Home prices increase

According to the latest S&P/Shiller Home Price Index, single family home sales rose again in August, posting the strongest gain in more than seven years, prices were up 12.8% over last year. Prices in Boulder, Colorado show even greater gains. Check out this space for local home price appreciation.

Boulder County Updates: Flood Clean Up and Asbestos removal

1.      The Environmental Protection Agency has waived the need to have asbestos testing done before debris is removed from damaged property.  This is hugely important and will allow the cleanup to go much faster and at much less cost.   I will send out an extensive FEMA Q & A sheet a bit later – it is of great help as well.

2.       BARHA member Appraiser Bill Kamin has passed along this info:  I have had numerous calls from people wanting to order an appraisal of their property in order to establish damages for tax purposes. In most cases, this is not necessary. In most cases, the actual cost of cleanup and repairs is the measure of loss.

3.       Longmont has opened a separate website for flood related info at www.LongmontOEM.com

4.       Please DO NOT put mud or silt into the Western Dumpsters – only debris.amage around Boulder County uneven. Some areas had no significant problems, others were pretty much devastated. Surely one of the worst aspects of the flood is the mix of sewage and storm water.
Important information just came out re asbestos mediation.

Boulder County, CO. School Review

Boulder gets strong marks for it's public schools, the strongest in the state of Colorado. Check out this website for great information on public schools of interest to you, www.publicschoolreview.com. And if you're ready to look for a new home in an area with a school that meets your families needs and priorities, please give me a call or shoot me an email. As a former educator in Boulder Valley Public Schools, as well as a parent, I would be glad to have a conversation about one of the most important considerations in moving to a new home, www.JanBaulsir.com.

Home Price Appreciation in Boulder County

Home Sales in Boulder County

Home prices have been on the rise throughout Boulder County. Prices are up in all Boulder County cities and Days on Market have declined as well. These figures are through the end of May, 2013 compared to the same time period in 2012.

Louisville Home Prices Show Strong Increase

Figures recently released show all area in Boulder County have increased in price from the end of May, 2012 to the end of May 2013. The city of Louisville shows the greatest price increase with the medium sales price up 27.3% while inventory is down 10% and days to closing are down 33%. If you're looking for a great time to sell, this could be it!

3 Reasons to Buy that House Now!

I don't usually post blogs from others but this one has such important information I want to share it with everyone. 

3 Reasons to Buy that House NOW!

http://www.kcmblog.com/2013/07/30/3-reasons-to-buy-that-house-now/

Weld County Tops Oil and Gas Production in Colorado

Great article about oil production in Weld County from a newsletter published by The Group, a Ft Collins Real Estate company. According to the article, Colorado oil producers collected 49.1 million barrels of crude, the most in the state since 1957. And next door Weld County accounted for approximately 75% of all production in Colorado last year. The figures were provided by the Coloardo Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Last year Weld County producers reached 36.58 million barrels, and during the first three months of 2012 they've already eclipsed 7 million barrels.

3 Steps to Sell Your House in a Week

it              1) Price it right. Factors to consider include location, condition, updating, schools, proximity to amenities and knowing the market. Price it over the market and it is likely to languish, price it right and you will have several offers and very likely sell it at above the list price.

                2)  Prepare your house for sale. This includes taking care of deferred maintenance issues, cleaning, painting, organizing and staging. To be really proactive, have your home pre inspected. It’s always cheaper to take care of a problem before it is identified as an inspection issue.

                 3) Choose your buyer carefully. Your goal isn’t to get offers, it’s to sell your house. Make sure you have a buyer who is not only pre-qualified but commited to buying your house and will hang in there through a long, sometimes difficult process.

And you will be rewarded by having an excited buyer, who will show up at closing with the funds and be ready to love your house as you have!

To discuss selling your home, please feel free to give me a call today.

Buyers and Bidding Wars

Wall Street Journal article, stunned home buyers find bidding wars are back, is definitely what we're seeing in Boulder, Colorado and throughout Boulder County. 

Louisville, CO: New Market Reality

We are now in a new market reality, according to the widely followed and respected KCM blog. On a local level, nothing brought this home more clearly than my latest listing in Louisville, Colorado. The inventory in Louisville is very limited, as it is throughout much of Boulder County. The home I listed is a well maintained and upated, 3 bed, 3 bath 2 story in a nice neighorhood. It went under contract the day showings started with multiple offers, for over list price. There are as many challenges in this kind of market as in a buyers market, they are just different from what we have become used to. Check out my next blog for what to watch out for, whether you are a buyer or seller. And check here for homes for sale in Louisville, CO.

Housing Market Come Back

“Although mortgage supply will remain constrained, improved consumer credit quality combined with steady growth in jobs, low mortgage interest rates, and modestly rising house prices means that more households will be able to qualify for a mortgage. Greater credit availability will in turn help drive stronger home sales and stronger price appreciation and help keep the housing market and economy on an upward path.”

from the KCM Blog

Creating a Home Together-An Intimate Act

4 Rules for Creating a Home Together

Getting Your Home Ready To Sell in 4 Weeks

Ready, Set, Sell: 4 weeks to Getting Your Home Ready to Sell  

If you’re like me, you’re plenty busy without adding a giant project to your ‘to do’ list. Getting a home ready for sale can be a monumental undertaking and we all know folks who put off moving for years because it’s so daunting. But break it down and tackle it one step at a time and you’ll get there. Just commit to one task a day and 1 short month, your house will sparkle. The first 8 tasks on the list involve the exterior, creating curb appeal. Before a prospective buyer comes to see your home, they will most likely drive by so making a good first impression is critical. Then comes the sorting, organizing, decluttering so once they get inside they will find a home that is appealing, well maintained, spacious and move-in ready.So check out the definitive list of tasks to get your home ready to sell. And even if you're not preparing your home for sale, it makes a great spring cleaning list!

9 Reasons for Moving

9 Reasons for Moving: Looking toward 2013 and thinking about moving? These are the reasons people most often give. Did I miss anything?

·         More space

·         Less space

·         Smart investment

·         Put down roots

·         Simplify my life

·         Closer to family

·         Further from family

·         Reduce my mortgage expense

·         Relocate for work

The Best Time to Sell

Generally, the highest number of sales is during the summer which is why the number of listings picks up in the spring and tapers off after October. So for many, the best time to sell a home is in the summer. But what about listing in the ‘off season’, particularly in mid-winter? This could be the best time to sell because the people who are out there looking are serious buyers. Also, because the homes for sale are few and far between, in fact In Boulder, Colorado and the surrounding communities, we have one of the lowest inventories on record! You will have almost no competition, so prepare it well and get it on the market now! Check back here for more info on a great place to call home in Boulder, Colorado. In conclusion, remember that all real estate is local and rely on an agent who understands your market and how that will affect your best time to sell.

Decluttering for the New Year

Practicing what I preach: Clear away the clutter…make space. Like many of you, I'm in the midst of decluttering; drawers, closets, cupboards, garage, my mind. It’s not as easy as it looks and is not for the feint of heart! Do you have any tips to share? If you need some good suggestions, check this out http://tinyurl.com/ax62ww and resolve to clear away the clutter and make space for your life. 

Canyon Center Condos in Boulder, Colorado

If you're looking for the quintessential Boulder, Colorado lifestyle, close to the Pearl Street Mall with its cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques so well known and frequented by Boulder residents and out of towners as well, then look no further than the Canyon Center Condos in Boulder, CO. This is a complex of approximately 45 condos between Canyon and Walnut, 1 block west of 9th Street. These condos were built in the mid 1980's and have been well maintained by a strong HOA. The best location are those on the exterior, facing Canyon but set back from  the street and buffered by lawn and trees. They also have great southern exposure and views of the Boulder Creek path park and trees. Prices range between $320,000 and $850,000 for the penthouse, largest model. These condos are a great value when compared with the newer million dollar+ condos at One Boulder Plaza, built in 2002.
If you're interested, keep reading for more details. Also, please check out my listing in the complex: 824 Walnut A. Or visit my website to contact me.

There have been 13 sales in the complex of approximately 45 condos in the last 2 years. I went back to January 1, 2010. The prices range between $320,00 on the low end to $850,000 as the most expensive penthouse unit on the top floor with 1691 square feet, 2 bed and 2 bath and includes a garage. The units in the center of the complex and the smaller models are at the lower end of the price range.
I have selected these 6 sales as being the most relevant comps. There are 2 that have exactly the same square footage as 824 A, which is 959'. This model is a one bedroom + 1 non-conforming bedroom that can be used as an office or guest room (or converted to a 2nd bed).
in 2010:
854 Walnut B (2nd floor) sold for $370,000 in Oct. 2010 after 7 days on the market.
856 Walnut A (main level) sold for $390,000 in Nov. 2010 after 24 days on t he market.
812 Walnut D (4th floor) sold for $462.00 in Nov. 2010, is slightly larger (49 sq ft) and has an extra bath.
854 Walnut D (4th floor) sold for 462,500 and also is larger with 2 beds, 2 baths.

2011 was a slower year due to lack of inventory. There were 3 sales, between $348,000 for a smaller 1 bed. in the center (no guest room) to 854E on the top level with 1360 sq ft and 3 beds, 3 baths which sold for $527.000. The best comp is 790 Walnut D, which was 49 sq ft larger and is listed as 3 bedrooms, 1 bath.

Housing Prediction 2013

Housing Prediction 2013

The pick up in demand for housing in Boulder, Colorado and surrounding areas which we saw in 2012 will continue in 2013. New household formation is expected to rise at an even faster rate this year than it did in 2012, creating increased demand for housing in 2013. The National Association of Realtors reports that some 93% of generation X and Y who are now renting, plan to buy a home in the near future. If even a small portion of that prediction is correct, it will contribute to rising demand in housing in Boulder, Colorado. In fact, the lack of homes for sale will be one of the biggest problems in the Housing Industry in 2013. This increase in demand and lack of supply will continue to push prices higher. With mortgage rates at historic lows and likely to continue throughout 2013, now’s the time to find your own piece of the American Dream. Contact me today if you’re ready to get started and let me know how I can help.

New Listing: Prime West End Condo in Boulder, CO

I've just listed a prime west end condo, just off the Pearl St Mall and across from the Boulder Creek Path. This 1 bedroom +office or guest room is south facing and has a sunny, open floor plan. It has had some remodeling to open the kitchen to the great room. The kitchen has granite counter and new SS appliances. There are italian tiles in the bathroom and the fireplace surround in the great room. This condo has been extremely well maintained and is for sale for only the 3rd time since the complex was built in 1986. It is a very well run HOA with healthy reserves. Cats and dogs are OK. For more details and pictures, click here.So if you're looking for the iconic Boulder, Colorado lifestyle: living within walking distance to the Pearl St Mall and minutes to the Boulder Creek Path, Mt Sanitas and the open space trails that Boulder is famous for, you have found your place to call home!

What's the Best Time to Sell Your House?

Generally, home sales are strongest during the summer months which is why the number of listings picks up in the spring and tapers off after October. For many, the best time to sell a home is in the summer. But what about listing in the off season, particularly around the holidays? This could be the best time to sell your house because the people who are out there looking are serious buyers. Also, because this holiday season the houses for sale throughout Boulder County are few and far between, in fact with one of the lowest inventories on record, you will have almost no competition! So prepare it well and get it on the market now! In fact, I have brave sellers who has done just that, we put their Boulder condo on the market yesterday and it’s one of very few available. Check back for more info on a great place to call home in Boulder or click for information on this prime West End condo, close to Pearl Street. In conclusion, remember that all real estate is local and rely on an agent who understands your market and how that will affect your best time to sell.