Wise Move Utah

09/09/2026

Get out and see the reds! It is so fascinating. Many people don't realize how many salmon run here.

Utah's kokanee salmon are turning bright red this month, ahead of their fall spawning run in rivers and streams across the state.

The fish are silver most of the year but change color in September and early October before swimming upstream to spawn, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Males also grow hu**ed backs, hooked jaws and elongated teeth during the transformation.

You can't keep any kokanee salmon caught anywhere in Utah from Sept. 10 to Nov. 30, during the spawning season.

"Visitors to these areas should also make sure not to disturb the spawning fish by wading into the water, trying to pick up the fish or allowing their dogs to chase the fish," DWR Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said.

Free viewing events

Strawberry Reservoir: Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the U.S. Forest Service visitor center off U.S. Highway 40. Livestreams on the DWR YouTube channel Sept. 13-20 for anyone who can't attend.

Fish Lake: Saturday, Sept. 26, 3 to 7 p.m., at the boardwalk near Fish Lake Lodge.

Both events are free but require advance registration on Eventbrite.

Other spots to see them on your own

1. Jordanelle Reservoir and Provo River, above Rock Cliff recreation area (Summit County), peaks mid-September
2. Causey Reservoir, South Fork of the Ogden River (Weber County), paddle-access only, peaks mid-September
3. Smith and Morehouse Reservoir (Summit County), late September to mid-October
4. Stateline Reservoir, near the Utah-Wyoming line (Summit County), peaks mid-September
5. Electric Lake, Boulger and Upper Huntington creeks (Emery County), best viewing first half of October
6. Sheep Creek near Flaming Gorge (Daggett County)

09/09/2026

Sometimes you need extra help clearing things out from around your home. Maybe you are preparing to sell or you just bought it or maybe you are just tired of it! No matter what, Freedom Hauling LLC is who you should call. They make it affordable and definitely clean everything up well.

Let me know if you'd like to be introduced or need help and recommendations.

08/28/2026

As I was strategizing with a new-to-me lender about how to help seniors buy a safer one-level type home before selling their current one (so they only move twice but DO NOT have a double mortgage), he shared the interest rate chart for a $350k mortgage. The "current" rate is at the 6.875%. Remember, that rate fluctuates not just weekly, but daily and even hourly. The chart shows what it would cost to have certain interest rates. These costs are part of the loan origination and closing costs a buyer has.

Some interesting things to notice:
1) If the buyer went with a slightly higher rate, they actually receive a credit toward their closing cost - those are the amounts shown as a negative.
2) The jumps of costs between the rates are not consistent! Some are a couple hundred dollars and some are a couple thousand.
3) There is a sweet spot that costs less to go for than a more expensive rate.

Quite interesting and eye-opening.

08/27/2026

What a hidden gem of a place. And their Mormon Muffins !!!! So tasty!

07/24/2026

This place doesn't take the fun out of your life, it gives you so many more ways to live life!! Instead of mowing, fixing sprinklers, shoveling snow, or even moving in with your kids and adjsting to THEIR schedules, think about having your own place here.

A couple months ago I toured the various size apartments they have and tried out their food. From a large studio to a 2 Bedroom with views, they impress with how clean and up-to-date the whole facility is.

The food!!! Their chef is creative and talented. Whether she is preparing your favotie comfort food or something new, you'll love the flavors (AND her cookies)!

Think your life will be boring living in a senior community? Forget it! Your life will be as busy or simple as you want it to be. Want to keep learning? There are classes. Want to go ot for BBQ, they went to Mission BBQ for the best brisket ever! Want to serve, they love to support Ogden's and other commnity events. They even host a crazy Easter Egg hunt with over 900 eggs for local kids!

The next step? Just schedule a tour and see it for yourself. Try a cookie. And think about how to best live.

Would you like company for the visit? A second set of eyes and ears? Let me know. I would love to join you and not just for the dessert!

Call Harrison Regent and ask for Wendy Bourget Spradley. And if you'd like, give me a call and we'll get together.

801-786-0524
4481 Harrison Blvd
Ogden, Utah

Harrison Regent Retirement Community offers senior & retirement living in Ogden, UT. Experience enriching programs, supportive care, and social connection.

07/21/2026

Interesting? Upsizing instead of downsizing at retirement. Actually, I have been through this with multiple clients over the past 3 years. I will add though, the other difference in the new house consistently is one-level living so that they could "age in place." - Meaning, the main level of the home whether it was a 2-story or rambler with a basement, had at least one office, the primary bedroom with bathroom, main level bath, kitchen & dining area, family room, plus the laundry on the main level. A big request was that the dining-kitchen-family rooms be large enough for holiday get-togethers. Lastly, all wanted an outdoor type gathering space such as a covered deck or patio.

With the covid years and loneliness most of us felt due to not being with all our family, the value of those gatherings has definitely grown for most people.

Well-off boomers are increasingly upsizing their homes as they age, either buying bigger ones or financing additions to their existing properties.

In the process, they are rewriting the rules of retirement and aging, when people are expected to move into smaller homes to save money.

Boomers make up the largest share of home buyers in the U.S.—an aspect of a housing market that is out of reach for younger buyers, but well within the economic powers of an older generation that controls the bulk of the nation’s wealth.

Downsizers account for a slightly larger share of older home buyers, but the upsizers are quickly gaining momentum. About 7% of buyers ages 61 to 70 said the main reason they chose their new home was because they wanted more space, up from 4% for that age group in 2016, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Interior designer Wendy Glaister noticed her empty-nest clients starting to upsize after the Covid-19 pandemic. Lockdowns made them appreciate time with loved ones, and the spread of remote work made it possible for adult children to visit for longer stretches. Couples now see their late-in-life residences as their dream homes.

“It is a celebration of their life and achievements and being able to invest in themselves,” Glaister said. “If it’s not the right thing and you downsize, it’s almost like a sentence.”

Financial adviser April Tardiff, who's had eight clients retire this year—with every single of them upsizing—said, “The historic retirement play of sell your home and buy a smaller one just isn’t happening.”

Read more at the link in comments.