Carrie Degraw, Realtor for Boulder County including Louisville, Lafayette & Boulder

4176 Amber Place, Boulder CO

2011-04-14T14:14:00.002-06:00

No 1099 Reporting for Landlords!

2011-04-14T12:12:00.002-06:00

$600 1099 Landlord Reporting Law Repealed In a little-noticed but important victory for REALTORS®, particularly those who help households and mom-and-pop owners of small rental properties, Congress passed legislation to repeal a short-sighted provision in small business legislation enacted last year (and a similar provision in the big health care reform law) that imposed onerous reporting requirements on small landlords and the real estate practitioners who work with them.

1008 Jefferson Ave. Louisville CO

2011-04-14T11:56:00.004-06:00

Nearly Eight in 10 Americans Still Believe Buying a Home Makes Good Financial Sense

2010-10-15T10:22:00.003-06:00

Nearly Eight in 10 Americans Still Believe Buying a Home Makes Good Financial Sense RISMEDIA, October 15, 2010—Nearly eight out of 10 respondents believe buying a home is a good financial decision, despite ongoing challenges with the economy and housing market. That’s according to the 2010 National Housing Pulse Survey, an annual report released by the National Association of Realtors. The survey, which measures how affordable housing issues affect consumers, also found job security concerns to be the highest in eight years of sampling, with 70% of Americans saying that job layoffs and unemployment are a big problem in their area; eight in 10 cite these issues as a barrier to homeownership.
“The real issue facing the nation’s economy right now is that many Americans can’t find meaningful work to support their families,” said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of a real estate company in Tucson, Ariz. “While a job recovery is what’s needed right now to get the economy and housing market back on the right track, owning a home continues to be part of the American Dream and one of the best long-term investments in your future.”

Despite economic uncertainty, 68% of those surveyed still believe now is a good time to buy a home; while that number is down from last year (75%), it’s up from 2008 (66%) and 2007 (59%). Lower home prices and record-low mortgage interest rates may be attracting buyers to the housing market—more than one-fourth of renters said they are thinking more about buying a home than they were a year ago. Sixty-three percent of renter respondents said that owning a home is a priority in their future, and nearly 40% said it was one of their highest priorities.

Lower home prices have improved affordability. In fact, the percentage of renters who are worried that the cost of housing is getting so unaffordable that they will never be able to buy a home has decreased steadily since 2007, from 63% to 57%.

Despite improved affordability, 79% of respondents still consider having enough money for down payment and closing costs to be among the biggest obstacles to buying a home. Another obstacle is a lack of confidence in their ability to be approved for a loan, reported by 73% of respondents.

The good news is that Americans are seeing more stability in the real estate market. Nearly seven out of 10 believe that home values have stabilized in their area; the same number expects home sales to remain about the same through the end of the year.

While more than half (51%) say foreclosures are a problem in their area, the rate of foreclosures is also seen as stabilizing; 51% say the rate is about the same as last year. Thirty-six percent of respondents cite the recession, loss of jobs and the poor economy as the main reason for the ongoing foreclosure problem. This has also led to a slight increase in the number of people who believe the federal government should take a more active role overseeing loans and mortgages (44%, up from 43% last year).

While nearly seven out of 10 say it’s harder to sell a home in their area today than it was a year ago, it’s less of a concern from last year when the number was 10 percentage points higher. This is most likely the result of lower home inventories.

The 2010 National Housing Pulse Survey is conducted by American Strategies and Myers Research & Strategic Services for NAR’s Housing Opportunity Program. The telephone survey was among 1,209 adults living in the 25 most populous metropolitan statistical areas. The study has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

For more information, visit www.realtor.org

2010-09-17T13:24:00.002-06:00

Economic Snapshot
A look at the current real estate market; provided by RE/MAX ALLIANCE

September/2010

As the announcer in baseball likes to say when one of the Rockies hits a home run: “You can kiss it goodbye!” Well, that’s about all that can be said about this summer of 2010. Poof! It was over before we even knew it. Now comes the fall; filled with football games, warm days and cool nights. Change is in the air.
The Boulder Valley real estate market limped along through the summer months. No longer bolstered by the Federal government’s tax payer incentive program, home buyers and sellers were left to survive on their own. Mortgage interest rates dropped to historic lows, which spawned a plethora of homeowners interested in refinancing. Problem was, home values had slipped and appraisals were coming-in low; leaving many homeowners on the sidelines (or in the dugout) unable to take advantage of lower rates.
There is some good news on the Boulder Valley real estate landscape. Year to date sales of single family homes and attached units are up slightly over 13% through August/2010 as compared to August/2009. Although some degree of that increase is a result of the Federal tax payer incentive program, it does show evidence of buyer confidence in the market. Another positive sign is the chart below, which is a brief overview of average single family home values for the Boulder Valley area for the past couple of years. (Information is from IRES, the Northern Colorado MLS.)

