http://gocb.me/colorado/realitycheck/13november/November-Article.html

http://www.hsh.com/finance/mortgage/prepay-or-refinance.html

Here is a great link on refinancing or prepaying on your mortgage.

http://www.cbdirectconnect.com/public/1774796

http://www.cbdirectconnect.com/public/1941231

"Underwater" Mortgages Decline More Homeowners in a Position to Sell

 The improvement has been seen in every region of the country, although it varies by location. While some states and cities are doing much better than average, others that experienced the strongest price increases and sharpest drop-off during the recession have a higher percentage of underwater mortgages.
 
Colorado as a whole is much better than the national average with just 14.2 percent of homeowners having negative equity. That’s down sharply from 20.7 percent just a year ago. 

See below for further details:

 AugustArticle

Seven Reasons a For Sale By Owner does not add up

For Sale By Owner:

The Drawbacks of Going it Alone on a Home 

With housing on the upturn, multiple offers and rising sales prices are being

reported in our market. Some potential home sellers might think that selling

their home simply requires placing a “for sale” sign in their front yard. Many

sellers have learned the hard way that selling a home in today’s marketplace

is much more difficult than they imagined; their efforts to save money on

commissions may have been more costly than they anticipated.

Before venturing into doing the do-it-yourself option of being a for-sale by

owner (FSBO), you need to fully understand what is involved in the selling

of real estate and then compare the perceived advantages and the actual

disadvantages of trying to sell your property on your own.

http://www.gocb.me/colorado/realitycheck/13september/SeptemberArticle.html

Denver is one of the five best markets to sell your home!

CNN Money rated Denver as one of the five best markets to sell your home in!

Here is the link for the full article:

http://money.cnn.com/gallery/real_estate/2013/03/14/sellers-markets/5.html

How to stay cool in the summer without breaking the bank.

Here are a few ways to cool you and your home without the pocketbook groaning:

1.) Shades down when you are not home or the sun is on that side of the house.

2.) If you have a central air conditioner with an adjustable thermostat, raise the temperature when you are not at home. That said, when you are home, pick a temperature everyone can live with and try not to change it. 

3.) If you are using ceiling fans, use them only when you are in the room.

4.) Landscaping can help block some of the sun off the home.

5.) Have a nice cool drink to stay hydrated and cool yourself at the same time.

What Buyer's Want

An updated kitchen was the winner in the 2013 NAR Home Features Survey!

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2013/07/15/buyers-say-they-want-this-in-their-homes-kitchen/

Mortgage rates jumped significantly this week

Slowly, but surely the buyers are going to have to decide if they want less house or are they willing to pay more...And how do you decide what is important to you?  Here are some suggestions:

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/how-to-cope-with-higher-mortgage-rates-1.aspx?ec_id=FACE101

House prices have continued to rise since January 2012

The greatest gains in where in the Mountain and Pacific Regions.  Great news for Colorado!

http://eyeonhousing.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/house-prices-move-higher/

I think everyone has to have down time to rejuvenate, but these habits could really kill a bank account.

Here is the article:

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/smart-spending/bad-habits-cost-1.aspx

Things buyers should know when going to an open house

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2013/06/07/open-houses/

This is a great, quick article that really bullet points the things really going on during an open house.

Buyers it is a great way to get information on the house and the neighborhood and the other way around.

Mortgage rates may not dip again

Great article from Bankrate.com talking about how 4% may be the new norm for mortgage rates since the rates have climbed for the last 6 weeks in a row.

Colorado home sale prices are rising!

 
Colorado's housing market has seen a rise in sale prices as strong buyer demand, historically attractive interest rates, an improving economy and a shortage of listings are combining to create a robust seller’s market.
 
The Denver Metro Area's median sale price of $255,000 in May was up 8% compared with the same period last year, according to MLS data analyzed by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. In the Northern Colorado counties, the median sale price is up even more – 13% to $262,000. 
 
One of the reasons for the surge in prices is that there just aren’t enough homes on the market to meet buyer demand. Inventory has fallen to its lowest level in many years with Colorado's active listings in May down more than 50% from a year ago, according to MLS data. 

See below for more details 

JuneArticle

One way to sell your house faster, clean out the closets!

The room may be clean, but a hidden deal killer maybe what is perceived as a lack of storage space.  Closets, pantries, cabinets should be organized and if possible only around 2/3 full in my opinion.  If so, the buyer gets the impression that the seller has more than enough storage room for all their things, therefore, the buyer may also have room to spare.

Here is a site with some great ideas:

http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/closets/inspirational-closets-00000000013792/index.html

Housing is Back!

Here is a great article with new numbers showing the health of the housing market.  Prices are rising in 41 states!  New construction is booming.  It feels like a breathe of fresh air.

http://money.msn.com/investing/its-official-housing-is-back

Great article on the market explosion and will it last

I have been asked may times on whether or not I think we are on a bubble that is about to pop here in Denver. 

Here is an article addressing that very question!

http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/the-2013-real-estate-bubble.html

Mortgage interest rates are incredible right now!

Freddie Mac's Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey

Win a chance at a free home protection plan!

http://www.cbdirectconnect.com/public/1268131

Homeownership and Rapid Transit

Homeownership and Rapid Transit

Competition Heats Up for Home Buyers

Competition Heats Up for Home Buyers

This is very true in Parker, CO.   It is a Seller's market! Bidding wars are not uncommon.

Great opportunity for Sellers!

 Denver's Housing Market Continued to Recover in January Offering an Unprecedented Opportunity for Sellers

Metrolist, Inc.

It is a great time to sell your house!

Fannie Mae: Housing is 'on a sustained growth path' | Inman News

Fannie Mae: Housing is 'on a sustained growth path' | Inman News

2013 is here! What does that mean for you?

JanuaryArticle

Looking forward to 2013

Dec-Article-Colorado

November Article

November Article