Old Town Break Down

By Deb Hartley
Mar 12, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2gN4gzuc_o&feature=youtu.be

What are the latest happenings in Park City's real estate market?

By Deb Hartley
Feb 12, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO3J6KK-6ow&feature=youtu.be

Sundance Film Festival: A survival guide for non-celebrities

By Deb Hartley
Jan 27, 2015

By Blane Bachelor

Published January 27, 2015

FoxNews.com

For 10 days every winter, the Sundance Film Festival charges into Park City, Utah — transforming a charming ski mecca into a nonstop whirlwind of movie premieres and parties. But for the average festivalgoer — those of us who fall outside the coveted circles of filmmakers, actors and their entourages — it can feel like your name is the only one missing from the guest list.

But that doesn’t mean stage fright should get the best of you, especially if you’re attending your first Sundance. The festival kicked off on Thursday and runs until Feb. 1, and whether you’re going this year or are already looking ahead to 2016, here are some insider tips on learning how to Sundance as a non-celebrity. See you at the movies!

Have a plan. Don’t fret if you don’t have one of those coveted all-access passes (or even tickets ahead of time). A little pre-festival strategizing can go a long way. Often, the simplest way to score tickets is via the waitlist, a process that has been exponentially easier since the handy online option, which is available on smartphones, was introduced in 2014. Also, early birds can take advantage of films that begin at 8 or 8:30 a.m., when the partygoers are still sleeping it off.

A good starting point is to figure out which movies are your must-sees, keeping in mind that the bigger-name films are likely to make their way to your local theater or Netflix. Allow for at least two hours between films, and get familiar with the layout of the venues, which are spread out across the city and as far as Ogden and Salt Lake City. And don’t forget about traffic, especially on weekends and around 4 p.m., when ski resorts close.

Stay flexible. Snarled traffic and too-long lines can wreak havoc on even the best-laid plans. The best strategy? Stay open to the serendipity of Sundance, which is half the fun of the festival. Meet someone who makes you their plus-one for a rocking after-party; do some celebrity-watching on the street; love a movie you hadn’t even planned on seeing.

“Don’t set your mind on just one event or idea, because at Sundance things can change on a minute-by-minute basis,” said Rob Lea, a Park City native who has attended approximately 20 Sundance festivals. “If you’re flexible, you can always find something fun to do.”

Take advantage of the free transit.Sure, a black Escalade with tinted windows is the transportation of choice for A-listers. But the free Sundance shuttle deserves two thumbs up for dependable — and free! — service between venues. Cabs may be a quicker option, but ask for an approximate fare before you climb in, as some cabbies don’t use meters. Finally, don’t rely on car services like Uber, which are constantly in peak service mode.

Beware the “Sundance flu.” Many festivalgoers leave with great memories but less-than-great health, thanks to too much partying, too little sleep and frequent glad-handing that passes on germs. A few tricks of savvy Sundancers: stocking up on hand sanitizer and over-the-counter remedies like Emergen-C.

Skip pricey hotels and rent a house. Traditionally, visitors who didn’t book hotels — at spiked prices — months in advance or have a friend’s couch to crash on used to be out of luck at Sundance. But in recent years, home-rental options such as AirBnb have opened up hundreds of lodging options at a variety of price points, depending on where you want to stay. For example, during the festival’s midweek, there were more than 300 Park City-area rentals available on AirBnB, starting at around $105 for a private room and bathroom. By contrast, the Yarrow Hotel, one of the official Sundance properties, had midweek rates starting at $359, and the swanky St. Regis started at $975.

Work the door wisely. Some of the best people-watching at Sundance happens at the doors to the hottest parties, where seemingly normal people morph into self-entitled egomaniacs when their demands of “Don’t you know who I am?” raise nary an eyebrow. Indeed, there’s a fine art to working one’s way into a fabulous fete without an invite — and it doesn’t involve being rude to the doorman.

“People come up to us all the time and say they’re a producer or a director and just expect us to let them in,” said a doorman named Matt, who gave only his first name. “There are fire codes and bosses, and if I let in everyone who wanted to get in I’d get fired.

