Thank You to Our Top Realtor Partners for 2023
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President
Dawn Stevens
Presidio Real Estate (Canyons)
First Vice President
Claire Larson
Woodside Homes of Utah LLC
Second Vice President
Jodie Osofsky
Summit Sotheby's
Treasurer
Amy Gibbons
KW South Valley Keller Williams
Past President
Rob Ockey
Berkshire Hathaway
CEO
Curtis Bullock
DIRECTORS
Janice Smith
CB Realty (Union Heights)
Laura Fidler
Summit Sotheby's (Draper)
Jenni Barber Berkshire Hathaway
J. Scott Colemere Colemere Realty Assoc.
Chris Anderson
Windermere Real Estate - Utah
Morelza Boratzuk RealtyPath (South Valley)
Michael Rowe
CB Realty (SL-Sugarhouse)
Eric Santistevan Engel & Volkers (Holladay)
Hannah Cutler
CB Realty (Union Heights)
Michael (Mo) Aller Equity RE (Advantage)
Linda Mascher Realtypath LLC (Advisors)
Advertising information may be obtained by calling (801) 467-9419 or by visiting www.millspub.com
Managing Editor Dave Anderton
Publisher Mills Publishing, Inc. www.millspub.com
President Dan Miller
Art Director Jackie Medina
Ken Magleby
Patrick Witmer
Office Administrator
Cynthia Bell Snow
Sales Staff Paula Bell Dan Miller
Salt Lake Board: (801) 542-8840 e-mail: dave@saltlakeboard.com
Web Site: www.slrealtors.com
Adversity touches every individual's life, shaping our stories in profound ways. This theme is captured in the journey of Allison Massari, whose experience of overcoming challenges serves as a beacon of inspiration for us all. Massari's journey mirrors the spirit of mentorship and expertise sharing that defines our profession.
Massari's ordeal began at the age of 32. A high-speed car accident left her severely burned over half her body, leading to numerous surgeries and skin grafts. Faced with the failure of her skin grafts and the daunting prospect of starting over, Massari embodied perseverance. "Sometimes in life there is no break, there is no quick fix," Massari shared with attendees at this year’s Realtor® 500 event. “What you do is you dig deep and survive it.”
Massari's story doesn't end with her survival; it's where her legacy begins. Her remarkable recovery led her to establish an adventure camp for teenage burn survivors, transforming her adversity into a platform for helping others. This act of giving back echoes the core of what we do as Realtors®. We are in a unique position to mentor, guide, and uplift those entering our profession, sharing our journey's trials and triumphs to help their path forward.
In real estate, just as in life, there are no shortcuts to success. Our profession requires resilience, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to clients and community. Yet, within this demanding environment lies the opportunity to reach out, to let others in, and to be the mentor we perhaps wished we had at the start of our careers.
"Never give up on other people, never give up on yourself,” Massari’s message, resonates within our real estate community. It's a reminder that through mentorship, we can offer more than just our expertise in transactions; we can provide a guiding hand through the adversities faced by those we mentor. By opening ourselves up to mentorship, we not only enrich the lives of others but also find a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment in our own.
As we navigate our professional journeys, let us remember the power of resilience, the impact of mentorship, and the transformative potential of facing adversity with grace and determination. As Allison Massari transformed her trials into a testament of hope and healing, we too can cultivate a supportive, learning, and growing community in real estate.
Dawn Stevens President
Happenings In the News
The Staying Power of a Realtor®
The Salt Lake Board of Realtors® was recently featured in a sponsored article on KSL.com touting the benefits of hiring a Realtor®. The article, “When it comes to making home-selling dreams come true, humans win every time,” outlines why nine in 10 home sellers still choose to hire an agent when selling their home. Data from the National Association of Realtors found that homes sold by Realtors® fetched $60,000 to $90,000 more than those sold by owners without an agent (for sale by owner or FSBO). Research by Collateral Analytics, which examined 1.35 million U.S. home sales, revealed that owner-sold homes tend to sell for lower prices than comparable homes, often below the average differential represented by the prevailing commission rate. This suggests that buyers may make low-ball offers to owner sellers, deducting the entire commission, not just the seller’s portion.
Do You Have Your ABR Designation?
The National Association of Realtors® offers Realtors® the opportunity to earn the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation. The ABR® is a designation in the real estate industry that signifies expertise and excellence in buyer representation. It equips agents with the necessary skills and resources, including how to secure and explain a buyer representation agreement, to represent homebuyers’ needs effectively throughout the real estate transaction process. To earn the ABR® designation, Realtors® must complete a comprehensive course curriculum developed by the Center for Realtor® Development (CRD). To attain and use the ABR® designation, candidates must fulfill these requirements: Successful completion of the two-day ABR® Designation Course and one elective course, completion of at least five transactions acting solely as a buyer’s representative, maintenance of active membership status with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and the Center for Realtor® Development (CRD). Visit become.abr.realtor for more information.
Utah Builders v. Cities
According to KSL.com, a fight is brewing on Utah’s Capitol Hill between home builders and cities.
SB185, which passed the Senate and awaits a vote in the House of Representatives, could allow builders to pick their own inspectors.
Supporters say it’s a way to get home inspections done quicker and better, saving money in the process.
