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 »
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 INCREASE SLIGHTLY ON TREASURY DEBT AUCTIONS
November 14th, 2008 Categories: Buyer's Corner, Colorado Round Up, First Time Buyers, Focus on Boulder, Market Conditions, Real Estate Tales, Relocating, Selling Thoughts, Trends
Today’s Market Commentary:
Interest rates increased slightly this past week as the US Treasury auctioned off $55 billion of debt. Economic data continued to be negative. Weekly jobless claims jumped by 32,000 claims on expectations that claims would actually fall by 2,000.
Continuing claims increased to 3.9 million from 3.84 million the previous week. October Retail Sales fell by 2.8% on expectations that sales would fall by 1.2%. Excluding auto sales, Retail Sales fell by 2.2% on expectations that sales would fall by 0.9%. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reported third quarter losses of $29 billion and $25.3 billion respectively. Markets increasingly expect the Fed to cut short term interest rates by 50 basis points again at their FOMC meeting December 16.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently at 8,503, down about 440 points on the week. Crude oil futures are currently trading at just over $56 per barrel, down almost $5 per barrel on the week. China announced a $586 billion stimulus package to keep their economy growing.
Next week look toward Monday’s Industrial Production, Tuesday’s Producer Price Index (PPI), and Wednesday’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Housing Starts as potential market moving events.
Written by Brody Stinson | Discussion: No Comments »
Dakota Ridge Village Doesn’t Get Much Greener Than This!
September 28th, 2008 Categories: Boulder Subdivisions and Neighborhoods, Dakota Ridge Village, Focus on Boulder, Trends
We’re talking about Net Zero Energy Homes, one of which is currently under construction in Dakota Ridge Village in Boulder Colorado. 
Nestled in between your traditional new builds, stands a more modern, uniquely designed living space, called The NZE House. This progressive piece of real estate will lead the way in the green building trend here in Boulder Colorado. With buildings consuming 40% of the total energy in the US, why not strive to achieve buildings that create zero net energy? Meaning that they have net energy consumption of zero in a typical year, therefore reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and conserving energy. I believe that soon, all homes will become net zero energy and we just might save the world after all!
Written by Julie Johnson | Discussion: No Comments »
What You Get for The Money
September 22nd, 2008 Categories: Boulder Subdivisions and Neighborhoods, Buyer's Corner, First Time Buyers, Focus on Boulder, Relocating, Selling Thoughts, Trends
What does today’s average buyer look for in a home? Here are the top ten home features according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2007 profile of buyer’s home feature preferences. As a real estate professional, I have made these observations when working with home buyers. This list will also aid home sellers evaluate the desireability of the various home features. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Ro Troia | Discussion: No Comments »
Home Swapping. A New Reality TV Show?
August 5th, 2008 Categories: Buyer's Corner, Market Conditions, Real Estate Tales, Selling Thoughts, Trends
No, it’s not a new reality show and it’s not your typical vacation home exchange. It’s the extreme way to move in this depreciating market. Do you own real estate in Boulder Colorado that just won’t sell? Have you reached desperate measures? Do what others have done. Trade! Get on board with this new real estate trend - Home Swapping! Read more to see if it’s that easy. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Julie Johnson | Discussion: 3 Comments »
Are You Green Enough?
June 25th, 2008 Categories: Mountain Living, Trends
Whether remodelling your own home or ”flipping” your Boulder real estate, some Boulderites aren’t going green or eco-friendly. Why, I ask? If it’s because you don’t know where to begin or lack the creative know how, I’m going to help with easy and affordable ways to do a eco-friendly remodel…
First, for the most value in replacing carpet or outdated tile, go with bamboo or cork flooring.
Secondly, contribute to a bright, healthy future by reducing soot, smog, and mercury pollution. Use solar energy and install solar panels. In Boulder, it will increase the value of your home and buyers love it. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Julie Johnson | Discussion: 2 Comments »
