Welcome to this week’s Home Sweet Buzz Real Estate Edition! 🏡

We’re breaking down what 5.9% rates really mean for buyers, taking a look at Utah’s eye-catching off-grid cave listing, and sharing featured homes and open houses worth exploring. Plus, a candid Ask a Realtor on today’s pricing frustrations, a smart contract tip, and a new video from Todd Porter on changes that could make homeownership possible again.

In this Issue . . .

🤣 Real Estate LOL 

📊 Local Market Snapshot - A Narrow Window Opens: What 5.9% Rates Mean for Buyers Right Now

Real Estate News: Red Rock Caves in Utah Spark Interest as Off-Grid Living Option for Nearly $1M

🔑 Featured Listings & Open Houses

💬 Ask a Realtor:
Question of the week -❓ Tammy asked, what is going on with sellers being so greedy in their home pricing when they sell, are they nuts or what?

💁🏻‍♂️ Real Estate Tip of the week - Understand the Contract Before You
Fall in Love with the House

🎥 New Video Message from our Sponsor - Todd Porter: "Three Changes That Could Make Homeownership Possible Again”

📣 🐝 The Bountiful Buzz VIP PASS is LIVE — and it’s totally FREE!

→ Forward the Buzz

💛 Readers Poll - What interests you most when it comes to Real Estate?

🏡 A Narrow Window Opens:
What 5.9% Rates Mean for Buyers Right Now

Something important just happened — and it’s not subtle.

Interest rates dipped to 5.9% this week. For months, economists across the country have pointed to that number as both a psychological and financial trigger. Historically, once rates fall below 6%, buyer activity doesn’t slowly return — it accelerates.

We’re starting to see the early signs of that shift right here in Davis County.

📊 What the Countywide Numbers Are Saying

Active inventory across the county pulled back slightly this week, while the number of homes that actually closed increased. At the same time, failed sales ticked up, a pattern we often see when buyers begin re-engaging but the market is still finding its footing.

In short:

• Buyers are back in motion

• Sellers are adjusting — sometimes a step behind

• The market is recalibrating

 Bountiful’s Story Is a Little Different

Zooming in on Bountiful, inventory remains lower than it was heading into winter, even as homes are taking a bit longer to sell.

Price per square foot — for both active listings and recent sales — has held up better here than in many surrounding cities. Values aren’t unraveling, but the slower pace has given buyers something they haven’t had in a while: time to think.

And that timing matters.🌐 The Bigger Affordability Conversation

Mortgage rates aren’t the only force in play right now. Nationally, momentum is building around affordability, with attention focused on three key pressure points that directly impact first-time and move-up buyers:

1️⃣ Credit Card Interest Relief
There’s growing support for lowering the maximum credit card interest rate — with proposals calling for a drop from 36% to 10%. The goal is simple: help households escape high-interest debt so they can qualify for homes instead of staying stuck in minimum payments.

2️⃣ Limiting Institutional Investors
There’s renewed political interest — on both sides — in restricting large institutional investors (like REITs and private equity firms) from buying single-family homes. The aim is to preserve housing stock for everyday buyers and protect what many still call the American Dream of homeownership.

3️⃣ Mortgage Rates Under 6%
This one hits fastest. Rates below 6% don’t just lower monthly payments — they pull qualified buyers off the sidelines quickly, often faster than any other single factor.

Put these three forces together, and affordability pressure begins to ease from multiple directions at once. Homes don’t suddenly become “cheap,” but more buyers can finally participate.

🌱 Why Timing Matters Right Now

Spring is coming — ready or not.
More listings will hit the market.
Competition will increase.
Patience will thin.

Buyers who move before that seasonal surge typically enjoy:

• More leverage

• More seller flexibility

• Fewer bidding wars

Right now feels like a narrow window.
Not frenzy.
Not panic.
Just opportunity — for buyers who are prepared and paying attention.

 Final Thought

If you’re watching the market in Bountiful and across Davis County, this is the moment to get serious. The calm before spring doesn’t last long.

How does this market feel to you right now?
Are you ready to move forward — or still waiting for something to change?

Questions? Ask me.

— Todd Porter, aka “Utah Todd”
Your local real estate professional

Follow along for more local market insights each week.

📲 Call/Text: 801-755-1882
We’d be happy to help you get something set up.

