Living in Utah | 02.22.2022

As a Utah County Home Builder, Here’s Why We Love Utah County

When it’s time to build a home in Utah, there’s no better spot than Utah County. At Arive Homes, a home builder in Spanish Fork, our reputation as leading home builders in Utah County gives us a unique perspective on life here in Lehi, Saratoga Springs, Orem, and beyond. We’ve helped build those communities and know many of the people who call this place home. It’s no surprise that we love Utah County, and below, we’ll explain why.

Lots to Love About Utah County

Utah County is the second-most populous county in the state of Utah. Based on the 2018 US Census data, it is home to just over 659,000 residents; impressively, the county’s population has increased 27.7% in 10 years, following the state of Utah’s own trend of rapid growth. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Utah added 500,000 new residents between 2010 and 2020. That gives our state an 18.4% growth rate as of 2021 — the fastest in the nation. So why are so many people moving to Utah County?

Photograph of Lehi Utah

Active Lifestyle

With its location along the Wasatch Front and easy access to Utah’s hoard of national parks and forests, and state recreational land, it’s no wonder people are flocking to Utah County. Located to the south of Salt Lake City, Utah County has plenty of year-round scenic activities for outdoor lovers. The famous Sundance Resort in Provo Canyon makes skiing and snowboarding attainable every weekend, along with well-known landmarks like Mount Timpanogos and Bridal Veil Falls which make for superior hiking destinations.

Access to Higher Education

Utah County is also home to Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University, both of which boast Division I NCAA athletics and together educate nearly 70,000 students each year.

Ease of Living

Area Vibes, a website that aggregates livability scores for cities around the United States, assigns Utah County’s major cities with livability scores within the high 70s to 80s — ratings that are considered “exceptional” by their calculations. Based on a scale of 100, the scores are created using a unique algorithm that takes into account characteristics in seven different categories including amenities, cost of living, crime rates, employment, schools, housing, and user ratings.

Lehi, for example, has a score of 80, Provo has a score of 82, and American Fork has a score of 81. While the cost of living in Utah County is slightly higher than the national average, the crime rates are lower and there are significant local amenities and a family-friendly culture that help boost residents’ satisfaction levels.

Owning a Home in Utah County is More Popular Than Ever

Home built by Utah County Home Builders.

Whether you’re a long-time resident or are looking to move to the Beehive State, you have probably seen and heard about the competitive housing market in Utah. It’s true: Utah is experiencing a “boom” market in real estate according to the experts at PWC and Urban Land Institute. Their “Emerging Trends in Real Estate” report for 2021 lists the Salt Lake City metro area in the top 10 list for best markets for real estate investors. Cities like Boise, Phoenix, Charlotte, and Nashville also make the list as cities with booming real estate markets.

Redfin reports that while the number of homes for sale in Utah County has dropped slightly year-over-year, the median sale price of homes has increased by a staggering 30% while the number of days on the market has also dropped to just 14. This paints a picture of high demand and low supply, something many homebuyers realize as they start hunting in the Utah County market.

The Value of New Homes for Those Who Love Utah County, Too

For growing families or new Utah residents, the housing market can be overwhelming. Luckily there is another option that eliminates some of the frustrations and stress that come with traditional house hunting. At Arive Homes, we build brand new homes for sale in Utah County in over 35 communities from Elk Ridge and Spanish Fork to Lehi and Saratoga Springs.

In this market especially, we constantly hear from our homeowners how beneficial it was to build a new home instead of buying an existing home. Some of these benefits include:

  1. No competitive bidding from other motivated buyers.
    • Fierce competition and quick decision-making is a mainstay of the current market. While it speeds up the home-buying process, it also elbows out many Utahns who want to own a home. Because of low supply, top dollar offers are being accepted which puts the power of home buying in the hands of the wealthiest buyers.That approach can be disheartening to those people who wish to buy a home without going over budget.When you build a new home in Utah County, you can find the community and home model that fits your budget. You can agree to a model at a price you feel comfortable with (without having to sacrifice other budget areas just to call yourself a homeowner). Our floorplans range in price, so there’s something for everyone in every stage of life.
  2. More time to decide what you want in a home.
    • Because homes for sale in Utah move so quickly on and off the market, many house hunters feel they must jump on a home quickly to secure it. But buying a home is a major decision — one of the biggest ones you’ll make! Taking time to think about the home, the location, and the price is so important and shouldn’t be rushed.When you build a new home, you can have time to view your options, walk the model home, and speak with our Arive Homes team to get answers to any questions you may have.
  3. Freedom to select your ideal location.
    • Sacrificing location is one thing many house hunters are doing in the current market. If you want to be in American Fork, but something within your budget pops up in Orem, you may compromise so you can get out of the rat race and into a home. However, location is critical to long-term happiness in a home. Location determines much of your life in your new home. School districts, crime rates, commutes, and more are all dictated by where your house is.When you build a home with Arive Homes, you can choose from one of our 37 communities across Utah County. No matter what’s important to you: whether it’s being closer to work, closer to family, or within a desirable school district, you can find the lot and neighborhood that fits your needs.

Build a Home in Utah County with Arive Homes

Exterior of a Home built by Arive Homes.

If you’re ready to get everything you want in your next home — without compromising — look no further than our Utah County home builders at Arive Homes. We love Utah County and everything it has to offer; that’s why we think you shouldn’t settle for something less than perfection when it comes to your new place. We can help you find the location and home that you love in our Utah County communities today. Contact us to get started.