payments.

Permanent buydown mortgage

The permanent buydown mortgage will reduce interest rates for the entire term of the mortgage. This type of buydown mortgage will lower the interest rate for the rest of the term of the loan. This type of mortgage involves a larger lump sum payment, which can be financed if need be. There are many banks in Salt Lake City Utah that recommend this type of loan as a solution to high interest rates, especially when the rates appear to be rising.

Buydown mortgages can help reduce the costs of the monthly payments and is good for people that do not qualify for other low payment loans. They are also good for individuals in Salt Lake City Utah that need to make the house more affordable on a short-term basis because they expect their future income to be higher.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

For a FREE Weekly List of Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, Holladay, UT and surrounding areas, you may fill in the form below and we will compile a list from two wholesale databases and send them to you right away. 

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will e-mail you the list.

You may specify in the comments box if you have a particular interest in Salt Lake City foreclosures, or Salt Lake City HUD homes for sale. 

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah , I hope you will contact me.

Building a home in the Salt Lake City Utah area is an exciting project for most home buyers.  Avoid making some common mistakes by asking yourself the following questions before hiring a builder.  Your answers will help you focus on exactly what your expectations are for the project.  Another benefit of examining the project from the beginning is to help you determine a realistic budget.  Rate your answers in order of importance.  This will help you build a new construction home that will best fit your wants and needs.

New Construction Project Questions for the Homeowner:

- What part of the overall project is most important to you?

Some items to consider include budget, quality of construction and materials used, location, and time to complete the project.

- What type or style of home do you want to build?

Some architectural styles are more cost effective than others.  If you would like more information about home styles send me an email at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

- What size home do you want to build?

Consider the number of rooms you would like to have in your new home.  List ìmust haveî rooms (such as three bedrooms and two bathrooms) and list ìdesiredî rooms (such as a home office or home theater room.) 

- What overall square footage would you like to build?

Overall square footage of a project can be a factor in determining budget and which builder to hire.  Some builders only work within a certain size home plan.

- Do you want to build your home in a sub-division, new development or on a private lot?

Often building in a sub-division or new development can be less expensive than building a custom home on a private lot.  The reason for this is with sub-divisions and new developments the builder is buying materials in a larger quantity.  Another reason for savings is that the builder already has the equipment and crews on-site.  A down side to this is you may have to choose between a few pre-determined house floor plans.

- Of all the features a builder offers, which is most important to you?

Some features a builder may offer include on-time delivery, guaranteed price, reputation, credentials, quality materials, and communication.

- Do you want a custom built home or a spec built home?

The answer to this question can affect the budget.  RE/MAX Associates can help you find a builder that fits your project needs.

- What materials do you want used in the construction of your new home?

Make sure the builder you choose has experience installing any custom or unusual materials.  Take advantage of a builder that has experience and connections with the vendors.

- Where do you want to build your new home?

Lot location can increase the cost of the project.  Additionally, the typography of the land can affect the cost and ability of the builder to deliver a quality home.

- What size lot do you want to build your new construction home on?

Determining the size of your land may determine whether or not you build in a sub-division or other development.  Neighborhood choice is a factor in lot size as well.  If you want acres of land you may be limited with the neighborhood choice.

For help choosing a new construction project that suits your budget and lifestyle, contact Kathy Opolski of RE/MAX Associates at 801-518-4599 or email at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate at www.BuySaltLakeHomes.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

For a FREE Weekly List of Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, UT and surrounding areas, you may fill in the form below and we will compile a list from two wholesale databases and send them to you right away. 

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will e-mail you the list.

You may specify in the comments box if you have a particular interest in Salt Lake City foreclosures, or Salt Lake City HUD homes for sale. 

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah , I hope you will contact me.

Real estate professionals play an important role in achieving your dream house in Salt Lake City Utah. Not only can they can assist you in finding a perfect place for a home for your family; but there are still numerous benefits you can enjoy from their services, especially when buying a For-Sale-By-Owner's (FSBO) home. Among them are the following:

Benefit #1-They give you convenience and ease in transfer of documents.

Doing the legwork of preparing all the required documents and other legal aspects for the sale and transfer of properties can be tedious. However, with the assistance of a real estate expert in Salt Lake City Utah, you don't have to worry about paper works because these things are prepared and properly managed by your real estate professional. All you have to do is just read and sign some papers, make some payments, and prepare for your transfer to your new home. They also ensure that all required documents are correct and properly accomplished. This will give you peace of mind as you prepare to relocate yourself and your family.

Benefit # 2- They can give you the best deal for your dream house.

Equipped with the negotiation skills and access to a great Multiple Listing Services (MLS), your real estate professional can help you find and negotiate for the best deal for your purchase. They can give you good options of high quality real estate properties available for sale in Salt Lake City Utah; and select among them according to your budget and desired specifications. This saves you a lot of valuable time from browsing through the area and internet for your dream house; and the discounts you get from their negotiations could be well worth it.

