Positive Perspective~November 2010

Forbes: Colorado is 4^th Best State for Business: Colorado again ranks No. 4 on Forbes’s latest annual list of the best states for business, retaining its 2009 ranking. read more here

Denver Named a Real-Estate Market to Watch: Metro Denver has been named one of the country’s top markets to watch next year in the new “Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2011″ report. read more here

Denver Ranked 8^th Smartest City According to CNNMoney: read more here

Colorado Among Top States Where Americans Want to Live: Colorado ranks No. 4 among the 50 states in a survey asking Americans where they would most like to live, up from fifth place last year. read more here

Denver’s LoDo Named One of 10 ‘Great Neighborhoods’ in U.S.: Lower Downtown Denver has been named one of the 10 “Great Neighborhoods” for 2010 by the American Planning Association, the group said October 13^th. read more here

UPS, Kohl’s to Hire Tens of Thousands for Holidays: United Parcel Service and Kohl’s Department Stores — both among Colorado area’s largest private employers — plans to hire tens of thousands of extra seasonal workers for the holidays, the companies announced October 6^th. read more here

Mortgages Hit Lowest Levels Since 1950s: Thirty-year fixed mortgages slipped to 4.27 percent this week, the lowest on records dating back to 1971, from 4.32 percent the week of October 6^th. read more here

Airlife Denver Lands Top Global Honor: Airlife Denver, the emergency-transport service for HealthOne, was named the top medical flight service in the world for 2010-2011 by the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), a nonprofit international trade association. read more here

Denver to Host ‘Big Air’ Ski, Snowboard Event at Civic Center:

Insert your logo to the left and contact information in this box

 “Denver Big Air,” an international ski and snowboard competition, will take place in Civic Center Park on the two days preceding the SnowSports Industry America (SIA) Snow Show in January, local leaders announced October 4th. read more here

Westin Riverfront at Beaver Creek Makes Condé Nast List: The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa recently announced it has been honored as the “Top Resort, Mainland U.S.” by Condé Nast Traveler in its 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards. read more here

Massive Housing Development Proposed Near Highlands Ranch: DOUGLAS COUNTY – It’s a nearly $4.3 billion community that would create countless jobs, a new school and an impressive commercial development. read more here

Compliments of

Andrea Kvamme

Land Title

5 Steps to Remodeling Done Right

 Here are five steps to developing a great relationship with a remodeling contractor.

1. Let the contractor know if you are ready to remodel or just kicking the tires. Gary Palmer, a Charlotte, N.C.-based general contractor, says seeking multiple bids is fine, but don’t waste his or her time by letting the bidding process drag on for weeks.

2. Do your homework. Before seeking bids, develop two files. One should include information, including photos, of what you like. The other should include a list of what you don’t like.

3. Listen to the experts. A good contractor can tell you whether the project is feasible and what the pay off will be.

4. Communicate your budget. Let the contractor know up front how much money you intend to spend.

5. Be realistic and patient. Every remodeling project is messy and all of them are going to be frustrating somewhere along the way.

Read full article:

Do you need a referral to a contractor or service provider?  Do you need a referral for a contractor? Click here-CG Premier Referral Directory or give Chris a call!

Why Buy a Home?

The past few years of rocky real estate markets has left some people wondering, why buy a home? If you find that thought running through your mind consider these things.
A recent survey commissioned by the National Association of Home Builders found that 72 percent of its respondents opposed any effort to get rid of the homeowners’ mortgage interest deduction. That’s despite the fact that doing so could help ease the nation’s budget deficit.
Gil Gross host of Real Estate Today Radio reported that, “The survey cut across partisan lines, and even across homeowner status. 76 percent of Republicans and 64 percent of Democrats oppose eliminating the deduction, as do 75 percent of owners and even 55 percent of renters. They all recognize the importance of homeownership to the nation’s economy.”
But why when you hear the horror stories of markets crashing, housing underwater and homeowners facing foreclosure, would you want to buy a home?

The first reason, we just addressed. When you buy a home there are tax advantages. Effectively, homeownership provides an excellent tax shelter. But there are more reasons to trade your rent payment for a mortgage. Buying a home for this tax advantage isn’t how you should look at it. Rather, think of it this way. You need a place to live. Receiving a tax advantage for the place that you choose to live in, is a nice bonus.
When carefully used, a home equity loan (line of credit that allows you to borrow against your home) can be a better way to carry credit. That’s because home equity lines can have lower interest rates and are also deductible whereas typical credit card interest is not.

Read Full Article…

What?!? Home Sales Up, Home Sales Down-I’m Confused!