“Competition drives better customer service,” said Sen. Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City, the bill’s sponsor.
Under the latest version of SB185, a builder in Utah could pick their own stateapproved inspector – if a city doesn’t complete the inspection within three days.
“If the cities are looking at it correctly, they would say, well, if we do our work within three days, we’re fine,” said Vickers, “and if not, maybe we ought to step up our game.”
The Utah Home Builders Association believes the bill will get homes built quicker, thereby reducing costs caused by construction delays.
“Anytime in the market we see competition introduced, we see prices go down and quality go up,” said Ross Ford, the association’s executive vice president.
“That’s all this does.”
Realtor® 500
The Salt Lake Board of Realtors® hosted its annual Realtor® 500 event in February, honoring the top 500 Realtors® who achieved the highest home sales measured in dollar volume for the year 2023. This is the sixth year the event has been held. This year’s gathering featured the remarkable Allison Massari as the keynote speaker. Having survived a severe car accident that left her with serious burns, Massari shared her insights on resilience, offering valuable strategies for managing the stresses of life and overcoming adversity.
Photos: Dave AndertonSummit Sotheby’s International Realty wishes to congratulate our exceptional Sales Associates named in the Salt Lake Board of Realtors® top 500 for 2023.
CCONGRATULATIONS
DORTHY ANDROULIDAKIS
SEAN TAYLOR-BAUMANN
ASHLEY BENEKE
BRET CHARLESWORTH
BENJAMIN DICKAMORE
BLAKE EDWARDS
ERIN ELDREDGE
CODY EMERY
70 + SUPPORT STAFF
19,142 MARKETING DESIGNS EXECUTED FOR SUMMIT SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY AGENTS IN 2023
45,000 IMAGES AND VIDEOS DELIVERED IN 2023 FOR SUMMIT SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY AGENTS AND THIER CLIENTS
WHITNEY FAUTIN
LAURA FIDLER
KRISTEL GOUGH
ALICIA HOLDAWAY
JEFF JUSTICE
ADAM KIRKHAM
CREIGHTON LOWE
SARAH MCNAMARA
TRULY GLOBAL BRAND
MARTHA MORRIS
ANGIE NELDEN
JACQUELIN PERRY
SUSAN POULIN
SCOTT ROBBINS
BRETT SELLICK
JEFF SIDWELL
LAUREL SIMMONS
SCOTT SIMPSON
MIMI SINCLAIR
LIZ SLAGER
MONY TY
TRICIA VANDERKOOI
LINDA WOLCOTT
THOMAS WRIGHT
At Summit Sotheby's International Realty, we believe in a full-service partnership with our sales associates. The goal? Provide support that ranges from world-class marketing to concierge level transaction management, enabling our agents to reach and exceed their personal GCI goals by spending more time in their businesses.
2023 REALTOR® 500 HALL OF FAME
James Adams, Ask Andrew Real Estate
Emmanuel Aguirre, Realtypath
Mona Alhamdani, Real Broker
Coral Alkashif, Black Diamond Realty
Chris Allen, Real Broker
Scott Allen, Allen & Associates
Joel Ames, D.R. Horton
Bryce Anderson, Intermountain Prop.
Dorthy Androulidakis, Summit Sotheby’s
Christopher Armstrong, Century 21
John Armstrong, ARI Realty and Inv.
Michelle Armstrong, Keystone Brokerage
Kenya Arnett, Keller Williams
Tricia Ashby, Move Utah Real Estate
Camara Ayers, Woodside Homes
Brian Babb, Equity RE
David Bachman, Keller Williams
Jacob Bailey, Signature Real Estate
Alisa Bair, Equity RE
Blaik Baird, Davis Coleman Realty
Melinda Balsterholt, Regal Homes
Colin Barnes, New Western
Jerome Bennett, Realty Experts
Leigh Bernal, Homeworks Property Lab
Ryan Birdsley, Surv Real Estate
Nestor Boada,RealtyPath
Angela Bobowski, Weekley Homes
Kevin Borland, Equity RE
2023 REALTOR® 500
Liz Bowles, Homie
Ashley Boyle, Move Utah
Amber Briem, Blakemore Real Estate
Shari Bringhurst, Woodside Homes
Samuel Brinton, Redfin Corporation
Heather Brown, D.R. Horton
TJ Buckley, Fieldstone Realty
Zachary Bunker, Century 21 Everest
William Bustos, Keller Williams
Brett Butler, Berkshire Hathaway
Jordyn Butler, Homie
Mark Butler, Butler Realtors®
Sean Buttars, Top Equity Realty
Emilie Call, Equity RE
