November 25, 2009

Time to Give Thanks

Posted to Justin Stevenson

Every year during the week of Thanksgiving I always sit and think of all the things I am thankful for in my life. I am grateful for many things like family, friends, sports, and a wonderful job. One thing I am always thankful for is the opportunity of owning my home. My wife and I have owned our condo for the past two and a half years and it has been great. The feeling you get when you buy a home is something that is hard to explain but it is a feeling of satisfaction. Knowing that you are paying for your home versus paying for someone else’s home when you rent is such a great feeling.

Many people may feel that now is not the time to buy, but they are wrong. Now is the best time to buy. With interest rates as low as 5-6%, the first-time home buyer tax credit of $8,000 extended until April 30, 2010 and now the new tax credit for people who have lived in their property for at least 5 years can now receive a tax credit of $6,500 when they buy new property. If free money is not an incentive for you to buy a home I don’t know what is! For those who don’t qualify for the tax credit you can still take advantage of the low interest rates. Either the tax credit or low interest rates or both…now is the time to buy.

For more information about the tax credit and how it works and who qualifies for the tax credit please contact me by email at justin@welchrandall.com.

Posted By: Justin Stevenson





November 17, 2009

For Rent!

Posted to Justin Stevenson, Ogden, Residents (Renters)

Renting a property may sound easy to some people but to others it is one of the hardest things they ever have to do. Also many people are scared to rent out their home because of all the horror stories that are out there. I am not saying that horror stories don’t exist in renting out your home, but if the property is managed right many of the headaches that owners of rental properties normally have can be handled. In the current real estate conditions, many people are turning to property management companies to help them with their investment. The key to successful property management is a good system for every procedure along with a good support team. Many times investors who have rental properties lack the ability to enforce the contract that the tenants sign. As a Property Manager there is a fine line between a friendly relationship and business relationship and it is very important to always have control of the business aspect in the rental property.

One important step when it comes to renting out a property is making sure that the prospective residents are qualified for the property. As a member of the Good Landlord program here in Ogden city, one of the requirements for a landlord is to run a background on every client that would like to rent the property that is over the age of 18. The screening process can really make or break the future of that rental property. There are a few things that we check to make sure that we are renting to good qualified residents. The first thing we check is their credit to make sure there are not any outstanding collections or bankruptcies. The next thing we look for is to make sure that the client does not have any criminal background. One other thing we check is their rental references from a past landlord. Finally, one of the last things we check is the client’s income and their current place of employment. Now, each property management company and landlord has different expectations or qualifications for the clients that would like to rent their properties. It is just a matter of setting the standard and sticking to that standard for every client.

I enjoy being in the business of property management and I love helping people with their investment properties. I take pride in the skills and training I have developed over the years that I have been doing this and I am grateful for the experiences I have had. If any of you have any questions about property management please contact me by email at justin@welchrandall.com.

Posted By: Justin Stevenson





November 09, 2009

Location, Location, Location

Posted to Justin Stevenson

When it comes to real estate one of the most important things you look for is a good location. As I sit down and talk with clients they are always looking for the best location for their families. I have not always lived in this great state of Utah but I am starting to enjoy what Utah has to offer. I grew up in the busy state of California where I would have to travel long distances to get to the great outdoors, but here in Utah it’s right in your backyard. Being in Real Estate we have the opportunity to travel from city to city and see what each city has to offer. Each city has something a little different than the other, if it is farm land, mountain trails, ski resorts, city life, or a subdivision it is all great here in Utah.

One of the best opportunities we have to check out other locations and properties is on a day we call Halloween. Going from house to house and from one neighborhood to the next you have the chance to see what is out there. Even though candy is involved I always like to evaluate a home and see what styles I like and dislike so when it comes time for me to look for a new house for my family I know what I am looking for. It does not matter if you are not in a position to make that next step and move into your dream home yet - it doesn’t hurt to start looking. As the famous Boy Scouts’ motto goes “always be prepared,” so it is always good to prepare for the future.

Utah is a wonderful place and has great locations where you can find happiness in raising a family. I always thought growing up that I would never move out of California and leave the beach but now that I see what Utah has to offer, I am proud to say Utah is a beautiful place to live.

Posted By: Justin Stevenson





November 09, 2009

Justin Stevenson

Posted to Justin Stevenson



Realtor, Property Manager

5300 S. Adams Avenue Pkwy, Suite 8
Ogden, UT 84405

Cell: (801) 710-8081
Office: (801) 399-5883
Fax: (801) 340-4811
Email: justin@welchrandall.com


I have been in the Real Estate industry for the past 4 years and love helping people get into their dream homes. I graduated from Weber State University in the field of Tech Sales. I am married to my wonderful wife Shaylee and we have a set of wonderful twins that bring joy to our life. I enjoy working with people and understanding their real estate needs. I am fully trained in current market conditions and know what it takes to sell your home or get you the best deal when it comes time to buy. I look forward to working with you in all of you future real estate needs.