Looking for advice on investing in Utah

[Mark Vieira]

Hi All

I am an investor in CA who is looking diversify out of state. I have heard good things about Utah, and am drawn to it for it's great skiing, mountain biking, etc. I figure it would be nice to like the place I have to go when looking at properties. Here are my two questions:

1) What is it like owning rental property in UT? How are the property taxes? Any unique rental laws a landlord should know?

2) What are some good rental markets in the state of UT? I would be looking to pick up sfh's, 3 plus bedrooms, for around $75,000...

Any advice would be appreciated!

[Nathan Emmert]

1) Property taxes are low in Utah. Mine will run about $750 a year on the Duplex I just picked up. As for landlord laws, from what I'm seeing, Utah is very business/landlord friendly. "Utahans" are generous and charitable, "Utah" not so much which is nice. I did find out the place I'm investing, Ogden, does consider being a landlord a business. There's an annual business fee to be aware of.

2) I'm not sure you understand Utah. While housing may be cheap compared to California and the taxes a song, you aren't going to pick up a whole lot of SFH's under $100k, at least not in the valley. For that you'll have to look in Ogden at a fixer upper or further North, or down in the boonies outside the valley.

As for advice, this is Utah, land of the Mormons. They won't have sex until married and apparently don't stop once they do wed! It's all about the bedrooms! Square footage, eh, okay... bathrooms, those are nice... upgraded kitchen and stainless, eh, who cares... but bedrooms... bedrooms are king, we'll take 8 please!