Home sales down, prices rise to pre-recession level Sales of single-family homes in Salt Lake County fell 4 percent in the first quarter, the first time home sales showed a quarterly decline in five years (first quarter year-over-year).   In the January through March period, 2,158 single-family homes were sold by Realtors®, 100 less homes sold compared to the same quarter in 2013. The first quarter decline follows a robust 2013 selling year.

Are you buying your first home and new to the business of real estate?  What should you know about title companies? A title company, also known as an escrow company, is a third party in a real estate transaction (Buyer, Seller, Title Company). The title company coordinates the escrow process, and follows the instructions for closing the transaction as stipulated in the purchase agreement.   It ensures that everything is in order before the buyer and seller close the sale.

A home inspection isn't mandatory when you purchase a house, but I recommend that you have any home you’re planning on buying inspected by a licensed inspector. In fact, I’d REALLY ENCOURAGE it. A home inspector has the training and expertise to provide an objective opinion about the condition of the home.

So you are thinking of buying a house as a rental investment.   What should you know before taking the plunge? Buying the right property is the “secret. ”  Your first step is to make sure the property is in an idyllic location for tenants and likely to appreciate.