Blog

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?’

Traveling With Your Puppy

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
Feb 26, 2020

This week we are sharing where to stay with your puppy in Park City and February's home sales.

Where do you stay in Park City if you want to bring fido on your vacation, Park City Magazine shares - 7 Dog Friendly Hotels in Park City. Rover isn’t just a dog, he’s part of the family. And you need a place to stay that doesn’t require sneaking your pup in the back door. Thankfully, these Park City hotels welcome your furry kid the way they would your bio kids, with a warm smile, treats, and the occasional pat on the head. When it’s time to paw it out of the hotel, introduce your pooch to “Bark” City’s dog-friendly trails. Basin Recreation grooms 25 kilometers, connecting Utah Olympic Park and Willow Creek Park. Round Valley has off-leash hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing trails, plus a dog park (there’s one at Willow Creek, too). And be sure to check out Rob’s or Daly Canyon trails.

Waldorf Astoria Park City -Wag-o-meter props: In-room bowls and dog beds, and homemade doggie treats (engraved with your pup’s name).

Montage Deer Valley - Wag-o-meter props: Two resident Bernese mountain dog ambassadors, plus a luxurious dog bed, food and water bowls, a toy gift, custom-baked treats, and an “In-Room Dining Canine Cuisine Menu.”

Washington School House Hotel - Wag-o-meter props: Owners are huge dog lovers with a couple of golden retrievers, so they understand a pet parent’s needs. Check in to find a cozy pet bed and bowls already in your room.

The St. Regis Deer Valley - Wag-o-meter props: Dog bed, dog bowls, and their own personal outdoor play area and trail. Butlers will walk dogs upon request.

The Holiday Inn Express & SuitesBest Western Plus Landmark Inn, and Hyatt Place Park City - Wag-o-meter props: Less expensive rooms and pet fees. BYOB(owls). Grab treats and poop bags at the front desk.

Looking for your new home or to sell yours, visit our website to see current listings and to see how we can help you. Here are February’s Closings:

No alt text provided for this image
1620 Downington Ave SLC Closed 2/18/20
No alt text provided for this image
3000 Canyons Resort #4912 PC Closed 2/10/20
No alt text provided for this image
2153 W Red Pine Court PC Closed 2/24/20

On the topic of moving, Realtor Magazine shares What to Do Before the Movers Show Up. Homeowners still need to prep the house for the moving company before they arrive to pack them up. Realtor.com® recently highlighted several of the items homeowners should do before the moving company arrives, including:

Protect your floors - To help avoid damage to the house, remove anything fragile that could be in the path as furniture and boxes get moved. Notify the movers about any hardwood flooring. “If you have hardwood floors or tile in any rooms, let your movers know ahead of time so they can prepare the right materials—and make sure your contract includes hardwood floor protection,” Miranda Benson, marketing coordinator at Dolly, a San Francisco–based moving company, told realtor.com®.

Make a clear path - Make the movers’ job easier and think ahead to a variety of potential obstacles on moving day. For example, consider the parking situation outside your home. Where can the movers leave their truck when packing up? You may even need the local city government to get involved to get appropriate signage and allowances. Also, ensure that access points of the home are clear of any debris.

Be available - don't hover, but be readily available to answer any questions. Alert the movers to anything special they should know that could impact how they move out your furniture and boxes. “There are little things about your house that you only learn from living there: The hallway closet door never stays closed, the third step down has a slight bend, a pack of hornets tends to congregate around the back door, so use the front—these are all valuable things that make your movers’ lives easier,” Benson told realtor.com®. “On top of that, being available to answer questions, whether that’s in person or via phone, can make your move much smoother.”

Read more moving preparation tips at realtor.com®.

National Moving Month

By Ramon Gomez, Jr.
May 30, 2018

This is National Moving Month: 7 Tips for a Stress-Free Move - According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 40 million Americans—one in nine people—move each year. While the majority of these movers are in their 20s, people of all ages can be found relocating around this time of year.

