Foreclosure filings slow in Utah but spike elsewhere - Utah Down to 15th Nationally

The Salt Lake Tribune noted in the article below that Utah is down to 15 now in foreclosure. This is good new for consumer confidence.

With the lack of inventory on the market,  the number of buyer rising and interest rate at a 40 year low this is a great time to sell your home.

One thing to think about when deciding to sell your home is the number of homes you will be competing with (supple and demand) this will help you as a seller to get a high price for your home. So let get that home on the market and get you the highest price possible.

Call me today for more information

 

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

First Published Mar 15 2012 07:21 pm • Last Updated Mar 15 2012 11:57 pm

Utah, which had one of the nation’s highest rates of foreclosure filings for much of the past two years, has eased back to 15th highest, a new report shows.

With a rate of one in every 721 households receiving some sort of notice in February, Utah is faring better than the national rate of 1 in every 637 households, according to foreclosure-listing firm RealtyTrac.

Nevada continued to post the nation’s highest rate last month, with one in every 278 households in the state receiving a foreclosure-related filing. That’s more than twice the national average.

Foreclosure activity surged last month across about half of the nation’s states, as banks tackled a backlog of homes with mortgages that had gone unpaid yet remained in limbo because of delays stemming from foreclosure-abuse claims.

The increase occurred across 26 states where the courts supervise the foreclosure process. In contrast, the 24 states where the courts do not play a role in the process saw activity decline in February, RealtyTrac Inc. said Thursday.

Utah, which falls into the latter category, saw foreclosures drop by 61 percent from February 2011 to the same month this year, according to the report.

Although uneven, the pace of foreclosures is accelerating after a $25 billion settlement reached last month between the nation’s biggest mortgage lenders and officials in 49 of the 50 states (including Utah). The settlement was tied to the industry’s foreclosure abuses.

Major banks temporarily put foreclosures on hold in the fall of 2010 after claims surfaced that lenders and mortgage servicers were processing foreclosures without verifying documents. As a result, many homes that would have normally ended up foreclosed were left in a procedural limbo, particularly in states where courts play a role in the process.

But that logjam has begun to ease, and banks are moving to sort out their roster of problem mortgages.

That means potentially more foreclosed homes hitting the market this year that could drag down the value of neighboring homes.

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Among states with a judicial foreclosure process, foreclosure activity rose 2 percent last month from January, and climbed 24 percent from February last year, the firm said.

Foreclosure activity across states without a court-supervised process fell 5 percent in February from the previous month and declined 23 percent from a year earlier.

RealtyTrac bases foreclosure activity on filings that signal when a home is in some stage of the foreclosure process — an initial default notice, a scheduled home auction or a home repossession, which is when a property goes back to the lender.

Overall, U.S. foreclosure activity dipped 2 percent from January and was down 8 percent from February last year. Taken individually, some states registered far higher increases in foreclosure activity last month. Banks repossessed 63,834 U.S. homes last month, down 4 percent from January and a decline of 1 percent from February las

How to secure your home during a foreclosure | ksl.com

SALT LAKE CITY — A vacant home is a tempting target for all sorts of criminal activities, like vandalism and even illegal drug operations. Take a look at a few statistics regarding bankruptcies and foreclosures: According to the United States Bankruptcy Court, bankruptcy filings in Utah have increased 7 percent so far this year, even though the national rate has fallen 10 percent.

Although Utah’s rate of foreclosure filings during the third quarter of 2011 dropped from the second quarter, the state is still ranked among the nation’s Top 10 for rate of default filings in that time period.

As people foreclose on their homes, neighborhoods deal with the increased potential for crime. When a home becomes vacant, either through a foreclosure, repossession or even when the owners leave for an extended vacation, it’s important to make sure the property remains secure.

Malicious or unintentional property damage can end up costing banks and homeowners money, and property insurance may not cover it all. Guarding against accidents and break-ins is crucial, since the homeowner is still liable for the property during the process of foreclosure. Experts recommend thoroughly securing the property and the home before moving out, and paying close attention to the details.

Before you secure your home, realize there are certain things you shouldn’t overlook. It’s also a good idea to make sure the property doesn’t look vacant. If potential vandals, thieves and trespassers believe there is still someone living at the property, they’re less likely to target the home.