2009 2010 (Thru August)
Area Average Sales Price Average Sales Price % Change
Boulder $647,751 $654,723 +1.01%%
Superior $413,935 $414,007 No Change
Louisville $394,573 $451,710 +14.48%
Lafayette $352,884 $352,833 No Change
Longmont $241,041 $255,259 +5.90%
Suburban Plains $509,094 $545,155 +7.08% Suburban Mtns $417,035 $406,372 -2.56%
Broomfield $354,514 $368,465 +3.93%
========= ========= =======
Average … $405,502 $432,297 +6.60%

On the surface, Boulder Valley home values have stabilized and are (on average) improving in most geographic areas. At this time last year, through August/2009, home values were down approximately 5.53% as compared to 2008.
Real estate markets are composed of peaks and valleys; ups and downs. Between the peaks and valleys are plateaus. This is where a calmness normally prevails. People aren’t fighting the currents of change. They have become more accepting; more realistic. This may be where the Boulder Valley real estate market is today.
From a real estate perspective, we may never again see the past in the future i.e. annual double digit appreciation of home values followed by annual double digit depreciation of home values. There will always be opportunities in the real estate market to make money. They exist today, but they are predicated on a person’s willingness to wait. How long that wait might be is unknown, but, for some, their patience will eventually be rewarded. They’ll hit a home run!

Thanks to Dan Johnson Re/Max Alliance Louisville

New Class for Old Town Louisville!

2010-09-14T19:03:00.005-06:00

IRES MLS#: 634429 PRICE: $579,500
ADDR: 1008 Jefferson Ave, Louisville, 80027
RESIDENTIAL-DETACHED ACTIVE
Locale: Louisville County: Boulder
Area/SubArea: 2/0 Map Book: R - 131 - S
Subdivision: Capitol Hill
Legal: Lots 3-4 Blk 1
________________________________________
Total SqFt All Lvls 2916 Basement SqFt: 396
Total Finished SqFt: 2520 Lower Level SqFT: 528
Finished SqFt w/o Bsmt: 2520 Main Level SqFt: 1464
Upper Level SqFT: 528 Addl Upper Lvl: 0
# Garage Spaces: 1 Garage Type: Detached
Garage SqFt: 264
YearBuilt: 1925 SqFt Source: Building Plans
New Const: No Est. Comp.:
Builder: Owner addition 2005 Model:
New Const Notes:
________________________________________
Public Comments: Enjoy the ambiance of a covered front porch in Old Town Louisville! Stunning addition that has kept the character of the old style Bungalow and added bright, light, open and contemporary master bedroom, kitchen/great room and guest suite. Stainless Steel Appliances w/Gas Range, Granite Counters in Kitchen and both new baths, main laundry, abundance of storage, Radiant heat in floors for the new part w/5 zones. A/C unit has 3 direct vents into rooms master, living room and kitchen. Magnificent!
________________________________________
Driving Directions: 2 blocks west of Main, 3 blocks north of Pine
________________________________________
Property Features
Land Size - Style - Four-Level, Construction - Wood/Frame, Roof - Composition Roof, Type - Cottage/Bung, Outdoor Features - Lawn Sprinkler System, Storage Buildings, Patio, Basement/Foundation - Partial Basement, 25%+Finished Basement, Heating - Forced Air, Multi-zoned Heat, Radiant Heat, 2 or more Heat Sources, Cooling - Room Air Conditioner, Ceiling Fan, Inclusions - Window Coverings, Gas Range/Oven, Self-Cleaning Oven, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Clothes Washer, Clothes Dryer, Microwave, Garage Door Opener, Disposal, Smoke Alarm(s), Energy Features - Double Pane Windows, Design Features - Open Floor Plan, Master Bedroom Bath - 5 Piece Master Bath, Utilities - Natural Gas, Cable TV Available, High Speed Avail, Water/Sewer - City Water, City Sewer, Ownership - Private Owner, Possession - 1-3 Days after Closing, Property Disclosures - Lead Paint Disclosure, Flood Plain - Minimal Risk, Possible Usage - Single Family, New Financing/Lending - Conventional, Exclusions - NONE

Best Buy Broomfield!

2010-09-14T18:57:00.003-06:00

Year Built: 2005
County: Broomfield
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2 full, 1 partial
Sqr Footage: 2741
Garage Spots: 2.0
Garage Desc: 2.0 car garage attached
Subdivision: COUNTRY ESTATES FILING NO 8
MLS Number: 637827

COMMENTS

GORGEOUS RANCH WITH FULL FINISHED LOWER LEVEL FOR GUEST, GAMES, HOBBIES, POOL AND PING PONG TABLES, OPEN FLOOR PLAN , HARD WOOD KITCHEN & FORMAL DINING RM, STUNNING SLAB GRANITE COUNTERS WITH TALL MAPLE CABINETS, MAIN FLOOR LAUNDRY W/CABINETS, ALL APPLIANCES INCLUDED, 2ND BEDROOM LISTED AS STUDY. SERVICE DOOR IN GARAGE, FRONT YARD MAINTAINED, BACKS TO OPEN AREA NOT OTHER HOMES. SECURITY STORM DOORS FRONT AND BACK. NICE, PRICED FOR VERY QUICK SALE!

ADDITIONAL FEATURES
•Association Fee: 100.00/Monthly
•Association Fee Includes: Common Amenities, Common Utilities, Lawn Care, Management, Snow Removal, Trash
•Basement Description: Full Basement, 90%+ Finished Basement
•Bathroom Description: 2 (Full), 1 (Half)
•Construction Features: Stucco
•Cooling Features: Central Air Conditioning
•Fireplace Description: Family/Recreation Room Fireplace, 2+ Fireplaces, Gas Fireplace, Living Room Fireplace
•Heating Features: Forced Air
•Inclusions: Dishwasher, Clothes Dryer, Electric Range/Oven, Microwave, Garage Door Opener, Refrigerator, Self-Cleaning Oven, Clothes Washer, Window Coverings, Disposal
•Interior Features: Cathedral/Vaulted Ceilings, Open Floor Plan, Pantry, Separate Dining Room, Walk-in Closet, Wood Floors
•Location Description: Cul-De-Sac
•Outdoor Features: Lawn Sprinkler System, Patio
•Square Footage Information: 1282 Sqft(Lower Level), 1459 Sqft(Main Level), 1459 Finished Sqft, 2700 Total Finished Sqft

Carrie DeGraw
Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Broker Associate, Re/Max Hall of Fame
Boulder
4770 Baseline Road Suite #200
Boulder, 80303
Email: carriedegraw@comcast.net

Primary: (303) 499-9880 x 1137
Toll Free: (888) 469-7331
Cell: (303) 548-8732
Fax: (720) 863-0942
Voicemail: (303) 497-0585

Office: (800) 373-1282
View My Properties

2010-03-23T23:12:00.001-06:00

Well, Warren Buffett might just be right!! My Louisville listing is under contract 14days after hit the market, and my Lafayette one is getting great action...so if any interest in it, call soon. Lets talk asap if you need/want to buy or sell a home in Louisville, Lafayette, Boulder, Broomfield, Erie, or the surrounding area..I am the veteran who has lived here 42 years, and sold homes for 27of those! See Warren's statement below, my listings, and more.

Warren Buffett Sees Housing Market Bouncing Back by 2011: Billionaire Warren Buffett said the U.S. will recover from the residential real estate slump by 2011 as demand for houses catches up with the supply that accumulated during the bubble.

"Within a year or so, residential housing problems should largely be behind us," Buffett wrote Saturday in his annual letter to the shareholders of his Berkshire Hathaway. "Prices will remain far below 'bubble' levels, of course, but for every seller or lender hurt by this there will be a buyer who benefits. Indeed, many families that couldn't afford to buy an appropriate home a few years ago now find it well within their means." Record foreclosures flooded a U.S. real estate market already glutted with unsold property, causing housing starts to fall.

