CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Visionary Homes builds premier communities for every buyer and lifestyle in Southern Utah. Buying a new home is a major milestone that requires financial commitment, and potential buyers often wonder how they will fund their dream home. 

“For many people, this is the biggest investment of their lives,” said Aubrey McKay, a new home specialist with Visionary Homes. “As a real estate agent, I advise clients to do their homework more than anything.”  

Now is a great time to build or buy in St. George, McKay said. The area is growing rapidly, and all projections indicate that growth will continue. Longtime residents have reported tremendous appreciation in home values. 

“St. George used to be the best-kept secret in the Southwest,” McKay said. “Not anymore. People know about it, they’re moving here in droves, and they love it.”

Visionary Homes works with many homebuyers who prefer cash deals. Overall, McKay said that more homes sell for cash in St. George than anywhere else in Utah. 

If clients are using a mortgage to fund their new home, Visionary Homes typically refers buyers to the loan experts at First Colony Mortgage. Buyers that get a loan through their preferred lender are eligible for incentives including a discounted deposit and lower closing costs. 

“If you use our preferred lender, we can probably get the loan process done faster and smoother because we have that existing relationship,” McKay said. 

With that being said, she also encourages buyers to shop around. Finding the right home loan is a balancing act. Different lenders offer different advantages, and what works for one buyer might not be the right fit for the next client.

McKay recommends asking for a fee sheet to compare rates and ancillary costs between lenders. Often, buyers get excited about low rates and forget to consider the fees. 

Lenders will sometimes offer an option to get an even lower rate but not without a significant cost. When searching for a lender, don’t ignore potential red flags to get the “best deal.” 

“If you already have a lender in mind that you want to work with, that’s great,” McKay said. “But if you’re working with a builder and they’ve never heard of your lender, it might not be a good sign.”  

Always be careful when sharing financial data, especially online. McKay recommends using a lender that offers a secure portal for sending and receiving encrypted messages. Making sure that you feel comfortable with your lender and the loan process is key. 

Logan-based developers Jeff Jackson and Justin Cooper started Visionary Homes in 2004 and have grown it into the state’s third largest home builder. The company is owned and operated entirely by people who live and work in Utah. During the 2021 Best of Southern Utah contest, voters awarded Visionary Homes a gold ribbon in the home builder category and silver among real estate companies. 

Currently, Visionary Homes is hard at work designing and building within four distinct developments in the St. George area, each suited for a different type of homebuyer. Enjoy resort-style living at Desert Color, where you can choose from condos, townhomes or single-family homes. Get closer to nature in Divario, nestled among miles of trails near Green Valley. Family-friendly amenities abound in Warner Gateway just off the Southern Parkway, while the Azalea Townhomes in Ivins provide gorgeous red rock views at accessible price points.

Unlike many master-planned developments where developers pinch every penny, Visionary Home neighborhoods are focused on lifestyle. With a commitment to premium craftsmanship and thoughtful design, they build houses that buyers are proud to call home. The company operates a design studio for the Southern Utah market with hundreds of samples to consider and full-size interior vignettes that buyers can walk through. 

“We are committed to people being able to personalize their homes,” McKay said. “We’re really going to have something for everyone, regardless of price point or preference in design.”

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

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Resources

• Visionary Homes | Address: 1506 S. Silicon Way, Suite 2D, St. George | Telephone: 435-222-2441 | Website.

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