If you are a buyer looking at properties and have found the perfect home for the perfect price, odds are that someone else has found that same home.  But what do you do to make your offer look better than any others that might be presented?  The following article gives some helpful recommendations, re-posted here with permission:

So you’ve found that perfect Utah County real estate property. It’s in your desired area, has all the right criteria, it’s close to work and the price is right, but someone else also thinks the same thing. Now there are competing offers on your dream home. Is it time to panic? No. It’s time to get smart about your offer. In a seller’s market there can sometimes be several competing offers on a given home as there are many interested parties competing for only a few prime homes.

The first thing you should do is make sure that this is indeed the home for you. Take the time to seek out all the alternatives and make sure that this is the home you want. Now, with that decided; the idea is to make your offer as attractive as possible to the seller and let them know that you mean business. Typically when an offer is made there are subjects to the offer. These can range from the passing of inspection, to the successful securing of financing, or even something like the repairing or replacing of a roof. The fewer subjects there are attached to your offer, the more attractive the offer will be to a seller. If you have some room to spare on the price you could also word your offer to read "bid is X dollars over the highest bid."

One thing that is always a concern to sellers is that the offers are coming from qualified buyers. This means buyers that already have their financing ready to go in the event of a purchase. If you don’t have your mortgage ready to go, chances are that the offer of someone who does will be accepted first. A full pre-approval can go a long way towards making your offer the one that catches the seller’s interest. Buyers will also like it if you have some flexibility in your desired possession date. This gives them the time they need to move their belongings and say goodbye to their old home.

Author Bio:  Trey is the internet marketing director for VIP Premier Realty.  VIP specializes in Coppel real estate and Downtown Dallas Condos.

Brian Turner, public relations assistant for Mesothelioma.com, sent me the following article about asbestos.   Homeowners need to be informed when it comes to keeping their homes safe, which includes being aware of the potential dangers that asbestos pose.  Take a look at what he had to say in regards to asbestos:

As a new homeowner or potential seller, it is not likely that you are acquainted with the inner materials of a home. However, most buyers seek an updated home inspection before closing on a new property. It is important to reassure buyers that the home is safe and does not contain any potential health hazards. These inspections are critical to clearing hurdles down the road that may slow the sale of property.

One of the most common surprises new homeowners and sellers confront is asbestos in older structures. Indeed, asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are now banned for use in the United States but many older buildings still contain these products, which are generally safe, but homeowners should be aware of where they are and when they become hazardous.

Asbestos was included in thousands of construction products and still exists in nearly 80% of homes built prior to 1978. Common asbestos materials include attic insulation, ceiling tiles, and pipe lining. Asbestos was particularly adept at insulation and prevention of temperature transfer and was used extensively until adverse health effects began to manifest in those who worked with the material frequently.

It is only when asbestos containing materials are compromised or very old that they become hazardous. Asbestos products under these conditions are rendered “friable.” Home inspection companies should be able to identify these circumstances and advise you on a course of action. When asbestos material is friable, asbestos fibers can be released into the air, potentially endangering those in the area.

Inhaled asbestos fibers lodge in the body’s inner tissue and have been conclusively linked to the rare cancer, mesothelioma , commonly referred to as asbestos cancer , in addition to many other respiratory disorders.

There are few options for mesothelioma treatment or curative therapies for other conditions caused by sustained asbestos exposures. Homeowners need to be aware of potential hazards that may exist so they may be able to avoid potentially harmful effects of hazardous asbestos.

Again, most asbestos containing materials will not pose an immediate hazard and an informed buyer will not be turned off by their presence if they’re reassured of their safety by a professional opinion. These simple precautions can be taken to assure that both sides know that they and their families will be happy and healthy in their new home.

The semi-annual Utah Valley Home and Garden Expo is coming up. It will be held Friday and Saturday, April 24th and 25th from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at the McKay Events Center in Orem.

The Utah County Association of Realtors distributed the following information regarding the Expo:

Utah Valley knows the best way to create your perfect home is to attend the Utah Valley Home and Garden Expo at the McKay Events Center in Orem, Utah. Packed with exhibits, experts and ideas on home improvement inside and out, the annual Home Expo is the premier home event in Utah Valley. The Expo focuses on the latest decorating and remodeling trends in the industry. Whatever it is, you’ll find it here. And look for many Expo-only incentives to ready your home for not only a fantastic summer, but to be your pride and enjoyment year round.

