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  The ranking came as a thrilling recognition to the dedication of the city government, the thriving businesses, and Provo residents. But, let’s break it down. What exactly does Provo have to offer? To stand out, Provo earned high points in each of 12 categories, including business and living costs, culture and leisure, inbound migration, and education.

  The results for Provo specifically highlighted the community’s income growth — Utah Valley’s largest city actually topped this category’s charts. This means that over a five-year period, Provo’s incomes have steadily grown — more so than any other city. Additionally, Provo ranked 10th in projected job growth, indicating improvements will likely continue.

  Provo’s success is a great reflection of the rest of Utah Valley and the state itself. Utah continues to receive recognition for its vibrant business environment. In August 2010, Utah finished second in the Corporate Top 10 study of the most pro-business states. The study, conducted by Pollina Corporate, recognized states where business can thrive.

  Utah’s business reputation continues to speak for itself as several large businesses opt to expand to the area. In July 2010, Twitter selected Utah as the location for the company’s first data center. Adobe also recently announced plans to build a new facility here. This company’s increased presence will create as many as 1,000 jobs during the next 20 years. But it doesn’t stop there. Do the names Microsoft, eBay, IM Flash, or Disney sound familiar? All have expressed plans to invest in Utah.

Oldroyd’s OPINION
Utah continues to work hard to improve its station as both a great place to live and a great place to make a living.

  And national experts are starting to take notice. For example, Business Facilities Magazine recently said, “Across all of our key rankings categories, Utah clearly exhibited the most dramatic improvement of any state in the nation.”

  Downtown Provo offers a perfect example of these types of improvements. The 140,000-square-foot Zions Bank Financial Center on University Avenue is completed, and by early 2011, construction projects totaling more than $100 million will be under way.

  Nu Skin Enterprises also announced plans for a new office tower on Provo’s Center Street, just west of its existing tower. The two towers will connect via an enclosed atrium-community meeting area flanked by outdoor plazas for both corporate and community events.

  Construction on the 120,000-square-foot Utah County Convention Center, which includes an exhibit hall, large ballroom, meeting rooms, indoor and outdoor reception areas, and other hosting facilities, will commence in August.

  The Freedom Plaza will occupy the entire block north of the new convention center and will feature a 156-room select-service hotel, retail, office and residential space. It also includes a 560-car parking garage to serve both convention center and Freedom Plaza patrons. Hotel and parking construction will be completed by the time the convention center opens.

  As Provo continues to grow, these improvements support why the area is recognized as a top city for business. The growth of Provo’s current businesses reflects the admirable conditions that attract other organizations to the area and continually earn Provo national recognition.

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Oldroyd’s Opinion
  On any given day, REALTORS® can be found building homes with Habitat for Humanity or putting up drywall with the local REALTORS®-run charity, Heart 2 Home. In the real estate industry, REALTORS® are sought out for their knowledge and experience throughout the valley. It is part of the job to know a lot about local schools, churches, neighborhoods and other aspects of the community. Utah County REALTORS® gain knowledge of local areas because they are active and involved in the community.
  Local REALTORS® have also been known to get involved in local government. They interact with local, state and national leaders to promote laws and policies that allow for the free transfer of property, limit government regulations so businesses can thrive and safeguard taxpayers’ money. With the homeowners’ interest in mind, REALTORS® get involved in local government affairs so they can protect your private property rights and promote the proper role of government.
  REALTORS® want everyone to achieve the American dream of owning a home, and that takes more than just selling real estate. Our local REALTORS® stay informed on what’s going on in the community and in council meetings. REALTORS® work with you to help you find a home and they work for you to make our community a better place. To get more information on why REALTORS® are an active group in the community, and ways we can work together to promote a prosperous community, please visit www.WhyRealtorsCare.com.
  REALTORS® in Utah County work to protect you — and that’s good news.

