Washington County Real Estate Statistics
1/1/2008-11/06/2008 to 1/1/2009-11/06/2009
| Average Sales Price on Homes Sold | $237,290. |
| Single Family Homes Sold | +1% |
| Avg. Sales Price | -14% |
| New Construction | -22% |
| Condo/Townhomes Sold | -18% |
| Condo/Townhomes Avg. Sales Price | -20% |
For information regarding real estate in St. George, Utah, please contact Ellen Plante-Klein at 800-557-9096.
-The American Chamber of Commerce Cost of Living Index for the second quarter of 2008 shows St. George area is becoming a more affordable place to live than it has been in recent years. With a composite score of 97.3, we are below the national average. The cost of uilities and health care are especially bright spots in this index.
– In recent travel and tourism news: St. George was named the #1 place to visit by tripadvisor.com and Forbes Magazine recently named Springdale one of the top 10 prettiest towns in America. You can expect more interest in your Springdale properties as a result.
– In August 2008, Inc. Magazine named St. George as the second best small city in the country to do business in. The Dixie Business Alliance has a new program to foster entrepreneurship.
– The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce launched a new promotion called Destination Dixie to attract out-of-area shoppers during the Holiday Season to stimulate more retail and hospitality business.
– Washington County Realtors sold $290 million in property in September 2008 and are startibng to close the gap on inventory according to Vardell Curtis.
– 86% of properties valued over $500,000 were sold by Realtors in Washington County, according to Alan Carter, Southern Utah Title Developer Services. Hard work on the part of realtors means we are gaining ground on FSBO’s.
– Intermountain Health Care continues to grow their world class health care system. The Outpatient Health Care Pavilion is expected to be completed in a few months. The new health science building will ensure a steady stream of quality health care providers will be attracted to our area and will provide good jobs. This sector of our economy continues to grow along with many others.
– DRMC (Dixie Regional Medical Center) just won the 2008 HealthInsights Award of Excellence. They are listed again in 2008 as a 5-star hospital in HealthGrades.
– Enrollment at Dixie State College is on the rise and more and more four year programs continue to be offered.
– Several Washington County manufacturers have expanded this year including YESCO who just opened their new facility in Ft. Pierce Industrial Park. In addition, Ram Company completed their expansion projectand they are already at capacity with their orders. Also, Wilson Electronics continues to grow and look for expansion opportunities globally.
Please contact Plante & Associates at 800-557-9096 for more information regarding any real estate needs, or visit our website at www.AboutStGeorgeUtah.com
On Oct. 13, 2007, Keller Williams Realty held a “Parking Lot Sale” to raise money for the Dove Center. “We have committed to helping raise money for the Dove Center, so the adults and children who are staying ther can have a wonderful Christmas,” said Ellen Plante, of Keller Williams Realty. “The response was great, and once again, we are blessed to have such wonderful people in our community.”
If you would like to donate towards this worth cause, please contact Ellen Plante at 435-229-9096.
The Vietnam Veterans of America and the Associate Vietnam Veterans of America are pleased to announce that on December 5, 2007, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will arrive in St. George, Ut., and will be set up at the Dixie Center. The “Wall” was created to HONOR OUR FALLEN HEROES, that we may never forget the sacrifice they gave for our country. The “Wall” will be here from Dec. 5th until Dec. 10th and will be open to the public 24 hrs. a day from 12/6-12/9/07.
On Veterans Day 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial fund unveiled a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., designed to travel to communities throughout the United States. “Bringing The Wall Home” to communities throughout our country allows the souls enshrined on the Memorial to exist, once more, among family and friends in the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings. The traveling exhibit, known as The Wall That Heals, allows the many thousands of veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of facing “The Wall” to find strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin.
The Wall That Heals also features a Traveling Museum and Information Center providing a comprehensive educational component to enrich and complete visitors’ experiences. The Museum chronicles the Vietnam War era and the unique healing power of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, while the Information Center serves as a venue for people to learn about friends and loved ones lost in the war. Since its dedication, The Wall That Heals has visited more than 250 cities and towns throughout the nation, spreading the Memorial’s healing legacy to millions. In addition to its U.S. tour stops, the exhibition made its first-ever international journey in April 1999 to the Four Provinces of Ireland to honor the Irish-born casualties of the Vietnam War ad the Irish-Americans who served. It has also traveled to Canada.
Residents of St. George, SkyWest Airlines, and the FAA have been working steadily toward the goal of building a new airport for the region, which will accommodate larger planes and move traffic in and out more efficiently. The current airport is “uncontrolled,” meaning there is no tower, and both pilots and officials would like a more regimented environment.
