Real Estate Information Archive

Southern Utah Recreation continues to be a huge factor in the growth and economic success of not only St. George, but Southern Utah in general.

In this installment of the Larkin Group's "12 Days of St. George Real Estate" Jeremy Larkin discusses the impact of SOUTHERN UTAH RECREATION on the future of St. George Real Estate and the Southern Utah economy in general. World-class Golf, Mountain Biking, National Parks, and more. You name it and Southern Utah Recreation offers it, 12 months out of the year! St. George Real Estate WILL SURVIVE, then THRIVE, partly due to the amazing recreation we have available. 

This video was shot on the Paradise Canyon Trail in North St. George. This trail is part of the "Red Cliffs Desert Preserve" and while it feels like you're 1 million miles away, you're literally within St. George City limits. The Paradise Canyon trail is open to Bikers, Hikers, Horseback riding, and daydreamers. Now stop reading this Blog and go check out some Southern Utah Recreation!

St. George HUD homes are becoming something MORE normal than less. I say this because a just a few years ago we really didn't see any quantity of HUD homes in the St. George real estate markets. Heavens...we didn't see many St. George foreclosures PERIOD!

This St. George HUD home, marketed by The Larkin Group at Keller Williams Realty, is a "Park Model" unit located in the "Dixie Downs Resort" subdivision on North Dixie Downs Road. Dixie Downs Resort is an EXTREMELY quiet, low-traffic area, and according to subdivision CC&R's is a "55 and older" community. Be sure of course to check with the local HOA for exact details. 

Make this St. George HUD home your year round or 2nd home in active 55+ resort community. Clean, cozy 1 bedroom mobile home. You'll be close to shopping, restaurants, golf, state park, and great hiking. Sold as is where is.

Directions: From Sunset Blvd, north on Dixie Downs Dr. to Dixie Downs RV Resort. Take an immediate RIGHT and then Left -- lot 164 is just past clubhouse on left side. 

It's important to note that when purchasing a St. George HUD home all bidding is done online via www.HudHomeStore.com. Contact your preferred Real Estate Professional for assistance - it's worth the trouble as HUD paperwork can be a bit tricky. Go to www.bidselect.com or www.hudhomestore.com to learn more about this home & how/who can bid. Case # 521-623617

​For additional pictures, details or free home search, click here: St. George HUD HOMES. 

"St.George Real Estate Inventory SHRINKING? Did he use the terms “St. George Real Estate” and “Bidding wars” in the same sentence? I thought St. George real estate was experiencing a BUYER's market!?!?" 

Well we are…. technically. Yes, we mentioned St. George Real Estate and Bidding Wars in the same sentence, and NO it’s not late 2005. 

Available St. George Real Estate inventory has been shrinking…by 29% since this same time last year. Simply, St. George real estate is "stuck" between a Buyer and Seller market. 

In our November Larkin Group St. George Real Estate newsletter we discussed the fact that Southern Utah housing had DRAMATICALLY improved over the past year or so. On the heels of that newsletter the Salt Lake Tribune ran a piece outlining the improvement of St. George real estate and decrease​ in St. George real estate inventory. Article: St. George Housing Market Showing Signs of Recovery. 

Bidding wars…really? In the past 7 days, the Larkin Group has received a total of 12 offers between 3 different listings. 6 on one, 3 on another, 3 on yet another. Bear in mind that the first two homes mentioned had been on the market less than one week…. ONE WEEK!  It's shades of the 2005 St. George real estate boom, only the bidding wars are now happening because

a.     St. George housing is so affordable, and

b.     Available St. George real estate inventory is shrinking

Specifically, 8.28 months of St. George real estate inventory were available as of December 5^th, whereas 11.14 months of St. George housing inventory were available 1 year ago at this time. 

What's in store for St. George real estate? I guess we don’t exactly know. Currently,  inventory is shrinking, which is creating bidding wars, which is stabilizing housing values, which will eventually INCREASE property values, we just don't know ​when. 

Frankly, St. George real estate has NEVER been more affordable. This isn't just St. George Realtor-talk, a. k. a. “cheerleading” as some would refer to it. This is a mathematical, economical, HISTORICALLY PROVABLE reality. Despite unemployment figures, St. George real estate is as cheap as its’ been in years based on incomes of those employed, and mortgage interest rates are at their lowest point…ever. This equates to affordable St. George real estate.

