Weekly Events in Salt Lake City and Beyond...

Weekly Event Update

March 26, 2013

EVENT SPOTLIGHT:

West Side Story April 16-21, 2013 Capitol Theatre - Salt Lake City   West Side Story  tells the story of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria as they struggle to rise above the hatred and intolerance that surrounds them. The story soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. < More Info

FEATURED EVENTS:

Phillip Phillips March 27, 2013 The UCCU Event Center - Orem     American Idol winner Phillip Phillips will get the UCCU Center rockin' when his tour in support of his release, "The World from the Side of the Moon," hits town. Guesting with Phillips is Churchill. < More Info

Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance April 2, 2013 Kingsbury Hall - University of Utah Sixteen years ago, Michael Flatley created and launched Lord of the Dance; today, it is selling out arenas and theatres as the world's highest grossing Irish dance show. Generations of audiences - more than 60 million people from 68 countries have loved these shows. < More Info

Moab Easter Jeep Safari March 23-31, 2013 Old Spanish Trail Arena - Moab Easter Jeep Safari consists of trail rides, mostly day long trips, departing from Moab throughout this week long event. The Red Rock 4-Wheelers of Moab officially runs approximately 9 different trails every day, with "Big Saturday" culminating in the largest ever single trail ride departure happening - around 30 groups line up in down town Moab to head off in every direction for 30 different trails! < More Info

Weekly Events Salt Lake City and Beyond...

Weekly Event Update

March 19, 2013

EVENT SPOTLIGHT:

An Evening With Bill Cosby March 22, 2013 Tuacahn Amphitheatre and Center for the Arts - Ivins   One of America's most prolific comedians of all time, Bill Cosby has dazzled generations of fans with his comedy routines, also captured on his iconic albums and best-selling books such as  Fatherhood  and the groundbreaking The Cosby Show. His comedy transcends age, gender, and cultural barriers. < More Info

FEATURED EVENTS:

Douglas Humpherys March 23, 2013 Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center - Salt Lake City     Douglas Humpherys was the Gold Medal winner of the first Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in 1976. A Steinway Artist, his concert career has spanned more than three decades across four continents. His academic career is no less impressive with advanced degrees from Juilliard School (MM) and the Eastman School of Music (DMA), where he is currently Professor and Chair of the Piano Department. While continuing his position at Eastman, he will perform the role of Artistic Director for the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, facilitated by electronic communication and his frequent presence in Salt Lake City. < More Info

Darude March 23, 2013 Park City Live - Park City Are you ready to party? Then check out Finnish DJ/producer Darude at Park City Live! < More Info

C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters March 23, 2013 Kingsbury Hall - University of Utah C.S. Lewis' brilliant novel  The Screwtape Letters , reveals spiritual warfare from a demon's point of view. A sold-out hit in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., this funny, provocative, and wickedly witty theatrical adaptation will change the way you think about how demons influence your everyday life. < More Info

What UTAH First Time Homebuyers Aren’t Told...

7 Things No One Tells UTAH First Time Homebuyers

Part 1: What First Time UTAH Homebuyers Aren’t Told 

First time homebuyers in Salt Lake City and Beyond... are told a lot of things —

“Save your money,” their parents advise.

“Location, location, location!” their friend’s friend cautions.

Reasonable advice, for certain. But there some important elements of the home buying process which a typical Utah first time homebuyer doesn’t usually hear. I’ve listed some of the most important ones, in no particular order: 

1.      Mortgage rates you see advertised aren’t usually what you get

The banner ads are everywhere online: “3.2% rates!” “No money down!” But the truth is, mortgage rates vary greatly. The only way you’ll know what rates you actually qualify for is to go through a complete mortgage application including credit pulls and income verification. One more point to consider: online mortgage calculators, while handy, can be deceptive if you do not factor in the real cost of tax, insurance and PMI when you’re looking at an FHA-loan.  

2.               Every Tiny Bit of Debt Counts

Think that $1400 left on your Visa isn’t going to matter? Think again. Every iota of debt weighs in when your credit is scored. What many Utah first time homebuyers aren’t told is that when you apply for a mortgage, nearly every element of your financial history is going to be analyzed with a fine-toothed comb. All debt will be factored in as the bank figures out how much it is willing to lend. Standards have stiffened, so the earlier you dispose of even small issues, the better.

3.               Your Choice of Agent Makes All the Difference

Let me guess: your friend’s friend also has an agent to recommend (she carpools with his sister’s next door neighbor). There’s no reason you shouldn’t interview her: maybe that’s the right fit for you. But don’t just sign up with the first agent you find: this is a working relationship that can shape your family’s future. Your agent’s connections, experience, and market knowledge will be key — and can well make the difference between your writing an offer that gets accepted or not.

(Coming Next: Another 4!)