How to Build a Home Renovation Team You Can Trust in Park City, Utah

Create a list of candidates

To start your search, ask friends and family members who they’ve worked with on their home renovations. If you have any friends or colleagues in the real estate business, be sure to ask them which renovation experts they recommend. If you don’t get a lot of suggestions, go ahead and do a search online for the kind of work you want done.

Before you call anyone on the list, search for customer reviews of their services. Look at review sites to see what real customers have said about them; you want service providers with an overall positive review trend.

Don’t worry if you see one or two disgruntled reviews, but if you see more than that, you might want to cross that candidate off your list.

Call your best candidates

Once you’ve narrowed your list using friends’ recommendations and online reviews, it’s time to get on the phone. Call each of your candidates and ask them a few questions about their work and experience.

At the very least, you want to make sure they’re licensed and insured, how long they’ve been in business, and how much experience they have with the kinds of renovations you want. You should also ask for references and then follow up on them to make sure your candidates were being honest with you.

If a contractor, designer, or other renovation pro gives you a list of references and most of them don’t check out, then they’re either working with phone numbers so old that they don’t belong to their customers anymore, or they’re lying to you. Either way, move on.

Set up in-person interviews

After you talk with your candidates on the phone and follow up on their references, you should have a pretty good idea of which ones you would prefer to work with. Don’t just hire someone based on a gut feeling, though. Set up in-person interviews so you can meet face to face and they can see the property and what it needs.

This step is important for a couple of reasons. First, you want to make sure you can actually work with the people you hire, and sometimes things just don’t work out that way. Meeting in person gives you the chance to confirm that the two of you will be able to see eye to eye on the project and communicate well.

Second, when service providers see your house firsthand, they’ll get a better idea of everything that will go into the project, and give you a more accurate estimate.

Carefully select your general contractor

I follow the tips above whenever I’m hiring anyone for a home renovation, but I pay especially close attention when hiring a general contractor or project manager because they’re going to have more responsibilities and freedom to take care of the job.

I hire guys that I really like working with because I know that they’ll hire quality subcontractors and take a load off of me while I continue to work on designing new renovations and finding new leads on flip houses.

And while you might not be flipping houses, I’m willing to bet that you have better things to do than figure out how to be your own general contractor and hire every single person who’s going to work on your home.

If you start by hiring a couple of key people (like your architect and general contractor), you can save yourself a lot of time and energy later on because they’ll take care of hiring subcontractors for you.

Be present, but don’t micromanage

Once you’ve hired your team, you don’t want to completely disappear from your home renovation project. Be present and make sure that your workers know how to get in touch with you when you’re at work or can’t be home.

Be available to give permission on purchases and design decisions, but don’t loom over your workers. Micromanaging them will only slow things down and make everyone miserable.

Park City Renters: Are You Ready to Buy a Home and Stop Seeing Rent Go Through The Roof?

https://youtu.be/ObMi_eUkvdY

Should I Buy Now?

After years of record-low interest rates (hello, 3%!), the Fed is finally making some noticeable increases: The rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage broke the 4% mark last year. And with economic growth continuing to carry momentum, The predictions we'll see at least two to four more rate increases throughout 2018. Rates are anticipated to hit 5% by the end of the year.

The big story there is that those increases will further constrict affordability, The more buyers wait, the more expensive it will get to buy—not just because of home prices, but because of inflationary pressure.

In other words, if you want in on the American dream, now is the time.

Home prices have soared over the past few years, pricing otherwise well-positioned buyers out of high-cost areas and leading some experts to cry "bubble". But in 2018, price increases are expected to moderate.

Home price increase of 3.2% year over year, after finishing 2017 with a 5.5% year-over-year increase. Existing-home sale prices are predicted to increase 2.5% year over year.

Of course, it all depends on where you live. While red-hot markets such as Park City are predicted to finally lose some steam, sales numbers and home prices are poised to climb in Heber City, Utah, where economic momentum continues chugging along and new construction is happening in the right price points.

An inventory shortage has plagued the U.S. housing market since 2015, forcing some buyers to Utah and keeping others out of the buying game entirely. But by fall 2018, the tides will begin to turn, with markets such as Heber City recovering first.

The majority of inventory growth will happen in the middle- to upper-tier price point, in the ranges of $350,000 and $750,000 and above $750,000.

New home construction has expanded. But that will happen slowly, thanks to a constricted labor market, limitations on the amount of lots and land that's available, tight bank financing for building loans, and a run-up in building material prices.

It's been a slow climb back from the recession, and now we're confronting all of these limiting factors and supply-side constraints.

