For many Utahns, the dream of owning a home has shifted from an expectation to what feels like an unattainable luxury. Rising prices, tight inventory, investor competition, and a surge in high-density development have left many young people believing they’ll rent forever. But according to Asha Klarich, a former attorney turned realtor, that dream isn’t gone—it just requires a different approach.
“Think you can’t afford a home in Utah? Think again,” she says.
Asha has spent most of her career negotiating contracts, first in the legal world, now in real estate. She brings both legal precision and practical strategy to helping Utahns get into homes—even in a market that seems stacked against them.
From Law to Real Estate
Asha didn’t start out in real estate. She practiced corporate immigration and business law for 17 years before making the leap. “I loved my work,” she says, “but I didn’t want to go back to firm life and billable hours after I had my children.”
Her interest in real estate grew as she began building her own rental portfolio. She eventually got licensed and discovered something unexpected: real estate was a natural fit. “Every transaction is based on contracts and negotiation. That was my specialty,” she explains.
But for Asha, being a realtor is about more than paperwork. “Buying and selling a home can be very emotional,” she says. “I want to meet people where they are, guide them through the process, and be their advocate long after the deal closes.”
A Personal Loss—and a Bigger Lesson
During the podcast, Asha opened up about one of the most painful chapters of her life: the loss of her infant son. After a complicated pregnancy and months of living at the Ronald McDonald House while her son underwent multiple surgeries, she and her family faced the devastating decision to take him off a ventilator.
What followed was silence. Friends and colleagues didn’t know how to respond. “I lost a lot of people I thought I was close to,” she recalls. “They didn’t say anything—not because they didn’t care, but because they didn’t know what to say.”
She now encourages people to just show up. “You don’t have to have the words. Just be there,” she says. “That’s what matters.”
It’s a reminder that housing—and homeownership—is about more than square footage. It’s about belonging, stability, and having a place in the world.
Utah’s Buyer’s Market: A Surprising Opening
While headlines scream about the housing crisis, Asha says the current market is actually more favorable to buyers than many realize.
“In the past few months, we’ve seen increased inventory. That means more choices and more room to negotiate,” she explains. Sellers are dropping prices, offering concessions, and in some cases agreeing to 2-1 rate buy-downs or covering closing costs.
Interest rates, though higher than the historic lows of the pandemic, are at their lowest in nearly a year. And with rates expected to dip further in the coming months, many predict a strong spring market—and rising prices once again.
“Buying now gives you leverage,” Asha says. “When rates fall, competition will heat up, and prices will climb.”
Beyond Apartments: What “Affordable” Really Means
Utah has leaned heavily on apartment construction to address its housing shortage. But that, Asha argues, doesn’t get to the root of the problem.
“High-density housing isn’t the only answer,” she says. “People want a piece of earth to call their own, even if it’s a small house or a townhome.”
She points to zoning regulations and investor activity as key barriers. Investors can buy up entire blocks of affordable homes, converting them into rentals, while zoning often restricts smaller, more attainable single-family options.
“Having a license is easy. Being competent and understanding the bigger picture is different,” she says. “We need policies that prioritize owner-occupied homes and quality community planning, not just developer profits.”
The Promise of Tiny Homes and Smarter Planning
One model that gives Asha hope is the tiny home community built by The Other Side Academy on Indiana Avenue. By using prefabricated construction and smaller lots, homes in this project cost between $120,000 and $200,000—well below Utah’s median.
She believes zoning reforms to allow more of these developments could create meaningful opportunities for first-time buyers. “We should make it easier to build smaller homes and manufactured homes,” she says. “It’s about quality of life. People want space, community, and stability.”
Grants, ADUs, and “House Hacking”
For young people who feel locked out of the market, Asha offers practical advice: start with what you can control.
“Most people don’t know how much house they can afford. They only know the payment they think they can afford,” she explains.
Her first recommendation is to talk to a lender for a soft credit pull—which won’t affect credit—and get a clear picture of what’s possible. “Then you can build a plan, even if you’re not buying tomorrow.”
She also points to first-time homebuyer grants, such as the $7,500 program offered through the Salt Lake Board of Realtors. There are dozens of similar programs statewide.
Then there’s house hacking—buying a home with a basement apartment or ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) and renting out part of it to offset the mortgage. “The MLS now allows you to search for ADUs specifically,” Asha notes. “There are plenty of homes with separate entrances and kitchen spaces under $550,000.”
Rethinking What “Affordable” Looks Like
Affordability isn’t just about prices—it’s about strategy. Asha points out that someone making $75,000 a year with little debt can often afford more than someone earning $140,000 but saddled with loans and credit card bills.
“There’s good debt and bad debt,” she says. “A home is an appreciating asset. Credit card debt isn’t.”
Her message is simple: don’t self-limit. “There are more opportunities than most people realize. You might need guidance, but they exist.”
A Different Kind of Playbook
Utah’s housing market isn’t easy, but it’s not hopeless. Asha’s approach blends legal expertise, long-term strategy, and a clear-eyed look at what’s working and what isn’t.
From tiny homes and zoning reform to grants and creative financing, she believes there’s still a path for regular Utahns to buy homes.
“Your first home isn’t going to be your dream home,” she says. “But it can be your start.”
📍 This article is based on an episode of the Utah Stories Podcast featuring Asha Klarich. Listen to the full conversation on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
