The “Average” SunCrest Home Sold in 2020

The “Average” SunCrest Home Sold in 2020
2020 was another busy year for the SunCrest Real Estate market. As you’ve probably heard us say before, we don’t think there are any average homes in SunCrest. But, we do like to create what one looks based on the previous years’ sold data. So, here’s what the average suncrest home looked like in 2020 .
SunCrest’s unique location above much of the Wasatch Front means you get year-round beauty, and breathable air above the inversion. Miles of open space and trails are intertwined with unbeatable community amenities. It’s no secret SunCrest offers a perfect mix of desirable houses with desirable lifestyles. If you’re looking for an exceptional house in an unbeatable community, don’t settle for an average experience. Reach out, we’d love to help answer any questions you may have.
January SunCrest Market Update

The 2020 SunCrest Market Summary
To say, “What a year,” sort feels like an understatement. We still remember reading headlines in March that predicted a bubble bursting in real estate, declining home values, and a repeat of the late 2000’s. Turns out, we saw the opposite. Outside of a momentary slowdown at the start of the pandemic, the market actually roared back and outperformed previous years—more homes were sold at a higher median price than ever before. With 2020 in the rear view mirror, we’d like to thank you—each resident of SunCrest—for all your encouragement as we provide these monthly updates and for your continuous support and engagement throughout the community. You truly are what makes SunCrest special.
2020 By The Numbers
Total SunCrest Properties Sold: 182
Composition of Properties: 124 Existing homes, 42 New homes, 15 vacant lots
Highest Sold Price: $1,925,000
Lowest Sold Price: $293,793
Median Sales Price: $579,250
Most Active Sales Period: 3rd Quarter – 59 Closed transactions
Median Sales Time: 27 Days
The “Average” SunCrest Home Sold in 2020
Here’s a look at the “average” SunCrest home that was sold in 2020. Of course there there aren’t any “average” homes in our neighborhood, but based on the data here’s what that profile would look like:
Built 2010
4.34 bedrooms
3.61 bathrooms
2.45 garage
.24 acres
Price – $624,007
$156 square foot
61% finished basement
45 days average time to sell
Our Take:
This year will be remembered as the year that changed real estate. Before, buyers and sellers decided where to live based on their jobs, schools, and convenience. With remote learning and a mass migration to work-from-home models, people can now live somewhere they truly love. More and more, that means people are moving to SunCrest for its flexibility and for the lifestyle it offers. Praised locally by hikers, bikers, and adventurers alike, SunCrest is known for those who like to explore. Miles of open space and trails are intertwined with unbeatable community amenities. SunCrest’s unique location above much of the Wasatch Front means you get year-round beauty, and breathable air above the inversion. SunCrest houses are newer, sensible, spacious, and light and as we’ve seen our homes transform into schools, daycares, gyms, movie theaters, and offices. It’s no secret SunCrest offers a perfect mix of desirable houses with desirable lifestyles. You’re looking for an exceptional house, so don’t settle for an average experience. Having a hyperlocal expert in your corner who has their finger on the pulse of this community can elevate your experience far beyond anything that’s just average.
December SunCrest Market Update

With cold weather now upon us, we’re spending even more time indoors. As a natural consequence, we usually see an uptick in home projects during the winter months and this year’s no exception. Whether you’re looking to sell your house or stay a while, you should be aware that not all renovations are created equal. Here are 3 projects that are worth investing time and money on for your SunCrest home.
Solid Surface Flooring
Having good, solid flooring can really boost the appeal of a home while making it more functional for your life and more attractive for future homebuyers. Luxury Vinyl Planks (or LVP) provides outstanding durability with kids and pets, and real hardwoods are a timeless addition to any home. It’s hard to go wrong when lining the entire main floor with consistent, easy to clean, solid surface flooring.
Paint
Let’s face it, sometimes we just need a little change to our living spaces. Splashing a fresh coat of paint is one of the simplest and most cost effective way to change your space. Right now, you can’t go wrong with neutral grays, “greiges” (gray/beige tones) and even just plain white. Fresh paint rejuvenates existing spaces and provides a great first impression to visitors.
Kitchen
The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. In 2020, it’s become even more important now that the pandemic has caused more families to stay indoors, cook, and congregate there. Any updates here almost always pays off. Consider adding a backsplash, updating cabinet hardware, new appliances, or even new countertops.
Our Take
Considering an update? Spend your money and effort where it makes the most difference. We’d love to share our opinion on the latest trends, what’s working in SunCrest, and where you get the most bang for your buck.
SunCrest Neighborhoods Map

