Good morning, neighbors! 🏡 🐝

I hope you’re getting a slow start to your Saturday. ☕🐝

I especially liked Janelle’s question this week because it’s one I’d want answered before putting a sign in the yard. You can have a pretty good idea what your home might sell for and still wonder how much you’ll have left for the next one. Todd and Tammy walk through that math below. And if you’ve got a property tax notice sitting in a pile of mail, Todd’s quick video is for you.

🏡 This week’s HOME SWEET BUZZ is presented by Todd Porter and the SURE Group. Thank you for helping us keep up with what’s happening close to home!

📊 Davis County Market Snapshot

Where Did That $22,228 Go?

The 56 Davis County homes that sold over the past seven days closed for an average of $582,952. When those same homes first hit the market, their average asking price was $605,180. That’s a gap of $22,228, or about 3.7%.

Here’s where the gap came from.

• $8,383 in list-price reductions. By the time those homes reached their final asking price, the average had come down to $596,797.

• $13,845 between the final asking price and the sale price. That’s about 2.3% below final asking. Last week’s 47 sales also closed about 2% below final asking on average.

If you’re selling, that first price matters. Right now, Davis County has 1,122 homes for sale, up from 1,117 last week, and 269 under contract, down from 285. Homes that sold spent a median of 48 days on the market. The homes still for sale have been listed for a median of 57 days. Buyers have plenty of homes to compare, and they’ll start comparing yours the day it goes live.

Three things I’d do before listing this winter

1. Start with recent sales close to home. We use our EPIC Home Value System to help you estimate what buyers are likely to pay for a home like yours.

2. Run the numbers on what you’ll keep. Ask your title company for an estimated seller settlement statement so you can plan for your next move with closing costs in the picture.

3. Decide which repairs are worth doing up front. Our Fix & List and Certified Turnkey Home™ programs can help you address issues that might come up during negotiations.

For buyers 🏡 On a $500,000 listing, 2% is $10,000. If you’re eyeing a home, ask your agent what recent comparable sales and that seller’s price history suggest about where to start your offer.

Market figures from Todd Porter’s November 13 Davis County MLS snapshot.

Wondering what your home is worth today, for property taxes, estate planning or just peace of mind? Scan this QR code or go to sureut.com/epicreport for a free, detailed EPIC Report.

💬 Janelle from Clinton asks

“Two weeks ago you wrote that Davis County has about 4 homes for sale for every 1 under contract. I am thinking of listing this winter, and every article I find gives a different answer for how much it costs to sell a house in Utah. What will it really cost me, and what do I walk away with?”

👉 Todd and Tammy answer:

Janelle, start with a realistic sale price for your home. Then ask for the costs in dollars so you can see what you’d actually take home. Those articles often give you different percentages because they count different expenses. Here’s what we’d put on your worksheet.

• Agent compensation. It’s negotiable. Ask each agent you interview, including us, to show you in writing what you’d agree to pay.

• Closing costs. Ask your title company to estimate your title and escrow fees and show you how property taxes would be split at closing. Utah has no state real estate transfer tax.

• Repairs and buyer credits. Set aside money for repairs you plan to make and any credits you agree to give the buyer. If you’re budgeting for your next move, include moving expenses, too.

To estimate what you’ll receive at closing, take the expected sale price and subtract your mortgage payoff, agent compensation, seller closing costs, and any credits you’ve agreed to pay at closing. For your overall moving budget, also subtract repairs or moving expenses you’re paying separately.

One detail worth getting right in your worksheet. If you list at $500,000 and sell at $490,000, start your estimate at $490,000. The $10,000 difference is already reflected in that sale price. If you’re wondering whether you’ll owe tax on the gain, ask your CPA to run that part of the numbers.

Want help figuring out what your home might sell for? Text Todd at 801-755-1882 for a no-pressure equity check.

What question is keeping you from listing?
📲 Text Todd at 801-755-1882.

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

Who’s Paying Your Property Tax Bill?

If you’re looking at that county notice and wondering who’s supposed to pay it, pull up your mortgage statement or call your mortgage servicer. If your property taxes are paid through escrow, ask whether the county payment has already gone out or when it’s scheduled. If you pay the county directly, put November 30 on your calendar. While you’re in your mortgage account, check your annual escrow statement for any upcoming change to your monthly payment.

🔑 Open House Buzz

The MLS snapshot showed 123 Davis County homes with an open house scheduled over the coming week. That’s about 11% of the homes for sale.

• Layton · 24

• North Salt Lake and West Point · 13 each

• Farmington and Kaysville · 11 each

If you’re heading out to look, check the listing for the latest hours before you go.

👉 Open-House Report

🎥 This Week With Utah Todd

Davis County Property Taxes Are Due November 30
⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

The deadline lands on Monday, November 30, right after Thanksgiving weekend. Todd shares what to check if your mortgage servicer pays through escrow and what to ask your title company if you’re selling this winter.

Paying the county yourself? Mail your payment so it’s postmarked by November 30, or pay online by 5 p.m. that day. Late payments carry a penalty of at least $10 per parcel.

Davis County Treasurer payment information

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

🐝 Thanks for Buzzing with Us This Morning!

I hope you get a little time this weekend to do something you’ve been looking forward to, even if it’s just finishing your coffee while it’s still hot. And if there’s a real estate question you’d like Todd and Tammy to tackle, just hit reply. Chances are one of your neighbors has been wondering the same thing.

Have a wonderful weekend. I’ll see you next Saturday in Home Sweet Buzz! 🏡🐝

—Brenda 🐝