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Park City 2020 Real Estate Yr-End Stats
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Mar 09, 2021
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Mountain Town Living
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Feb 17, 2021
The Park City area real estate market not only survived but thrived in 2020, one of the few industries that did not suffer during the COVID-19 pandemic - according to The Park Record. In a press release summarizing real estate performance in the past year, the Park City Board of Realtors said it was expecting a severe depression in the market but that “expected housing slump … failed to materialize.” The market showed strong appreciation, with notable increases in average and median sale prices.
“Fears that the market might be facing a slow, sustained recovery period were short lived,” the release stated. “While the market dipped quickly in April, by mid-June the market had recovered fully and by year’s end 2020 had set records across the board for sales totals and median prices.”
Park City tops Travel+Leisure's America's Best Mountain Towns. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure or a luxurious retreat, America's best mountain towns have something for every type of traveler. During the winter months, these towns offer world-class skiing and snowboarding, and come summer, visitors can enjoy hiking, rafting, mountain biking, and more — they're truly year-round destinations. From Aspen's pristine slopes and luxury hotels to Asheville's vibrant art scene and Leavenworth's European feel, these mountain towns offer unique experiences and stunning scenery.
Park City, Utah - Under an hour's drive from Salt Lake City, Park City is best known for skiing and Sundance. Of course, there's more to the city than that — in the winter, visitors can snowshoe, snow bike, snowmobile, and more, while summer travelers can enjoy fly fishing, golfing, horseback riding, and rafting, among other activities. There's a full range of accommodations, ranging from Airbnbs to five-star hotels, so there's something for every budget and travel style. Click here to see all ten mountain towns.
We wrap up this week's blog with 24 Decorating Ideas That’ll Make the Most of Your Mantel Year-Round from Apartment Therapy. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace mantel in your home, you know just how much fun it is to style that area, whether you want to decorate it for the holidays, to welcome a new season, or to use it as a spot to showcase your favorite art or collectibles. We will share the top ten, CLICK HERE to see all 24.
1. Opt for clean and modern - A few pieces of chic artwork and touches of gold make the mantel in this sleek West Hollywood abode look picture-perfect.
2. Rustic done right - Exposed brick and lots of charming old wood are part of what makes this stunning New Orleans home the gem that it is. A few small but intentional decorative touches added to the mantel only make it that much more jaw-dropping, letting the interesting architecture speak for itself.
3. Throw a plant party - It’s almost as if the space above fireplaces was made for housing your ferns and philodendrons.
4. Try a double decker - One mantel is great but two? Talk about dreamy! This artsy Australian home shows how you can make this concept work. Visitors will marvel at this interesting set up, which includes two rows of cute pictures, but it won’t feel too busy visually for you.
5. Be selective - All you really need on a minimalist mantel is a few thoughtfully placed trinkets—a small stack of books, a vase, a candle. If items echo the rest of the colors in your room, these pieces can help tie the whole space together while adding a touch of personality.
6. Create a Scandi vibe - A stack of books always makes for easy, affordable decor—just raid your shelves and pick out a few titles that speak to you. You can also grab branches and greenery from your backyard (if you have one), and create different levels in your design scheme by using books to prop different pieces up at different heights.
7. Add a letter board - Propping up a letter board with a fun quote is a great way to welcome guests into your home and show off your wit. We also like the addition of a small lamp and mirror, which can help throw light around a space.
8. Glam up your mirror - Hanging a wreath over a mirror atop the mantel adds a cheerful pop of green to the space that will look lovely year round. Decorating with florals here—either real or faux—is always a good choice. You can go the garland route, or display a bouquet or a single stem in a sculptural vase.
9. Display artwork front and center
While it’s often common practice to hang a TV above a relatively low mantel, that certainly isn’t a requirement! Instead place an oversized piece of abstract art.
10. Keep it utilitarian - In a small space, sometimes less is more. Try only placing a lamp and plant on top of it. The whole look is very mid-century modern and streamlined—but not sterile because of the soothing pops of green and blue these couple of pieces add.
Best Ski Resorts
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Feb 10, 2021
Conde Naste Traveler has released The Best Ski Resorts in the U.S. and Canada: 2020 Readers' Choice Awards. For the 33rd annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey registered voters weighed in on their favorite places around the globe. They were hot to share their thoughts on the best hotels in the world and best cities in the world, and on the best skiing. While the landscape for the ski season looks a bit different this year—with resorts hard at work to ensure instructors, skiers, snowboarders, and everyone else can stay safe—our readers' love for the slopes still came through. From Montana to Massachusetts, Alberta to Aspen, these ski resorts were picked by our readers as the best in the world for their trails, lifts, and après-ski spots. Whether you’re a moguls expert, a terrain park shredder, or a novice still mastering blue runs, these ski resorts ticked all your boxes. Park City graces the list twice with Deer Valley coming in 1st and Park City Mountain Resort comes in 8th.
Park City Mountain Resort, Utah comes in 8th - Park City is part of the largest ski area in the country. In addition to size, there's location, location, location: Its 7,300 acres, eight terrain parks, and 64 acres of night skiing are only half an hour from newly reimagined Salt Lake City International Airport. Park City continues to be rated one of our readers' favorites, thanks to its varied terrain and a buzzy downtown that has top-notch après-ski. Serious overnight grooming efforts ensure over 120 trails are pure corduroy every morning. On especially cold days, visitors can warm up in the Orange Bubble Express, a bubbled and heated chairlift at Canyons.
Where to stay: Hands down, the Waldorf Astoria Park City is the place to be, although there are numerous other options in nearby Deer Valley. For something more intimate, the stylish 12-room Washington School House is less than a five-minute walk from the Town Lift and serves a heavenly breakfast.
Stats: 41 lifts for 348 trails. One-day lift tickets from $104; on the Epic Pass.
Deer Valley, Utah comes in 1st - Deer Valley is made for families who love to ski together (it's one of only three resorts in the country that still bans snowboarding) and are willing to spend top dollar for the experience. The resort’s “your wish is our command” customer service is worth the splurge. It's also conveniently located: under 40 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport, and adjacent to Park City along the Wasatch Range.
Where to stay: Montage Deer Valley, The Lodges at Deer Valley, and the St. Regis Deer Valley.
Stats: 21 lifts for 103 trails. One-day lift tickets average $159–$209; on the Ikon Pass.
To read Conde Nast Traveler's whole article CLICK HERE.
According to the designers, here are the 7 Kitchen Trends That Will Takeover of 2021 by Apartment Therapy. From bold backsplashes to colored concrete countertops and more, here’s what interior designers say will set the bar in stylish cook spaces this year.
Colored stone countertops -Swap out that classic marble for a colored stone that speaks to you. You don’t have to go super bold either if you don’t want to. A creamy beige travertine or other type of stone can add extra warmth to a design scheme than, say, something that’s classic white and gray. Pink is another color that’s going to be popping in countertops, too. It’s up to you how colorful—or neutral—you want to go with your hue selections.
Timeless all-white kitchens - Traditional all-white kitchens will still remain popular.
Statement backsplashes - The walls of your kitchen are brimming with design potential; it just takes the right backsplash to set off your cookspace. There are a slew of artful backsplash ideas you can pick from to design a unique statement feature. If you don’t have the budget to go all out on a bold new backsplash, consider removable peel-and-stick tiles to score a similar effect without breaking your bank account.
Intimate kitchen with pops of personality - The belief that a home should double as a sanctuary was more important than ever in 2020, creating a welcoming kitchen that you truly enjoy spending time in will be key in 2021.
Mixed materials - get creative with colors, textures, and finishes in kitchens. To create an eclectic, layered kitchen without having to hire a contractor, look for sleek, space-savvy ways to show off your mixed metal kitchenwares in plain sight, such as hanging your pots from overhead hooks or installing a brass-plated wall sconce above your stove.
Black kitchens - Think Art Deco vibes, such as black-finished cabinets and floors, brass and gold accent hardware, and striking quartzite slab countertops.
Integrated appliances - 2020 taught many of us that space itself is a luxury. To create a uniform look in your kitchen sans the pricey integrated appliances, try painting all of your cabinets (and your island if you have one) the same color to create visual continuity and the illusion of more space.
The Park Record has released the Park City 2021 event calendar and shows the return of arts fest, Tour of Utah and others. The spread of the novel coronavirus and the subsequent health restrictions nearly erased Park City’s slate of special events in 2020.
The municipal government has crafted a tentative calendar running through the end of 2021 that details the return of special events. Although the Sundance Film Festival, which is Park City’s largest special event, will not be held as a live event in 2021, the calendar indicates many others plan to be staged in the city as of now.
The calendar will depend on the status of the sickness as the events approach, and City Hall acknowledges officials will closely monitor the state of the coronavirus as it readies for the events. The Summit County Health Department is also heavily involved in discussions about events. There is hope at City Hall of improvements in the coronavirus numbers as more people are vaccinated in the months leading into the summer.
A string of important events has secured dates in 2021, the calendar shows. They include the Independence Day celebration, the Triple Crown Sports Baseball World Series, the Tour of Utah bicycling race, the Park City Kimball Arts Festival and the Miners Day celebration. Each of the events was canceled in 2020.
Some of the other key dates on the tentative calendar for 2021, which begins in earnest in June, include:
• the weekly Park City Farmer’s Market starting June 2.
• a lacrosse tournament known as the Ski Town Shoot Out on June 4 and June 5.
• a Beethoven festival in July and early August
• Autumn Aloft from Sept. 17 until Sept. 19
Utah Exploration
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Jan 25, 2021
Judy and I love to travel the state of Utah with our dog Zorro and this week we wanted to share Travel Awaits article 9 Utah State Parks That Should Be On Your Bucket List. Utah’s stunning landscape is far from a secret. The state’s “Mighty 5” pack of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches national parks has long been a staple of family road trips and bucket-list adventures. Utah’s splendors do not end at the national parks, they extend into a system of 43 amazing state parks, here are nine Utah state parks that should be on your bucket list.
1. Dead Horse Point State Park - Just a half-hour drive from the world-famous rock formations of Arches National Park is another not-to-be-missed Utah experience: the overlook at Dead Horse Point State Park, which provides a big-picture view of the Colorado River meandering through the area’s canyons and mesas.
2. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park- If sand dunes are as fascinating to you as they are to me, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is definitely one for the bucket list. Located in the midst of the Navajo sandstone formations of southwestern Utah, the state park features an otherworldly sea of shifting, rose-tinted sand. With few permanently designated trails, the dunes are generally open to hikers and ATVs. The shifting nature of the sand can make hiking a bit difficult, but gorgeous views await at the top of the dunes.