Carin’s Take
  Many consumers have lost their jobs, most real estate values have declined, and the robust economy of just a few years ago is gone. So needless to say, the financial industry has experienced its fair share of challenges these past couple of years.
  On a positive note, good things continue to happen in the credit union industry as we move forward and continue to help our members navigate these financial challenges.
  Financial institutions generally offer the same products. However, the costs associated with the products can vary greatly. Do your homework when looking for a financial institution. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you shop for a primary financial institution, a mortgage refinance, or credit card provider:
  1. No credit union has accepted government bailout funds, ever. Credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit cooperatives and therefore are independently funded. Because of this, credit unions set aside funds to support each other through economic difficulties when needed.
  2. Loan interest rates and savings dividend rates are generally higher at a credit union than at a bank.
  3. Basic service fees are generally lower or nonexistent for checking accounts, basic account transactions, online bill pay and loan applications.
  4. Mortgage origination fees at a credit unions are generally 1 to 2 percent lower than competing brokerages and larger banks.
  5. Credit unions are chartered to serve small community or select employers; therefore, the member service experience is often more personalized than larger national financial institutions.

The Good News section is sponsored by the Utah County Association of REALTORS® (www.ucaor.com • 801-226-3777), an organization dedicated to helping REALTORS® deliver the highest quality professional service to their clients, and by Family First Federal Credit Union (www.familyfirstcu.com), a credit union dedicated to providing a comprehensive set of financial services to members.

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Oldroyd’s Opinion
Recently Utah was voted as the state least like California. Strange recognition, but while driving to work the morning of April 13 in a blizzard, I thought it might be nice to be in California. But this recognition isn’t about the weather (and for the record, I love the four seasons). It is about fiscal management, conservative leadership, debt management and having a state that has been voted time and again as the best managed in the nation.
Utah has been voted as the best place to start a business and the most likely to come out of the economic slump. Home sales increased 25 percent in the first quarter, and home prices and interest rates are still low, so call a REALTOR® for details. So visit the beach in California, but thank your lucky stars that you live and work here in Utah.

Jon’s Take
Do you need new landscaping? A home repair?
A home equity line of credit is the perfect solution to unlocking the equity in your home and finishing those projects that truly make your house a “home.”
Here are five reasons to choose Family First’s Home Equity program to help you get the job done:
1, Convenient access by VISA
2. Low interest rate
3. Low minimum payment
4. 5-year draw period may be extended
5. Interest may be tax deductible
Not ready to start a home improvement project but have other plans? No problem. Home equity lines of credit may also be used for investments, vacations, automobiles, RVs, tuition, bill consolidation or just about anything. It is also common to set up a home equity line of credit for emergencies.

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The Scoutmaster taught the boys about the importance of building and not “tearing down.”

The fact that Kimberlie knows a bit about building (she’s the granddaughter, daughter and sister of homebuilders), makes that idea hit even closer to home.

With that in mind, Kimberlie has introduced “Be a Builder” as a motto for the REALTORS® in 2010.

“This theme is meant to help encourage all of us to use our tools and talents to build up our communities, families and businesses,” Kimberlie says. “I hope the REALTORS® will embrace this theme to work hard and build up their communities so everyone can benefit.”

Kimberlie is joined in the leadership team of the local, 1,800-member REALTORS® association by Chris Nichols (president-elect), Stephanie Vincent (first vice president), and Mike Burns (treasurer).

For the second year, the association will be one of two sponsors of the Good News department of Utah Valley Magazine.

“The Utah County Association of REALTORS® is happy to continue sponsoring the ‘Good News’ section because it is crucial to always celebrate good news,” says Taylor Oldroyd, CEO of the Utah County Association of REALTORS®. “Bad news is easy to find and the REALTORS® prefer to showcase good things happening in the community. That is what being a builder is about: turning something great into the standard and not the exception.”

TAYLOR’S TAKE
Home sales surged in 2009 on the strength of the local economy, attractive loan rates, and state and federal government incentives. Monthly sales rose 125 percent from 214 in January to 482 in October 2009. Total year-to-date sales rose 11 percent. We’ve sold as many homes in 10 months as all of last year. In fact, many months showed 40 percent increases from the previous year. Don’t wait any longer to contact a REALTOR® and find out if now is the right time for you to invest in your future.

JON’S TAKE
In 2009 mortgage rates remained at unprecedented lows. So far 2010 is looking just as good. Low rates create affordable mortgage options for buyers and new opportunities for owners to refinance and save thousands of dollars on their home loan.

