Ro Troia

What Is An Eco Friendly Renovation? Part Two

Why is this information important? 

For several reasons: Being more conscientious is the way to be.  It’s the right choice.  The eco evolution is not only taking over Boulder but it’s blossoming throughout the world.  We drive Priuses, shop locally, and remodel with the consideration of the environment. 

You’re not only saving mother earth but yourself as well; indoor contamination causes health problems and the community is becoming more aware of its harmful risks. 

 It’s really not that more expensive to do a earth loving remodel and it will positively increase the value of your real estate.  Buyers are looking for those green qualities in a home so here are the basics. 

 

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Tags: Tags: boulder, buyers, conscientious, eco friendly renovation, eco house, environment, flooring, health problems, increase value, indoor pollutants, insulation, investment, kitchen trends, paint, real estate, sellers, VOCs, water efficiency, world

Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly

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. 

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Tags: Tags: boulder colorado, buyers, curb appeal, Flagstaff, holiday decorating, Pearl Street, realtor, sellers, staging

RATES INCREASE SLIGHTLY ON TREASURY DEBT AUCTIONS

 

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.

Tags: Tags: boulder, buyers, colorado, economic data, mortgage rates, real estate, sellers

The Boulder Tour Of Solar And Green Homes

 

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.

 

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Tags: Tags: boulder, energy efficiency, green built, real estate, retrofit, sellers, solar home tour

Dakota Ridge Village Doesn’t Get Much Greener Than This!

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!

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Tags: Tags: boulder colorado, buyers, Dakota Ridge Village, green building, real estate, sellers, Trends

Photosynth. Is It The Newest Trend In Real Estate?

Personnally, I haven’t seen it used by very many agents in Boulder Colorado, but I’m sure it’s out there and will progress quickly.  I read more and more about it each day. 

Photosynth or photo tourism is a collection of high resolution images displayed dramatically in 3D! Hundreds of pictures can be uploaded, virtually walking you through a home.  Will this benefit sellers when listing their real estate?  Could this be the advantage an agent needs when interviewing for a listing appointment?  Or will it keep buyers from viewing properties since they can see everything without even entering the house?  Is it affordable and easy?  Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Tags: boulder colorado, home buyers, photosynth, real estate, sellers, technology, Trends

Home Swapping. A New Reality TV Show?

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 »

Tags: Tags: boulder, buyers, home swapping, homeowners, market, properties, real estate, sellers

Say What? You Fired Your Realtor?

Another one bites the dust!  I know there are tons of people out there that are frustrated because no one is coming to look at their house for sale – right?  Well than it makes sense to Fire Your Realtor!   That’s OK, another Realtor will come along and promise to sell your house for “that” special price  bring in tons of buyers.  Yes – Real Estate is emotional!  Yes and….Real Estate is still a great investment.  Should you fire or should you keep the same Realtor?  That is a good question.   I admit, most people are a little weary anyway when their real estate agent tells them

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Tags: Tags: boulder colorado, home sellers, homes for sale, real estate market trends, real estate trends, Realtors, sellers, Trulia

Educating Sellers in a Down Market

The hardest part of a listing appointment is not telling the sellers all the “stuff” you are going to do for them, flyers, open houses, broker tours, websites, postcards, and on and on… These are great but what do they really do, brand the brokerage, open houses are held for homes that aren’t selling and showing them other “Active” listings, those are just homes that haven’t sold and are still on the market. Sellers like to see tangibles, Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Tags: down real estate market, home prices, home sellers, listing homes, market price, pricing homes, pricing real estate, sellers