Not Bad for a Parking Lot!

I snapped this photo last night in a grocery store parking lot. The sun was setting in a cloudy sky and had just tucked itself behind the giant red rock bluff. If this is the view from a concrete parking lot, imagine what it would look like off of the back patio of your winter home in warm, beautiful St. George!

Prices are lower than they've been in years, and though many homes in the region are distressed sales (foreclosures, short sales), there is great opportunity to buy a nice home in a good neighborhood for an excellent price. The timing can be the most frustrating thing to deal with on a short sale, as banks are overwhelmed with requests in volume they've never had to deal with before and can take much longer to respond to offers than we're all accustomed to. However, if you do not need to sell your present home first or do not need a place to live immediately, a short sale is a fantastic way to own well-priced property in Washington County. The current economic climate in St. George makes this an great time to buy any property, but it is a particularly opportune time to purchase a vacation home or rental property.

I am headed out on a long overdue camping trip this weekend. We're headed up to Dixie National Forest, in a little spot about 9,000 feet in elevation. This time of the year we'll see the aspens turning bright yellow and the scrub oak turning red, and the beautiful ponderosa pines and spruces staying their dark, dark green. We might even see some frost, but that's what happens when you keep putting off leisure time! The Dixie National Forest and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument are full of history. Some little towns in the region are so remote that they didn't even get power until after WWII. The CCC improved the main roads through this area, and most locals in St. George have a grandfather or great uncle who worked on these projects.

This is a fantastic time to visit St. George. If the looming winter has you antsy for a breath of that indian summer, fly into our local airport (Skywest and Delta), or into Las Vegas' McCarren International Airport and make the short drive. We're coming into high season for golfing, hiking, and experiencing the wonders of the American Southwest. And as school has started for most families now, crowds are down in our hottest tourist areas. And while you're in town, don't hesitate to drop me a line and we can visit about the current market here in sunny St. George.