"People thought it was good news a few years back when housing starts — the supply side of the picture — were running about 2 million annually," wrote Buffet, 79, chairman and CEO of Omaha-based Berkshire. "But household formations — the demand side — only amounted to about 1.2 million." If you're considering a Home Purchase, then now is the time to take action! Call me, Carrie DeGraw, 303-548-8732

Hot new listings of Mine! Click on this post title to see in full at my Remax site, look below for quick details.

2010-02-21T15:38:00.009-07:00

Two outstanding home values...one in Louisville at $329,900, the best house for the money in the city...and and equally great buy at $327,000 in Lafayette. Quick detailed below...see my Remax page for full details with pics, and more. See some good general news below after the listings..things are looking up!!

Louisville, CO 80027 2219 Dogwood Cir Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 full 1 partial Square Feet: 1924 Type: Four-Level Subdivision: Hunters Ridge Area: Louisville School Dist: BLDR VALLEY DIST RE2
MLS ID: 620156 Status: Active Rooms Living Room: 15x13
Dining Room: 10x8 Family Room: 17x14 Kitchen: 8x8 Master Bedroom: 12x12
Bedroom 2: 11x9 Bedroom 3: 10x9

Price is $329,000: Mint Condition! You will appreciate the upgrades! Newer windows, roof, carpet, stainless steel appliances, fresh exterior paint, newer accent light fixtures, skylight, gorgeous, tile entry. Perfect floor plan for entertaining that opens to the family room. Gas fireplace has blower, remote and thermostat for true comfort. 4 man Hot Tub, included, just outside the family room, Sprinkler System , fully fenced plus extra wide lot w/double gate that fits trailer. Best in Louisville offered today!

Lafayette: 1418 Harvest Dr Lafayette, CO 80026
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 full 1 partial Square Feet: 2202
Type: 2 Story Subdivision: Anna's Farms, Lafayette Farms East
Area: Lafayette School Dist: BLDR VALLEY DIST RE2 MLS ID: 619910
Status: Active Rooms Living Room: 20x12 Dining Room: 9x8
Kitchen: 10x9 Master Bedroom: 13x12 Bedroom 2: 13x9 Bedroom 3: 11x10

Price is $327,000. Better than new! Custom Window Coverings! Whole House Fan & Central Air! Surround sound in Liv Rm plus in wall speakers Mstr Bed & Bath! All bdrms with gorgeous ceiling fans. Wall Safe in his closet, & has a her closet. New Carpet, Stunning Hard Wood throughout out main floor, tile counters. Tall Maple Cabinets, Breakfast bar + dining rm. New Fridge & All Appliances stay. Rare fenced yard w/dog door into garage. Built Green. and ...it is on the Bus Line, easy trip to Boulder!

Denver home prices begin to rise

The Denver area, and espcially Louisville/Lafayette/Boulder, is one of only four areas to experience increased home sales prices, according to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller Home-Price Index. Denver’s S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index yearly percentage change improved for the tenth consecutive month, increasing 0.5 percent between November 2008 and November 2009. As reported by Standard & Poor’s, “Looking at the annual figures, four markets – Dallas, Denver, San Diego and San Francisco – have finally entered positive territory, something we really haven't seen in at least two years in most markets” (www.standardandpoors.com).
Prices increased nationally as well. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the national median existing-home price for all housing types increased 1.5 percent from December 2008 to December 2009. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, attributed that to an increased number of mid to upper-priced home sales. The nation hasn’t experienced a gain in median sales prices since August 2007. Yun also gives credit for the increase to the first-time home buyer tax credit that was originally to expire in November of 2009. He said, “There were no surprises in the data. It’s significant that home sales remain above year-ago levels, but the market is going through a period of swings driven by the tax credit” (www.Realtor.org).
What is surprising is that the median sales price increased despite the number of distressed sales that occurred during 2009. According to NAR, “Distressed homes, which accounted for 32 percent of sales last month, continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes in the same area. Distressed homes accounted for 36 percent of total sales last year” (www.Realtor.org).
Denver also experienced an increase in distressed sales. According to the Denver Post, “The number of foreclosures going all the way to a public trustee sale fell to 20,437 last year, down 4.1 percent from 2008 and 18.4 percent from the 2007 peak” (www.DenverPost.com). And Denver surprisingly still experienced increased sales prices.
The Denver Metrolist reported an increase in the average sold price for the Denver Metro area as well. The average sold price for residential homes and condominiums in the Denver Metro area increased 13.6 percent from December 2008 to December 2009. The average sold price in December 2009 was $255,877, compared to December 2008, when it was only $225,257. The average sold price increased 7.1 percent from November 2009, when it was $226,895.