3. Kodachrome Basin State Park - For a wonderful stop on the drive to or from Capitol Reef National Park, consider making a short detour to Kodachrome Basin State Park, a veritable wonderland of rock pinnacles and colorful cliffs. Boasting 67 monolithic stone spires, the basin is a part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and is among the best experiences in the massive parkland. Owing to the basin’s photogenic qualities, a National Geographic Society expedition in 1948 is said to have named the area Kodachrome after the popular color film of the time.
4. Wasatch Mountain State Park - Located at nearly 6,000 feet elevation, Wasatch Mountain State Park offers year-round recreation in a mountain setting. A 45-minute drive southeast of Salt Lake City, Wasatch Mountain State Park’s Soldier Hollow was the host of the 2002 Winter Olympics. The park’s website notes that the venue remains open to the public and offers cross-country skiing, tubing, summer and winter biathlon, and inline skating.
5. Goblin Valley State Park - The name alone is enough to entice travelers in search of an extraordinary experience. Often compared to Mars, Goblin Valley State Park features thousands of mushroom-shaped hoodoos, also known as goblins. The state park, located about an hour and a half west of Moab in southeastern Utah, is a showcase of geologic history, featuring cliffs that reveal parallel layers of rock that have been exposed by erosion.
6. Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park - Billed as one of Utah’s most unique state parks, the 28-mile-long Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail follows an old route starting near Park City and on to the towns of Wanship and Coalville, then the Echo Reservoir.
7. Utah Lake State Park - For a lake setting with urban amenities nearby, it’s hard to beat Utah Lake State Park in the Provo area. Sitting at the mouth of the Provo River, Utah Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the west. The state park offers boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. It also has a day-use area for swimming in the outer marina, picnicking under one of the beach cabanas, and disc golf.
8. Sand Hollow State Park - Among Utah’s newest and most popular state parks is Sand Hollow State Park, a 20,000-acre park in southwestern Utah, about a 25-minute drive northeast of St. George and about 45 minutes southwest of Zion National Park.
9. Goosenecks State Park - Sweeping views are the name of the game at Goosenecks State Park located in the far southeastern corner of Utah. The park sits at the edge of a deep canyon above the curve in the San Juan River known as a gooseneck. The river twists and turns for six miles on its way west to Lake Powell. To read the whole article, CLICK HERE.
Looking to stay in Park City, Travel+Leisure shares the 7 Best Winter Lodges in the U.S. With Private Hot Tubs, Upscale Spas, Sleigh Rides, and More. Savor the season at one of these beautiful winter lodges in the U.S., from Utah to New York. It doesn’t get more luxurious than the Stein Eriksen Lodge — you can spend an entire day in the upscale spa or make use of the property’s extensive wine collection over dinner. Those interested in skiing will enjoy easy access to Deer Valley Resort, a ski area known for its customer service and family-friendly terrain. True to form, this ski lodge has all the cozy touches that make a winter lodge so appealing — beds heaped with pillows, in-room fireplaces, and suites with private hot tubs. To read about the other great locations CLICK HERE.
We will wrap up this week's blog with It's a Shake-Up! These 10 Drastically Different Design Trends Will Be Everywhere in 2021—and Beyond by Realtor.com . Realtor.com asked real estate and design experts to weigh in on what they anticipate will be the biggest home trends of 2021. It turns out, with all the stress that 2020 brought to our lives, it also influenced some defining changes in the way we decorate, design, and live in our homes.
1. Dedicated home office - Working from the kitchen table was kind of cute when you thought you would be doing it for only a few weeks. But now? Not so much. That's why, in 2021 (and beyond) home offices will be more important than ever. If you don’t have a spare room for an office, there are plenty of ways to get creative and set up a space with some personality. In fact, one of the biggest trends on Pinterest this year is the rise of the "cloffice," a portmanteau of "closet" and "office.
2. Clearly delineated spaces - They’re not completely passé (yet), but people are increasingly interested in closing off those wide-open spaces we so used to covet. The trend will be to create different living spaces within the open floor plan so people will have pockets or nooks in the home for e-learning, Zoom calls, a conversation, lounging, exercising, etc.
3. Houseplants and indoor gardens - During the pandemic when it was difficult for some to get their daily dose of nature, people started bringing the outdoors in with natural materials in their home.
4. Rattan accents - In line with the houseplant trend, natural materials are having a huge moment. In particular, rattan is the material du jour, appearing everywhere from drink holders to bed frames.
5. Wood-grain kitchen cabinets and counters - For the kitchen, our designer members are seeing more minimalist styles with touches of organic and natural materials such as wood grain—perhaps as part of a desire to connect with nature. Instead of painted kitchen cabinets or the ubiquitous all-white kitchen, expect to see homeowners embracing a more natural look with wood-grain cabinets and wood countertops on islands.
6. Next-level playgrounds - Experts say enhanced outdoor spaces will continue to trend in the new year—including elaborate custom playgrounds.
7. Outdoor kitchens - Multiseason spaces that feature fireplaces or fire pits, patio/deck areas, or screened-in porches that can be used year-round, that includes outdoor kitchens, which have become more popular than ever during the pandemic.
8. Smart bathroom innovations - Never embraced the bidet in your home bathroom? That's just the start of things—you can expect to see a slew of new bathroom innovations in 2021 as homeowners continue to focus more than ever on hygiene.
9. Retro furniture and color palettes - Expect to see funky color palettes (think mauve, forest green, and burnt orange) and furniture throwbacks like '80s curves and '90s traditionalism. An easy way to try the trend for yourself is with a quick coat of paint.
10. Cozy, layered vibes - Instead of stark white minimalism, expect to see more color and personality in 2021's home decor—less uber-modern and more boho chic. So go ahead and pile on those mismatched blankets and throw pillows, and don't be afraid to embrace a design that reflects your personality.
Have a great week, Ramon & Judy
2021 Home Trends
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Jan 06, 2021
Happy New Year! This week's blog has a little bit about skiing and a lot about home trends for 2021 - enjoy.
The Park Record shares their Winter Adventure Guide: A world-class experience at Deer Valley Resort. Over the years, the ski area has won countless accolades, including being named North America’s No. 1 resort a record eight times by Ski Magazine and several World Ski Awards selections as the top resort in the U.S. It’s fair to say that when you’re skiing at Deer Valley, you’re skiing at one of the best resorts in the world. Deer Valley’s slopes cover 2,026 skiable acres, which include 21 lifts and 103 runs.
COVID-19 protocols - the resort will require guests to wear face masks any time they are near other people, such as when waiting in lift lines or interacting with staff members.Chairlifts will be limited to: people from the same party; two willing people from different parties on a three- or four-person lift; or single riders. The resort is also further capping the number of skiers on the mountain each day based on conditions and local health regulations.
Ski school is still available and range of group sessions, such as clinics for women, an “afternoon teen escape” and a session aimed at children.
Passes - Deer Valley offers a range of pass options to get you on the mountain. Check out the Deer Valley season pass, which provides unlimited access to the mountain, and daily or multi-day lift tickets are also available.
Freestyle World Cup - The International Ski Federation (FIS) announced in October that it is still planning to hold this winter’s World Cup Feb. 4-6 despite the coronavirus pandemic. Spectators will not be allowed on the mountain this year, so make sure to tune in on your TV.
Realtor Magazine shares 5 Timely Home Design Trends for 2021. As a result of 2020 and homeowners seeking privacy for work and school within their homes, home offices are growing in demand in buyers' home search. Real estate and design experts recently shared with realtor.com® some of the biggest home design trends likely in the new year, including:
Separated spaces - Open floor plans are getting divided up. Homeowners are looking to create nooks or pockets for Zoom calls, lounging, exercising, and e-learning, design experts say.
Biophilic design - Homeowners are craving nature in the pandemic and are bringing in more houseplants and indoor gardens.
Wood-grain elements in the kitchen - Wood-grain kitchen cabinets and counters are trending, offering a touch of organic and natural materials. Instead of all-white kitchens or painted cabinets, more homeowners are adding in wood-grain cabinets and wood countertops on to their kitchen islands, designers say.
Outdoor solitude - Fireplaces, fire pits, patios and decks, screened-in porches, and outdoor kitchens have all gained popularity during the pandemic. The outdoor kitchen is particularly trending, as homeowners add outdoor refrigerators and dining areas in their backyards or create a more elaborate space that includes a fully equipped kitchen outside with a stovetop and appliances.
Bathrooms get smarter - Touchless appliances, including motion sensors for lighting, and smart temperature control for bathroom floors will be more popular in the next year.
We wrap up this week's blog with The 8 Kitchen Trends Everyone Will be Obsessed with in 2021 from PureWow. 2021 is all about creating your most comfortable space to cook, eat and entertain. So, if you love white on white, go for it. You’ll still find these ideas helpful for breathing new life into your space.
Hidden Charging Stations - People are looking up recipes, hanging out and working from their kitchen islands, so it’s more important to make sure you have enough outlets—not just for your appliances but your phones and tablets too.
Dark Green Cabinets - Deep blues and greens are growing in popularity for every room of the house, and the kitchen is no exception. If you’re intrigued by the trend but not ready to commit to a full makeover, you could always incorporate a few dark green accents into your kitchen.
Touchless Tech - People are adding touchless tech into their homes, like trashcans that open and close with the wave of your hand, or Alexa-enabled faucets that can pour exactly a teaspoon or two cups of water (no measuring cups needed), all based on your command.
Sustainable Cleaning Supplies - Cleaning products we use, evidenced in the rise of eco-friendly dish soaps and detergent that comes in reusable containers. Some companies are even offering cleaning concentrates, hand and dish soaps, soap dispensers and spray bottles—all plant-based and plastic-free.
Multi-purpose cookware - Instead of buying a ton of different products, we’re seeing readers invest in multi-use tools that keep their kitchens clutter-free. The Always Pan and the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer are some of the most popular.
Colored Quartzite Counters - Quartzite has been steadily rising in interest, since it tends to be more durable and affordable. Most recently, more dramatic colors—think blues, greens and other ocean-inspired hues—have been replacing the traditional white and cream quartzites, since they add more dimension to the room.
Swing-Arm Sconces -Their sculptural shape can liven up kitchen walls better than any Live, Laugh, Love sign. Plus, swing-arm styles are particularly helpful for adding task lighting around a sink or range.
Walnut - Wood tones immediately warm up a kitchen, preventing it from looking too one-note. One of the most popular materials right now is walnut, the only downside is that walnut can be pricey, but walnut-grained laminates look just like the real deal, only they’re much more affordable.
Happy Thanksgiving
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Nov 25, 2020
Judy and I would like to wish you all a Happy & Safe Thanksgiving.
Dark skies and bright stars are the main attraction at the top stargazing spots around the world, Travel and Leisure have shared The 10 Best Places To See Stars Around The Globe and the Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah comes in #2 on the list. Liz Jackson is a planner for Park City and said the “dark sky” movement began as a way to reduce light pollution in more urban areas and is led by the International Dark Sky Association. She said changes to the city’s lighting regulations are now a priority.
The Natural Bridges National Monument in remote Lake Powell, Utah, was the first certified International Dark Sky Park, a designation bestowed by the International Dark-Sky Association, the leading organization combating light pollution worldwide. (There are now more than 130 certified International Dark Sky Places in the world.) The designation recognizes the area as having some of the darkest and clearest skies in the world, and acknowledges the efforts that have been extended to make it so, positioning darkness as a resource worthy of protecting and conserving.
The main attraction of the dark skies here is the “river of light” phenomenon created by the Milky Way as it rises over the Owachomo Bridge, a natural rock formation. The bridge forms a sort of window into the night sky, beautifully framing the thousands of stars visible with the naked eye. Plan to camp overnight for the full experience. Looking for another great stargazing spot in Utah? East Canyon State Park is one of the most recent additions to the list of International Dark Sky Parks.
Ski and snowboard season is here and for 8th time, Deer Valley Resort named best U.S. Ski Resort 2020 by World Ski Awards. Utah (ABC4 News) – Deer Valley Resort, once again, has been named Best United States’ Ski Resort 2020 by World Ski Awards, holding onto this title for the eighth year in a row. Representatives for Deer Valley say despite 2020’s challenges on the tourism industry, World Ski Awards program saw a record number of votes from ski tourism consumers, and the organization’s website continues to receive more search traffic than in any previous year. Out of 18 U.S. nominees, Deer Valley® was voted the winner of the industry’s coveted award. See you on the slopes.
Skiing & Real Estate
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Nov 18, 2020
Park City Resorts Are Ready For A Season Unlike Any Other and with opening day of the Park City ski season just a week away, the executives at both Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resorts talked about what will be a ski season unlike any other. KPCW shares that in their annual update to members of the Park City Board of Realtors, Chief Operating Officers at Deer Valley Todd Shallan and at Park City Mountain Mike Goar reviewed their plans for a ski season in the midst of a pandemic with the goals remain the same – Get open and stay open.
“The bottom line is we are planning on opening on December 5th and our goal is to stay open and keep people as safe as we possibly can,” said Shallan. Mike Goar added, “ yeah it’s certainly a different year, to say the least. I would say kind of our operating motto if you will is, open to stay open.” The good news from both resorts is that despite not having any J1 visa workers – their staffing levels look better now than it did a year ago. While their pandemic operating plans have been released to the public more than a month ago, something new that was mentioned is that Park City Mountain – in addition to making a reservation to get on a chairlift, reservations will also be required at all of their on-mountain lodges and restaurants. The main goal is all about keeping guests and employees safe.
Park City is scheduled to open both its Park City and Canyons Village bases on Friday, November 20th and Deer Valley will open on Saturday Dec. 5th.
Urban development experts say Utah could be a hot destination for people who, even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, were already migrating out of the biggest U.S. cities. Deseret News shares - Is COVID-19 the ‘great accelerator’? Utah set to win big as big cities continue to lose residents. Even before the onset of COVID-19, big U.S. metro areas were losing the domestic migration war to smaller, midsize cities and suburbs in a trend reversal that dates back almost a decade. Now, restrictions brought on by the global pandemic have only highlighted the downsides of big cities and the relative upsides of locales with assets like low cost of living, growing economies and easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities.
Utah could be perfectly positioned to become one of the top destinations for those fleeing urban residential settings that have become, for some, considerably less desirable amid the current public health crisis. Data shows residents, on a net basis, have been moving out of U.S. metro areas with populations of 1 million or more and finding new homes in smaller cities going back to 2012. And in the past several months, restrictions in place across the country aiming to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have functioned as a “great accelerator” of that migration.
The Utah model is something that is worth studying. The state’s “welcoming atmosphere” and “greater family friendliness” as factors that make it an increasingly attractive destination for people looking to move. To read the entire article CLICK HERE.
With the market in Utah booming, the Park City real estate market continues to boom amid the pandemic according to The Park Record as the Park City real estate market continues to surge, with sales in the third quarter more than doubling the activity in the same period in 2019. In the spring, the coronavirus pandemic shook the Park City business community, forcing the closure of non-essential businesses and thrusting the economy into a sudden downturn. Amid the upheaval of that period and the months that have followed, however, one industry crucial to Park City’s economy has experienced a dramatic run of success. And third-quarter data from the Park City Board of Realtors indicates that the real estate market continues to boom.
“You’ve got an environment here where you’ve got hiking, biking trails, you’ve got a couple of lakes nearby that you can boat in — golf courses, fishing,” Winstead said. “I don’t think the world really realized there were so many opportunities in such a small area.”
The question now is whether the people who’ve bought homes here during the COVID crisis plan to live in Park City permanently or retreat back to urban areas when the pandemic is over. Winstead, for one, has heard from many Realtors whose clients say they want to make the Park City area their permanent home. “It’s hard to leave Park City once you’ve been here,” he said. “Every time I think about going on a vacation, I’m like, ‘Well, where’s a better place to go than Park City?’
Home Upgrades
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Nov 11, 2020
This week we are sharing easy home upgrades as we start getting ready for the snowy days and more time inside. Read on to see what colors to paint your kitchen cabinets, how to turn your living room into a mulit-functional space and tips to turn your bathroom into a relaxing escape.
While spending more time at home, changing up the color of your kitchen cabinets can be a great way to mix things up and refresh a space that feels all too familiar these days. This Is the Color You Should Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets, according to the experts at Apartment Therapy. Gibbons spoke with Semihandmade, who shared a total of six options, ranging from warm whites to hues of blue, the all-time favorite color. In addition to classic beige, five other colors that are worth considering for your kitchen cabinet paint job.
Warm Whites: Classic white cabinetry is an enduring classic, and for 2021, Gibbons predicts a trend towards more delicate whites.
Moody Greens: Moody greens and deep blues lend a dramatic, editorial feel to a kitchen.
Shades of Blue: Gibbons says that blue hues look great in every room, no matter the decor style.
Sage and Seafoam: Green kitchens took over our Insta feeds in 2020, and Gibbons sees that trend continuing into 2021.
Punchy Pinks: Make a statement by painting your kitchen cabinets a soft, pale pink this really makes a statement in small doses too, like on a kitchen island, window frames, or even trim.
The living room is the every-room, so how do you design such a multifaceted space? Here are 5 Golden Rules for Designing a Great Living Room.
Don’t skimp on rug size - In a large room, like a living room, you can unify the space with a rug. And to do that, all of your furniture’s legs should sit on the rug. If your sofa is against the wall, the front legs of the furniture should sit on the rug.
Layer lighting - Overhead lighting is great, but it can be harsh. A soft glow creates a more intimate and sophisticated vibe. To achieve this look, add a variety of light sources—table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces, bookshelf accent lights, and candles—to the room.
Follow the rule of threes - Though three is considered the magic number, groupings of five, seven, or even nine also work well. An odd number of items not only looks more natural, it also forces your eyes to move around, creating more visual interest. For an even more attractive vignette, vary the size, height, and finish of the objects as well.
Choose the right accent tables - Coffee tables should be the same height as your sofa’s seat cushions, or very close to it. And end tables should be within a few inches of your sofa or chair’s arm height.
Float your furniture - It’s hard to create a conversation area when all of your furniture is pushed up against your walls. By floating sofas and chairs away from your walls—even by just a few inches—you instantly create a more intimate conversation space. If you have a very large living room, you can break up and group the furniture to create natural conversation spaces throughout the room. CLICK HERE to read the full article from Apartment Therapy.
If you thought the bathroom was your escape before, it’s even more important to make it your oasis now. Whether you’re flooded with Zoom meetings, homeschooling, or burnout from the work-from-home life, a daily bath or shower may sometimes be your only moment for precious alone time. Here are 7 Things To Create a “Perfect” Bathroom:
Stylish rugs - Small rugs are the quintessential bathroom staple. Not only do they provide functionality when placed right next to the shower, but they’re also great accent pieces if the room has neutral tones. Runners are great—or, smaller size antique rugs give the bathroom a modern, fresh feel.
Good lighting - Dimmable overhead lighting is an attractive option for a bathroom, as you can set the mood based on the task, be it a bath or a shower. Simply changing the wattage around your sink’s mirror can reinvigorate the space.
Framed artwork- Statement artwork brings your personality into the bathroom. Go for glass-framed artwork or vintage textiles and hang a series of similarly themed photos.
Storage pieces - Whether you’re refurbishing a master bathroom or a powder room, there’s a ton you can do to maximize storage. Add shelves inside your vanity mirror and use other space-saving pieces to declutter. Try turning a bar cart into a bathroom cart; then add candles and rolled up towels to up your design.
Soothing paint colors with accent wallpaper - To give your bathroom a tranquil feel, use neutral colors. If you’re not one for quiet colors, add wallpaper behind the vanity makes an accent wall that’s not overbearing.
New fixtures - Updating the hardware in your bathroom goes a long way. You can change the whole look of your bathroom and utilize the same plumbing. Consider replacing your old faucet with rose gold or matte fixtures. Refresh your shower experience with a new shower head, keeping in mind finish, size, and function.
Scent diffusers - A good scent is the hallmark of a luxurious bathroom. A diffuser on the vanity or by the bathtub elevates your style, while also giving the room an oasis-like vibe.
Outdoor Living
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Oct 13, 2020
The weather is getting cooler and Park City has even had its first dusting of snow in the mountains. This week we are looking at ways to cozy up your outdoor living spaces, how to increase your fall curb appeal, and the housing market in Park City.
Here are 5 Ways to Stage a Cozy Outdoor Space for Cooler Weather from our friends at realtor.com®.
Add a fire pit - Outdoor fireplaces or fire pits are a big win once the sun goes down and the weather cools off and a great place for s’mores.
Add plush cushions and blankets - Wrought-iron or plastic deck chairs come off as cold. Add seat cushions, outdoor pillows, and a basket of warm throws.
Add a heat lamp - Patio heaters have become one of the hottest accessories this fall as the temperature drops. Standing propane or electric heat lamps, or an infrared heating device installed on a porch ceiling, can warm up a space.
Add an all-weather rug - An extra layer on your outdoor space can cozy it up. Outdoor rugs can add something underfoot as you walk on a back deck, plus provide a pop of color to liven up the space.
Add extra lighting - Outdoor lamps aren’t going to bring in any extra warmth, but they can help with ambiance. Try glowing lanterns or Mason jars with tea lights on side tables; or tiki torches placed strategically in the yard.
Now that you have made your patio cozy, here are 5 Ways to Increase Your Curb Appeal During the Fall. Whether you are looking to list your home or just want to spruce things up it’s worth it to put a little TLC into your curb appeal.
Hire a tree service - that tree that looked lush with green leaves is going to start turning soon. And after those leaves put out their fall burst of color, you’ll be left with bare branches. A tree service can help you stay on top of those fallen leaves—and trim back any unsightly or damaged branches that may now be visible.
