When a homeowner wants to list their home, they usually know what they want to list their home for.   I recently went on a listing appointment, and he is down the street from my client.    Because they did so much in their backyard, he automatically thought his home was worth much more.So much goes into the value of a home.On top of these points, it matters whether you are comparing to a similar style.  Ranch homes are usually worth more, as more buyers would prefer a ranch, no matter what their ages.    Do you back to open space?  Do you have mountain views, or a smidge of a view?   What is the lot size?   Land matters! Over my many years in the business, I have been to several classes with the instructor being an appraiser.   They have given us a basis of what values are depending on ... 09/03/2024

Unfortunately, we are seeing many moving out of Colorado.   Our taxes and insurance (on homes and cars) are out of control!   Our property taxes are still not like they are on the East Coast, but rising so fast, that homeowners are having issues paying their mortgage payments.Although rates are still higher than they have been for the last several years, and inventory is plentiful, home values are still increasing.   They are increasing slower, but rising.I always ask a few questions, as the answer cannot be a "canned answer".   Each and every situation is depending on that family's situation.    So you plan to purchase in the new location?   Do you need a down payment, or have a savings you can use? I do recommend if you are moving out of state, contact a property manager to manage you... 09/02/2024

Are you a buyer in today's market and wondering what neighborhood would be best for you?   Check out this information on Tallyn's Reach below! Tallyn's Reach is located in Southeast Aurora near E-470 and Smoky Hill Road in Arapahoe County. You will find homes (two stories & ranches) in Tallyn´s Reach ranging from 1,347 square feet to almost 9,000 finished square feet total and ranging in price from $600,000 to many over a million. The 2000 Parade of Homes was featured in Tallyn´s Reach, and can find an area of this community with custom and semi-custom homes. This neighborhood probably has the most diversity with single-family (with a wide price range), a few paired homes, and patio homes. You will find some of these homes have mountain views, some with walk-out basements, and some are ... 08/29/2024

Back in June when I listed this cute ranch, I would have NEVER thought it would take this long.   Very few homes have over 2,000 sf, 4 beds, 3 baths and backing to open space for only $600,000 in Parker!   But, two months later, it was such a pleasure saying - CONGRATULATIONS, you are pending!We had endless buyers showing this home that needed to sell their home, AND they did not have it on the market yet.   Now that rates dipped this weekend, lots of showings, and lots of interest.T H A N K F U L L YThis beautiful ranch home is located in Stroh Ranch, Parker CO.    The location is great - backing to the greenbelt with walking trails!Priced at $600,00012637 Prince Creek Drive, Parker CO  80134This home features - 4 bedrooms (3 on the main floor and 1 in the basement)3 bathrooms (2 on th... 08/25/2024

Taxpayers in The Meadows, Castle Rock, Colorado will pay over $1b over 100+ years to pay off the infrastructure cost, which cost $57m between 1986-1991. This tax is approximately 1/3 of the property tax bill annually to all owners. Property owners have been paying the metro bond tax for 35 years. They are currently paying approximately $20m per year (to pay off a $57m expense) and they continue to pay the maximum tax rate allowed by law, or they are subject to fines, penalties, liens, or even worse, property seizure. On 10/1/1993 due to tax revenue shortages, the debt was reorganized to $86m and approved with the Town of Castle Rock which included a “Bond Sinking Fund”. The purpose of this fund was to retain up to $10m in tax revenue, in case extra taxes were collected for the non-prep... 08/22/2024

Each day 10,000 people turn 62... and 46% will move during their golden years.If you’re a realtor or a builder, that presents you with a tremendous opportunity to expand your business in this untapped market.But with the prices of homes and building materials at historic highs, how do you get a potential buyer interested in a new home?The answer is a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage for Purchase – known as an H4P – a reverse mortgage that allows seniors aged 62 or older, to buy a new home using loan proceeds from a reverse mortgage.Only 1% of your competition is utilizing this financing program that has been around since 2009.It can double your clients’ purchasing power, which means they can afford an upgrade to a newly built home that better suits their lifestyle at this stage of their ... 08/22/2024

Overnight temperatures in the mountains is dropping, and soon we will see the aspens changing colors in our high country.   Plan today for your adventure to view the changing Fall colors in the Rocky Mountains!Below you will find the areas - and of course, the Northern areas will be the first to change colors.  08/22/2024

