Is your home ready for some football?? These are!

Lots of care & a little crazy goes into the homes of these steadfast fans! What do you do to celebrate the biggest game of the year??

http://houselogic.com/photos/home-improvement/football-rooms/slide/super-bowl-dreams/#super-bowl-dreams

Got the winter blues? Try this!

We loved this great idea to shake off the winter blues - 

Beach Bum Snowman

Make a beach bum snowman in your front yard or at the park. Don't let the snowy days go to waste. Lay a plastic sheet on the ground and then lay a towel over the plastic sheet. The plastic sheet will keep the towel from freezing to the ground. Build a snowman that is lying down on the towel. Give the snowman a hat, sunglasses, a boogie board and a beach umbrella.

Send us a picture of your beach bum snowman!

First-time Home Buyers Face Greater Competition

First-time home buyers are playing a larger role in the housing market, but they’re finding big changes. 

Thirty-nine percent of home sales nationwide were from first-time home buyers during the 12-month period ending June 2012, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. That's up from 37 percent a year earlier. 

But while first-time home buyers once had a huge inventory of homes to choose from, now they’re finding tightened supplies and steeper competition for what’s left. 

Housing inventories are hovering at record lows in many markets, limiting supply. First-time home buyers face increased competition from investors, who are often trying to snatch up the same bargain-priced housing deals. Investors often make all-cash offers, too, which makes it difficult for buyers requiring financing to compete against them. Also, banks have tightened up their underwriting standards, creating more hoops in just qualifying for financing. 

It’s not easy to be a first-time home buyer, some say. But first-time home buyers are critical to a healthy housing market. They allow existing home owners to sell and trade up into larger homes. 

To respond to the changing housing market, first-time home buyers may need to broaden their search and be more “flexible and compromise,” says Chip Rowand, a Broward County, Fla., real estate professional. 

Also, first-timers shouldn’t automatically settle for a Federal Housing Administration mortgage due to the low down payment requirements (usually 3.5 percent of the purchase price). The FHA can have several restrictions that makes some sellers prefer buyers who offer cash or who are using conventional loans, says Stephen B. McWilliam, president of Greater Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) REALTORS®. Some conventional loans require just 5 percent down and so may serve as an option for first-timers. 

First-timers also need to be able to act fast and be able to have their financing processed quickly if they are going to stay competitive. Some banks won’t sign off on mortgages for eight to 12 weeks. But some sellers won’t wait that long. Some housing experts suggest first-timers look into working with a community bank or local mortgage banker, which often don’t have as long a wait. 

Source: “First-time Home Buyers May Have to Compromise,” Sun Sentinel (Jan. 10, 2013)

Celebrating Dr Martin Luther King, Jr Day

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be remembered at events throughout the Salt Lake Valley on Monday, Jan. 21 and during the rest of the week.

Many people think of MLK Day as not just a day off but a day of service, so consider doing some volunteer work in honor of the day. The MLKDay.gov website helps coordinate volunteers with projects in their local areas.

MLK week at the University of Utah

Events honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. will take place from Friday, Jan. 18 to Thursday, Jan. 24 at the University of Utah, in partnership with local churches and civic groups. The theme for the celebration is "Justice for All."

Events include a luncheon, day of service, rally, marade (march/parade), Polynesian cultural presentations, panel discussions and film screenings. The keynote speaker is the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Thursday, Jan. 24, 12 p.m. at the Huntsman Center. Admission to Rev. Jackson's speech is free, but a ticket is required.

http://diversity.utah.edu/martin-luther-king

 

Murray City Martin Luther King Concert 

Murray City presents a Martin Luther King Day concert free to the public.

Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, 7 p.m.

Murray High School

5440 S. State St.

http://murray.utah.gov/

Featured Business of the month

 

We had such a great response from you about the featured businesses we shared each month,we wanted to see if you have some faves you'd like to share with us!

We will share them with the rest of our clients & friends. The only stipulation is that it has to be a locally owned business - we have a few already to share (beads, kitchen fun, foods) but we'd like your help in finding more.

So, send us a text, email, call, facebook,   twitter, our website (www.tigerladies.com), our blog (www.thetigerladies.blogspot.com) - you name it, we're probably on it.  

 

IS NOW THE TIME FOR YOUR NEXT MOVE??

With the downturn in housing and the uncertainty of the economy in recent years many of you have visited with us about the timing of selling your home and investing in your next one.  Most of you would like to take advantage of the lowered prices and unprecedented low interest rates but worry about the potential loss in value on your current home.  The old adage for investing in anything has always been “buy low, sell high”; but there is always a tradeoff.  In real estate if you are “selling high” you will also “buy high”.  If you “buy low” you will also “sell low”.  A good rule of thumb is to decide which    benefits you the most in the long term. We think low rates plus low prices will benefit you most in the longer term.  Most of us have never, in our lifetimes, seen rates this low.  That will come to an end and we think we will see those rates begin to inch up this year. Community economies are strengthening, employment is improving (Utah’s unemployment rate is nearly 2% lower than the national rate), home inventories are decreasing, and we are seeing again, multiple offers on homes.  

On Jan. 1 both the Senate and House passed H.R. 8 legislation to avert the “fiscal cliff.” The bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama on Jan. 2.

Below is a summary of real estate related provisions in the bill:

Real Estate Tax Extenders

Mortgage Cancellation Relief is extended for one year to Jan. 1, 2014

Deduction for Mortgage Insurance Premiums for filers making  below $110,000 is extended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012

15-year straight-line cost recovery for qualified leasehold           improvements on commercial properties is extended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012

10 percent tax credit (up to $500) for homeowners for energy     improvements to existing homes is extended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012.

 

All of these factors show a steady housing market recovery with 2012 showing steady increases in sales, in pricing, and in demand.

 

January is the perfect time to put a strategy in place to take         advantage of the spring selling season (traditionally the best time to get the highest price for your home).  If you would like to discuss your options or get information to decide if now is the time,   CALL TODAY.

 

 

Featured home of the month - Syracuse, UT

 

PRICE REDUCTION! This gorgeous 2 story shows like a model! New carpet & 2 tone paint throughout using rich colors, 5 very large bedrooms, 3.5 baths, great room includes wall size entertainment center, master suite includes flat screen, kitchen w/island bar & special dimming lights over and below cabinets, semi formal dining w/bay window, stunning formal dining (could easily be formal living or office), large guest suite in daylight basement, 3 car heated, fully insulated garage, large RV pad, & AMAZING Tigerwood covered deck w/fan to enjoy brilliant sunsets!!