There have been a few moments lately where we thought it would be handy to have a map of the different neighborhoods in SunCrest. Surely there’s an easy-to-read map of the community that we could keep handy when people post about missing pets, runaway garbage cans, or wildlife sightings, right? Well, there is now.
We had a lot of fun creating this map and we hope it’s helpful as you navigate the neighborhood or post about things going on in SunCrest.
November SunCrest Market Update

What’s Going On With House Appraisals?
In a hot SunCrest real estate market, with low house inventory, and multiple-offer (aka bidding war) situations becoming more common; purchase prices are being driven up higher and higher. While that might sound great for a seller, it creates problems for buyers and sellers alike when the home is being evaluated prior to purchase: a low appraisal.
Appraisals: A Refresher
When a home is being sold, a professional home appraiser is usually hired to evaluate the property. While the home’s condition, maintenance, and improvements can be taken into consideration, the largest factor they use to calculate a home’s value is “comparables,” or more plainly, how much similar houses in your neighborhood have sold for.
Why (Low) Appraisals Matter
Unless there’s a cash offer, a seller needs to “sell” their home twice. First, the buyer has to make an offer at a certain price. Then, in order for a lender to make a loan, they also want to make sure a home is worth what they’re lending out, so an appraisal is required. When a market sees rapidly rising prices like we’ve seen in SunCrest recently, appraisal prices may lag behind current sales prices, and we see appraisal values that come in below the agreed offer price. This gap may cause some hiccups to an already emotional process.
What To Do With A Low Appraisal
Fortunately, you’re not without options if you’re faced with a low appraisal. At the time an offer is submitted and reviewed, discuss the options of the “what if the appraisal comes in low?” Are the REALTOR and seller prepared to dispute the value with the appraiser if they feel it is wrong? Does a buyer have the ability to pay above the appraised value and/or work with their lender to restructure a loan? Having an experienced professional on your team who knows all the angles, and who is able to support, educate, and most importantly communicate, may not only help a buyer or seller achieve their real estate goals but might potentially save thousands—even tens of thousands of dollars—in the event of a low appraisal value.
Haunted Trail 🧟and Pumpkin Pick Up 🎃

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to the Haunted Trail 🧟and Pumpkin Pick Up 🎃.
150 pumpkins donated, a creepy witch, grim reaper, a howling skeleton dog, and countless scones and hot chocolate – we had a monster good time teaming up with the SunCrest OA this Halloween. We love this community!
October SunCrest Market Update

Does an election year impact the SunCrest real estate market?
We’ve actually been getting this question a lot as Election Day draws near. We do know that each fall the market slows as everyone settles in for the winter. But we thought we’d dig through the data to see if there are any trends in years with presidential elections.
Examining SunCrest home sales since the community was first built, we looked specifically at the trends from October to November. On average, there’s about a 7% decline each year. In election years, that decline is about 22%. It should be noted that this is a limited sample size over only a few elections in our still young community, but we believe it’s more closely related to overall consumer confidence and consumer caution. Any declines in sales were short lived.
Our take: How people view the election may impact their immediate home buying selling decisions, but ultimately the housing market has always marched on. Factors like the economy, jobs, interest rates, and overall consumer confidence will ultimately have far more meaningful roles in the home purchase decision, and those factors develop much more gradually than do overnight election results. While some consumers may wait to buy or sell ahead of the election, we always recommend working with a Realtor who can help guide and educate on the current market trends and bigger picture factors to determine if a move is in your future.
Moosavi’s SunCrest Story

