ExploreMountainHomes

$8000 New Home Buyer Credit About to Expire

2010-03-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

Attention all the first time home buyers out there...The government is giving you an $8000 tax credit as long as you have a home under contract by the 30th of April 2010. Lots of inventory to choose from, as FHA loans can be made up to $417K. Take a look at http://www.exploremountainhomes.com to see what meets your needs and contact one of our professional Realtors to help you find your home.
If you have been in your home five years or more the goverment in giving you a tax credit of $6500. Maybe you need that extra bedroom or bathroom or just extra room. Take a look at the homes on http://www.exploremountainhomes.com.

Case-Schiller Ranks Denver Number 3

2010-01-27T08:25:00.000-08:00

The Denver-area housing market ranked No. 3 of the 20 cities tracked in the closely watched S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices report released today.

The Denver metropolitan statistical area was one of four cities that in November showed a year-over-year improvement, “something we really haven’t seen in at least two years in most markets,” said David M. Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s.

The Denver housing market showed a 0.5 percent gain in the year ending in November, bested only by Dallas and San Francisco, which showed a 1.4 percent and a 1.0 percent gain, respectively. San Diego also was in positive territory, with a 0.4% improvement.

Overall, the 20 markets in the index showed a loss of 5.3 percent.

In October, Denver was ranked No. 1 by Case-Shiller, with a 0.1 percent loss. (Please visit this link for a blog on October’s results.)

Larry Hotz, a broker with the Kentwood Co., said that the Case-Shiller report reflects homes that went under contract in September and October, and closed in November.

“Back then, we did not know if the Congress and the Obama Administration were going to come out and extend the first-time home buyer tax credit,” Hotz said. “A lot of first-time home buyers were scrambling to get under what could have been the wire.”

Although the $8,000 tax-credit was extended, and a $6,500 tax credit for some current homeowners added, the increased demand put upward pressure on mostly lower-priced homes being sought by people who had been renting or living with their parents.

“It wasn’t uncommon for many homes under $250,000 being bid up,” Hotz said. “I know, because my daughter, who works with me, was taking advantage of the first-time home buyer credit and she had to pay full-price for her home. The lower-end of the market has strengthened, and that obviously is being reflected in the Case-Shiller report.”

But after the tax credit was extended in early November, a sense of urgency among buyers evaporated, and December sales fell sharply more than they do for seasonal reasons, he said.

“We’re still recovering from the holiday blues,” Hotz said.

As the new deadline of April 30 for the tax credits approaches, he said he thinks there will be another surge of people putting homes under contract.

“I think it will be a little less competitive to start looking to buy a home now, than the rush we’re likely going to see as we approach April,” he said.

Charles Roberts, a co-owner of Your Castle Real Estate and a real estate investor, said although it is always nice to have a high-ranking, in another way, he couldn’t care less.

“So we’re not No. 1 and we’re No. 3? So what? What I deal with, and what I care about, is what is going on in my backyard,” he said. “I don’t care that San Francisco appreciated more than us. They’ve been down 50 percent over the past three years, so they should be coming back.”

He said what he cares about is starting to see appreciation in his home and real estate investments, “and I believe that is how the normal person looks at it.”

Roberts, who also is a registered appraiser and a mortgage broker, noted that averages are also misleading, as no individual home is up exactly 0.5 percent.

“We don’t own options on the entire Denver market; we own individual homes,” he said.

And what has happened to individual homes are all across the map, he notes.

“We’re certainly past the downturn for properties under $300,000,” Roberts said. “There is no guarantee that will continue, of course. Maybe interest rates will rise, or the government will stop buying mortgage-backed bonds, or we will experience another wave of foreclosures.”

Still, last year, the Barnum neighborhood in Denver was up 29 percent, Arvada is up 1 percent or 2 percent, and the north Aurora area is up 12 to 15 percent, he said.

“But if you are sitting in a high-end home in Parker, you’re down and probably facing a couple of more years of devastation,” Roberts said. “If you have a $700,000 home in Parker, you would kill for a 0.5 percent improvement, just like I would have five years ago with my little (investment) houses in southwest Denver, when they were falling in value by 25 percent a year.”

Michael Clarkson, principal of Home Hunter Realty in Littleton, has some fundamental problems with Case-Shiller, but said its latest report seems on target.

“I’m happy to say that overall I agree with Shiller,” which ranks Denver as one of the top-performing markets in the country, he said.

“What we’re seeing in Denver right now is that a lot of people are buying down,” said Clarkson, who closely follows a variety of economic indicators that impact real estate, including obvious ones such as interest rates, as well as more arcane ones, such as the money supply.

