Kalleen Foster's Real Estate Blog | Ogden UT | Roy UT | Homes for Sale, Buying a House, Selling a House, Real Estate Market

Inside Real Estate
Let Me Help You!
(801) 589-2220
Follow My Blog
RSS
kalleenfoster
Kalleen Foster
REALTOR®
    Years of Experience: 6

    Weber State University, BS, Business Management
    GRI-Graduate Realtor Institute
    SFR - Short Sale Foreclosure Resource

Direct: (801) 589-2220



Company Info

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
2225 Washington Blvd #100
Ogden, UT 84401


Real Estate Tools

Schoolsschools

Communitiescommunities

Calculatorscalculators

Posts Tagged ‘great time to buy in Ogden’

Snowbasin Opening for the Summer–Historic!!

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

 

Snowbasin Resort, in the mountains near Ogden, will be re-opening for weekend summer skiing beginning June 11. It is the first time the resort has opened in the summer!

Resort officials say above average snowpack and a 100-inch base will allow them to remain open as long as conditions allow. Skiers will be able to use the Needles Gondola to access multiple runs from 8 am to 2 pm. While the snowpack in the mountains of northern Utah has thrilled outdoor enthusiasts, it’s got officials worried about the potential for severe flooding once temperatures warm enough to melt it. 

Snowbasin is well known as the ultimate mountain luxury!  With diverse terrain for beginner ease to challenging expert runs, Snowbasin also offers three progressive terrain parks and 26km of groomed Nordic trails. With 3,000 skiable acres and 3,000 vertical feet, Snowbasin is best known for wide-open bowls, gladed runs, manicured groomers, powder stashes days after a storm, and rarely a lift line.

Snowbasin has world-class snowmaking and one of the most advanced lift systems in the West. Enjoy award-winning cuisine including mountaintop dining with spectacular views and magnificent day lodges.

Make the most of day on the mountain with more than 100 certified instructors, adaptive programs, state-licensed day care and children’s programs. And for more family fun, don’t miss the four-lane lift assisted tubing hill.

Snowbasin is just 35 miles north of Salt Lake City with easy access to the Park City Area.  Après ski in Downtown Ogden, just 17 miles away! How great it is to live in Ogden, Utah, where just miles away you can go snow skiing in the middle of summer!

PS–another reason to buy or sell a home in Ogden?   Great inventory to choose from and interest rates are low…which new home have you picked out?

Ogden River Project

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

The Ogden River comes down out of the Ogden Canyon and rolls on down past Rainbow Gardens and down along the parkway and it keeps going and going.  There is a $50,000 plan developed by Pittsburgh-based Urban Design Associates.  This plan was unveiled to the public back in January and is awaiting approval from the RDA board which is made up of city council members.

This plan is to have a development that will have 750 housing units, including lofts, apartments, townhomes and single family dwellings.  The master plan also recommends that the project be built in multiple phases by several developers so that housing has a variety of architectural styles including traditional and Victorian. This development would also feature a green space along the Ogden River and a half-acre community garden. As many as 1,400 people could ultimately live within the project area and would also accommodate 25,000 square feet of retail space.

This is just another way that Ogden and it’s people are planning for the future and making Ogden such a great place to live!

Tips for First-Time Homebuyers in this Historic Buyers Market

Saturday, March 26th, 2011

Is it the right time to make a move into real estate?  That is a question that a lot of first time buyers are asking themselves.  Below is a reality check list to help first time buyers know if they are ready to buy.

  • Get your finances in order-Before you buy, you need to make sure that your credit is in good shape.  You need to review credit history and know your credit score. You will also need to have enough money set aside for a down payment.  It’s also important not to put all of your money towards the purchase of a home in case of extra expenses afterwards.

 

  • Do not look at homes that you cannot afford-Before you look at homes, you will need to establish your purchase power upfront to determine what you are approved for.  This way you will not set your sights on a home that you cannot afford. At this time, you should also be looking at special loans available from FHA and other government sponsored loans for first time home buyers.

