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Archive for the 'Real Estate Answers' Category
Don’t Get Left Holding The Bag
Jan 19th 12
- Interest Rates
If you still have not refinanced your home loan into a new lower interest rate you might get left holding the bag. Rates are still hovering around the 4% and even under the 4% level. What are you waiting for.
“Today I’ve seen rates as low as 3.35% for a 30 year fixed mortgage.”
With the European debt crisis and Asian countries purposefully slowing down their economies I would think that it should be enough to warrant a refinance.
Refinancing your home at these super low rates will give you and your family peace of mind and security for the long haul. Many people refinancing right now are shaving hundreds of dollars off their monthly payment. Cash flow is the key. Cutting a few hundred dollars from your monthly bills will free up more cash for investments and maybe even that investment property you have always wanted to add to your portfolio.
If you need the name of a good lender give me a call and I will give you a referral. Steven Beam 303-941-4663
Email Steven Beam Parker, Colorado Realtor
The Best Time To Buy A Parker Home Is Now
Jan 16th 12
Low Interest Rates
- Did you know that interest rates have averaged almost 1% below where they were a year ago?
- Did you know that the 30 year fixed rate loan is hovering around 3.89%?
- Yes, home buyers are gettting 30 year fixed rates for under 4%.
I know because I’m one of those lucky home buyers that has secured my future with a super low rate that brings with it low house payments. I have clients regularly closing on homes with 30 year fixed rates below 4%.
I’m NOT a lender. I’m a Realtor but I can help you find a great lender to help you obtain a perfect mortgage for your next home purchase or refinance.
Neighborhoods have experienced as much as 6 to 15% decrease in value over the past 4-5 years. Maney Douglas County neighborhoods that early on really didn’t see much depreciation have finally fallen victim to the economy making now a great time for buyers to snatch up great deals.
“Rental rates are going up. It’s more expensive to rent than own a home.”
Here are two recent articles about the economy and Housing.
Stonegate Village Down 7.7% in Value 2011
Denver housing Inventory Sinks
Drywall Repair in Parker, Colorado
Nov 20th 11
As the Spring home selling season approaches the Parker, CO area we need to starting getting our properties ready to sell. I’ve already started receiving calls from home sellers looking for a handyman or home repair contractors.
Tips for getting your home ready to sell.
Looking for drywall reapir in Parker, Colorado?
Drywall repair seems to be a hot topic lately on many of these calls. So I wanted to turn you onto my favorite guy in the business.Ron Evans lives and works right here in the Parker area so he responds quickly and does and amazing job. But don’t think you hae to live only in Parker to have him do a job for you.
Ron Evans Artistic Drywall 303-907-2238 has been around for years and he does an excellent job. I’ve personally used him many times and more clients than I can count have used him for their drywall repair with great satisfaction. Many times he can be on the job the same day you call or within a day or two if he is booked out.
His work is clean, quick and thorough and yes the prices are great too. I’ve always enjoyed the way he preps the job site so that the dust is contained and clean up is a minimum.
I highly recommend Ron Evans for any type of drywall work. 303-907-2238
Success Begins With Written Goal Setting
Nov 10th 11
Hitting your target with goals.
Every year around this time I complete one of my most favorite tasks. I set my business and personal goals for the coming year. I also check in to see how I’m doing on the goals I set for myself last year. Even though I periodically check in on my goals throughout the year it never hurts to re-read them and check progress.
I actually constantly think about my goals and run them through my head to keep myself on track. I do this when I’m in the car or waiting for a meeting to begin. I’ve even thought about putting them in my iPhone so I can re-read them more often.
“I’m such a believer in written goals simply because I have proven to myself that without written goals I’m doomed for the year and my personal and professional growth will falter.”
Setting Goals and actually writing them down for the New Year is probably one of the most inportant things you can start doing right now. I know it is only November but it’s time to get started.
Did you know that studies have been done by Harvard Business School?
“It’s been studied that people with written goals have a 10 times higher success rate than People without written goals.”
The process it simple and the results come naturally if you take the time to write down the goals and review regularly.
