Real Estate Information Archive

The Cindy Wood Realty Group is looking for a full-time Buyer Specialist. If you qualify, please email customerservice@cindywood.com with your resume and cover letter as a pdf.

Buyer Specialist:  Cindy Wood Realty Group is looking for an energetic, articulate, self-managed/self-disciplined buyer specialist to provide unparalleled service and direction to clients in the Salt Lake County real estate area. Seeking someone that always displays positive attitude, who is a good communicator - both written and verbal; possessing strong computer skills (knowledge of real estate software programs beneficial), who is organized, has a good sense of humor, enjoys negotiating and cultivating a rapport with clients and team members, is a fast learner with an ability to think quickly on multiple levels, has been licensed for at least one year. Only candidates with real estate licenses need apply; must provide proof of own transportation, insurance, and cell phone. The Buyer Specialist will be working with a large amount of leads with corporate and first-time buyers. Opportunity to make $100,000+. Sales should be between 40-50 buyers. The first step is to e-mail your resume and cover letter as a pdf attachment.

Big changes are coming! Starting August 1, 2015, a new regulation, TILA-RESPA will begin being implemented extending closings an extra 15 days. If you are buying a home, plan on 45 days to close instead of 30 days.

For more information, click here.

Picking a color palette for your home isn't always easy. There is a lot of work that goes into moving furniture and then painting every wall. Kerrie Kelly wrote an article titled, "Ask These 7 Questions to Create a Whole House Color Palette," filled with helpful advice that will guide you toward picking the right color palette. Kelly writes,

1. What do you like, and how do you want to feel?

2. What are the elements you can't control?

3. Which rooms can you see from other rooms?

4. Are you ready to commit?

5. Can your choices pass a test?

6. Do you want a different look between upstairs and downstairs?

7. Do you have any neutral nooks?

You can view the full article here.

It's that time of the year...again. It's time to bust out your cleaning supplies, declutter, rearrange your furniture and spruce up your home. Reader's Digest offered some great advice on making spring-cleaning a faster process. 

1. Make doormats welcoming - shake, wash and swat them!

2. Clean carpets and upholstery.

3. Finish your floors.

4. Wash walls, cabinets, baseboards and woodwork.

5. Vacuum with intelligence - move big furniture slightly out of the way to get the tough-to-reach spots.

6. Clean ceiling fixtures.

7. Clean your light fixtures.

8. Check your coils.

You can view the full article here.

Fire pits can be a fun addition to any backyard. However, before you purchase a fire pit you'll want to make sure you have done all of your research and are well informed. Kerrie Kelly wrote an article titled, "5 Designer Tips for Choosing a Fire Pit" on Realtytimes.com.

1. Location, location, location!

Kelly says, " For safety and security, an outdoor fire pit should be at least 10 feet away from the house and shouldn't be placed on your wooden deck. Some communities have specific requirements about placement in relationship to the house, so check your local city or county website for details.

Next, map out the space you'll need for the fire pit itself. Outdoor fire pits are generally anywhere between 18 and 48 inches in diameter. You'll need space for people to sit comfortably around the fire, but remember that people tend to back away from fire as time progresses. Plan for an additional six to eight feet of space for chairs and movement."

2. All About That Base

(photo courtesy of  Realtytimes.com)

Kelly says, "Outdoor fire pits come in all kinds of shapes and sizes these days, but they boil down to three base styles:

• An actual fire pit is dug into the ground and completed in any of several different finishes (more on that below). These are obviously permanent structures, so plan your backyard layout accordingly.
• Coffee table fire pits resemble low tables and, when not in use, they can be covered and used as an actual table.
• Raised bowls bring a stylish, artistic element to the space. Whether metal or concrete, deep or shallow, these simple components can be customized for exactly the look you want."

3. Find a Fabulous Finish

Kelly says, "First, decide whether a mobile or stationary unit is best for your space."

Depending on whether your fire pit is mobile or stationary, you will then be able to coordinate the appropriate finish.

(photo courtesy of  Realtytimes.com)

4. Fire It Up!

5. Precautions

Kelly writes, "As delightful as an outdoor fire pit is, you should never forget that you're dealing with open flames. Make sure you have a plan if things get out of hand. A strategically placed fire extinguisher is the best option here. Placing your fire pit near a hose is another great choice. If neither of those is an option, keep a bucket of sand and a bucket of water nearby. A roaring fire is that much more enjoyable when you have confidence that you are prepared to put it out, whether it spreads from its confines or you're simply ready to call it a night."

Whether or not you were born with a green thumb, it is safe to say that a pristine looking lawn adds something special to the overall look of your home. No one wants to pull up to their home with brown grass and dying flowers. In an article titled, "What to Plant When Your Thumb is More Brown than Green," Jaymi Naciri quotes, "' Many of us have trouble keeping plants alive in our garden, and have quite the 'black thumb.' Either we are too busy to maintain them, or our gardens have issues that make it difficult; hot, dry sites, poor soil or bad weather, said The Garden Glove. 'Don't let that stop you from growing flowers! There is hope for even the most murderous of gardeners... you can grow flowers and you can plant them today and trust they will still be there next year and the year after that.'"

Naciri suggests a few plants and flowers that are low-maintainance for the struggling gardener.

• Lantana
• Aloe
• Thyme
• Mandevilla
• Catmint
• Crepe Myrtle
• Yarrow

The full article can be found at Realtytimes.com

Buying a house for the first time can seem scary and intimidating. With some research, help and good advice, you can navigate the real estate world with ease. The blog, View Along the Way, gave some great tips for first-time home buyers. 

• Choose a good real estate agent.
• Buy within your budget.
• Inspect the house - get a good home inspector.
• Make sure to compare loan costs and interest rates.

What to look for in your house hunt:

• Walk-in garage
• Convenient laundry room
• A lot of natural light
• Great location
• Easy layout

So, it's time to move again and you're dragging your feet. How are you going to pack all of your things? Where do you even start? Who is going to help you load and unload? Moving can be a stressful, physically exhausting, time consuming process. 

However, with some help and good advice, you can make it a breeze. Real Living Realty Group wrote an article, "Save Time, Money, and Your Sanity When Moving" on myRealtyTimes.com where they offer some tips and tricks to get through moving without breaking a sweat. 

• Create a budget.
• Decide if you are going to hire professionals or do it yourself.
• Clean, declutter and get organized.
• Save money by asking family, friends or a local store if they have any boxes you can use.

For more great tips, you can read the full article here.

Building a home can be a daunting process and if you aren't properly educated, mistakes are easily made. However, you don't have to do it alone! The Cindy Wood Realty Group is here to help. Get home schooled on new construction with this brief video about one common mistake homeowners make.