Try not to go overboard for Halloween - it’s better to limit your decorations so that your home appeals to more potential buyers and doesn't overwhelm your neighbors.
Take advantage of viral marketing - If you are looking to sell your home, gaining viral media is never off the table - embrace the spooky season and setting your home home apart from the rest by hiring a flash mob to do a shot-for-shot remake of “Thriller” in front of your house.
Update your plants to hardy cold-weather varieties - try plants like ornamental cabbages and kale that will give your yard instant color, while coral bells can add some texture and dimension. And as for those mums you see all over stores as soon as fall begins - the showy fall mums are great to add as quick fillers and look presentable when paired with the leafy plants.
Don’t put away your patio furniture - consider leaving it out and updating it for cooler weather activities. Tabletop heaters, fire pits, and chunky throw blankets can all be added to an outdoor space reminding potential buyers that they can get plenty of use out of your home’s yard all year round.
The Salt Lake Tribune shares that COVID-19 has wealthy buyers heading to Park City. Park City, Deer Valley and surrounding Summit and Wasatch counties are now seeing money pour into luxury homes, estates and open land with big sticker prices as the effects of the pandemic bring in new wealthy buyers. Since June, a rush to sanctuary has real estate markets booming over pre-pandemic levels for multimillion-dollar homes and properties that offer secluded access to nature and a sense of security and safety.
Droves of families who’d been waiting out the pandemic in short-term rentals or second homes in the Wasatch Mountains are now buying into more exclusive enclaves and even shifting their primary residences.Homes sales in Park City rose by 62% in July and August compared to the same time last year. Deals amounted to $446 million for those two months compared to $206 million in 2019, and September sales ran at a similar elevated pace, according to the latest data from the Park City Board of Realtors.
It’s too early to know how big or lasting these effects may be, but the phenomenon is already spurring new construction and sucking up hundreds of upscale vacation properties that often sit empty or rent on Airbnb, particularly in Summit County. Well-heeled buyers relocating to Utah are also part of a global shift toward telecommuting, one that could carry some large dollars and social implications with it. In Park City’s case, real estate agents and residents say newcomers are lured by access to a near-ubiquitous 600-trail network for hiking and biking and thousands of acres of adjacent open space. To read Tony Semerad's entire article click here.
Even the Wall Street Journal share that Home sales surge in resort towns even as Covid looms large over ski season. People are fleeing big cities amid the pandemic and are swarming mountain towns in search of more space and the great outdoors. The impetus to buy in Park City is the town’s quality of life, and for those coming from California where the pandemic and recent wildfires have made it unpleasant to go outside buyers look forward to ski season.
For years, ski resorts have worked on diversifying their attractions to bring in more people by adding all kinds of non-ski amenities. The test is this coming season, when some might not even be able to open their skiing operations. The early results are looking good, as home sales and prices have soared despite the uncertainty.
Fall Curb Appeal
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Sep 30, 2020
A good-looking front door is everything. And one of the easiest ways to punch up your curb appeal is by adding in some fresh new greenery to your plant containers when the seasons change. What flowers fare best in the cooler weather and are also eye-catching enough to be front-door worthy? Here are seven fall plants for your front door - 7 Front Door Plants to Give Your Home Fall Curb Appeal.
Chrysanthemums - These fall bloomers are the perfect addition to your fall arrangements. Chrysanthemums love a good sunny spot and therefore require a pretty regular watering routine (every other day or whenever the soil is dry). Keep in mind - Chrysanthemums are toxic to dogs and cats.
Heucheras - (also known as Coral Bells) are perfect for adding a pop of color to your fall arrangements. They are also more shade-tolerant, so they would do nicely under a covered porch.
Ornamental grasses - grasses are a great way to break up the texture in your containers since they come in such a variety of colors (bronze, blue, green) and forms (stiff and upright or whimsical and arching).
Pansies and violas - they will not only look beautiful in fall, but they’ll also last throughout the winter and re-bloom in the spring. And they come in such a broad spectrum of colors, you’ll be able to style your arrangement to match (or purposefully contrast) your front door. Pansies and violas like full to part sun and regular watering.
Snapdragons - like pansies and violas, snapdragons will also last through the winter and re-bloom in the spring when the temperatures start to warm up. Snapdragons are non-toxic to animals. They are happy in a good sunny spot as well as a shadier one. They prefer to have their soil kept moist (but not too moist).
Ornamental kale and cabbage - There are many varieties that run in the white to green to purple range, but it’s the rigid-yet-fringy texture that really stands out and they also come in a range of shapes and sizes, so getting creative with these is very easy. Your ornamental kale and cabbage will appreciate full sun and moist soil.
Herbs - the earthy textures and smells really bring an arrangement to life. Different types of herbs have different light and watering needs, although most will do well in full to partial sun with regular watering.
Some things to consider when it comes to front door plants: how much light your front door area gets, as well as your access to water. Will your plants be protected from strong, damaging winds? Do you have sturdy planters for your fall flower arrangements? Check out Apartment Therapy for the full article.
Looking to the interior of your home here are - 7 Finishes and Materials That’ll Impact Your Resale Value, According to Experts by Apartment Therapy. If you’re gearing up to renovate your house, you might be pondering which materials and finishes will pay off the most in the long run. Investing in high-quality and timeless materials will eventually help the resale value of your home when it’s time to move out. Choosing those materials can be difficult, especially since those renovating their homes probably aren’t considering that they might want to renovate again in 10 years if their design choices didn’t age well.
Engineered hardwood floors - believe it or not, real hardwood isn’t always the best way to go. In fact, real hardwood floors might even hinder your ability to find a buyer.
Quartz countertops - stain resistant, durable, and don’t harbor bacteria or viruses. Quartz countertops impact value in a major way, adding elegance and a timeless look, while providing long-lasting value and durability.
Marble floors - certainly a more expensive material than its other natural stone or ceramic tile counterparts, but the price that’s paid up front will pay off in the long run. Plus, when selected and installed correctly, marble flooring will last decades.
Carpeting - Sellers will replace old carpet with new carpet thinking that will help them sell a home, but buyers prefer hardwood. For this reason, it might be best to consider if it’s worth the money to re-carpet a room as you’re getting your house ready to sell. It might make more sense to spend a little extra money on a different material for your floors.
Plastic fixtures - It’s best to put a little more money into your plumbing sooner rather than later in order to avoid flushing more money down the drain later on.
Oak millwork - a nice contrast to the white modern look and adds warmth to the space is high-end wallpaper is a more economical solution that can create a similar warmth and environment.
Wallpaper - homeowners often want to feel as though their personality is visible in their design. Avoid busy wallpaper. Less is more during a renovation.
Have a great week - stay well. Ramon and Judy
Fall Updates
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Sep 23, 2020
Fall is here and Park City is full of amazing color. This week we look at the new SLC airport terminal, Utah's economy, and the end of walk up ticket sales at some of the local ski resorts.
Utah's economy is ranked the best in the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to 24/7 Wall Street, a website that analyzes and reports on economic data according to Fox13 - Salt Lake City.
Fox13 reports that Utah's low unemployment rate when compared to the rest of the country as one of the reasons the state is in the first position. While the rest of the country has seen unemployment rates reach double digits, Utah had the lowest unemployment rate in the country for the month of July, and currently, 4.5 percent of workers filed for unemployment.The site also stated that Utah's economic growth is one of the strongest in any state in the country, even before the pandemic hit. Utah also has a low poverty rate, being one of only seven states with less than 10-percent of the population below the poverty line.
Salt Lake City International Airport is undergoing a $4.1 billion renovation project, according to USA Today. Concourse A is part of the first phase of the renovation project, while the second concourse is set to open in October, and the rest of the rest of the new airport is scheduled to be completed by 2024, added the report. The US carrier says the airport’s new Salt Lake City Airport includes convenient amenities designed to enhance the overall travel experience. Last week, Delta flew its first flight out of the new Salt Lake City International Airport, which underwent a billion-dollar renovation recently, on Tuesday. The debut flight departed for Atlanta from the airport’s new 900,000-square-foot Concourse A.“This day has been years in the making,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director of Salt Lake City Department of Airports. “To say we are excited to be here today is an understatement. After six years of construction and many more years of planning, we are proud to open the first new US hub airport in the 21st century.” Read more about the new Salt Lake City airport on Business Traveler's site.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Solitude Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort have become the latest Utah ski areas to take walk-up tickets off their menus. Both resorts are owned by the Alterra Mountain Co., which on Monday revealed some of the COVID-19 precautions it would implement across its 15 destinations throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to ending walk-up tickets, Alterra will put caps on daily lift tickets — sold online — and prioritize season-pass holders. Resorts are also creating more grab-and-go food options and more outdoor seating to encourage social distancing and will be limiting interactions on lifts and gondolas.
Deer Valley has long capped the number of skiers it allows daily. Solitude, on the other hand, has been seeing a noticeable influx of visitors since joining the Alterra family prior to the 2018-19 season. Solitude will not turn away season-pass holders but will limit sales of online, single-day lift tickets if large crowds are anticipated. The protocols apply only to resorts owned by Alterra and not those on its Ikon Pass, one of the two major multi-resort season passes on the market. Brighton, Snowbird and Alta — all of which allow limited days to Ikon Pass holders — are in the process of creating their own COVID-19 regulations.
Vail Resorts announced similar changes two weeks ago, including at Utah’s Park City Mountain Resort. In addition to ending walk-up lift tickets and prioritizing season pass holders, Vail will limit chairlifts to riders who are within the same ski party or to small groups of individuals. Perhaps most ground shaking is its plan to limit capacity by requiring all visitors, even season pass holders, to use an online reservation system to hold their spot on the mountain.
Solitude is slated to open the season Nov. 20, Alta plans to follow Nov. 21 and Deer Valley is scheduled for Dec. 5. Snowbird and Brighton have not announced their opening days.
Featured Properties
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Sep 16, 2020
This week we are showcasing a few of our featured properties, please let us know if you have any questions or would like more information. Have a wonderful week.
Vacant Land in Glenwild 18 - 0.89 acres Park City, UT 84098 - CLICK HERE to see more.
Single Family Home in Pinebrook Park City, UT 84098: 7 bedrooms, 8.00 bathrooms - 8549 square feet on 0.80 acres. CLICK HERE for more information and pictures.
Single Family Home in Glenwild 18 Park City, UT 84098: 5 bedrooms, 8.00 bathrooms, 7909 square feet on 11.05 acres. CLICK HERE to see the 3D tour.
Single Family Home in Glenwild 18 Park City, UT 84098: 5 bedrooms, 7.00 bathrooms, 7807 square feet on 1.09 acres. CLICK HERE for more information and photos.