…Each year nearly 13,000 visitors enjoy Utah County’s largest Expo. Expect another great show including good food, exhibits from nearly 230 top home-oriented businesses, free prizes, children’s play areas, numerous seminars and much much more.

Nearly 230 great exhibitors
Family activities
Free seminars and home ideas
Door prizes (valued at over $300 per prize) hourly
And much more… We’ll see you there!

This is a great place to pick up home decorating and remodeling ideas. And I’ll be volunteering at one of the booths on Friday night - so stop by and see me!

There are incredible deals and incentives to be had by the brave.  Many are so nervous and scared about what is happening with the world and the economy that they are paralyzed with fear in regards to real estate.  But those who will, can take advantage of the many benefits of buying a home today:

1. First-time home buyer tax credit of $8,000.  If you have not owned a home in the last 3 years, you can get paid $8,000 to purchase a home.  Unbelievable.  I am still astounded by this.

2. Interest rates are at an incredible low point.  Typically speaking, bad news in the economy results in good news for home loan rates.  Interest rates continue to hover at historic lows between 5.0 and 5.5%.  Seizing the opportunity to lock in a long-term fixed rate right now will save you thousands over the life of the loan.  Maybe even tens of thousands.  Interest rates could go up again anytime, so waiting could be financially dangerous.  Furthermore, if you qualify for an FHA loan, you can lock in your rate, then refinance for free in the future if rates go even lower.  Talk about a win-win situation!

3. Home choices are plentiful and it is a strong buyers market right now.  There are lots of homes on the market so there is plenty to choose from.  Don’t wait for the sellers market to return.

4. Mortgage interest and taxes are still tax deductible.  The tax savings each year can be significant, and for some can more than make up the difference between being a renter versus being a home owner.

So if you have considered buying a home, don’t let these great incentives pass you by.  Contact me to get the process started right away!

If you happened to open the Daily Herald on Sunday, March 1, 2009, you would have seen my face smiling out at you!

Why? Because I was awarded with the 2008 Excellence in Real Estate Award from the Utah County Association of Realtors.  Out of over 1700 real estate agents in Utah County, I was one of only 65 recognized for receiving this award, which recognizes Realtors for "their professional performance in Continuing Education, Production, Participation, Leadership, Involvement, and Community/Civic Service."  I was among one of the few to receive this award.

If you want excellent service and knowledge of the current Utah County real estate market, you’ve no need to look any further.

President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law today.  This stimulus package is enormous and has many facets.  I’d like to focus on just one aspect of this law: the first-time home buyer tax credit.

First-time home buyers who purchase a home between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009 will be eligible to receive up to an $8,000 tax credit.  This money does not have to be repaid.  The home must then be used as the buyer’s primary residence for the next 3 years (otherwise the tax credit does need to be repaid).

This is a great opportunity for first-time home buyers to buy a home.  Combine this with the current buyer’s market and low interest rates, and this truly is one of the best times to buy.  Contact me to get the process started!

To read more about stimulus package, properly titled the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, visit this government website: www.Recovery.gov

I am not a tax professional, so be sure to contact your tax professional regarding the specifics of how this may impact your situation.

The United States Postal Service is increasing postage rates again - for the 3rd time in as many years. The new cost to mail a one ounce first-class letter in the US will go up to 44 cents. The cost to mail a postcard will rise to 28 cents. These price changes are going into effect on Monday, May 11, 2009.

The irony in this is that because people are using the post office less and less, the post office needs to keep increasing rates.  But the more that postage rates go up, the less people want to mail things.  This creates a perplexing dilemma.  Some would argue that postage rates rise less than inflation - but this increase is nearly a 5% increase in one year’s time.

You can still purchase "Forever Stamps" for today’s postage prices of 42 cents up until the rate increase on May 11, 2009. You can order Forever Stamps at the post office or online at www.usps.com . These can be used to send first-class letters anytime in the future, regardless of what prices may rise to.

Conventional 30 year fixed: 5.0%

FHA 30 year fixed: 5.5%

Conventional 15 year fixed 4.75%

Interest rates are still very good.  And with Congress agreeing on a stimulus bill that will include tax credits to first-time home buyers, now is a great time to take advantage of all the deals and perks of buying a home before they disappear.

Ron Clarke, one of the most prestigious Realtors in Utah County, had his Realtor’s license officially revoked by the Utah Real Estate Commission. Clarke admitted to being involved in a massive mortgage fraud scheme that rocked the Provo Riverwoods real estate market. He was fined for 44 statutory and rule violations for knowingly inflating property values artificially in order to collect real estate commissions.

