Posts tagged Boulder real estate
Funny Real Estate News: ‘Having Trouble Selling Your Home Right Now? Make it enticing’
Sep 26th
A homeowner in Glenview, Ill is having problems getting her house to sell, so to sweeten the deal she bought $1,000 worth of booze to entice prospective buyers to take a second look at the home and emphasize the nearby nightlife of the town. Full Story here. 
My Opinion: This certainly is an interesting incentive to make buyers think twice. But there are a lot of homes on the market so how do you make yours more noticeable? The first and most important rule is to have your home prices right. That does not mean what the homeowner thinks it is worth, but what the market is saying people will pay for it. Especially in this market when home values are hurting, prospective buyers are looking for VALUE in a home, which comes to my second point. The second most important rule is if you are serious about selling your home, it needs to be presentable. I’m not saying it needs to be staged but it will give you a huge advantage over the home down the street. In today’s market, especially, homebuyers are looking for that value and are looking for a home that they feel comfortable in and are ready to move into. Lets say there are two homes on the market, both are priced correctly but home A is clean and staged, and B has 3 children and the house is a wreck…which home will sell? -Getting back to the homeowner in Glenview, there are a lot of ways to make your home more vibrant to buyers, the $1,000 of liquor is a great idea. Think of similar incentives to help your home be worth its value!
Bill Allen
303.441.5690.direct
303.415.2251.office
RE/MAX of Boulder, INC
Bill Allen, Real Estate News: ‘New Mortgage Idea that Can Save the Economy?’
Aug 29th
I stumbled on an interesting article today about a new type of loan modification program that has potential to save the economy. Past loan modifications have only left us worse of and now banks are suing banks and the government is handing out money to corporations and now the people are standing up and fighting back, and with a brilliant solution at that.
The idea is for a new loan program that instead of the government to lend out millions of dollars to banks, the banks will just reduce the amount of principal on loans. The statistics are as follows:
“If lenders would reduce all underwater mortgages to their current market value, the nation’s banks could pump $71 billion per year into the economy, create more than 1 million jobs annually and save families up to $6,500 per year on mortgage payments, according to The New Bottom Line, a collaborative of 1,000 faith-based and community organizations who want Wall Street held accountable for the mess it created.” -Ann Brenoff, AOLreal estate
The idea behind this is that by reducing people’s loan payment, it allows them to spend their money on other things such as groceries, clothes, etc. This would cause a spike in consumer demand and businesses would be doing better and lead to prosperity and jobs.
Tell me what you think, could this idea help revive the economy?
Bill Allen
303.441.5690
RE/MAX of Boulder, INC
*for the full article on this issue follow this link
Bill Allen, National Real Estate News: ‘Home Affordability Remains High’
Aug 29th
Home Affordability is near record highs (which is a good thing) This rating means that American families are buying homes within their means. The National Association of Home Builders said the affordability of homes sold in the second quarter for 2011 was 72.6%. The national median income is $64,200.
At a time of high affordability it means prosperity, homeowners are purchasing within their limits and with the historic low interest families are getting great deals on homes and will be well financed to make affordable payments. Unfortunately, the high level of affordability has not turned into more sales, actually, the national average of home sales dropped 3.5% in July from June sales.
*If you want to read the whole story check it out on RealtyTimes.com
Bill Allen
303.441.5690
RE/MAX of Boulder, INC
Bill Allen: ‘New Coat of Paint’
Aug 25th
Have you been thinking about re-painting a room in your home? They say certain colors can define and even enhance your mood. Its a grea low-cost way to spruce up the appearance of your home. Check-out this article about paint colors to help you find the right one for you.
Bill Allen
303.441.5690
RE/MAX of Boulder, INC
Bill Allen, Real Estate News: ‘Another Issue Plaguing the Housing Market’
Aug 24th
Through all the ups and downs the housing market has been going through, one key issue is holding the marke
t back from growing. The market IS seeing lots of improvement from a year ago but that is just from housing activity and not the facts. The activity in the market has been growing over the past year but the facts of the matter is that, nationally, we are not improving when it comes to home appraisals and valuation. Home appraisals are the staple to the healthy economy and because of the past few years of poor valuation we are seeing the effects today…Here is why:
Before the housing bust, home appraisals were getting out of hand, making higher valuations than the property was worth. This market characteristic contributed heavily to the housing bust, homes were jumping up 10-16% a year, when on an average year home values are to appreciate between 2-4%. This spike in home values lead to the crash and the appraised values plummeted and over the past 3 years we have seen large de-valuation of homes where they were highly valued.
The home appraisals of today are the effects of the high appraisals and the low home values of the past 3 years. What is happening today is that home valuations are turning up lower than the REAL value of the home. What I mean by REAL value of the home, is that a home may actually be worth $500,000 BUT because of the low appraisals of the past few years, the home that has a REAL value of $500,000 will end up being appraised at a lower value because the appraiser does not have comparable homes to compare it to. And if the appraiser does have homes to appraise it to, they are at a lower price because of the housing bubble bust and the home values of comparables that have sold recently are at a lower price, therefore, causing the home with the REAL value of $500,000 to be valued below its worth at say $450,000.
Now you may be thinking, ok, its valued at $450,000 but im going to put it on the market for the $500,000 because that the real price it should be appraised at. The problem here is 99 out of 100 times a buyer will want to see the most recent home appraisal and if the appraisal says the home is worth $450,000 and not $500,000 (as listed) the buyer will not be willing to go above $450,000 on the home and will end up buying a house down the street and leaving yours on the market for a long long time.
