Short sales are a way to avoid foreclosure, sell a home, settle the debt with the lender(s), close and move like a normal sale! A Short Sale (SS) occurs when the current lien hold accepts an amount short of the outstanding obligations (loans) against a property. It is NOT a short process. The buyer, seller and agents must be diligent and patient in the process. Below are tips on selling and buying a short sale. •1.  The original list price is set by the agent & seller, price it right! •2.  The list price should be 10-20% below market value.. know your values ! •3.  The listing agent is the quarter back for the transaction, be sure he(she) is qualified, experienced with a proven track record and have written success at Short sales...ALL BE-WARE •4.  If the home has a second.. Take a seco... 09/02/2010

Short Sales have become the place to be, for Realtors and Seller/Buyers alike. My Group started doing Short Sales in 2007, long before they became the newest and best way to sell or buy a pre foreclosure. I must admit, I fell into it, yet it has been 30 % of my business since. Now days, a Realtor can find twenty different designations on SS's and or classes (The teachers and coaches wish to  make money too )  Most of the Buyer and Sellers are informed on SS's. It is a new day! in selling Real Estate. I must warn the public ... not all Realtors know how to correctly do a short sale.. Seller beware !!! I have heard that the days of the current foreclosure procedures will be soon be over and the days of Short Sales are here to stay. It is wonderful to finally have the lien holders on homes... 09/02/2010

It is truly amazing when an informative blog post produces phone calls. I must admit I was happily surprised on one of my recent blog post. I had been waiting on the opening of a new Tokyo Joes in Westminster, Co. I have always been a big fan of the Joes restaurants and I was excited to have one being located in my back yard. I had been watching the construction for some time awaiting news of the opening. On Aug 5, I posted the day of the opening on my blog, soon there after I received several calls wanting to know the time of opening . Yesterday, one month later. I received another call on the Westminster Tokyo Joes. This just goes to say, people wanting information can find it through a blog. So I would say my blog bites...does yours? The Title of this blog is modified from a question... 09/02/2010

  I had a call yesterday from a lady planning to move back to the Westminster or Arvada area, and one of her questions was, "What has been done about Westminster Mall?" She and her husband moved ot of Colorado a few years ago, and even then Westminster Mall was deteriorating. So she was surprised she couldn't find anything about the renovation of this valuable piece of real estate. Westminster Mall is just west of Sheridan, and between 88th Ave. and 92nd Ave. It's ideally located for a bustling urban center, being near the I-36 interchange, right across Sheridan from the bus transport station (500 busses per day) and park & ride, and proximate to the NW light rail line. However, Westminster Mall is a privately owned business, not city owned as many believe. Built in the 1970s, it used ... 08/20/2010

In our present market, a Real Estate Pro, must be all he (she) can be. We must take the lead to ...take the transaction to the closing table... I must admit ..I get a little frustrated sometimes, yet I hold my hold my head high and do the job... to serve and protect.. So below is a take ...on a favorite of mine..” My Way” So fellow Pros...Enjoy ...continue to serve and protect....your way Please scroll down to get the beat...return here and repeat.... I Sold it my Way And Now,.... the year end ...is near And so I chase..... the finest persons My friend .....I ll make it clear I want their listing.... with windows and curtains I’ve ..wrote ....many contracts thats no bull I’ve rode each.... and every parkway And more,... a bunch more then the a bliss, I sold... it.... my way. Over priced... 08/20/2010

Quickest Short Sale in the West (Colorado) coincides with ActiveRain 100,000 points. Yesterday I was pleased to receive a lien holder Short Sale approval on a home in Thornton, Co. The Short Sale approval came 7 days after full submittal. Our previous record approval on a short sale was 30 days. The longest for our office was 14 months, yet that was over 10 months ago. I do believe the lenders are getting faster in their approvals. Two years ago B of A had 20 people in their SS department, today its 1250. Perhaps you have had a quicker approval. Let me know !! On the ActiveRain 100,000 points, I saved this quick approval blog for making the 100k club.... couldn't help myself !!   Gary DiGiorgio The DiGiorgio Group 9035 Wadsworth pkwy 2000 Westminster.Co 80021 Direct 303 898 4279 Office ... 08/19/2010

Ironically, in these times of folks looking for a job, I have recently been asked by several friends” How hard is it to get into Real Estate “? I replied” It easy to get in Real Estate, it takes a real effort to stay in Real Estate “ I must admit, it was a tough market when I first started and I was told to be careful about considering Real Estate as a career. I take care in never discouraging anyone from getting into a career in Real Estate, as I’ve seen the least potential of success, succeed ! So below is a refit on an old tune.. Que Sera...EXCEPT ..one thing different And the tip of the day.. The future is yours to see and what will be.... is up to thee. ------------------------------------------ Please scroll down to get the tune and re-scroll back up and sing along ---------------... 08/19/2010