According to the Daily Herald:

According to an order signed Feb. 4 by the commission, Provo Realtor Ron K. Clarke was fined $22,000 for 44 statutory and rule violations for inflating property sale values. Clarke’s real estate license was also revoked and he is forbidden from reapplying for a new license until five years after his prison sentence and probation is completed, according to the document, though he has not been sentenced yet. If Clarke reapplies for a license in the future, he must also appear before the commission for a hearing.

The Daily Herald continues with a quote attributed to Clarke:

“On January 11, 2006, I changed the list price from $1,750,000 to $2,900,000 knowing this new figure was false and overstate the fair market value of 4311 by over $1,000,000,” Clarke admitted in relation to one of several homes. “I entered this false information because I desired to close the sale . . . and collect my sales commission.”

Clarke faces prison time of up to 20 years when he is sentenced. I think this whole situation is a tragedy and very sad. However, I do believe that people who get involved in these types of manipulative schemes need to face the heavy hand of justice so as to send a message to others that this type of thing will not be tolerated. What do you think?

Deals, deals, deals! Seems like most people out buying real estate in Utah County right now just want a good deal.  There are also a good number of people who are just plain jittery because of the economy, stock market, job layoffs, etc.

Market statistics for December 2008 have been collected and assembled. I was surprised by some of the numbers.  As always, these are the stats compiled by the Utah County Association of Realtors and represent the homes sold through a real estate agent.  Here are some of the highlights:

• 311 - the number of residential homes that sold in December of 2008.  This is up from how many homes sold during the same month a year ago (December 2007 had 269 homes that sold).  This is also up from the 276 homes that sold during November of 2008.

• 7.1% - the percentage of homes that sold, when compared to how many were listed. Although this is lower than ideal, it is actually up from November 2008 (which was 6.4%) and December of 2007 (which was 6.5%)

• Days on the Market for properties that sell remains high at 93 .  Remember to include the time it takes to prepare a property for sale with the additional time needed between when a property goes under contract until it actually closes.  Altogether you are looking at roughly 5-6 months needed to sell a home.  Not the best, but not impossible, either.

• 4354 - The number of homes currently for sale. This number is down, although I suspect there are some people who have homes they have taken off the market but will put back up in the early spring.

• $208,750 - median sales price for all homes sold during December 2008. Unfortunately, this is lower than most months this year, but I think it reflects two things: 1. Homes in the lower price ranges are the ones that are selling; and 2. People are looking for good real estate deals.

If you are looking to buy, now is a great time with low interest rates, great loan incentives, relatively high inventory, and a slow market.  If you are looking to sell, you definitely need to be priced competitively with a home that looks and feels great, and a professional to effectively market your home.

I’ve recently upgraded the features available to those who visit www.UtahCountyExpert.com to search the Wasatch Front Regional Multiple Listing Service (wfrmls), the MLS service used by the vast majority of real estate agents in Utah.

Simply click on MLS Property Search and you will have access to all listings from nearly all real estate offices in Utah. You can view all types of properties: residential homes, duplexes, vacant land, apartment buildings, commercial properties, and farmland. Beyond showing you information on the property such as square footage, year built, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc, you will also have access to see interior pictures and/or virtual tours. Information is available almost immediately after any real-time updates are made on properties.

Furthermore, you can see addresses and maps for properties, which is unlike what most other real estate websites offer.

When you find a home you are interested in, simply click the “email for info” button to ask further questions.

Although I’ve always offered this online search to visitors of www.UtahCountyExpert.com, these enhanced features make finding a home on the computer even easier.

The Provo City Council has chosen David Acheson to join the Council and serve out the rest of George Stewart’s appointment.  Mr. Stewart, the departing councilman, has resigned to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

David Acheson was chosen among a field of 22 applicants and will serve until the remaining time of the appointment will end.

I was thrilled to learn this news.  I lived in David Acheson’s Wasatch neighborhood where he served as a neighborhood co-chair and helped resolve many real-estate related issues.  He has been very active and involved in the community for many years and is a man of many talents.  He is fair and balanced.  He has great organizational skills, verbal articulation, and the ability to disseminate complex problems - all of which will be a great asset to Provo City.  David Acheson is a great choice for this position and will do a fine job.

Barack Obama gave the Oath of the President of the United States of America today, as outlined in the Constitution:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Barack Obama was officially sworn in as the 44th President of our nation and the first to ever be black. It is interesting to think that Barack Obama could have been a slave when our nation first formed, yet now, today, he is country’s leader. It is amazing to see how far our nation has come!