They are also the expert in the area. You may be an expert in your own field, but when it comes to real estate in Salt Lake City Utah, they are the person you can rely on for some good advice with regards to current market price; details of the property such as its boundaries; and other  problems about the house, property or location. They can help you detect that a FSBO house is overpriced for that specific neighbourhood; or underpriced and you are getting a great deal for that. This could mean a lot of savings on your part by avoiding an overpriced purchase.

If you are planning to finally get your dream house, there is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about [Profile.market] real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more; please visit www.BuySaltLakeHomes.com, a website wholly dedicated to everything about  Salt Lake City Utah real estate.  Please feel free to contact me for any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. You may also call me on my cell at 801-518-4599; or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

Are you considering purchasing your first home in the Salt Lake City Utah area?  Here are some tips from local real estate expert, Kathy Opolski of RE/MAX Associates to get you started on the right path toward home ownership.

The first step any first time homeowner should take before looking for real estate in Salt Lake City Utah is to attend a home buying seminar.  Experts such as real estate professionals, mortgage lending companies, and even home inspectors offer free seminars.  These no obligation seminars offer useful information that can potentially save you thousands of dollars.

The next step to take prior to buying a home in the Salt Lake City Utah area is to know your credit score.  This step should be taken early in the process.  Some experts suggest checking your credit score as early as six months prior to buying your first home.  The reason for this is because your credit score can determine the type of financing you will be eligible for.  If there is a blemish on your credit report you will have time to correct the problem and build up your credit score prior to applying for a mortgage loan.  Know your debt-to-income ratio.  This ratio can affect your eligibility to obtain a mortgage as well as the type of financing to secure.

Choose a professional real estate agent.  Buying a home is the largest investment most people make during their life.  Professional real estate agents are knowledgeable with the home buying process from start to finish.  For more information on all that a real estate agent offers go to www.BuySaltLakeHomes.com.

Get pre-qualified for a loan.  There are two benefits for becoming pre-qualified.  The first allows you, the home buyer, to know what price range of homes to look at.  The second gives you more weight with the seller when putting in a purchase offer.  Sellers tend to choose an offer with a pre-qualified buyer over an offer from a buyer without pre-qualified financing already lined up.

With all of these steps in place, you are now ready to go out and find your first home.

More information is available free to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything [Profile.market] real estate at www.BuySaltLakeHomes.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

For a FREE Weekly List of Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, UT and surrounding areas, you may fill in the form below and we will compile a list from two wholesale databases and send them to you right away. 

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will e-mail you the list.

You may specify in the comments box if you have a particular interest in Salt Lake City foreclosures, or Salt Lake City HUD homes for sale. 

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah , I hope you will contact me.

Buying a home is something everyone should experience. It's a great feeling to go out there and look for your perfect home, knowing that you'll find something just right that you will live in and enjoy for years. It's always a joy to see potential homebuyers. Their palms are sometimes sweaty. Their eyes are beaming with excitement. Their feet are ready to walk for miles in search of their perfect dream home in Salt Lake City Utah. It's absolutely amazing. Potential homebuyers are not only excited, but they are also curious. They usually have two big and looming questions in their mind. The first question can be a little complex.

Many potential homebuyers want to know how lenders will decide if they can have the loan to get their dream home in Salt Lake City Utah.

Well, there are many different factors involved in the decision that lenders make. They will consider how many credit cards you carry. They'll want to know how long you have worked at your job. However, the most important thing lenders will want to know is whether or not you really can afford the huge obligation of a home mortgage. They will gauge this by looking at both your income and debt levels.

They will look at a set of numbers called the housing ratio and the total-obligation ratio. The housing ratio is the gross monthly income that you will need to spend on the expenses of the home after you buy it. This number includes the mortgage payment, taxes insurance, and maintenance. Lenders will be looking for a ratio that is lower than 36%. The total obligation ratio is part of your income that goes to cover your housing and other obligations. These other obligations will include car loans, child support, and credit cards. A favorable ratio here is lower than or equal to 42%. However, these ratios can be improved so that you can have a more favorable chance of getting a loan.

It's a good idea to get a copy of your credit report a few months before applying for a mortgage. Getting your home in Salt Lake City Utah will take a little thinking ahead and planning, but there's no need to worry, it will definitely be worth it.

Another big question potential homebuyers ask is "After I apply for the loan, when will I get the money?"

Well, if you got preapproved for the loan, you could be waiting from anywhere to five to ten business days to receive a loan commitment from the bank. However, this time period depends on many factors such as how busy the lender is with home applications at that time. You won't be able to actually feel the cash with your fingertips until you close the deal. In general it will take about four to six weeks from the time you apply for the loan until you have your very own Salt Lake City Utah home.

