The cost of living in St. George Utah is 91.8% of the national average according to a new report on the first quarter of 2015. The report published by Site Select Plus shows an improvement over 93.8% that was reported at the end of 2014. St. George, Utah is a relatively inexpensive place to live.

Housing was especially low, at 86.6% of the national average.The Spectrum noted that housing costs were over 90% last year. This may be due to more houses being built and for sale.

“We know that the housing market here is robust,” said Scott Hirschi, Site Select Plus Director, in his interview with The Spectrum.  “Contractors are building and people are buying homes, but apparently at a pretty balanced rate.”

This means that home buyers can buy a…

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Summer is almost here which means St. George homes are heating up! As a homeowner, there are some things you can do to prepare your home for summer, help keep it cool, and save on your energy bill. Here are some ideas to get you started!

1. Insulation

Make sure all your windows and doors are properly insulated. Inspect caulking and check for air leaks. There is no point in running the air conditioner if all the cool air is leaking out and all the hot air is coming in. Make sure your home is airtight and properly insulated so you won’t have to spend as much to keep the temperature regulated.

2. Let in the Fresh Air

When it’s cooler outside, usually at night, it’s nice to turn off the air conditioning and open a window. To do this, you need…

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St. George is always giving families something to do, and this summer is no different. The seventh annual Sunset on the Square movie program will provide families with a free movie in the park every 2nd Friday all summer long. Nearly 2,000 people gather at Town Square Park at 175 East 200 North in St. George to start the movies around dusk, usually around 5:00. Here is a preview of this summer’s movies and events:

May 22 - Big Hero 6

  • Rated: PG
  • Running time: 93 minutes
  • Synopsis: Hiro, his robot pal Baymax and their high-tech friends become unlikely heroes.
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
  • Special Events:4:30 PM - Girls on the Run First Annual Race
  • 6:00 PM - Third Annual Cherry Creek Country Showdown

June 12 - Mr. Peabody and Sherman

…

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Washington County is currently working on implementing a curbside recycling program. The county is working with Dixie Waste Services and local recycling centers to bring residents the new program. Through this program, Washington County residents will receive a recycling bin for their home that will be picked up on the curb like regularly trash bins.

The program could cost residents an additional $3-$4 a month. Many city governments are allowing an “opt-out” option if you do not want to participate in the program.

Washington County is still in the development stages and officials hope the program will be rolled out by the end of the year. Curbside recycling will take place of the “Binnie” program, where residents can bring their recycling to…

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Utah planners and leaders are asking residents to give their input on the future of the state. EnvisionUtah.org presents visitors with five different scenarios discussing 11 different areas of focus. Utah residents are asked to vote on which scenario they would like state and local leaders to carry out. The goal is to reach 50,000 participants by the time the survey closes in a month.

Unfortunately, not enough people have taken the survey to reach any conclusive results, especially in rural areas.

“As of last week, only 420 Washington County residents had logged in to participate.” reports The Spectrum.

Utah’s population is expected to double by 2050, and Southern Utah is one of the fastest growing areas in the state. In St. George, new homes…

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Is your house feeling a bit tired? After a few years, or even a few months, with a new design, you might start to feel the need for change. An update doesn’t need to be overly complicated or complex. Rather than remodel your entire home, you can add and update a few small accessories to give you the change you’ve been craving. Here are a few hacks to help you think about sprucing up your home.

Window Treatments

The way light enters your room can really change the way it looks. If you have heavy window treatments, replace them with lighter ones to let in more light. Are your plastic blinds old and outdated? Replace them with more modern shutters or wood blinds. Changing your window treatments can make the room feel new.

Get Creative With…

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The National Parks surrounding Utah are providing a boost to the economy, according to a report by the National Parks Service. Specifically, Southern Utah received $433 million in economic benefits due to national park visitors in 2014.

Visitors come to the area and they need transportation, fuel, food and places to stay. The prime real estate in St. George means residents reap a lot of the rewards of visitor spending.

The study reports that most of the spending went towards lodging, followed by food and then gas and oil. Since Washington County is usually the last stop for many people traveling to these national parks, most of that money is going into the St. George economy. For every $1 spent on National Parks, there is a $10 return on…

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Happy Earth Day! Since we live in a desert, one of our most precious natural resources is water. Take some time today to make some adjustments in your home to save some water. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1 Fix Leaks

A small leak in a faucet, bathtub or toilet can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day. That’s over 7,000 gallons of water a year! Check all your bathroom and kitchen appliances to fix any possible leaks. Also, pay attention to your water meter and bill. If you see a sudden spike in water use one month, it may be a good indication that there is a hidden leak somewhere in your home or yard.

2 Only Run Full Appliances

Only turn on your dishwasher or washing machine when they’re full. To save even more water, not to…

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One of the biggest deterrents to buying a home is being able to afford the down payment. The more you can pay for the home upfront, the better your loan options and payment plan will be. It is recommended that you pay about 20% for a down payment, but other financing options are available. If you are looking to buy a home in St. George, use these tips to save for your down payment.

Create a Budget

The first step to saving for a down payment is controlling how much you spend and save. The only effective way to do this is through budgeting. Budgeting software like Mint.com can help you track money more effectively and reach your ultimate goal of downpayment.

Look for Ways to Save

As you start to create your budget, you may realize you are…

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According to a recent report by CNN, 21% of all real estate purchases last year were vacation homes. This is up 57%  from 2013, and the highest rate since 2003. While this is a great sign for the American economy overall, it is an especially good thing for St. George. Washington County is a popular vacation home destination, giving visitors from up north a break from the snow in the winter and plenty to do during summer. If you are one of those interested in buying a vacation home in St. George, use these tips to make the best purchasing decision.

Manage Expenses

Are the expenses worth the investment? While you probably won’t use your vacation home as much, expenses can still  stack up, especially if you hope to rent it out and need to pay for…

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