A Weber County, Utah based blog that keeps you informed on real estate and related subjects. For all your real estate needs contact Jeremy Peterson ~ Owner/Broker of Vesta Real Estate ~ 801-390-1480
I just listed this excellently located home in the Eccles Historic District. The home has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a 1 car garage. The home has a two story configuration with bathrooms on each level. There is also a large cellar for storage. With 2,088 SQFT, there is a lot of room to work with.
The home has original hardwood floors, high ceilings, original wood casing and doors, and a lot of charm.
If you are interested in viewing this property, CONTACT ME, to set an appointment.
Ogden's resurgence continues. It seems with the warmer weather that constructions crews are in full swing with new exciting projects going on in downtown Ogden. As I was driving around town today, I couldn't help but notice.
My first stop was at the site of the new Ogden Preparatory Academy. This new edifice is being build adjacent to the site of the existing elementary school. Once the structure is complete, the old school will be torn down to make room for a schoolyard.
Along the River Project the new townhomes are coming along nicely. Many have been sold and a third lot is being prepared for construction. These townhomes are located next to the Ogden River Parkway.
There is also construction going on at the old Weber College site at 25th and Jefferson Ave.
This project will be a mixed use building that incorporates the old Weber College Gymnasium as part of the floorplan. The new building will hold some commercial space and also some residential.
It will be an exciting addition to the neighborhood. This site has sat dormant as an old parking lot for decades.
Further down the street next to the old Pingree Mansion, this new structure is being assembled. It will be a triplex building. It is also being built using S.I.P.S construction methods. It is an innovative construction technique that enhances energy efficiency. Many components of the structure are pre-assembled offsite, and then brought together at the construction site. The technique creates super energy efficient structures with low operating costs.
Finally, there is construction going on along the 600 block of 27th Street. There used to be a couple historic looking (though very poorly constructed) homes sitting on the site. One burned down back in 2004. The other was torn down in the past month or so to make room for new housing. Here is a photo of the neighborhood from a few years ago.
Necessity is the mother of invention. With some of my tenants, their ingenuity never ceases to amaze. Here is an effort to provide lighting along the driveway below.
Why the mop is there too, I have no idea. However, it is these kinds of improvisations that clue landlords into what improvements need to be made to their property. Proper driveway lighting is always a good idea. I am sure that is one of the next improvements the owner will make.
If you have a rental property you would like managed, CONTACT ME, and let's see what we can do to make life a little easier for you.
The Ogden Temple reconstruction project continues to plod along. Meanwhile, some of the land surrounding the temple lot continues to receive attention. Within the past several months the half block east of the temple site was worked on some more with structures being scrapped along Ogden Ave. Hence, Ogden Ave. has become a great vantage point to view the work going on below:
I have been impressed with the sheer size of the building. When finished, it will be one of the most prominent buildings in the downtown skyline.
I am told that the new temple is anticipated to host about 600 weddings per month after its dedication. That is an amazing difference since the previous structure hosted very few. Certainly the new activity will bring even more vitality to this part of the city.
We recently sold a beautiful home just a block away with a view of the temple from the kitchen window. If you are looking for a home in this area of town, CONTACT ME, and lets find a home that is right for you.
I recently spent some time building a closet organizer for my closet space. I figured after living with mediocre closet space for 8 years, I would treat myself.
Construction on our home began in 1908 and was completed in 1910. We have a traditional Arts & Crafts style home which has all the Craftsman idiosyncrasies that make these homes so attractive. However, closet space in these homes was designed for the standard of living 100 years ago.
My home was built by Henry H. Hudman who was Vice President of the Pingree National Bank in Ogden. He was also Treasurer of the Blackman Griffith Company, a food wholesaler in Ogden. He was an important guy. So, what does a guy of this prominence and wealth build himself for a closet? You would be surprised.
The closet space (now my closet space) is 3' deep and 4' wide. It had a stained wood board on two walls about 6' above the floor with just 8 hooks. That's it. That was his closet. However, his wife's closet was more elaborate with 20 hooks and six shelves...and a window. Clearly, we know who had access to the architect.
