Landon Maxfield - Your Utah Homes Pro

09/07/2026

That rental showing $400 a month in cash flow might not really be making $400 a month.

One vacant month can erase thousands in expected income once you add lost rent, cleaning, repairs, and tenant turnover.

That’s why I don’t like analyzing investment properties at perfect occupancy.

Stress-test the deal.

Run it at 95%.

Run it at 90%.

Then ask yourself: Does this property still make sense when something goes wrong?

If the answer is no, the deal may be a lot thinner than it first looked.

If you’re considering an investment property in Utah, send me the property and I’ll help you run the cash-flow numbers before you buy.

09/07/2026

For a lot of buyers, it already does. Instead of setting filters and scrolling for hours, they’re just asking: “Find me a home near a park, with room for my in-laws, under my budget.” And they’re getting real answers back.

It works better than most people expect — the early part of a search has never moved faster. But there are things these tools can’t tell you about a home, and they’re usually the things that matter most.

This month’s post covers both sides.

https://yourutahhomesproblog.online/

09/04/2026

Your pre-approval is not your home-buying budget.

It’s the lender’s ceiling.

Before touring homes, figure out the total monthly payment you can comfortably live with. Include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA fees, utilities, maintenance, and repairs.

Because getting the keys isn’t the goal if the payment makes you miserable every month.

Start with your comfortable payment. Then work backward to the right price range.

Buying in Northern Utah? Send me a message, and we’ll figure out your real number before you fall in love with the wrong house.

09/04/2026

09/02/2026

Your buyer may start renegotiating before writing the offer.

They notice the worn flooring, damaged trim, leaking faucet, and unfinished repair. Then the mental deductions begin.

They’re not just estimating repair costs. They’re adding extra money for time, hassle, uncertainty, and whatever else might be hiding.

Your home doesn’t need to be flawless. It needs to feel cared for.

Before listing, focus on the repairs that reduce doubt and protect your negotiating position. Skip the expensive projects that buyers may never pay you back for.

Want help deciding what to fix before selling your Northern Utah home? Reach out...let’s walk through it together.

09/02/2026

A quick snapshot of where things stand in Utah County at the midpoint of 2026:

📊 Median home price: $520,000 — up just 4% from a year ago
🏠 Inventory improved to about 3.5 months of supply
🤝 Over 4% of sellers are offering buyers concessions

Here’s the thing, though: these are Utah County medians, and real estate has never been more local. Your neighborhood, your price range, and your property type can look completely different from the headline — sometimes in the opposite direction.

These Utah County numbers set the backdrop. What actually matters is what’s happening on your street. Want a read on other Counties or your specific neighborhood? Reach out anytime.

09/01/2026

Sellers will debate listing at $699,000 versus $710,000 while ignoring the condition issues buyers notice immediately.

Scuffed walls. Worn flooring. Clutter. Bad lighting. Deferred maintenance.

Every one can become a deduction in the buyer’s head.

The smarter order:

Prepare
Price
Promote

Want top dollar? Make the home look and feel like it deserves top dollar before it hits the market.

Thinking about selling in Northern Utah? Message me, and we’ll sort out which improvements may be worth doing and which ones you can skip.

08/26/2026

Utah’s housing market is giving sellers a pretty clear message.

In July 2026, 5,748 new listings hit the MLS, while 3,664 homes sold. Inventory climbed, and the median time to sell increased to 41 days.

That doesn’t mean the market is crashing. It means buyers have more choices, and sellers have more competition.

If you’re thinking about selling in Utah, pricing and preparation matter more than they did when homes were flying off the market.

Want to know what the numbers look like in your city or neighborhood? Send me the area and I’ll pull the local data.

08/23/2026

Two cities five miles apart, two different processes for the same kind of home addition.

Utah's House Bill 82, effective 2021, set the state floor: cities must allow accessory dwelling units built inside an owner-occupied home, for long-term rental. Everything past that floor is a local decision.

In Highland, you register the ADU with the city, live in the main house yourself, and keep the unit attached, basement, addition, or above the garage.

In Alpine, a 2023 code change reclassified ADUs from a conditional use to a permitted use, removing the public hearing requirement for most applications. The city now checks it against the rules already on the books instead.

Same state law. Two different local doors.

Sitting on a lot in Highland, Alpine, or anywhere along the Wasatch Front and want to know what's actually allowed? Call or text (801) 547-7134, I'll walk your specific address through the current rules before you spend a dollar on plans.

08/16/2026

Mid-year rate update: the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.67% this week. That’s down slightly from 6.69% last week, but down from 6.75% a year ago.

This isn’t a dramatic drop — and it doesn’t need to be one to matter. A steadier rate environment makes it easier to plan around the payment, compare homes thoughtfully, and make a decision based on your real timeline instead of a guess about next week’s headlines.

The useful question isn’t whether rates are perfect. It’s whether today’s numbers make sense for your budget, your move, and the home you want.

Looking for ways to get into home that meets your needs? Reach out!

Let's talk about the best strategies and resources that will help you move forward. No pressure or obligation!

Landon Maxfield
(801) 547-7134
YourUtahHomesPro.com