For St. George Home BUYERS: Be prepared for a competitive offering situation and stop freaking out about this fact. Just because you have to pay MORE than the list price doesn’t mean you’re overpaying. If Costco put $200 North Face parkas on the floor for $50.....how many would they sell? ALL OF THEM. Would someone ask for a discount? Most would be ecstatic about getting them at that price!

For St. George Home SELLERS: YES you can sell your home in this market. The Larkin Group has managed to sell over 150 listings in 2011 alone. You can do so in 120 days or less. This isn’t about giving your home away either. It’s about properly pricing and preparing your home for sale based on what the Washington County housing market will support.

Stay tuned for more on the continuing saga of St. George real estate inventory. 

St. George Weather has driven St. George Real Estate for much longer than just the past few decades! (SEE VIDEO BELOW). 

For decades, St. George residents and visitors alike have labored under the delusion that golf, hiking, tourism or even the RED ROCKS of Dixie have been driving the Southern Utah lifestyle. In this week’s GoStGeorgeTV segment, St. George Real Estate Expert, lifetime local and diehard fan Jeremy Larkin discusses the how the REAL source of explosive Washington County growth is actually our beautiful St. George, Utah weather!

St. George weather has impacted all of Southern Utah from the arrival of early Mormon Settlers, (a.k.a. the first Southern Utah "Snowbirds",) in 1861, all the way up through the Snowbirds of today who continue to flee the cold of the North to enjoy our “Main Attraction” - St. George weather.

150,000 people and over 150 years later, the rest, they say, is History. This video was shot in the shadow of the historic St. George Tabernacle on “Town Square.” Here’s a live link to current St. George Weather.

Foremaster Ridge Foreclosure History

Foremaster Ridge Foreclosures, as well as neighboring East Ridge Foreclosures (which shares the East Ridge Mesa of St. George), were once upon a time (Pre-2005) almost non-existent.  St. George foreclosures of ANY KIND, were almost non-existent prior to the nation-wide real estate bubble which, subsequently, burst. It seemed that virtually overnight​, St. George foreclosures in general burst. 

Like the rest of surrounding St. George real estate, Foremaster Ridge was no exception, and unfortunately gained the temporary, but undesirable title of “Foreclosure Ridge!”  Numerous “spec builders”, many of them from far away out of State locales, were throwing up HUGE luxury homes as fast as they could, only to see their investments taken from them – resulting in a glut of Foremaster Ridge Foreclosures.

Foremaster Ridge Foreclosures Fading into History (yahoo!)

The good news for OWNERS concerned about their St. George Home Values is that Foremaster Ridge foreclosures are not only on the DOWNSWING, they are once again almost non-existent! Look at historical Foremaster Ridge Foreclosure sales for the past 5 years:

5-Year Foremaster Ridge Foreclosure Sales History

The evidence of a St. George real estate recovery is OBVIOUS in these figures. This obviously bodes well not only for Foremaster Ridge residents, but for the whole danged market!

Why I’ve Personally Considered a Future Move to Foremaster Ridge

Yes, I really have as recently as the past month considered purchasing a building lot on Foremaster Ridge to someday build on. Why? You simply can’t beat the location.

This East Ridge of St. George is truly a little ‘island in the sky.’  I’ve taken photos of downtown St.  George after rain storms from Foremaster Ridge when the clouds blanketed the entire down City, but sun was shining away on the Ridge. You’re sitting in an upscale, (but not stuffy) neighborhood that could easily be 10 miles out of town, but sits literally 2 minutes to Dixie Regional Medical Center, and 2-5 minutes from the core of St. George Big-Box Retailers including Target, Lowe’s, Ross, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and more!

Some Details about the ONLY (at least currently) available Foremaster Ridge Foreclosure

329 S. Crestline Dr - The layout of this Foremaster Ridge Foreclosure could as easily satisfy a growing family as it may a “Snowbird” looking for respite from cold Northern winters.

Featuring BRAND NEW CARPET and home-wide paint touchup, the home smells AND looks fantastic. 3-car garage? Check. Grand entry-way? Check. Fully fenced yard? Check. Amazing St. George location surrounded by a fantastic neighborhood? CHECK!

Note that this Foremaster Ridge foreclosure is a Fannie Mae property which may allow you to purchase for as little as 3% down!. Keep up with pricing and other details here: Foremaster Ridge Foreclosure.

St. George HUD homes may be just what the Doctor ordered for St. George Home Buyers (UTAH home Buyers actually) with great credit, steady employment, but who lack large down payment resources. 