Jen Call, ERA Brokers Consolidated
Leonardo Calquin, Real Broker
Annie Cannon, Keller Williams
Jose Carter, Realty One Group
Scott Carter, D.R. Horton
Jeff Chatelain, Homeview Properties
Kim Chatterton, Coldwell Banker
Evan Child, Double Edge
Aaron Christensen, Century 21 Everest
Amy Clark, Century 21 Everest
C Terry Clark, Ivory Homes
Peter Clark, Windermere
Eryn Clarke, TB Realty
Nicole Cloward, REMAX Complete
Humberto Coello Villatoro, Edge Realty
Melissa Collings, REMAX Complete
Chris Corroon, Axis Realty Group
Dean Cotter, Redfin Corporation
Donna Crawley, Presidio
Hunter Curtis, Utah Real Estate
Rikki Curtis, Realty One Group
Brian Daniels, Red Cliffs
Doug Darton, Woodside Homes
Chandler Dean, D.R. Horton
Tammie Dearing, Lifestyle Real Estate
Tyler Demars, Keller Williams
Janie Despain, Garbett Homes
Kim Dixon, Berkshire Hathaway
Tiffany Dominguez, Lumina Real Estate
Campbell Dosch, Redfin Corporation
John Dowdle, Destination Real Estate
Monica Draper, Windermere
Miriam Drury, Century 21 Everest
Parker Eads, Edge Realty
Kathryn Eckman-Jelitto, Equity RE
Erin Eldredge, Summit Sotheby’s
Jason Eldredge, Equity RE
Cody Emery, Summit Sotheby’s
Trent Escandon, Equity RE
Jordan Evans, Real Broker
Mike Everton, Ranlife Real Estate
Sandy Ewing, Primed Real Estate
Brandon Fajardo, Assist 2 Sell
Serina Fallon, D.R. Horton
Whitney Fautin, Summit Sotheby’s
Peter Felis, Berkshire Hathaway
Tara Ferguson, D.R. Horton
Phil Flanders, Homie
Kelton Flinders, D.R. Horton
Eric Fontana, Keller Williams
Natasha Forbes, D.R. Horton
Cody Ford, Lakebridge Realty
Daniel Ford, Colliers International
Spencer Ford, Real Broker
Rex Frazer, eXp Realty
David Frei, Four Seasons Real Estate
Jona Gamboa, Keller Williams
Lance Garrett, Homie
Pedro Garrido Pargas,Keller Williams
Jennifer Gaskill, The Group Real Estate
Jenna Gianneschi, Real Broker
Jace Gillies, Real Broker
Lisa Ginter, Selling Salt Lake
Quinn Goeckeritz, Excel Realty
Wesley Goldberg, Ranlife Real Estate
Ruben Gomez, Keller Williams
Joseph Gordon, Gordon Real Estate
Stephanie Grable, Keller Williams
Travis Grant, Wright Realty
Dani Griffith, The Agency SLC
Kristina Gross, Redfin Corporation
Wade Gulden, Real Broker
Tyler Gurr, Gurr Real Estate Utah
Angel Gutierrez, Real Broker
Mario Gutierrez-Arratia, Homie
Mark Haaga, Found It
Casey Halliday, Windermere
Mike Hancock, Century 21 Everest
Johnny Hansen, Edge Realty
Jordan Hansen, Real Broker
Scott Hardey, Hardey Realty Group
Kaetlyn Hawkins, D.R. Horton
Emily Hayes, Keller Williams
Frances Hays, Coldwell Banker
Danielle Heaps, Lennar Homes of Utah
Hailey Hendricks, TB Realty
Mike Heslop, Keller Williams
Tyler Higgins, Century 21 Everest
Monique Higginson, Market Source
Kelcee Hilderman, Top Equity Realty
Troy Hodell, NRE
Michael Hooper, Hooper Homes
Shauna Horne, Intermountain Properties
Tara Horton, CW Group Real Estate
Jill Howell, Modern and Main
Steph Hudson, Realty One Group
Teri Hudson, Ulrich Realtors®
Rick Huggins, Woodside Homes
Tiffany Hull, Woodside Homes
Julie Israelsen, Advantage Real Estate
Spencer Janke, Dijjit
Robin Jensen, Team Jensen Real Estate
Jason Jentzsch, Berkshire Hathaway
Julie Johnson, Berkshire Hathaway
Jeffrey Johnston, Century Communities
Lacey Jolley, D.R. Horton
Christopher Jones, Keller Williams
Jody Jones, Align Complete RE
Megan Jones, Utah Property Finder
Shauna Jorgensen, Realtypath
Nicholas Kambouris, Rize Property Mgt.
Tiffany Kennard, Edge Real Estate
David Kevitch, Wasatch Homes
Taylor Keys, Primed Real Estate
Jamie Kinder, Ranlife Real Estate
Nate Kingdon, Hamlet Homes
Caleb Kleber, D.R. Horton
Wyatt Koeven, Better Homes & Gardens
Charlotte Kornik, Selling Salt Lake
Tom Kreifeldt, Action Team Realty
Keri Kroneberger, D.R. Horton
Clint Larsen, Lennar Homes of Utah
Ryan Larsen, R Squared Real Estate
Kim Lau, Keystone Brokerage
Katherine Laub, Homie
Jacqueline Laver, Real Broker
Bryton Lawrence, Intermountain Prop.