“Custom EPIC Report”

If for any reason, property tax concerns, estate planning, wealth evaluation, you are wondering what the present value of your home; scan this QR code or go to https://sureut.com/epicreport and we will promptly provide you with our detailed professionally engineered EPIC Report:

Red Rock Caves in Utah Spark Interest as Off-Grid Living Option for Nearly $1M

A remote and unconventional property in La Sal, Utah is capturing attention among adventurous buyers and off-grid enthusiasts. Spanning over 54 acres of rugged red rock terrain, the listing includes five man-made caves and is currently priced at $998,100.

Originally listed in 2021 for just $900 more, the property recently surged in popularity after going viral on Reddit. The renewed buzz pushed the listing to the top of Realtor.com’s most-viewed homes for the week.

With sweeping views of the La Sal and Abajo mountains, the land also carries historical significance as a former watering hole for 18th-century explorers. Three of the caves are considered viable living spaces, while another is fitted with solar battery storage. Two on-site wells enhance the appeal for sustainable living.

A 792-square-foot manufactured home is also included, offering three bedrooms, solar panel wiring, and a septic system. It’s presented as a temporary option while owners develop their ideal off-grid residence.

Despite sitting on the market for more than four years, the property continues to attract a niche audience drawn to its self-sufficient and secluded lifestyle potential.

🏡 This Week’s listings & Open Houses
in Davis County

✨ Charming Rambler with Dream Kitchen & Backyard Oasis

Contact: Nick Thompson - (801) 928-0145 | [email protected]

🏘️Your Weekend Open-House Report

Davis County Open Houses 🏡

Click or scan the QR Code below for a complete list of
open houses happening around Davis County.
👇👇👇👇

🔑 ATTENTION ALL REALTORS!!!

🏡 Want Your Listing or Open House Listed Here?

We welcome submissions from ALL local real estate professionals!
👉 👉 Submit your listing here - (Listing must be located within the area from NSL - Farmington, will accept Kaysville as well)

💬 Real Estate Q & A

Question: Tammy asked, what is going on with sellers being so greedy in their home pricing when they sell, are they nuts or what?

💬 Todd’s Answer:

You are not the only one to ask this question and every time I hear that, I kinda laugh, because I know exactly what the seller is thinking too.

Sellers are looking at those offers going, “Are you serious right now? My neighbor made a killing last year and their home is not near as nice as ours.”

That’s the collision happening in real estate right now.

Buyers are staring at listings thinking, do these sellers not see interest rates, tighter budgets, (the price of groceries) and the scars from 2008 still burned into their brains?

Sellers are still mentally living in 2022, when you could list a shoe box and have ten offers by Sunday night.

And here’s the truth nobody likes hearing.

It’s not 2022.

It’s not 2008.

It’s right now.

And right now, the market is calmer, smarter, and way less emotional. It’s finding its balance.

That’s why pricing matters more than ever.

Overprice it and you lose momentum fast.

Underprice it and you leave your hard-earned equity on the table.

There’s a narrow sweet spot where your home is competitive, desirable, and realistic at the same time. That’s where the money lives.

And listen closely. The market sets the price. Not your memories. Not what the neighbor got during the frenzy. Not the lowball offer your agent had to write because yes, we are required to write every offer.

Sellers, don’t take low offers personally. Counter them.

Buyers, not every list price is a ripoff. Some homes really are worth it. If you are not willing to pay the price for a good home, someone else is and the good ones will not last.

So who do you think has the upper hand right now, buyers or sellers?

Questions? Ask me! Follow for more tips from Utah Todd, your local real estate professional.

— Utah Todd | SURE Group | ABC 4 and REE Realty 801 755 1882

Got a Real Estate question?
👉 Submit a question for next week’s edition 
Call me at 801-755-1882, and let’s build your
custom plan to win in this market.

Understand the Contract Before You
Fall in Love with the House

In a quieter market, it’s easy to focus on the home and overlook the paperwork—but the contract can matter just as much as the property itself. Pay close attention to deadlines, contingencies, and what protections you actually have as a buyer or seller. A clean, well-understood contract gives you leverage and peace of mind, especially when negotiations start.

Smart real estate decisions aren’t just about the house—they’re about the terms.

"Three Changes That Could Make Homeownership Possible Again”

👇 Click pic below to hear Todd’s Message!
(Message changes each week!)
⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

📱Call/Text: 801-755-1882
📧 Email: [email protected]

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