My husband said I needed to take a little time off, maybe go for a hike with our sons. I called my 2 sons told them I decided to take the afternoon to spend some time with them and asked them to get ready to go for a hike...and off we went, Sebastian, Spensyr and I, to Snow Canyon State Park! The temperature was about 60 degrees with some wind so a light jacket did the trick to stay warm. We decided to take the Lava Flow trail, approximately a 1 mile hike from the road. Little did I know that the Lava Tubes were underground passages made up of lava rock...you can actually travel from one entrance to another below the ground's surface...what an unexpected treat! I met a woman from Oregon who said her family travels to St. George, Utah every year to enjoy the sunshine and spectacular weat... 03/24/2009

YES, it's true! It is predicted to bring $10 million dollars to our economy, isn't that great?! Not to mention, many participants may want to make Southern Utah their home. I just wanted to spread the great news!The event will take place on May 1, 2010, and will consist of: 2.4-mile swim 112-mile bike 26.2-mile run The Inaugural Ford Ironman St. George will utilize a variety of Utah's scenery, to include Sand Hollow Reservoir, Snow Canyon and the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. There will be 65 qualifying slots $50,000 prize purse to be distributed among top finishers This is a great opportunity for Southern Utah and I'll definitely be there to cheer everyone on, that's about the extent of my athleticism! Go Ironman!   03/21/2009

If you're one of the lucky ones that gets to live, learn and play at SunRiver in St. George, Utah...then you already know how wonderful their golf course is. With its own lake, settled alongside a river, located in the desert...doesn't this sound like your own personal oasis?  I know it does to me!  Did I mention that this is a Championship 18 Hole Public Golf Course on 6,704 yards with a par of 71 as well?  It is!  With all this water, comes challenge, but the golfers don't mind as they enjoy the migrating birds, views of the lake and Virgin River and one of the most colorful desert landscapes that you can imagine! An inviting place to stop by before or after your golf game is Sun River's  5500 sq. ft. clubhouse, for the golfers as well as the non-golfers.  There is a bar, a restaurant... 03/18/2009

Saint George Utah Carpet and Tile Cleaning - I Just closed escrow on a nice home and needed to have the carpets cleaned so that they are fresh and clean for my buyer to move in - I called Lou Baliotis who owns Mesquite Nv Carpet Cleaning.  Lou has expanded his carpet and tile cleaning business to St George, Washington, Santa Clara, Ivans, Bloomington, most of that area of southern Utah.  Lou met me at the house and told me that the carpet didn't need cleaning.... 'Virginia, don't waste your money, this carpet is already in great shape, it is already clean'. I rely on Lou to give me an honest estimate and treat my clients fairly, and he sure does! Lou ended up doing a touch up over a few places where the furniture had left indents in the carpet and that is all he needed to do to make thi... 02/13/2009

There are so many activities that occur here on a weekly basis, that I just had to share this upcoming week's schedule with you so that you could see for yourself!  I have included some great shots of an exercise class as well as the New Life Fitness club so you can get an idea of what a high quality facility SunRiver in St. George, Utah really is. Feb. 15 • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Cribbage Feb. 16 • 9:30 AM - Ladies Golf League • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM - Italian Class • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM - Computer CLASS, Beginning Excel • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Party Bridge • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Quilting • 6:00 PM - My Fair Lady • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Rock Art Class Feb. 17 • 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Duplicate Bridge Work Shop • 9:00 AM - Hike - Butterfly Loop • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Painting 4 Fun • 12:30 PM - 2:30 ... 02/13/2009

As Utah's only active adult lifestyle community, SunRiver has much to offer for seniors who feel that the best of what life has in store still lies ahead of them.  There is a community center (shown left) for members to have social gatherings with their neighbors, family and friends or just to show up on a whim and enjoy a little comaraderie...there's never a need to feel alone here!  There are planned activities and classes so that there is something for everyone in the whole community to enjoy. There is also a NewLife Fitness center with state-of-the-art fitness equipment and staff dedicated to assessing your fitness levels and design a fitness plan that will help you maintain the active lifestyle that you will most certainly come to enjoy once arriving at Sun River. Of course, we can... 01/31/2009