Start with what you want to accomplish in your work. Figure out what you need to do to make the end result happen. For me in Real Estate I work my numbers backwards. I figure out what I want to earn in a year, figure out how many transactions that will take to accomplish and what activities I need to be doing to bring in the business to fulfil my goals. Sounds easy and it really is.
If you are new to your current business it may take a little longer to figure out your numbers but I’ve been in Real Estate for 12 years so I know my numbers pretty well. Learning your numbers and knowing them well will save you time in the future and also help you track your goals throughout the year much easier. Always know your numbers.
I also write down what I want to accomplish personally. Years ago my biggies were things like payoff debt or have no credit cards ever again and eliminate all current consumer debt on the cards. Take a vacation with my family to the beach. Go camping and fishing with my kids at least 2 times in the summer. Whatever it is you need to write it down and see it regularly so you remember to do it and keep it top of mind.
Years ago my wife and I had a written goal to save 20% for a down payment on a new home and buy that new home within the next 10 months. Guess what. We did it.
Sometimes my initial list of goals is so long and so ridiculous I could never accomplish all of them. That’s when I take a knife to my list and make it more manageable and reasonable.
Make you goals attainable. I’ve seen people in goal setting and business planning classes say “I want to make a million dollars.” Great but can you really attain that this year? Maybe not so why not try to better yourself from the previous year and work your way up to the end goal. Making a million isn’t unattainable but maybe it is for one year. How about putting that in your 5-10 year goal setting plan?
Once I have my list whittled down to a reasonable list I type it up and laminate it. Yes I actually take it to Staples and have them laminate the goal sheet.
Then I place the laminated goal sheet either on the wall near my desk or in my middle drawer in my desk. This will cause me to see it regularly.
This isn’t rocket science but it works. It works for me and I know it can work for you. Try it and I know you will be surprised at all the items you achieve in one year.
Personal Note from Steven Beam: In years where I have slacked and not written my goals down I have floundered terribly. I see drastic drops in business and a lackluster personal life. I believe in goal setting.
Tips on Getting a Deal on a Parker REO or Foreclosure
Nov 9th 11
Getting a deal on a Parker Foreclosure or REO is easy.
The calls keep coming with the same request.
“I want a deal on a foreclosure or REO property in Parker, Colorado.”
It isn’t hard to find the deal the problem is getting the deal complete before another buyer steps in and gets the house. Here are a few recommendations and tips for being prepared to capitalize on the next “Hot REO Deal.”
Buy a REO or Foreclosure
They are deals for a reason. REO or Foreclosure properties are generally listed below full real market value. That attracts a lot of attention and offers from perspective home buyers.
- Go see the REO or Foreclosure the day it hits the market. Early bird gets the worm hold true for real estate too.
- Have your money ready to go. By this I mean be FULLY approved. Not just qualified but approved for your loan.
- If you are paying cash have verification of finds readily available. You will need to show proof of funds on all cash transactions so move the money into the appropriate accounts and be ready to go.
- Banks love an offer where the buyer can close super fast.
- When a new REO or Foreclosure hits the market be ready that day to go see the house and make a buying decision or eliminate if from the list of potential homes.
- Some foreclosure such as HUD homes have a 5-15 day offering for owner occupants only. Meaning you must live in the house to make and offer during the first 5-15 days. Don’t waste you time looking at homes that you cannot even offer on unless you want to write and offer and hold it until the owner occupant period expires.
- Have your earnest money or deposit check handy. Also be prepared for the bank to request a certified check or money order for the Earnest Money or Deposit. Many times they want to know you have god funds.
- Don’t hesitate on making an offer. If it fits your budget, needs and return on investment numbers write the offer immediately.
- Chances are that if you like the home then someone else likes it too. You have to be quick to beat them out and get your offer in first.
- Schedule all of your inspections for a day or two after your offer is accepted. generally banks only aloow you 10 days to get all of your inspections completed. Plus if the property is a dud you need to be proactive and kill the deal and move on to find another foreclosure deal.