The School of Mines has an interesting tradition for those new students every year on the Friday before Fall classes begin.Students climb Mount Zion in Golden, carrying 10-pound rocks from their hometowns and add their rocks to the "M" on the mountain.   It is called the "M Climb".   This tradition begin in 1908 and back then faculty members and a team of burros helped with the short hike up Mt. Zion.This tradition was held August 16th this year, and temperatures were so hot, some students experienced heat issues.This year, this climb included - 1,774  new first-year and transfer students516  women538 students from underrepresented domestic ethnic or racial groups18 percent first-generation college students3 percent international students3.88 median high school GPA (on an unweighted 4.0... 08/21/2024

FHA 203k: A Renovation Lifeline for Older CommunitiesIs your community feeling a bit dated? Are you tired of looking at peeling paint, outdated fixtures, or inefficient systems? If your community is over a year old, there's a great opportunity to breathe new life into it: FHA 203k renovations. It doesn't need to be. the FHA 203k can be used on any 1-4 unit property that is at least one year old. What is FHA 203k?The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 203k loan guarantee program is a mortgage insurance program designed to help homeowners finance repairs or renovations to their existing homes or purchases. It's a fantastic option for communities looking to improve their overall value and appeal.How Can Your Community Benefit? Increased Property Values: Renovations can significantly boos... 08/21/2024

You gotta love it when the tomato slice covers the entire piece of bread. This is a slab of Beefsteak tomato that I grew. I shot this picture before I added the bacon. With the abundance of fresh tomatoes coming from my garden, BLTs are often the house special of the day. I should also add that I bought a locally raised pig that was locally processed, and I have a lot of thick cut bacon in my freezer. Between my fresh tomatoes and the local bacon, I'm in hog heaven. Yeah...you all knew that last line was coming. This post was inspired by a post from Kathy Streib. In her post Kathy talks about the dilemma of choosing between a hot dog and a burger. You can read the post here. I don't have that dilemma at this time (although I would choose both the dog and the burger), but Kathy's post in... 08/16/2024

This year marks the 34th year of the festival.  Saturday, August 24th is the day to remember and it's all taking place at The Montrose Rotary Ampitheater. The day starts off with a 5K run/walk and ends with live music. You can find out more information here. There are also some really cute pictures that will give you more insight into the event if you haven't gone before. I'm veteran of many Olathe Sweet Corn Festivals. I remember when they actually took place in Olathe. For more information be sure to click the link above. I hope to see you there.  I've lived on Colorado's Western Slope for over 31 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you need any real es... 08/14/2024

Somerset, Colorado, is a hotbed for 203k projectsThe issue is finding a 203k loan consultant willing to travel this far. Well, that isn't an issue anymore; we have that area covered.Gunnison County, Colorado: A 203k HotbedSomerset, Colorado, nestled within the picturesque Gunnison County, has emerged as a prime destination for 203k rehabilitation projects. With a rich history and stunning natural beauty, this area has become increasingly attractive to homebuyers and investors alike.The 203k AdvantageThe 203k Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan program offers a unique opportunity for homebuyers to purchase a property and finance necessary repairs or renovations simultaneously. This can be especially beneficial in areas like Gunnison County, where older homes often require updates t... 08/14/2024

Stone Mountain Village sits on the north end of Delta, CO. The first phase is considered one of Delta's newer subdivisions, and the newest part of the neighborhood is new construction. The developer is still breaking ground on new homes.The neighborhood has three and four bedroom floorplans and a selection of one or two story homes. All homes have an attached two car garage, and there is a neighborhood park. This market report will cover real estate activity since the beginning of 2024. Currently there are only two homes on the market. One is new construction, and it is listed for $495,000. The other listing was built in 2006 and it is priced at $405,000. Since the beginning of the year, six homes have sold. That price range starts at $370,000 and tops out at $470,000. Two of the sales ... 08/12/2024