Timothy Leary, Real Broker
Mitchell Leblanc, Found It
David Lefgren, Keystone Brokerage
Paul Leonard, Engel & Volkers Salt Lake
Ava Lieb, Homie
Liz Linares, Stratus Real Estate
Mike Lindsay, Coldwell Banker
Melissa Lipani, Homeworks Property Lab
Tanner Litchfield, Real Broker
Julie Livers, Berkshire Hathaway
Jessika Long, Coldwell Banker
Daniel Lopez, Redfin Corporation
Christiaan Loveless, D.R. Horton
Christina Lovell, NRE
Katie Lowder, Equity RE
Damon Lowe, Lifestyle Properties
Jan Lowe, Windermere
Eric Lund, Ranlife Real Estate
Adrian Maco, Real Broker
Kenneth Maddy, Wright Realty
Alicia Madsen, Century 21 Everest
Cherie Major, Windermere
Brenda Manookin, Redfin Corporation
Darren Mansell, Mansell Real Estate
Abraham Mardanlou, Masters Utah
Sue Mark-Lunde, Chapman-Richards
Lance May, Berkshire Hathaway
Kym McClelland, Chapman-Richards
Deborah McFarlane, Coldwell Banker
Andrew McNeil, Windermere
Michael McPhie, Equity RE
Jake Melton, Utah Key Real Estate
Jason Melton, Coldwell Banker
Brittin Merback, D.R. Horton
Heather Mercer, Century 21 Everest
Andrew Merrill, Redfin Corporation
Daniel Moench, Century 21 Everest
Ken Montague, Keller Williams
Jose Montenegro Socorro, TMG Realty
Rod Moser, NextHome Navigator
Shayne Mosher, Destination Real Estate
Landon Musselman, Woodside Homes
Ivan Navincopa, Blue Key Realty
Keni Nelson, Homeworks Property Lab
Andrea Newby, Zander Real Estate
Courtney Nielsen, Keller Williams
Jason Nielsen, Utah Select Realty
Karly Nielsen, Niche Homes
Lisa Ninow, Stone Edge Real Estate
Brian Noel, Century 21 Everest
Katie Nosack, Homie
Brad Olsen, Dimension Realty
Brian Olsen, Ranlife Real Estate
Kim Orlandini, Keller Williams
JoAnn Ortega, In Depth Realty
Stephen Ostler, eXp Realty
Scott Pace, Oasis Realty Group
Loreana Pachano, Real Broker
Matt Page, Masters Utah
Shartel Palmer, Lennar Homes of Utah
Cheri Palsson, Equity RE
Terri Pappas, Equity RE
Kristie Paraspolo, Sovereign Properties
Jose Paredes Rodriguez, Equity RE
Marietta Paredes-Munier, Redfin Corp.
Micah Pearson, Realtypath
Haley Peart Johnson, Redfin Corporation
Sheri Peck, Century 21 Everest
Alexandria Pedroni, Utah Real Estate
Jacquelin Perry, Summit Sotheby’s
Michael Perry, Real Broker
Taylor Peterson, Windermere
Ryan Pettit, Keller Williams
Joe Pierson, Real Broker
Bob Plumb, Plumb & Company
Susan Poulin, Summit Sotheby’s
Eric Prince, Realty Experts
Kelli Purser, Jason Mitchel Real Estate
Karma Ramsey, The Group Real Estate
Talmage Rawlings, Edge Realty
Dale Rex, Black Sign Real Estate
Helen Reynolds, Coldwell Banker
Timothy Reynolds, Fathom Realty
Aaron Richardson, Century 21 Everest
Morgan Ricks, Mountainland Realty
Jordon Roberts, D.R. Horton
Gloria Rodriguez, Top Equity Realty
Ashley Rolfe, Alliance Residential
Heather Roxburgh, Real Broker
Angel Ruiz, Realty One Group
Matt Russell, D.R. Horton
Steven Salazar, NRE
Matthew Salter, Realty One Group
Pablo Sanchez, Equity RE
Joseph Schumann, Homie
Austin Seegmiller, NRE
Gian-James Sexsmith, Coldwell Banker
Prakash Shah, Equity RE
Kimmi Shaw, Real Broker
Bryce Sheldon, Timber Lakes Sales
Tyler Shenk, Next Real Estate
Jen Shino, RealtyPath
Kamee Shrope, Engel & Volkers
Mimi Sinclair, Summit Sotheby’s
Braydon Slauson, Ranlife Real Estate
Hannah Smith, Real Broker
Natalie Southwick, Aspen Creek Realty
Julia Splan, Coldwell Banker
Matthew Sprunt, Utah Home Central
Alisha Staten, Berkshire Hathaway
Scott Steadman, Windermere
Cody Steck, Real Broker
James Stewart, Black Diamond Realty
Stephanie Stewart, The Group RE
Tia Stock, Sun Property Group
Michael Stone, Lennar Homes of Utah
Kevin Strong, RE/MAX
Brady Tanner, Prime Residential
Tori Tarver, Keller Williams
Lincoln Taylor, Keller Williams
Raquel Taylor, The Agency SLC
James Telaroli, Axis Realty
Daniel Tencza, Richmond American
Christy Terrill, Equity Real Estate
Jessica Terry, Century 21 Everest
Chad Thomas, Private Property Broker
Darin Thomas, Real Broker
Trevor Thompson, Equity Real Estate
Tess Timothy, Lennar Homes of Utah
Marcella Torrez, Ascent Real Estate
Evette Tovar-Peterson, Ever Home Realty
Mark Trevino, Monument Realty
Brian Tripoli, CityHome Collective
Charles Tucker, Destination Real Estate
Kyle Tucker, Real Broker
Mony Ty, Summit Sotheby’s
Tytianna Upchurch, D.R. Horton
Roberth Uribe Sanguino, Utah Key RE
Natalie Wagner, Berkshire Hathaway
Dean Ward, Century 21 Everest
Aceneth Warner, A Warner Homes
Brandon Watson, Edge Realty
Greg Watts, Watts Real Estate
Kody Watts, Keller Williams
Jackie Weig, Redfin Corporation
Jason West, Century 21 Everest
Lisa Willden, Peterson Homes
Lary Willey, eXp Realty
Joanna Williams, Century 21 Everest
Matthew Williams, Rocky Mountain
Spencer Wilson, Equity Summit Group
Ryan Windley, Homie
David Wiser, Keller Williams
Linda Wolcott, Summit Sotheby’s
Michael Wolters, Keller Williams
Michael Wright, Upside Real Estate
Luke Zander, Zander Real Estate
Pablo Zepeda, Homie
New-Home Construction Is Expected to Grow in 2024
Builders are using more sales incentives to win over house hunters who are frustrated with a lack of existing inventory, data shows.By Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Home buyers who have been frustrated by a lack of inventory are increasingly looking to builders for more housing options. Builders have been ramping up construction since last year, and they’re answering buyers’ affordability concerns with sales incentives, like buying down mortgage rates or assistance with closing costs.
