April 10, 2007 Boulder, CO

Momentum Builds in the Boulder Real Estate Market

 

I have first hand knowledge when it comes to the Boulder housing market.  There has been an increase in the sale of homes that result in the total demolition of the existing structure and the construction on a new home.  The land beneath the 1960’s and 1970’s bi-levels, tri-levels, 2 story and ranch homes in Table Mesa is now more valuable than the home.  Fixxer uppers and scrapers are selling for $450,000 to $700,000. This is not a phenomenon unfamiliar to Boulder.  The Newlands neighborhood in central Boulder has seen the scraping of homes for many years now. The demand for new construction and for larger homes in Boulder is starting to affect Martin Acres, another neighborhood in South Boulder. This is our post World War II. Sub-division of Boulder’s entry level homes.  A $300,000 home is quickly becoming a thing of the past.  A nice 1200 sq ft brick ranch built in the 1960’s can bring $365,000. Double the square footage and you will pay $400,000 for the same home with a finished basement.

 

Obviously, this will have an effect on all of Boulder’s home prices and in turn the outlying communities.  The current inventory of single family homes is small for this time of year and that usually translates into appreciation when combined with the significant demand for housing locally.  Multiple offers for good homes priced right are not unusual this year.  Will we see the hyper appreciation reminiscent of the 1990’s?  We heard stories of offers exceeding asking price by $30,000.I have to say the forecast is good when it comes to Real Estate in Boulder and Boulder County.


March 17, 2007 Broomfield, CO

Anthem Ranch and Anthem Highlands

Anthem Ranch Broomfield is a 55 and over community by Del Webb with homes built by Pulte.  Sales representative, Geoff Stoel, called this morning to let me know about the new lot release at the sister community of Anthem Highlands.  For the first time in years Buyers are camping overnight to get a shot at the best lots in the subdivision. 

The market strength does not surprise me as I have been aware for a few months of the lack of inventory in Boulder and how quickly good homes are disappearing from the mls in days instead of weeks and months.  The strength of our local real estate market in Boulder and Boulder County, always impacts the demand and prices to the East and North.  We are seeing that effect this spring. 

February 23, 2007

Boulder, Colorado

Gregg Ashburn received the distinguished RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award in 2007.
RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc.
Boulder, CO 80302

February 22, 2007

Boulder County, Colorado

RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc. listed and sold 748 Homes and Attached Dwellings in Boulder and Broomfield Counties for the time period January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006. The nearest competitor sold only 418 Homes and Attached Dwellings in Boulder and Broomfield Counties for the same time period. 

February 11, 2007

Financing by Dave Schell @ Insight Financial, Boulder CO
Financing your house: 

Dave Schell, a mortgage broker with Insight Financial, has been servicing the financial needs of Boulder County homebuyers for over 15 years.  Dave has built Insight Financial around the teamwork concept.  Everyone at Insight Financial is working hard with the same goal in mind; getting you a mortgage quickly, without a lot of documentation at a competitive interest rate.   

A wrong choice of mortgage lender can turn a pleasant home purchase experience into a nightmare.  Many problems, which can occur in the mortgage process, are due to an inexperienced loan officer.  Since there are no education requirements in order to become a mortgage broker in the State of Colorado, all training is on the job.  Don´t risk the chance of losing out on your dream home because your lender didn´t know the underwriting guidelines.  By working with Dave Schell at Insight Financial you have 15 years of experience on your side.  Dave knows the ins and outs of the mortgage process from finding competitive rates, minimizing underwriting documentation and making sure your loan closes on time.  Dave has over 1,300 satisfied clients who are loyal and refer their friends.   

With over 15 years of experience serving satisfied homeowners Dave has developed strong relationships with Realtors, appraisers, title companies, insurance agents, credit reporting companies, homeowner´s associations, underwriters, inspectors, structural engineers, architects and building trades people.  Dave has connections within the community that sets his service apart from non-local lenders or people who have not lived in our community.  Dave has recognized the importance of working with individuals from our community whom he trusts in order to make your transition to Boulder County as smooth as possible.    

Over the years Dave has learned that making the mortgage process simple is the key to cultivating referrals and repeat customers.  When you work with Dave he will take your loan application over the phone during your initial conversation.  With this information Dave will give you detailed and accurate information about the home purchase price you qualify and the best mortgage programs to fit your needs.  Within minutes Dave will e-mail or fax you good faith estimates showing the total monthly payments and the required initial investment.  With your authorization Dave will get your loan approved with his computerized underwriting system.  In a matter of minutes you will have a loan approval letter with a list of documentation requirements.  For high credit score individuals with a down payment of 20% or more most, if not all documentation can be waived by working with Dave Schell.   

In working with Dave Schell you will not pay an up-front fee to get approved for a mortgage.  Dave does not get paid until you have a successful closing.  In addition when you lock-in an interest rate with Dave Schell at Insight Financial you will close with the same or lower interest rate (depending on market conditions.)  There is no "bait and switch" when you lock-in an interest rate with Insight Financial. 

Dave will keep you and your Realtor informed along every step of the way of your mortgage process.  There is no guesswork as to where your loan stands within the approval process.  Dave will e-mail you periodic updates, which include what loan conditions are outstanding, your appraisal report, and your closing paperwork.   

When you work with Dave Schell you will see your closing paperwork well in advance of your signing date.  This gives you the ability to review your documents with your Realtor or attorney and ask Dave questions prior to closing.  At the time of closing you can sit back and relax knowing you understand what you are signing.  In addition Dave can coordinate having your closing papers sent via overnight delivery so you can close your real estate transaction without having to travel to Colorado.  Many relocation clients are busy packing and organizing their move.  Some clients prefer to close on their new house prior to packing boxes. 

If you have questions about the mortgage process or would like a no-obligation pre-approval please feel free to call or e-mail Dave Schell.  Dave can be reached at (303) 444-2885 x 390, toll free (888) 373-5556 x 390, cell phone (303) 818-3651  Dave Schell of Boulder works on weekends if you don´t have time to call during the week.   

We look forward to having you as our future neighbor in Boulder County. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------January 29, 2007

©Ann Morrill, Redlands, California, January 29th 2007

Still Moving 

At forty-three I have restless feet--
a mid-Life/Death yearning for new frontiers
It started at forty, really, after the fatal Fall fires, before
Spain, during Spain, after Spain,
our summer far from the maddening smog.

I´ve spent years drawing into these desert lines,
searching winter skylines, admiring Truffula palms
my Hoosier corn-fed soul still can´t comprehend.
Years growing friendships, screwing up, making molding
children with willing husband who I still desire, still
don´t understand. 

"You´re always moving" exclaims a friend,
And it´s true we left before, 3000 miles we trekked to
North of Beantown, the crowded Northeastern corridor
of high strung blue bloods with Cape Cod homes, to
Absurd rents and raucous relatives, to the cold Atlantic and colder
shop owners, to gracious neighbors, and of course
abuela and tía Luz who made every second worth the slog,
even if the West stayed in our blood and called us back
with Santa Ana force. 

It has all been worth the while-these eleven plus years
in the arid soil of Redlands- which is good because
we make our lives what they are, every day:

Ghandi said Where there is love there is life,

Emerson wrote Life is a progress and not a station,

Kate Wolf sang We´ve only got these times we´re living in3;

Here, with you, we celebrated the new-millennium, mourned 9-11.
So we move again, go West by driving East
to the Rockies, boulders, Flatirons, and Aspens with 

Twelve year old Lucas-grounded, anxious,
                hopeful, furious-comfortable this year in his changing skin
                with a band full of friends, inspiring classrooms.
                No one can sing who has smog in his throat,
                 the Lorax would  try to explain;  but friends trump
                 Environment for this twelve year old,
                 even one with cliff-dwelling soul.  

Eight year old Marcos, always in motion, sad tooto leave friends,
                but delighted because we´ve promised
                sea horses, the first whirlpool bath.
                A willful whippoorwill who loves our new street,
                Nighthawk, and who still trusts parents and Lucas to soothe
                 his hurts, to laugh and rejoice with his musical life.

                 Milton (can I speak for him?) who I nudged along to satiate this
                 mid-Life/Death yearning. He, who makes it all possible,
                 and feels my nudge so much more than anyone.
                 So okay, he would laugh at nudge,
                 call it a shove, thrust, push  toward the ancient East
                 to the Anglo West. He too has restless legs,
                 but so itchy they tingle to the bone? 

My longing body-too old now for the Yale Younger Poets,
                too young for the AARP-knowing, believing it´s time
                to dig up the roots; this isn´t where we were meant to end up.
                It´s more than the Environment (the Once-ler is everywhere;
                I saw him in Boulder). It´s deeper than gut, this trust. 

Still moving, inside I feel the hummingbird´s frenzied wings
suspend me these final days, keeping me up at night.
I´m in endless conversation with myself, and with you-
you who are what I cherish in this surreal, searing, handsome town,
and that I will miss with every ounce of my body3;
except these restive feet. 

©Ann Morrill, Redlands, California, January 29th 2007