Yoga In the City! – Free

Chris George
Realtor, Investor, Advisor
CRS (Top 4% Nationwide)   CDPE 
c 303.478.5501  ,    f 720.746.2868

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CGPremier at Your Castle Real Estate
10955 Westmoor Drive, Suite 400, Broomfield, CO 80021

While I like “to” yoga.  I haven’t done it a while. It brings a sense of peace and power to my life.   I’ll pass this opportunity along.   Chris Join CorePower Yoga and lululemon athletica to merge the masses! Yogis of all levels from near and far will meet on the mat in the name of yoga. THIS Saturday, October 16th 9:30am – 11:30am City Park in Denver (near the bandstand) Led by CorePower Yoga instructors Cara Fogel, Lora Lantz & Marley Vigdorth. Live music by Waking Alchemy No need to sign up ahead of time; simply show up with your yoga mat, a few layers and a smile ready to practice yoga! We hope to see you there!! Questions? Contact Alex. Namasté, CorePower Yoga   Chris George Realtor, Investor, Advisor CRS (Top 4% Nationwide)   CDPE  c 303.478.5501  ,    f 720.746.2868  CGPremier at Your Castle Real Estate 10955 Westmoor Drive, Suite 400, Broomfield, CO 80021

Time For New Windows?

A client called the other day looking for window recommendations and information.  Below is the information I gathered.  New windows are a fantastic way to save energy, and you can even qualify for a tax credit.  If you are looking to get windows replaced, or having any work done around the house, give me a call or shoot me an email, I have lots of recommendations for contractors. 

I was going to say “here’s the skinny” but realized the list of information was growing to “here’s the thick-n-thin”

Window Products

Jeld-Wen http://www.jeld-wen.com/ (sold at home depot)

Pella http://www.colorado.pella.com/home.asp?project=colorado

Andersen  http://www.andersenwindows.com/

Champion http://www.championwindow.com/

 

What to look for

Efficiency/Construction – Low-e windows, Argon Gas (good to put on sunny, south facing windows, also consider for north, colder side of home)

Operation-  How do they install? Full casement windows. Depends on your house construction (brick, frame, stucco etc).

How easy is it to clean? Do they tilt out from the top? “Double hung”. 

Do the top panes slide down? This is good for letting in air. 

How easy is screen replacement/operation?

Cost – Your basic low cost vinyl window will do better than any aluminum (20+ year old) windows. There are full vinyl , wood and vinyl windows and several others.  How much longer will you be living in your home? When it is time to sell, buyers first will notice that you have NEW-er windows then will look at the quality of the product. 

 Tax Credit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=windows_doors.pr_taxcredits

Energy Star Products are what to look for to qualify.  You may be eligible for Rebates from Xcel as well as the Federal Energy Tax Credit Program, and perhaps City of Westminster. I just purchased a new water heater from Home Depot and installed it myself. The folks at the service desk provided the paperwork for the Xcel Rebate and the City rebate (although the city had no more funding for that rebate). I got a check from $40 from Xcel within 3 weeks.  I installed the water heater myself.

Sixth Edition of Toward a More Competitive Colorado Released

Here are some highlights for the state from the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation most recent report:
- #2 in the country for economic outlook
- #2 for adults with a bachelor’s degree
- #4 for highest population growth
- Nation’s lowest obesity rate and #2 for fewest retail prescription drug refills
Colorado ranks highly in key innovation measures:
- #2 for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants
- #3 for venture capital investments
- #3 for high-tech employment
- #10 for patents granted
Colorado’s cleantech economy is advancing:
- #6 in clean energy employment; #9 in clean energy job growth
- #7 in wind energy generation; #6 in solar operations
Read full article:

Some push for foreclosure freeze in Colorado

A foreclosed home is advertised on a Re/Max yard sign in Denver on Monday. Foreclosure proceedings have been halted by three banks in some states, but Colorado has not been included. The state has asked Ally Financial to extend the freeze to Colorado. (Matthew Staver, Bloomberg)

Moves by three major mortgage companies to halt foreclosures while they examine their procedures haven’t affected homeowners in Colorado, but some in the state would like to see the foreclosure moratoriums extended here.

The lenders have temporarily stopped processing foreclosures as they investigate whether information included in foreclosure documents was properly verified.

Colorado hasn’t been affected so far because of the unique process that foreclosures go through here.

“We are the only state that operates through a public trustee,” said Stephanie Riggi, manager of the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline. “In other states, a lot of these (foreclosures) were handled through a court proceeding. It may not impact our homeowners who have gone through foreclosures.”

But many in the legal community think the moratoriums in place in other states should be extended to Colorado because the foreclosure process is so complex that it’s difficult to determine whether the cases have been handled improperly.

Read more: Some push for foreclosure freeze in Colorado – The Denver Post

10 Markets Most Likely to Appreciate

Forbes magazine turned to real estate research firm Local Market Monitor to figure out which markets have the greatest likelihood of price appreciation because they offer a mix of jobs weighted toward growth industries.

These are the top markets, the research company concludes:

1. Raleigh-Cary, N.C.
2. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas
3. Austin-Round Rock, Texas
4. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tenn.
5. San Antonio, Texas
6. Colorado Springs, Colo.
7. Albuquerque, N.M.
8. Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, Colo.
9. Springfield, Mo.
10. Indianapolis-Carmel, Ind.

Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy (09/13/2010)

Read More…

August Denver-metro home statistics

- 3,079 home sales closed in the metro area in August
- 23,615 homes in inventory
- Prices have remained fairly stable.  The median price for homes sold in August was $239,900, compared with $240,000 in July and $227,000 in August 2009.
- The median price of condos sold rose to $130,000 in August from $129,000 in July but is down from a median sales price of $144,500 a year ago.
Read full article: