Back in 1907, Master Carpenter Ellsworth J. Beggs built a livery stable for his Beggs and Buckley Livery.  When cars became the preferred mode of transportation, the partners began servicing automobiles and changed the name to Beggs and Buckley Garage. Later the business became the Sinclair Park Motor, which operated until 1942. The intense heat from the Silver King Coalition mines fire in 1981 became so intense, the paint on the building sign melted into the layers that you see on the building today.

Currently the old Beggs and Buckley Garage has heated up in a different way, cooking up small batches of spirits in a 250 gallon copper pot still, using a combination still that produces a variety of distinct whiskeys. The structure has been tastefully converted into a fun-loving distillery- tasting bar specializing in whisky. The garage is now a restaurant with re-claimed wood flooring and an open frame structure ceiling.  Colorful whiskey-shaped glass bottles line the exposed brick walls.

Any night of the week, crowds can be seen lining up along lower Park Avenue, waiting for tables, while entertained by local cowboy poets and musicians in period- inspired costumes. Once inside, the atmosphere is a contagious blend of aromas and boisterous good cheer that invites a loose and relaxed dining experience.

The menu offers a unique twist on classic dishes such as roasted plantation quail with corn dried cherry stuffing or madras curry steamed rice dumplings. The deserts are punctuated with brewery flavorings. Take for example the “Peach Mule,” which is made from peach vodka, fresh lime, ginger syrup, mint, and Fentiman’s ginger beer.

If you are headed to Park City in search of  your perfect mountain home, hitting the ski slopes for the afternoon, or just browsing the shops along historical Main Street, be sure to add the High West Distillery on your list of must do’s while in the beautiful Rocky Mountain Resort of Park City, Utah.  Happy dining.

This is a different time of year in Park City, after the ski resorts close, and visitors have returned home, leaving our streets quiet and restful after a seemingly long winter.  There is a lull as the snow melts into rivulets that run down hillsides and brown mountain meadows turn green. It is a transitional respite, a time for quiet reflection before summer kicks into high gear and restaurants fling their doors open, setting bistro tables along Main Street, welcoming outdoor diners and visitors relishing the splendors of springtime in the Rocky Mountains.

There is a saying we have here in Park City, Utah, “Come for the skiing and stay for the summer!”  If you haven’t experienced summer in Park City, you are missing the days we locals live for, long lit evenings, with summer concerts, and light rain showers followed by enormous rainbows hovering the hilltops like primary colored halos.  The rivers and streams are bloated with spring runoff and calves and foals prance unsteadily through muddy pastures dotted with fresh blades of lime green grass.  Swallows fill gazebos like old Floridians, nesting, and chirping merrily amongst each other.  Locals fling their doors and windows open, gulping in fresh air and wallowing in sunshine before hitting the bars and pubs, clipping 2 for 1 specials from The Park Record, eagerly preparing to partake in the fine dining offered to residents between tourist seasons.

Although the glory and splendor of bright green hillsides and vivid blue skies with cotton ball-colored clouds is a few weeks away, this sleepy transition is the calm of twilight sleep, those moments in early down before one is fully awake when dreams are vivid and the covers feel cool and cozy.  We are waking up to welcome our summer crews seeking biking paths and trout filled rivers, cooler temperatures, and festival filled weekends. So come on, we will be ready for you.

Is there a sense of urgency I am ignoring in the market?  Should I continue to wait and see?  As someone in the market considering real estate, these might be questions or thoughts you have. If you ask me, NOW is a great time to buy!  Of course, I’m an agent, what else would I say? But really, I can back it up!

Consider the interest rates alone and see if they are not enough of a motivator.  Currently, mortgages have never been lower.  Interest rates are at 4% or lower for 30 year fixed loans and if you venture into the 15 year mortgage, your rate would be 3.5% or lower!  That means for a conventional 30 year fixed loan, the money for Principle and Interest will cost you $477/$100,000 borrowed.  That drops to $449 for a rate of 3.5%!  How long will these rates be around? No one really knows for sure but they won’t stay around forever.

For me, anything below 7% is a phenomenal rate!  I bought my first home in 1994 at 9% and was ecstatic when I refinanced at 7%.  I recently purchased at 5% and am thinking I need to refinance!