“One thing I am seeing is that a lot of people are buying toward the median price point of the $200,000 range, which is causing a big feeding frenzy in getting homes in that price range,” Clarkson said. He said that is good for the market because it is taking a lot of houses in the under $300,000 range off the market.

But he said there is not “sufficient lending capacity” for the move-up market. “There is a paucity of financing for the self-employed.” He said that needs to be addressed, as it currently is curtailing a huge segment of the market.

Meanwhile, the latest Case-Shiller numbers, overall, show a mixed-bag.

“While we continue to see broad improvement in home prices as measured by the annual rate, the latest data show a far more mixed picture when you look at other details,” Blitzer said. “Only five of the markets saw price increases in November versus October. What is more interesting is that four of the markets – Charlotte, Las Vegas, Seattle and Tampa – posted new low index levels as measured by the past four years. In other words, any gains they might have seen in recent months have been erased and November is now considered their current trough value. On the flip side, there are still some markets that continue to improve month-over-month. Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego and San Francisco have seen prices increase for at least six consecutive months. Looking at the annual figures, four markets – Dallas, Denver, San Diego and San Francisco – have finally entered positive territory."

“To add more mixed signals, we are in a seasonally weak period for home prices, so the seasonally-adjusted data are generally more positive, with 14 of the markets and both composites showing improved prices in November. On balance, while these data do show that home prices are far more stable than they were a year ago, there is no clear sign of a sustained, broad-based recovery.”

Metropolitan Area October-November Change One-year change
Atlanta -0.8% -6.2%
Boston -0.5% -0.7%
Charlotte -0.3% -5.5%
Chicago -1.1% -8.5%
Cleveland -0.2% -2.5%
Dallas 0.0% 1.4%
DENVER -0.5% 0.5%
Detroit -0.7% -13.0%
Las Vegas -0.5% -24.5%
Los Angeles 0.8% -3.5%
Miami 0.0% -12.1%
Minneapolis -0.5% -6.8%
New York -1.0% -7.1%
Phoenix 1.1% -14.2%
Portland 0.3% -7.5%
San Diego 0.4% 0.4%
San Francisco 0.6% 1.0%
Seattle -0.5% -10.6%
Tampa -0.4% -13.2%
Washington, D.C. -0.5% -0.6%
Composite-10 -0.2% -4.5%
Composite-20 -0.2% -5.3%

Sources: Standard & Poor’s, Fiserv

Rebchook Reports: Denver's Housing Market Tops Case-Shiller

2009-12-31T07:37:00.001-08:00

Denver performed the best of the 20 major metropolitan housing market tracked in the closely watched S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices report released today.

Denver's housing market showed only a only a 0.1 percent dip in housing prices in the year ending in October, compared with an overall drop of 7.3 percent for the 20 areas in the report. The 10-city index in the report fell overall by -6.4 percent.

"Once again, this shows the strength of the Denver market," said Gary Bauer, an independent Denver real estate broker. "We continue to lead the nation as far as recovering from the recession – the recession is not over yet – but we will be one of the first to emerge."

Bauer said that "two-thirds" of the Denver-area housing market "still moving," if not showing spectacular performance. Only the high-end market continues to be soft.

"The market has moved from the only activity being in the first-time buyer to what I call the "move" buyer," Bauer said.

My Buying Buddy two sample widgets below

2009-11-30T20:25:00.001-08:00

Denver in Top 10 for Cities to Earn a living

2009-10-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Cities to Earn a Living

The best cities to earn a living are those that have plenty of companies doing business in high-paying, growth industries.
Combine that with a high-quality business environment, job growth, and a low cost of living and you get a select-few locations where the pay check is generous and the cost of necessities like food and housing is modest.
Here are the top 10 cities where Forbes magazine says this is the economic reality now and the conditions are likely to get even better as health care, technology, and energy draw more employees into their ranks:

1. Dallas
2. Houston
3. Minneapolis
4. Austin, Texas
5. Washington, D.C.
6. St. Louis
7. Seattle8. Atlanta
9. Kansas City, Mo.
10. Denver
Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy (09/03/2009)

About Conifer

2009-10-01T09:46:00.001-07:00

Nestled in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies, 15 miles southwest of Denver, we share a way of life in Conifer that is special.Groves of aspen trees, trademarks of the high country, with their brilliant displays of gold and blazing orange, inspire us each autumn. We are a diverse community, a melting pot of ideas and energies. It is this diversity which enables Conifer to be the vibrant, growing, dignified community it is today.

About Evergreen

2009-10-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

Evergreen, Colorado and the associated communities that make up Evergreen, including El Rancho and Bergen Park to the north, Marshdale to the south and Kittredge to the East, are cradled in the Rocky Mountains at about 7,000 feet elevation and just 30 miles west of Denver along the historic Lariat Loop. Evergreen is a place where city and mountain living come together – to a place where elk and buffalo roam. The best things in life thrive in this quaint mountain locale – friendly people, beautiful mountain vistas, thick pine forests, wildlife, an abundance of recreational, social and business opportunities, and housing. While the area offers a unique mountain lifestyle, the amenities and services of nearby metropolitan Denver are close by.
Evergreen encompasses about 130 square miles of pine and aspen-laden hills. It sprawls from the flanks of 14,260-foot Mount Evans on the west, to the edge of the high plains on the east; from its sister communities of Conifer and Aspen Park on the south, to Genesee and Lookout Mountain on the north. About 30,000 people call Evergreen home. Residents are artists, engineers, scientists, carpenters, retailers, homemakers and heads of corporations. Many work in nearby Denver and escape home to the high country at the end of what may have been an urban hectic day; many residents both live and work in the mountain community. In Evergreen, purchasing a quality home, supporting quality schools and paying taxes for quality government often costs less than in metropolitan areas on either coast. Other residents have chosen Evergreen because of its proximity to Denver. They enjoy all the big city has to offer – international museum exhibits, national sports competitions, world-class restaurants – but prefer to live in this tranquil mountain community. If Evergreen’s lifestyle appeals to you, come and visit us. Be assured, Evergreen will welcome you.

Arts & Entertainment

Talent blooms like wildflowers in Evergreen. Several longstanding organizations provide outlets for the talents of local artists, thespians, singers, and musicians.
For four decades, the Evergreen Players have performed musicals, comedies, and dramas. The amateur troupe, consisting primarily of local residents, stages eight plays each year.
The Evergreen Chorale, made up of 75 members, has performed locally for more than two decades. The chorale stages conventional and holiday concerts as well as two musical productions each year.
The 45 member Evergreen Chamber Orchestra performs to standing-room-only crowds at four concerts each year. The orchestra also breaks into ensembles to stage intimate musical events hosted in local homes.
The Evergreen Artists Association is the largest and best known arts group in the area. The association consists of painters, sculptors, photographers, and craftspeople from throughout the area. The association also sponsors the ever popular annual Fine Arts and Fine Crafts Fair, in addition to small exhibitions, and arts and crafts classes.
Evergreen also is home to the famed Little Bear nightclub, which regularly features national musical acts as well as talented local musicians.
Mountain Community Handbell Coalition is an organization of hand bell choirs from the areas of Genesee, Lookout Mountain, Bergen Park, Evergreen, Marshdale, Aspen Park, and Conifer. The group sponsors "bRing in the Holidays," an annual hand bell workshop and concert for the community. Hand bell choirs from mountain area schools and churches participate in this traditional musical event held in December. For more information, contact Marva Baldwin at 303-674-2460.

Lodging with Bed & Breakfast, Cabins, Hotel

The Evergreen area community is abundant with charming Bed & Breakfasts, cabins, and hotel/motels. Our lodging facilities are nestled within the pine forests and many are enjoy the rippling waters of the streams that flow from Mt. Evans and the continental divide.
Click here for lodging information

Parks

Denver Mountain Parks
Denver Mountain Parks were purchased in the early 1900's by the city and county of Denver. Several of them are located in the Evergreen area and are primarily used for picnicking for large or small groups.
Bergen Park, located just south of I-70 on Evergreen Parkway
Bison & Elk herd on both sides of I-70 at the Genesee exit (#252)
Corwina Park, located about 3 miles south of Evergreen on Hwy 74
Dedisse Park, north of Evergreen Lake on Evergreen Parkway
Dillon Park, in south Evergreen on Brook Forest Road
Fillius Park in north Evergreen at Evergreen Parkway and Bergen Parkway
O'Fallon Park, 2 miles south of Evergreen on Hwy 74 along Bear Creek
Pence Park, in Indian Hills on Parmalee Gulch
Red Rocks Park and natural amphitheater, 9 miles south of Evergreen, near Morrison.
Visit the Denver Mountain Parks website for more information.
Jefferson County Open Space Parks
Jefferson County Open Space Parks are areas of land set aside in Jefferson County for outdoor, day time recreation, including picnicking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. The following are several of the parks in the Evergreen area:
Alderfer/Three Sisters near downtown Evergreen, on Buffalo Park Road
Elk Meadow located 5 miles south of I-70 on Evergreen Parkway
Meyer Ranch on Hwy 285 in Aspen Park/Conifer
Lair o' the Bear, along Bear Creek, about 4 miles south of Evergreen on Hwy 74
Mt. Falcon Park in Indian Hills, off Myers Gulch/Parmalee Gulch
Recreation
The focal point of the community is a sparkling blue mountain lake that offers year-round fishing, boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. In addition to the lake, the Evergreen Park and Recreation District maintains a year-round swimming pool, gymnasium, racquetball and handball courts, and other recreational facilities both indoor and outdoor. Also available in the Evergreen area are numerous hiking and mountain biking trails and two golf courses. Several of Colorado's best ski areas are also available within a one hour drive.

Senior Services

Support services for the senior citizens in the mountain area are provided by the Seniors' Resource Center, 5120 Hwy 73, 303-674-2844. The center offers social and educational programs as well as legal aid, health screening, tax and energy assistance, transportation, counseling, and home visiting and referral. SRC/Mountain Services Web Site: www.srcaging.org/mountainservices.html

2009 Fall Wine Tasting Event

2009-09-14T10:58:00.001-07:00

The 2009 Fall Wine Tasting is taking place on
Saturday, November 7, 2009 at The Meadows at
Marshdale, 6851 Hwy 73, Evergreen, Co.
from 6 to 9 p.m.
The Event’s Organizing Committee has begun to
meet regularly and still seeks interested volunteers,
sponsors, door prizes and silent auction items.
2009 Fall Wine Tasting Sponsor Levels
Presenting Sponsor
Champagne Level $1,000
Presenting Sponsor acknowledgement on all promotional
material
Prominent Logo included on all promotional material
8 Tickets
“Hosting” signage on site, provided by sponsor
Table Sponsor Status
Bordeaux Level $500
Prominent Logo included on all promotional materials
6 tickets
Table Sponsor Status
Chardonnay Level $250
Printed Name included on all promotional materials
4 tickets
Table Sponsor Status
Merlot Level $100
2 tickets
Name Inclusion on promotional materials
Ticket Prices
From now until October 1st: $20 each or 2 for $35
October 2nd until November 6: $25 each or 2 for $40
At the Door: $30 each or $45 for two
If you would like to sponsor, donate, or volunteer please
call the office at 303-838-5711

Fourth Annual Emily's Parade

2009-09-14T10:54:00.001-07:00

Saturday, September 26, 2009
The goal is uniting community. We’re bringing a
diverse group of folks together for an afternoon.
Show the world that community bridges occupation,
pastime, and passion. We’re also raising funds for
the “I Love U Guys” Foundation. We’ve done some
amazing things in the aftermath of tragedy. It’s an
important message. Important actions. The generous
donations from participants and onlookers are
distributed responsibly and effectively toward the
stated goals of The “ I Love U Guys’ Foundation.
The Ride
Bikes begin assembling early in the south parking lot
at Columbine High School (6201 S. Pierce St.,
Littleton, Co 80123). Around 10 a.m. some people
you might know will say a few words before a balloon
launch. Balloons will be launched in memory
of the lives lost violently in American schools.
Bikes begin leaving Columbine at 10:30 a.m. and
ride to Platte Canyon High School (57393 US Hwy.
285, Bailey, CO 80421). The distance is approximately
37 miles.
The ER::5K Run
The ER::5K , now known as Emily’s Run 5K, is a
memorial run/walk and it’s open to everyone. It's
hosted by the Park County Sheriff’s Office for the
second year. Many emergency responders participate
in this memorial 5K run/walk as a tribute to first
responders around the country.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. at Platte Canyon High
School.
Register online for these events at
www.iloveuguys.org.

USAHOMESEARCH.ORG

2009-09-11T15:02:00.001-07:00

USAHOMESEARCH.ORG

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Mountain Job Fair.

2009-09-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

The Mountain Job Fair will be on Saturday, Oct 24th at Conifer High School from 2p - 6p. If you are an employer seeking employees and would like to find local talent for your business and have job openings, please go to www.mrcco.org to download forms to register as an exhibitor and get the information you need. We are also actively searching for volunteers for our Practice Interviews, Resume Reviews, and Coaching stations. We have 3 shifts available: 2-4p, 4-6p, and 2-6p. Please contact Jesse McKean at mountain.books@hotmail.com or Janet Redford at janet@sacredjourneyllc.com to sign up! If you are moving to the mountains contact us at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Conifer (303-816-7500) or Evergreen (303-674-6667) and we would be happy to help you find your dream home!!

Denver ranks third in June, shows Case-Shiller

2009-08-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

The Denver metro area’s housing market ranked third in the nation, with homes losing 3.6 percent of their value in the year ending in June, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices released today.
The Case-Shiller report, perhaps the most most closely followed and most influential real estate index, showed that once again, Denver did far better than the top 20 metropolitan areas in the index, which overall showed a one year dive of 15.4 percent. That, however, is an improvement, too.
Only Dallas, with a 2.2 percent decline, and Cleveland, with a 3 percent drop, showed smaller one year changes than Denver. Since January 2000, overall Denver-area home prices have appreciated almost 27 percent. You can see how Denver stacks up to the other 19 cities in a subsequent blog I wrote today.
The S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index – which covers all nine U.S. Census divisions – recorded a 14.9% decline in the 2nd quarter of 2009 versus the 2nd quarter of 2008.
“While still a substantial negative annual rate of return, this is an improvement over the record decline of 19.1% reported in the 1st quarter of the year,” the report notes. “The 10-City and 20-City Composites recorded annual declines of 15.1% and 15.4%, respectively. These are also improvements from their recent respective record losses of -19.4% and -19.1%.”
“For the second month in a row, we’re seeing some positive signs,” says David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s. “The U.S. National Composite rose in the 2nd quarter compared to the 1st quarter of 2009. This is the first time we have seen a positive quarter-over-quarter
Both the 10-City and 20-City Composites posted monthly increases, as did most of the cities. there are hints of an upward turn from a bottom. ..However, some of the hardest hit cities, especially in the Sun Belt, show continued weakness.”
As of the 2nd quarter of 2009, average home prices across the United States are at similar levels to what they were in early 2003, according to the report. From the peak in the second quarter of 2006, average home prices are down 30.2%.
The 10-City and 20-City Composites posted their second consecutive monthly increases.
Both indices were up 1.4% in June over May, and up 0.5% in May over April. Eighteen of the 20 metro areas saw improvement in their annual returns compared to those of May. Looking at the monthly data, the same 18 metro areas reported positive returns in June.
In spite of the recent positive data, the overall numbers remain weak, with all metro areas and the two composites posting negative annual returns, and 15 out of the 20 metro areas reporting double digit annual declines.
While not alone, Las Vegas and Detroit continue to be two markets that are struggling severely.
These are the only two markets that fell in June and saw deterioration in their annual rates of return.
Since their relative peaks they have fallen 54.3% and 45.3%, respectively.
More upbeat news is seen in the monthly data across other markets; Dallas and Denver have reported four consecutive months of positive returns. In June, Denver showed a 2.5 percent gain, compared to a 1.4 percent overall gain for the 20 cities. Six cities in the index out-performed Denver and 13 improved less.
In addition to the two composites, 13 of the MSAs reported positive monthly returns for June that were greater than +1.0%.

Staging versus Staging:

2009-08-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

What's the Difference?I was watching a Realtor on House Hunters show 3 vacant houses to his clients. The second one had furniture in it. Just furniture. No artwork, accessories, plants or flowers, or any of the things that make a home warm and wonderful. The Realtor explained to the clients that the house was "staged". My friends, it wasn't like any staging our team has ever done. But, if that was your first experience of staging, you might be surprised to find out that we do more than just place furniture in a home.Our team's entire concept in staging your client's home, is to have the buyers fall in love with your house and write a contract on it, after they've seen 6 to 8 homes that day. We want buyers to envision themselves living in your listing, imagining what their life can be like if they owned your beautiful home. It takes more than a silk tree in the family room to evoke that response. We have many references to attest to our quality of staging in getting your house sold quickly and for top dollar. For example: Cyndi Early of the Early Group says, "You and your Team did a great job! The home is filled with quaint places to read, study, curl up with a book, entertain, work, work out, enjoy a good meal, and just enjoy the company of family and friends......I am a big believer in staging and I continue to be a big believer in Staging Evergreen and Conifer!"

What's the big deal about family pictures? We've often noticed homes on the market with a ton of family pictures on walls and tables. Since we are in your sellers' homes constantly, we know the resistance you get when you ask them to pack up the pictures. Some people don't see the importance of removing them and don't have the conversation with their sellers in the beginning. Others may not be sure how to broach the subject. After all, little Johnny and Susie are adorable and if their pictures come down, what goes up in it's place? Others may not think that it's the family pictures that are keeping the house from selling. Don't believe everything you think. Getting started in the staging industry, I worked with a Realtor who allowed me to take her buyers out for those first looks at houses. It taught me invaluable lessons regarding the things that are important to buyers. The first thing women and I wanted to do was look at the seller's pictures. We would walk out of the house and forget the floor plan. Obviously, we didn't fall in love with that house.We don't want pictures of the kids on the internet with the property address. It's one thing to know there are children in the house, another to see what they look like. Take their names down, while you are at it. Keep those babies protected!Men don't want to see pictures of someone else's family in the house that they are considering for their family. They see pictures of the adults and wonder if they were in a meeting with them last week. They spend the entire tour of the home trying to place your clients' faces and remember where they met them. Might as well take that house out of consideration.Our team is well versed in what keeps a home from making the A list for buyers and we articulate them so well with your clients that they are glad you sent us to them. Especially when they go to the closing table!