My closet got an upgrade sometime in the 1950's. As the standard of living improved and the owners had more use for the space than the paltry 8 hooks could offer, they installed the popular "rod-and-shelf".
Here is the rod and the shelf that made up my closet. I particularly liked the resourceful use of galvanized pipe for the rod. I am glad it wasn't made of exhaust pipe or surplus rebar. This setup got us by for some time but it was extremely inefficient.
The organizer I installed maximizes use of the space. While convenient, I can't help but think what it implies about the standard of living we have today verses 60 years ago and even 100 years ago. New houses today are designed around a materialistic culture. We all need space for our "stuff" that comes with living a modern consumer lifestyle. While I won't go on a long rant about the subject, I will say that having "stuff" doesn't make me happy. Yet, I admit having it organized in my closet does.
For those of you looking for an investment property, I present to you 560 21st Street.
The property is located across the street from a Historic Chapel and just east of downtown Ogden in an area of rejuvenation and urban renewal. The property consists of a large single family home that is 4 beds and 2 baths. Adjacent is a 6 unit building that hosts quaint 1 bed 1 bath units. There is a two bay carport and plenty of paved parking on a .60 acre lot.
Total gross income is $3,135 monthly. CONTACT ME for rent rolls, expenses, and loan information.
I stumbled upon an interesting problem that billionaires are creating for neighborhoods in London. It appears that many of them are buying historic mansions in fashionable neighborhoods. However, these homes don't meet the needs of the super wealthy in size and scope. The location is good, but the homes are just a tad smallish for the owner's needs.
Interestingly, there are restrictive covenants that prevent these homeowners from adding onto or modifying their mansions from their currently grandiose floorplans above ground. So what have they done? They have gone underground.
Let's consider just one type of basement modification:
This is a real proposal. You can read more about it here. Obviously the three story home with topiary gardens is insufficient for this homeowner. A little sprucing of the basement is in order. I particularly like the car museum four stories down. No home is complete without one of those.
I am aware of one home in Ogden that has a basement two stories deep. But none like this. So, the next time the city won't let you add that four story tennis court room you've always wanted to your historic Victorian home, think instead about going underground. It is the opposite of conspicuous consumption, or at least it is pleasant to think so..
If you are looking for a very affordable home in an up and coming neighborhood in downtown Ogden, I present this cute vintage cottage. It is a MUST SEE:
The home is a couple blocks from my own home and was remodeled in 2005. It has new windows, casings, kitchen, furnace, and more. The floorplan has 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. The home is situated on a large .25 acre lot that is ripe for landscaping or a new garden. Neighbors are very friendly. This home is walking distance to the Ogden River Walkway, The Front rock climbing wall, 2 city parks, the county library, The Junction, and worship centers all around.
If you are interested in learning more about this home be sure toemail me or give me a call.
We just closed on the sale of this Victorian Cottage that a business partner and I renovated.
We purchased this 2 bedroom property in April of 2011 for the princely sum of $37,500. The home was dead on arrival. Yet, it is located less than a block from the new Ogden Temple and has a view of the edifice out the kitchen window.
Our rehab ran about four months and cost another $37,500. We replaced the roof, furnace, kitchen, bath, flooring, paint, electrical, plumbing, and more. The idea was to have a new house with the old time feel. We opened up the 12 foot ceilings, kept the antique brass hardware, wood built-ins, and the slightly adjusted the floorplan.
We listed the home for sale in August 2011 just as the debt ceiling debate threw a bucket of ice water on the market. The home had 1 showing in six weeks. Disappointed, we put it up for rent for $695 and had it leased in two weeks.
Finally, as market conditions improved, we put it up for sale in January and placed it under contract in two weeks. We closed on the property at a price of $89,900. We paid $4,000 in buyer closing costs and a $350 home warranty. After counting rent revenue and equity at sale, this project yielded a 12% return on investment.
Here is video of the home before and after:
If you are in the market for an investment property, or looking for a historic property to renovate, CONTACT ME, and lets find one for you.
