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 INCREASE DESPITE FALL IN TREASURY YIELDS
November 25th, 2008 Categories: Buyer's Corner, First Time Buyers, Market Conditions, Relocating, Selling Thoughts, Trends
Mortgage interest rates increased slightly this past week despite the yield on the US Treasury 10 year note falling from 3.71% to 3.174% currently. This is the biggest weekly drop in the 10 year note since the stock market crash of 1987. Money continues to flow into safe Treasury debt with short-term yields nearing zero and out of the stock market.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently at 7,528, down almost 1,000 points on the week. The market is now speculating that the Fed may cut the Fed Funds rate by 75 basis points at its December FOMC meeting.
Economic data of note included the Producer Price Index (PPI) and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). PPI fell 2.8%, its largest decline since 1947 and CPI fell 1.0%, its largest decline in 61 years. October Housing Starts and Building Permits fell substantially. Housing Starts are at their lowest level since 1959 and Building Permits are at their lowest level since 1960.
Crude Oil futures prices continued to fall, dropping over $8 per barrel to $48.59 per barrel currently. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced that they will suspend foreclosures over the holidays. Citigroup announced that they will eliminate over 50,000 jobs.
Next week look toward Tuesdays second look at third quarter GDP and Wednesdays Durable Goods Orders and Personal Income and Outlays as potential market moving events.
Written by Brody Stinson | 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 »
Stay Fit in Boulder, Colorado
October 28th, 2008 Categories: Buyer's Corner, Colorado Round Up, Focus on Boulder, Relocating, Trends
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 »
Written by Brody Stinson | Discussion: No Comments »
RATES FLAT DESPITE WEAK ECONOMIC DATA
October 20th, 2008 Categories: Buyer's Corner, First Time Buyers, Market Conditions, Relocating
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.
Written by Brody Stinson | Discussion: No Comments »
The Boulder Tour Of Solar And Green Homes
October 12th, 2008 Categories: Boulder Subdivisions and Neighborhoods, Buyer's Corner, Focus on Boulder, Selling Thoughts, Trends
Last week, was the Boulder Tour of Solar and Green Homes and I was reminded of how lucky I am to live in Boulder Colorado. Where else can you tour green built or re-modeled homes all in one day - I was in heaven! You never would have found something like this in the town I grew up in. The morning of the event, I went downtown to register and pay the reasonable $10 fee, then I walked along the vendors booths checking out the eco-friendly companies of Boulder. As a real estate agent, I found great resources for my clients before I even left for the tour. Click here to get an overview of what I learned.
Written by Julie Johnson | Discussion: 1 Comment »
Enhance Your Real Estate And Increase Its Value.
October 9th, 2008 Categories: Selling Thoughts
It doesn’t matter if you live in Boulder Colorado or any other part of the country and it doesn’t matter if you’re a homeowner, buyer, seller, fix and flipper, or part time re-modeler. Knowing what makes property value go up or down is important to maximize your return on every dollar you spend on your home. It is especially important when listing your real estate in a buyer’s market that you separate your home from others with home improvement projects that increase value. Don’t waste your time or money installing that swimming pool, unless your swimming in money, in Boulder Colorado and read about some of the basic forces that determine real estate value.
How is value determined? Read the rest of this entry »
Written by John Vaughan | Discussion: 1 Comment »
Tips On How To Find Your First Real Estate Investment
October 2nd, 2008 Categories: Boulder Subdivisions and Neighborhoods, Market Conditions
I know…I know…how can I possibly be talking about buying investment property with the recent developments in the economy. The truth of the matter is rates are still at historic lows and it’s a buyer’s market in Boulder Colorado. With depreciating home prices and a rise in foreclosures, why not try investing in real estate? Sure, it’s takes some experience but with these helpful strategies, you’ll be ready to close a deal in no time. Read more Read the rest of this entry »
Written by John Vaughan | 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 »
RADON - The Silent Killer!
September 18th, 2008 Categories: Buyer's Corner, First Time Buyers, Selling Thoughts
As if we didn’t have enough to worry about with all the chemicals in our food, our furniture, our carpet, and toys manufactured in a country far away we now have to worry about Radon gas too? Radon is an odorless (not like grandpa’s gas), colorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas that’s formed from the decay of radium contained in rock, soil, and water. Radon gas reportedly causes over 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States. It is also the second most frequent cause of lung cancer deaths with cigarette smoking taking the number one spot.
When purchasing a home, Read the rest of this entry »
Written by John Vaughan | Discussion: No Comments »