- Also be prepared to pay a small fee in the winter time to have the house dewinterized so you can do the inspection. Generally there is a fee of about $200.00 to have the home de-winterized and re-winterized. This is sometimes charged to the perspective home buyer. All they are doing is turning on the water, power and gas for the inspector.
Good luck.
I have a link that shows all of my investor clients and home buyers every new Parker, CO REO and Foreclosure as it hits the market. All they do is check the link daily to see what is new on the market and call me to set a showing.
Buying a New Build Home Now Equals Value
Nov 9th 11
Homes buyers rake in savings on New Build Homes.
Home buyers looking to make a deal hold all the cards or negotiating power from now until December 31, 2011. New home builders will make deals right now that they normally will not even consider in the Spring or Summer months. Basically they want any inventory homes sold and closed before the end of the 2011 year.
If you are qualified and looking to buy a new home in Parker, Colorado I would say let’s go make a deal on a new build home. I’ve worked for buyers in years past where we were able to get up to $60,000 off the original asking price.
Typically new homes are sold at a premium to re-sale homes.
Save money buying a new home
A few tips for buying a new home at the end of the year.
- Always remember that it doesn’t cost you anything to use a Realtor to purchase a new build home. The builder pays the Realtor.
- Most builders prefer the buyer to have a Realtor represent them in the purchase process.
- The asking price of a new home that new home builders give you is fully negotiable. Don’t ever pay full price. They expect you to negotiate.
- Builders can free up cash and make their end of year balance sheets look better if they don’t carry inventory into the new year. This frees up cash for re-investment.
- Be prepared to close on the house before December 31, 2011.
- Ideally I like my home buyer clients to have 2 to 3 homes that they would like to make an offer on. Being able to offer on two homes allows the buyer to gain the best deal.
- Many Parker, CO Home Builders offer cash incentives for buyers. These incentives are fully negotiable. Just because they offer you $10,000 doesn’t mean you cannot ask for more. These incentives can be used for closing costs and/or upgrades to the home.
Call Steven Beam 303-941-4663 if you would like to schedule a tour of new home neighborhoods and inventory homes ready to close before the end of the year.
Is your home ready to list for sale?
Nov 2nd 11
Is your home ready to list in the MLS?
It’s a great question since I see a lot of homes listed for sale in the MLS that are clearly not ready to be adverstised out in the market yet.
What do I mean?
- Homes listed in the MLS for days, weeks and even months without photos.
- Disclosures to the buyer not completed.
- No flyers inside the house.
- Unable to find the virtual tour if there even is one.
- Unable to locate a video if there even is one.
- Well Permit info non-existent.
- Homes not staged or even de-cluttered.
If you are going to list the house in the MLS at the very least there should be photos to accompany the listing. Believe it or not many homes get listed in the MLS without even one photo. Really there should be professionally shot photos of the house for sale.
Obvously all the listing paperwork including the disclosures to the buyer need to be filled out and loaded into the MLS. Potential buyers or other brokers need this info to make a decision on whether or not to look at your home.
Color flyers should be inside the home at all times when the house is actively listed in the MLS and accepting showings. Buyers like to take home nice color photos of the house if they like it.
Virtual tours and videos of your home for sale need to be advertised and on the web so buyers searching online can easily find the photos and video. If your house is listed in the MLS you should be able to Google your address and have professional photos or a video show up for that address immediately. Generally it should show up in the #1 position of Google. Example; buyer drives by your house and goes home to Google your address or even better does it on their smartphone right in front of the house. Better have a video. Videos show up great on smartphones.
In and around Parker Colorado many of the homes have wells. Wells require permits and permit numbers so the Colorado Divison of Water can keep track of who owns the well and/or water rights. Listing a house or property for sale without having this info easily available is crazy. This is all info that buyers will want up front and generally well before an offer is ever made.
To me de-cluttering a home is one of the first things that must be done. It has to be done before the house if photographed and before it is listed for sale in the MLS. I’m shocked when I go in homes with buyers to see that the house is very cluttered and in disarray. Make your property inviting and warm and easy to walk around.