For more information on Staging contact your Evergreen or Conifer Coldwell Banker Realtor.

Loch Lomond Flower Walk

2009-08-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Are you in pretty good shape? Hike in the subalpine zone of St. Mary’s Glacier with Lynn Price. Only 15 participants, ages 12 and up.
Friday, August 14, 2009All dayPlease contact 303-330-0489 for more informationenc@dipper.org www.evergreennaturecenter.org

Louisville - Best Place to Live

2009-07-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

Louisville, Colorado Named CNNMoney.com’s Best Places to Live
And Superior wasn’t too far behind…

Well not to brag, but we all know Colorado is an amazing place to live. Our sports. Our activities. Our beautiful scenery. Our thriving economy. Tourism. It’s rare that you find such a remarkable combination but once again, Colorado is making its place on the national map.

Earlier this week, CNNMoney.com released its top 100 list of best places to live and topping the list in the number one position was Louisville, Colorado. Check out this link: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2009/snapshots/PL0846355.html. The article reported, “It's also weathering the economic downturn well. Robust industries in the area, such as high tech, energy, and health care, make county unemployment among the lowest in the state.”

Superior, Colorado wasn’t too far behind in the number 13 position. Check out this link: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2009/snapshots/PL0875640.html.

Also interesting to note this week if a Realty Times article which provided some insight into a rebounding market. Here are the highlights:

Pending home sales rose sharply, by nearly 7 percent, in the last month measured by the National Association of Realtors.
Pending sales were up in all four major regions of the country—and that caught the attention of some key industry economists.
Orawin Velz, economic forecaster for the Mortgage Bankers Association, said in a commentary that "the steady improvements in pending home sales are encouraging," and confirm the view that existing home sales hit their cyclical bottom in January and are likely to continue to rise in the coming months.
Since the January low point, she noted, the Realtors' pending sale index is up by 13 percent.
Mortgage rates continue to be favorable, an average of 5.3 percent last week for 30 year fixed rate loans, 4. 8 percent for 15 year fixed, and those rates are pulling in growing numbers of home purchase loan applications.
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey, new applications to buy houses increased by nearly 7 percent in the week ending July 3rd.

Color Preferences

2009-07-13T07:58:00.000-07:00

Most people's color preferences and psychological responses vary.

Most people's color preferences and psychological responses vary. Some people may choose to use brighter colors in their bedrooms, while others may choose to use bright colors in their kitchen or family room. No way is the right or wrong as long as the room is pleasing to you, but if you are trying to sell your home it might pay to think further about your use of color. When in doubt neutral colors are always safe.
Some studies suggest that color has certian effect on mood such as:
Red increases energy and heart rate, creates excitement and stimulates the appetite. It's best when used in the dining room.
Orange adds comfort, warmth and cheerfulness, but too much can bring about feelings of cautiousness. This color is best when used in living rooms and family rooms.
Yellow brightens mood and promotes welcoming and joyful feelings; increases positive thinking. It is best when used in poorly lit areas such as foyers and dark hallways; tone down a little for living rooms.
Green is the most restful color. It reduces nervous system activity and muscular tension, calms and relaxes, offers reminders of nature. Light greens are best when used in living rooms and mid tone greens are best when used to accent kitchens and dining rooms.
Blue promotes feelings of calmness, security, tranquility and cleanliness; lowers blood pressure, cools a room and serves as an appetite suppressant. Best when used in bedrooms or any restful, peaceful area in a home.
Purple boosts creativity and imagination, but can have unpleasant subconscious responses. Many adults dislike purple on walls, particularly lighter shades of purple that are perceived as more youthful. This color is wonderful in children's bedrooms or play areas.
Remember that color is one's own personal preference.
Excerp from Realtor Magazine 2009