“The new-home market is becoming a dominant player, and we expect that to continue in 2024,” Ali Wolf, chief economist with housing research firm Zonda, said at a press conference Tuesday during the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.
New-home sales traditionally account for about 10% to 12% of the market for single-family homes but recently
have comprised more than 30%. A shortage of existing homes has plagued many markets as homeowners remain reluctant to sell. “The shortage of existing homes For Sale has opened up the possibility of newhome construction to more buyers who may not have once considered it,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com®.
Forty percent of home buyers say the top reason they considered buying new was to “avoid renovations or problems,” followed by a lack of existing inventory (25%) and the ability to choose and customize their home’s design (25%), Wolf said, citing Zonda’s research.
Plus, as existing-home prices surge to record highs, home builders are addressing buyers’ affordability
concerns. “It’s very important to address buyers’ fear and those who are nervous where prices are,” Wolf said. “To get them to feel more comfortable, they need to at least feel like they’re getting a deal.” Builders increasingly are offering sales incentives, like funds toward closing costs (up to $20,000) or “flex dollars” to use toward home upgrades. Wolf says the most popular incentive has been mortgage buydowns.
Builders Have a Bullish 2024 Outlook
Single-family housing starts nationwide are forecast to increase 4.7% this year and another 4.2% in 2025, reaching a pace of 1.3 million units, according to NAHB. Still, economists are calling for builders to do even more. “We need to build more than 1.15 million single-family homes a year to reduce the nation’s housing deficit,” said Robert Dietz, chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders. But builders point to higher prices and shortages of lumber, lots and labor for stifling their ability to build more. Further, Dietz pointed to rising regulatory costs in complying with building codes and zoning issues, which are comprising nearly 24% of the final sales price—or $93,870—for a new single-family home.
Despite the headwinds, builders remain optimistic because of rising consumer demand. Eighty percent of builders anticipate starting more homes this year, and
51% expect starts to increase more than 10% compared to 2023, Wolf said.
The Townhouse Boom Builders may be looking to vary their products in response to affordability and lot woes. Townhome construction, for example, surged to its highest rate in more than 17 years, according to an NAHB analysis of Census data. The single-family attached housing style, which often comes with a lower price tag, may become a growing option for home buyers.
Single-family attached starts were 27% higher in the fourth quarter of 2023 than in the fourth quarter of 2022. Overall, townhouses accounted for nearly 20% of the total housing starts in the final quarter of 2023.
“Townhouse markets are one of the bright spots” in the new-home sector, Dietz said, adding that he’s bullish on the sector continuing to outperform. Dietz points to a growing number of home buyers—young and old—who are looking for medium-density residential neighborhoods, such as urban villages that offer walkable environments and other amenities.
Melissa Dittmann Tracey is a contributing editor for Realtor® Magazine. Reprinted from Realtor® Magazine Online, February 2024, with permission of the National Association of Realtors®. Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
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Home Sales Rebounded in January After Last Year’s Sharp Decline
A drop in mortgage rates since October has made home purchasing slightly more affordable.
By Nicole Friedman The Wall Street JournalSales of previously owned homes rose in January from the prior month, rebounding modestly after sales last year dropped to their worst level in nearly three decades.
Mortgage rates have fallen about a percentage point since last fall, spurring some buyers to return to the market even though home prices remain near record highs.
Home sales increased 3.1% in January from the prior month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4 million, the highest level since August, the National Association of Realtors said.
January existing-home sales, which make up most of the housing market, fell 1.7% from a year earlier.
“People are taking advantage of the lower interest rates” since October, said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. Rates have ticked higher in recent weeks, which could slow some demand, he said.
Existing-home sales last year slumped to their lowest level since 1995, according to NAR. Elevated mortgage rates and high home prices forced many buyers out of the market and kept would-be sellers on the sidelines, too.