Consider if rates were to go back up to 7%, that same $100,000 would cost $665/month.  Almost $200 per month more!  Today’s rates create an annual savings of $2,256 annually per $100,000 borrowed. That’s not chump change!

Even though real estate is still shaky in some parts of the country, Park City and has seen some great movement in the right direction. Getting into something you can afford, and will hold its value has always been sound advice. Additionally, real property is a great hedge against poor performing stocks and inflation. The right investment is sure to appreciate over time. One last thing to consider, if you wait too long and interest rates go up, you might be priced out of the market.

For more of my thoughts about Park’s Edge and real estate in general click here.

I have been given a good many excuses as to why people haven’t yet stopped by and checked out the amazing floor plans and incredible energy efficient design that Park’s Edge has to offer.

Indeed, you can do loads of research on Park’s Edge awesome website, but if you think the website does this place justice you would be mistaken.  To come to know all there is to know about Parks Edge, a visit is in order! Trust me, seeing the way we build and the product we offer first hand, will blow you away.  Not just that, but the new clubhouse and 15-acre park simply have to be seen to be appreciated.

Common comments we get after a visit are, “Park’s Edge is much closer to Park City’s downtown than we thought”, (5 minute drive), “the quality of construction is top notch”, and “the value/cost ratio is unparalleled for the Park City area.”

So, take some time and stop by.  I promise I won’t bite!  If perchance Parks Edge isn’t quite a fit, I would be happy to introduce you to our newest member of the family, Rustler.  Rustler is the newest twin-home community to Hideout Canyon, and features single floor living. Not to mention, because Rustler is a part of Hideout, the views are simply breathtaking.

See you soon!

Today, Sept 8th from 6-9 pm, we are having a party to celebrate the grand opening of the pool and hot tub! What can you expect? Free food and drinks, free entertainment from the live Utah cover band Monrovia, free stuff and awesome giveaways.

Come join us for a night of fun!

The USDA’s Rural Housing is a great program. Even in this climate of tight credit, this program still provides the ability to purchase a home with no money down. Unfortunately, recently the USDA announced it will be changing the fee structure for this type of loan.

Originally, a 3% fee was required to insure this type of loan.  However, in an apparent effort to increase revenues, Rural Housing is now following in FHA’s footsteps with a recurring fee.  FHA calls it mortgage insurance; USDA calls it a recurring fee.

So how does USDA’s latest move change this loan type? For starters, monthly payments will be much higher.  USDA says the new and cheaper up-front fee of 2% will make the loan easier to process.  However, an additional 0.3 % fee will also be added to the loan for the life of the loan.

For example, let’s say your loan is for $200,000.00. You will have an annual fee of $600 that will be divided equally each month.  So, your loan payment would increase by $50 per month.

There is good news though.  This won’t go into effect until October 1^st, 2011. The downside is you will have to move quickly if you want to get a Rural Housing loan before this goes into effect. Something else to remember is that if your lender has completed the underwriting, USDA still has to sign off on it BEFORE the 1 October deadline! Good luck and hurry up!

For more of my ideas about real estate and Park’s Edge check out my other posts!

Lindsey M. does it once again! #21 was indeed the Park City High School. Here is PCPC #22. Yes, the pic has been used once before but no one ever guessed it so we reserve the right to rehash! Here we go.

Rules & stakes:

• You have to be 18 years of age
• You have to guess where the photo is in Park City (comment/guess on the blog below the picture) and be the first one to get it right.
• To claim your $15 gift card to Whole Foods just drop by the Park’s Edge model!

Guess away!

Congrats to Lisa A. for guessing PCPC #20 correct! Let’s see how you all can do on #21.

Rules & stakes:

• You have to be 18 years of age
• You have to guess where the photo is in Park City (comment/guess on the blog below the picture) and be the first one to get it right.
• To claim your $15 gift card to Whole Foods just drop by the Park’s Edge model!

Guess away!

As can be seen from the pictures, building D is underway. Footings are in and at this point, foundation walls are almost complete! With the addition of the change in season, things are getting exciting at Park’s Edge!

To find out why Park’s Edge has some of the greenest and energy efficient real estate Park City has to offer, stop by for a visit!