Jan's Boulder County Market Update

Deductible Is the Point

2012-01-23T08:42:00.000-08:00

Points refer to prepaid interest on a home mortgage and can be fully deductible by the buyer in the year paid if the right conditions exist. The points must be used to buy, build or improve a taxpayer's principal residence but not all fees charged by the lender are necessarily deductible.

According to IRS Publication 936, "The term 'points' is used to describe certain charges paid, or treated as paid, by a borrower to obtain a home mortgage. Points may also be called loan origination fees, maximum loan charges, loan discount, or discount points. A borrower is treated as paying any points that a home seller pays for the borrower's mortgage."

If you purchased a home in 2011, have your tax professional evaluate your closing statement to see if there are loan fees that may be used as a deduction on your tax return regardless of whether you or the seller paid them.

Refinancing a principal residence or purchasing an investment or income property require that points must be deducted ratably over the term of the mortgage rather than deducting them fully in the year paid. Borrowers in these situations should consider the benefits of lower interest rates from paying point to higher interest rates without points.

This article is meant to provide information that can be discussed with your tax professional about your specific situation and is not to be considered tax advice.

2012-01-20T06:49:00.001-08:00

Boulder County Real Estate Market: Supplyand Demand

The latest statistics released by theBoulder Area Realtors Association show a broad trend that may have an effect onthe spring market. There is a significant decrease in the number of listings inall areas, except Superior which is up slightly. Even minimal demand and priceshave only one way to go.

Boulder -12.7%

Lafayette -26%

Louisville -29%

Broomfield -28.8%

Longmont -26.3%

Erie -23.5%

Suburban plains -16.3%

2012-01-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

Longmont, CO Market Trend

A review of single family homes sold in the Meadowview subdivision in SW Longmont, CO is a microcosm of our Boulder-area market locally. It shows that pricesbasically held up pretty well post-crash 2008 and into 2009. The downturn inprices are reflected in sales in 2010. Prices are downaround 8% in SW Longmont, single family homes, or a little less than Longmont as a whole. And there were no sales in 2011 in this neighborhood! Why sell if you don't have to move and will lose money?

It will be interesting to see what happens in the newyear. I think/expect/hope that prices will be a little stronger but it reallydepends on the employment market. If local companies start hiring,things could pick up in a hurry as there are so few listings.

Choose Your Deduction

2012-01-16T13:13:00.000-08:00

One third of all U.S. households, 75% of households with more than $75,000 income and most homeowners itemize their deduction on their federal income tax returns. It makes sense because the interest paid on their mortgage and their property taxes probably exceeds the allowable standard deduction.

However, with interest rates as low as they have been in the last two years and the price of homes having come down considerably, it is possible that the standard deduction may be the better choice.

Each year, the taxpayer can compare the total of the itemized deductions to the standard deduction to select which method will result in the most benefits. The 2011 standard deduction is $11,600 for married couple filing jointly and $5,800 for single filers.

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 allows homeowners to take the standard deduction and the lesser of their actual property taxes of $1,000 if filing their return married jointly. For more information, see Schedule L found on www.IRS.gov and consult your tax advisor.

2012-01-12T05:06:00.000-08:00

2012 Resolution: Invest in Rental Property. Is this the year you will make it happen?

Every year, it seems like the same things are on the list but this could bethe year you really do invest in a rental home.

Rents are climbing, home prices arecheap and mortgage rates are low for even non-owner occupied properties. A$300,000 home with 20% down payment can easily have a positive monthly cashflow after paying all of the expenses.

There are lots of investment strategies that work but one that is easy tounderstand and execute is to stay with below average price range homes inpredominantly owner-occupied neighborhoods. These properties will appeal to thebroadest range of tenants while you hold them and buyers when you're ready tosell.

Single family homes offer an opportunity to borrow high loan-to-valuemortgages at fixed rates for long terms on appreciating assess with taxadvantages and reasonable control

Is this the year you will make progress on yourresolution?

