Utah Real Estate Podcast

In today’s episode, we talk with Kyler Story with EXP Realty about Airbnb rentals and how residents can make money renting out rooms in their homes. We walk through the process of how you can create an Airbnb for yourself!

We have Mike and Catherine Garff from Garff Group Realty, who started investing in real estate when they purchased their first home. In this episode, we talk about house-hacking, why foreclosures aren’t a good deal anymore, why you want to be the first in line for a buy, and why you should be open to buying so you don’t miss investment opportunities. You can use a previously purchased home as coll...

Today’s episode takes on remodeling and creating a better space in your home basement. We are chatting with Bret Peterson, owner of Ace Construction, ETC. on the importance, cost, and legality of getting permits for your remodel, the benefits of having a licensed professional work on your home, and how hiring a licensed professional contractor is less expensive than purchasing the materials yourse...

Almost any development that you see on the East Bench of Salt Lake City is Infill Development. This process takes a lower use property and turns this same property into better use for the community. Usually, this ends up, resulting in higher density, newer use buildings that revitalize an area. Building with Infill development, your new residential homes are more affordable and enhance and beautif...

Over the past year, many of Utah’s home owners have found themselves fielding multiple offers on their listings. Nick Kolkman, Associate Broker at Realty ONE Group Lifestyle, discusses why it is important to work with agents to “shop the top offer” to get the best deal possible.

For most 20-somethings, it’s hard enough to declare a major let alone decide which condo to buy. But you don’t get rich by squirreling a little money away each month and spending the rest on rent. You get rich by saving a lot and then investing wisely in real estate. Tony Acosta, Broker at Real Team Realty, urges listeners to view real estate as a long-term play that requires patience and careful...

A buzz word that's going around during the COVID-19 pandemic is "forbearance". Amy Brandt, a loan officer with Altius Mortgage, talks about this mortgage relief option offered through the loan servicer. When entering forbearance, mortgage payments are suspended until the end of the forbearance period.

In honor of Veteran's Day, this episode discusses the VA loan program, which unlocks numerous military buyers' benefits. If you are active duty, reservist, or retired, listen up as Vicky Blackie with Fairway Independent Mortgage discusses what is available to veterans. The VA loan program has flexible credit, low closing costs, and no-down-payment financing. To all veterans of all branches: Thank...

When thinking about buying a new home, selecting the right home builder is crucial in creating the home of your dreams. Buyers are bombarded with advertising for builders, with so many options, how can the consumer know what questions to ask to find the right builder. To help buyers facilitate this knowledge, we interviewed David Hodges with Edge Homes.

Amazingly, a borrower can get a fixed loan for a large sum of money for a possibility of thirty years. Brian Crist with SecurityNational Mortgage, explains the behind the scenes of the mortgage industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act passed, which let homeowners enter into forbearance. This stimulus bill was outstanding for the borrower who needed some financial relief but caused a l...

Ever wonder how those old homes get the plaque claiming its historic? Rebecca Hansen, an agent with Signature Real Estate, grew up in a historic home. She has a passion for helping people capture their bit of history with an older house. Rebecca mentions that to register a home as historic in Utah, it needs to be at least 50 years old, retain its architectural integrity and be "significant to impo...

Are you a business owner who has struggled to secure a mortgage because you’re self-employed? Sam Ivey, a loan officer with SecurityNational Mortgage Company, advises borrowers to do everything possible to get their books and credit in order. A higher credit score, combined with organized business and personal finances, will help people who are self-employed to get approved for a mortgage.

Utah – which is commonly referred to as “the beehive state” – has recently experienced a surge in residential construction. In this episode, Brian Parrish, an agent with Arive Homes, shares the pros and cons of buying new. By way of a preview, the prices of new builds are currently on a par with existing housing.

Within the real estate community, a home with paranormal activity falls into the category of “stigmatized” property – which includes properties that are contaminated with methamphetamine, murder, suicide, or death from natural causes (or a communicable disease). Even though most of these scenarios have no physical impact on the home, their emotional and psychological associations tend to make buye...

As a landlord, it is crucial to stay updated on the latest rules and regulations regarding tenants. That’s why we’ve invited Leuri Zibett, with Presidio Property Management, to talk about the best practices to follow in evicting tenants who break their lease agreements. While property owners have the right to kick occupants out for violating the conditions outlined in their lease agreements, Leuri...

Even though Utah’s home prices are on the rise, mortgage rates are at an all-time low. Clay Winder, an associate broker at Keller Williams in Orem, talks to us about industry trends – including the fact that today’s buyers have the same or lower mortgage payments than last summer’s. In this podcast, Clay outlines the four reasons you should consider an investment property: (1) cash flow, (2) debt...

In trying to conserve a few bucks, some are trying out discount services to sell their home. Rob Moser, the Get Moved Real Estate owner, shares the advantage in using a full-service agent compared to FSBO and other discount services.

Now that your offer has been accepted, it’s time for you to review and sign the real estate purchase contract (REPC). Michelle Fradella-Barfuss, a broker at iPro Realty Network in Orem, offers our listeners insights on some critical factors that are often overlooked in the REPC. As a legal document, it is especially important to carefully review what you are signing and to know that both buyers an...

Within seconds of pulling up to your home, potential buyers will form their first impression. To ensure you make a positive and lasting impact on them, Adam Fitzgerald with Aubrey and Associates Realty – will provide you with the information you need to look at your home through fresh eyes and from a buyer's perspective.

Do you often find yourself scanning through your monthly budget to determine which items you can safely cut? Before you cancel your Netflix subscription to save a few bucks, you should listen to this podcast to learn how you can save hundreds of dollars by paying off your mortgage insurance. Scott Taylor, at Integrity First Lending mortgage insurance, will walk you through the steps you can take t...

The words "highest and best offer" to a buyer at times seem like a death sentence. How can you compete when you don't know what the highest offer is? Shea Gilles, with Windermere Real Estate in Layton, talks about to compete in the "highest and best offer" situation.

What is a home equity conversion mortgage? It is often revered as a reverse mortgage and is a benefit provided to senior citizens to offer them the opportunity to have a higher cash flow. If you are approaching your 62nd birthday, then a reverse mortgage might be just up your alley. Scott Jardine, a loan officer with RōBUS Mortgage, answers these questions and more as he discusses the requirements...

What is a Home Warranty? Jason Cook with Silverback Home Warranty shares that a warranty protects appliances and systems from breakdowns caused by normal wear and tear. He also discusses in depth how a warranty can protect homeowners and what it covers.

Are you a first-time homebuyer thinking you will never be able to afford a home because you don't have a twenty percent downpayment? This common misconception often keeps people in the renting phase instead of realizing purchasing a home might be closer than expected. David Provost with United First Financial talks about options that will help you achieve your house goals.

Now that you’ve found your dream home, it’s time to make an offer. But before you get swept up by the home's charm, there are important factors that you should consider. Vili Kotobalavu, an agent with Coldwell Banker Real Estate, shares the importance of knowing comparable neighborhood prices and the community’s future development potential prior to making an offer.