A drop in rates since October has made home purchasing slightly more affordable for buyers and
spurred more home-shopping activity. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has hovered between 6.6% and 6.8% so far this year, down from a recent high of 7.79% in October, according to Freddie Mac.
But buyers are still facing an expensive market with little to choose from. The inventory of homes for sale is unusually low, because homeowners are reluctant to sell and trade in their current low mortgage rates for higher ones. The low supply of homes on the market is pushing home prices higher.
The national median existing-home price rose 5.1% in January from a year earlier to $379,100, NAR said.
Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal estimated sales of previously owned homes rose a seasonally adjusted 4.8% in January from December. Homes typically go under contract a month or two before the contracts close, so the January data largely reflect purchase decisions made in November and December, when mortgage rates were falling.
Mortgage rates remain far higher than they were during the pandemic-driven housing boom due to the Federal
Reserve’s efforts to curb inflation and cool the economy by raising its benchmark interest rate. At their meeting last month, Fed officials signaled concern over cutting interest rates too soon, according to meeting minutes released.
New listings rose in January from a year ago, a positive sign for buyers, said Orphe Divounguy, senior economist at Zillow Group. Some sellers who delayed their home sales last year due to the high mortgage rates can’t wait any longer, he said.
“This year sellers are coming back,” he said. While the inventory is still far below normal levels, he said, “we’re slowly closing the gap.”
The typical home sold in January was on the market for 36 days, up from 33 days a year earlier, NAR said.
John Howell said he started house hunting in Denver at the end of the summer, because he noticed that homes were sitting longer on the market and more sellers were reducing prices on their listings.
“Once things that looked good started lasting more than a week, it was like, ‘OK, maybe there’s room for me
to get into something,’” he said.
Howell bought a two-bedroom home with a backyard in January for 2% under the listing price. “I wanted to pick a time when there was not much competition and I feel like I did that,” he said. “I’m happy with it.”
Nationally, there were 1.01 million homes for sale or under contract at the end of January, up 2% from December and up 3.1% from January 2023, NAR said. At the current sales pace, there was a 3-month supply of homes on the market at the end of January.
The share of first-time buyers in the market was 28% in January, down from 31% a year earlier. About 32% of January existing-home sales were purchased in cash, up from 29% in the same month a year ago, NAR said.
Home builders are benefiting from the shortage of existing homes on the market. A measure of U.S. homebuilder confidence rose in February for the third straight month, the National Association of Home Builders said last week.
Housing starts, a measure of U.S. home-building, fell 14.8% in January from the prior month, the Commerce Department said last week. Residential permits, which can be a bellwether for future home construction, declined 1.5%.
RPAC Basketball Tournament at the Delta Center
The annual RPAC Basketball Tournament by the Salt Lake Board of Realtors® was held on Feb. 14 at the Delta Center arena, home of the Utah Jazz. Eight teams took part in the event, with each team making a $1,000 investment to the Realtors® Political Action Committee (RPAC). RPAC raises voluntary funds in
order to elect public officials who understand the importance of homeownership and private property rights. Thank you to everyone that participated in this year’s event: Zander Team, Coldwell Banker, Summit Sotheby’s, Woodside Homes, Equity Real Estate, RealtyPath, Real Estate Essentials, and RanLife.
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Home Sales Are Heating Up Ahead of Spring Buying Season
More buyers appear to accept escalating home prices as long as mortgage rates stay lower, NAR data shows.
By Melissa Dittmann TraceyExisting-home sales accelerated in January as home buyers shrugged off rising home prices—which surged to an all-time high—and took advantage of lower mortgage rates and moderately higher inventory, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
NAR’s latest existing-home sales data, which reflects completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condos and co-ops, jumped 3.1% month over month in January. Still, sales are down 1.7% compared to a year earlier.
“While home sales remain sizably lower than a couple of years ago, January’s monthly gain is the start of more supply and demand,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Listings were modestly higher, and home buyers are taking advantage of lower mortgage rates compared to late last year.”
Although there were 2% more homes on the market in January than December, sales remain at a current three-month supply. Home buyers continue to face stiff competition during a historic housing shortage. Here are more highlights from NAR’s latest existing-home sales report, reflecting January data:
Home prices are surging. The median existing-home price was $379,100—a 5.1% jump from a year ago. All major regions of the U.S. recorded price increases. Broken out by housing type, the median price of a single-family home sold in January was $383,500, up 5% from a year earlier. The median price for a condo was $339,400, jumping 5.7% year over year.
Competition is still fierce. “Multiple offers are common on mid-priced homes, and many homes were still sold within a month,” Yun said. Further, he noted, “the elevated share of cash deals—32%—indicated a market
full of multiple offers and propelled by record-high housing wealth.”
More inventory but still not enough. Total inventory for existing homes was 1.01 million units, up 3.1% from a year ago. But housing stock remains lean nationwide. “More listings will help Americans move,” said NAR President Kevin Sears, adding that the association has been advocating for the More Homes on the Market Act, which would lower the tax hit on home sales and encourage more inventory.
Listings linger a little longer. Properties typically remained on the market for 36 days, up from 29 days in December and 33 days from a year earlier.