Moving is such a prevalent activity for Americans during spring that the entirety of May is dedicated to this trend. This is when the nation starts to see a major uptick in relocations; however, if the thought of moving homes makes you start to sweat, you're not alone. In fact, some studies have shown that moving is more stressful than wedding planning.

Don't despair! There are ways to keep moving day tolerable and prevent raising your blood pressure. Planning ahead and organizing can go a long way to keeping things under control.

To acknowledge National Moving Month, and the related stress of this major undertaking, check out this handy infographic to keep the teeth-grinding to a minimum:

Not Moving, well here are some Ways to Make Your Backyard a Summer Paradise - Summer is the season to be outdoors. It’s the perfect time for backyard barbecues, neighborhood socials, and late-night evenings on the patio. You don’t need to travel to a luxurious and exotic location to enjoy spending time outdoors. Make your own backyard a summer paradise with these eight simple suggestions.

Inspect and update wooden decks - To make your backyard a summer haven, take some time to inspect and updateyour deck. Wooden patios and decks can be warped by cold weather, so you’ll want to replace loose or missing slats as needed. Sand, stain, and seal your deck once you’ve made sure it’s structurally sound. If you have a stone patio, check for missing pieces and update as needed. Once this is complete, you’ll have a shiny and appealing deck you can decorate with patio furniture—creating a relaxing sitting area for summertime.

Purchase patio furniture and essentials - Once you have a designated patio or deck space, you’ll want to add some patio furniture so you can sit down, mingle with friends and family, and relax. Consider purchasing weatherproof patio furniture that is both comfortable and durable. Patio furniture can be exposed to harsh, seasonal weather, so you’ll want to make sure it lasts for years.

Get the basics including some lounge chairs, an umbrella, a hammock, and an outdoor table so you can enjoy meals or games outside. In addition to patio furniture, you may want to buy or build an outdoor fire pit. It’s a simple feature that adds so much to your backyard. Sit around the fire and socialize, roast marshmallows or even cook dinner on your own backyard fire place.

Add colorful cushions and pillows - You’ll want to add a splash of color to your patio so it’s eye-catching and sings of summertime. Buy some bright-colored, and comfortable throw pillows and cushions to spice up the furniture. The bright colors and fun patterns will entice people to sit down, relax, and enjoy your backyard paradise.

Get a rug for the patio - Consider adding a rugto the patio or deck area to make the space feel cozier. Outdoor rugs vary in material, size, and shape and are generally made to last in all types of weather. They make a great addition to your space, and can also protect your deck.

Install outdoor lighting - Nothing is more magical than twinkling lights against a royal-blue evening sky. Add strands of tea lights or other innovative lightsto create a fairy-tale effect in your backyard. In addition to the decorative lighting, you’ll want to consider adding sensor or smart lights to your backyard for added security. Smart lights are a great way to ensure the backyard is lit—you can even control smart lights with your smart phone.

Make the backyard private - You may love your neighbors, but that doesn’t mean you want them always peeking into your backyard. Be creative when thinking of ways to ensure better backyard privacy. One easy way to create a private, secluded backyard paradise is to install a fence. Not only does it ensure privacy, but it is an essential safety measure. Install a strong, secure fence to create a private and safe backyard.

Update your landscaping - Landscaping can make or break your backyard. It’s essential to take time to update your landscapingto create an outdoor paradise. You don’t need extravagant plants or trees to make your backyard grand. Take some time to cut back unruly trees and bushes, pull the weeds, water and trim the lawn, and plant flowers around the yard. These simple updates will make a world of difference. You’ll have your own secret garden in no time! 

Secure outdoor belongings - Once you’ve created a magical backyard space, you’ll want to take the necessary precautions to safeguard your belongings. Make sure your garden tools and supplies are in a locked shed—away from kids, pets, and burglars. Take time to assess the backyard for any security breaches. This will keep your family safe and protect your backyard, patio, and deck from major damages.

Summer is a wonderful time to relax and enjoy being outdoors. Update your own backyard and you’ll have access to a private paradise any time you want.

 
 
Existing user sign in: 
Forgot Password?