Come see this amazing home in Ashdown Forest.  The home features 5 Bedrooms and 4 bathroom and a 3 car garage.   The home is 3900 Square Feet of finished space.  The warm open floor plan features 2 fireplaces, Granite Countertops, Hard Wood Flooring, Maple Cabinets, 3 Tone Paint, Wood Burning Fireplace, Upgraded Carpet, Upgraded Tile Flooring, Wood Deck in the back yard, Stone and Stucco Exterior, and more. 

Here are the rest of the pictures of this home.  If you have any questions please call me at 435-701-0448

Going to skiing paradise is going to Brian Head, Utah.  Brian Head features two terrain parks.  One park is for beginners and one for intermediates.  Around October 11, 2008 season passes are sold through November 22, 2008 which is anticipated opening day for winter season. 

The Snow Tube Park is another paradise where you can go down one of the six lanes and jump on the surface lift to go back to the top of the park.  This is fun for all ages.  You can race each other down the six lanes.  Kids will enjoy this while having fun on the snow.

Anticipation of opening is November 22, 2008 until closing April 12, 2009 and open everyday.   Night tubing is open during the Christmas holiday, but not on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day or New Years Eve.  There will be no night tubing on Sunday of Martin Luther King weekend or Sunday night of Presidents weekend.  Night tubing closes on March 21.  Office parties, birthday parties, church function, or corporate meetings can plan for special after hour’s snow tubing sessions through Brian Head Snow Tubing Group Sales Office.

Something beautiful that happens at Brian Head is the night skiing.  The skiing and snowboarding continues after hours at resort’s Navajo Lodge and Learning Center.  Night skiing and snowboarding is open on Friday and Saturday evenings at the resort’s Pioneer Chairlift #6.  Seeing the skiers and snowboarders coming down the mountain at night looks so beautiful.

Brian Head in the summer is also a beautiful place to be.  The Mountain Bike Park and Activity Center have announced the opening of a new trail segment.  It is known as Stef’s Steps and contains manmade and natural elements.  Included in these are a medium plank drop, the park’s largest log drop and several sick natural drops.  Direct access is provided to Malicious Woods and its banked S-turn and the Tropfen des Todes and this segment is rated as a Black Diamond for experts only.  (Information from Brian Head Mountain.)

The Brian Head Utah summer season was from June 28, 2008 to September 28, 2008.  During that season one of the favorite past times was to play Disc Golf.  Brian Head was happy to offer Utah’s highest, longest alpine disc (Frisbee) golf course.  Starting at 11.000 feet with a total course distance of 10,000 feet, this course is 18 holes and each hole is a par 3.  Access is available by hiking or weekend chairlift for free.  Frisbee’s and scorecard are rented or purchased at the Activity Center.  It is suggested that you come prepared for Alpine conditions.  This includes sunscreen, sunglasses, water and hiking shoes.  And don’t forget the cooler temperatures at higher altitudes, so bring a light jacket and/or rain jacket.  Plan on taking two to two and a half hours to finish the course.

Visiting Brian Head Utah will make it grow on you and all you’ll remember is the beauty that you saw, so then you’ll want to move there.  Summer or winter the beauty will call for you to come back and come back until you finally come back and stay there.

On Cedar Mountain at 8,400 feet sits spectacular Duck Creek, Utah.  This is part of the Dixie National Forest and at times is called the Markagunt Plateau.  Duck Creek is approximately 29 miles from Cedar City and is off scenic Highway 14.  Duck Creek is considered a center of recreation.

Duck Creek Village is a snowmobiling haven during the winter months. You can also find snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.  Enjoy downhill skiing at Brian Head Ski, Snowboard and Summer Resort.

In the spring and summer months Duck Creek Village becomes beautiful meadows with wildflowers and wildlife.  There are trails that go off in all directions to recreation like hiking, mountain biking, ATV riding, and so many more things to enjoy.  Lakes and streams are excellent for fishing for rainbow and other trout.  Living on Cedar Mountain are several wildlife animals for photographing.  These include elk, deer, bobcats, mountain lions, and sometimes, although rarely, you can see bear. 

If you like history of areas, you will like the history of Duck Creek.  As far back as 7000 years ago Indians settled in the Duck Creek area.  Some of the old pueblos and artifacts can still be found, and you may even be able to explore some of them.  As you go through the area, let your imagination wonder back and think what it must have been like back then.

History goes back to the late 1700’s when Euro-Americans began exploring the area.  In the 1800’s the area was surveyed.  In 1919 the Zion National Park was created by U.S. Congress.  The Union Pacific Railroad reached Cedar City from a spur in the 1920’s.  Tourist’s began flowing into the area on the railroad, and it has continued every since with everyone wanting to see the beauty that the area holds.

Real estate in the area is plentiful.   Custom homes to cabins depending on what you want.  There is also acreage or lots available.  Acreage for having horses and other animals and close to town lots are available.  Living in Duck Creek can be year round and you can enjoy the four seasons. 