This is not a compete list but it is a good baseline for getting started. Make sure to ask your listing agent or broker if the property is ready to go. Make sure there are photos for the MLS and the house is in good shape. It can mean the difference between a sale and sitting on the market for months without an offer.
Douglas County Schools Open Enrollment 2011 – 2012
Nov 2nd 11
New info for open enrollment in Douglas County Schools.
I receive a lot of inquiry’s from relocation clients moving to Parker and Douglas County wanting to know what their choices are for open enrollment. Here is the best and most current info I have seen.
Douglas County School District now offers two open enrollment windows, as a result of the Choice priority outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan. Our goal is to provide parents with the opportunity to find the best educational niche for their students. The first open enrollment period is now open, and will close on January 5, 2012. The second window will be open from April 15 to August 15, 2012.
The District’s open enrollment policy allows Douglas County School District parents to apply for enrollment in DCSD schools other than their neighborhood school. Students who are residents of Colorado, but do not reside within the school district boundaries may also submit applications. Open enrollment applications are approved for the 2012-2013 school year on a space-available basis.
Families who wish to open enroll their student for the 2012-2013 school year must complete an online application, available at Open Enrollment.
The deadline for applications during the current window is January 5. Parents will be notified if students are eligible to attend requested schools in mid-January.
For more information regarding Open Enrollment in DCSD, visit Open Enrollment Douglas County Schools.
Furnace Cleaning a Smart Move for Winter
Oct 26th 11
Winter is here for Parker Colorado. It’s time to Clean and Service your furnace.
I had to turn on the furnace yesterday for the first time this winter. We are headed quickly into winter and the time has come to get our furnace checked out and cleaned.
Furnace Cleaning
Our kids spend a lot of time in the basement during the winter months so I always feel a lot safer if I have the furnace checked for carbon monoxide and gas leaks.
Most lcal HVAC companies can come out and check out your furnace for around $200. I think it’s a small price to pay for a clean running furnace and peace of mind knowing I don’t have any leaks.
A proper furnace cleaning will involve having a technician almost completely disassemble the furnace and check all the parts for wear. A good licensed HVAC technician will also have the instruments to test for gas leaks and carbon monoxide leaks and make repairs as need.
Having a good clean furnace will also save you money each month in operating expenses and give you peace of mind.
Furnace & HVAC Inspection Issues for Parker CO Homes
Parker’s Newlin Meadows Neighborhood
Apr 13th 11
Newlin Meadows Neighborhood Sign
Looking to buy a home in Parker, Colorado? You better check out the Parker neighborhood of Newlin Meadows.
Newlin Meadows is located adjacent to the new Rueter-Hess Reservoir here in Parker. If you think that isn’t important you should reconsider.
When Rueter Hess is complete is will have miles of trails for walking and biking, plenty of picnic tables, fishing and other fun Douglas County Open Space activities.
Take a look at the neighborhoods in the DTC and Greenwood Village that back up to the Cherry Creek Reservoir. The neighborhoods next to Cherry Creek Reservoir in the DTC have certainly benefited from having all those recreation opportunities out their back door. I’ve had many clients over the past 12 years ask me to show them homes in the DTC and only homes with easy access to the reservoir. There is a definite premium for properties located close to the reservoir in the DTC and I believe eventually that same will happen here in Parker and homes near the Rueter-Hess reservoir.
Home in Mewlin Meadows
Newlin Meadows is located in a prime location for more than just the reservoir. Eventually Hess Road will connect up with I-25 and Mainstreet already connects. Newlin Meadows in directly in between both roads which will give homeowners in that neighborhood easy access to I-25 from two routes.
Home prices right now in Newlin Meadows are from the low t mid $300’s to well over $400,000. There has been one sale in the past 2 years over $500,000. It listed and sold in 1 day for $540,000.
What more can I say. I believe that Newlin Meadows, Horse Creek, Auburn Hills and Antelope Heights will all be ideal for home buyers in Parker.
Steven Beam is a Realtor, CRS living and working in Parker Colorado.
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