Interest Rates Down but Down Payments Up

Recent home buyers are making higher down payments than buyers in the previous years due to stricter credit requirements, according to the 2011 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. This annual survey by the NAR evaluates demographics, preferences, marketing and experiences of recent home buyers and sellers. The median down payment for all home buyers was 11 percent, ranging from 5 percent for first-time buyers to 15 percent for repeat buyers. The down payment size for both repeat buyers and first-time buyers was a full percentage point higher than in the 2010 study.

The median price paid by repeat buyers in the survey was 2.1 percent higher than in the 2010 study, but their income was 11.0 percent greater, despite lower interest rates. First-time buyers paid 1.9 percent more, but their income was 4.2 percent higher.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU—Increased down payment requirements make homes less affordable even though interest rates are at historic lows. For example, if a buyer has $200,000 in cash to use as a down payment, but is required to put 25% down instead of 20%, the buyer will be limited to an $800,000 home versus a home priced at $1M.

Montage Residences Deer Valley The Pinnacle of Luxury

Whenever our family travels and stays in a beautiful place with lots of fun activities, my kids always ask, “Can we live here?” At the Montage Residences Deer Valley, the answer would be an enthusiastic “yes”. The Montage Deer Valley is a hotel located in the most pristine section of Empire Canyon at Deer Valley Resort. Situated above the hotel rooms are two to four bedroom residences, some over 4,000 square feet. These lovely residences are truly liveable, with well equipped kitchens, dining rooms large enough to accommodate extended family for a holiday dinner, and ensuite bedrooms. You can choose views of the Park City lights, the sunny ski slopes or opt for a larger residence with views in both directions.  

Living at the Montage Deer Valley for a ski vacation, summer retreat, or full time (as one family) is like living in your favorite resort and country club combined. The highly skilled concierge staff is available to fulfill your recreational and entertainment desires. The 7,000 square foot Compass Sports activities center is ground zero for year-round, on-mountain adventures. Staff will fit and store your ski equipment and once you are ready to go, the best of the Deer Valley slopes are literally right out the door. There is the exquisite Spa Montage and Kim Vō Salon, along with a year round outdoor heated pool and deck.

Sometimes kids and parents have different activity needs. It doesn’t feel like a vacation when one parent must stay behind to “watch” the kids. Paintbox, the activities-based program for children ages 5-12, solves that issue, ensuring everyone in the family gets a “real” vacation.

There are several dining options on site. As I walked by Buzz, the gourmet café, I was overcome by the incredibly delicious smell of fresh baked croissants. I’ve been told they have the best hot chocolate anywhere. Daly’s Pub is truly remarkable. My husband and I were able to have an adult conversation, while my kids bowled and played arcade games to their heart’s content.

For adults who work 24/7 and/or travel extensively for business, time spent with their children and spouse is precious. These carefully planned chunks of time should be spent in a place of beauty, where each family member can pursue the leisure activity they enjoy most, whether that means a spa day, a ski day, reading a book by the pool or enjoying a perfectly prepared meal. Wouldn’t it be great to “come home” to such a residence whenever you wanted? The Montage Residences Deer Valley offers the perfect milieu to create memories that will last forever.

If you are interested in learning more details about the Montage Deer Valley, please contact me at nancytallman@gmail.com.

Promontory – The Window of Opportunity is Closing!

Dreaming of being an owner/member at Promontory-The Ranch Club in Park City when prices bottom out? Well, with 90% of the distressed home inventory sold this year, that window of opportunity may soon be closed.

Savvy home buyers and investors are snapping up Promontory’s inventory of vacant lots and homes. Year to date, 91 lots and 49 homes closed with 8 lots and 7 homes pending, for a total of 157 units sold or pending for 2011! Another reason to act sooner, rather than later, is that Promontory will be modifying its membership pricing again in early 2012.

Here are just some of Promontory’s best buys. These homes are priced below replacement cost:

HOMES 
Trapper Cabin 43 priced at $865,000. Lowest priced Cabin; includes a Fully Sponsored Golf Membership!
Ranch Club Cabin 19 $1,395,000 Great views and steps from amenities.
Bison Bluffs 25 $1,599,000 Ski run views and quality finishes at $201/sq ft.
Ranch Club Cabin 15 $1,195,000, Great price and steps from amenities.
Homestead 20 $973,700, Bank owned home with ski run views previously listed at over $2M

RESIDENTIAL LOTS
Deer Crossing 22 $350,000 Unobstructed Deer Valley and Uinta views.
Sunset Ridge 7 $245,000 Quiet cul de sac with ski views and golf course views.

Northgate Canyon 56 $150,000 Promontory Golf Membership included-like getting the lot for free.
Homestead 27 $145,000 Wonderful views and convenient location.
Deer Crossing 55 $195,000 Great value in prestigious Deer Crossing.

 

These prices represent 50% to 70% less than previous listed prices.

For additional information, please contact me at 435.901.0659 or nancytallman@gmail.com. To search the MLS, go to www.buyparkcityhomes.com.

Canyons|Waldorf Astoria Update

Talisker Corporation, owners of Canyons Ski Resort and Waldorf Astoria Park City, has been working hard on their Park City properties and  has some pretty exciting updates to report. Most importantly Talisker is fully funding at Canyons one of the largest improvement plans that any North American Ski Resort has seen in recent history.  The Waldorf Astoria is working toward achieving 5-star status and the surrounding Frostwood neighborhood is much closer to realizing its final form of a low density/lift serviced/golf frontage area within a major ski resort.  Think about this for a moment.  Where else can you find property that is ski in/out and fronts a golf course?  It’s truly amazing!

The pricing at Waldorf Astoria has been downwardly adjusted by about 20%, with the average price per square foot around $775.00 (adjusted from $970.00.)  In addition to slashing prices, the developer is temporarily offering buyers (1) an opportunity to join The Talisker Club for three years at 50% of current dues with membership deposit waived until year 4; and (2) two ski passes to Canyons for the first three years of ownership.

The Waldorf Astoria has made some major improvements this year a few of them are:

 

~ The skier prep lounge has been expanded and located on the 4th floor with access to the drive are and shuttle buses will transport guests to and from the Waldorf Gondola.

 

~ The Waldorf Gondola will add two more cars to improve skier capacity.

 

~ The gaming lounge will be stocked with more gaming systems and staffed with a team member who will create programming based on demands.  This is designed to appeal to families with children.

 

~ Apres Ski Bar “Scoop” will serve hot drinks both alcoholic & non-alcoholic and house-made gelato and ice cream.

 

Canyons Ski Resort has made the following improvements:

 

~ Almost half of the golf course has been graded, with 6 holes to within a foot of final grade and ready to plant grass.

 

~ The village will be adding a permanent stage, the village commercial space will be re-faced with stone to make it more beautiful, and the apres ski at the Umbrella Bar will be expanded to accommodate more seating,  more food stations & better access to restrooms.

 

~ There will also be complimentary Ski/Snowboard storage and it is in the process of being expanded.

 

Be sure to check out all the new changes at Canyons & Waldorf Astoria.  They are positioning themselves to be the “Deer Valley Alternative”.

 

If you are interested in learning more about properties at Canyons and/or Waldorf Astoria, please visit www.buyparkcityhomes.com or contact me at 435.901.0659 or nancytallman@gmail.com.