First-time buyers are struggling. First-time buyers comprised 28% of sales, down from 31% a year earlier. “There is still strong demand, as the large millennial population remains in the prime firsttime homebuying range,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist for Bright MLS. “However, many are being shut out of the market due to rising home prices and elevated mortgage rates. The wealth gap in the U.S., which is already very high, will widen as existing homeowners and higher-income households are able
to enter homeownership while lower-income and prospective first-time and first-generation households are increasingly going to be left out.”
Regional Outlook:
The Midwest, South and West saw sales gains in January while sales held steady in the Northeast, according to NAR’s report. Here’s a closer look at how existing-home sales performed:
Northeast: Sales were unchanged, at 480,000 units, but were down 5.9% compared to a year earlier. Median price: $434,300, jumping 10.1% from the prior year.
Midwest: Sales rose 2.2% compared to December, reaching an annual rate of 950,000. Sales were down 3.1% from a year ago. Median price: $271,700, up 7.6% year over year.
South: Sales climbed 4% from December, settling at an annual rate of 1.84 million. Sales fell 1.6% compared to the previous year. Median price: $345,100, up 4.1% from a year ago.
West: Sales increased 4.3% month over month, reaching an annual rate of 730,000. Sales rose 2.8% from a year earlier. Median price: $572,100, up 6.3% year over year.
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How to Get More Tax Deductions for Your Business
With a little forethought, you can claim many ordinary activities or purchases as part of the cost of doing business, tax strategist says.
By Christina HoffmannThere are three actions you need to take with your money: “Earn, keep and grow. Earn and keep more so you can invest it for growth,” said CPA and real estate tax strategist Gregory Antipoff.
He said he’s often asked whether something is taxdeductible—and that’s the wrong question, he says. What’s deductible for one practitioner may not be for another, he added. “The better question to ask your
financial adviser to maximize the things you can deduct is: How do I make this tax-deductible?”
Antipoff cited the example of a real estate agent who bought a new house and wanted to buy a tractor to clean up the yard. The agent asked Antipoff if the tractor was deductible. As a binary question, the answer is likely no, Antipoff said. But if you use that tractor as an additional service for your clients to help them clean
up their yards, improve their curb appeal and ultimately get more referrals, then you may be able to deduct a percentage of that tractor, Antipoff said. Similarly, he had an agent ask him if a 3D printer was deductible. It might be if you use it to print a model replica of a buyer’s new home as a closing gift. “Don’t run out and spend on things you don’t need,” Antipoff advised. “But if you’re investing in something you need, you [might be able to] get a tax deduction along the way.”
Business expenses are deductible if they meet two IRS tests: ordinary (commonly acceptable in the industry) and necessary. For example, purchasing leads is both common and necessary; you can’t practice real estate without leads.
Antipoff shared a few other examples of questions he’s received and the strategic answers:
Is getting your hair, makeup and nails done deductible?
“At least once a year, you should update your business photo,” he suggested. “So, once a year, you can get your hair and nails done for the photo shoot. That day might happen to align with a wedding or date night,” Antipoff said. But, he added, “be careful about how aggressive you get on this strategy.”
What if your children help with your business, such as by filing paperwork or assisting at open houses?
“When you pay your kids and the money goes into their account, you can take a deduction,” Antipoff said. And your kids get the money tax-free because the standard deduction for 2023 is $13,850. “You’re delegating tasks so you can be more efficient, make more money and get a business deduction for that.”
What about tax deductions for vacation travel? It depends on what you do on your trip, Antipoff said, and how you structure those days. Just responding to email isn’t going to cut it. However, Antipoff offered this scenario: If you fly out on a Thursday, a business day, in the evening, those travel expenses could be tax-deductible under IRS rules. Then on Friday, if you participate in a mastermind group for a half-day, or four hours, then under IRS rules, that half-day may be deductible. On Monday, you visit your franchise office for a half-day to build referral relationships—another potential travel deduction. Additionally, if you work in the same geographic place on Friday and Monday, your weekend expenses may also be tax-deductible.
Christina Hoffmann is senior speech writer for the National Association of Realtors®
13 Features New-Home Buyers Say Are Essential, Desirable
Nearly 40% of home buyers say they’re willing to buy a home with a smaller lot while 35% say they’d buy a smaller house.
By Melissa Dittmann TraceyHome buyers appear willing to sacrifice property size to afford homeownership, as the average size of a newly constructed house drops to its lowest level in 13 years—2,479 square feet, according to new research from the National Association of Home Builders. Twenty-six percent of builders say they plan to build even smaller in 2024, the research shows. But while buyers may accept a smaller home, they want it to be more personalized, said Donald Ruthroff, founding principal at Design Story Spaces LLC, during a press conference this week at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. “They want it to feel like it was made just for them and be significantly different than
their neighbors’ homes,” he said. Ruthroff added that an example of this personalization could be a kitchen island that resembles a piece of furniture.
Nearly 40% of home buyers say they’re willing to buy a home with a smaller lot while 35% say they’d buy a smaller house, according to the NAHB survey, called “What Home Buyers Really Want.” Respondents who opt for a smaller home say they’d be most willing to shrink spaces like the home office (53%) and the dining room (52%). But they’re not willing to sacrifice the size of the kitchen or closets, said Rose Quint, NAHB’s assistant vice president of survey research, at the press conference.