2009-10-11T20:40:00.005-06:00

First things first before I get to real estate. I started a new business recently, joining a giant and proven company that helps people save serious money on major and day to day purchases, and affords those that might want to earn a significant secondary income that opportunity….or to make a 6 figure + primary income if they desire. I am looking for some sharp people to join me in this venture, people who want to keep more of their money in their pockets, and/or don’t mind sharing this opportunity with others who want to save and earn.

We sell a benefits + membership package that affords everyone the buying power of a huge group…and we all understand how that saves, with factory direct prices on many major items like furniture, cars, insurance, long distance, and more. You also are instantly able to sell/buy products through your very own web site from hundreds of major retailers while earning commissions on these items…household names like Sears, Kohl’s, Golf Smith, Home depot, Best Buy, and so many more. There are huge upside advantages of our proven system with Team National, and the impeccable credibility of the company. You can have your own business instantly with low to no investment, and avoid so many normal business hassles, like partners/employees/bosses/large bank notes/ inventory/payroll taxes/building or rent/ etc.

If you genuinely want to be in a people helping people business that can give you financial and other freedoms, go to my BigN site, and invest a few minutes looking over the Your Road To Financial Freedom video …see the tab on the left side, fill out the few bits of info, and click/view. See the BigN Marketplace tab and the huge list of business we are involved with while there, and maybe look at a few success stories on that tab. If you want to talk or meet about this, give me a call. Carrie… 303-548-8732. http://www.bign.com/TeamNational.aspx?site=cdegraw

Back to real estate, see the info and chart below form the REMAX market update. Not only is Louisville the best place to live in America, it is one of the paces you can still sell a house relatively fast.

Below is a brief overview of the absorption rates for single family homes for the area counties and local communities through September/2009. The Absorption Rate is the length of time it would take for the existing inventory to sell assuming two things happen: (1) the rate of sales activity remains the same, and (2) no new listings come into the marketplace during that period of time (this is not going to happen). (IRES MLS is the source of information.)

Absorption Rate
====================================
Boulder ..........12.2 Months
Broomfield ..... 5.4 Months
Lafayette ......... 7.2 Months
Longmont......... 7.7 Months
Louisville .......... 4.3 Months
Mountains ........ 22.0 Months
Suburban Plains... 13.5 Months
Superior................... 4.0 Months

Community Totals 9.3 Months

2009-09-10T12:07:00.002-06:00

Just lowered to $199,500 for fast sale...act now, it will not last long!! See the full listing below on this adorable 969 sq foot house in the "best city to live in throughout America"...Louisville Colorado!! It is perfect for a starter house, an older couple, or an investment property. A generous 6,568 sft lot, 3 additions, screened porch laundry/pantry rm. washer/dryer, fridge, gas stove & newer dishw. included. 500 sft. 2 level red wood deck, 2 sheds, one lg w/power, sprinklers, fully fenced, off st pkg, alley access and most gorgeous 100 year old ash tree in town. Joy to be down town yet w/no parking hassles. 2nd owner/agent. This will be a block from the "Fast Tracks" Louisville station and the revitalization area that is planned to be a "walking village" ...surrounded by duplexes, RM zoning thanks :-) Call me at 303 548 8732 http://www.homesincolorado.com/listings/detail.php?lid=46644888&oid=011700002&aid=011700580&chome=1

Location
Address:1109 SPRUCE St Louisville, CO 80027
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1 full
Total Square Feet: 969
Type: 1 Story/Ranch
Subdivision: LOUISVILLE EAST
Area: Louisville
School Dist: BLDR VALLEY DIST RE2
MLS ID: 604190
Status: Active
Rooms: Living Room: 16x14Laundry Room: 11x10 Level MainKitchen: 15x10Master Bedroom: 11x11Bedroom 2: 16x11
School Information: High School: MonarchMiddle School: LouisvilleElementary School: LouisvilleSchool District: BLDR VALLEY DIST RE2
Features: Taxes: $1339Lot Size: 0.15 AcresYear Built: 1915Stories: 1.0Basement Description: Crawl SpaceConstruction Features: Wood/FrameHeating Features: Forced AirInclusions: Gas Range/Oven, Dishwasher, Clothes Dryer, Clothes Washer, Window Coverings, Refrigerator, Disposal, Smoke Alarm(s)Interior Features: Pantry, Washer/Dryer Hookups, Eat-in KitchenLocation Description: Deciduous TreesOutdoor Features: Storage Buildings, Lawn Sprinkler System, DeckSquare Footage Information: 969 Sqft(Main Level), 969 Finished Sqft, 969 Total Finished Sqft