 

  • Get familiar-Familiarize yourself with the process and terminology associated with buying a home, make sure you have a realtor that you trust to help explain the process.

 

  • Interest Rates-There are a lot of misleading mortgages with low rate promises and no contingencies for those who have great credit.  Rates are based upon many different factors and the loan isn’t locked until the application is accepted.

*Basis Point-A term used in the mortgage industry which simply means 1/100th of 1%.

*Closing costs-These are the fees required to process and close your loan.

*FHA-Federal Housing Administration

*FRM & ARM-Fixed rate mortgage loan is a loan where the interest rate stays the same the life time of the loan. ARM is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage with variable interest rates.

*GFE-The Good Faith Estimate is a document explaining all costs involved in getting a loan.

*TIL-The Federal Truth In Lending Form document that tells you the costs and fees of the loan.

*Lis pendens-An official notice that there is a pending lawsuit over real estate.

*Per Diem Interest-Interest you pay per day.

*Underwriting/Underwriting fees-Underwriting is the process that the lender performs to qualify a borrower for a loan.

*Warranty deed-A legal document guaranteeing the seller has a right to sell a property.

Last but not least, find a realtor that you believe will make the right fit with you to help you find the home of your dreams.  A realtor will become a life- long partner in buying and selling real estate.

Now is a great time to buy or sell in the Ogden area.   Do you need help to take  advantage of this historic time?  You may contact me anytime.

Keeping You in the Know–Interest Rates

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

Interest Rates for Tuesday, January 18, 2011.  It’s interesting because the rates change daily. 

30 yr fixed  4.77%             last week   4.75%

15 yr fixed  4.05%             last week   4.06%

5/1 ARM     3.44%             last week    3.49%

30 yr Refi   4.79%             last week    4.77%

15 yr Refi   4.07%             last week     4.07%

Please keep in mind these are general figures because credit scores, lenders, and geographical areas differ. 

Contact me for further information about using low interest rates to buy your next home.

http://money.cnn.com/real_estate/

New Jobs in Ogden Create an Atmosphere of Buying and Selling Homes

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

A retailer has decided Ogden is the place to relocate a customer care and distribution center.  Because of our work ethic to provide excellent customer service and the fact that it’s a beautiful place (nestled in the mountains along the  Wasatch front), Ogden will receive over 200 new jobs with a potential up to 800 in the next ten years.   This is good news! 

I have been saying all along that the Ogden area is a great place to live and employment is another strong factor.  What does this mean for you?  Home buying and home selling works–it works because of jobs.

Have you been timid about purchasing that new home for the first time?  Have you been timid about selling to move into your bigger home, condo, luxury home, or home up in the Valley? 

You can start to make those decisions with confidence.   Please contact me to help you price your home correctly to sell and help you find and negotiate that home you have been waiting for the last two years.   Interest rates are wonderfully low. 

Once again, employment news equals confidence in real estate sales.  Please take advantage now!

(www.standard.net, Friday, January 7, 2011)

The Best Present? A New Home

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

 

Christmas is three days away and what a wonderful present to buy you and your family–a new home!  Take advantage of the low interest rates and the abundant supply of homes and pick out the one you have been dreaming about. 

The holidays are perfect for home buying.   Between Christmas and New Years, we usually have more time to look and don’t have to leave work to write an offer.   

A few weeks ago a friend wrote, “Buying a new home wasn’t even planned! It just happened to be the right house at the right time. Our mortgage is $7 more than our rent. That includes insurance, taxes everything!! Plus our interest rate was only 4.25%–how can you not take advantage of that!! We are so excited to finally call something our own!!! I must say we are extremely happy and so are our girls!!!”

I smiled as I pictured a  happy family on Christmas morning in their new home.

Why not take advantage now and call me to help you realize your dreams this Christmas.  Buying a home in the Ogden area is one of the best presents you could give yourself this year and the years to come!

What Child is This

Buying a Home in Ogden, UT? Check Out Interest Rates

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

Interest Rates for Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Interest are slowing climbing up, but they are still very low!!