In an effort to meet the needs of the current home buying marketplace, HUD is offering a $100 down payment on St. George HUD homes where offers are at or above current list price. 

I know what you’re thinking: “Oh so there’s a catch. I have to offer list price or ABOVE!” Before you get bent out of shape, let me assure you that 75% of St. George HUD homes are being listed BELOW market value! For instance, one of the Larkin Group’s personal St. George HUD home listings in Bloomington Hills was just reduced to $133,200 yesterday.  It’s a 5 bed, 3 bath, 3075 Basement home! That home will almost assuredly see a “bidding war” this week. See it here: Bloomington Hills HUD HOME. 

St. George HUD Home $100 Down Purchasing Requirements

• Purchasers must be owner/occupants
• Utilize FHA insured financing
• Offer full list price or above
• Any offers exceeding appraised value require the buyer to provide the additional funds at closing.

Remember that offering on a St. George HUD home is done much differently that what you’ve probably experienced in offering on other St. George foreclosures. The process is handed online via what we refer to as a “sealed bid”, so be sure to contact your FHA Lender or HUD approved Real Estate Agent for further information. 

As always, you’re welcome to use our FREE home search tool to search for other St. George HUD homes.

No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace As I have seen in one Autumnal face.                                                                                                     -John Donne

Fall in Utah’s Dixie. How INCREDIBLE is it?  Born and raised here in Utah’s Dixie, my brother and I have always referred to St. George Fall weather as, ‘Chamber of Commerce Weather. ’ You know - that weather that sells just about anyone who visits this place we call “home.”

If you’re “not from around these parts” you may be asking, what in the world is Utah’s Dixie?!  Or perhaps you ARE from around here, but never really understood the full meaning. It has NOTHING to do with Confederate soldiers I assure you.

Utah’s Dixie is the local nickname for St. George, Utah and surrounding areas. Long story short, the name Dixie was given to the area by early Mormon Settlers who were, A - Growing Cotton (as was done in the deep South); and B - And doing so in the DEEP SOUTH of Utah!

Hence, the name Utah’s Dixie. But I digress…..

I’m always amazed at how PERFECT our Thanksgiving Weather is every year i. I’ve probably not done my due diligence in checking a St. George weather almanac, but I can scarcely remember a time when:

• It wasn’t sunny and 60 degrees
• And we didn’t end up in short sleeves throwing a football in front of Mom’s house. (in between napping off our Turkey dinners or watching football)

What am I saying? We have it pretty good in good ol’ Utah’s Dixie.

The "Scoop" behind the “Fall in Utah's Dixie” photo above

Fellow St. George local Larry Gardner originally shot a similar photo to what you see on the front of this card some  8 years ago immediately after a November rain storm. He aptly named it “Fall(in’) in Love with Dixie” and allowed us to use it in our marketing.

A most people know, the landscape of Utah’s Dixie changed dramatically over the next few years of our record St. George Real Estate boom. I just HAD to get an updated photo of downtown St. George!

On a very similar November day in 2008 I commissioned local Photographer Danny Lee (http://www.DLeePhotography.com) to take an updated shot following ANOTHER Fall rain storm. I literally called him last minute and said, “HURRY! You’re gonna miss it!”  It has now become an integral part of the Larkin Group brand as our ‘main’ photo at our http://GoStGeorge.com site, as well as in many other locations. 

​Why do we LOVE this photo like we do? 

Growing up, I lived in 3 different homes along a 2-block strip of 600 East in downtown St. George. It's right there in the "Fall in Utah's Dixie" photo, you just can't see it! The typical marketing photo of St. George is always some red rock slab, yet that's not what I relate to my childhood. This photo really represents what growing up in downtown St. George "felt" like to me. 

We printed and mailed over 500 copies of this “Fall in Utah’s Dixie” photo to our friends and clients today – specifically formatted without any logos or other interruptions on the front so you can enjoy our amazing Southwestern Fall scenery year-round should you choose – frame it, post on a bulletin board, the fridge, whatever.

Wherever you are during this Holiday, here’s to a GORGEOUS Autumn and phenomenal, food and laughter-filled Thanksgiving. As for me? I’ll be enjoying Fall in Utah’s Dixie. 

Little Valley St. George homes can be classified as some of the finest, family-friendly Southern Utah homes - PERIOD!

Every time we have the opportunity to list a Little Valley St. George Home I just get psyched! (the best adjective I could come up with). It’s so much easier to stand behind the marketing of a piece of St. George Real Estate when you truly believe in both the home, AND the area it’s located in.

