Boulder Colorado Real Estate
2014 REAL ESTATE PREDICTIONS: INFOGRAPHIC
Skeptical about the real estate market in 2014?
The Magic-8-Ball says “Outlook Good”.
Here is an excellent infographic from Than Merrill of FortuneBuilders.com summarizing housing sector predictionsfor 2014:
John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401
john@boulderhomes4u.com
Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com
When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.
CABIN DECOR: MODERNIZING THE CLASSICS
How should a cabin be decorated? Should its space be defined with the typical “log cabin home” look? A theme of strong woody designs, crafted out of pine or cedar, or should it be more subdued, inspired by nature but not presented in such an overwhelming way? These can be challenging questions to answer when faced with decorating a cabin (or any space, really). Of course, an alternative question you could ask yourself, while considering a look for your cabin is: clichéd or inspired?
Clichéd might sound harsh, but it’s true. For some curious reason, when people decorate cabins, there is an insistence on a very established look. It’s not necessarily the cabin-owner’s fault. There are far too many resources, whether is one of the countless style magazines or a blog (though, not all blogs…), that seem to insist that cabin be decorated in a clichéd, overused look.
Is there anything wrong with these styles and themes? Absolutely not. Some spaces can look perfect using one of these themes or even a mix and match. The cabin lends itself to the looks especially if it’s a cabin built with a more classic timber look. However, consider stepping out of the ordinary and a comfort zone perpetuated by style magazines and do something unexpected and imaginative…
Timber – Since timber is one of the most classic cabin looks and one of the more au naturel types of furnishings, it can prove a challenge to modernize. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t accept the challenge. Try different types of woods outside of the norm. Or different shapes with Live Edge Furniture. Don’t be afraid to play with your wood.
Rustic – Rustic style is much more difficult to pin down in terms of what it actually is. For some it might be an antique look, for others, it could be the timber look. For me, its vintage inspired. A look of old style cabin living, pre-World War II. Why World War II? Consider recycling or repurposing antique metal furnishings. It might take a bit of work, but you’ll have a space exuding old world charm.
Nature – Nature patterns and décor tend to be the most “blah” when it comes to cabin interior design. It’s the clichéd of the clichéd. Some people insisted upon it as it ties together the indoors with the out, but it’s a style and theme that can become tacky in an instant. Prints, patterns, sculptures, and molds should be used sparingly, to accentuate, not dominate. Creating a balance and to use restraint is the way to bring this style into the modern cabin environment.
Stone – Stone as furniture tends to be under-appreciated. One of the downsides, of course, is it can be heavy, but a stone slab coffee table can’t be beat (except by paper). Now, would you consider a stone chair? Probably not, but I’d certainly be willing to give it a go. Realistically, stone works better as an accent, used to a minimal extent, primarily due to its weight. However, if you can get away with it, give it a try. Stone accents wood cabins beautifully and if you can get it locally, the better. Tie your cabin to the world around it.
John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401
john@boulderhomes4u.com
Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com
When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.
Search Colorado Mountain homes
Written by Oro Valley Real Estate and Homes for Sale
SELLING YOUR HOME ON YOUR OWN MAY BE HARDER THAN YOU THINK!
Here are some points to consider:
You may place the security of your home and yourself at risk. Ads and “For Sale by Owner” signs tend to invite just anyone to inspect your house. You have very little control and no opportunity to pre-screen potential buyers.
You may not know the marketplace well enough to establish the best price for your home. If it is too high, you may lose buyers. If you ask too little, you stand to lose a great deal of money. Partnering with a Chicago property management expert can help you determine the optimal price and strategy for selling your home.
Coordination of arrangements and the paperwork involved with a home sale requires many hours, especially if you are not well versed in real estate and the law. You also stand a chance of making costly mistakes.
You may have limited advertising resources. Without good advertising and professional help, your home may be on the market for too long to get top dollar. That makes it harder to sell even if you do ultimately decide to list it with a REALTOR. People may think it hasn’t sold because there is a problem.
Buyers often need assistance with financing. That’s a job best left to a trained professional. Unless you are skilled in the art of compromise, you may not be able to effectively close your sale. The “give and take” aspects of the sale of a home must be skillfully negotiated before a transaction is successfully completed.