Many people may be intimidated by the idea of reinvesting in their home with new closing costs and appraisal costs. Although the cost to refinance may at first seem prohibitive, often you can roll your closing costs into the loan with little or no out-of-pocket expense.

Three things homeowners should discuss with their loan officer when considering a mortgage refinance:
• How much will your estimated closing costs be?
• How long must your remain in the home to recover those costs?
• How much in interest will you save over time?

Taylor Oldroyd is the chief executive officer of the Utah County Association of REALTORS®. Jon Meier is the mortgage manager at Family First Federal Credit Union.

The Good News section is sponsored by the Utah County Association of REALTORS® (www.ucaor.com • 801-226-3777), an organization dedicated to helping REALTORS® deliver the highest quality professional service to their clients, and by Family First Federal Credit Union (www.familyfirstcu.com), a credit union dedicated to providing a comprehensive set of financial services to members.

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With tough economic times turning from months into years, businesses are responding by becoming creative in services and pricing.
For Aaron and David Hartle, twin brothers who grew up in Cedar Hills, it was the idea of helping young families that led to the creation of Nucea Health & Fitness in Lindon.
The business is a fitness center, complete with the requisite treadmills, leg presses, stationary bikes and flat-screen televisions. However, it is also a medical clinic, giving members access to treatment from Aaron, a nurse practitioner.
“We want to help people get healthy and stay healthy,” Aaron says.
Nurse practitioners are able to diagnose and treat most minor medical conditions for which you would normally visit a family practitioner.
Unlimited access to the fitness center and nurse practitioner — as well as educational classes, nutritional plans and other services — are all available for one low price ($35 per month for individuals, $60 for families).
“We don’t want people to feel like they have to wait for things to be really bad before they seek medical help,” Aaron says. “And we also want our members to learn how to live healthier lifestyles.”

HOME RUN HOUSING GRANT 2
• The Home Run Housing Grant 2 is offered by the state of Utah to assist qualified buyers interested in purchasing a newly constructed home or one scheduled to be built.
• It’s a $4,000 grant and there’s no repayment required.
• The grant applies only to newly built, never-occupied homes.
• The grant is for owner-occupied homes only.
• The program is for any qualified buyer, not just first-time buyers.
• The state fund is limited to the first 1,950 grants.
• To request the grant, the loan must be fully approved by the underwriter.
• It can be used in conjunction with the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit.
• Ends Dec. 1, 2009, whether grants are committed or not.

Taylor’s TAKE
There is a lot of discussion right now about the influence of businesses, lobbyists and money in politics. It is vital that the public understand how wealth is generated and prosperity secured. Our future is not guaranteed, and we must be vigilant in taking the steps to secure a prosperous future. Everyone should be in the business of trying to influence elected officials. Without robust discussion, checks and balances, and involvement from businesses and citizens, our system starts to break down.
We need accountability in government, and so I challenge everyone to stand as an independent voice for justice and accountability and get involved.
To hold elected officials accountable requires us to educate and inform, to lobby, and to advocate for our position. The rules are made by those who show up, so step up and get involved.

Todd’s TAKE
Most indicators show we have hit the bottom regarding home values. Most of the decrease has seemed to stabilize, and homeowners should see property values start to increase.
Now is a great time to purchase a home if you are a first-time homebuyer. The federal government is giving first-time buyers an $8,000 government incentive for purchasing in 2009 and the state of Utah is offering $4,000 for new home purchases. Both of these incentives expire by the end of the year (or when all the money is spent), so work with your loan officer to take advantage of them.
Interest rates have remained at all-time lows, making this a good time to purchase real estate. There are plenty of loan options available for first-time homebuyers, including loans that require zero down.

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New, low interest rate gives Orem builder new, low house payment

Orem’s Dan Bishop is in the home building and remodeling industry, so let’s face it, he’s had things about as bad as anyone in this recession.

But while staring down uncertainty and challenge, Dan kept his wits about him and took advantage of the economic environment.

“With me being in the construction industry, we wanted to do anything we could to cut down expenses,” Dan says. “That’s when we refinanced our home at a great rate and put more money in our pocket on a monthly basis.”

In fact, Dan’s refinance with Family First Federal Credit Union saves him and his family about $250 a month.