Some of the biggest questions new homebuyers ask have some complex answers. However, with some professional help and a little bit of research, buying a home can still be a very enjoyable experience. For more professional guidance when purchasing your home in Salt Lake City Utah, it's a good idea to get a real estate agent. You can visit the company website at . You can call me on my cell phone at 801-365-3150. I can also be reached via email at KathyO@KathyOHomes.com.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City, UT real estate.  For complete information about the Salt Lake City, Utah real estate market including Salt Lake City homes for sale, property values and more, please visit the most complete website dedicated to everything Salt Lake City real estate.  See for yourself, visit www.BuySaltLakeCityHomes.com

For a FREE Weekly List of Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, UT and surrounding areas, you may fill in the form below and we will compile a list from two wholesale databases and send them to you right away. 

Just fill in the form below with your correct name and e-mail address and we will e-mail you the list.

You may specify in the comments box if you have a particular interest in Salt Lake City foreclosures, or Salt Lake City HUD homes for sale. 

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring real estate professional in or near Salt Lake City, Utah , I hope you will contact me.

If you're considering a home purchase in Salt Lake City Utah, there are several deadly home buying mistakes you should be aware of, so you can be sure you can avoid these mistakes. These mistakes are common and cost home buyers thousands upon thousands of dollars every year. These mistakes are buying too much house, not having padding for hidden costs and not getting the house inspected.

Mistake #1 - Buying Too Much House

This is by far the most common real estate buying mistake in Salt Lake City Utah. Most people believe that lenders will only approve you for as much house as you can afford. For example, they may pre approve you for up to $500,000. That does not mean you should buy a $500,000 house!

Instead, it's important to calculate how much you can really afford. Make this calculation both based on the down payment and the monthly payments. Be conservative with these numbers.

Mistake #2 - Not Accounting for Hidden Costs

Closing costs, inspection costs, repairs and last minute costs tend to always surprise buyers. Buyers who go into a real estate transaction with only enough money for a down payment often run into the problem of not having funds for last minute costs.

To save yourself the stress, save yourself money and improve your home buying experience, it's important to have some spare padding cash to help ensure the home buying process goes smoothly.

Mistake #3 - Not Having the Home Inspected

Having the home you're buying inspected is absolutely crucial. Although this may seem like common sense, thousands of lawsuits are filed every year over property issues discovered after the purchase that could have been found if the buyer had just gotten an inspection.

The few hundred dollars an inspection costs are well worth the money. On top of the inspection report, you also get to ask the inspector any questions you need about the plumbing, electrical systems and foundations, so that you can really get peace of mind with your purchase.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate at www.BuySaltLakeHomes.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

For your FREE list of foreclosed homes, bank-owned homes or homes on short sale for under $150,000 just fill out the form below:

Now that you've found a house you're interested in purchasing, the next step is to make sure that everything is in order both inside and outside the house. In this article, we'll go over a series of questions you should ask your home inspector during the inspection. These questions will help you get a good idea of what condition your property is in.

Remember that you're paying for a service when you have a home inspector come by. Don't be shy about asking questions. Most home inspectors expect their customers to ask a lot of questions.

Question #1 - Have the Foundations Checked

Most buyers know to ask the inspector about the foundations. While this is an important question to ask, do keep in mind that the inspector can only tell you about what he sees.

He cannot tell you if there are termites in the wood without a proper termite inspection. Rotting wood or water damage that's hidden is difficult to spot as well. The inspector can tell you what he thinks based on what's visible, but usually not much more.

Question #2 - Electrical

What condition is the electrical system in? Are there any panels or wiring that's done unprofessionally? Is there any knob and tube wiring or any aluminum wiring in the house?

Question #3 - The Heating System

The heating system should always be inspected. It's important to ask about what kind of equipment you have, how old it is, how much longer you can expect it to last, etc.

Question #4 - The Plumbing System

Make sure your inspector checks the plumbing system and tells you how old the system is. Check for signs of recent issues, such as a new sewer cap.

Question #5 - Are there any potential fire hazards?

Safety is a prime concern when buying a home. With older electrical or heating systems, there may be potential fire hazards that you should be aware of. Make sure with older homes to ask your home inspector about these.

These are some of the more important questions to ask a home inspector during a home inspection. Again, remember that you're hiring this person for a paid service, so don't hesitate to make full use of their expertise.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Salt Lake City Utah real estate. For complete information about the Salt Lake City Utah real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Salt Lake City Utah real estate at www.BuySaltLakeHomes.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 801-518-4599 or email me at kathyo@kathyohomes.com.

There some great foreclosed and short sale homes available for under $170,000.  For you FREE list of these homes just fill out the form below: