Insurance issues that affect the home-buying process

Northern Wasatch Association of RealtorsAdvice

When most people first think about buying a home, they are likely not considering the insurance implications. However, insurance plays an important role in the purchase process. Here are some facts about insurance you’ll want to be aware of as you buy a home. Homeowners Insurance It’s important to remember not all homes qualify for insurance. Because of a property’s location and claims history, affordable coverage may not be available for the house you’d like to buy. Before making a purchase, talk to an insurance professional about whether you’re able to secure adequate coverage at a price you can afford. Also make sure to talk about what is included under the policy, including whether there is enough coverage to rebuild …

Tips for real estate transactions with solar panels

Northern Wasatch Association of RealtorsAdvice, Update

As energy prices rise and solar power becomes more affordable, more Utahns are considering installing solar panels on their homes. In fact, the national Solar Energies Industries Association ranks Utah No. 6 on its list of “Top 10 Solar States.” With the benefits of lower utility bills and improved air quality through clean energy, it’s easy to see why more than 35,000 Utah homes and businesses have installed solar panels. As solar becomes more popular, you may consider installing your own system or think about buying a home that already has solar. Either way, it’s important to ask a lot of questions and make sure you understand exactly what you’re buying. Along with the tips and information in this article, …

A variety of housing types needed to support affordable housing

Northern Wasatch Association of RealtorsAdvice, Update

Utah business leaders are working to bring more awareness to the issue of housing affordability. That’s because without new housing policies and efforts to build affordable homes, our children could find themselves paying more than $700,000 for a modest home. Those are the findings of a new report from the Kem Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah. The Salt Lake Chamber-commissioned study says home prices in the Salt Lake metro area have increased an average 5.7 percent annually over the past 26 years. In fact, since 1991, the increase in Utah home prices has been the fourth-highest in the country. Should similar increases continue over the next 26 years, prices could be $1.3 million in a generation or …