Believe it or not, buyers don’t like to deal directly with home sellers. They aren’t comfortable asking questions or pointing out discrepancies since insult or confrontation may result.
John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401
john@boulderhomes4u.com
Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com
When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.
5 WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR HOME WITH FENG SHUI
Written by Kathy Vallee
Feng Shui is the ancient art of creating harmony and positive energy in a space. You will find that if you follow the principles of feng shui, your living space will be more comfortable and appealing. It doesn’t even matter if you believe in esoteric principles or not. Let’s look at some ways to transform the different areas of your home.
The entrance to a home is extremely important, as this is where both residents and visitors enter a living space every day. You want to make this area as inviting as possible. You can start by making sure this space is clean, neat and uncluttered. If the front door needs painting, if there are cobwebs in the doorway or if the wood on the front porch needs replacing, these can all block the flow of energy.
An entryway can be enhanced by an attractive door mat, plants or flowers on the front porch, and new hardware on the front door. You should take a look at the view in front of your door and think about how it could feel more welcoming.
The kitchen is often considered the center or heart of a home, as this is where people tend to cook, eat and spend time with company. You can keep the energy flowing in your kitchen by making sure everything is neat and that food and dishes are put away when not being used. The kitchen should feel spacious at all times. You should also make sure that plenty of light enters the room during the day.
Having healthy and fresh foods around also contributes to the energy of the kitchen. This is also good for your body when you eat these foods too, of course!
3. BEDROOM
Bedrooms should be designed in a restful and relaxing manner. For this reason, it should be free of TV and other electronic devices as much as possible, as well as anything related to work or business. Try to keep computers, financial data and other items related to practical life in other areas of the home.
The colors used in each bedroom should be soothing and not overly energetic. This goes for the walls, floors and ceiling. The same goes for any artwork or decorations around the room.
Having a comfortable and sturdy bed is also essential. You should be able to enter your bed from either side. For balance, it’s good to have an end table on either side of the bed.
First of all, the bathroom should be kept as clean as possible at all times. Keep drains plugged and the toilet seat down to prevent the escape of energy. To prevent any imbalance of energy, make sure that sinks and bathtubs are kept as dry as possible when not in use. You can seek more advice on how to deal with those issues and concerns.
Feng shui is all about balancing the elements, and bathrooms tend to have an excess of the water element. You can also add the earth element by using different colors in the room. Rugs, towels and mats, for example, can contain colors such as brown, green and gold to create some earth energy in the bathroom.
From a feng shui point of view, it’s good to have a home office. This gives you a place to focus on business so that you don’t use the bedroom, living room or kitchen for this purpose. Ideally, the home office should be as far from your bedroom as possible. The room where you sleep should not be getting the active flow of energy that a home office will produce.
When working in your home office, you want your desk to be strategically positioned. A desk should not be near the door or in direct line with it. Nor do you want to be facing a wall. It’s best to have your back to the wall so you can see out into the room.
For feng shui in the home office, you also want the room to be as well organized and uncluttered as possible. Additionally, symbols of your goals and objectives should be visible from where you work. This can be anything from motivational posters to artwork containing positive symbols.
John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401
john@boulderhomes4u.com
Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com
When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.
3 REASONS WHY YOU NEED A MONITORED HOME SECURITY SYSTEM
Have you ever been burglarized?
Burglary, also known as invasion or intrusion, is the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft. Burglars spendless than 60 seconds to break into a home. 90% of convicted burglars avoided homes with alarm systems. An audible alarm accounted for approximately 74% of incomplete burglaries.
A reliable monitored home security system can provide security and safety for your home and loved ones. A monitored home security system alerts a call center when the alarm is triggered. The alarm activation is sent by land line, cell phone, or internet signal to a live operator who contacts you and/or local authorities.
A monitored home security system provides three significant benefits when it comes to protecting your home:
Customize your monitored home security system with additional sensors and detectors. Protect your home from dangers such as carbon monoxide, fire, heat, smoke, flood, and freezing temperatures. Consider security doors Mandurah, medical alert monitoring, door and window sensors, sirens, photoelectric sensors, glass break detectors, motion detectors, and wireless accessories.
