Archive for the ‘Buyers’ Category

Foreclosures Down in Colorado

Monday, May 20th, 2013

Foreclosures Down in Colorado

Time to Celebrate

Time to Celebrate

May 16th the Colorado Division of Housing reported a 41 percent decrease in foreclosure filings in Colorado. There were 4,571 foreclosure filings the first quarter of 2013 across the state compared to 7,785 during the same time period last year. Actual foreclosures were down 30.5 percent from first quarter last year.

Wow.

Foreclosure filings differ from foreclosures. Foreclosure filings are the paperwork; actual sales happen over 100 days later. During this time, borrowers and lenders try to work towards an agreement to bypass foreclosure. This may involve options like short sale or re-financing.

Routt County Real Estate Tax Assessment- Don’t Freak Out

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

Routt County Real Estate Tax Assessment- Don’t Freak Out

routt county tax assessment

routt county tax assessment

Last week, Routt Country sent out the new real estate values to all home owners in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Many of you are reading about the Steamboat Springs real estate recovery yet looking at your recent assessed value for your home and reading that it’s worth about 10, 20, even 30% off what you had thought your home might be worth. You are not alone.  These assessed values are calculated off of a June 30, 2012 date. Or something around that date.

The assessed value you read today are not accurate. These amounts are a guesstimate based on the sales price of homes in the past. It’s very likely your home is worth more . . . a lot more!

Today’s New Housing Market, Part 2 of 3: Buying

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

Today’s New Housing Market, Part 2 of 3: Buying

 

CNN Money Housing Report

CNN Money Housing Report

CNN Money just did a 3 part series on “smart strategies for buyers, sellers and owners” in today’s new market. Part 1 was on Selling and now I’ll talk about Buying. I still haven’t found that crystal ball have you?

Low mortgage rates, low inventory, more consumer confidence, all this is creating a huge change in Steamboat Springs real estate. According to the CNN Money article, Mark Fleming, CorelLogic’s chief economist is still a little nervous about our housing boom: “Two thousand thirteen and 2014 are going to be transition years” I’m assuming he means that during these years we will be transitioning away from being terrified to cautiously optimistic? Excited? I don’t know but things are looking up and I still haven’t found a crystal ball to read the future.

Steamboat Springs Market Report May 2013

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Steamboat Springs Market Report May 2013

 

Highest dollar volume in over 5 years for March, 2013.

Total sales for March: $55,795,100 (up 46%)

Year-to-date sale: $120,966,700 (up 17.23%)

See the entire Steamboat Springs Real Estate Market Stats.

Routt County:

Marabou Ranch sells remaining lots for over $11+ million dollars. The Marabou Ranch Subdivision , one of Colorado’s premiere fishing developments, sold last month to an investment group with ties to William Stolz and the Stolz Group out of Georgia.

Sales for March:

Dollar volume was up 46.5% the month of March compared to last year! However, that is a little misleading because the actual number of transactions was 28% less than the same time last year. We just had  two, high-end, five million dollar sales which threw our numbers off a little. Three sales over 3 million dollars grabbed 46% of the dollar volume of sales.

Housing Plays a Major Role in our Economy

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Housing Plays a Major Role in our Economy

 

Hill St. Old Town Steamboat Home for Sale

Hill St. Old Town Steamboat Home for Sale

There are many indicators that our recovery from the Great Recession is on the upswing and the housing market plays a major role in this. Standard & Poor’s  500 closed recently one point away from the all-time high from October 2007. But that is only interesting to approximately 53% of Americans who are in the stock market. According to a 2012 Gallup poll, this is the lowest number since Gallup started tracking this number.   A  lot of people are not that confident in the stock market . . . another interesting statistic is close to 100% of Americans live inside. I haven’t verified this data but, I’m pretty confident. That is one reason the housing market is such a good indicator of our economy.

Change is Good

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Change is Good

 

Change is.

Change is.

Change is good, and usually, we fight it. But some change is good. Take for example winter, it will change, spring is definitely coming to Steamboat Springs. As the snow melts, we are seeing glimpses of green grass and hyacinth sprouting around the 3-foot berms of snow we still have lining our driveways. There is such a thing as change for the better.  Fortunately for our economy, change in the housing market is on its way.

In our local paper, the Steamboat Today, the numbers for Routt County building permits were just released. The regional area has seen an increase of 33% for the first 3 months of 2013 compared to the same time period in 2012.  The permit valuation was up from $14 million in 2012 to $21 million in 2013. Historically, the first quarter only reflects approximately 15% of the total permit valuation for the year so things are looking brighter.  Three major projects highlight the building permits: The Holy Name Catholic Church, Four Points Lodge at the ski area, and an 8-unit apartment building in Old Town.

Is it Time to Buy a Home in Steamboat Springs?

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013

Is it Time to Buy a Home?

Real Estate Affordability

Real Estate Affordability

 

Yes. Yes. Yes. The real estate market in Steamboat Springs is improving . . . rapidly.

Today just might the best time to invest in real estate in a long time. Prices of Steamboat Springs real estate is down. Interest rates are at a new lows. And consumer confidence is rising. If you think about a roller coaster, we are just about to climb up in real estate values.  In fact, we’re already seeing prices rise. So get in while rates are still low.

When interest rates rise, people will not be able to afford as much as they can today. So if you can find the perfect home today, buy it.

In Denver and Steamboat Springs, absorption rate is 2 months for single family homes. So it’s not that easy to find the homes of your dream. Inventory might go up this summer, but I’m not confident that will occur.

Steamboat Springs Real Estate Market Report April 2013

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

Steamboat Springs Market Report April 2013

146 pending sales today!  There’s never a dull moment in Steamboat Springs real estate. I just viewed a home that was on the market for 2 days had 12 showings and multiple offers. If you’re a seller, things are looking up! If you are a buyer, we’ll have to work a little harder…Roughly 30% of the market here is on fire. The remaining market is still flat

Here are some of the highlights for the real estate market in Routt County-double click the images to see larger:

Routt County Transactions:

February home sales increased by 37% from January in gross dollar volume.  Total transactions were up 36% from January.

Routt County Transactions

Routt County Transactions

(double click images to see larger)

Market Analysis by Area:

As usual, the Mountain area leads the total number of transactions in the month of February getting over 28% of the total volume (yes, the column title is wrong but you get the idea.)

Make $75,000 on Your Vacation Home in Steamboat

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Make $75,000 on Your Vacation Home in Steamboat

Wouldn’t it be nice to make $75,000 on your vacation home here in Steamboat Springs, Ski Town USA?  I’ve written a lot on 2660 Alpenglow Way and there’s a reason for that! It is a hidden gem that is in its own little world:

  • -It’s a town home but feels and acts like a single family home.
  • -It comes with high-end luxury furnishing…….but it’s just not over the top.
  • -It has a 900 lb. dining room table that seats 16 but it’s not ostentatious-hard to believe.
  • -It’s comfortable, welcoming and family friendly and….it has a great rental history.
  • -Alepenglow Way home is situated on the mountain so the views look over the rooftops down the valley. You feel like you are out of town but you are “on The Mountain”.
  • -Because if its location, you have privacy but you are a block away from a free bus stop.

Architectural Ideas for Natural Light

Friday, March 29th, 2013

Architectural Ideas for Natural Light.

As a Realtor in Steamboat Springs, I see a lot of houses. Thankfully, there’s enough creative architects in this world to make my job really fun. The architecture in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is very mixed. But I can usually find some inspiration in almost every home I tour.

Most buyers of real estate buy a home that comes the closest to their needs at that particular time. Price, location, size and architecture all fall by way of chance. So again, I’m thankful for architects that put their creative touches on homes for people to buy and sell. I listed this home last fall. It sold in 3 days with multiple offer. Cool home + good marketing = happy clients.

Here’s some great ideas for taking advantage of natural light . . .which we get a lot of in Steamboat.

Ideas for Steamboat home 1

Ideas for Steamboat home 1

 

Ideas for Steamboat home 2

Ideas for Steamboat home 2

 

Ideas for Steamboat home 3

Ideas for Steamboat home 3