Denver Named One of the Best Places to Buy a Home

2009-07-08T07:34:00.000-07:00

Denver Named One of the Best Places to Buy a Home…Now!Forbes Magazine released this week its “In Depth: Best Cities to Buy a Home” feature in which the magazine highlights cities with the best real estate deals. Click here to access the article: http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/22/cities-deals-home-lifestyle-real-estate-home-buying.html . Among other large cities, Denver was listed with the magazine noting that “While the majority of the nation’s housing markets are still working toward a bottom, some cities are boasting fundamentals that make them good places to buy a home now.” In addition to Denver, Los Angeles, Boston, Phoenix and San Diego were listed.To determine which cities feature the best real estate deals, the magazine “looked at three sets of data in the March 2009 RPX Monthly Housing Market Report, distributed by Radar Logic Incorporated, a New York-based derivatives firm. It looks at the market fundamentals in the country’s 25 most populated metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs or metros), geographic entities defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget used by federal agencies in collecting, tabulating and publishing federal statistics. First, we examined the number of ZIP codes with 25% of the area's sales to determine those in which activity is most evenly distributed. Next, we examined increase and decrease in price per square footage to determine where market value is the highest. Last, we looked at transaction rates in each city to determine where the housing markets are most active. We scored each city by category, and then combined the scores to determine the final ranking.”Here’s what the article reported: “1. Denver, Colo. PPSF Increase or Decrease March 2009 vs. Feb. 2009: 5.7%Transaction Increase or Decrease March 2009 vs. March 2008: -8.4% Percentage of ZIP Codes with 25% of Sales: 25%”Also this week, the National Association of Realtors released its existing home sales report which noted that existing home sales rose for the second straight month in May, signaling low prices and incentives are attracting buyers. NAR says existing home sales, including single family homes, condos and coops rose 2.4 percent in May. It was the first back-to-back monthly gain in existing home sales since September 2005.Sales of existing homes rose for the second straight month in May, signaling low prices and incentives are attracting buyers. NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun had this to say, “Historically low mortgage rates clearly drew buyers into the market, and housing remains very affordable even with a recent up tick in rates. First time buyers are also being drawn off the sidelines by the $8,000 tax credit which is helping to absorb inventory.”The numbers could be even better if it weren’t for poor appraisals. While pending sales of existing homes—those with signed contracts but not closed—indicate stronger activity, some contracts are falling through from faulty valuations that keep buyers from getting a loan, said Yun.Locally we made some great headlines this week, especially with the Denver Business Journal’s story headlined “Home prices in mountain states up 1.3% outpacing nation.”The article reported, “Housing prices in Colorado and other mountain states rose 1.3 percent in April from the previous month, the biggest increase of any region of the nation, the Federal Housing Finance Agency reported Tuesday.”

Housing Markets Most Likely to Rebound, Denver #1

2009-07-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/30825142#30825142

The Birds and the Bees "Buyer Talk"

2009-07-08T06:52:00.000-07:00

I recently referred a buyer out to my partner. She has been calling me for about a year. I would hear from her every couple of months when she would have a question on real estate. She was back and forth with her decision to buy a home and decided a couple of months ago to take the dive. I was happy for her that she had finally made her choice. BUT, my plate was full. I was working with quite a few buyers at the time she called me and I knew I wouldn't be able to give her the attention and care she needed so I decided to refer her to my right hand man in real estate because I knew he would take good care of her.
My partner would call me on updates on what they were doing and I'd check in with her from time to time to see how she was doing. Her road has been an emotional one. She found a home pretty quickly, submitted an offer, and it was accepted. Problem: the listing was a short sale and shortly after the agreement was signed, the seller decided she wanted to keep her home and her bank granted her a loan modification.
A few days passed by and she found another home, an offer was submitted and rejected because the seller accepted a higher offer.
After a couple more disappointments, she calls me and tells me how discouraged she was getting with this process and how it was so emotionally draining. Then I had an "Ah haaaaaa" moment. I referred out but hadn't had "THE TALK" with her.
*I make sure to have "THE TALK" with all of my buyers.*
I told her that since we hadn't gone out together, I hadn't had the chance to have "THE TALK" with her like I have with all of my other client's on our first outing. She says to me, "Well what's that?" Then I began to give her the talk:
"Ok, I'm just going to give it to you real here. This is not meant to scare you but to prepare you. This process can be a bitch at times and at times it can be your best friend. I tell this to everyone so when these ups and downs come, you're well prepared and you're expecting it. This search can get on your nerves. What you're going through is typical and honey, you ain't seen NOTHIN' yet. I've seen worse. I sometimes like to liken this process to labor. It can suck and take you through all types of pain and the best part about it is the birth at the closing table. You get anxious. You get emotional. No matter how thorough and proactive we are, a wrench can come from any direction and knock you off your square. You can have your eyes set on a house and your offer can get rejected. You can have your eyes set on a house and be in contract and then the inspection comes and unveils a bunch of issues that you never expected. And while we can simply ask the seller to make repairs, they can and sometimes will give us hell about them. There can be issues with the title. And let's not talk about the bank who can wait until the last minute to drop a bomb that that you may or may not be able to recover from which is why I always give the advice to always have more money than is expected for closing costs for those little "just in case moments". Now once, again, I don't mean to scare you but I need to make sure to prepare you."
Her reply, "Wow, I never knew. So what I am going through is typical?" "Yes ma'am," I said to her.
A couple weeks later when she started to get discouraged because she hadn't found anything else to her liking yet, she called me and thanked me for "THE TALK" because had she hadn't heard my brutally honest talk, she would've thrown in the towel in her search.
What I find is that my talk, though brutal, is effective. Every time a buyer faces a challenge, I get the same response, "You told me to be prepared for these things. I'm glad you did."
So, back to my original question, do you have "THE TALK" with your buyers?