Snow In Park City
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Sep 09, 2020
The first snow fall in Park City was only a light dusting, but with cooler temperatures on the horizon we are excited for Fall. This leads us to - Great News! Park City is planning to open on November 20th and is shooting to be open everyday this winter. Of course many safety precautions will be in place to ensure a fun and safe season. Read more about their winter operating plan here.
Park City is full of events and activities - here are a few of the local events happening this week. Park City Film, Dragonfli Media Technologies and the Utah Olympic Park continue their Twilight Drive-In at the Utah Olympic Park this Friday, September 11th at 7:30 pm and Saturday, September 12th at 7:45 pm. Friday's film will be "Up' rated G and Saturday's film will be "Caddyshack" rated R. Tickets are $30 per car - for more information visit parkcityfilm.org and utaholympiclegacy.org/park-events.
Looking to stretch your legs - The Park City Museum is hosting guided walking tours every Thursday and Friday at 2 pm. Tickets are $10 each and tours are appropriate for those 13 and older. The tours last an hour and a half and an optional $22 ticket price gains you access to the Park City Museum. The tour groups meet in front of Grappa Restaurant - 151 Main Street. For information on tickets visit parkcityhistory.org .
Help the community - Recycle Utah, Summit LAnd Conservancy and Park City Municipal are planning a special project for this year's National Day of Service on Friday, September 11th. The cost is free, but sign-ups are appreciated via Sign Up Genius. Meet up spots are at the Park City Bandstand, 1354 Park Avenue and along the Rail Trail behind White Pine Touring, 1970 Bonanza Drive.
Visit Park City is a wonderful resource for events happening in and around the Park City area. As Summit County and Park City continue to be in a low-risk phase - Park City asks that all residents and visitors follow social distancing protocols including the new health order mandating the use of face coverings/masks in a variety of public locations. Park City restaurants, bars, hotels, and recreational areas are still open and following safe business practices to protect the health and welfare of our guests and staff. For details please visit the travel update page on Visit Park City's website.
Have a great week, Ramon and Judy
Mortgage Rates & Economic Updates
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Jul 15, 2020
This week we will start our blog with the current conforming and jumbo mortgage rates for Utah as shared by Josh Mettle followed by the golfing options in Park City and few ideas for freshening up your home's curb appeal.
The Conforming rates are based on a $300 loan amount and 65% loan to value and the Jumbo rates are based on a $1,000,000 loan amount with a $1,250,000 purchase price.
| Loan Type | Interest Rate | APR | |||
| 30-yr fixed Conforming | 3.25% | 3.378% | |||
| 15-yr fixed Conforming | 2.75% | 2.981% |
| Loan Type | Interest Rate | APR | |||
| 7/1 ARM Jumbo | 3.00% | 3.096% | |||
| 30-yr fixed Jumbo | 3.125% | 3.219% | |||
| 15-yr fixed Jumbo | 2.875% | 3.045% |
CoreLogic also noted that a lot of the demand was pent up from spring to summer with elevated unemployment, and that purchase activity and home prices could fall off once summer ends. It remains to be seen if this latest forecast will prove true, or if the surge in sales and appreciation levels off less steeply, which could still allow for home price gains over the next year.
Now for golf - there is no shortage of golf courses in the Park City area to enjoy. The Park Record has put together a list of all the local golf courses - from public and municipal courses to private clubs there is something for everyone.
Park City Golf Club (public) 1541 Thaynes Canyon Drive, Park City 435-615-5800 18 holes, par 72 $24-$70 This scenic municipal course offers lessons, leagues and a pro shop. Reservations can be made seven days in advance.
Canyons Golf Course (public) 3636 Willow Draw, Park City 435-615-4728 18 holes, par 70 $30-$150 This course features more than 550 feet of elevation change, including 270 feet on Hole 10 from tee to green. Group and individual lessons available.The Outlaw Golf Club (public) 990 Longview Drive, Hideout 435-901-4227 9 holes, par 30 Located in the eastern foothills of the Jordanelle Reservoir, at the Outlaw, players can enjoy views of the glistening waters of the Jordanelle and the towering mountain peaks.
Soldier Hollow Golf Course (public) 1370 Soldier Hollow Drive, Midway 435-654-7442 Silver Course: 18 holes, par 72 Gold Course: 18 holes, par 72 $40- $50 Silver is the tamer of the two courses, slightly shorter with wider fairways, while the Gold has narrower, more undulating fairways, tee shots requiring longer carry and trickier greens.Wasatch Mountain Golf Course (public) 975 West Golf Course Drive, Midway 435-654-0532 Lake Course: 18 holes, par 72 Mountain Course: 18 holes, par 71 $45-$50 Wasatch Mountain’s two courses offer serious variety, from the Lake’s gentle terrain to the Mountain’s dramatic elevation changes and potential wildlife sightings.
Mountain Dell Golf Course (public) Interstate 80, Exit 134 in Parleys Canyon 801-582-3812 Lake Course: 18 holes, par 71 Canyon Course: 18 holes, par 72 $13- $58 This Salt Lake City-run municipal course offers a variety of affordable amenities, from lessons to play-until-sunset twilight rates.
Jeremy Ranch Golf & Country Club (private) 8770 Jeremy Ranch Road, Park City 801-531-9000 18 holes, par 72 Membership required Nestled in Upper East Canyon of the Wasatch Mountains, Jeremy Ranch is the only Arnold Palmer Signature Course in Utah.
Park Meadows Country Club (private) 2000 Meadows Drive, Park City 435-649-2460 18 holes, par 72 Membership required This Jack Nicklaus Signature course has been called one of the best courses in Utah and Park Record readers have selected its Hole 15 as the best in Park City multiple times.
Glenwild Golf Club (private) 7600 Glenwild Dr., Park City 435-615-9966 18 holes, par 71 Membership required This course features a meandering creek with a series of lakes and shot values that enhance its playability and scenic appeal.
Promontory (limited public availability) 8758 N Promontory Ranch Road, Park City 888-458-6600 Pete Dye Canyon Course: 18 holes, par 72 Nicholas Painted Valley Golf Course: 18 holes, par 72 Limited open play at Pete Dye Canyon Course, $100-$250 Membership required at Nicholas Painted Valley Golf Course Dye Canyon rewards accuracy and takes dramatic advantage of the rugged terrain, while the links-style Painted Valley rewards the ability to hit the ball an incredible distance.
Talisker Club, Talisker Tuhaye Course (private) 9875 N. Tuhaye Park Drive, Kamas 866-253-8538 18 holes, par 72 Membership required Tuhaye is set against spectacular long-range views of Mount Timpanogos, Deer Valley’s ski runs and the shimmering waters of the Jordanelle Reservoir.
Victory Ranch (private) 7474 Victory Club Drive, Kamas 435-785-5030 18 holes, par 72 Membership required The course features 400 feet of elevation change but of all the vistas on the course, the 360-degree panoramic view from the championship tee box on the 17th hole is the real jewel.
Red Ledges Golf Course (private) 205 Red Ledges Blvd., Heber City 877-733-5334 18 holes, par 72 Membership required In addition to the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, Red Ledges boasts a family-friendly 12-hole Golf Park, with optional oversized cups and a layout that encourages bounces toward the hole.
Pay attention to the driveway and walkways. You can take steps to make even concrete look good. After all, the driveway and walkways are what lead the eye toward a home’s front door. Any cracks or weeds popping up can present an eyesore. Patch the concrete with caulk and finish a concrete driveway and walkway with a clear, glossy sealer.
Fix up the garage. The garage is often an after-thought but it takes up a big portion of a home’s curb appeal, try painting the garage doors the same color as the home’s trim. Garage doors with a row of windows filter in more light and make it feel part of a home. Garage window kits are available for many models. You can swap out existing panels and add glass inserts.
Paint the front door. Peeling paint or rusty hardware on the front door isn’t very welcoming to a potential home buyer. If you’re going to spend money on one thing to add curb appeal, make it a new door. Front doors with glass inserts can help create a more welcoming space. But for homeowners looking to save, a fresh coat of paint may suffice.
Home Buying
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Jun 23, 2020
Homebuyers will ‘gobble up’ houses for sale this summer, according to Barbara Corcoran, host of ABC’s Shark Tank and founder of the Corcoran Group, an New York City-based residential brokerage firm as interviewed by Yahoo! Finance.Before the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. did not have enough homes for sale to meet demand. But with sellers slow to re-enter the market because of the nationwide lockdowns and demand higher than ever, the U.S. has become an even more competitive market, said Corcoran.
For the week ending June 13, inventory was down 27% compared to last year, according to Realtor.com. Inventory hit a 25-year low in December 2019, with moderate improvement at the beginning of 2020. But it plunged when the pandemic hit the U.S. in mid-March and sellers pulled their homes off the market, according to an analysis by Odeta Kushi, deputy chief economist for First American Financial Corporation, a a Santa Ana, California-based provider of title insurance, settlement services and risk solutions for real estate transactions.
The coronavirus forced Americans to work from home and redefined how Americans see their home. Some Americans are now looking for new homes with bigger yards, home offices and more square footage, after spending months in lockdown. Studies also show that more buyers are now looking to the suburbs for their next home, according to Redfin. Plus, mortgage rates hit an all-time low this week, incentivizing even more buyers into the market.
When more people want a product than the market can supply, the price goes up. Home prices already rose to an all-time high before the pandemic, as homes in the U.S. sold for an average $384,900 in the first quarter of 2020 — well above highs before the Great Recession, which reached an average of $322,100 in its peak, according to the Federal Reserve of St. Louis. With heightened demand, homes in the U.S. could get even more expensive this summer, according to economists.
Looking to shop outside - the Park City Farmers Market has opened at Park City Mountain Resort’s Silver King Lot. The market will follow COVID-19 guidelines to ensure the safety of the patrons as well as vendors according to the Park Record's Scott Iwasaki. The Farmer's Market will be open Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon for senior citizens; noon - 5 p.m. for general public at the Silver King parking lot at Park City Mountain Resort. The market will start with 20 vendor tents that will be 10 feet apart and will have at least two workers each. Handwshing stations will be setup and all vendors will be wearing gloves. parkcityfarmersmarket.com
The Salt Lake Tribune has shared that Ski resorts are gearing up for summer season with new features — and new rules to deal with COVID-19. It’s been a quiet three months in the mountains since COVID-19 caused Utah’s ski resorts to shut down their lifts and cordon off their restaurants in mid-March. Now those wilderness areas are beginning to show signs of life. Woodward Park City, which opened for some indoor sports on May 22, now is also allowing indoor trampolines and parkour and will open its rental shop. Sundance broke out its zip lines, stable, spa and lodging. Utah Olympic Park, though technically not a resort, opened June 4 with tubing and an alpine slide.
Summer has become an increasingly important season for resorts across the country, even before COVID-19 hit. According to the publication Ski Resort Management, revenue for resorts in the summer of 2016 was nearly twice what it was in 2007. During that time, the number of summer visitors rose nearly 45% , even as the cost of a summer visit went up nearly 30%.