Utah is becoming the state on the rise in the southwest.  People like to see the scenic areas and also the red clay dirt.  In some areas the red clay dirt is taken to make adobe bricks.  When traveling through Utah you can see many adobe homes made from the bricks. 

Another area that is close by is New Harmony, Utah.  It is approximately 20 miles south of Cedar City.  New Harmony was the first county seat and was named after Fort Harmony.  Famous for its apple orchards and excellent access to fishing, camping, ATV trails and hiking make New Harmony a special place.  Any of the southwestern areas and Cedar Mountain areas makes a great place to visit or move to.  Real estate investments range from farm land, a place for horses, and small agriculture land for Christmas Tree farms or organic farms.

Utah is becoming the fastest growing southwest state.  It is one of the few states in the southwest that has four seasons to enjoy.  It also has great areas that boast of the beauty and activities.  Being in the middle of Utah’s National Parks, which are a short drive away from Cedar City, you can find hiking, skiing and rock climbing as a few of the activities.

Cedar City is the fastest growing city in Utah, although it is still a small town.  Culture, education and outdoor activities are the main reasons that people are moving to Cedar City.

One of these great areas for living is Cedar City, Utah, also known as Festival City.  It comes by the name honestly because of all the festivals held each year.  The most famous festival is the Shakespearean Festival which in 2000 received the Tony Award for “Outstanding Regional Theater.”  Other festivals include the Neil Simon Festival, and the Canyon Country Western Arts Festival, just to name a few.

Cedar City is approximately 2-1/2 hours north of Las Vegas and 3-1/2 hours south of Salt Lake City, Utah.  Just a few hours of driving can take you to a different type of area to have fun. Just east of Cedar City is Brian Head which is the winter playground.  Claiming 400 inches of snow on 500 acres each year, this ski resort is one of the most popular.  There is also snowmobiling and back country skiing.  Also available for those who like the danger there is approximately a 1700 foot drop off. 

If you like museums, then the Iron Mission State museum is the place to see Indian and pioneer artifacts.  It is a history showing for all to enjoy.  If you’re a football or basketball fan, Cedar City boasts having the NCAA Division I team at Southern Utah University.

It is said that feeling like you have reached the top of the world happens when you are on the top of Cedar Mountain or Kolob.  It becomes a place to spend time alone and meditate.  There is always something to keep you occupied in Cedar City, even if it’s just to watch all the activities going on around you.

Living in a cabin in Cedar City can boost the imagination for what was, what is and what is going to be.  From winter through fall, the beauty is everlasting and unforgettable.  There are numerous places to fish including Navajo Lake.  Even for boating or just relaxing by the water, you can always find a favorite place.

When it comes vacation time again, plan to make a trip to Cedar City.  Be sure and go to Zion’s National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Dixie National Forest which are located a short distance away.  Also be sure and go to Cedar Breaks National Monument, Three Peaks Recreation Area and Kolob Canyons.  All of this will make you want to move to Cedar City.  Going during a festival time will be a great entertainment time.

Housing problems can be traced back to the country’s financial problems because mortgages came easily to anyone.  Even if you couldn’t afford to pay for a home, just give higher wage amounts as being made and better credit issues, and then you got a mortgage.  It was way too easy to obtain the loan for a home, because no one checked out the information.

A couple just had a home repossessed and immediately went to another state and got a new mortgage on a brand new constructed home.  Now they can’t make the payments on the new mortgage and have filed bankruptcy.  This is one of many cases that helped put the country into this financial situation.

Job losses and defaults on the mortgage payments lead to foreclosure.  Treasure Secretary, Henry Paulson, said on the day he announced the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac seizure, “The housing correction possess the biggest risk to our economy.  Our economy and our markets will not recover until the bulk of this housing correction is behind us.”

After the take over of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by the government, four top executives of Fannie Mae resigned.  Chief Business Officer Peter Niculescu, Executive Vice-President and General Counsel Beth Wilkinson, Executive Vice-President and Chief Information Officer Rahul Merchant, and Senior Vice-President for Government and Industry Relations Duane Duncan.

It is hoped that the $700 billion dollar bail out by the government will put housing back on track and that mortgages will fall back in place.  Unfortunately there is no guarantee that this will get better, and it looks like it will only get worse at this point.  Hearings will be held on the bail out by both parties.

“We are certainly taking credit and squeezing it tighter and tighter,” said Kevin Giddis, managing director of investment bank Morgan Keegan.  “Housing needs buyers.  Buyers need credit.”

It’s not as easy now to purchase a home.  The easiness is what put our country into this mess. 

According to the Associated Press, the housing downturn has depressed overall economic activity and pushed the country close to a recession.  Thousand of construction jobs have been lost, contributing to an economic slowdown that has pushed the unemployment rate to a five year high of 6.1% in August.  New home construction is at a 17 year low.