I must admit after many years of the ups and downs , we need to keep that sence of wonder. In Real Estate we have to contend with almost every aspect of life..living .. !! It starts with a birth..that made need a new home. To a growing family , to marriage , to divorce, to death. ( Yes one of our sellers died this week). We are an all purpose people in this biz. rather we are selling in Denver ,Co or where ever, we must keep on keepin on , and be willing to dance !!!! I pray each and everyone reading this blog is encouraged to never loose the sence of wonder and I hope you dance!!! Below is the song .. I hope you dance.. great song !!! I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,May you never take one single breath for granted,GOD forb... 08/11/2010

Call the ball , what does that mean and who said it. ??  It was said many years ago by many a pilots approaching a flat top. What is a flat top you might also ask . a flat top is the naval term .. Carrier.. you know the big ships that aircraft land on. The term "Call the ball " has been around for many years yet it was made famous in a 1986 movie.  Here are a few more clues: Maverick: I feel the need... Maverick, Goose: ...the need for speed! Iceman: You can be my wingman any time. Maverick: Bulls! You can be mine. Goose: No. No, Mav, this is not a good idea. Maverick: Sorry, Goose, but it's time to buzz the  tower. Maverick: [to Cougar and Merlin while up in the air] Any of you boys seen an aircraft-carrier around here? Goose: Great balls of fire! The term Call the ball is...a signal b... 08/09/2010

Yes... I visited the newly opened Tokyo Joes in Westminster and ordered a Beef Bowl with brown rice... my fav.. I took it back to my office with the expectatins to only eat half and safe half . Nope.. had to eat the whole thing .. it was great. !!!! I was borned and rasied in these here streets of Westminster,Colorado. I 've been selling Real Estate for over 30 years on these streets of Westminster. I had seen em come and go...I will tell you ..TJ's in Westminster will be here and will be a big success. So if you are hungary...for  a beef bowl ..call me u.. I 'll meet ya there !!! So it is official !!! TJ's in Westmionster is open for BIZ !!Stop by the newest Tokyo Joe's 88th and Wadsworth !!!   Gary DiGiorgio The DiGiorgio Group 9035 Wadsworth pkwy 2000 Westminster.Co 80021 Direct 303 ... 08/09/2010

Westminster News Flash - Tokyo has officially arrived in Westminster! The anticipation of a new Tokyo was worth the wait. The New Tokyo Joe's opened officially last night. I've heard of several Tokyo Joe's  Fans that have already been to the new Joes. In fact I was there today for a Beef Bowl with brown rice, it was awesome. I think a good sign of a successful a chain restaurant is consistency. Just look at the hamburger greats, they taste almost identical, where ever you get one. I hesitate to call Tokyo Joe's (TJ's) a chain, as yesterday I had the opportunity to meet one of the owners. TJ's is a locally privately owned company with only parent company restaurants. I must take my hat off to them, as they operate their restaurants like seasoned franchise operators. They suggest healthy ... 08/07/2010

BIG Tokyo JOE arrives in Westminster today !!! I have been waiting for this day for several weeks. I have been by the site of the new Tokyo, Its a great location on 88th and Wadsworth in wonderful Westminster ,Colorado. I am speaking of a new Tokyo Joes Restaurant-home of the best beef bowl in Denver ! In fact I was at the Denver West local last night , just to get my taste buds ready.  This is a great addition to our restaurants in Westy. I'm not sure about any grand opening and or give aways.. yet I will keep you posted !!! Live on the spot ( Hun...gary.. too) Blog reporter   Gary DiGiorgio The DiGiorgio Group 9035 Wadsworth pkwy 2000 Westminster.Co 80021 Direct 303 898 4279 Office 303 422 5200 fx 303 467 0211 Gary@Di-DenverRealty.com   Serving and selling Denver for over 11,000 days ... 08/06/2010

Must it be 10:31 in the morning to effect a tax deferred exchange?? I must admit I have not a 1031 for over 5 years, yet I am doing one this month.A 1031 tax deferred exchange is where an income property is sold by the property owner to the buyer through an intermediate. The seller agrees to put their proceeds in an account thru the intermediate. The seller then has 45 days to select  3 possible replacement properties, and close on one of three within 180 days .  In so.. the smart seller eliminated the cap gain tax.. !! Sweet  Pay Caesars what is Caesar's...keep every thing else you can !!  Congrats to my smart seller / buyer investor !! PS..You can close any time of the day .. Gary DiGiorgio The DiGiorgio Group 9035 Wadsworth pkwy 2000 Westminster.Co 80021 Direct 303 898 4279 Office 30... 08/05/2010

