Noteworthy Information

A recent e-mail from County Commissioner Alan Gardner

The County could use the help of the realtor association and they would also provide an additional service to their clients.

The State Legislature passed a law years ago that gives the owner of a primary residence a 45% discount in their property tax over a non primary residence (2nd home). If a person has a rental that is rented and it is the primary residence of the renter it also qualifies for the 45% discount. In order for the owner to qualify they need to obtain a form from the Assessor’s office, fill it out and return it to them.

This is a law that is unique to Utah so an out of state buyer has no idea of it. Many instate buyers have no idea either. The Assessor’s office mails out these forms but often they get set aside or people don’t realize the importance of returning them. In that case they are assessed the full amount and it may be several years before they become aware of the situation and have paid several thousand in extra taxes. If realtors could make their buyers aware of the law and the need to fill out the form it could greatly help the situation.

We are going to make another effort to request this of the title companies also and ask them to have the form present at closing but if would help if the realtors would also make buyers aware.

Thanks for your help

Alan Gardner

County Commissioner

News From The Board Leadership Team!

Your Board Leadership Team just returned from the NAR Convention in New Orleans Monday night (Nov. 8th) and I wanted to highlight what the underlying theme of the whole conference was……. “Home Ownership Matters”. You’ll see this as the central theme to much of the Association’s Public Awareness Campaign for 2011, and here’s why: There are and will be a segment of the media and the government that has been and will be pushing the idea that ‘maybe it’s not the right time to own a home’…… They quote declining prices and troublesome mortgages as their main reasons; in addition the critics say, home owners are getting an unfair subsidy (the Mortgage Interest Deduction or MID); one that benefits only the rich.

Read the Full Article.....Click Here


Here’s what you, as Realtors® in Washington County and throughout Utah and the USA should be saying to everyone you talk to: There is NO Better Time to BUY…… It is Not Just Pricing that is the logic here, but the deeper reasoning, such as the feeling that your children get when they ‘come home’ (like you did when you were young….); the pride in a neighborhood of Home Owners, not home-renters; or, do you want to change the landscaping????....go ahead; and more ‘feelings’ just like it. If you own or have ever owned a home, you know the feeling; sell that feeling!


Here’s another few facts that you can quote. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist wrote: Government data show that home owners already pay 80–90 percent of the income tax in the United States, and almost two-thirds of those who take the deduction are middle-income earners. Our economy NEEDS homeowners.


We were able to participate in a multitude of meetings that helped decide the ongoing growth of the NAR and the Realtor Professionals that make it up. Realtors® are now about 1,100,000 strong and on a growth curve, not a decline. Not all areas of the nation are the same in regards to value and unit sales; we were in that top tier of growth in the boom, we are still in that same category in the bust, but we all know that we are pulling out of that slump. We see new homes being built; we see our sales boards fill up with new sales….yes, the values are lower, but the unit sales are strong. Keep up the good work.


In future updates I’ll touch on some other areas of the meetings that might interest you…. for now….. keep up the positive attitude; it’s showing!

Thanks to
J Rand McCullough
For providing this information

Giving Back to the Community is Contagious

On Thursday October 21st Sommer Bowler, President of the Board of Trustees, Michelle Hill and some friends of Habitat and members from the Family Selection Committee knocked on the Juett family’s door to tell them that they had been selected as the next Habitat family. Jonathan turned “green” but luckily he didn’t faint! They were all smiles as they were packed in a Suburban donated by Newby Buick to take the family out to see their Habitat home in LaVerkin. This will be Habitat’s 16th home in Washington County. It is a purchased foreclosed home that will be rehabilitated for the family. The Juett family was then given a tour of the house. They were so thrilled with the house in its existing condition, but updates are necessary.

The ground breaking ceremony was held Friday October 29th. Guests were invited to wear their jeans and start working on the home immediately after the ceremony. Several volunteers from the Army, Coldwell Banker, WCBR, Salisbury Homes and the community showed up to help begin the renovations. Jon and Amber are so enthusiastic about doing their part that they immediately starting working on their sweat equity hours. Already the home is starting to look like “home sweet home”.

Michelle Hill
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah
(435)674-7669

Thanks to Meri Crandall for sharing this story!

Check your pockets.....Its time for Coins for Kids!!!

Washington County Board of Realtors®

The WCBR Community Relations Committee is collecting donations of money for Coins for Kids.  Any donation amount is appreciated.  The deadline to donate is Dec. 6th.  Cans will be at the board office and all major brokerages.

Thank you for your generous donation!!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

You are cordially invited to the Annual WCR (Women's Council of Realtors®) Holiday Gala & 2011 Installation

Tis the Season to Be Happy!!!

Thursday, Dec 2nd @ 6:00 pm
Bloomington Country Club

• Installation of Jodi White & her 2011 WCR Governing Board
• Amazing Silent Auction
• Outrageous Live Auction
• Gourmet Dinner
• Mesmerizing Entertainment

$10/Members.....$25/Non-Members

RSVP  Jodi White 229-0633