Some areas are reporting rising home prices, while others are reporting longer days on the market, say Salt Lake City Realtors.

Steve Martens "Avenues-area average sales price is $322,246. Days on market has improved to 60 days. Interest rates and value of homes are both going upward and expected to continue upward for 2004.

Martens advises, "With such strong first-quarter sales, it is time to act."

"Our market area includes Salt Lake City, North & South Salt Lake, Murray Holladay, Cottonwood, and the Millcreek areas," explain Realtors Al and Patricia Fenimore. "The average three-bedroom home sells for just over $177,746 and four bedrooms for $285,894. The average days on the market indicates 75 days with 639 homes sold in the last 90 days and 1,584 new listings. This indicates that 23 percent of the homes will be sold in 90 days.

Says Realtor Steve Fairbanks, "When people think of Salt Lake City, they generally think of the valley as a whole. Statistics for Salt Lake County for the first quarter 2004 show the average home sales price was $188,531 (four or more bedrooms averaged $220,641) and condo sales averaged $136,371. The average days on the market was 62 days. Overall market increase was 4.9 percent, although some areas were down from previous statistics.

"Buyers have lots of inventory to choose from, and the interest rates are great. Homes below $150,000 are selling quicker, especially those in good condition. The number of foreclosed properties has increased, but they are not necessarily proving to be real steals," suggests Fairbanks.

"Many new homes are available," he adds, "but the best buys can be made on existing homes. If you want new, make sure you get an agent to represent you before you look. Onsite agents represent the builder and not you. Remember also, no matter what incentives they offer, there is no free lunch."

Published: June 22, 2004

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Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.