“But if I’m going to let someone in without an invite, you can bet they’ll be the nice person who smiles and is gracious instead of the [jerk] screaming at me.”

Enjoy solitude on the slopes.There’s a reason savvy snowhounds pick Sundance week to hit the slopes around Park City: Resorts see a fraction of their normal traffic, especially midweek. At Park City Mountain Resort, attendance can drop to just 25 percent of usual numbers, communications manager Andy Miller said. That may be depressing news for management, but it’s great news for skiers who love empty slopes and nearly nonexistent lift lines.

Dress the part. Fashion magazines and blogs are bursting with the latest looks for Sundance. But you don’t have to drop mad cash to look like an A-lister. Wear a black jacket and you’ll blend in with the Sundance “PIBs,” or “People in Black,” as Hollywood types are sometimes known among locals.

“When Sundance comes to town, it seems like everyone is wearing a black jacket,” Lea says. “I don’t wear my black leather jacket very much, but I usually wear it for Sundance because it looks like I belong in the Hollywood scene, and that can make getting into places easier.”

Deb, Jim, and Rob on PCTV's Mountain Morning Show

By Deb Hartley
Oct 17, 2014

Jim, Deb, and Rob discuss a myriad of topics including the sale of Park City Mountain Resort to Vail and Park City's current hottest home market.

Congratulations to Rob Lea for being elected a director to the Park City Board of Realtors!

By Deb Hartley
Sep 09, 2014

We are proud of you!!

Lea Hartley Team (6)

Park City's Current Real Estate Market Trends

By Deb Hartley
Aug 23, 2014

Pending Home Sales Surge in May

By Deb Hartley
Jul 21, 2014

WASHINGTON (June 30, 2014) — Pending home sales rose sharply in May, with lower mortgage rates and increased inventory accelerating the market, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four regions of the country saw increases in pending sales, with the Northeast and West experiencing the largest gains.

The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, increased 6.1 percent to 103.9 in May from 97.9 in April, but still remains 5.2 percent below May 2013 (109.6). May’s 6.1 percent increase was the largest month-over-month gain since April 2010 (9.6 percent), when first-time home buyers rushed to sign purchase contracts before a popular tax credit program ended.

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Prudential Utah Real Estate Joins Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate Brokerage Network!

By Deb Hartley
Jun 09, 2014

PARK CITY, Utah, Jun 05, 2014 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, the real estate brokerage network operated by HSF Affiliates LLC, today announced that Prudential Utah Real Estate has joined the network and is operating as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties.

The brokerage is the first in Utah to affiliate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, a brand that now counts more than 29,000 agents and 800 offices in 39 states since its launch in September 2013.

Stephen Roney, Utah Properties Chairman and CEO, said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices will help his company grow. “I could not think of a better branding opportunity for our brokerage and agents,” he explained. “The brand is inspired by Berkshire Hathaway Inc., one of the world’s most trusted and respected corporations, and it’s built on a strong financial foundation. I believe top agents appreciate the value and potential of our brand and will want to represent it.”

Roney said that Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices will appeal to clients of all types in his Salt Lake City, Davis County, Weber County, Park City, Deer Valley and Heber City markets. The brand will attract foreign consumers as well. “Our Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices name will be recognized by international buyers who are considering Utah and its world-class resorts for a vacation home,” he added. “We believe foreign buyers will engage with our top agents because they will know the brand is a powerhouse that stands for quality, integrity, trust and stability.”

With their transition, Utah Properties agents gain access to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ Global Network Platform – a robust suite of real estate tools and resources – plus professional education, business consultation, marketing support and the exclusive Luxury Collection program for high-end listings. “With help from new and effective technology we will strengthen our No. 1 position in the marketplace,” said Tom Roney, brokerage senior vice president. “Our talented agents have everything it takes to ensure their clients’ premium service experience.”

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SOURCE: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Ski Season is still going strong!

By Deb Hartley
May 28, 2014

Rob Lea hit the Jordanelle Reservoir early this morning. Ski season of a different variety is still upon us.

RL water ski