Salt Lake City’s Aggressive Green Plan

As a Realtor in Salt Lake City, I’m always looking for new things in the community to show my clients what is so great about living in Salt Lake City and here is something else to add to that list.  Salt Lake City has just rolled out an aggressive green plan that is aimed at improving air quality, curbing emission, and reducing the amount of waste we send to landfills.

The city has vowed to shrink emissions by 20% by the year 2020 and to cut garbage being sent to landfills in half by 2015.  The city may also take curbside recycling citywide with some financial incentives.  It seems that many on the city council believe that the landfill battle will only be won house by house.

Currently, 82% of Salt Lake City residents voluntarily participate in recycling programs, but the biggest complaint from those residents is glass recycling.  There is already a funding source in place for sustainability projects and the Salt Lake Valley Landfill is working on a revenue surplus which would go toward landfill improvements.

The city will be improving the city’s air quality by focusing on bike and transit improvements.  This could mean an overall reduction in the city’s carbon footprint in the long-term.  Many people would like to see the city become a biker’s paradise, with entire lanes dedicated to non-motorized travel in areas of the city.  And progress is already underway.

The Utah Transit Authority is already underway with plans for a bicycle transit center at the Intermodal Hub.  The center could be ready as early as summer, with talks to feature indoor bike parking, bike repair, bike rentals and an accessory shop.  The center will be located near 300 West and 600 South.

It seems like, with all these new bike trails or bike lanes, Salt Lake City will remain “America’s Healthiest City.”

Salt Lake City, Utah Community Information

Salt Lake City, Utah Real Estate

Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City Realtor® Kandy Clayton

Salt Lake City’s Hybrid Police Cars is launched

Here’s another way that Salt Lake City, Utah is going green.  Mayor Ralph Becker recently unveiled the new look for the Salt Lake City Police Department vehicles.  The new hybrid program will feature Toyota Camry hybrids and the T3-Motion Electric Vehicles.  I am really liking this idea already.

Chief Burbank was praised for his leadership in the launching of the hybrid pilot program for the SLC Police Department.  The new vehicles will sport yellow, black and white markings.  These markings will also replace current vehicles during fleet rotation.  At least 20% of the vehicles or more are expected to be replaced each year.  As it turns out, the annual rotation came at the perfect time for the opportunity to try out the new hybrids.  Adding hybrids to the department’s fleet is just one of the many ways the city is addressing its city-wide sustainability program.

The new look is sure to be more noticed in our community neighborhoods and city streets.  Performance will be a huge deciding factor for adding more hybrids to the Salt Lake City Police Department’s fleet.  The department will be evaluating fuel economy, acceleration, handling and likability.  If everything goes well, the department will add more hybrids to its fleet.

I’m sure Salt Lake City residents will have many more questions about the new hybrid cars.  However, this is definitely a step in the right direction for our community.

Salt Lake City Community Information

Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City Realtor® Kandy Clayton

Salt Lake City Named “Fittest City in America”

Salt Lake City, Utah has just been named the “Fittest City in America” by Men’s Fitness magazine.  Men’s Fitness has been in business for more than a decade.  The magazine did a recent survey of the top 50 cities in the United States to find which city takes health and fitness the most seriously.  Salt Lake City was the big winner this year.

It is believed our great community gained the “Fittest City” distinction because of motivated residents, low obesity rates and an abundance of park space.  Salt Lake City’s metro region ranks highest above all others in participation in many activities such as yoga, kickboxing, hiking, running, walking, swimming and basketball.  Salt Lake City residents also limit their television watching time and eat a healthier diet.  Eating a healthier diet is attributed to the many health food stores per resident in the metro area.

Along with a comfortable climate, Salt Lake City has seen an increase in an outdoor-oriented lifestyle.  The city has become increasingly more bikeable, walkable and is within close proximity to some really great biking and hiking trails.  People who work and live in Salt Lake City are so motivated with the beautiful outdoors and limitless activities, they can’t help but be fit.

Here is the list of America’s top 10 “Fittest Cities,” published by Men’s Fitness Magazine:

1.    Salt Lake City, UT

2.    Colorado Springs, CO

3.    Minneapolis, MN

4.    Denver, CO

5.    Albuquerque, NM

6.    Portland, OR

7.    Honolulu, HI

8.    Seattle, WA

9.    Omaha, NB

10. Virginia Beach, VA

Here is the list of America’s top 10 “Fattest Cities,” published by Men’s Fitness Magazine:

1.    Miami, FL

2.    Oklahoma City, OK

3.    San Antonio, TX

4.    Las Vegas, NV

5.    New York, NY

6.    Houston, TX

7.    El Paso, TX

8.    Jacksonville, FL

9.    Charlotte, NC

10. Louisville, KY

Congratulations to all those great, healthy and fit Salt Lake City residents. 

Salt Lake City Real Estate

Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City Realtor® Kandy Clayton

More Options for First-time Homebuyers

To save on the costs of owning a home and to have more options, a first-time homebuyer may want to look at smaller homes, fixer uppers and cheaper commutes to work to save on the costs of buying and owning a home.  Many first-time homebuyers expect more than what they can afford when looking for a new home.  Once they start looking, they tend to get very discouraged.  Move-in conditions tend to be on the top of the list for 81% of first-time buyers.  Only 7% consider a fixer-upper.

Many real estate professionals will agree that buyers should examine the fixer-upper option to get the affordability they want. Once upon a time, first-time buyers bought older homes to save money and break into homeownership.  Today, that’s just not the trend.  First-time homebuyers should remember that a fixer-upper can build equity over time.  They can later move on up to a second stage home or their dream home.

When househunting, look for homes that have been heavily discounted.  These homes are more likely to need some fixing up than homes than aren’t discounted.  Be sure to get the home professionally inspected to determine what fixing up is necessary so you are not biting off more than you can chew.  

Most fixer-uppers will need a basic face lift, like carpet, paint, landscaping and other cosmetic touches.  When buying a fixer-upper, you will have to weigh the pros and cons from the price of the home to the cost of improvement.  Most first-time buyers want a large home to start off.  But bigger doesn’t always mean better when it comes to price.  Many times, a smaller home can come with much more affordability.

Salt Lake City, Utah Real Estate

Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City Realtor® Kandy Clayton