It looks now, in August, 2007, that the new airport is more than a dream. Here’s what the St. George Chamber of Commerce has to say about the plans:
“The replacement airport is moving toward a 2010 completion. The Federal Aviation Administration-sponsored Environmental Impact Statement has been completed and construction could begin as soon as 2007. The new airport will provide safer, more convenient air travel. Jerry Atkin, CEO of SkyWest Inc., which is headquartered in St. George said, “A jet-capable airport allows us to serve destinations further away than we are capable of today.”
The current airport will be relocated 5 miles southeast, and designed to safely handle the forecast growth in commercial air service through 2020. Deficiencies at the existing airport include runway length, runway orientation, passenger facilities, and general aviation facilities. The current airport sits on top of a mesa and cannot be expanded or redesigned.
Population and economic growth will most certainly increase air traffic throughout the region. Population growth has a strong influence on air travel demand, and both St. George and Washington County are forecast to have populations 97% higher in 2020 than in 2000. The new airport will allow regional jets that carry 50-100 passengers to replace the 30-passenger turboprop aircraft used now by SkyWest.
Economic growth will keep pace with population increases, as Washington County is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country. Job growth is outpacing that of both the nation and Utah, and unemployment remains low.
Some relevant links for more detail:
Proposed site
Redevelopment Plan
EIS
Land Use Plan
Residential and commercial sales continue to be robust in the St. George area, and the future for real estate looks very strong. Contact me with your questions about the lifestyle, the housing market, or ask for my free relocation package.
Ellen
800-557-9096
With Wimbledon finished, and tennis fans looking toward the hard court season ending with the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadow, I thought I’d advertise the great tennis facilities in St. George.
Tonaquint Park, run by the city of St. George Leisure Services Dept., has 16 courts, 8 lighted, plenty of parking, and a small concessionaire selling cold drinks. The USTA holds classes there, and a local pro, Jason Worthington, not only teaches all levels, but also organizes doubles league play.
Other public facilities include Dixie College, and several local parks:
Cox Park Tennis Courts
900 E 1000 S
Saint George, UT
Larkspur Park Tennis Courts
600 E Fort Pierce Drive
Saint George, UT
Santa Clara Park Tennis Courts
1400 Canyon View Drive
Santa Clara, UT
Vernon Worthen Park Tennis Courts
400 E 200 S
Saint George, UT
The Summit Athletic Club offers a Tennis Academy with professional instruction and ongoing clinics for all ages. Wayne Bullock is Head Pro. It is a world-class facility, and non-members can play for a $5 day pass.
The Vic Braden Tennis College is located in Green Valley and offers instruction to non-members as well as guests at the Green Valley Spa. Their classes are unique in the area, because they offer Dartfish Video Analysis of your strokes, and 4 indoor climate-controlled courts for the hot summer months.
Being able to play tennis year ’round is one more reason St. George attracts active outdoor enthusiasts. Contact me for information on the facilities, or homes located in complexes that have community courts. There are several, for example Sunriver and Stone Cliff. I can provide you with a complete relocation package on the area. See you on the courts!
Ellen
SKY WEST AIRLINES has been in business in St.George, Utah for 35 years, and has grown from a one-plane operation to the world’s largest regional airline alliance.
In June, 1972, SkyWest launched its first flight in a Piper Seneca light twin aircraft and then flew 256 passengers that year. In 2006, the airline flew 19.5 million passngers. The company started with 3 employees and now has 11,000. They fly to 146 cities in 38 states and 5 Canadian provinces, with more than 1,800 daily departures through hubs in Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Milwauke, Portland, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco operated out of 81 stations. Their major partners are Delta and United Airlines. One last statistic – they flew 9.5 billion revenue passsenger miles last year. That growth in 35 years is pretty impressive!
Chip Childs, named President and COO in February of this year, started with SkyWest 6 1/2 years ago as Senior Director-Controller. He played a significant role in the acquisition in September, 2005, of Atlanta-based Atlantic Southeast Airlines.
CEO is Jerry Atkin, son of the founder. Here’s what he envisions for the combined company, “We’ve found that quality service with a competitive cost structure is the cornerstone in excellence for our employees, our customers, and every stake holder at SkyWest, Inc….So while others make failed attempts in search of reinventing business models or wait for paradigms to shift, we’re going to continue to build on what’s made us successful for over thirty years.”
SkyWest will benefit from the planned new regional airport in St. George (visit http://www.sgcity.org/purchasing/sgdetails.php?id=504) to be built about 7 miles from the current site. As they transition to larger regional jet aircraft, their needs for a more modern controlled airport will increase.
Stock symbol is NASDAQ-SKYW.
For information about the St.George area, and real estate opportunities, call or email me. I’m bullish on the area and will be here to watch even more explosive growth during the next few years.
Ellen Plante, Keller Williams St. George
ellenplante@aboutstgeorgeutah.com
800-557-9096
St. George Utah is known as one of the golf capitals of the country. The weather permits play year ’round, and there are 18 courses within a 2-hour drive, 12 within St. George itself.