Buyers are prioritizing other key features around the home. Eighty percent or more of home buyers in NAHB’s survey rate the following property amenities as “essential” or “desirable”:
1. Laundry room
2. Patio
3. Energy Star windows
4. Exterior lighting
5. Ceiling fan
6. Garage storage
7. Front porch
8. Hardwood flooring
9. Full bath on the main level
10. Energy Star appliances
11. Walk-in pantry
12. Landscaping
13. Table space in the kitchen
Technology features are gaining popularity, too. Over the last decade, the following home features have posted the most significant growth among home buyers, according to NAHB:
• Security cameras
• Wired home security system
• Programmable thermostat
• Multi-zone HVAC system
• Energy management system
• Video doorbell
“Buyers want technology mostly to increase the safety of their home and also to better control the temperature inside their home,” Quint said. She also flagged other home features posting significant growth over the past 10 years, including:
• Quartz or engineered stone for kitchen countertops
• Lighting control system
• Outdoor fireplace
• Outdoor kitchen
• Built-in seating in the kitchen
• Exposed beams
Also, with the growth of multigenerational living, more home buyers appear to prefer two primary bedroom suites rather than one: 55% say they prefer this layout, NAHB data shows.
What Builders Are Prioritizing
NAHB also surveyed homebuilders to find the features they say they’re most likely to include in a newly built home in 2024. Topping their list:
• Laundry room
• Great room (kitchen/family/living room)
• Nine-foot-plus first-floor ceilings
• Central island in kitchen
• Walk-in closet in primary bedroom
• Low-E windows
• Walk-in pantry
• Front porch
• Programmable thermostat
• Two-car garage
• Indoor fireplace
• Patio
• Quartz kitchen countertops
On the other hand, some of the least likely features builders say they’ll include in a typical home in 2024 include cork flooring for living areas on the main level, geothermal heat pump, dual toilets in a primary bath, glass walls and a pet washing station, the NAHB survey finds.
Melissa Dittmann Tracey is a contributing editor for Realtor® Magazine
Notable Increase in Home Sales in January January 2024
Home sales in Salt Lake County experienced a notable increase in January, signaling a potential turnaround for the market after a challenging 18-month period characterized by declining sales, attributed largely to rising mortgage interest rates. The month saw a total of 697 homes (encompassing all housing types) being sold, marking a 16% rise from the 603 sales recorded in January 2023. Specifically, sales of single-family homes rose by 12% to 478 units, while multi-family home sales surged by 28% to 204 units, compared to the same period last year.
The 2024 Salt Lake Housing Forecast, prepared by the Salt Lake Board of Realtors®, projects that residential sales within the county will escalate to approximately 13,000 transactions in 2024. This represents a significant 16% increase from the estimated 11,200 homes sold in 2023, suggesting a robust recovery and growth phase for the local real estate market.
January also witnessed a slight increase in the median sold price for homes in Salt Lake County, which climbed to $500,000, up by 2% from $492,000 in the previous year. The price adjustment was more pronounced in the single-family home segment, where the median sale price advanced by 4% to $557,750, from $535,750 year over year. In contrast, multi-family home prices experienced a minor contraction, decreasing by 1% to $405,000 from $410,000 in January 2023.
The real estate market dynamics in neighboring Davis County paralleled these trends to some extent, with the median sold price for all housing types reaching $490,000, a 2% increase from the preceding year.
Moreover, Salt Lake County saw a reduction in the average time properties spent on the market, with homes selling in 43 days in January, down from 50 days in January 2023. The month also recorded a rise in new listings, totaling 1,078 units, which is a 7% increase from 1,009 listings the year prior. Additionally, the number of listings under contract edged up by 2%, from 1,090 to 1,111 units, further underscoring the market’s recuperation and upward trajectory.
Nationally, total existing-home sales – completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – elevated 3.1% from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.00 million in January. Year-over-year, sales slipped 1.7% (down from 4.07 million in January 2023).
“While home sales remain sizably lower than a couple of years ago, January’s monthly gain is the start of more supply and demand,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Listings were modestly higher, and home buyers are taking advantage of lower mortgage rates compared to late last year.” First-time buyers were responsible for 28% of sales in January, down from 29% in December and 31% in January 2023. NAR’s 2023 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers – released in November 20234 – found that the annual share of first-time buyers was 32%.
All-cash sales accounted for 32% of transactions in January, up from 29% in both December and one year ago. Individual investors or second-home buyers, who make up many cash sales, purchased 17% of homes in January, up from 16% in December and January 2023. Distressed sales – foreclosures and short sales – represented 2% of sales in January, virtually unchanged from last month and the previous year.
“More listings will help Americans move,” said NAR President Kevin Sears, broker-partner of Sears Real Estate in Springfield, Massachusetts. “That’s why NAR has pushed for the passage of H.R. 1321 – The More Homes on the Market Act – which would lower the tax hit on home sales and bring additional inventory to the market.”
“More listings will help Americans move. That’s why NAR has pushed for the passage of H.R. 1321 – The More Homes on the Market Act – which would lower the tax hit on home sales and bring additional inventory to the market.”Kevin Sears President National Association of Realtors®