This year, however, a successful summer could be critical to a resort’s survival. Consider that most ski areas this year closed prior to spring break, one of their three most lucrative times in the winter season. Those concerns have kept some resorts from jumping into the pool this summer. Solitude Mountain Resort, for example, has made some lodging available but otherwise has announced no plans to reopen.
SUMMER IS IN SESSION
A rundown of what area ski resorts are offering — or not offering — this summer:
Alta • Access to more than 13 miles of hiking trails will open on June 27; lodging expected to open July 1; Albion Basin campground opens July 17.
Beaver Mountain • Hiking and OHV trails open; camping for RVs only.
Brian Head Resort • Activities (disc golf, the zip line, archery, bungee trampoline, climbing wall, avalanche tubing and mountain biking) open Friday through Sunday starting June 26.
Brighton • Hiking trails to open after snowpack melts; Brighton Store is open.
Cherry Peak • All summer operations and concerts postponed.
Deer Valley • Lift-served biking, hiking, scenic rides and some restaurants open daily starting June 26.
Eagle Point • Self-accessed hiking and biking trails open; Canyonside Lodge opened Friday; Mountain Archery Festival scheduled for June 26-28.
Nordic Valley • Summer operations postponed.
Park City Mountain Resort • Alpine slide, mountain coaster, scenic lift rides, hiking and bike haul, and some restaurants scheduled to open Thursday-Sunday starting July 2.
Powder Mountain • Wolf Barn Short Track trail is open; other trails will open as snowpack melts.
Snowbasin Resort • Lift-served mountain biking, hiking and scenic rides via Needles Gondola, mini golf (limited to groups of six or fewer), and dining and mountaintop yoga at the Needles Lodge scheduled to open Saturdays and Sundays starting June 27.
Snowbird • Open daily for summer activities (aerial tram, alpine slide, mountain coaster and Chickadee chairlift), with some restaurants and lodging. Mountain biking off the tram on the Big Mountain Trail remains closed.
Solitude • Summer operations postponed.
Sundance • Open daily for summer activities (chairlift rides, hiking, mountain biking, zip line and stables), with some restaurants, lodging and the spa also open. Reservations required Friday through Sunday.
Utah Olympic Park • Open daily for alpine slide, extreme tubing, zip lining and ropes course in two-hour increments. Alf Engen Ski Museum and Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum open and free, but masks are required.
Woodward Park City • Indoor and outdoor parks for wheeled sports, including scooter, skateboarding and BMX, and lift-served mountain biking open daily for a limited number of guests. Trampolines, parkour, gym floor and indoor airbags along with rental shop and food service also available.
Source: Ski Utah
Utah Strong
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Jun 17, 2020
The Park Record has shared that Deer Valley announced their plans to open for summer June on 26th, offering lift-served mountain biking, hiking and scenic chairlift rides, albeit with significant protocols in place to guard against the spread of COVID-19. The resort indicated in a press release it will take “extensive measures to comply with COVID-19 cleaning, operating procedures and guidelines” and will adhere to the safety mandates imposed by Summit County. It will also limit the number of guests allowed on the mountain at any one time, with day lift tickets being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The resort will allow outdoor dining at three restaurants this summer — Deer Valley Grocery-Cafe, Royal Street Cafe and Silver Lake Snack Shack.
Judy and I truly enjoy living in Utah and were excited when we read Why you should bet on Utah right now, a story by Peter Reichard. As the nation struggles to recovery from the COVID-19 economic decline, Utah is poised to make a strong comeback. Any major economic crisis has a tabula rasa effect, with businesses, investors and individuals pausing to consider big changes. Some will roll out a map of the United States to seek greener pastures. Some of them will decide to place their chips on Utah. Many current Utah residents will just double down. This makes sense, because this state is among the safest of bets. Here are 10 reasons why.
1. Utah has strong social capital.
2. This remains the land of opportunity. Research from Harvard economists put the Salt Lake metro as No. 1 in the nation in terms of intergenerational upward mobility.
3. Utah is a safe port in stormy waters. Utah offers predictability, stability and a business-friendly policy environment and transparency.
4. We have a smart, young population. Not only is Utah the nation’s youngest state, it is also one of the most highly educated, per capita — providing a highly skilled workforce for businesses looking to relocate or expand. A recent Forbes analysis put Utah at No. 1 in the nation for entrepreneurs.
5. We’ve taken hits and are standing tall. Utah had the lowest proportion of unemployed as a percentage of its workforce by mid-May.
6. We’re planning smart and thinking big. At the dawn of the crisis, the state launched the Utah Leads Together effort. There was no infighting or chaos, and planners immediately recognized the need to form a baseline plan, then adjust to a rapidly changing situation.
7. We have a diversified economy. The latest analysis using the Hachman Index of economic diversity put Utah at No. 1 in the nation.
8. Small businesses (and lenders) are taking care of business. Survey data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau reveals Utah small businesses have been the least affected in the nation. As of May 16, Utah ranked No. 1 in federal Payroll Protection Program loans as a percentage of payroll.
9. We aren’t shooting ourselves in the foot. Other state governments have become engulfed in paralyzing political division and crippling financial mismanagement. Utah has managed its finances and public pensions fairly well, and has managed to get important things done.
10. The quality of life is excellent. Utah is situated in a Goldilocks location — not too cold and not too hot with low humidity. It’s one of the sunniest places in the U.S., with endless opportunities for exploration across four seasons — from National Parks to ski resorts. And there is still a comparably reasonable cost of living. Article - peter@utahfoundation.org.
rgomez@bhhsutah.com - www.realtorramoninparkcity.com
Outdoor Living
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.May 20, 2020
Spring is in full swing and this week we look at ways to spruce up your outdoor living space, easy bike rides around Park City and why you shouldn't lowball on an offer during the pandemic.
Whether you’re living in a small apartment or a tiny house with an even smaller outdoor space to match, there’s a good chance your place doesn’t come with a sprawling backyard that’s large enough to fit a pool, garden, outdoor pizza oven, and playground for the kids. Apartment Therapy asked multiple design experts to share their best tips for decorating a small outdoor space. Here are there 7 Design Tricks That Will Make Your Small Outdoor Space Feel So Much Bigger.
1. Take a Seat - No matter how small your outdoor area, you’re going to want to create a sitting area or else you won’t take full advantage of the space. Choose a petite table and loveseat or chairs that will instantly turn the little space you have into an outdoor retreat.
2. Get Your Green On - when it comes to decorating an outdoor space is to rely on plants to add color and life to the overall design. Make a selection of your favorite flowers, potted plants, and ferns to diversify the space and create that outdoor oasis you’ve always dreamed of. To create an oasis, try to cover the outdoor area in as much greenery as possible. A surrounding of greenery is not only beautiful but provides a relaxing environment.
3. Gravitational Glow When decorating your small outdoor space, lighting is a very important element. Wall lights are your best option as they create an elegant ambience without taking up space.
4. Bottoms Up - If you plan on entertaining, pick up a bar cart/console table. It’s multipurpose and mixed-use, as it’s a great way to lay out food and drink, but as the night progresses, it can double as a spot for people to set their drinks down before they go inside and/or where you set up a portable music player.
5. Strategic Stackin’ - When debating deep seating or dining, I tell clients you can eat on a couch, but you can’t lie on dining chairs. Tucking a sectional into a corner is the best way to maximize on floor space. Look for furniture with light-colored cushions, skinny frames, and high skirts.
6. Optical Illusion - Make a small outdoor space seem so much bigger by painting it all white. You can even go for a monochromatic color scheme with all-white cushions, a white outdoor rug, and white metal pieces. Add in mirrors and large-scale plants to create the illusion of a larger space.
7. The Right Rug -Use an area rug that fits the entire space to make it feel intentional and like an extension of your interiors.
Now is the time to get outside and biking around Park City is on our list as we get some fresh air. Park City Magazine shares their Biking Guide: 5 Easy Rides for Cruising Park City’s Trails.
The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail - Length: 28 miles (one way). Roll onto the trail from Old Town via the Poison Creek Trail (and the underpass below Bonanza Drive), or park at the Prospector Trailhead. Enjoy Utah’s first nonmotorized trail, designated a state park in 1992, which now travels where rail once carried coal and silver ore across the county. Today’s trail runs through wetlands as it meanders through Wanship and Coalville, ending at Echo Reservoir.
McLeod Creek Trail - Length: 4 miles. From Old Town, hop aboard the paved path alongside Highway 224, or start at the McPolin Farm Trailhead. Or reverse the ride and start in Kimball Junction or at the Willow Creek Trailhead. Cruising from town toward Kimball Junction, this wide, initially paved trail rolls alongside its bubbling namesake, past the iconic white barn (McPolin Farm), and then veers right behind Temple Har Shalom onto packed dirt, past an interactive musical sculpture, through a shady, rural stretch, and across Old Ranch Road to Willow Creek Park, where playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic tables make for a family-friendly destination.
Round Valley: PorcUclimb-Downward Dog Loop - Length: 7-mile loop. Park at Quinn’s Trailhead for Round Valley’s 700 acres of sagebrush-scented, preserved open space contains a delightful web of trails, leading to a vast array of rides. This loop starts with a wide, flat trail and gradually adds some slightly narrower trails, with a wee helping of learner-friendly, directional switchbacks thrown into the mix. Begin on Fast Pitch, connect to Ability Way, take a little uphill on Matt’s Flat to the hilltop at Seventy 101, then switchback up PorcUclimb (uphill only), take a right onto Nowhere Elks at the top, then look for the Downward Dog descent (downhill only) all the way until it intersects with Matt’s Flat singletrack, and ride back to Ability Way via Matt’s Access Trail, left on Ability Way Connector to Fast Pitch, then back to Hat Trick.
Trailside Loop - Length: 1-mile loop. Start at Trailside Park, adjacent to the bike park. This is an extremely beginner-friendly loop conveniently located next to the all-levels, skills-honing bike park (see article on Bike Parks). This subtly graded singletrack curves through sagebrush-covered terrain, allowing for ample visibility as newbies get into the dirt-riding groove.
RTS - Length: 2.5 miles. Park at RTS trailhead on Olympic Parkway located on a 316-acre swath of open space just below Utah Olympic Park’s ski jumps, RTS is ideal for beginners. Gently sloped switchbacks—sans loose rocks—allow for a pleasant roll through open aspen groves and meadows. RTS is also a great launching point for the progressively more challenging terrain of BLT, OMH, and BYOB, and you can access significantly more advanced riding along conifer-topped loops across Olympic Parkway.
Before you go - Grab a Mountain Trails Foundation (mountaintrails.org) map, available at most sports retailers and coffee shops (or online) to plot your route, or download Trailforks or MTB Project apps for real-time GPS guidance.