We’re excited to share the Moosavi’s #suncreststory. After making a spontaneous move to SunCrest, Abeeha and Abbas now credit the communal, diverse, and inclusive neighborhood as the reason they never want to leave. In their free time, you can find Abeeha enjoying her “side hustles” while Abbas is pushing the limit outdoors.
Ready to share your #suncreststory? Our goal is to share unique stories of people living in SunCrest and we’d love to feature you! Interested? Email info@suncrestlifestyle.com
September SunCrest Market Update

Coronavirus Is Changing How Homes Look
We’ve all been spending more time at home. With quarantines and business closures, you’ve probably memorized the number of tiles in your kitchen by now. It’s no surprise that more time at home has meant some emerging trends in real estate. We’ve outlined a few things we’re seeing from renovations, new construction, and wish lists from current buyers.
Home Office
Working from home is the new norm and some employers are scrapping plans to return to office life. Having a dedicated workspace inside the home is the hottest new must have.
Home School
Whether it’s hybrid classes or 100% home school, class is not fully back in session. We’re seeing flexible spaces being turned into dedicated learning spaces—essential for for both parents and children.
Home Gym
Having room to maintain a healthy lifestyle at home—mentally and physically—has taken a prominent role with many gyms closed or reduced capacity. Headspace, bodyspace, or space to stretch out is crucial.
Home Landscaping
A place to escape to the 4 walls we live and work is necessary, no matter the season. Outdoor spaces can become an extension of your home and weave the outdoors and indoors together, and we’re seeing plenty of new patios, decks, furniture, and revitalized lawns and gardens.
Our Take
The pandemic is changing our lives, and our homes are at the center of it all. People are moving, upgrading, or downsizing, for a variety of different reasons today. You may not have space to implement all the trends we’re seeing, but if you’ve been trying to decide if now is the time to buy or upgrade your home, we recommend talking to a professional to see what’s realistic, and where you get the most bang for your buck.
August SunCrest Market Update

How To Buy a House in a Competitive Market
Last month, we shared that homes for sale are in short supply. This month we’re seeing the same, but in addition, we’re now seeing a new surge of buyers enter the market. Record low interest rates have made it a great time to buy, and everyone who is stuck at home seems to want to make a change. Simply put, it’s a fiercely competitive market if you’re looking to buy a house.
Making Your Offer Stand Out
Sellers are seeing multiple offers, sometimes into the dozens. With so many offers to choose from, it’s likely that less attractive offers will be rejected. Here are 3 tips to make your offer stand out.
1) Price. Like it or not, we’re not seeing a lot of “room for negotiation.” Sellers can afford to be picky, and although you should do your due diligence to investigate the home’s value, most homes are being priced fairly and are selling at or above their listed price. If you can, cover your own loan costs and eliminate any costs you may ask a seller to pay, such as a home warranty or HOA transfer fee.
2) Timing. Being flexible with your timing can be enticing to sellers. Before submitting an offer, find out what’s most important to the seller. Would they prefer to close quickly or have a little extra time before they have to move?
3) Risk. Let’s face it, the more assurance that you as a buyer can give to a seller that the sale will actually go through, the better. Strong consideration, or earnest money, for an offer is a great start. Committing to and keeping your deadlines, and few or no variables or contingencies in your offer can help paint a low risk picture for a seller.
Our Take:
If you’re thinking of buying, we wouldn’t be concerned about entering the competitive market. Smart buyers are still getting wonderful homes for fair prices. However, the smartest buyers are writing strong, creative offers, and are pouncing on great homes with outstanding interest rates. Today’s landscape is definitely different and we always recommend partnering with a true expert, to navigate the housing shortage.