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

Now Hiring!

Immediate opening for assistant to real estate agent.
You should be an organizer, a positive person, a good
communicator – both written and verbal, have excellent computer
skills, have a good sense of humor, be a fast learner with a quick
mind and be willing to work hard and smart. You’ll work in a fast
paced real estate office in the DTC area. We offer an exciting
atmosphere in a people-oriented business.
This is NOT an entry-level position.
Please indicate salary desired.

The first step is to fax or email your resume to:
Fax: 303-796-0203 (Include coversheet to Seth Jenson)
Email: seth@jensonrealestate.com (Address email to Seth)

Requirements:
Extremely high proficiency with MS Office.
Hours are from 7 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. Start time and days worked not flexible.

Please do NOT apply if you want to work from home.
Please do NOT apply if you need benefits.
This is NOT an entry-level position.

Just Listed!

Affordable urban living with gorgeous hardwoods, granite counters, newer paint and newer carpet!
http://www.Obeo.com/602379

Amazing location! Southern exposure. Great HOA, new roof and paint. Excellent layout.
 http://www.Obeo.com/603049

Beautiful two story with three bedrooms and a loft! Cherry cabinets, surround sound and upgraded light fixtures.

Write a letter to go along with your offer

When writing an offer you may want to consider writing up a letter telling the sellers what you like about their house. Go ahead and tell them a little bit about yourself and your family as well. As simple as it seems, these letters can go a long way in helping to put together a favorable deal!

Jumbo Loan Becoming More Available

Jumbo loans are becoming more available. They still require a minimum down payment of 10%. Ask your mortgage broker about a 90% loan to value program with NO mortgage insurance. It's a very cool offering!

With jumbo loans the key is debt to income ratio. Ratios have to be at 45% or below.

Mortgage rates drop below 5%

Just last week, rates dropped to 4.5% for the second time EVER. The last time was about a year and a half ago, but they only stayed that low for literally an hour or two. This time, it seems like rates are staying lower a little longer. Today’s rate is 4.625% on a 30 year fixed (certain restrictions apply).

 “Consumer confidence is up, which means consumers are more optimistic about their personal financial situation and more likely to buy higher priced items. However, with unemployment also up and fear in the stock market, money is flowing into bonds and keeping mortgage rates low,” says Blair Weed of the Meridian Lending Group. “My recommendation to those considering financing/refinancing a home is to lock in your interest rate now.  There is so little room for rates to go down, yet so much pressure for them to go up.”

*Market Highlights

Average sold price for single family homes up 7.8% over April 09.

Number of closed single family homes up 22.1% year over year.
*All numbers per the Denver MLS.

Coming Soon

4366 Perth Cir, Denver—3 beds/2 baths, $149,500

Just Listed

8500 E Jefferson Ave #10-I, Denver—2 bed/2 bath, $146,000—Under contract in 9 days!

269 Galapago St, Denver—1 bed/1 bath, $179,900

Price Reduced

3100 Huron St #2D, Denver—2 beds/2 baths, $299,000

594 Chandelle Rd, Castle Rock—4 beds/4 baths, 7 garage spaces, $649,900

5347 W Fremont Pl, Littleton—5 beds/4 baths, $299,900—Under contract!

11627 Bowles Cir, Littleton—5 beds/2 baths, $212,900

2232 E 100^th Pl, Thornton—5 beds/4 baths, $279,900

If you’d like more information on historically low interest rates for the purposes of purchasing or refinancing, let me know and I can help or put you in touch with someone who can. 

In The Heights

I adored this show from the opening scene! Never thought I'd say this, but it's got the perfect blend of rap and soaring ballads. Dancing that you can actually relate to. (Yeah, I guess I relate better to hip hop than tap). The characters are lovable and some are hilarious. I was laughing and talking out loud the whole time, much to Meg's delight I'm sure. If I talk out loud during a show, it's a sure sign that I love it. Besides, the guy next to me was chomping on his gum so loudly the whole time I had to in order for Meg to hear me!

Are you moved to tears sometimes, not because you're sad or overly happy, but just for the sheer fact that something you're witnessing is so well done and the people performing are so dang talented? That happens to me sometimes. I just get this overwhelming feeling and want to shout or cry or something because what I'm seeing is so cleverly, beautifully, joyfully executed. All this emotion wells up inside of me and starts leaking out in the form of laughter, a huge grin, tears or me talking out loud to the person next to me! I love seeing people throw everything they have into something and give it all they've got - especially when they're really, really, really talented. That's the way I felt during this show. It all came together really well for me. Best show I've seen in a long, long time!

The Great Bridge

The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I liked the latter half of this book better than the first. I got tired of the stories of political corruption in New York during that time as well as all the details about the the technical aspects of the construction and lowering of the caissons used for the foundations on the bridge on the New York and Brooklyn sides of the river. At the same time, I don't know how the author could've left much of it out. I guess I wish he would've made a bit more concise for guys like me that just wanna get to the good part.

My favorite part of the book was the characters. Absolutely fascinating men and women. People of such talent, brilliance, and incredible work ethic. These are the people we all lean upon. There are men and women like this in every era. They make our lives better in more ways than we can imagine.

View all my reviews >>

Difficult Conversations

Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss what Matters Most by Douglas Stone

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fantastic book. I'm gonna have to read it again and again. Could use the content for an amazing marriage improvement course. I'd sign up.

Lots of practical advice in this book. I loved the role plays. So easy to relate to. One of the best things I learned (or was reminded about) is that you should never blame someone else for a problem but instead find out how each party contributed to the problem and learn to talk it through openly and fairly.

I wish I'd read this book months ago! There are a number of difficult conversations I've had since then that would've gone a lot better. They still would've been difficult, because difficult conversations always are, but I would've been able to handle them more skillfully.

View all my reviews >>

Monthly Update

Thank you for supporting me by sending me the contact information of anyone you know that’s thinking about buying or selling real estate.

Which part of the market is really moving right now? If you’ve heard that most of the activity in the Denver real estate market is at the lower end, you’re right. According to Metrolist data, almost 93% of the sales in the first quarter of 2010 were priced below $500,000. Of the 8,121 homes (and condos) sold in the first quarter of this year, 7.7% of the homes sold were priced at $500,000 or more. Homes priced at or below $100,000 accounted for 12% of the market. Those from $100,000 to $200,000 comprised 34%; $200,000 to $300,000, 27%; and $300,000 to $500,000, 19%.

That being said, the market is slowly shifting back towards equilibrium. Whereas there was an enormous amount of activity going on for properties priced below $100,000 a couple of years ago, those properties have mostly been gobbled up. There just isn’t a lot of activity in that price range anymore. As the numbers and percentages above show, most of the activity is taking place between $200,000 and $500,000.

Fact or fiction? There is little or no financing available for homes priced above $500,000. FICTION! There’s plenty of financing available. There were actually 834 closings in the first quarter for homes and condos priced above $500,000. A full 107 of them were priced at 1 million or more!

Click Here For Photos & Info On All My Active Listings

Coming Soon

269 Galapago Street, Denver—2 bed/2 bath, $179,900

Just Listed

948 Locust Street, Denver—6 bed/5 bath, $749,900

594 Chandelle Road, Castle Rock—4 bed/4 bath, $695,000

1725 Wild Rye Court, Castle Rock – 5 bed/3 bath, $374,000

16140 Martingale Drive W, Parker—3 bed/3 bath, $239,900

11627 W Bowles Circle, Littleton—4 bed/2 bath, $219,900

17139 E Neu Towne Parkway, Parker—3 bed/3 bath, $219,000

Price Reduced

9221 Weeping Willow Court, Highlands Ranch—4 bed/3 bath, $229,000

10208 Cherryhurst Lane, Highlands Ranch—3 bed/3 bath, $256,900

3435 S Ammons Street, #30-6, Lakewood—2 bed/3 bath, $169,900

23662 E Chenango Place, Aurora—2 bed/2 bath, $264,900

3100 Huron Street-2D, Denver—2 bed/2 bath, $309,000

2232 E 100th   Place, Thornton—5 bed/4 bath, $289,900

1322 Beth Lane, Northglenn—3 bed/4 bath, $209,900

9095 Renoir Drive, Littleton—3 bed/3 bath, $254,900

838 Inca Street, Denver—2 bed/2 bath, $175,000

There is life after the tax credit. I will prove it! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to come out of the Great Recession together!

Just Listed!

6 bedrooms with 7 bedroom on main or study!
http://www.Obeo.com/588212

Brand new flooring!  New interior and exterior paint.
http://www.Obeo.com/588215

Awesome mountain views with fully finished walkout basement!
http://www.Obeo.com/593761

Move in ready! Much better than a new home.
http://www.Obeo.com/597200

Professionally finished basement in a pool community!

Fabulous 2 story in the heart of Montclair!
http://www.obeo.com/597998

Very clean 3 bedroom 3 bathroom with large backyard!

Columbine

Just Listed!

Newer home! 42K in upgrades!  http://www.Obeo.com/589572

Primo unit!  Really cute and updated.  http://www.Obeo.com/588639

Great 5 bedroom ranch home with finished mother-in-law basement!  http://www.Obeo.com/589275

Just Listed!

Immaculate home at unbelievable price! 5 beds/4 baths & full fin bsmnt! 3-car garage. Great layout & beautiful upgrades.

Hardwoods, corian counters, butler's pantry & formal dining. Media center, vaulted 9' ceilings, new paint! Huge deck & mature landscaping.

http://www.Obeo.com/580572

Great two story with three car garage! On a cul-de-sac.  Great mountain views with no neighbors behind.  Big flat backyard. Perfect family home.

Finished basement with rec room/surround sound.  5th bed/office.  Bay windows!  Upgraded master with 5 piece bathroom.  Shows really well!  Must see!

http://www.Obeo.com/584207

Wonderful views of the front range! Nice two story with four bedrooms up.  Lots of space for price. Near schools, pool and shopping. Finished basement.  Great deck with big flat backyard.

Will go fast at this price!