Tokyo arrives in Westminster tomorrow !!! I have been waiting for this day for several weeks. I have been by the site of the new Tokyo, Its a great location on 88th and Wadsworth in wonderful Westminster ,Colorado. I am speaking of a new Tokyo Joes Restaurant-home of the best beef bowl in Denver ! In fact I was at the Denver West local last night , just to get my taste buds ready.  This is a great addition to our restaurants in Westy. I'm not sure about any grand opening and or give aways.. yet I will keep you posted !!! Live on the spot ( Hun...gary.. too) Blog reporter   Gary DiGiorgio The DiGiorgio Group 9035 Wadsworth pkwy 2000 Westminster.Co 80021 Direct 303 898 4279 Office 303 422 5200 fx 303 467 0211 Gary@Di-DenverRealty.com   Serving and selling Denver for over 11,000 days ARVAD... 08/05/2010

Ahhhh ... there's not many better ways to spend an evening than listening to funky blues in the out-of-doors.  Westminster Promenade has been putting on free concerts for weeks now, this is the first one I made it to. I put it on my schedule weeks ago and set the alarm, because hubby and I really like the blues, and this was the Lionel Young Band.  We had an afternoon thunderstorm to cool things off, and there was a gentle breeze carrying the scent from the giant pot of pansies we were sitting under. There really should have been a bigger crowd, I felt bad for those blues fans that missed out. The Lionel Young Band was very entertaining, and put on a professional show for those of us who came out. The Lionel Young Band will be participating in a blues jam at the Outlook Hotel in Boulder... 08/05/2010

Questions you should be asking your mortgage lender before getting a loan?   First question to ask your mortgage lender is what type of loan I am getting from your mortgage company; Conventional, FHA, VA Etc.   What will the monthly payment be?  Is that payment per month, every month for the live of the loan? Could it be increase? If so what would my new payment be? Could my monthly payment increase for more than one time?  If so what is the main reason for the increase? Does my monthly payment include an escrow to pay my homeowner insurance, and to pay my property taxes?  Or must I pay these costs the taxes and insurance on my own? If I must pay the taxes and insurance on my own, can you give an estimate, so I can budget for these expenses accordingly? What are the terms of my loan/mor... 08/02/2010

Rick Cavallaro | Sellstate ACE Realty | rick@rickcavallaro.com | (303) 641-1632 9296 W. 90th Circle, Westminster, CO This is a wonderful home in the highly desired Standley Lake subdivision. Call or email for your private showing today! 3BR/3+1BA Single Family House offered at $277,900 Year Built 1977 Sq Footage 2,422 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 7,266 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This is a very spacious and open home with a formal living room, dining room, breakfast nook, family room, finished basement and an expanded sunroom. Enjoy relaxing warmth with its huge stone fireplace. Plenty of room in the oversized 2 car garage. The elevated deck overlooks Somerset park and the back yard is a well maintained park-like setting. Thi... 07/28/2010

  This snapshot of the real estate market in Westminster, Colorado provides info on homes for sale, under contract, sold in the past six months, and days on market using information taken directly from Metrolist on July 24, 2010. Absorption rate is an estimate of how long it would take all the houses currently on the market to sell, if no new ones were added, based on how many sold in recent months. It’s an artificial number, of course, but a good indicator of market trends. I think it's one of the most useful statistics we can be aware of.  I believe absorption rate is more valid than ‘days on market’, because DOM is quite skewed by short sales, which stay on the market considerably longer. Westminster is a larger city between Denver and Boulder, so lots more to choose from when it com... 07/26/2010

Seriously, as a real estate professional, I must know my statistics. Below are the Denver MLS stats. I would state for the records our market is down from the previous month, 5-7 %. I would also like to make a prediction. Once our administration reviews the decline, they will enact another Tax Incentive program. Look for the new program in September or October. Why September or October? I predict September or October because of what happens in November, The elections!!! Remember you read it here FIRST !!!   SINGLE FAMILY ---JUNE 2010  / MAY 10/ MAY 09                                                 % CHANGE         Active                     22,689      5.86           8.80 Pending 551 -5.49 - Under Contract 3,885 0.05 -31.41 Sold 4,046 -7.31 -3.34     Avg DOM 82 9.62 -17.93     Avg Sold... 07/26/2010

The One, who makes it, sells it. The one, who buys it, never used it. The one who uses it, never knows that he using it ... What is IT ???? So here is a riddle for you to solve. Would you like a few clues... I’ll take that for a yes. The first statement refers to something that is made by man. The second statement, someone is buying for another, not themselves. The third, the person using it never realizes he is using it..so he is unaware he is using it. The last clue is a final clue... You all know..Im in the housing biz..this IT is a type of housing... see below for the answer. Gary DiGiorgio The DiGiorgio Group 9035 Wadsworth pkwy 2000 Westminster.Co 80021 Direct 303 898 4279 Office 303 422 5200 fx 303 467 0211 Gary@Di-DenverRealty.com Serving and selling Denver for over 11,000 days ... 07/14/2010