After the bail out of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac came American International Group (AIG) rescue which gave them time to sell off assets to repay their loan in a quiet and orderly manor. 

It is hoped that all this paper work back and forth will help put the housing market back on track.  It won’t happen overnight, but will take awhile to see where the optional housing market belongs and where the financial market comes in.  It will be a long time before real estate prices head high again.

On a 30 year fixed starting in the middle of last week, interest rates started to climb past the 6.26%.  At one minute housing is affordable and the next minute you can’t afford the payments.

As many of you know Cedar City, Utah is also known as Festival City, USA.  We recently had the Cedar City skyfest hosted by ABD Bank.   Here are some great pictures that were taking by the good folks at CedarCityPix.    Make sure you check out their blog for more great pictures of the Cedar City, Utah area.   

 If you are looking for a Cedar City Home please feel free to continue to search my website.

With the FHA taking away the Neamia program and the mortgage industry tighting its lending standards 100% financing is getting harder and harder to find.  In fact, we are down to only 1 major program that is still available.  This is the rda loan. 

If you are looking for a home and you want to get 100% financing please call me to discuss options.  

I have lots of great homes in Cedar City that will allow for the 100% financing.  You can also search for home on my website at www.cedarcityonline.com/search-for-homes.php

Once again Cedar City is named as a top 10 retirement spot.   You can view the article here.  

If you are considering reitring in Cedar City, Utah you aren’t alone.  Our affordable housing, lack of traffic congestion, University, proximity to Zion and Bryce, lack of crime and great people are just a few reasons many people decide to make Cedar City their retirement destination.   

If you are considering a move to Cedar City, please give me a call.  I would be happy to anwser any quesitons you may have or help in any way possible. 

 I am going to post this again because I cannot stress enough how important this is.  I have seen homes that are not 1/2 the house sell and buyers pass on others all because the sellers of the staged/super clean home took the time to make a little extra effort.  

#1 - Clean.   Hire a cleaning crew to come to your home.  I know you are the best cleaner in the world and you don’t want to spend the money but I promise you they will find things you overlook because you see your home every day.  In fact, I suggest having a cleaning crew come back weekly to touch up while you are selling your home.  You may want to also have a professional window cleaning company come clean your windows inside and out.  Your home must sparkle! 

 #2 - Fix.  You need to fix that leaking faucet or broken tile.   I know these are minor repairs but buyers see these and in the back of there minds think you don’t upkeep your home.  Buyers see minor problems and assume you have bigger hidden problems.  Take the time to fix these issues!   

#3 - Eliminate Clutter.  Take half of all your items and put them in storage!   I know this may seem crazy but it works.  Buyers want to imagin themselves in your home not look at your personal memories.  Rent a storage unit for 30 dollars a month and fill it up with 1/2 of your homes content.  #4 - Executive Neutral.  Neutral colors sell.  It’s a fact.  I know this can be extremely boring but this is what buyers want to see.  Remember they may not have a little girl so your daughters pink room needs to be repainted.  I have seen many buyers walk away from homes they otherwise loved because the kids bedrooms were painted bright colors or had race cars.  You may be thinking thats only a $100 dollar can of paint but buyers are thinking about the time and effort that will be required and that is the last thing you want on there minds when they are already having to move thier entire lifes to a new home.  Take the time, spend the money and reap the rewards.  You wouldn’t sell a car without washing, detailing, and ”preping it” so why would you not take the time with a home.   

#5 - De-personalize.  Remove objects that your potential buyers won’t be able to identify with.  The other day I showed a home and it had a ton of political items inside the home.  The buyers were extremely turned off by these items and they wanted to move on without really considering the home.  You want to remove these items and place them in your storage unit before buyers see them.  Remember buying a home is an emotional decision, and you want potential buyers to make an emotional connection with your home by being able to “see” themselves in it.

If you follow these simple steps you WILL sell your home faster and for more money.   These items are even more important know that we have moved to a buyers market.  

If you are considering selling a home please call me.  Sam Dodd for more great tips for selling your home. 

 I’m going to go David Letterman on you and give you a top ten.   If you have any questions about real estate or Southern Utah in general please feel free to contact me! 

And the top ten reasons Cedar City, Utah is greater than St. George Utah are…

10.  Shakespeare Festival

9.  4 Wheeler Laws (You can legally drive a 4 wheeler, side by side or off road motorcycle on the city roads in Cedar City as long as you don’t exceed 25 miles per hour) *restrictions apply you can read more about this on www.cedarcity.org. 

8.  Mountain Views

7.  Proximity to National Parks

6.  Cedar City Planned for Growth

5.  No Traffic In Cedar City

4.  Small Town Feel

3.  Average Daily Tempature in July  St. George 106  Cedar City 84

2.  Home Prices 10-20% lower then St. George

1.  St. George is 50 miles away!