4 of the city courses are public, owned and maintained by the city of St. George: Sunbrook, Southgate, St. George, and Dixie Red Hills.
Until this year, the city gave a discount card for residents, but maintenance and utility costs increased enough so there is no longer a resident rate. The fees vary by course, by time of the year, by time of day, and whether or not the golfer uses a cart. They range from $32 to $55 in peak season for 18 holes. Here’s the fee schedule. The city offers a cash card for $300 minimum, which currently saves the player $4/9 holes.
Golf course properties are at a premium here, but there are several established communities built around golf courses which have held their values. Email or call me for information about golf in Southern Utah, and visit my web site www.aboutstgeorgeutah.com for a map of the courses.
Ellen Plante
Plante & Associates
Keller Williams St. George
800-557-9096
ellenplante@aboutstgeorgeutah.com
Tuacahn is a natural outdoor amphitheatre just 10 minutes from St. George, Utah, formed of red rock and vertical sandstone cliffs. “I was awestruck,” wrote Orval Hafen, upon first seeing the area that is now home to the Tuacahn Center for the Arts. He and his wife, Ruth, bought an 80-acre parcel in the box canyon and built a cabin there, at the turn of the 20th century. He stated, “There before me lay a scene of indescribable beauty: wild, primitive, unspoiled, largely unknown, waiting to be enjoyed, waiting to inspire folks.”
Orval Hafen’s vision came one step closer to reality in 1993 when Doug Stewart, noted playwright and St. George resident, stumbled upon the spot as he was searching for a location for an outdoor amphitheatre in the St. George area. “The stunning beauty and perfect surroundings stopped me in my tracks,” Stewart recalled. “I was brought to tears when I first stood there, and after taking it in for some time – envisioning an amphitheatre and stage with the awesome backdrop of 1500 foot red rock cliffs, and hearing the sounds of music echoing from the canyon walls – I literally flew back to town and straight to the county recorder’s office to see who the land belonged to.”
Through his efforts, a non-profit organization was established to raise funds for the construction of the Tuacahn Amphitheatre and Center for the Arts. Built on the 80-acre parcel at the base of Padre Canyon, adjacent to famous Snow Canyon, the 42,000 square foot facility cost $23 million. The Center includes a 330-seat indoor theater, dance studio, black box theater, recital hall, costume and scene shop, studios and classrooms, and gift shop, all of which were built to complement the jewel of Tuacahn – the 1920-seat outdoor theatre, which opened in 1995. It is called the Broadway of the Desert, because every summer several musicals are performed on its stage. This year’s venue includes Cinderella, My Fair Lady, and 42nd Street. Also appearing in 2007 will be Donny Osmond, the Beach Boys, and the Odyssey Dance Theater.
Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts, founded in 1999, is a charter school funded by the state of Utah. Five Academies make up the curricula: Music, Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, and Theater Tech. Other educational opportunities include the Summer Theater Institute, which will present the Little Shop of Horrors this summer, dance classes, and the Children’s Theatre Workshop, a two-session camp for children 6-14 years.
Named for the Mayan word meaning “Canyon of the Gods,” the spectacular setting can be visualized here in their virtual tour. Other good links are: http://www.utah.com, /arts/tuacahn.htm, http://www.olwm.com/tuacahn/tuacahntheater.html, and the Chamber site, http://www.stgeorgechamber.com/Culture%20&%20Arts.htm. See you there!
Ellen Plante, Realtor, CRS, GRI
St. George Utah has so many events and recreational opportunities going on year round that everyone can find something of interest. Here are some of the leisure activities scheduled for next week, as an example:
Concert in the Park: There is a free concert the first Monday of each month through September. June’s artist is Waddie Mitchell, cowboy poet.
Junior Paleontology Camp: Southern Utah has an abundance of petroglyphs and dinosaur discovery opportunities. These camps are run throughout the summer for elementary school-age children at the Dinosaur Discovery site at Johnson Farm.
Dive-in Movies: the weather in St. George gets into the 90s in the summer (sometimes over 100 degrees) so a swim provides refreshing relief from the heat. Every week the city hosts a movie at the city pool in the evening.
Other ongoing groups and classes include:
Free health screenings
Beginning line dancing
Square dance class
Tennis clinics & tournaments
Watercolor class
Color Country chorus for male harmony
Volleyball for singles
Tap dancing class
Cooking class
Computer instruction
Aerobics classes at the city Rec Center
Masters swimming
Bridge and pinochle groups
Yoga classes
Heritage Writers Guild
And more!
The St. George area has plenty to offer any enthusiast. Contact me at ellenplante@aboutstgeorgeutah.com with questions about relocating or the real estate market here. Toll free 800-557-9096.
About St. George Utah 