Mr. Obama’s speeches are inspirational. I hope that he lives up to the hype he has created and does incredible things for the United States.

In what ways and directions do you think Barack Obama will lead us?

Foreclosure information can be hard to track accurately. Whereas information such as Notices of Default (the first step towards foreclosure) are made public record, it is not always easy to find out what results from these Notices. Sometimes they lead to foreclosure. Other times the owner finds a way to get caught up on their mortgage payments and/or penalties. Still other times the owner can quickly sell the property before it is taken through foreclosure and sold.

I read a very interesting article yesterday about foreclosures in Utah County that I wanted to share. The article was written by Grace Leong of the Daily Herald, dated Thursday, January 15, 2009 and titled: Utah foreclosures to hit new high in 2009

Foreclosures in Utah are expected to hit a new record high in 2009 as more residents join the jobless ranks and the number of subprime loan resets increase this year, according to the 2009 Economic Report to the Governor.
About 42.4 percent of all Utah subprime adjustable rate mortgages will reset from now through September, compared with 27.8 percent resetting nationally, according to the governor’s report, citing estimates from the Federal Reserve Bank.

And Utah County is among the areas expected to have the greatest concentration of foreclosures in 2009, largely because it saw strong residential construction and a significant rise in home prices during the recent boom years, said Juliette Tennert, chief economist at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, which presented the report last week to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

In 2008 alone, the number of foreclosure filings in Utah County soared 239 percent to a total of 2,898 compared with the same period a year ago, according to RealtyTrac report released Wednesday. The Irvine, Calif.-based foreclosure listing report covers filings including default notices, notice of trustee sales and bank repossession notices.

More than 1,100 homes in Utah County were actually repossessed by lenders in 2008, up from a mere 66 homes in 2007, according to the report. Statewide, 4,128 homes were repossessed by lenders in 2008, up 457 percent from 741 in 2007. Nationwide, more than 860,000 properties were actually repossessed by lenders, more than double the 2007 level.

"In the past, people had the option to either refinance to a better loan, or just sell the property. But in this current market, it’s much harder to do that. People who are in distress have fewer options to avoid foreclosure," said Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac’s marketing communications manager.

Statewide, the number of Utahns facing foreclosure jumped 99 percent to 14,836 in 2008 from a year ago. "Utah now ranks 13th in terms of foreclosures, compared with 20th place a year ago. Foreclosures appear to be rising at a faster pace now because the housing boom in Utah came later than other states, so the bust is coming later, too," Blomquist said.

Still, there’s a silver lining for Utah, Tennert said.

"We have some tough times ahead of us. Even though we’re approaching record-high levels of foreclosures, we’re still in a better situation than most other states," she said.

Case in point: Only 1.4 percent of all Utah home loans are in foreclosure as of the third quarter of 2008, compared with 3 percent nationally, according to the latest report from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

About 10 percent of all Utah home loans are subprime loans, compared with the national average of 12 percent, and more than 15 percent in hardest-hit areas like Nevada, Arizona, Florida and California, Tennert said.

"Even though we have a lot of subprime loans resetting in 2009, we have a smaller proportion of those loans compared with other states," she said.

Depressed by mounting foreclosures and a glut in housing inventories, home prices in Utah are expected to drop another 8 percent in 2009, Tennert said. "Utah has lagged the nation in terms of home price depreciation. In the fourth quarter 2007, prices rose 9 percent even though prices nationally were starting to slow. We didn’t see home prices dropping until the third quarter of 2008," she said.

Median prices of single-family homes in Provo shed 3.1 percent in the third quarter of 2008 from a year ago, while median prices statewide dipped 1.6 percent, according to the governor’s report. Excluding Park City, average home prices statewide fell 5.6 percent in the 12-month period ended Sept. 30, according to the Utah County Board of Realtors.

"But we’ll recover faster because we have solid economic fundamentals, such as a young, educated labor force and a pro-business regulatory environment, which would attract businesses to Utah even in the downturn," Tennert said.

Mortgage rates driven to record lows by government actions including the Federal Reserve’s plan to buy $500 billion of mortgage bonds will help soften the housing slump by boosting demand, she said.

With the weakness in housing apparently spreading into other sectors of the economy, Utah’s employment situation is expected to turn negative in 2009, with a forecast drop of 1.5 percent, according to the governor’s report. That compares with 0.2 percent job growth in 2008.