2009-08-05T22:31:00.006-06:00

See the full listing below on this super cute house in the newly voted best city in America city Louisville Colorado. It is only $209,900, and perfect for a starter house, an older couple, or an investment property. It is a 1915 Sears Prefab home brought in on a flat car and with help of many neighbors set down on this 6,568 sft lot. 3 additions since, summer kitchen, now lvg rm, pantry now bathroom, screened porch now laundry/pantry rm. washer/dryer, fridge, gas stove & newer dishw.included. 500 sft. 2 level red wood deck, 2 sheds, one lg w/power, sprinklers, fully fenced, off st pkg, alley access and most gorgeous 100 year old ash tree in town. Joy to be down town yet w/no parking hassles. 2nd owner/agent. This will be a block from the "Fast Tracks" Louisville station and the revitalization area that is planned to be a "walking village" ...surrounded by duplexes, RM zoning thanks :-) Call me at 303 548 8732

http://www.homesincolorado.com/listings/detail.php?lid=46644888&oid=011700002&aid=011700580&chome=1

Be aware that there is light at the end of the tunnel, we are battling back as a community, city, and state...lets all pull together and accelerate the recovery. read on for some stats on the good news.

Denver continues to lead the nation in annual returns

Denver recorded the best year-over-year return in the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index during April 2009. Prices fell 4.9 percent from April 2008 to April 2009. According to the S&P/Case-Shiller report, “Denver, Dallas and Boston continue to fare the best in terms of annual declines down 4.9%, 5.0% and 7.7%, respectively” ( ).

Denver’s monthly change shows even more improvement. Denver home values increased 1.5% from March 2009 to April 2009. April was Denver’s second consecutive month of positive changes in home values. David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s expresses some hope for the housing market, “Every metro area, except for Charlotte, recorded an improvement in monthly returns over March. While one month's data cannot determine if a turnaround has begun; it seems that some stabilization may be appearing in some of the regions.

Denver is America’s best city to buy a home

Forbes magazine named Denver the best city to buy a home. According to Forbes, “Denver scores very well in terms of being able to bring people into a stable housing market” ( ). Denver
earned its ranking with a 5.7 percent increase in average price per square foot of housing space and the small decline of transactions compared to other cities throughout the nation. The Denver Business Journal also reported, “Denver was named America’s No. 1 city on the verge of recovery in a segment on NBC’s ‘Today’ show. Real estate expert Barbara Corcoran, a regular guest on the show, said Denver more than any other U.S. city is ‘clearly on a rebound’” ( ). Data for May 2009, from the Denver Metrolist, supports Barbara’s view.

Big Change for Appraisals.

2009-01-29T23:41:00.001-07:00

More good info from Louisville/Boulder: After May 1, lenders will not be allowed to put any "undo influence" on an appraiser. What this means is that there will essentially be a complete separation between lenders and appraisers. We can't ask the appraiser to do a "comp pull" to see if the value is in the ball park of the purchase price or refi value needed. Once the appraisal has been ordered there will no communication with or from the appraiser. Appraisers will not be able to let us know if the the value does not look good. Once the appraisal has been ordered it will be completed and submitted and we will have to take the value that is submitted to us. A lender also won't be able to use an appraiser that you or anyone else suggests to them. So this will obviously mean that your CMA's will be even more critical. Also, a home owner can order an appraisal independent of a lender to get an idea of the value but a lender will not be allowed to use that appraisal. They would have to order another appraisal to stay within the guidelines of the new appraisal code.

First Time Home Buyer Alert

2009-01-29T23:37:00.002-07:00

Greetings from Louisville, Colorado: I just received this is a short note, and i thought it was important for you to know. First CNN is reporting that the new stimulus package being reviewed by congress has a stipulation in it that will make the $7,500 first time buyer credit a true credit, not a 0% interest loan that needs to be paid back. Apparently the response to the original incentive has not been very positive so the logic goes that if the government makes it a true tax credit it will stimulate more purchases. The estimate is that it will stimulate an additional 10% in home purchases. I will let you know more as it happens.