Dan was also pleasantly surprised to find out his home hadn’t depreciated — despite the housing woes the country has been facing — in the 18 months since he had last had an appraisal.

And Dan has a front-row seat to watching others benefit from economic changes. He works for a remodeling company and meets many people who are improving their existing home, rather than moving to a new home.

Here’s a builder who is moving up the ladder.

GET THE FACTS
• Real estate prices in California and Arizona have dropped more than 20 percent in the past year; Nevada dropped more than 30 percent. Utah has seen only a 9 percent decline.

• The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in April, rose 6.7 percent to 90.3 from a reading of 84.6 in March, and is 3.2 percent above April 2008 when it was 87.5.

• Utah homebuyers are taking advantage of low interest rates and governmental incentives. Pending homes sales have gone up and are expected to continue to rise. While some sectors of the economy may still be in recession mode, real estate is growing.

Taylor’s Take
The U.S. service sector — which includes retail, transportation, health care and real estate — makes up 70 percent of the U.S. economic activity. Six of the main service industries surveyed reported growth, including retail and food services. Real estate is also one of the sectors that reported an increase in employment.

The Utah economy, according to analysts, is experiencing recessionary challenges, but there are many positive indicators to highlight. For example, job losses are minimal as businesses stabilize. Plus, more than half of local business executives surveyed indicate they plan to spend as much or more on capital expenditures this quarter, compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 (see www.sltrib.com/business/ci_12453279).

Todd’s Take
Many large financial institutions are closing home equity lines of credit due to declining home values. At Family First Federal Credit Union we are still offering home equity lines at 95 percent home-to-loan value. If your credit line has been closed or lowered, we recommend you shop around and find a local institution that is willing to work with you and your situation.

With interest rates at all-time lows, now is a good time to refinance your current mortgage.

In national news, the number of U.S. homebuyers who agreed to purchase a previously occupied home in April posted the largest monthly jump in nearly eight years, a sign that sales are finally coming to life after a long and painful slump.

For some homeowners, the past few months have been filled with challenges. But for Scott and Leslie Chandler, the shifting market made it the perfect time to upgrade from their first home.

“We’d been in our first home for eight years and we’d made pretty smart financial decisions, so we thought we could take advantage of the current market situation,” Scott says.

The Chandlers began looking at unoccupied new construction and made offers on several homes. While some of the offers were rejected, one was accepted — giving the family leverage when meeting with other builders.

The family eventually bought an unoccupied new construction home in Spanish Fork, using the accepted offer as a bargaining point. The Chandlers benefitted from knowing what they could afford and sticking to it.

“We made an offer and the builder counter-offered,” Scott says. “We had already offered as low as we would go, so we were going to turn it down. Our Realtor took a reduced commission to make it possible for us to buy.”

Now, the Chandlers are moving into a new home, on a quiet cul de sac, closer to Scott’s work and near the school the couple’s autistic children attend.

That’s good news.

Taylor’s Take
I’m not one to complain, but I’m tired of winter. I’m tired of slow cars on Orem Boulevard (the posted speed is 35). And I’m tired of waiting in line to eat at Iggy’s. But what I’m most tired of is hearing economic doom and gloom.

I believe we hold the future of our economy and our country in our hands. I’m one who believes it ain’t all bad out there. I heard Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert speak, and he summed up why the REALTORS® have sponsored this section of Utah Valley Magazine:

“We often hear the phrase ‘this is the worst since the Great Depression.’ This is like comparing a headache to a brain tumor. We don’t want to understate the current economic challenges, but we don’t want to overstate them either. Let us have an appropriate perspective, particularly here in Utah.”

Todd’s Take
It is truly a great time to invest in real estate. With motivated sellers, mortgage rates and home prices at historic lows, and the federal government giving $8,000 in free money to first-time buyers and others who haven’t owned a home for at least three years, why wait to buy a home?

Governor Huntsman recently signed a bill to create a $6,000 grant program to provide money to 1,600 homebuyers purchasing a newly constructed home. This housing incentive will help fuel sales and clear inventory. It will also allow home builders and the construction industry to get back to work, which will result in a lower unemployment rate for the state.

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