It’s no secret that COVID-19 has totally upended the U.S. housing market. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors, interest in buying a home has sharply declined. That’s to be expected, as the Labor Department reported that more than 26 million people have filed for unemployment benefits since the middle of March. Apartment Therapy has another great article this week in Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Lowball an Offer on a House During COVID-19.
When it comes to negotiating, it’s still all about location, location, location. Since real estate transactions tend to be a result of major life decisions, he says there will still be people who need to either sell or buy—or both. If homes in the area are selling for the asking price, a low offer is probably a bad idea. In fact, when buyers start with an insultingly low number, she says the sellers may not respond at all—and if they do, the buyers have no negotiation leverage. Crisis does not bring down property values, high interest rates do.
Inventory is low, which works in a seller’s favor - Sellers know they have the upper hand. On the other hand, it appears that some buyers are quite enthusiastic.
Mortgage defaults are making sellers less likely to budge- There’s one other reason sellers may not be feeling pressure to lower their asking prices. With banks rolling out mortgage forbearance programs, most sellers are not in immediate danger of losing their home or desperate to accept a lowball offer. The Federal Housing Finance Agency recently announced that after the forbearance is over, homeowners with mortgages backed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will not have to make lump sum repayments. Instead those amounts will be added to the end of the loan’s life.
But don’t abandon negotiating altogether - When considering a lowball offer, do your research to see if you or your realtor can discover any details that might motivate the seller to move forward despite the loss of financial gain they originally anticipated. It’s always wise to negotiate. It may be possible for a buyer to get an extended closing date in-line with their needs, or a buyer could make a lower offer with a quick close. Another option would be to make a low offer, but take the property ‘as-is,’ meaning the seller would not have to make repairs that could take time and cost money, especially given many states’ stay-at-home orders for nonessential employees.
What Does the Home Buying and Selling Process Look Like Now?
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.May 03, 2020
Things are a little different, but when you're equipped with the right technology and tools, the process is streamlined and efficient. Here's a look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed real estate processes, and how we've adapted with it.
VIRTUAL HOME BUYING
- Virtual Consultation. Schedule an appointment by phone or video conference to understand your real estate needs and goals.
- Reporting. Create a report consisting of available properties, market history and statistics through MoxiWorks, a dynamic CMA platform.
- Online Home Search. We will continually send you newly listed homes that match your search criteria as soon as they hit the market.
- Mobile App. Explore homes and areas with our Utah Properties mobile app featuring real-time MLS updates.
- Virtual or Live Tour. See selected homes virtually or with a live tour. We will follow proper CDC & NAR guidelines when touring a home.
- Digital Negotiations/Addendums. Create offers and addendums via digital platforms.
- Electronically Sign. All of the paperwork is done electronically and securely.
- Title and Escrow. Wire deposits directly, Escrow handled remotely.
- Inspections. Inspections reports sent and reviewed digitally.
- Closing. Funds and documents are completed digitally to facilitate closing.
- Get the keys!
- Virtual Consultation. Schedule an appointment by phone or video conference.
- Establish Pricing. Your pricing strategy is facilitated via an intensive proprietary market analysis system that features live MLS updates.
- Market Preparation. We will walk you through the necessary steps to make sure your home is market-ready including home staging ideas and tips.
- List Home for Sale. We complete the necessary steps to officially list your home to the market.
- Market and Syndicate Home Online. Over 90% of consumers search for property online. We syndicate and market your listing locally and globally.
- Track Buyer Activity/Views Online. We monitor the interest your property receives online.
- Virtual or In Person Home Tours. We will follow proper CDC & NAR guidelines when showing your home to buyers.
- Offers and Negotiations. Made via mobile communication and digital negotiation.
- Go Under Contract. All of the paperwork is done electronically and securely.
- Final Details. We will give you frequent updates to ensure the transaction closes.
- Closing! Escrow and Closing can be completed digitally.
Homeschool Cleaning
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Apr 28, 2020
As our kids work to keep our grandchildren engaged with school along with their own work schedules we thought we would share Homeschooling: Keeping Your Kids Engaged by RISMedia. Here are some tips to keep everyone focused and working efficiently:
Build in breaks. The first step is to create a schedule. Your kids are used to structure at school, and so when they come home, they expect to have that same unstructured freedom they normally have. Every hour or so, let your kids take a quick 10-minute break. You can even plan fun activities for them to keep them energized.
Reward good behavior. Get a reward system going. You can create something similar to a chore chart where they get a sticker for every school assignment they’ve completed. If they get everything done in the amount of time they’re given, set aside a little prize for them. Since many of us are stuck at home, these can be simple things like an extra hour of TV or letting them pick a dinner or dessert recipe.
Don’t forget about PE. Let your kids have some run-around time. Whether you structure this as a PE class or as recess is up to you. If you have a backyard with a jungle gym, that’s the easiest way to handle this. But have fun and be creative if you don’t. Set up obstacle courses inside or outside your home. Create scavenger hunts that engage your kids in exercise. The goal is to let them clear their mind of being stuck at home doing schoolwork, and also getting them re-energized to get back to it once the time comes.
Create dedicated workspaces. If you have the room in your home, set up individual workspaces for your kids. Give them some cups filled with pens, pencils, crayons, etc., so they’re all set up with the tools they need. You can make cute little motivational signs for them and tape them to the walls and decorate with whatever you have to make it a personalized workspace. A little creativity can go a long way, and once they see they have their own space, they’ll be more excited when it’s time to “go to school.”
Remember, it’s all about creating a routine that’s not too rigid. Keep things scheduled, but don’t skip on the creativity and fun.
Dreaming of getting out into the wilderness, Staycation shares What You Can Do Now To Prepare For a Camping Or Backpacking Trip. Now’s the perfect opportunity to prep for your next camping trip. Once it’s safe to travel again, camping will be the perfect way to get out and enjoy yourself, while still practicing moderate social distancing. In the spirit of preparedness, here’s what you can do right now to get ready for a camping or backpacking trip in the near future. Take the time now to wash your sleeping bag, sleep in your tent, build a camping box, find a good pair of trekking poles, clean out your camp stove and take stock of your gear. Click here for the full article.
Still interested in cleaning and organizing, Apartment Therapy shares Spring Cleaning Guide: How to Spring Clean Your Whole House. Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition with deep cultural, religious, and historical roots. Spring cleaning also ties back to the history of keeping winter houses warm and lit with fires and kerosene. These methods filled houses with soot and grime that was an inevitability as people stayed shut in against the cold winter, but that eventually (needless to say) had to be cleaned. Warm weather and longer days meant being able to stop generating all that soot and that windows could be opened to air out the house as residents scrubbed all that literal darkness away. As we welcome warmer days and the golden rays of sun that tease buds from barren branches, we want a new start, too. Spring cleaning gives it to us.
Why is Spring Cleaning Important? Spring cleaning is a chance to reset everything in your home. It's a chance to stave off bigger problems, like a mold takeover of your grout. By the time spring cleaning is finished, your home will feel so fresh and clean—a state of habitation that will serve you well, both in mind and body.
When Should You Start Spring Cleaning? Subjectively, you should start spring cleaning when you sense that new-start spring freshness start to come in on the warm afternoon breezes. Objectively, you should start spring cleaning when you can clear out a solid day or two in your schedule to devote to the task. For many, this may be the weekend, but now it is quarantine.
How Do I Start Spring Cleaning my House? First, decide that you are going to spring clean and tell someone so you’re accountable. Next, make a plan. The details don’t matter when it comes to galvanizing you into action. But having a rough outline of what you’ll do, whether it’s a room-by-room list of what needs to get done or a whole-house checklist of tasks you want to accomplish brings substance to your goals and functions like a map that will get you where you want to go: a spring cleaned (past tense) house.
How Can I Clean My Whole House in One Day? Cleaning every inch of your home in one day would be an incredible feat, but it’s probably too much to undertake. It might help to reframe your goal: Instead of aiming to clean your whole house in one day, decide you’re going to devote an entire day to spring cleaning. The former goal sets you up to fall short, while the latter goal allows you to measure by effort instead of impact. Rather than than committing (and maybe failing) to check every single thing off a list, you’re going to spend the time you have focusing on the most important tasks, and leaving the rest undone for another day. It’s a more thoughtful and attainable route to take.
1. Choose whole-house cleaning tasks for the biggest effect. For instance, washing the pillows and bedding of all members of your household leaves everyone with refreshed bedding. While the task may not produce a visible outcome, knowing that everyone has bedding that’s as clean as it can be feels really good. Other whole-house tasks you could select include cleaning all the doors or tackling all the windows.
2. Select chores that you procrastinate. Cleaning tasks that you dread probably don’t get done very often. These dreaded, procrastinated chores will be different for everyone, but they could be deep cleaning the shower, cleaning the windows, or finally getting that oven clean. Choose your own adventure and be really, really proud of yourself when you get to the finish line.
3. Pick the tasks you want to do. No, this doesn’t mean to forget the whole thing because you really don’t feel like doing any spring cleaning! (That’s not you anyway, since you’re here.) The sentiment underlying this method of selecting what you’ll spend your spring cleaning day doing is that certain things on the list will pop out at you as things you’ve been wanting or meaning to do but haven’t been able to get to. Maybe it’s sorting through closets and cleaning your refrigerator. Do these.
4. Make choices based on time. Some of the items on the spring cleaning list require time that may or not be hands-on time. For example, washing everyone’s bedding and cleaning all the mattresses doesn’t take that much hands-on time, but it does require waiting for wash and dry cycles to finish. This is a great task to undertake while you’re cleaning other things because you’ll be around to switch loads as soon as they’re ready and you can use the in-between time to check other tasks off your list.
5. Put labor-intensive items at the top of your list. If you’re having a hard time choosing what you’ll do and what you’ll skip, try putting the most labor-intensive tasks at the top of the list. This way, the chores that require the most out of you are getting done on a day you’ve dedicated to cleaning and you won’t feel as much like you’re missing out on something fun.
Sample Plan for Spring Cleaning in a Day: If you need a jumping off point to plan your day of spring cleaning, this checklist—for morning, afternoon, and evening—will get you on the right track.
Morning:
- Strip the bedding from all the beds, including duvet covers, and gather all the bedding. Sort like with like and begin laundering sheets, blankets, pillows, and comforters.
- Refresh mattresses while the bedding is away from the beds.
- Empty every garbage can and recycling bin and bring them outside. Hose them down, scrub scuffs with a Magic Eraser, and get gunk out of crevices. Leave them to dry in the sun.
- Put bags of vinegar around shower heads.
- Slather the interior of the oven with a baking soda paste.
- Change bedding wash and dry cycles as needed.
- Scrub your oven interior.
- Remove vinegar bags and scrub showers and tubs and clean the bathroom.
Afternoon:
- Spot clean upholstery and rugs.