JanBaulsir has been helping people successfully buyand sell homes throughout Boulder County for many years. She has been aprofessional, full time agent with WrightKingdom Real Estate for 12 years. For more information, please contacther at jbaulslir@wkre.comor call 720-564-6039.

Forced Savings...Really?

2012-01-10T09:45:00.000-08:00

Part of the American Dream is to own a home. A home is a place to call your own; a place to raise your family and share with your friends. A home is a place to feel safe and secure. A home is a good investment?

In a recent report* by Beracha and Johnson, it is suggested that buying a home is the right thing to do but not necessarily for the reason that people expect. A home is, in many instances, the largest investment that homeowners have and it accounts for the majority of their net worth.

The report suggests that the self-imposed savings due to amortization has a significant contribution to a person's net worth. The premise was determined by comparing the net worth of buyers to renters over a 31 year period of time.

When the savings in rent and down payment were reinvested, renters had a greater net worth than buyers after each 8-year cycle by a margin of 91% to 9%. On the other hand, when the requirement to reinvest the savings was dropped and renters were allowed to spend the savings on consumption, the Buyers had a greater net worth 84% compared to 16% for renters.

Appreciation, tax savings and amortization contribute to lowering the cost of housing and help homeowners build equity. The forced savings due to amortization benefits the individuals who may not be disciplined enough to invest the savings otherwise. Regardless of which benefits apply in different situations, owning a home can be a satisfying investment both emotionally and financially.

*Factor Sensitivities in the Making of Buy vs. Rent Decisions: Do Homeowners Make the Right Decision for the Wrong Reason by Eli Berach and Ken J. Johnson of Florida International University writing for the Journal of Housing Research.

The "Right Size" Home

2012-01-03T11:22:00.000-08:00

Work hard, buy a home, start a family and continue to upgrade your home until everyone has enough room. This has been the blueprint for lots of homeowners for the last fifty years but there is certainly a shift in thinking that could change all of that.

Interestingly, Americans live in much larger homes than most people in other countries throughout the world. The U.S. Census reported in 2006 that the average single family home completed had 2,469 square feet which was 769 feet more than in 1976.

Once the children are grown and have moved out, homeowners are finding they have too much room. Even if their home is paid for, they have higher property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance on the larger home than they'd have if they were living in the "right size" home.

Some homeowners state thaty they're keeping their larger home because it has luxury features that smaller homes don't have. There's a movement that seems to have started in the United States to find the "right size" home with the amenities and convenience that homeowners want.

This philosophy has been expressed by Sarah Susanka in her book Creating the Not So Big House. It proposes a house that "values quality over quantity with an emphasis on comfort and beauty, a high level of detail, and a floor plan designed for today's informal lifestyle."

"This Year I'm Going To..."

2011-12-27T12:32:00.000-08:00

Every year, it seems like the same things are on the list but this could be the year you really do invest in a rental home.

Rents are climbing, home prices are cheap and mortgage rates are low for even non-owner occupied properties. A $125,000 home with 20% down payment can easily have a $300 to $500 monthly cash flow after paying all of the expenses.

There are lots of investment strategies that work but one that is easy to understand and execute is to stay with below average price range homes in predominantly owner-occupied neighborhoods. These properties will appeal to the broadest range of tenants while you hold them and buyers when you're ready to sell.

Single family homes offer an opportunity to borrow high loan-to-value mortgages at fixed rates for long terms on appreciating assess with tax advantages and reasonable control

This is the year to make some real progress on your resolutions. First, invest some time learning about rental properties by attending a FREE webinar on January 4th at 7:00 PM Central time by national real estate speaker Pat Zaby. Click here to register.

Last Minute Gifts Without Shopping

2011-12-20T11:06:00.000-08:00

What do they want? What do they need? Will it fit? Do they already have one? These are the common thoughts running through our minds when trying to find the perfect gift.