  585 Calle Entrada Fountain CO 80817 VA Assumable Loan at 2.875% Nearly quarter-acre corner lot, ready for your chickens! This updated bi-level house gives you room to spread out and flex space for your hobbies. 2 bedrooms upstairs and 2 bedrooms on the lower level. Plus, two living areas ready for whatever occasion. A quiet night by the woodburning fire in the garden level family room, or entertain upstairs using the walk-out to the large wood deck. Set up one of the many bedrooms as a gym or office, and keep your guest comfortable in one of the lower level bedrooms with a jack-and-jill bathroom in the middle. Plus, the large lot is flat and useable, perfect for RV parking or extra space for cars. The fully fenced backyard includes wood privacy fence, and a newer chain linked fence al... 08/12/2024

 480 Hawthorn Dr, Hotchkiss, CO 81419Fantastic one level home with views all around in the friendly town of Hotchkiss Colorado. There are so many exciting Western Colorado activities and historical destinations along Highway 133. Hotchkiss is just one of them. Own your own vacation getaway, just over the mountains from Glenwood Springs, Crested Butte and Aspen. https://s.paragonrels.com/goto/dxIW-J7iiyCall me if you are interested today! Ben Townsend 719-330-8484realtor@townsendcolorado.comhttps://bentownsend.crenmls.com    08/12/2024

As a child of a senior homeowner, you have a growing concern about your parents as they age.One issue is that the configuration of your parents’ home may no longer meet their needs at this stage in their lives.So, what are your alternatives?Your parents could move in with you, but that may not be feasible for reasons of space or finances.They could move into assisted living, but that means they’d be paying thousands of dollars each month… something they and you may not be able to afford.Or – and 91% of senior homeowners say they prefer this – they could stay in their own home and maintain their independence.A reverse mortgage can help your parents achieve this goal, by providing them with the additional cash flow they need to help them remodel their home to fit their needs.Your parents ... 08/08/2024

The sweet part of the day was the sweet corn and time spent with a good friend. Barb, and I decided to spend the day freezing sweet corn. It took most of the day to get the job done. We had to travel early in the morning to pick up the 150 or so ears of corn. It's some variety of the Olathe Sweet Corn which is quite well known. Let me know if you've heard of it. It's truly wonderful tasting corn, and it grows so well around here. Most area residents look forward to this time of year when the corn is plentiful. There is an annual festival in honor of the corn harvest. You can get the festival details here. It's set to happen on August 24th. Now back to my adventure with the corn. After loading it into Barb's car and unloading onto her deck table, the real work started. All of the ears ha... 08/05/2024

Nestled in the picturesque community of Perry Park in Larkspur, this stunning two-story home offers an enchanting blend of elegance and comfort. With over 3,800 square feet of living space, this residence is designed to cater to your every need. As you approach the property, the wrap-around decks catch your eye, providing a perfect spot for morning coffee or evening relaxation. A sunken area includes a brand new hot tub, making it an ideal retreat for unwinding under the Colorado stars. Step inside to find the heart of the home—a spacious kitchen that will inspire your culinary creativity. Gleaming wood floors stretch throughout the main level, leading to a kitchen adorned with granite countertops and an island featuring a cooktop. A French door pantry adds both charm and functionality.... 08/02/2024

This hidden gem in the highly sought-after Gleneagle community offers privacy and tranquility, and is beautifully updated from top to bottom. The living room, stairwell, and lower-level custom wet bar feature stunning stacked stone walls. The living room also has a built-in audio/visual connection box. The gourmet kitchen boasts granite counters, underlit cabinets, a gas stove with a built-in microwave, a composite granite sink, and stainless steel appliances. As you enter, you'll be greeted by gleaming hardwood floors in the hallway and kitchen, along with updated window coverings throughout. The front bedroom, with its French doors, large closet, and en-suite bathroom, can easily serve as a perfect home office. The cozy dining area has access to one of two covered patios, ideal for ye... 08/02/2024

Aurora, Colorado, is a vibrant, multicultural city that welcomes visitors worldwide and offers its citizens many options. But it's crucial to understand the associated fees before making the move.If you live in Aurora, you must set aside money for various costs, from electricity to housing and groceries. Although it may initially seem daunting, being prepared will help you make better plans and avoid unpleasant financial surprises.A comprehensive understanding of the cost of living in Aurora, Colorado, will facilitate your move and help you better understand what living there would entail.Colorado's Housing CostA significant portion of living in Aurora, Colorado, is housing expenditures. Early in 2024, there was a discernible increase in property prices over the previous year (2023), in... 08/02/2024