- Dust every area you’ve decided to tackle today and start at the top. This could include bookshelves, the tops of cabinets, light fixtures, light bulbs, furniture, door frames, picture frames, etc. The idea is that you’re taking your duster and using it on every inch of dust down to the baseboards.
- Polish wooden furniture. Just like you focused on using one tool while you dusted, focus on one product here: wood polish. Hit every wooden item in your home.
- Wipe down cabinet doors. Murphy’s Oil Soap is great for wooden cabinets and an all-purpose cleaner and rag is fine for other materials.
- Clean doors. You’ve already dusted the frames. Now take a damp microfiber cloth (and maybe a Magic Eraser for stubborn spots) to the doors themselves, including knobs.
- Continue changing bedding loads as needed. If you finish your loads, take down your curtains and begin washing those.
- Clean your windows. Take down screens or use a lint roller on them, clean window tracks, and shine those windows.
- Clean the rest of the glass in your home. You’ve already dusted picture frames. Now take it to the next level and hit the glass with a lint-free cloth and glass cleaner.
Evening:
- Replace bedding.
- Hang curtains if you were able to wash them.
- Return garbage cans to their rooms.
- Vacuum under furniture and under rugs.
- Vacuum the floors throughout the house now that the dust you stirred up from dusting has had time to settle.
- Clean your phone.
- Choose one small area to declutter. You don’t need the sunshine to help you see what to declutter (like you would with spot cleaning your armchairs, for instance), and ending with a decluttering session sets you up for a very visual win and, with any luck, the urge to do more when you can.
- Make a list of tasks you wish you’d been able to do and make a plan for finishing them up during your regular cleaning routine.
- Enjoy your spring cleaned house!
Dining In Park City
By Ramon Gomez, Jr.Apr 22, 2020
This week we look to food and coffee in Park City. Park City Magazine shares how to support your favorite Park City coffee shops from afar or your car. Most of Park City’s favorite caffeinated hotspots are temporarily shuttered, but you can still be socially distant and support your local roaster/barista at the same time.
Drive-Through/Curbside Joy- Silver King Coffee, silverkingcoffee.com, is “business as usual” at 1409 Kearns Blvd, with slightly reduced hours, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, and Venmo and credit card sales only (i.e. no cash). Of Note: the scrumptious goodies at Silver King are locally sourced from Auntie Em’s, Savoury Kitchen, Wasatch Bagel, City Cakes & Cafe, Mamachari Kombucha. So, consider a coffee-and-eats stop a boost for numerous local, small businesses. Coming soon: A “Buy a Coffee for a Friend” campaign. Look for it online, starting next week.
Brothers Rob and Ray Hibl and their staff are keeping Park City Coffee Roaster (1764 Uinta Way, pcroaster.com) regulars smiling, thanks to curbside drink pick-up via their easy-peasy app (or phone at 435.647.9097) between 7 a.m. and noon, Monday through Saturday.
Coffee (and Tea and Sipping Chocolate) Delivered - Get your favorite Bonafido, Dog Daze, New Trick, or other canine-themed roast via hugo.coffee. The ever-energetic owner Claudia McMullin is doing her own Hugo Coffee Roaster deliveries in the 84060, 84068 and 84098 zip codes—and including a mask created by her aerospace engineer husband in the package; the mask made from hypo-allergenic filters may not be N-95 certified, but it does have a stamp of her dog Hugo’s cute face on it. A percentage of Hugo’s retail sales go to animal rescue nonprofits, so you get warm fuzzies along with your toasty brew, too.
Atticus Coffee and Teahouse, atticustea.com, swoops to the rescue with orders via email and phone, 435.214.7241, for bulk loose tea and coffee beans (pick up on Mondays). According to Atticus’s Erica Winzeler, an online ordering system via the website is also in the works for the Main Street business. Stay tuned.
Lucky Ones Coffee, luckyonescoffee.com, the nonprofit and coffee shop located inside the Park City Library, is delivering online purchases of merchandise (think cozy sweatshirts and baby onesies) as well as bags of coffee. Lucky Ones is also planning some Zoom coffee hours to connect regulars and the café’s baristas (all adults with disabilities).
Ritual’s hot chocolate strikes, order it online, ritualchocolate.com. Yes, the chocolate factory is still humming while the café is closed, which means you can sneak some small-batch nibbles into that order as well.
That’s not all, coffee aficionados. Pink Elephant Coffee Roasters, pinkelephantcoffee.com, (yum…Roam Roast) and new-ish Coffee Chicks Co., thechickscompany.com, are keeping the online orders going. Get your STOKED, stokedroasters.com, on(line) as well. And even though Campos, us.camposcoffee.com, is closed for the season, you can still say g’day to the slopeside café’s brews (roasted in Salt Lake City) via Internet order.
BYOB (Be Your Own Barista) Tips:
Ritual: Making Ritual hot chocolate is a simple affair. Simply place desired amount of sipping cocoa in your cup, boil water in a teakettle or saucepan, pour and whisk. As Ritual’s Anna Davies says, be sure to “slow down” and whisk until the chocolate is completely melted.
Hugo's: If you have a French press, use coarsely ground beans, very hot water, and steep at least five minutes before plunging. No French press? Consider Hugo’s cold brew, pre-packed in 4-ounce bamboo (and compostable) bags, which you simply dunk into a pitcher of cold water and allow to brew for 12 to 24 hours. Voilà.
Park City Coffee Roaster: “The best thing about staying at home for so long is that you can try different methods of brewing to see what type of coffee presentation you like best,” says co-owner Rob Hibl. Try everything from the typical espresso to French press to cowboy-style brewing (think tin pot over a campfire, but a stove will do). Hibl’s favorite? The Chemex-style brewing method, “because it brings out all our distinct flavors and attributes."
Tired of cooking, the Park City Area Restaurant Association has shared the following restaurants that are offering curbside takeout or drive-thru service. Menus and ordering information can be found at respective businesses websites. Additional offerings or changes will be updated as available.
11 Hauz: Open for normal business hours. (435) 200-8972.
501 on Main is open for curbside pickup from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with a limited menu available online. Customers can call 435-645-0700or email Carryout@501onmain.com to place orders.
Alberto’s remains open for drive-thru service.
Allroa Catering is offering a variety of comforting meals for you and your family. View Menu & Delivery Instructions / (801) 558-9495
Bangkok Thai on Main: Saturday through Sunday, 4:30 - 9pm. Orders will be taken until 8:30pm. Call (435) 649-8424.
Cafe Rio: Sunday – Thursday 11am -8pm; Friday – Saturday 11am- 9pm (435) 200-6200.
Clockwork Deli/Cafe is offering curbside delivery for coffee, lattes, sandwiches, wraps, soups & salads. They can be reached at 435-649-0576 or 435-901-3027.
Cortona Italian Cafe is open for curbside pickup and can be reached at 435-608-1373.
Davanza's Pizza: Open daily at 11am - 9pm. (435) 649-2222.
Del Taco in Kimball Junction’s drive-thru is open 8am-11pm daily.
Domino’s Pizza is open for delivery and curbside pickup at both its Park City and Kimball Junction locations. Order online, call Park City at 435-649-7788 or Kimball Junction at 435-800-1299.
Eating Establishment: Offering curbside service daily 10am – 6pm. Place orders by calling 435-649-8284.
Einstein Bros Bagels: 6am - 3pm (435) 645-8489.
Element Kitchen & Bakery: Tuesday - Saturday 5-8:30 p.m. Packaged bakery, grab and go and convenience items will be available in-store. You can call to order curbside pick up for hot take out. Place your order by calling (435) 731-8383. Free delivery for those who really need it (elderly or immunocompromised).
Escala Provisions Company Bar & Restaurant is open for curbside pickup and can be reached at 435-615-4240.
Este Pizza: Normal business hours. Este is also offering delivery service. (435) 731-8970.
Fairweather Natural Foods: Grocery open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Cafe open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for take out ordered only taken via phone. (435) 649-4561.
Freshies: Normal business hours. Place orders by calling (435) 631-9861.
Fuego: Lunch from 11:30am -2pm, Dinner 5pm-9pm. (435) 645-8646
Great Harvest Bread Co: Monday - Saturday 7am - 7pm. (435) 655-7244.
Harvest Park City: 8am - 3pm. (435) 604-0463.
Hearth and Hill: Noon to 8 p.m. daily. Ordering can be done through their website or by calling (435) 200-8840.
Kneaders Bakery & Cafe is open for curbside pickup and can be reached at 435-776-3010.
Loco Lizard Cantina is available for curbside pickup and delivery on large orders and can be reached at 435-645-7000.
Maxwell’s East Coast Eatery will be open from 4-9 p.m. and available for curbside pickup and delivery throughout Park City. They can be reached at (435) 647-0304.
The Mustang is offering curbside pickup and delivery (with a 20% gratuity) as well as a free roll of bathroom tissue with each entree. They can be reached at 435-658-3975.
O’Shucks Bar & Grill will offer curbside to-go service daily from noon to 8 p.m. and can be reached at 435-645-3999.
Park City Chinese and Thai remains open for curbside pickup and delivery and can be reached at 435-649-4000.
Park City Coffee Roasters: Daily 6am - 6pm (435) 647-9097.
Red Banjo Pizza: Open daily 12-8pm. Place orders by calling (435) 649-9901.
Red Rock Junction: Open from noon to 7 p.m. (435) 575-0295.
Ritual Chocolate: Open 8am - 5 pm. (435) 200-8475.
Riverhorse Provisions: Open daily 7:30am - 8pm. All pickup orders available during regular business hours. Delivery orders are available from 11am - 7 pm. (435) 649-0799
Ruth's Chris: Nightly 4pm – 9pm. (435) 940-5070.
Sammy's Bistro: Open Noon to 8:30pm daily. (435) 214-7570.
Savoury Kitchen: Offering meal drop-off, pick-up and grocery delivery. (435) 608-1408.
Slapfish Restaurant is open for curbside pickup 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. They can be reached at 435-575-0922.
State Road Tavern at Dejoria Center: Open daily 11am - 7pm. (435) 783-3530 or order online at: https://www.stateroadtavern.com
Stoked Roasters & Coffee House: Open 7:30am - 5pm. (435) 602-3721.
Summit Inn Pizza & Ice Cream Co: Open 11am - 9pm., with curbside and delivery. (435) 783-4453
Tekila: Normal business hours. Also offering delivery service. (435) 649-3097.
Teriyaki Grill: (435) 615-1110.
Thai So Good: Open during normal business hours. (435) 565-6989.
tupelo: Pre-order by 2 p.m. on Thursdays for curbside pick-up on Friday, Saturday or Sunday from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. 435 615-7700
Vessell Kitchen: Normal business hours. (435) 200-8864.
Versante: Daily 4-9pm. Versante is offering 50 percent off to all healthcare professionals. (435) 604-4012.
Wasatch Bagel: (435) 645-7778.
Stay well, Ramon and Judy
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