As Realtors we have seen every neighborhood in the Salt Lake Valley. On a nearly daily basis, we are driving around to find little pockets we had never known about, and it has reshaped how we view some of the towns in the Salt Lake Valley. There are some towns that get a bad rep that is undeserved and offer some great home options that are often overlooked!3) MapletonIf you currently live in Salt Lake County you might roll your eyes at the mention of living in Mapleton because it seems so far away, but before you judge Mapleton you should consider its benefits. New construction homes are popping up all over Mapleton, at a significantly lower price point than anything in Salt Lake County. Yes, it would be a long commute for some, so this option isn’t right for everyone, but for those who either work in Utah County or from home, Mapleton is a great place to move to. Mapleton is more rural, so the lot sizes are much larger than many other new construction home options you’ll. ...

Utahns that remember Draper in the 1990s can tell you it was much more than a bunch of chickens and farm country. Obviously today Draper has grown into a very desired neighborhood with luxury homes, shopping, dining, and so much more! So that begs that question? Which Utah communities in 2021 are the Draper of the 1990s? 5) VineyardJust west of Orem is Vineyard. Vineyard was the fastest-growing city in Utah with a population spike of 3599.5% over the past year. It already has many of the suburban conveniences nearby in Orem, so new residents are not too far from the nearest grocery store or Target. That being said when the population spikes like Vineyard did over the past year many businesses follow suit, so we wouldn’t be surprised if even more amenities, restaurants, and shops start popping up in the area.Vineyard isn’t a very large town and has Utah Lake to the west of it, so expansion is limited beyond what is already there, so we expect that population growy ...

Ten years ago, the average home in Utah sold for $211,309 – today the average home in Utah is selling for $485,369. That’s an increase of $274,060! It can be hard to believe that this increase is sustainable, and will continue, but experts in the field believe that Utah’s market is unique and that homes will continue to steadily increase year after year.
 
So, the question is why? The answer is basic supply and demand that controls the real estate market.
 
According to U.S. News, in 2021 Utah will have the 4th fastest population growth of any state in the country. The U.S. Census reported that South Jordan, Utah was the 12th fastest growing city in the country with a 4.4% increase in 2018. Additionally, if you didn’t already know, Utah families have the highest number of children per family. Over the past year, there has been a mass exodus from California, New York, and Illinois. One of the top destinations to move to…was you gu. ...

4) Determine How Much You Can Spend
Utah isn’t California. You don’t have to spend a million dollars on a small studio condominium. That being said, the market in Utah is hot right now, and home values are rapidly increasing.
This seems obvious, but it is an important reminder that you need to determine how much you can spend because you don’t want to fall in love with a home you cannot afford. Talk to a financial advisor or do your own research online to determine what price range makes the most sense for you. We also would love to recommend a lender to you, as they can really nail down exactly how much you could spend.
Try and minimize or eliminate any debts you have. This is important because your debt to income ratio can be a big factor in what a lender is willing to give you. Of course, you want to look at your credit score as well when factoring in what you think the lender will give you.
 3) Consider the Neighborhood
The Salt Lake Valley has a wide . ...

Buying a home in Utah feels extremely intimidating right now. Inventory is low, prices are increasing, and many buyers feel extremely frustrated. That being said, buying a home is still one of the best financial investments a person can make.
If you are feeling frustrated with the process of buying a home in the Salt Lake City region considering reading our four tips below, and talk to someone on our team as we’d love to help you find a home!
4) Don’t Get DiscouragedYou might find your dream home, be ready to put an offer, and then suddenly another buyer swoops in and puts in a bid that puts you out of contention of purchasing what you thought was your ideal home. Deals fall apart all the time. If you are serious about buying a home, you have to pick yourself by your bootstraps and keep moving forward to find another home you love. It is not uncommon for real estate transactions to have bumps along the way, but you have to keep your eyes on the prize if you are serious ; ...