St. George, Utah is the perfect place to own a vacation home.  St. George, also called Utah's "Dixie", is situated in the extreme southwestern corner of Utah, at the northernmost extension of the Mojave Desert. Its location on Interstate 15 makes it the western gateway to Zion National Park  and many other Utah national parks and monuments.    Getting to St. George may be easier than you think!  St. George, Utah is located approximately 119 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada.  Las Vegas, Nevada has an international airport offering many discounted rates for flights from most parts of the country.  From there you can rent a car or take one of the many convenient shuttle services to St. George Utah.  St. George does have its own commuter airport and a new larger airport that can accomod... 12/29/2008

It's that time of year again, the time of year when you pile the kids into the car after dinner and drive around the various neighborhoods to look at all the beautiful holiday lights.  The kids will "ooh" and "ahhh" in the back seat as you wind around on all the streets.  This is truly a time that you will cherish with your family, and I have another family tradition to suggest that you add to your holiday season...The Annual Tuacahn Center for the Arts Christmas Festival of Lights!   Tuacahn's provides FREE admittance to the Christmas Festival of Lights every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings from the day after Thanksgiving to December 22nd. A Live Nativity is presented each night in the Amphitheatre at 7:00 and 8:00 PM except on the first Friday in December (Tuacahn prese... 12/10/2008

There are many benefits to living in Paradise (St George Utah).  One of them is the abundant outdoor activity.  Here it is early December, but 15 minutes from my front door, is a gorgeous sand dune of red dirt.  I'm taking my 2 oldest boys and my best friends (who also happen to be my Real estate partners).  From the sand dunes where we ride, we have wonderful views of world famous Zions National Park, Pine Valley mountain, and my favorite boating spot Sand Hollow Resevoir.  I'll be thinking of all you guys cramped up in some office in Manhattan or Chicago, while I marvel at God's creations here in Southern Utah. 12/05/2008

Not only do retirees here in St. George get the amazing Arizona weather and scenery, but they also get to enjoy Utah's tax advantages. Taxpayers who are 65 or older at the end of the tax year may be entitled to a retirement exemption of up to $5,700, depending on their income (married couples filing jointly can claim up to $15,000). If purchasing a primary residence, taxpayers may be eligible for an exemption of up to 45% of the fair market value on their property. In 2006, AARP magazine named St. George Utah as one of their "Dream Towns" due in large part to the affordable taxes.  Southern Utah and specifically St. George Utah continues to draw national attention as being one of the most desirable retirement spots in the United States. Many of the prospective buyers are from other stat... 12/02/2008

This post is a tribute to a real estate show that I enjoy on HGTV called, "My House is Worth WHAT?".   There is something for everyone in the St. George Utah real estate market.  From the very affordable to the very luxurious...you will find something here that is perfect for you.  And on with the show!228 N 2040, St George $175,000 will get you this cute 3 bedroom, 2 bath, double car garage home within walking distance of several schools and shopping.  It has a fully fenced backyard with a private gate that opens up to the elementary school playground and  walking track.  This home was built in 1993 and has 1243 sq. feet.  The locals refer to the area this home is in as The Red Cliffs because of the breathtaking views of St. George's signature red cliffs.   1283 BANEBERRY Drive, St Geo... 11/25/2008

Here's a handy 10-step checklist for finding a second home      Determine how you will you use your second home. Do you want a second home for vacation, investment or retirement purposes? When researching locations consider climate, cost of living, recreational activities and proximity to your family or primary home. Choose a location with features that interest you. Do you golf or ski? Do you like hiking and nature trails? Do you enjoy the theatre and the arts? St. George Utah offers all of these amenities and many more! Determine your ideal travel distance. Can you drive there? Can you afford to fly every time? How close will you be to family and friends? Purchase your property through a real estate professional that has experience with second homes. The right agent or broker will ma... 11/17/2008

If you're looking for the best place in the country to retire, head to sunny St. George Utah! This friendly diverse community is tucked away in the southwestern corner of Utah. There are many advantages to choosing St. George Utah for retirement, one of them being four-season golfing. There are 12 golf courses in the St. George area which are known for their challenging designs, affordable green fees and their spectacular scenic features. The St. George golf lifestyle is like no other, with mild winter weather and other nearby recreational areas combining to make  St. George the place to be in your retirement years. Considered one of the fastest growing retirement areas in the country, St. George, Utah is acquiring a reputation as "the" place to retire in Utah. AARP Magazine (July/Augu... 11/10/2008

