May

May is here and everything is green, full of life, and in bloom! Things are changing every day, and our new "normal" doesn't feel quite normal yet. But, with warm weather and sunshine, getting outside is a great way to relax, rejuvenate and boost your immune system. 

The real estate market is still moving forward, and things have not missed a beat. We still have your safety and health as our main concern, and are offering virtual tours and showings, as well as limited in-person meetings. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, now is as good a time as ever. 

Q1 Gardner Report 

This quarter's Gardner report opened with this message from Windermere's chief economist, Matthew Gardner. 

"Although you will see below data regarding housing activity in the region, many markets came close to halting transactions in March and many remain in some level of paralysis. As such, drawing conclusions from the data is almost a futile effort. I would say, though, it is my belief that the national and state housing markets were in good shape before the virus hit and will be in good shape again, once we come out on the other side. In a similar fashion, I anticipate the national and regional economies will start to thaw, and that many of the jobs lost will return with relative speed. Of course, all of these statements are wholly dependent on the country seeing a peak in new infections in the relatively near future. I stand by my contention that the housing market will survive the current economic crisis and it is likely we will resume a more normalized pattern of home sales in the second half of the year."

You can click here to view the full report. 

As always, I am here to provide you with information and would love to give you a current analysis of your home if you are interested in having that information. Please contact me if you would like to know more about your home or the current market. 

Social Distancing-Friendly Hikes

Hiking is a great way to get out while following social distancing rules. Here are some lesser known hikes around Utah that will get you out and away from the crowds that some hikes draw!

1. Horsetail Falls Trail: This hike is a bit south of SLC, and can be found in Alpine. It is a little on the short side, at about 2 miles long, but is steep and mostly uphill. It ends at the beautiful Horsetail Falls waterfall. You can find directions for this hike here. 

2. Red Lake Trail: Red Lake Trail in Payson is a walk through breezy, shady groves that is ideal for a scenic walk that the whole family can enjoy. Directions for this hike can be found here. 

3. Powerhouse Overlook: This hike is a beautiful view of the whole Utah valley and its mountains that starts in Springville. Lots of wildlife can be spotted on this trail, from deer to lizards. It is a 2.9 mile hike, and is fairly moderate in difficulty. You can find directions for this hike here. 

5. Neff's Canyon: This dog-friendly canyon trail is an absolute gem, heading up into the hills from an upscale neighborhood on the east bench of the Salt Lake valley. It starts out as a service road in low-lying scrub brush but soon gains altitude as the trail narrows to a dirt path and ascends to cooler heights. You’ll cross a lovely stream and top out in a meadow with a decidedly alpine feel. You can turn around and reverse course whenever you run out of time, but if you can make it all the way to the wildflower meadow, you’ll certainly be glad you did. You can find directions for this hike here. 

Destination Car Trips

(Image and information from rvshare.com)

A drive or stay-at-home "road trip" is a great way to get out of the house, but still keep with social distance rules. Here are a few historic and scenic drives around Utah that are beautiful and can even be educational for your family!

1. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway: The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway begins in Kamas. It is a beautiful drive, known for having a lot of moose crossings. Once you get to the lake there is great fishing, or you can continue on to I 70 North or head North on US 50. Here are directions for this drive. 

2. West I-80 from Salt Lake City to Wendover: This trip has probably been taken, at one time or another, by every person living in Utah. It starts in Salt Lake City where you will get on I-80 West. About 20 minutes later, you’ll see the historic Saltair. This distinguished location was once the place to be if you wanted to enjoy the beach and watch Big Band shows. Today it’s a concert venue that continues to attract many. Another site that you will want to check out is Metaphor: the Tree of Utah. This 87-foot tall sculpture was created by Swedish arcitect Karl Momen in the 1980s. After a short drive, you will reach Wendover, Utah, approximately 120 miles from your starting point. If you have more time, consider continuing on to Wendover, Nevada. 

3. Utah's Tiny Towns - from Spanish Fork to Salina: To begin your trip, hop onto US 6 in Spanish Fork. After a short drive, turn off onto US 89 in Thistle. This ghost town was flooded about 30 years ago and is now covered in sediment with only some of the rooftops still visible. Eventually you will reach Mt. Pleasant where one of the main attractions are the 19th century buildings that line Main Street. 

4. Ogden Canyon Loop: Your journey will begin on State Road 36 where you will head up Ogden Canyon. When you leave the canyon, you will arrive in Ogden Valley. Just a short drive from Huntsville is the home of the Trappist Monks who live in modest Quonset huts. Their monastery, the Abbey of the Holy Trinity is one of only a few in the U.S..