As we head into 2019 and beyond, I expect to see the inventory increases take hold and provide relief for first-timers and drive sales growth.

Where rent prices are going?

The average rent for an apartment in Park City is $1,147, a 3% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,185.

Studio apartments in Park City rent for a month, while 1-bedroom apartments ask on average $1,000 a month; the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,110.

Utah’s growing economy is great for business, but it’s creating an affordability crisis for renters. I have found as more people move to our town, the demand for apartments has outpaced the supply, pushing up rents faster than wages.

It is definitely difficult to find something that most can afford. The cost of living is so high — it's not just some apartment complex's, it's apartments all over the town of Park City.

Federal data show  rent has risen 20 percent, on average, since 2010. Over the same time period, a two-bedroom apartment in Park City increased 24 percent. The data show two-bedroom prices in Old Town Park City has jumped 42 percent.

The Current Market

Here are a few of my insights. If you have questions about a specific neighborhood not mentioned here, I invite you to contact me.

***One statistic that is consistent in every neighborhood is a decrease in inventory and a decrease in the average days on market. Overall, inventory is down 22% and average days on market is down 7%.

My Take: If you own a home that is not selling in this market, I would suggest strategizing with your real estate agent.

***The median single family home sale price rose 4% from 2016 to 2017. This includes our entire MLS market (everything from Summit Park to Deer Valley and the Heber Valley). However, in Park City’s 84060, the median sale price rose 16%. In Park City’s 84098, the increase was only 3%.

My Take: This disparity does not make any sense without a closer look into the numbers. I think I have it figured out. Promontory, which accounts for a large number of single family home sales in 84098, closed an inordinate amount of their developer cabins in 2017. Some of these cabins were sold at 2016 prices during pre-construction. This large number of cabin sales dropped the median sale price at Promontory by 14%, while the average price per square foot increased by 7%. Prices are definitely not going down at Promontory or in 84098. Don’t let these numbers deceive you.

***Jeremy Ranch had 66 single family home sales in 2017, an increase of 27% from 2016. Pinebrook had 44 sales, which as flat from 2016. In contrast, Silver Springs only had 29 sales and Prospector only had 13 sales.

My Take: In my opinion, this is a function of inventory. Silver Springs inventory was down 63%. There were hardly any homes for sale in Silver Springs and Prospector, driving buyers into Jeremy Ranch and Pinebrook.

***In contrast to the median single family sale prices in Park City’s zip codes, the 2017 median sale price was $410,000 in Heber/Daniels and $529,000 in Midway.

My Take: I predict that as prices continue to rise in the Park City zip codes, buyers will look to the Heber Valley as an affordable alternative.

***Deer Valley does not suffer from the same inventory issues as other locations.  Over the last 24 months, single family home inventory increased by 18.5% and the number of homes sold during that same period decreased by 36.7%.

My Take: Lower Deer Valley is an area of opportunity for single family home buyers. It is more of a buyer’s market than other parts of town. Many of the homes are dated, providing an opportunity to personalize and update at below replacement cost. Further, the addition of the new “Ikon” ski pass that will be honored at Deer Valley resort, should encourage new visitors to the area.

The Snow went away fast so refresh your home's exterior this spring with a new paint job.

1-day project: Wash your house

If you aren’t already washing your siding once a year, now is the time to start. This will remove any mold and mildew, expose any potential problems and get the surface ready for prep work and painting.

• A pressure washer is the most popular cleaning tool, thanks to its powerful spray — but it’s not a magic wand. In addition to patience, you’ll also need protective eyewear, a couple of five-gallon buckets, a pressure-washing cleaning solution and a stiff brush.
• Soak the surface first to loosen up debris, and then start cleaning with a wide, sweeping motion, from the bottom to the top of each wall.
• To prevent damage, start spraying at a distance of 10 feet and work your way in. Wash windows, garage doors and cracked seals at the lowest setting or by hand.
• If that big, loud pressure washer leaves you feeling a little gun-shy, you can get the same results with a scrub brush, bleach solution and garden hose.

Weekend project: Make repairs

Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned your home’s exterior, use the next weekend to prepare it for a paint job. On Saturday, sand, fill and weatherproof the surfaces. On Sunday, cover any stains with primer.

• Using a sanding block and razor blade, remove any protruding burrs or paint drips. To speed up the job, use a rotary tool or power sander.
• Patch and fill holes with the filler that’s appropriate for your siding. For example, you can use wood filler on wood, but fiber cement siding (sometimes known as Hardie Board) requires cement patch. Sand when dry.
• Replace old caulk with either a small putty knife or painter’s tool. Apply the caulk slowly for a smooth bead, using a damp rag to wipe up the excess. Practice in an inconspicuous area if needed.
• Replace any rotted trim or siding immediately. This will definitely add some time and cost to your project, but it sure beats painting over rotted wood and a colony of termites.
• Spend Sunday applying primer, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Even if you plan on painting with a two-in-one paint that includes primer, old paint jobs and stained areas will still need a layer of primer to help paint adhere. If you run out of prime-time this weekend, finish when you kick off the next project next weekend.
• In the meantime, do some planning. Decide on a paint palette with two or three colors (base, trim and accent) and get ready for the fun part.

Month-long project: Paint!

Once your exterior is washed and prepped, give it a total overhaul with new paint, trim and accents.

Week 1: Upgrade the front door casing

• Once you’ve found the perfect style, take measurements and plan out the placement on paper before purchasing and cutting the lumber.
• If feasible, purchase rot-resistant PVC trim. Pressure-treated wood is cheaper but must be preserved, dried and primed before installation.
• To remove the old casing, cut through the caulk with a utility knife and carefully remove casing with a pry bar.
• Cut the new casing to size, letting it sit flush against the bottom.

Week 2: Paint the siding

• This can be done in the afternoon or evening, so tackle the job in sections. Shake and stir the paint before you begin for even coverage.
• Cover any light fixtures, doorbells, and windows where you intend to paint, and use an angled brush to paint along edges without making a mess. Use a roller to fill in the broad areas, working from top to bottom. Paint the trim last, wiping up any stray spatters with a damp rag.

Week 3: Apply a second coat

• Sand out any paint drips or debris.
• Paint the siding and trim another coat.

Week 4: Tackle the details

• Paint the front door the color of your dreams.
• Add shutters, if you like.
• Upgrade and add extras: new crown molding for the porch, a doorbell, a new house number, door handles, and light fixtures.

Park City is notorious for homes needing Love: Are There Signs in your home telling you It's Time to Update Your Bathroom

1. Not photogenic

“It’s weird how you can see in a picture what you can’t see anymore with your own eyes,” says Angela Hurd of Short Story Renovations.

The fix:   take a photograph of your bathroom to get a better sense of what you might not otherwise notice. Sometimes we can become blind to the discord — from a mismatched color palette to accumulated junk on the vanity counter.

2. Outdated colors

Funky hues can be one of the most noticeable signs that a bathroom is out of date.

The fix: White, gray and black palettes will lend an element of ageless beauty to any space.

3. Smells like a bathroom

Some bathrooms, you walk in and they just have an old bathroom smell. It’s another indication that it’s time for a renovation.

The fix: Replacing a toilet’s wax seal, fixing a persistent, mold-causing sink leak, or adding better ventilation to a windowless bathroom can all be sure fixes for a fresher-smelling experience.

4. Bad layout

Awkward bathroom layout is another indication that it’s time for an update. Odd arrangements, such as a toilet directly next to the bathtub, are typical in bungalows and houses built in the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s, when plumbing was a new phenomenon.

The fix: Installing a separate water closet can be a winning move.

5. Leaks

When brown water stains appear on the ceiling below the bathroom, it’s definitely time to make repairs and update.

The fix: Take the opportunity to put in modern fixtures that conserve water and speak to your style.

6. Poor lighting

If you’re either blinded by the lights that are overhead, or it’s so dim you can barely see yourself in the mirror, that’s a problem.

The fix: Better light fixtures and brighter light bulbs may be the first step on your path to a bathroom redo.

7. Stylistic relics

If you have wallpaper or popcorn ceilings still hanging around from decades past, your bathroom is due for an update.

The fix: Wallpaper is making a comeback, so think about using it in a new way. 

8. Low on storage

Can’t store all the things you need in the bathroom? This calls for action.

The fix: Install a larger vanity, or add shelves above the toilet. You could even knock out a wall and steal a little space from another room to create a linen closet.

9. Time to sell

If you’re not interested in fixing up your bathroom for yourself, do it for your home’s next tenants.

The fix: A fancy new washroom can add just the right panache to spur potential buyers to action. “Redoing a bathroom that’s just an eyesore within the house might make a huge difference,”

We live in the mountains, but when the rock climbing is right at your doorstep it's easier to watch your kids.

The Portland, OR-based company combined two of the things its clients enjoyed most — fitness and being outside — into a 250-square-foot, custom-built home, said Jason Francis, creative director and co-founder at Tiny Heirloom.

The idea for a tiny home with a bouldering wall came from organic brainstorming, Francis said.

“The rock wall really started as a long-shot idea, but the more we thought about it, the more excited we got,” Francis said. “So we figured out a way to make it happen!”

“We’ve built many custom homes,” Francis added, “but this was definitely one of our most unique.”

His team added some rich design elements, including a roll-up garage-style glass door, to bring the outdoors inside. The couple intends to use the place as their primary residence.

The home cost about $145,000, but $35,000 of that went to building the custom climbing wall.

The home is 24 feet long and 13 feet tall, providing plenty of room for outdoor climbing. The bouldering wall is on one side of the home, and the handholds can be reconfigured to change up the climbing route.

One side has a traditional entryway, while the other has the roll-up door to provide expansive views of wherever the home is parked.

The kitchen features a farmhouse sink and full-sized oven. The cabinets are a rich blue color with brass accents. There are two open shelves above the countertops.

The home also contains a dining space with bench-style seating that doubles as storage.

An arched blue-tile doorway leads to the bathroom, which has a full-sized soaking tub, white subway tiles and a rainfall showerhead.

After completing the tiny home and sharing it on social media, Francis said they’ve had a number of inquiries about building similar spaces for clients.

“Ideas have spread from it quite a bit, but no one else has bought the exact same thing,” Francis said. “We have had a client request a rock wall system in the house as a way up to the lofts for his two young boys.”

What NOT to Do in Park City, UT. When Remodeling Bathrooms

 

Mistake 1: Ignoring proper spacing and layout

Bathrooms may seem straightforward, but a lack of spatial awareness in the renovation planning stages can lead to problems down the road.

Remember: Just because you can fit something into the bathroom design doesn’t mean it can function within that space. Always keep function in the forefront of your mind and in your design.

For example, if you choose a shower with a door, your bathroom layout should leave plenty of room for it to fully open. No potential home buyer will want to squeeze out of a partially opened shower door every morning. Other considerations include providing enough space to comfortably get on and off the toilet, open cabinet doors, etc.

Spatial considerations also include making sure elements of the room are close enough together to function. For example, the toilet paper holder should be within a child’s arm’s reach of the toilet, and outlets should be easily accessible from the counter.

Mistake 2: Choosing the wrong materials

Because of the sink, toilet and shower, bathrooms deal with more moisture than any other room in the house. Homeowners also use many of the strongest cleaning products on bathroom surfaces. Both of these factors, if not taken into consideration, can lead to significant damage if you don’t select the right materials for the job.

Go with materials that can stand up to harsh cleaners and are not highly susceptible to mold, warping or distortion. Avoid porous materials that will retain moisture and allow hidden mold to grow.

Mistake 3: Ignoring storage space

No one complains about having too much storage in the bathroom. When planning a bathroom remodel, incorporate plenty of storage space into the design.

Consider how many people will use the bathroom. Don’t make the mistake of providing only enough bathroom storage space for one person in a 4-bedroom house.

Additionally, most people prefer a bit of privacy with bathroom storage, so a set of floating shelves, while helpful, will not be sufficient on its own.

Mistake 4: Forgetting about ventilation

Ventilation isn’t a glamorous part of a bathroom renovation, but it is essential. Forgetting to work in enough ventilation can lead to mold, mildew and other costly problems in the future. It can also make a bathroom uncomfortable if it’s not properly ventilated during or after a shower.

If possible, work in a combination of natural and artificial ventilation sources. A well-placed window can go a long way, but it won’t be very helpful during cold winter months, when a homeowner won’t open it. Make sure to install a quality ventilation fan that can handle the size of the bathroom.

Mistake 5: Putting off lighting plans until the end

Many people think of lighting as a finishing touch to a renovation. While lighting is often installed later in the process, you should plan your lighting fixtures at the beginning of the renovation.

Bathrooms are often where people get ready for the day, which is why lighting is essential. Recessed lighting can create shadows on your face in the mirror, and the last thing you want when trying to sell a bathroom is unflattering lighting.

Waiting until the end to address lighting can also lead to dark patches within the bathroom. Depending on your preferred shower style, you may or may not need lighting above the shower or tub.

Similarly, no one wants to use the toilet in darkness. When drawing up your plans, consider what type of lighting will best accommodate your space and room design. Making adjustments in the planning stages will be much easier than making them at the end of a project.

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3 Simple Social Media

1. Leverage the power of ad platforms:

organic engagement on social media doesn't exist anymore. If you’re relying on organic content to grow your business, you’re wasting huge amounts of time, and holding yourself back from achieving your true potential.

Having multiple ads running on autopilot across social platforms will dramatically increase your online visibility, build your email list and grow your social following - while still giving you the time to manage and scale other aspects of your business.

Ultimately, it boils down to a simple idea - unsuccessful business owners are obsessed with “hustle”, always running around and hoping that the immense effort they’re putting in will pay off.

Successful business owners have leverage, enabling them to focus on what they do best (coaching, speaking, whatever) and letting the lead generation happen without lifting a finger.

2. Commit yourself to a content creation schedule:

Here are my simplified steps to creating a content calendar in a clear, organized, impactful way:

• Step 1: Identify what your brand pillars or values are. What do you stand for? What are the core topics that you regularly speak about? Once you’ve identified those central touchpoints, create a Google Sheet and write those touchpoints at the top to create columns.
• Step 2: Without overthinking it, write down content ideas which fall into each category. A great way to think of new ideas is by thinking of questions that previous clients have asked you, using tools like BuzzSumo, or scrolling an industry-relevant publication. For example, if you’re a consultant for emerging authors, under the 'Writing Process' column, maybe you would write in “5 Tips For Overcoming Writer’s Block” and “How To Come Up WIth A Killer Opening Chapter Title”. Essentially, the point of this step is to build up a ton of ideas, so that when it comes time to sit down and create content, you don’t get away with the excuse of feeling “uninspired” or “just not creative” that day. You have tons of killer, on-brand content ideas ready to go, so put them into your content calendar.
• Step 3: Now it’s time to build your content calendar. This can be as easy as opening up another Google Sheet and building out your column titles: 'Day', 'Date', 'Content category', 'Title of content', etc. All you have to do is now take the content ideas that you had in your previous Google Sheet and start building it out, going pillar by pillar. This will enable you to ensure that you're hitting every single brand value consistently, sharing high-value and high-impact information on a regular basis, and that each piece of content has a clear goal. No randomness, no fluff, no off-brand anything. How easy was that? You can now build out your calendar two weeks in advance, have consistent content to share with your growing audience, and convert those followers into clients in a fraction of the time.

3. Consider outsourcing social media tasks:

Write out everything that you do on social media on a daily basis - managing your Facebook group, following and engaging with important industry influencers on Instagram, sharing recent blog posts on LinkedIn, and writing extensive answers to people’s Quora posts might be some examples.

Now, put a checkmark next to those that only you, with your unique skills, can do. You probably can’t identify a single one.

It could be well worth your time and money to find a virtual assistant, or someone who can take over as your social media manager, so that you can focus on optimizing your social ads, coaching or consulting at the highest level, and creating the most thoughtful and valuable content for your audience.

Facebook has released a new set of monetization options and best practices for video creators

Monetization Options

• Pre-Roll ads – Facebook says it’s seen “promising signs” from their initial tests of pre-roll ads, which they’re now expanding to additional areas, including in search results and on Page timelines. “For example, if a person searches for a show, a pre-roll may play when they select the episode to watch”.
• Preview Trailers – Facebook’s also testing a new preview trailer format for Watch shows that will improve discovery in News Feed. “When a viewer taps on the trailer, we’ll play a short ad before moving them to view the full episode in Watch. Partners will also be able to boost this format, reaching new audiences and driving more predictable tune-in while still being able to monetize”. Preview trailers will only be available to approved Watch shows.
• Ad Breaks Auto Insertion – Facebook’s also working to advance its recently announced auto ad breaks tool, which automatically detects the ideal place for an ad break within an eligible video. The option could make it easier for creators to understand when and where ad breaks fit best within their content.
• Pre-Publish Brand Safety Check – Finally, Facebook’s rolling out a new option which will enable content partners to submit videos for monetization eligibility review before posting, which will help to ensure their video will receive relevant ad opportunities.

Video Best Practices:

• Build audiences on Facebook surfaces where people seek out content – Encourage audience engagement outside of News Feed on surfaces that support repeat, loyal viewership such as in Watch, on a Page or in a Group. These places allow for audiences to meaningfully interact with each other to build community around your content.
• Set and fulfill the creative expectations of viewers – A consistent voice and format drives repeat viewing and longer view times. Some successful formats that foster communities of fans around content include serialized shows or videos with a predictable cast and format.
• Establish a release cadence – A set publishing schedule encourages audiences to consistently return to watch the next episode. Posting related videos, photos, or text posts helps to keep your fans engaged between episodes and seasons.
• Create an active experience – Sourcing topics from audiences and engaging with commenters draws the audience closer to the content.                                                                                                                              
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• In other words, the best way to build an audience is to adopt a regular TV-show type model, using consistent characters/cast and publishing at the same time every week/month.

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