Check out our spectacular list of homes at www.ExploreMountainHomes.com.

NEW IDEAS ABOUT THE FEDERAL TAX SAVINGS

2009-06-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

"If you currently work in a high-end market whose price point, or salary range is too high to get the new $8,000 first time homebuyers' credit—consider a change in marketing tactic. Many of my wealthy clients are trying to help their children or their grandchildren buy their first home. Talk to your high-end clients and tell them that now is the time to help family members buy a first home. Let them know about the opportunities out there for first-time buyers, such as the tax credit, Check with your Evergreen or Conifer Coldwell Banker Realtor and they can help you thru this change in the Tax law.

2009 Evergreen Rodeo is in town this weekend

2009-06-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

Join the Coldwell Banker agents and Join the Evergreen Rodeo Association for the 2nd annual "Friday Night Bulls" on June 19, 2009. This year we will feature the PBR Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour sponsored by Fuller Sotheby International. Friday is PBR Bulls only. Thirty of the meanest bulls this side of Golden!!
There will be PRCA Rodeo Performances on Saturday and Sunday.For further information on this annual event, please call: 303-697-2264
Also, be looking for you tickets to Coldwell Banker night at the Rockies. Contact your favorite Coldwell Banker agent to inquire about the free tickets to the baseball game on July 2o. Come back and visit us soon at www.ExploreMountainHome.com

Donations sought for Hungry and Homeless

2009-06-16T09:16:00.000-07:00

Coldwell Banker offices in Evergreen and Conifer know there are people here in our community who need support, food, clothing and money. There are donations boxes at the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Conifer and Evergreen. There is pickup available of items as well. To donate call Stephanie Freadhoff at 303-589-3777 or Joy Travis at Coldwell Banker 303-674-6667.

Conifer and Evergreen offices GO GREEN!

2009-06-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

The Conifer and Evergreen offices of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage have gone GREEN. Our Brokers have made the decision to advertise our homes for sale on our own web site in addition to the companies web sites http://www.coldwellbanker.com/ and http://www.coloradohomes.com/. We have set up a search engine on our web site for buyers that will help them get the most up to date information on Homes for Sale in our area. We would like your comments regarding our web site.

About Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, a leading residential real estate brokerage company in Colorado, operates 19 offices with more than 1,970 sales associates serving the communities of the Denver area. The company offers residential and commercial brokerage, corporate relocation and mortgage services. Through its internationally renowned Coldwell Banker Previews® program, the company is widely recognized for its expertise in the luxury housing market. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, online at www.ColoradoHomes.com/conifer and www.coloradohomes.com/evergreen , is part of NRT LLC, the nation's largest residential real estate brokerage company. NRT, a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, operates Realogy's company-owned real estate brokerage offices. For more information please visit www.ColoradoHomes.com/conifer or www.ColoradoHomes.com/evergreen or call 303-816-7500 or 303-674-6667

Explore Mountain Homes in Colorado is pleased to welcome Garth Criswell

2009-06-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

Denver, CO - 5/18/2009 - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Colorado is pleased to welcome Garth Criswell as its newest sales associate. In his new position, Criswell will specialize in residential sales in the central and southern Denver metro area.

"We are thrilled to have Garth join our team," said Jill Croteau, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Devonshire manager. "It is an exciting time to be with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage as we continue to build on our dominant presence in Denver."

Prior to joining Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Criswell worked in the computer software industry for 12 years. His responsibilities included sales, client support, software design, and project management.

Criswell, a third-generation Coloradan and Denver native, earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology from California Lutheran University, and is currently an active and founding member of the Denver choir Kantorei.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Devonshire is located at 200 Fillmore Street, Suite 300, in Denver, and can be reached at 303-758-7611.

About Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, a leading residential real estate brokerage company in Colorado, operates 19 offices with more than 1,970 sales associates serving the communities of the Denver area. The company offers residential and commercial brokerage, corporate relocation and mortgage services. Through its internationally renowned Coldwell Banker Previews® program, the company is widely recognized for its expertise in the luxury housing market. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, online at "www.ColoradoHomes.com:http://www.coloradohomes.com, is part of NRT LLC, the nation's largest residential real estate brokerage company. NRT, a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, operates Realogy's company-owned real estate brokerage offices. For more information please visit www.ColoradoHomes.com or call 925.275.3085.