Get rid of squeaky floors!

As winter approaches it gets dryer and dryer here in Colorado, you may experience squeaker hardwood floors than normal. It's hard to sneak around the house without waking up the spouse and baby, and even the dog for that matter, when old mother floor board is moaning and groaning at every step.

What causes the floor boards to make such loud protests? The boards have become dry and contracted, and the problem will only get worse and winter advances. Click here to find out what to do.

You only get one chance to make a first impression!

Want increase your home's appeal but not sure how to get the best bang for your back? Start with your home's curb appeal. That's one investment you're sure to recoup. Here are a few of the basics:

1. Fresh paint goes a long way. If you can't afford to re-paint the entire exterior of your home, focus on the trim around the doorways and windows. 
2. Keep the grass green. If you're going to be putting your home on the market, add an extra cycle or two to the automatic sprinklers to make sure your grass is getting plenty of water. Use fertilizer! 
3. Plant lots and lots of flowers. Fill up those flower beds!
4. Lay rock or refresh your mulch.
5. Get rid the weeds! Even in between the sidewalk and driveway cracks. 
6. Wash the windows. 

Here are some ways to dress up your porch and entryway. 

1. Hang a wreath.
2. Get a new mailbox. 
3. Put up new house numbers.
4. Paint the door.
5. Get new door hardware or shine the ones you've got.
6. Get a nice welcome mat.

For more ideas on how to put "your best house forward" click here

Total MLS Sales Statistics

Click on Map for Most Recent Metrolist Real Estate Statistics

Click Here for Total MLS Sales Statistics





Based on Information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period Jan 2009 through present. Metrolist, Inc. Note: This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by Metrolist, Inc. does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by metrolist, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

July Market Update

In July 2010 there was a 7.4% increase, year-over-year, in the average sales price for single family homes. At the same time, there was a sharp decline in closed transactions as compared to July 2009, which reflects a challenging real estate market. The fall out from the now expired home buying tax credits lingers longer than expected.

On a positive note, buyers can get rates as low as 4.5 to 4.25% right now. On a loan amount of $230,000, a typical loan amount for a first-time home buyer, a borrower could save $1,600 a year due to having a rate at 4.25% rather than 5.25% (which is about where rates were when the tax credit was still available). After 5 years, the borrower will have saved over $8,000. After 10 years, $16,000! Even without the tax credit, there are plenty of good reasons to buy and lots of ways to save. So, let's get to it! Call me and we'll get started on finding you a great new home.

Residential Highlights:

24.5% decrease in closed sales for July 10 compared to July 09

13.6% increase in active listings (17,983)

45.3% increase in absorption rate (6.6 months)

7.4% increase in average sold price ($297,218)

Condo/Townhome Highlights:

34.4% decrease in closed sales month over month

14.7% decrease in average days on market (93 days)

61.2% increase in absorption rate (8.8 months)

Other News:

New Home Sales Surge in June, Inventory at 42-Year Low: Sales of new U.S. single-family homes rebounded strongly in June from the prior month's record low, driving the number of houses on the market to its lowest level in nearly 42 years. Read more here

FHA Fees Changing: In September of this year, up front mortgage insurance (MI) will move from the current 2.25% of the loan amount down to 1%. Good news, right? Not so fast. The monthly MI amount will be increasing from the current annual percentage of 0.55% up to 0.9%. On a $200,000 loan, at the old annual rate of 0.55%, a borrower would have paid $91.66 in monthly MI. With the new rate, a borrower will pay $150/month. Questions? Let me know.

Five Colorado Cities on CNN's Money's 'Best Places to Live' List: Five Colorado small cities are on Money magazine's latest list of America's 100 "best places to live," with Fort Collins at No. 6, Highlands Ranch at No. 12 and Broomfield at No. 19. Read more here

Just Listed:

2685 S Zurich Ct, Denver - 4 beds/3 baths, $323,500

9573 Castle Ridge Cir, Highlands Ranch - 4 beds/4 baths, $249,900

Price Reduced:

8580 S Nelson Ct, Littleton -3 beds/4 baths, $499,000

June Market Update

Sales are up year to date over last year, days on market is down, and there has been a modest increase in the averages sales price for real estate the Greater Denver area. Here are some highlights and recent industry news.

Residential Highlights:

7% increase in closed sales year to date

19.8% decrease in days on market (81 days)

5.1% increase in absorption rate (5.1 months)

5.7% increase in average sold price ($299,375)

Condo/Townhome Highlights:

14.1% increase in closed sales year over year

10.3% decrease in average days on market (87 days)

5.5% increase in absorption rate (6.2 months)

Industry News:

19% of Denver-Area Employers Plan Q3 Hiring: Nineteen percent of Denver-area employers plan to hire in the third quarter, while 8 percent expect to cut their payrolls, according to a new quarterly survey by Manpower Inc.

Denver is 'Most Improved' U.S. Housing Market, Businessweek Says: Denver is the "most improved U.S. housing market," according to a new report from Bloomberg Businessweek. "In Denver, the economy and employment slowed just as other areas did during the recession, but things appear to be moving in the right direction this year," the report says.

Union Station gets $300 million in funding. Read more here.

4.5 million buys a home with no A/C. Read more here.

Just Listed:

10430 W 44th Ave, Wheat Ridge - 3 beds/3 baths, $269,900

37500 Bluebird Lane, Elizabeth - 4 beds/2.5 baths, $338,900

Price Reduced:

10208 Cherryhurst Lane, Highlands Ranch - 3 bed/3 bath, $253,000

8500 E Jefferson Ave #10-I, Denver - 2 bed/2 bath, $138,900

1754 S Grant St #G2, Denver - 1 bed/1 bath, $109,000

Feel free to contact me any time with questions about any of this information or anything else related to real estate. And enjoy the rest of the summer before school starts back up again!

June Update

Sales are up year to date over last year, days on market is down, and there has been a modest increase in the averages sales price for real estate the Greater Denver area. Here are some highlights and recent industry news.

Residential Highlights:

7% increase in closed sales year to date

19.8% decrease in days on market (81 days)

5.1% increase in absorption rate (5.1 months)

5.7% increase in average sold price ($299,375)

Condo/Townhome Highlights:

14.1% increase in closed sales year over year

10.3% decrease in average days on market (87 days)

5.5% increase in absorption rate (6.2 months)

Industry News:

19% of Denver-Area Employers Plan Q3 Hiring: Nineteen percent of Denver-area employers plan to hire in the third quarter, while 8 percent expect to cut their payrolls, according to a new quarterly survey by Manpower Inc.

Denver is 'Most Improved' U.S. Housing Market, Businessweek Says: Denver is the "most improved U.S. housing market," according to a new report from Bloomberg Businessweek. "In Denver, the economy and employment slowed just as other areas did during the recession, but things appear to be moving in the right direction this year," the report says.

Union Station gets $300 million in funding. Read more here.

4.5 million buys a home with no A/C. Read more here.

Just Listed:

10430 W 44th Ave, Wheat Ridge - 3 beds/3 baths, $269,900

37500 Bluebird Lane, Elizabeth - 4 beds/2.5 baths, $338,900

Price Reduced:

10208 Cherryhurst Lane, Highlands Ranch - 3 bed/3 bath, $253,000

8500 E Jefferson Ave #10-I, Denver - 2 bed/2 bath, $138,900

1754 S Grant St #G2, Denver - 1 bed/1 bath, $109,000

Feel free to contact me any time with questions about any of this information or anything else related to real estate. And enjoy the rest of the summer before school starts back up again!

Just Listed!

Gorgeous upgrades and largest backyard on block! Finished basement. Backs to a greenbelt.
 http://www.obeo.com/612243