I moved to St. George Utah in 1997 and I absolutely love living in Southern Utah. My husband has had several opportunities to relocate and I just won't hear of it. I've dug my heels in and I'm not moving!  I love the climate, no smog, 4 National Parks within a days drive, low crime rate, great healthcare and friendly people that live here in St. George.  Did I mention it only takes me 5 minutes to drive home, even in "rush hour" traffic? Let me tell you a little about St. George.  It sits in the middle of the greatest outdoor recreation area in the United States. Drive two hours in any direction from St. George and you will find such attractions as: The Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce National Parks, Lake Mead, Lake Powell and over 40 more national and state parks, recreation areas, monume... 11/03/2008

This market is a difficult trial to those closely associated with it, i.e. Builders, Lenders, Appraisers, Title Co's and Realtors. IMO, professionals in each of those groups would be wise to exercise CAUTIOUS optimism, and find the exceptional opportunities that exist in times of irrational panic. I am personally buying properties, and will continue buying. I expect, and intend to look back in the next few years and be grateful for the opportunities that existed in the "doom and gloom" of 2008. I believe that intelligent buying now, will be rewarded. My advice, find the opportunities that exist in YOUR market, and take the lead. The public will regain confidence gradually, as they see industry professionals who recognize opportunity. Ray Cox ERA Brokers Consolidated raycoxrealestate@hot... 10/23/2008

Bloomington Hills is a neighborhood within St. George Utah. It is located to the east (and slightly north) of Bloomington (which are at the southern end of St George). In the early 80's, Bloomington was considered "the place to be" by residents. Bloomington Hills was considered more of an affordable second choice option. Now, Bloomington Hills is a beautiful, equally desired neighborhood. Bloomington Hills is built around the city golf course, St George Golf Club, which the city took over in 1983. This course features a par 73, 18 hole course and is approximately 7,200 yards. The par 3's are said to be the most difficult in Washington County, with at least 190 yards on average. Like neighboring Bloomington, homes can be purchased (and a few lots remain) directly on the course, or you ca... 10/09/2008

While this post was written with Washington County / St. George, Utah Real Estate in mind, I think the general concepts are true for 90% of the country. I work on a regular basis with a large volume of "expired listings."  25% of the Larkin Group's total sales volume is directly with this group.  These people have been on the market a LONG time and they're NOT happy about it.  However, can I share with you the absolute #1 thing I hear from that group, bar-none? "We are just going to wait for the market to come back...and besides nothing is selling anyway!" Why do they think the market will magically bounce back say, next year? Two reasons:1. Because it would financially benefit them if there were a quick recovery and... 2. because the market has never done this in Washington County befo... 06/19/2008

As a real estate agent in St George, Utah I have realized that it is easy to fall into the real estate only mentality. Agents spend a lot of time previewing property and answering typical questions: "How much?" "What the square footage?" "Where is this located?" Recently I found myself stumped when an out of town client asked me the most basic question of all... "What is there to do in St. George?".  Derailed from the almost scripted question and answer session I had to repeat the question, in an effort to buy some thinking time. I suppose I take for granted that anyone familiar with St. George would surely realize all of the wonderful amenities and attractions the St George Utah area has to offer. Snow Canyon State Park is located only a few miles from the center of St George. There ar... 05/01/2008

It's been very interesting this last few weeks.  I started to have more showing on my listings, I mean a lot more traffic.  I have a few properties that are getting a least 4 to 5 showing a week.  I put a house into escrow for one of my buyers and had interesting conversations with my appraiser and inspector.  They both said that business has pick up by 25% - 30% since January.  What good indicators these two professional are, after all they are the first we call for our need to get escrow closed.What is wrong with this picture......the buyers are still waiting for prices to fall further.  I had 4 agents tell me when I called for feedback that the buyers loved the homes they seen but wanted to wait to see if prices would come down further.  Well if we had a crystal ball we would know wh... 04/08/2008

It has been a long and cold winter and you might be thinking about relocating to a warmer climate but just don't know where to start.  You might want to consider St George UT.  The winters are pretty mild here and you could be out on one of our many golf courses enjoying 1 of 300 days a year of sunshine. We have many outdoor activities here to enjoy, like several stocked reservoirs for fishing and don't forgot about those of you who wake board and ski.  Zions National Park & The Grand Canyon are day trips from St George, UT.  If you like house-boating you have Lake Powell and Lake Mead both just 2 hours away.  We also have many open trail for the ATV riders along with sand dunes within 1/2 hour drive.  So come up and vist with us and I'd be happy to provide you with more information you... 04/01/2008