The gift of really listening with no interrupting, no daydreaming and no planning your response is exactly what people want when they have something important to say.

The gift of affection with appropriate hugs, kisses and pats on the back can demonstrate your love for family and friends better than words.

The gift of laughter by sharing cartoons and funny stories will say "I love to laugh with you."

The gift of a simple written note shows sincerity and real heartfelt sentiment that may be remembered for a lifetime and could even change a life.

The gift of a sincere compliment supports a person's need to be accepted and appreciated. "You look great in that color", "That was outstanding" or "I really enjoyed that" can make someone's day.

The gift of random kindness or good deeds like holding a door or allowing someone to move ahead of you in a checkout lane shows respect for others.

Your smile, however, may be your most rewarding gift. Invariably, the person receiving the smile will in turn, smile back. The gift you gave will now be given back to you. It will be the right size and you can always use one more.

There's No Place Like Home

2011-12-13T11:34:00.000-08:00

You don't have to be Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz to feel like there's no place like home.

Home is a place to call your own. It's a place to raise your family and share with your friends. It's a place to create memories. A home is a place to feel safe and secure.

Inspect all of your decorations and electrical lighting before using them. While you're enjoying the holidays this year, it's important to pay attention to some of the things that may affect your safety.

Extension cords should not be placed under the carpet or rugs or bundled together which could cause overheating.
Limit three standard size sets of lights to a single extension cord.
Consider using portable or permanent ground fault circuit interrupters with all lighting to avoid possible shocks.
Turn off holiday lights when you leave the home or got to bed.
Avoid using candles near trees or wreaths.
Do not allow natural trees to dry out during the time they're displayed to potential fire hazard.
Make certain that all trees are on a firm, steady base to avoid tipping over.
Don't burn wrapping paper in fireplaces.
Small children are particularly susceptible to accidents and should be protected from potential harm.

Here's hoping your time at home is special during this holiday season. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.

Finding the Best Deal

2011-12-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

Consumers are vigilant about buying opportunities like Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday along with sales, coupons and rebates. Some cautious buyers will even risk shopping early to find exactly what they want to waiting until the last moment for potentially lower prices.

In retail, the hype is more obvious and the signs may be easier to read than that of the home market. Certainly, volumes have been written about the record low mortgage rates and that home prices have adjusted considerably lower in the last four years.

A more subtle indication of a home buying bargain is that statistics indicate that year-after-year, the average home prices fall in the fourth quarter. The holidays beginning with Thanksgiving, winter weather and the distractions of gift purchases certainly contribute to lower home sales.

Regardless of what is causing the reduced volume, the smart buyer can take advantage of the end of the year to get their best possible deal on a home purchase. The buyers willing to buck the trend could easily benefit from lower prices and less competition from other buyers.

Sale by Surviving Spouse

2011-12-02T08:37:00.000-08:00

The IRS has given special consideration regarding the sale of their jointly-owned principal residence after the death of a spouse. If the surviving spouse does not remarry prior to the sale of the home, they may qualify to exclude up to $500,000 of gain instead of the $250,000 exclusion for single people.

The sale needs to take place after 2008 and no more than two years after the date of death of the spouse
Surviving spouse must not have remarried
Both spouses must have used the home as their principal residences for two of the last five years prior to the death
Both spouses must have owned the home for two of the last five years prior to the death
Neither spouse may have excluded gain from the sale of another principal residence during the last two years prior to the death

If you have been widowed in the last two years and have gain in your principal residence, it would be worth investigating the possibilities. Contact your tax professional for advice about your specific situation. Contact me to find out what your home is worth in today's market. See IRS Publication 523 - surviving spouse.

Why Pay Full Price?

2011-11-29T14:40:00.000-08:00

No one wants to pay more than its value regardless of the product. When you buy bananas for 49 cents a pound at one store and see them for 39 cents a pound at another store, it's not the ten cent difference as much as it is about overpaying.

It seems like the natural way to start the negotiation process is to offer less than the asking price for the home. However, instead of the price, a buyer could negotiate condition, timing or terms. A few thousand dollars off the price may not make much difference in the monthly payments but it might make a big difference if it was negotiated in one of the other areas.

A buyer who only has enough available funds for down payment and closing costs will have to live in a home exactly the way it is for some time. They may not be able to make the changes that would really make it feel like home until they've saved more money.

Let's say you found a home that needed $5,000 worth of improvements and the seller would lower the price by that amount. Financing those improvements with a separate bank loan will result in higher payments due to a higher interest rate and shorter term than your mortgage.

Offering full price and asking the seller to make the improvements will result in lower monthly payments based on today's low mortgage rates and 30 year term. Another alternative is to negotiate with the seller to pay your closing costs so you'd have the cash to make the improvements.

Paying full price may cause the seller to consider concessions regarding condition or terms which can be balanced to affect the value of the property. Buyers can and should negotiate to acquire the home that meets their needs at the lowest possible cost of housing.

The Best Way Home

2011-11-22T10:22:00.000-08:00

"It's not far, if you know the way." Maybe it is an obvious statement but there are some definite steps that will improve your success in buying a home in today's market.

Know you credit score - the best mortgage rates are available to borrowers with the highest scores. Unless you know what your credit score is at all three major bureaus, you don't really know what rate you'll have to pay.
Clean up your credit - it is estimated that about 90% of credit reports have errors. Some are not serious but others could affect a borrower from getting the best loan terms. It is your responsibility to know what is on your different reports and correct them if possible. You're entitled to a free copy of your credit report each year from Experian, Trans Union and Equifax.
Get pre-approved - Taking the time to make a loan application with a qualified lender even before you start looking at homes will provide peace of mind, make sure that you are looking at the "right" homes and may help you negotiate the best price on the home you select.
Do your homework - when you find the home that meets your needs and desires, research the tax assessments, school ratings, crime activity, possible zoning changes and comparable sales in the area.

As your real estate professional I can definitely help you with these important strategies to invest in a home to call your own, raise your family, feel safe and secure and share with your friends. Call for a recommendation of a trusted mortgage professional; there really is a difference.

Waiting Might Cost MORE!

2011-11-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

The housing market has been in a downward trend for four years. There is some speculation that inventories will not reduce any time soon which will be necessary for prices to rise. However, there are other factors that can increase the cost of housing, specifically mortgages. FHA accounts for a large percentage of the current housing loans and is expected to be even more prominent when the Qualified Residential Mortgage Guidelines go into effect next year.

Rising rates are almost certain, due to looming inflation fueled by higher gas and food prices and the enormous amount of deficit spending
FHA loan limits have been reduced – they are lower than conventional limits in most markets and FHA has suggested that they might be reduced further.
FHA might increase the down payment to 5% or higher in an effort to have a more secure loan that will have less likelihood of going to foreclosure.
FHA might decrease the amount of seller contributions in a similar move to require the buyer to have a larger investment in the home and therefore be a more “qualified” borrower.
Congress may decide to increase the up-front MIP to build up the FHA reserves. The annual MIP has been adjusted twice since October 2010 when the Up-Front MIP was actually reduced.
Due to tougher conventional requirements, demand for FHA loans could exceed maximum annual insurable limits. If Congress is having a hard time raising the limit on national debt, they might not even consider raising the limits for FHA.

In an effort to solidify the lending industry, qualifying is becoming harder for the buyer and more expensive at the same time. Many of the rules changes could go into effect next year. In addition, market factors could easily play a role in increasing buyer’s costs. Waiting will very probably require a larger up-front investment for buyers in the future.

One Size Doesn't Fit All

2011-11-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

Rarely, does one size fit everyone and the same goes for advice. The following suggestion is not right for everyone. However, for people with job security and who don't own a home; for people with good credit and enough savings for a down payment, there may never be a better time to buy a home.

Homes have had a significant price correction but in many markest, they have started to rise again. The lower prices combined with historically low interest rates make this an opportune time to buy a home if you can afford it.

One of the reasons homes are an attractive investment is that fact that you can use a small down payment and finance the balance for 30 years. The principle, called leverage, allows you to earn a return on the value of the home rather than the actual cash investment. Small appreciation can create a large rate of return on the initial investment of the down payment and closing costs.

The following example is a projection at the end of five years for a $175,000 home with 3% closing costs and a 5% interest rate for a 30 year term. The rate you see in each column is an annual rate of return based on the equity of the home at the end of the five year period due to both appreciation and amortization of the loan.

The nature of positive leverage will cause the returns to be higher with a smaller down payment. As you see in the table, the return is higher on the 3.5% down payment than with the 10% or 20% down payment.

If you're curious to see if this advice might fit your situation, you really need to sit down with a knowledgeable real estate professional who can help you assess your position. It's worth the time because there may never be a better opportunity than now.

Happy Thanksgivng

2011-11-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

Private Mortgage: Family and Friends

2011-11-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

Family & Friends' Mortgages

It all seems perfectly reasonable: one person is not satisfied with what he can earn currently in the market and another wants to find the most attractive mortgage to purchase their home. It can be a good match but the IRS has specific rules that govern the transaction.

The loan must be done in a business-like manner with a written note specifying the loan amount, interest rate, term and collateral. IRS requires that the mortgage be a recorded lien in order to allow the interest deduction.

Sometimes, these friends and family situations have a less than normal interest rate on the mortgage. However, the rate charged in the note is regulated by the minimum applicable federal rate which is published monthly by IRS according to current Treasury securities. For October 2011, the rate is 2.95% for terms over nine years.

The seller must report the interest paid to them along with the name, address and Social Security number on schedule B when the buyer uses the property as their principal residence.

A mortgage between family and friends can be good for both parties. It may allow the borrower a slightly lower rate without the expenses of a traditional lender while giving the note holder a higher rate than they can earn in available investments. Your tax professional can guide the transaction whether you're a buyer or seller and your real estate professional can help arrange to have the documents drawn and filed.

Home Mortgage: First Step to Purchase

2011-10-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

It takes money to buy a home: yours or theirs. If you're not going to pay cash for a home, you need to find out exactly what you can borrow and what it will cost before you start looking at homes.
The mortgage process is not as clear cut a path as it was a few years ago. It is certainly more complex, takes longer and assumes that you're credit worthy. If you have less than stellar credit, a trusted mortgage professional can advise you how to improve your individual situation.
You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus each year. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com to get a copy of each from TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Read the reports to determine if they're accurate. Surprisingly, about 90% of all reports have errors.
You can try to correct them directly with the credit bureau, but a trusted mortgage professional can help you with this process too. They have tools that are not available to individuals. Some errors may not be serious but others will keep a person from qualifying.
Housing affordability is at a near record height due to the incredibly low interest rates and low home prices. Some areas are experiencing absorption of the inventories which could impact price. If you're going to use "their" money to buy a home, the first step is to talk to a trusted mortgage professional. Call me for the name of a trusted mortgage professional.

Is It Time To Buy?

2011-10-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

If you're sitting on the fence about the direction of the housing market, consider this from John Girouard writing in Forbes last week:

"Trying to time the housing bottom is as much folly as trying to time stocks or any other investment vehicle. In fact, it’s greater folly because if housing prices do fall further, it’s likely to be because mortgage rates are rising, which would mean that over the long term that slightly lower price you may have paid could end up costing more in carrying costs than you saved.”

The good news!

2011-10-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

Did you know that 91.2% of mortgages are current and only 3.75% are in foreclosure? That's a different perspective from what we're getting in the media these days. Oh, and also to perk up your view of the economy, 87% of Americans who bought a home in the past year expect to easily meet their mortgage repayment obligations in the next year. The deleveraging has been ugly, but we're getting there!

Keep Track of Improvements

2011-10-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

Energy Savings and Home Ownership

2011-09-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

With the exception of a mortgage payment, the largest homeowner expense is utilities; and energy is the major component. There are lots of contributing factors such as air leaks, insulation, heating and cooling equipment, water heaters and lighting.

It's estimated that 75% of the electricity to power home electronics is consumed when the products are turned off. Computers, monitors, TVs, cable and satellite boxes, DVRs and power adaptors are spinning your electric meter even when they're not being used.

Unplugging devices can actually make a difference in the size of your electric bill. Plugging several of these offenders into a power strip with a single on/off switch may make the task easier. Most computers have options to put them into sleep mode or even turn off when not in use.

Take 3 1/2 minutes and watch Energy 101. Consider hiring a professional home energy auditor or do-it-yourself. The Department of Energy has a checklist with some valuable suggestions.

Converting a Home to a Rental

2011-09-12T14:09:00.000-07:00

What's keeping you from taking advantage of the low prices and mortgage rates available today? Concerned that you may need to sell in a few years and won't be able to get your equity out of your home?

Suppose a buyer purchases a home and finds out that they need to move in two years. Instead of selling the home, they could convert it to a rental. It's possible that it could have a positive cash flow even with the small down payment. In most cases, the conversion would not accelerate the mortgage.

The price of homes and low interest rates combined with a very strong rental market in most areas has attracted a lot of investors. Non-owner occupied mortgages generally require 20-30% down payment compared to a 3.5% down payment for a FHA owner occupant.

The following example looks at a home that might have been purchased as a principal residence and then converted to a rental at the end of two years. There are certainly lots of variables to consider but the high indicated rate of return merits closer examination of the possibilities.

For the buyer who has good credit and ample funds for down payment and acquisition costs, there may never be as good a time to buy a home as now. For the buyer who is concerned that they might have to move in the near future, converting it to a rental might make a great investment opportunity.

Denver fastest moving real estate in country

2011-09-12T13:59:00.001-07:00

Realtor.com: California metros dominate among most active markets. California metros dominated a list of 11 fast-moving real estate markets in July, reported property search site Realtor.com.Realtor.com released a list of metros with the lowest median age of inventory at the site -- a measurement of how long a property from a given metro area typically spends on the site. Denver, which topped the list in June, once again had the lowest median age of inventory among metros at a median 32 days. That's a 38.5 percent drop in the median year-over-year -- the biggest drop among the 11 most active markets. Six California metros made the list, with Oakland the fastest-moving among the six. Oakland's median age of inventory was 46 days. The six metros include a mix of markets hit hard by foreclosures -- Fresno, Bakersfield, Stockton-Lodi -- and relatively high-cost metros in the San Francisco Bay Area -- Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco. Metros with lowest median age of inventory (July 2011)

Boulder Co real estate stats

2011-08-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

Nationally, home resales were down 3.5%, year over year, thru the end of July. In Boulder, CO, they were up 18% and average sales price was up almost 12% during the same time period. Numbers like that are why Boulder, Co ranks high in the top real estate markets in the country.

Louisville, Co Ranch Homes Now for Sale In Steel Ranch

2011-08-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

These are more than just ranch homes with a full basement: they have everything you need for main floor living and yes that includes the laundry room. Choose the 2 or 3 bedroom model and you'll get a large master suite with walk in closet and 5 piece bath. Use the other bedroom as a study or guest room or choose the 3 bed and have both. One couple who just purchased the 3 bed model will have his and hers studies.The unfinished basement has plenty of room for 2 more bedrooms, bath and large rec room or theater. The finishes are top notch so check it out soon while you can still choose!

New Homes Coming Soon to Louisville, CO

2011-08-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

New Homes are coming soon to Louisville, Colorado. In a city that has pretty much run out of land, these new homes are guaranteed to be snapped up quickly. I stopped by the office yesterday and got all the details. There are 2 builders, Ryland, building a traditional home and neighborhood and Boulder Creek Builders specializing in low maintenance, ranch style homes. These guys have figured out what folks are looking for who want to simplify their lifestyle. These homes are perfect for a couple looking for lock-and-leave convenience. They homes are maintained by the HOA right up to the foundation so traveling or spending time in another location is no longer a problem. Or maybe you’d rather spend your weekends doing something other than yard and house work! Stay tuned for more details as the first models will be done in a month and there are already lots under contract. If you’d like to know more, shoot me an email, jbaulsir@wkre.com.

2011-05-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

Vacancy rates just published for Boulder, CO at 4.9% are the lowest in the metro area and explain ever increasing rents, now averaging $961 a month.
If you're having a hard time finding a property to rent in and around Boulder,I know it's not much comfort but you've got a lot of company! Try to get situated before the students come to town in June-July making it even more difficult. And if all else fails, think about buying something. Given the current interest rates, it could be the best deal and your best bet!

Green Light for Boulder Real Estate

2011-04-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

Just about everybody I talk to lately has a house to sell or would like to buy but they’re waiting for a green light, you know the one, that means real estate prices are going up from here, we’ve hit bottom and they can be guaranteed appreciation. Just like the good ol’ days! These are the things I know for sure:
• Real estate is always a good long term investment (think 10-15 year time frame).
• Boulder County real estate is about as stable an investment as you’ll find anywhere.
• Owning a home is about much more than a financial investment. It’s about the safety and security of having your own home, a place to create memories and raise a family.
• Home affordability rose to its highest level in a decade during the last quarter of 2010. All of which makes this a great time to move forward with your dreams!

Boulder, Colorado Invesment Property Regulations

2011-04-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

If you own rental properties in the city of Boulder, you’ll want to know about the new ‘Smart Regs’ requirements for investment homes. In order to rent property in the city, you already need to have an inspection that shows it meets code and safety standards. With the adoption of Smart Regs, an investment property will also need to demonstrate energy efficiencies and pass an energy audit.For more details on these regulations, please check out the city of Boulder’s website, click on rentals and smart regs.

Welcome to Boulder, CO

2011-04-04T14:09:00.000-07:00

Boulder, Colorado was just named ‘the happiest town’ in the country based on a Gallup poll taken recently. It’s easy to see why once you know about the great weather, gorgeous scenery and abundant outdoor opportunities all wrapped up in a small town with big city amenities and cultural opportunities. That’s probably why about 30% of the homes I’ve sold in and around Boulder, Colorado in the past few years have been to folks who are relocating from other parts of the country. Housing in Boulder is considerably more expensive than close by communities, with an average price of $798,649K in the city of Boulder, Co and a median price of $566K. Even in the downturn, Boulder’s market has remained one of the most stable in the country. A quick drive from Boulder you’ll find the towns of Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Erie, Niwot, Broomfield and Longmont. Each community has its own character, history and housing market and all are a 10-15 minute drive to Boulder, with easy access to DIA and Denver.

Jan Baulsir has been a realtor in Boulder, Colorado as a full time agent with Wright Kingdom for 10 years. For more about Jan, her website and to search for properties please visit her website.

Schools in Erie Colorado

2010-03-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

The number of new home sales in Erie has of course brought with it some exciting new schools. Erie’s third elementary school is likely to be constructed two years ahead of schedule due to an unexpected increase in student enrollment. Last August, Black Rock elementary opened in Vista Ridge subdivision and will be at 123 percent of capacity in the fall of 2009. By 2012, both Erie Elementary and Black Rock will be at 128 percent of capacity. Erie received a dedicated school sight from the developer of Canyon Creek subdivision and the town is negotiating terms with the St.Vrain Valley School District prior to deeding the parcel to them. The property is located on the east side of 119th Street, between Erie Parkway and Jasper Road. If agreement is reached in the next few weeks the school could be completed in time to open in the fall of 2011.