Market Updates

October 30, 2026

Hey St. George! The Southern Utah Home Show opens today in Hurricane. If you're thinking about a project, it's a great place to compare quotes.

Before you sign anything, though, it's worth asking one simple question. Is this project for you, or for your future buyer?

Both are fine. They just lead to different choices. Here's how we'd think it through.

The Quick Details

According to St. George News (Oct 27, 2026) and the show's own site:

When: Friday, Oct. 30, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Washington County Legacy Park, 5500 W. 700 South, Hurricane
Cost: Free admission and free parking

Exhibitors cover kitchens, baths, roofing, windows, HVAC, solar, landscaping and outdoor living.

Joy vs. Payback: They're Not the Same

The best national data we have on this is the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (released April 9, 2025).

The projects homeowners loved most were an added primary suite, a kitchen upgrade and new roofing. All three earned a perfect 10 "Joy Score."

The projects with the best estimated cost recovery at resale were smaller. The top three come from NAR's release, and the last two come from NAR's list of top projects from the same report (Feb 23, 2026):

New steel front door: 100%
Closet renovation: 83%
New fiberglass front door: 80%
New vinyl windows: 74%
Complete kitchen renovation: 60%

The pattern is clear. Big remodels can make you super happy. They usually don't pay for themselves when you sell.

What Agents Tell Sellers to Do First

In the same NAR release, REALTORS® said the top projects they recommend before listing are:

Painting the entire home (50%)
Painting a single interior room (41%)
New roofing (37%)

That lines up with what we see every week. Fresh paint and a solid roof make buyers comfortable. A dated kitchen can be priced in. A roof question can stall a deal.

The Local Bonus: Get Paid to Pull Out Your Lawn

This one is unique to us here in Washington County.

The Washington County Water Conservancy District pays property owners $3 for each square foot of grass replaced with water-efficient landscaping. St. George News reported (June 13, 2026) that the $3 rate applies to the first 1,000 square feet, for projects completed before June 1, 2027. It was $2 before.

A few things the district says to know:

Apply first. You need approval and a pre-conversion site visit before you touch the grass. Start before that and you're ineligible.
Costs: Hiring a contractor typically runs $4 to $6 per square foot. The incentive usually covers 30% to 50% of the cost.
Savings: A typical residential conversion can save up to $300 a year on water.

Since December 2022, nearly 4 million square feet of grass has been converted in the county, per St. George News.

Our Take

If you're staying put: Do the project that makes you love your home. That's a great reason to remodel.

If you're selling in the next year or two: Our suggestion would be to start with paint, the roof, the front door and curb appeal. Then talk to us before any big remodel. We'll tell you honestly what buyers in your neighborhood are paying for.

Either way: Look into the lawn conversion incentive before that higher rate ends.

Bottom line, the smartest project is the one that fits your plans. Heading to the show this weekend and want a second opinion on what's worth it? Reach out to us here. We're here to help!