This is a very interesting subject to keep track of, because until home appraisers can figure out a better system to appraise homes, we may be stuck in this downward appraisal turmoil for a long time. The appraisal system has the power to turn the housing market around and bring things back to normal.
*for a similar story please follow this link: U.S. housing faces extra drag- low appraisals
I’d love to hear some comments on home owners/ home buyers/ home sellers, and what you think about all of this.
Bill Allen
303.441.5690.office
RE/MAX of Boulder, INC
Bill Allen, Boulder News: ‘Boulder Firms Top Best Work Places List’
Aug 19th
The past week Outside Magazine ranked Boulder, Colorado the best place to work in the U.S. This was only the fourth year for the poll but it is slowly picking up. Out of the 100-150 companies that have taken place in the poll, this years list was the most competitive. The ranking are as follows:
“Boulder-based Natural Habitat Adventures, a travel operator, is No. 1 on the list. Boulder-based Environmental Management & Planning Solutions Inc., an environmental consulting firm is No. 2, and Boulder-based Sterling-Rice Group, an advertising and communications firm, is No. 3.”bcbr.com
For the entire article from BCBR.com follow this link.
Bill Allen
303.441.5690.office
RE/MAX of Boulder, INC
Bill Allen, Real Estate News: CNNmoney releases the ‘Top 100 Places to Live 2011′ Guess who’s at the top?
Aug 15th
Today, CNNmoney released their ‘Top 100 Places to Live 2011′ list, ranking 3 Colorado cities in the top 20. The rankings are based on a combination of job opportunities, fiscal strength, top-notch schools, safe streets, good health care, cultural and outdoor activities, and nice weather.
HERE are the ranks for the three Colorado cities that made the top 20:
20. Superior, CO
Top 100 rank: 20
Population: 12,900
This former coal-mining town is a cyclist’s dream. Superior’s stunning mountain roads draw hundreds to the annual Morgul Classic bike race, and the town recently built a BMX bike park. Homes are more affordable here than in nearby Boulder, but residents have access to the same high-performing school district. Many of the city’s well-educated and affluent residents work in the tech sector, at Denver-area employers such as Oracle.
The second Colorado city is Castle Rock, CO, ranked #19:
19. Castle Rock, CO
Top 100 rank: 19
Population: 37,200
With roots in mining and railroads, this affluent town offers an updated taste of the Old West. It boasts an historic downtown area, 265 acres of parks, and 44 miles of trails. Douglas County Rodeo comes to town each summer, complete with a fair and parade. And there are bargains to be had at the nearby outlet mall. The local economy is improving too. A manufacturer for wind turbine parts recently moved to Castle Rock, and officials have earmarked an economic development assistance fund of $5 million to bring new businesses to town.
…and the third Colorado city is Louisville, CO, taking the top spot at #1
1. Louisville, CO
Top 100 rank: 1
Population: 18,400
Unemployment: 6.3%
This sunny, lively mountain town is safe (crime rates are among the lowest in Colorado) and easy to navigate. Lots of good jobs in tech, telecom, aerospace, clean energy, and health care can be found right in Louisville, and more are on their way. And there’s world-class mountain biking, hiking, and skiing in the nearby Rockies. Real estate prices have barely budged since 2005, yet a typical three-bedroom house here still runs less than a comparable one in nearby Boulder. Its schools consistently rank among the top three academically in the Denver area.
Way to go Louisville! I deal a lot of business in Louisville and would have to say it is one of the nicest towns I have ever seen. Complete with historical old town and new development, but at the same time keeping a sort of small town charm. It is a booming city full of opportunity, and compared to Boulder it is much more affordable.
Bill Allen
RE/MAX of Boulder, INC
303.441.5690
Bill Allen, Real Estate News: ‘The Basics of Homeowners Insurance’
Aug 12th
Are you a current homeowner, or looking to be one in the future? Well then you are going to want to have Homeowners 
Insurance and I’m sure your going to be taking a lot of time searching for the right coverage. Take a short cut and read this attached article to RealtyTimes.com and read their experts tips for picking out the right type of coverage for you.
*Read the article ‘The Basics of Homeowners Insurance’ here!
Bill Allen
RE/MAX of Boulder, INC
303.441.5690
Boulder News: ‘Lowe Alpine Coming back to Boulder’
Aug 11th
Lowe Alpine, a backpack maker is moving back home after being bought out by parent company Equip Outdoor Technologies. Lowe Alpine’s distribution and marketing will be relocating to Louisville by November 1st of this year. 
“I have long admired Lowe Alpine, and it has been an inspiration to me during the 20 years that I have been working in the outdoor industry,” Matt Gowar, Equip’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. While Equip is based in Derbyshire, United Kingdom, Gowar lives in Boulder.”
This is the second company that I have heard relocating to Louisville in the past few weeks.
Bill Allen
RE/MAX of Boulder, INC
303.441.5690
Boulder News: ‘Geeky is Good?’
Aug 10th
Boulder was recently voted America’s 2nd Geekiest City. In a national search the U.S. National 
Science Foundation conducted its annual “Science and Engineering Indicators” report, and found Boulder to be a top producer. To break it down, the geekiest city in America is the city with the tech and science jobs per capita. Boulder was found second at 17.4% to be beaten only by San Jose, California with an 18.2% and the new title of ‘Geek Capital of America’.
*To read the entire Geek list follow this LINK.
Bill Allen
RE/MAX of Boulder, INC
303.441.5690
