Tagged : Boulder Colorado Real Estate Blog DB Wilson 
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NEW WEBSITE HELPS HOMEOWNERS, BUYERS PROTECT THE AMERICAN DREAM
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 at 12:21am. 8 Views, 0 Comments.
Despite the fact that Americans overwhelmingly support homeownership, legislative and regulatory proposals now under consideration would greatly harm home owners, home buyers, the housing market and the nation's economy. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has launched a new website, www.ProtectHomeownership.com, to bring attention to the threats to homeownership and inspire the public to take action to protect it.
“American families aspire to homeownership because they know that it promotes stability and is critical in creating wealth and providing upward mobility and financial security for families. Equally important, homeownership supports the economy by creating jobs,” says NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville,…
RE-DO YOUR DECK FOR SUMMER
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 at 12:11am. 10 Views, 0 Comments.
With Spring in full bloom, homeowners are taking advantage of the weather and prepping their outdoor living spaces for the summer season. One main hangout for many is the deck. There are a handful of different low-cost deck trends for 2012, and homeowners can freshen up their existing space without breaking the bank by highlighting a few key elements. According to a survey by Trex Company, a composite deck company, 83 percent of Americans favor low-maintenance home improvement projects—and who can blame them? The following updates are as easy as they are wallet-friendly.
Rock the railing. The railing is often the first thing guests see when they take a look at your deck from the yard or street view, so it’s important to realize that this is more than…
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Thursday, May 10th, 2012 at 9:25pm. 26 Views, 0 Comments.
Q: Should I lock in the mortgage rate?
A: Because the interest rate market fluctuates constantly and is subject to quick movements without notice, locking in a mortgage rate with a lender certainly protects you from the time your lock is confirmed to the day it expires.
Lock-ins make sense in a rapidly-rising rate environment or when borrowers expect rates to climb during the next 30 - 60 days, which is typically the amount of time a lock-in remains in effect.
A lock-in given at the time of application is useful because it may take the lender several weeks to prepare a loan application. These days, however, automated loan practices have cut the time quite a bit.
Lock-ins are not necessarily free. Some lenders require you to pay a lock-in fee to…
SELLING SEASON TRENDS: Competition, More Renters, Pricier Mortgages
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 at 7:59pm. 59 Views, 0 Comments.
What can home buyers expect to face this selling season? An improving housing market has made it a different picture in many areas compared to recent years, housing experts say. A recent article at Bankrate.com notes some of the following trends taking shape in the housing market this spring:
Summer – and therefore the selling/buying season – is upon us and with the housing market already showing signs of improvements, we just might see something this season that we haven’t in a while: activity.
According to Bankrate.com, here are the trends to look out for as the warm weather grows warmer:
- Fierce competition. With falling home values and mortgage rates at record lows, housing affordability is at record highs, and more buyers jumping off the fence of…
BOULDER AREA REAL ESTATE MARKET COMING TO LIFE
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 at 7:52pm. 108 Views, 0 Comments.
If March’s sales are any indication, the Boulder-area real estate market is showing signs of life once again.
Boulder-area single-family home sales for the month hit 270, a 27 percent increase compared with the 212 units that sold in March 2011. And 88 townhomes and condominiums sold in March compared with 75 sales a year ago, an increase of 17 percent.
“I believe this is the best month we’ve had in a couple of years,” says Ken Hotard, senior vice president of public affairs for the Boulder Area Realtor Association. “I think you’re seeing signs that credit is easing a bit.”
For the first three months of 2012, 622 single-family homes sold compared with the 515 homes that sold in the first quarter of 2011, a 21 percent increase. The Boulder-area…
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Monday, May 7th, 2012 at 10:08pm. 18 Views, 0 Comments.
Q: Does the government offer assistance with home improvements?
A: Yes. Two very popular programs offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) include the Title 1 Home Improvement Loan and the Section 203(k) Program. In the first program, HUD insures the loan up to $25,000 for a single-family house to cover alterations, repairs, and site improvements. The latter program, which also insures mortgage loans, is HUD’s primary program for the rehabilitation and repair of single-family homes. Loans are also available from the Department of Veteran Affairs to buy, build, or improve a home, as well as refinance an existing loan at interest rates that are usually lower than that on conventional loans. The Rural Housing Repair and…
ZILLOW: Home Values Post Biggest Monthly Gain in Six Years
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 at 5:44pm. 69 Views, 0 Comments.
National home values posted their biggest monthly gain in six years from February to March, according to Zillow’s first quarter Real Estate Market Reports, which came out April 24.
And Zillow reports that nineteen of the 30 biggest metro housing markets in the nation have either hit bottom or will be the end of 2012, Zillow forecasts.
The Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) rose 0.5 percent from February to March, marking the largest monthly increase since May 2006 – before home values peaked.
Zillow reports that it expects some markets to experience substantial home value gains over the next 12 months.
“For people who have been waiting to time their home purchases close to the market bottom, it’s time to start shopping,” advises Stan Humphries, Zillow's…
A little effort can pay off big in getting your home sold
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012 at 5:43pm. 44 Views, 0 Comments.
Just what does it take to sell a home in a market in which foreclosures, short sales and excess inventory have become the norm?
Bradley K. Tuttle’s Real Estate Update offers these tips for getting your house moving:
- First and foremost is to enlist the most qualified expert to help. Finding the best agent to guide you through the real estate transaction can be the difference between a real estate dream and a nightmare.
- Make your home stand out among the sea of homes for sale. Highlight and advertise what makes your home different than its competition, including the upgrades, the location, the amenities, the curb appeal, the well-maintained landscape, the outdoor living space and the “aging-in-place” remodeling you've done.
- Take a pad of paper or…
Boulder-area renters carry the highest rent burden in the state
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012 at 5:39pm. 84 Views, 0 Comments.
While Boulder prides itself for appearing at the top of many “best of” lists, its residents may not be too happy – or surprised – about its appearance on the state’s list of metro areas with the most rent-burdened households.
According to the Colorado Division of Housing, the state has more than 1.9 million households, more than 600,000 of which are renter households. While more than 65 percent of Colorado households are owner occupied, rental housing is still an important source of shelter for people all income levels, though renting is often essential for low- and middle-income households.
Rent-burdened households are those that pay 30 percent or more of income toward housing. According to a recent report from the state the metropolitan areas with…
SMALL SPRING UPDATES TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
Friday, April 27th, 2012 at 12:31am. 36 Views, 0 Comments.
When homeowners think about protecting their home’s assets, they may immediately think about large maintenance issues, like a new roof. But checking on—and updating, if necessary—small details can have a huge impact on the health over your home over time, saving you big dollars by warding off monumental repairs. Below, is an outline of a handful of things you should keep up-to-date to lower bills and avoid costly repairs later on, regardless of whether you plan to stay or sell.
Check the ventilation
Spring can be wet, and a build-up of moisture can peel paint, cause mold and mildew and ruin flooring, carpets and fixtures. At the start of the season, check out kitchen or bath ventilation fans, and consider installing dehumidifiers anywhere prone to…
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