Your Boulder County Resource Guide
January 4th, 2009 Categories: Focus on Boulder, Relocating
Considering moving to Boulder Colorado? Why wouldn’t you be? With the mountains at your back door, wildlife, and outdoor lifestyle, it’s a great place to move. Enjoy restaurants galore, abundant shopping, and many parks. We have miles and miles of open space and Lyons and Estes Park are just a short drive away. Don’t forget the ski slopes. There are a couple you can drive or take the bus to in just one hour. Yes, Boulder is a wonderful place to live with exciting opportunities.
Many people find that their lifestyles completely change after relocating to this magical mountain city.
If you are excited to move to Boulder Colorado but are daunted by the moving process and getting familiar with a new area, well….fear no more! This is your Boulder County Resource List and it provides all the essential information you need to move to our popular city. As a Realtor, I get many requests for resources about our county for people wanting to relocate here. As a Colorado native and a Boulder resident for 15 years, I take pride in this city and love to share what I know. So, here goes…
Written by Julie Johnson | Discussion: 1 Comment »
Hotel Boulderado Celebrates 100 Years
January 4th, 2009 Categories: Colorado Round Up, Focus on Boulder, The Senior Network
One hundred years ago, in January 1909, the Hotel Boulderado opened it’s doors. The Hotel Boulderado has been a landmark in Boulder since opening new year’s day in 1909. The hotel was named after Boulder and Colorado so that everyone would remember the hotel’s location. In 1905, Boulder’s city council wanted to grow the city of 8,000 people by providing a luxury hotel. Stock was sold at $100 per share to raise funds to build the hotel. Even back in 1909 the hotel had many comforts, all bedrooms were fitted with light fixtures that ran on both natural gas and electricity. The hotel had a huge coal furnace which was stoaked 24 hours a day to keep the hotel warm and provide hot water to its guests. Rooms back then went from $1.00 - $2.50 per day! Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Ro Troia | Discussion: No Comments »
RATES FALL SLIGHTLY ON FOMC ANNOUNCEMENT
December 19th, 2008 Categories: Buyer's Corner, First Time Buyers, Market Conditions, Relocating, Selling Thoughts, Trends
Mortgage interest rates fell slightly this past week as the Fed cut the discount rate by 75 basis points at the conclusion of its FOMC meeting on Tuesday. Additionally, the Federal Reserve stated that they would purchase large quantities of agency debt and mortgage backed securities to support the mortgage and housing markets. The yield on the 10 Year Treasury Note fell from 2.58% last Friday to 2.10%
currently but mortgages have not kept pace.
Economic data of note included sharp declines in November Housing Starts and Building Permits, which fell to their lowest levels on record. The November Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 1.7%, the largest decline on record. Core CPI, excluding the food and energy components, was unchanged.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently at 8,611, down slightly on the week. Crude oil futures are currently trading at $35.10 per barrel, down over $11 per barrel on the week. President Bush announced that GM and Chrysler will get $13.4 billion in government loans in exchange for restructuring their businesses.
Next week look toward Tuesdays final read on third quarter GDP, Wednesdays Durable Goods Orders and Personal Income and Outlays as potential market moving events.
Written by Brody Stinson | Discussion: No Comments »
Listing Your Home During The Holidays
December 14th, 2008 Categories: Buyer's Corner, Selling Thoughts
You think that listing your home during the holidays isn’t a good idea Boulder Colorado? Well…think again! This time of the year is a great time to have your home on the market. Just remember the basics. Price it right, comparable to the competition. Make necessary repairs and add staging so it shows well . Work with your Realtor on a great marketing plan. And do what you can to make it accessible to potential buyers. With these things in place, you are more likely to have a quick sale, and you are not competing with all of the homes that will be on the market in the spring.
Read more about the reasons why you should list your home for the holiday season.
Written by Julie Johnson | Discussion: No Comments »
RATES FALL AGAIN ON NEGATIVE ECONOMIC DATA
December 13th, 2008 Categories: Buyer's Corner, First Time Buyers, Market Conditions, Relocating, Selling Thoughts, Trends
Interest rates fell slightly again this week on continued negative economic data. October Wholesale Inventories and weekly jobless claims were much weaker than expected. November Retail Sales fell 1.8%. Excluding automobile sales, Retail Sales were down 1.6%. The November Producer Price Index (PPI) fell 2.2% on expectations that it would fall 1.8%.
Excluding the food and energy components, core PPI increased 0.1%. November import prices fell 1.8% and export prices fell 2.9%. China’s November Exports fell 2.2% year over year, its first year over year decline in seven years. At next weeks FOMC meeting the markets increasingly expect the Fed to cut the Fed Funds rate by 75 basis points to a rate of 0.25%.
Other news of note includes the auto bailout plan, which has stalled in the Senate. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently at 8,575, down about 60 points on the week. Crude oil futures are currently trading at $44.83 per barrel, up about $3 per barrel on the week. The US Dollar lost ground versus both the Euro and Yen.
Next week look toward Mondays Industrial Production, Tuesdays FOMC Announcement, Consumer Price Index (CPI), and Housing Starts as potential market moving events.
Written by Brody Stinson | Discussion: No Comments »
Boulder Colorado Committed to Affordable Housing
December 10th, 2008 Categories: Buyer's Corner, Colorado Round Up, First Time Buyers, Focus on Boulder
The city of Boulder is committed to offering housing to people that could NOT afford a home in today’s market. Boulder offers home ownership to those with low or moderate incomes. In order to make home ownership possible to people of lesser means, Boulder offers assistance. To qualify for the various programs, incomes and assets must be below specified levels for each program. Click income levels to find out more.
Other than income being the most important qualifier there are other qualifications: Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Ro Troia | Discussion: No Comments »
Boulder County Colorado - a bright spot in a gloomy forecast
December 9th, 2008 Categories: Colorado Round Up, Focus on Boulder, Market Conditions, Relocating
The Boulder Daily Camera highlighted today the economic forecast for the state, stating that “next year 1000’s of people might loose thir jobs, retail sales will be sluggish and the state’s housing market will continue to slide”. This was released Monday from the University of Colorado recapping the 44th Annual Colorado Economic Forecast released Monday. By comparison, even though Colorado’s forecast might be a bit rosier than the US as a whole, what was amazing was that Boulder County’s forecast is faring quite well. Although not immune, Boulder County as been outperforming the state and national economy in many areas due to the “strength and diversity” of the economy which will most likely hasten the recovery. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: No Comments »
Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly
December 7th, 2008 Categories: Focus on Boulder, Market Conditions, Selling Thoughts
Yes, Boulder Colorado, decorating your home for the holidays is fun, spiritual, and festive. We love to put out those icicle lights, wreaths, and huge figurines. However, if you are listing your home during the holidays, be cautious to not go overboard. Sellers, you don’t need to keep all the trimmings in storage just because your home is on the market. But you should decorate in such a way that buyers won’t be turned off. Will they be able to picture themselves spending the holidays in your home someday? Read more to find out.
Written by Julie Johnson | Discussion: No Comments »
RATES CONTINUE TO FALL ON ECONOMIC DATA
December 5th, 2008 Categories: Buyer's Corner, First Time Buyers, Market Conditions, Relocating, Selling Thoughts, Trends
Mortgage interest rates fell slightly on the week on continued negative economic data.
This Weeks Rates
Todays November employment report showed job losses of 533,000 on expectations that 320,000 jobs would be lost. The unemployment rate was reported at 6.7% on expectations of 6.8%. The ISM Manufacturing Index and the ISM Services Sector Index were weaker than expected. October Construction Spending and Factory Orders were also weaker than expected. The Treasury is considering buying mortgages at rates as low as 4.50% but no details have been worked out. It is just a rumor at this point.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently at 8,264, down almost 500 points from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Crude oil futures are currently trading at $41.21, down over $13 per barrel on the week. U.S. automakers continue to ask Congress for bailout loans to help them avoid bankruptcy.
Next week look toward Thursdays International Trade and weekly jobless claims and Fridays Producer Price Index (PPI) and Retail Sales as potential market moving events.
Written by Brody Stinson | Discussion: No Comments »
Tis The Season to Be Giving
December 3rd, 2008 Categories: Colorado Round Up, Focus on Boulder
During these seemingly difficult times (ok- even the press is calling it a “recession” now) it really makes my heart shine when I continue to read in the Boulder Colorado Daily Camera newspaper about people digging deeper into their pockets making sure that their neighbors have enough to eat. This year the Community Food Share’s “Let’s Bag Hunger” food drive has so far exceeded it’s goal to collect food and money by 20%. The scary part is that the 20% is also a mirror of the increase in demand . I am proud to say that Boulder’s Non-Profit Community is one of the best I’ve ever seen and one which Boulderites pride themselves. Continue reading to see a sample list of non-profits in Boulder Colorado and think about getting involved in one of Boulder’s unique non-profits or maybe one in your community.
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: 1 Comment »