Conveniently located near churches, schools and what is arguably the finest public park and sports complex in Washington County, (“The Fields” Park), this Little Valley St. George home is no exception. BURSTING with curb appeal, it offers the ideal setup for large families or anyone looking to entertain friends and family. Neutral paint scheme, alder cabinets, granite countertops, and phenomenal cool storage space in the basement are tough to beat. The HUGE yard offers plenty of opportunity for a pool or other projects with large basketball pad and area for play-set are already installed.

One of the finest features about the area is the rural feel, but surprisingly convenient physical location. Elementary and Intermediate Schools are less than 2 minutes away, Middle & High Schools less than 5 minutes.

So go ahead  - don’t be shy about sharing this link with your Facebook, Twitter or other Social Networking buddies - they'll thank you!

View full details, Virtual Tour, and 16 photos here: Little Valley St. George Home For Sale

Foreclosure Auction. It’s tough to not click on the title like that, right?

This cute little Fannie Mae property will soon be sold via online Foreclosure Auction (www.Auction.com) in coming weeks. Located in popular and scenic Santa Clara Heights, it will be a phenomenal Investment opportunity with BRAND NEW Carpet & Paint! The hillside location is awkward for some, but just what the Doctor ordered for others as it offers great views and cul-de-sac setting - ideal for families looking for peace, quiet and little to no traffic!

Santa Clara Heights, affectionately known by locals as “the Heights”, is an incredibly popular and well-established area. Originally it was populated almost entirely by younger families, but over time has evolved into a location for all ages. Santa Clara Elementary is situation right in the heart of the heights, Lava Flow Intermediate to the Northwest, and Snow Canyon Middle / High Schools just East.

While in Santa Clara for the Foreclosure Auction, be sure to take a leisurely drive down good ol’ fashioned Santa Clara Drive, a tree-lined, idyllic strip winds through old Santa Clara City. And make sure to stop by Frei’s Fruit Market for some fresh peaches or even their home-made chips n’ salsa!

Flooring, foundation and flat work in this home show visible signs of cracking, settling or other structural issues. Buyer should be aware of these issues and do the proper research prior to submitting an online bid.

Pre Foreclosure Auction Public Open House Dates:

November 19^th: 11-4 PM

November 20^th: 11-4 PM

November 26^th: 11-4 PM

Auction Date: ​12/9/11. To register and bid, click here: ​Santa Clara Heights Foreclosure Auction Registration

Obviously Buyers can take a run at any Foreclosure Auction with, or without a licensed Real Estate Professional on their team. Of course I’m going to tell you “with” – I’m a Realtor, right? But from a logical perspective, I wouldn’t make wild investments in companies or industries I didn’t’ know anything about. Why would a Buyer want to put $50, $100k or MORE into a piece of property without the representation of someone who does this Professionally...FULL TIME!?!?

Here’s a piece we wrote last year about the “what, where, when, and how” of these auctions: St. George Bank Foreclosure Auctions

That said, contact Michelle Evans of the Larkin Group – michelle@gostgeorge.com / (435) 862-2320, for more details or information on Santa Clara Real Estate, or this Foreclosure Auction.

Keller Williams Realty ROCKS! Have you ever been involved with a job, organization, club, or sports team and woke up one day saying, "MAN I'm lucky to be a part of this!"??? I sure have, and that organization is Keller Williams Realty.

I know, I know. If you're a consumer, you're thinking, "why should I care?" Well you certainly don't have to! However, Larkin Group clients should care because they can rest easy knowing we're trained and supported (both legally and day-to-day business wise), by the greatest Real Estate company in the world - Keller Williams Realty

Realtor Magazine recently ran their annual "Franchise Report", detailing a bit about all of the major companies out there. # of agents, offices, etc, etc, etc. If you want to see the full report, here you go: 2011 Franchise Report. It's actually a short read.

If not, here's the punch line: Every single major brokerage in the United States has closed offices and lost agents in the past few years....EXCEPT Keller Williams Realty.

Unless you've been living in a cave or the Arctic, you'll realize that this is really saying something considering the economic conditions of late. It's not just one thing, but the sum of ALL THINGS about Keller Williams Realty that make it great. Here are just a few philosophies that you'll probably care about:

These beliefs are an integral part of the Keller Williams Realty company culture NATIONWIDE.

Glad to be a part of it! Want to learn more? Here's a link: Keller Williams Realty