2009-01-21T12:16:00.002-07:00

Read the news letter "Positive Perspective" below .....what we all need a little more of today!! See the buyers market posting below, and call me if you need to buy or sell a home...I am your Boulder/Louisville and surrounding area expert. Working here for 26 years as a ReMax agent, and living here for 40+ years, I am up on all that goes on

Highlighting the Upside of the Economy in a Challenging Market
January 2009, Issue Seven

Predicting an '09 recovery: In December, Jim Glassman, a senior economist with JP Morgan Chase in New York, told a select crowd of business leaders gathered in Denver at the Executive Leadership Forum that the economy will recover in 2009. "There’s nothing wrong with the U.S. economy that hasn’t already been fixed," Glassman said.

Census: Colorado among fastest growing states: Colorado was among the five fastest-growing states the year between July 1, 2007, and this July. Estimates release on December 22nd by the U.S. Census Bureau show Colorado, Texas and North Carolina each grew at 2 percent. Colorado's population increased by 96,686, giving it the eighth-largest gain in the country.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_11291904

Denver Aims to Ride Out the Recession: Mr. Nichols, the president of the Nichols Partnership, a commercial real estate developer, spoke at the Rocky Mountain Commercial Real Estate Expo about why he would be stupid enough to build 500 housing units during a national economic downturn. It isn’t that Denver expects to avoid rough economic seas, but there is a sense that leaders here have constructed an ark on which to weather just such a storm. A number of elements are cited as keeping this region afloat as other areas founder: investments in public transportation, aggressive economic development and, most significant, a two-decade campaign to diversify the region’s economic base from oil and gas to alternative energy, aerospace, technology and telecommunications. (New York Times) http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/business/07denver.html

Lower rates spark refinancing mortgage boom: Anderson, a retired engineer with a little more than $120,000 left on his mortgage for his Lakewood home that has been appraised for $350,000, got his wish late last week and exchanged his old rate of 6.375 percent for the new 30-year fixed loan of 4.75 percent.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/dec/18/lower-rates-spark-refinancing-mortgage-boom/

Xcel, Vestas put state on wind power map: It’s one thing to be among the top wind-power-producing states. It’s another thing to be a top manufacturer of wind turbines that are used by all wind power states. Xcel Energy, Colorado’s biggest utility, and Danish company Vestas have put Colorado on the wind power map. The utility in 2007 retained its No. 1 status in wind-generated electricity for the third year in a row. By 2010, Vestas plan to spend $680 million at its Colorado plants and employ 2,450.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/dec/31/xcel-vestas-put-state-wind-power-map/

Telluride Makes Top 10 List for Clean Air: Telluride came in 6th in the latest "State of the Air" report by the American Lung Association. http://www.americanprofile.com/article/29750.html
Home sales increase in West: The western U.S. region, including Colorado, was the only area of the country to have an increase in sales of existing homes — nearly 18 percent — from November 2007 to the same month this year, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors on December 23rd.

http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/12/22/daily19.html

"The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware for the danger but recognize the opportunity. " John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)

Buyers in the driver seat

2009-01-19T23:30:00.002-07:00

It is a buyer’s market, with greater purchasing power and affordability. Call me now so I can help you find and move into your dream home. 303-548-8732

Buyers have an advantage in the current market because homes are more affordable than they’ve been in the past two years. Affordability is calculated on home prices, income levels and
interest rates. Interest rates are way down as well, see the chart below. With a smaller payment as a percentage of income more buyers are able to afford homes and current buyers are able to buy more with their money.

Mortgage Rates Like these can mean payments under $1000 for you!
12/31/08 5.10%
12/27/07 6.17%
12/28/06 6.18%

Colorado Real Estate Rebonds A Bit!

2008-09-08T23:07:00.001-06:00

Denver hits #1 in Home Price Index...a good sign in my book!

After months of negative housing reports, the media finally had something positive to say about the Denver Real Estate market. Denver topped the list of 20-city composites in the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index, and it has given the local media something positive to say. The Rocky
Mountain News reported, “The Denver-area housing market from May to June, showed the most appreciation of 20 metropolitan areas tracked' . The statistics bring us all some hope that the rate of home price decline may be slowing.