"Home prices cannot stabilize as long as consumers are concerned about their long-term employment prospects," according to the governor’s report. "Assuming the natural market corrections were to run their course in the next six months, it will be very important for Utah’s job market to be strong enough at that time to sustain an orderly recovery in our housing markets.

"However, if we continue to see increase in unemployment leading to further consumer uncertainty, the current housing correction could become extended. This ambiguity in real estate values would continue to make it difficult for local banks to lend into certain segments of the economy, thus the depth and length of the recession would be exacerbated."

For now, Tennert holds to the view that the worst of the recession should be over by the middle of the year. "The drop in employment could peak at the 2-percent range by July for Utah. But job growth isn’t likely to return until the middle of 2010."

Retail sales, the backbone of the state’s economy, is expected to drop 1.6 percent in 2009, compared with 2.8 percent growth in 2008 and 6.1 percent growth in 2007. That’s due to a sharp pullback in consumer spending in the face of rising job insecurity and slower wage growth. In 2009, annual wage growth is expected to slow to 1.6 percent in 2009, compared with 2.8 percent growth in 2008 and 5.6 percent growth in 2007.

But on the bright side, Tennert also expects price deflation in 2009 to offset the effects of slowing wage growth in Utah. "In 2008, there was 3.8-percent inflation because of record-high oil and gas prices. So people felt the effects of inflation eroding their pay. But in 2009, we’re expecting 1.5 percent deflation in prices, which hopefully, would help make things easier for most people."

We are in the middle of continued tough times for both the economy and real estate. As the article points out, we have more reasons to be hopeful, but there will still be challenges. What are your thoughts?

Competitive interest rates on homes are at a level that I never thought I would see:

Conventional Fixed 30 year loan: 5.0%
FHA Fixed 30 year loan: 5.0%
Conventional Fixed 15 year loan: 4.75%

Interest rates are fluid and fluctuate all the time. In fact, they can fluctuate up or down several times throughout the course of one day. Additionally, each company and each loan officer will have different rates and terms, but earlier today you could expect competitive rates to be what I cited above, give or take a little.

It is a great time to make a move on buying or refinancing a home with these great rates. Lock in a low interest rate for the next 30 years! Some people have told me that they think these rates may go even lower, but if that happens there could come with it a flurry of activity that causes an increase in demand for homes and loans, potentially causing both homes and loans to increase. Right now there are more perks than ever in regards to purchasing property here in Utah.

With the shape of the economy right now, many are cutting costs wherever possible. This is, of course, a smart thing to do. However, one aspect that people need to be careful of is not to cut their insurance needs in a way that leaves them unprotected.

Brian Morgan, one of the insurance agents I trust most, recently wrote an article about the best way to save costs on insurance, which he has given me permission to share. Brian is a local insurance industry expert here in Utah County. Here’s what he had to say:

The Sensible Way to Save on Insurance

As we all try to find ways to cut back on spending and ease up our cash flow, I want to point out one area of our finances that we should pay particular attention to? And, while I’m definitely not a financial expert by any means, I do have a few ideas that might help save money on your insurance the “Sensible Way.”

Remember: It’s not the PRICE at the time of purchase; it’s the COST at the time of loss!

Rule No. 1 in tough economic times – Don’t take things away that are meant to protect you against catastrophic loss. Don’t cut back on coverage just to save a few dollars. None of us are immune to catastrophes like a house fire or an earthquake. The financial hardship could be even more burdensome after a catastrophic loss without the proper coverage.

I recently had a client call me and ask how low they could take their liability limits and what coverages they could delete from their homeowners policy. They, like the rest of us, wanted to cut back and save some money. And, although there are many ways to save money on insurance premiums, cutting back on coverage is not the most sensible thing to do.

So, what’s the solution? Review your policy with your Insurance Agent – Annually.

A good agent will review your policy EVERY year with you to make sure you have adequate coverage at the right premium. You may not always be able to save money by reviewing your policies, but at least YOU will know what your policy covers and what it does NOT cover. That way you are not stuck paying for something that should have been included on your policy, or could have been added, had your agent taken the time to discuss it with you.

Here are a few things to discuss with your agent that may save you a little, or a lot of money on your overall insurance premiums, without sacrificing the right coverage :

1 - Make certain you are taking advantage of all the discounts available to you. Most companies will give you an additional discount by having your home and auto policies combined.

2 - You could get a discount if you have an active burglar/fire alarm… But, does your agent know you have one?

