Boulder Real Estate

Homes Are Selling on the Hill! University Place Market Report

2011-11-08T09:18:00.000-08:00

Homes are selling on the Hill! I've compared a list of single-family home sales for 2011 through October 31, 2011, in the University Place subdivision (my home neighborhood). Compared with the same period of time last year, we see an increase in sales activity -- more homes sold this year (21 versus 17 last year) for closer to list price (3.9% discount versus 4.9% discount last year). However,

So, You Want to Be a Landlord? Investment Properties in Boulder

2011-08-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

Whether you're thinking of renting out your home temporarily or if you're considering investing in rentals in the City of Boulder there are a number of quirky regulations you should know about. A Rental License is REQUIRED. Unless you meet specific circumstances, like roommate situations or short-term, temporary rentals of your primary residence, you are required to apply for a rental

New MLS Fields Help Sell Green Features

2011-02-11T10:21:00.000-08:00

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15% for Nonprofits, continuing into 2011!

2011-01-04T16:08:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of the season, I have decided to extend my 15% for charity program into 2011. This year, I donated 15% of my commissions to the non-profit choice of each client -- from ArtLink of Longmont to the national Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Rest assured, you will still get 100% of my high-quality service as a home buyer or seller. Wishing you and your loved ones Happy Holidays! For

Prices up, sales down -- what gives?

2010-08-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

Not surprisingly, sales of existing homes took a dive in July after the expiration of the home buyer tax credit. But home prices continued to rise, if only slightly. The reason is that interest rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage have never been lower, meaning that buyers can afford more expensive homes.In the Western region, sales fell 25% in July, but the median price rose 3.3%, compared with

There's Gold in Them Thar Hills! Great Bargains in the Mountains

2010-07-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

If you've been toying with the idea of buying a summer cabin, now is the time. There are great deals to be had in Boulder, Gilpin and Larimer counties, starting at less than $100,000 for a home on a forested acre or a cabin on a creek.I've been having a great time escaping the summer heat and driving the mountains with my friends/clients who are also gold miners. Their claim is near Gold Hill and

$$$ for Non-Profits: 15% of my commissions donated

2010-05-27T09:59:00.000-07:00

During a recession charities get hit twice -- fewer donations and increased needs for things like food banks, shelter and counseling. So, I've committed to donate 15% of my net commissions to charities. And as my client, you can choose your favorite charity, as long as it has 501C3 status.Rest assured, you will still get 100% of my high-quality service as a home buyer or seller. As you've

How's Real Estate Doing? A Flatirons Market Snapshot

2010-05-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

"How's the market?" I get asked this question all the time, so I thought I'd share some statistics and insight into my local market -- the neighborhood covered by Flatirons Elementary (where my daughters have attended).In general, sales are slow, with fewer homes sold than in previous years (34 last year, compared with 89 in 2006). This year got off to a good start, with 16 homes sold in the

FHA loans to get more expensive - April 5 deadline

2010-03-24T06:17:00.000-07:00

This came in from a mortgage broker who I have worked with in the past:Just a reminder if you are working with a first time home buyer or someone planning to use FHA for their loan; the costs for the mortgage insurance premium will be increasing in 26 more days.Take advantage of the lower costs now by ordering your FHA case number before April 5th.FHA loans have been the most competitive options

7.3% of Boulder and Longmont Mortgages "Underwater"

2010-03-16T05:56:00.000-07:00

While we're in nowhere near the situation of Nevada, where 70% of properties are worth less than their loan amounts, about 7.3% of Boulder and Longmont real estate mortgages are "underwater," according to a report by First American CoreLogic and an article in the Boulder County Business Report. Negative equity is at 23.5 percent in the Denver/Aurora/Broomfield metro area, and at 8.9 percent in

New Construction Down, Renovations Steady in Boulder Valley

2010-03-16T05:46:00.000-07:00

The value of building permits for new construction fell by 58% in Boulder and Broomfield Counties in 2009, even though the number of permits fell only 3%, according to "Building permit values fall 40 percent in Boulder Valley" in the Boulder County Business Report. This supports the logic that in tough times, people stay put and renovate or add on, instead of moving into a new home or office.

Avoiding Foreclosure - Part IV of series

2010-03-03T11:40:00.000-08:00

The perfect storm of adjustable mortgages, declining home sales, and job loss have led to a rise in foreclosures. Short sales and foreclosures now represent 30% of all real estate sales in the country. But just because you're falling behind in your mortgage payments, you do have alternatives.The consequences of foreclosure on homeowners are terrible -- loss of home and equity, damage to credit (

Bank-Owned / REO Sales - Boulder Foreclosures, Part III

2010-02-25T12:24:00.000-08:00

When most people think of investing in foreclosure properties, this is what they have in mind. As we discussed in Part I, most homes sold by the public trustee at foreclosure auction are bought by the lender holding the mortgage. Because banks are in the business of lending money, not owning real estate, they want to sell them as fast as possible and unload their "REO" (Real Estate Owned)

Short Sales - Boulder Foreclosures, Part II

2010-02-25T11:34:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen a real estate listing that said "subject to bank approval" or "short sale"? This means that the list price of the home is less than the amount owed in mortgage(s). If it sells, the bank will be "shorted" on the loan, not to mention that the sellers will lose any equity they once had in the property. A short sale is an alternative to foreclosure, saving the bank the money and

At the Auction - Boulder Foreclosures, Part I

2010-02-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday at 10 am, I found myself in the office of the Boulder County Trustee, awaiting the foreclosure auction. It was a packed house with about 30 people crowded into the small space, most of whom, by the looks of their Carhart jackets, were contractors.