Here are some tips to consider:

 

• Lock up — All it takes is one window left unlocked, and the insurance company could deny any potential claim. Check all the entrances to your home — and then check them again.
• Winterize — Before a home is left vacant for any length of time, shut the water off at the main valve. You should also drain the water from the plumbing systems, and push the leftover water out with compressed air. Even a small leak can lead to a big problem, potentially costing tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
• Maintain the property —
  Quick Look

  Keeping your foreclosure safe
  

  • Lock up
  • Winterize
  • Maintain the property
  • Ask for help
  • Unplug
  • Test and retest

  Property preservation companies offer services to give a vacant property a “lived in” look. They’ll maintain the yard, pick up mail and newspapers, shovel snow from the driveway, and remove debris. Companies like these offer services to homeowners and banks, so a vacant property can be maintained indefinitely.

• Ask for help — Former neighbors and friends can lend a hand with maintaining the property when it becomes vacant. Ask them to occasionally check up on the home or lot, and check for leaks, turn the blinds and monitor for trespassers.
• Unplug — An appliance that is set to “off” still draws a little power, so make sure everything inside the home and garage is unplugged. Before the electricity to the home gets shut off, pulling the plug can ensure a potential fire doesn’t start.
• Test and retest — Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as security alarms, should all be functioning properly. Make sure there are fresh batteries in the units, and test them before vacating the property.

“While foreclosure activity in September and the third quarter continued to register well below levels from a year ago, there is evidence that this temporary downward trend is about to change direction, with foreclosure activity slowly beginning to ramp back up,” says James Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. Even though going through a foreclosure is a stressful time, ensuring your property and home are secure can save a lot of headaches in the future.

via ksl.com

 

15 Days to Halloween in Utah - Ogden and Salt Lake City Ghost Tours/Story Tours

Have you ever wondered if your town is haunted? Or where to find out... This will be an adventure to either make you a believer or prove it wrong. See it for yourself!!!

    The award winning Ogden and Salt Lake City Ghost Tours was founded by storyteller Kristen Clay in 2002.  Impressed by Utah's rich culture and history, Kristen set out to study it's stories.  As she began interviewing the merchants and residents of Northern Utah, she came across the usual tales of pioneers, immigrants, hardships and survival, but was surprised to hear many bizarre and interesting ghost stories among them.

    On your Ghost tour, you will experience a small sampling of these "local legends" gathered during the research of several storytellers.  Some might even tell you they have gotten to know the ghosts personally.... You will embark upon an exciting adventure through Utah's past and back into the present to discover characters who just can't seem to leave this valley, even many years after their deaths.  

    We do not attempt to prove the existence of ghosts or to explain the paranormal; you will decide whether to believe - or not.  We intend to expand your imagination and present you with a fun evening of rich storytelling and maybe a chill or two.  We hope your experience will inspire you to seek out your own stories and share them.

via storytours.com

 

26 Days to Halloween in Utah - Castle of Chaos Haunted House on 3300 South in Salt Lake City Utah

Okay this is one for the Teens and Adults and is a review from my daughter Angie.... You would never catch me in these places. But as I said she would be my go to person for the Haunted house in Utah.

The Castle of Chaos has 3 location throughout the Northern Park of Utah 1 in Ogden and 2 in Salt Lake City for $25.00 you can purchase a pass to attend all three. As per Angie the one located on 3300 S in Salt Lake in her words was the "BOMB”  she said pay the extra $3.00 at the 3300 S location for the hands on experience.

I ask her what is the hand on experience?..... This allows the actors in the haunted place to touch, push and pull you away from the group. Hello I don't even want to go into the place yet alone allow someone to touch me. As for this event you are on your own I am not going with you!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Castle of Chaos 3300 South

Our “Final Year of Fear” At This Location

Voted “Utah’s Best Haunted House”
in 2011 by City Weekly Magazine

Featuring

• Hands On Horror – An experience so intense and so terrifying, you must first sign a waiver in order to participate!
• X-Scream – as seen on the Travel Channel which includes our signature Buried Alive Coffin Slide!

 

WILL YOU SIGN YOUR WAIVER?

 

Located At the corner of 3300 South and West Temple in South Salt Lake, UT

 

via castleofchaos.com