 

30 yr fixed  4.74%             last week   4.57%

15 yr fixed  4.09%             last week   3.97%

5/1 ARM     3.42%             last week    3.42%

30 yr Refi   4.63%             last week    4.46%

15 yr Refi   3.95%             last week     3.82%

Please keep in mind these are general figures because credit scores, lenders, and geographical areas differ. 

 

For your reference: http://money.cnn.com/real_estate/

Don’t hesitate to contact me for more information.  Let me help you use these low rates to purchase your next home.

What Now After the Tax Credits Have Expired?

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

 

 NAR Research                                         

Good news!  Pending home sales are on the upswing.  Below is a good video if you are buying or selling.  (Please click on the first video on the second row.  The fellow above is pictured in the video.)

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1785312249?bclid=1740033302&bctid=74508030001

  • Buyers–NAR (National Association of Realtors) President, Vicke Cox Golder, speaks about opportunities for buyers and sellers now that the tax credits have expired.  You may view this video below

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1785312249?bclid=1740033302&bctid=74508030001

  • Sellers–Because it is still a great time to buy a home in Ogden because of the historic low interest rates, it’s a great time to sell.  The following is a link you may referrence about tips for making informed decisions about your home.

http://www.houselogic.com/tour/

As always, real estate is my passion.  My satisfaction comes from assisting you to be as informed as you possibly can by providing information and tools.

PS–What now after the tax credits?  Homes to sell and homes to buy in the Ogden area.  By the way…Go JAZZ!

Buy a Home in Ogden–Visit an Open House This Weekend

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

 

REALTORS are hosting an Open House Extravaganza this Saturday, April 10th. Lots and lots of homes will be hosted by sales agents all over the state.  If you have been wondering about purchasing a home, this is the day to get out and look.  It appears the weather is going to cooperate too.   Other than doing spring yardwork, what could be more fun?

Sellers are advertising their homes for buyers and aiding the process because the tax credits are going to expire on April 30th, 2010. This means a binding contract must be signed by both parties and the settlement date must take place before June 30th, 2010 to take advantage of up to $8000 in tax credits.   For more information about the tax credits, visit irs.gov and enter a search for tax credits.

 http://www.irs.gov

  • All kinds of homes in all kinds of neighborhoods at all kinds of prices will be available.  What a happy day!! 

All you need to do is go to utahrealestate.com and click on the banner (above) at the top of the webpage, click on the county you are interested in and a big list will appear.  Maps are also available so you don’t get lost.

To make it easier for you, here is the link:

http://www.utahrealestate.com/index/public.index

Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy the Open House Extravaganza!

 

Another Reason to Buy or Sell a Home in Ogden UT

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Ogden has done it again.   It’s a great place to live because the Ogden-Clearfield area is maintaining itself as a leader in the Intermountain West as it recovers from the national recession. 

What does that mean for you and I and our families?

  • Job growth 
  • Less affected by joblessness
  • Diverse economy
  • Highly-educated
  • Strong private sector
  • Public medical institutions

Because I am a realtor, how does that affect you if you need to buy/sell a home in Ogden, Utah?

It means the housing market is steady in Weber County and Northern Davis County.  Homes are selling because buyers are interested in living in Ogden and surrounding areas.   With the tax credits for first-time home buyers up to $8000 and up to $6500 for buyers chosing to move-up, it is a great time to buy and sell.   Don’t forget you’ll need a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010 and a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 to qualify.  Please don’t let the time frames bother you–there is still enough time.

I’m available anytime to answer your questions about buying or selling your home.

Visit www.standard.net (Thursday, March 18, 2010) for more information about Ogden’s recovery.

 

- Copyright © 2010 Inside Real Estate, LLC

Inside Real Estate does not endorse the agents on this site, and does not guarantee the content submitted by the site's members. Blog and page entries, content, and other information contributed by agents that are members of the site are accountable to the particular agent. Inside Real Estate and Omnia Alliance LLC take no accountability for the content contributed by members to the site.