Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Charming Utah: A Guide to Buying in the Salt Lake Avenues



Basic Facts:
§         Roughly bounded by 1st (just above South Temple) and 9th Aves., State and Virginia Sts
§         Originally, streets were named for trees, and other fruits, etc. with names like "Fruit", "Garden", "Bluff", and "Wall". By 1885 the north-south streets gained their current alphabetical designations (A Street through V Street, although V was turned into Virginia Street).

Consideration for Buying a Home in the Avenues:
§         Architecture varies from Arts and Crafts, to Dutch Colonial, to Victorian; it truly is an eclectic mix of modern and historic architecture!
§         Price can range considerably: for example, the range in early 2015 was from $133/Square Foot to $1198
§         Often the alleys or driveways that lead to the back are not considered part of the property and easements/right of ways should be verified by the Buyer as part of their Due Diligence.
§         Frequently see claw-footed tubs; sometimes original, sometimes modern
§         Garages are often detached and located behind the house.
§         These homes often contain hardwood floors original to the home
§         These homes often contain charming original stained glass windows and leaded glass china hutches; however, be aware of lead hazards
§         Often contain original fireplaces
§         Many homes are on the Historic Registry and carry special responsibility; for more information visit: http://www.slcgov.com/historic-preservation/historic-preservation-rules-guidelines-resources
§         Frequently historic homes carry with them outdated appliances/electrical/plumbing which leads to higher monthly bills; however, the Avenues homes are often updated and the Listing descriptions usually emphasize these updates which makes the weeding out process easier. I advise checking each component of this aspect as part of the Due Diligence more heavily than with modern homes.
§         Perusing the local community site for a neighborhood can also be a great resource as part of the Due Diligence: http://slc-avenues.org/index.htm and https://www.facebook.com/GreaterAvenues

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