The Denver real estate market could see growth in the spring of 2009, many predict "Our market is going through recovery. By October or November, this market will really bottom out. Then in the next six months, we'll be stable, and we'll see some growth in April and May. I believe Colorado will lead this nation out of this recession/depression”.

Call me now and lets get your house ready, appraised, and positioned for sale in the Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Broomfield and surrounding area. No one will do/care more for you than I, and that is why Carrie DeGraw and Re-Max has become synonymous with "SOLD" for 26 years in my geographic area of expertise. Smile :)

Living in Boulder County

2008-05-08T11:17:00.004-06:00

How does it feel to be a 3rd generation native in a community that started as a base for mining camps and evolved into the granola, health, environmentally involved center of the "People's Republic of Boulder" that it is today....

Not many people know that Boulder became what is is today because of the clash of the Hippies and the Rednecks in 1968 and they fought til 1972...yes Boulder was a redneck community with a communist campus (at least that's what the truckers said).

In 1967 the world was going to come to an end and the only place safe was the mountains so truck loads of the young, non conformist flocked to Boulder. I know, I met them at the west end of Gross Reservoir, building a raft too see if they could find civilization....I was 11 and thought they were idiots......anyway the hard core hippies blended in to the hills...Nederland, Coal Creek Canyon, Lyons. The not so radical stayed and created Celestial Seasonings, White Wave .....Everybody Lmtd....Wild Oats.......and this is the beginning story of how Boulder/Louisville became such an elite place to live today...... Carrie :-)

Carrie Degraw RE/MAX Realtor

2008-05-07T17:36:00.006-06:00

August 6, 2009 posted info: See the full listing below on this super cute house in the newly voted best city in America to live by Money magazine>> Louisville Colorado. It is only $209,900, and perfect for a starter house, an older couple, or an investment property. It is a 1915 Sears Prefab home brought in on a flat car and with help of many of my neighbors, and set down on this 6,568 sft lot. I lived there for years, and it has had 3 additions since, summer kitchen, new living rm, pantry now bathroom, screened porch now laundry/pantry rm. washer/dryer, fridge, gas stove & newer dishw.included. 500 sft. 2 level red wood deck, 2 sheds, one lg w/power, sprinklers, fully fenced, off st pkg, alley access and most gorgeous 100 year old ash tree in town. Joy to be down town yet w/no parking hassles. 2nd owner/agent. This will be a block from the "Fast Tracks" Louisville station and the revitalization area that is planned to be a "walking village" ...surrounded by duplexes, RM zoning thanks :-) Call me at 303 548 8732

http://www.homesincolorado.com/listings/detail.php?lid=46644888&oid=011700002&aid=011700580&chome=1

Be aware that there is light at the end of the tunnel, we are battling back as a community, city, and state...lets all pull together and accelerate the recovery. See stats on the good news below.

Denver continues to lead the nation in annual returns

Denver recorded the best year-over-year return in the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index during April 2009. Prices fell 4.9 percent from April 2008 to April 2009. According to the S&P/Case-Shiller report, “Denver, Dallas and Boston continue to fare the best in terms of annual declines down 4.9%, 5.0% and 7.7%, respectively” ( ).Denver’s monthly change shows even more improvement. Denver home values increased 1.5% from March 2009 to April 2009. April was Denver’s second consecutive month of positive changes in home values. David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s expresses some hope for the housing market, “Every metro area, except for Charlotte, recorded an improvement in monthly returns over March. While one month's data cannot determine if a turnaround has begun; it seems that some stabilization may be appearing in some of the regions.

Denver is America’s best city to buy a home in.

Forbes magazine named Denver the best city to buy a home. According to Forbes, “Denver scores very well in terms of being able to bring people into a stable housing market” ( ). Denver earned its ranking with a 5.7 percent increase in average price per square foot of housing space and the small decline of transactions compared to other cities throughout the nation. The Denver Business Journal also reported, “Denver was named America’s No. 1 city on the verge of recovery in a segment on NBC’s ‘Today’ show. Real estate expert Barbara Corcoran, a regular guest on the show, said Denver more than any other U.S. city is ‘clearly on a rebound’” ( ). Data for May 2009, from the Denver Metrolist, supports Barbara’s view.