3 - Another detail to look at is your deductible. Can you handle a higher deductible; say $1,000 or even $2,500? This is different with every family. You will definitely save money by increasing your deductible. Put it where YOU are comfortable, but be sure you can come up with that amount if you ever have to file a claim.

4 – Employment – Some companies have an “Affinity Discount ” available depending on you or your spouse’s job description. For example – Farmers Insurance offers an affinity discount to Educators, Law Enforcement, Firemen, Nurses, Doctors, Engineers and Scientists. Also, all employees of Nebo or Alpine School District are eligible for the discount. Does your agent know what you and your spouse do for a living?

5 – Coverage – Make sure your coverage is high enough, but not too high. Some people like to ‘over-insure’ their home. And, without sitting with your agent annually and discussing your coverage, you could be paying more than necessary for your insurance. On the flip side, you want to make sure he/she has updated your dwelling to make sure you will get the same home built after a loss. Don’t cut corners, but don’t get carried away either.

These are just a few things that can help save a little without taking away from your coverage. But, it is a matter of allowing your agent to get to know you , not just your commission. If you do not know who your insurance agent is or haven’t spoken to him/her in ages, please call me. I would love to show you how you deserve to be treated as an insured.

Please feel free to contact me for a free quote on your homeowners and auto insurance. I review with my clients yearly.

Being under insured can be very risky indeed. And the worst way to discover that is when you need the coverage and it’s just not there. I had a friend just this last week who was misplaced because of a fire in her condo building. Disasters happen, unfortunately, and you need to be prepared to deal with them. If you have questions, feel free to contact Brian at Farmers Insurance.
Email: bmorgan2@farmersagent.com and phone number: 801-221-4959.

Do you have any further thoughts or experiences you’d like to share on the subject?

There is a man around the Lehi area who has been impersonating REALTORS® to obtain access into people’s homes.® Please be cautious if you are a home seller.

The Utah County Association of REALTORS® has offered the following advice:

"just because a sign is in your front yard doesn’t mean you need to open the door to just anyone because they ask. Follow all the same security procedures you would if the house wasn’t on the market. If someone comes to the door, ask them to set up an appointment with their agent, or your own agent so that there is a layer of qualifying put in place. If you happen to be home and an agent comes to your door, to make sure they really are an agent make sure they first check in with the keybox. Only agents have the products available to them to open these boxes. The key boxes are geared specifically to capture electronic data so that the people going in and out of your home can be monitored, plus it allows for follow up and feedback, also necessary for the agent selling your home to do their job most effectively."

The electronic keyboxes available to REALTORS® have increased safety tremendously and should always be used.  If you are a home seller, make sure your REALTOR® has installed an electronic RISCO keybox and not just a combination (contractor) keybox.  This keybox can only be accessed by those who have a real estate license and have had a background check performed, along with fingerprint records.  The electronic keybox also keeps an electronic record of every REALTOR® who visits the home, maintaining accountability.  That way, even if someone wants to see your home on the spur of the moment and cannot get in touch with your agent, you can still ask the person to first access the electronic keybox.

By taking these precautions, you can minimize risk during the home selling process.  If you see or hear of any suspicious activity related to this article, please contact the police.  Public safety is important for all of us.

Identity theft probably happens most often over the Internet.  However, another common form of identity theft occurs when thieves rummage through the trash.  Because credit card offers include a plethora of personal information, these offers can provide identity thieves with far too much information.

You can opt out of these credit card offers because of a relatively new law called the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA).  Opt out of these offers by calling 1-888-5OPTOUT or by visiting the following website: www.optoutprescreen.com

You can opt out for either 5 years or permanently.  This is a good way to further protect your identity and avoid getting credit card offers in the mail.  And, if at any time you decide that you would like to start receiving these offers again, you can always opt back in.  It’s at least something to consider.  Over the last few years, I chose to continue receiving credit card offers; however, just last week I decided to at least temporarily opt out.

Last week I joined a handful of Utah County REALTORS® and met with the Orem City Council. We introduced ourselves and shared facts about the Utah real estate market, particularly in Utah County. We answered some questions from the city council and expressed our desire to be involved when key home ownership laws come before the council.

Orem’s City Council had a very good feel about it. I especially liked the way that Mayor Jerry Washburn led the council. He seemed to be very adept at encouraging healthy communication.

After our short presentation, many of the council members came over to shake our hands and speak with us one on one. I can’t say enough good about these people - some of whom I met for the first time in person. Each one made a good impression and I believe Orem is in very good hands.

Those who visited me at my office last month saw this: