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Archive for October, 2008

Building a Xeriscape or Zeroscape in Boulder Colorado

Moving to Boulder Colorado is a lot like moving to the moon, if you’re from most anywhere else in the US.  You think you know what it “should” look like or what you would like it “to look like”,  but when you actually get here you have to adjust your perceptions a bit.  Boulder is located where the great plains end and the Rocky Mountains begin.  Boulder isn’t all plains and isn’t all mountains, but somewhere pleasantly in between – and oh, did I mention the gorgeous foothills?  With 300 days of sunshine, 17-25 inches of rain, an average of 158 inches of snowfall each year and with varying degrees of altitudes between 5000 – 14,000 feet above sea level there is an amazing diversity of plants – which gets me to my title point – what is heck is a “xeriscape”? Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Tags: Boulder real estate, composting, desert landscaping, landscape design in boulder co, landscaping in boulder co, low maintenance landscaing, natural gardens, organic gardens, xeriscape, zeroscape

Stay Fit in Boulder, Colorado

Cyclists North of Boulder

Boulder, Colorado is consistently rated as one of the most physically fit cities in the United States and it’s no wonder. Boulder is a complete fitness and health mecca. No matter where you live in Boulder, there is a gym, health club, and/or recreation center within walking distance.  Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Tags: boulder, colorado, exercise, fitness in boulder, real estate, stay fit

Anthem Highlands Offers Unbeatable Amenities

Broomfield, Colorado is the home of Anthem Highlands development.  Here you will find new homes, all styles, ranch, two story, stucco, frame and stone.  

 The oldest homes are only 2 years old!  Prices start from the low $400’s and up, the mountain views will take your breath away, there’s green space, parks and the most fantastic Recreation center for the development that I have ever seen. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Tags: Anthem highlands, Broomfield colorado, good samaritan hospital, pulte homes, vista ridge

Steps In The Homebuying Process

I have been showing homes in Boulder Colorado to first time homebuyers.  They are doing what a lot of us dream about our whole lives.  Buying a home, getting married, and “settling down”.   After home shopping over the weekend, they have decided that planning for their wedding (in a different state, I might add) is easier than the process of buying their first real estate.  I’m not sure about the complexities of planning a wedding, but it’s my job to make homebuying a comfortable process that they will look back on for the rest of their lives.  After showing them homes for several days, they are getting closer to making a decision.  When we do submit an offer, I will uncomplicate their lives and educate them on the homebuying process.  Which is quite easy if explained correctly and a by giving them a checklist, they can refer to it anytime while their property is under contract.  Read more to learn the easy steps of homebuying. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Tags: agent, boulder colorado real estate, homebuyer, inspection, mortgage, offer, pre approved, settlement

What To Ask Your Lender When Getting A Loan.

When showing homes in Boulder Colorado to first time home buyers, I often get the following question, “Do you know a good lender?” Of course I do, and I usually recommended three that I have done business with over the years.  It’s best to interview at least three mortgage companies to find the best fit for you. But then what?   Because now is the time to buy in Boulder and the surrounding areas, homebuyers are abundant and many have never been to a lender before.  Recently at an open house, a couple of first-time homebuyers asked me what they were supposed to ask the lender at the interview.  It’s a great question and many first timers make the mistake of not asking the right questions, so I came up with some of the most popular questions  to ask a lender regarding a loan.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Tags: boulder, Boulder real estate, escrow, first time homebuyer, homebuyer, interest, loan origination, mortgage company, mortgage lender, principal

Spooky Dead People Rise Again in Boulder Colorado

It’s that time of year again when Boulder Colorado’s “Meet the Spirit’s” event happens.   It takes place at the historic Columbia Cemetery in downtown Boulder where local volunteers bring back to life colorful historic characters and city founders by presenting short biographical monologues.  Dressed in full regalia complete with Victorian mourners, funeral music and vintage hearses.  You won’t want to miss the reenactment of a solemn Masonic burial service.   More than 30 Columbia spirits were brought back to life among them the well known bounty hunter, trapper, linguist and Indian scout Tom Horn. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Tags: boulder co cemetery, boulder co history, boulder co real estate, boulder colorado, boulder colorado neighborhoods

Colorado’s Largest Pumpkin Patch

Just in time for Halloween, right here in Broomfield Colorado, I stumbled upon the largest pumpkin patch I have ever seen!  You drive in and drive through miles of pumpkin fields, park your car and walk through the fields searching for the perfect pumpkin.  Yup, you pick em!  Located at the intersection of Highway 287 and Dillon Road, it has easy access from any direction.

Tags: Tags: Broomfield Colordo, colorado pumpkin patch, colorado pumpkins, colorado's best pumpkin patch, highway 287 pumpkin patch, pumpkin patch, Rock Creek Farm

RATES FLAT DESPITE WEAK ECONOMIC DATA

Interest rates(HAVE A LOOK AT THIS WEEKS RATES) were mostly flat on the week despite economic data that was mostly negative. The New York Empire State Manufacturing Index, September Retail Sales, September Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization, the Philadelphia Fed Business Index, September Housing Starts and Building Permits, and the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index were all substantially weaker than expected. Industrial Production fell by 2.8%, the largest monthly decline since December 1974. On the flip side, though, the September Producer Price Index and Consumer Price Index continued to show elevated inflation levels which should fall in coming months in light of the world economic downturn. It is increasingly likely that the Fed will cut short term interest rates at its October 29 FOMC meeting.
Other news of note included a coordinated effort by the US, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Austria to guarantee bank debt effectively eliminating counter party risk. This has helped the overnight Libor rate fall to 1.67% today from 5.38% on October 8. Also, crude oil futures prices are currently trading at $71.47 per barrel, down about $9 per barrel on the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently at 8,940, up almost 500 points on the week.
Next week look toward Thursdays Weekly Jobless Claims and Fridays Existing Home Sales as potential market moving events.

Tags: Tags: mortgages, rates, real estate

Trick or Treat, Give Me Something Good to Buy?

With halloween just around the corner, I know spooky isn’t it.  Wow, where did this year go?  You are sick and tired of hearing that now is a good time to buy real estate, well it’s not only good it’s the best ever.  Buyers, wake up, get your butts out there and look at all the fantastic homes that are at bargain basement prices.   Wah wah, you don’t have the down payment, think FHA.  Now more than ever before, FHA type mortgages are becoming the most sought after loans by consumers.   Today about 41% of the buyers are obtaining FHA type loans.  What a sweet deal and the down payment is reasonable.  Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Tags: Boulder home prices, boulder homes, Boulder real estate, buying a home in boulder, investing in real estate

Boulder Colorado Gets Artsy!

Ever heard of Open Studios in Boulder Colorado?  It is a collaboration of private studios in various neighborhoods that welcome anyone to view their creations of art.  Many of the artists have studios in their homes and last weekend, they opened their studios to the public.  Perhaps you saw the Open Studio signs as you were driving around north or south Boulder.  This was a fun activity to do with the family and friends and many of the studios were in my neighborhood – Dakota Ridge Village and Wonderland Lake.  How convenient!  This only happens once a year so if you missed it, I’ll summarize the event for you.  And look forward to next year when you can see for yourself.  Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Tags: arts in Boulder, Boulder artists, open studios boulder colorado