how's this neightborhood? (Salt Lake City, Highland, Granite: sale, new home, buyer)

[cinnabon]

Originally Posted by cottonwood2420

Millcreek Township, or better known as East Millcreek is a pretty good area. Brickyard Plaza is only about three blocks north and St. Mark's Hospital is just down the road so you will be near the mall and hospital and you can get into downtown pretty fast from that location also. I live just south of that area in Cottonwood.

Not to derail the topic, but is E. Millcreek a town or just considered an "area" of SLC? I will be living there, but I think my mailing address is actually "Salt lake City"?

[cottonwood2420]

Originally Posted by cinnabon

Not to derail the topic, but is E. Millcreek a town or just considered an "area" of SLC? I will be living there, but I think my mailing address is actually "Salt lake City"?

East Millcreek is part of Millcreek Township. Alot of people aren't aware that it is a township and simply put Salt Lake City, but it is not part of Salt Lake City and if you put East Millcreek or Millcreek Township on your mail it will still get to you. At least it has for me.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

The entire valley is in an earthquake zone. I don't have the link available, but the U has a seismic map that shows the fault lines. There is one that runs along the base of the Wasatch Mtn.s, one along 1300 East, another one near the U, and several others I wasn't concerned about. If your house is on bedrock, it will shake and roll but the ones in the flat valley will likely pancake down (think the L.A. quake a few years ago). That's why I would only consider the East Benches area. We are over-due for a big one. There are small, not felt earthquakes almost every day. See the U or the USGS sites.

[drsevrin]

Originally Posted by hueimo

what your opinion on the pricing for this home? also, I heard that this community is at the earthquake zone, is this true for just this house? or is SLC pretty much in the earthquake zone? that's what the realtor told me, just wanted to get others opinion on this...many thanks!!

The primary earthquake fault (Wasatch Fault) in the SL valley runs roughly north-to-south along Highland Drive / 1100 East - so yes, this house will be fairly close the major fault. I'm no earthquake expert, but houses higher up on the benches are generally safer due to the fact there is more bedrock. The valley floor and areas nearest the faults will be more subject to liquefaction (and hence more damage). On the plus side, it appears to be a wood-frame house, which should hold up better than the older masonry construction. Having lived through the big San Francisco quake in 1990 I would much prefer something farther from the fault. For that money you can get a slightly older home farther east. If it were me I'd pass on this one and keep looking. Good luck.

[hueimo]

Originally Posted by drsevrin

The primary earthquake fault (Wasatch Fault) in the SL valley runs roughly north-to-south along Highland Drive / 1100 East - so yes, this house will be fairly close the major fault. I'm no earthquake expert, but houses higher up on the benches are generally safer due to the fact there is more bedrock. The valley floor and areas nearest the faults will be more subject to liquefaction (and hence more damage). On the plus side, it appears to be a wood-frame house, which should hold up better than the older masonry construction. Having lived through the big San Francisco quake in 1990 I would much prefer something farther from the fault. For that money you can get a slightly older home farther east. If it were me I'd pass on this one and keep looking. Good luck.

how's about the homes in daybreak, south jordan, is that father away from the earthquake zone? many thanks for answering.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Originally Posted by hueimo

how's about the homes in daybreak, south jordan, is that father away from the earthquake zone? many thanks for answering.

No, I believe they are in the area that will pancake down. Check a geological map of the area -NO PLACE in the valley is safe!

[kwm03160]

Originally Posted by hueimo

how's about the homes in daybreak, south jordan, is that father away from the earthquake zone? many thanks for answering.

It's further away from the major faults, but "liquefication" may occur. Daybreak is new construction, though, and I know that building code is requires a stronger, deeper foundation to try to combat this.

[hueimo]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

No, I believe they are in the area that will pancake down. Check a geological map of the area -NO PLACE in the valley is safe!

does that mean don't buy anything and just rent?

[coolcats]

Just buy earthquake insurance. I pay $320 a year. If it was an older brick house, it would be about 4x that much. I’d much rather be in a newer stick frame house than an 80 year old brick house in an earthquake. There is a huge iron beam in my basement. I assume it is part of the code to secure the foundation for earthquakes.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

On my way to St. Marks' Hospital, I drove into this neighborhood (E Urbandale Ln). The houses are identical, very close together, with hardly any yards. WHile the one the OP asked about is a single, the ones across the street are semi-detached. A PUD is designed to get around the zoning requirements for house size relative to lot size. My house is R1/5000, which basically means 1 house per 5000 sq ft lot. These houses are on small lots.

Yesterday's SLTrib had a real estate article, this zip code had a median house price of $259,750, down 2% from last year. I don't think this house is worth the asking price.

To the OP, what is most important to you?
house size? yard for kids/dogs/BBQs? access to transportation? resale value in the next 3-5 yrs? appearance of surrounding neighborhood? groceries/pharmacies/gas stations in easy reach? A lot of factorsd go into making a decision!