Choose alarm monitoring companies that offer competitive prices, ample testimonials, UL listed central monitoring station, specially trained dispatchers, and the highest rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Protecting your home with a monitored home security system is worth the investment. Make sure every household member takes time to learn how the security system works. Proudly display your alarm company’s signs and stickers to deter burglars from targeting your home. So with the help of Quick Locks you can secure your homes as well.
How do you protect your home?
View additional facts and information on home safety at:
John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401
john@boulderhomes4u.com
Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com
When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.
SHORT SALE HELPFUL TIPS
Q: How long do I have to wait to buy a new home after I have had to do a short sale on a previous home?
A: Maybe not as long as you think. It is totally dependent on your own personal situation. In general terms, for Federal Housing Administration loans, there’s a three-year waiting period from the short sale closing date, and homebuyers can get a mortgage with as little as 3.5 percent down. Those who qualify for a Veterans Affairs loan have to wait two years and are not required to make a down payment. It is important to find out what your situation is currently. Talk to an expert in the mortgage industry to get your personal plan started so you can buy soon.
Q: What are the first steps to getting ready to purchase again?
A: Use your annualcreditreport.com, which is an annual credit report you can get for free. Check to make sure all your current debt is up to date and that all accounts are reporting correctly. If not, use this time to contact those old debts and correct any owed balances or incorrect reporting.
Q: Will a large down payment be required when I do want to enter the housing market again?
A: Not necessarily, it depends on the situation. If you qualify for an FHA mortgage, your down payment may be as low as 3.5%. Get with an expert mortgage consultant to talk about your specific situation and options for your future home purchase.
Q: Is there any difference in getting back into the market, if the short sale was an investment property or a primary residence?
A: When it comes to getting back into the market and qualifying for a mortgage loan, a short sale is a short sale. The qualification in regards to down payment, time you need to wait, and credit are the same no matter if the property you originally had a short sale on was an investment on a primary residence.
John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401
john@boulderhomes4u.com
Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com
When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.
Written by Norm Werner
I recently saw a real estate story here at the RealtyTimes site with the headline – Broke and Buying:Financial Options for Buyers with Money Problems. The story was written by another Realtor® and actually had good advice for people who might need a little assistance with a home purchase; so, that was a good thing. It was the headline that was annoying. Now, I know that one is supposed to use a catchy headline to grab the attention of would-be readers; but, it’s the mentality that one can be broke and still buy a home that got us into trouble the last time. Remember the housing bubble and the Great Recession?
The hope and belief that anything and everything is possible in America is one of the bedrocks of our success as a nation; however, there has always been a concomitant belief that one achieves those dreams and desires through hard work and perseverance. It is when we stray away from those accompanying values of achieving dreams through effort and begin to see the things that we want as entitlements that we step onto the slippery slope of failure and disaster.
I know that the word “entitlements” is fraught with heavy political and moral baggage; but it is used correctly here. The dream of owning one’s own home is strong and pervasive in our society, but it is not something that everyone is entitled to, whether they can afford it or not. It is not something that society owes to anyone. It is something that must be striven for and achieved through hard work and perseverance.
Hopefully the lenders learned enough of a lesson from the Great Recession not to repeat the scenarios that we saw prior to the collapse, where anyone who could fog a mirror could get a mortgage loan. I suspect that the majority of them have; however, there’s always a fringe element willing to take advantage of any situation and we are starting to see those ads that holler out, “No money, no problem!” I certainly hope we are not seeing Deja Vous all over again.
John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401
john@boulderhomes4u.com
Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com
When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.
SHORT SALES AND THEIR EFFECT ON YOU, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE
If you are a current homeowner living in an area where there are many “Short Sale” home sales occurring (and foreclosures) this is certainly affecting the value of your Real Estate. The lien holders on a “Short Sale” are agreeing to allow the owners to sell their home for less than what is owed and in many cases for less than current market value. This then drives the market value lower and lower. Until the Foreclosure Sales and Short Sales taper off this is going to continue. Even if a buyer is willing to pay top dollar for a home in your neighborhood, if they are financing the property the appraiser is now struggling to find comparables to justify the price the buyer is willing to pay. If the appraised value falls short of the negotiated sales price the buyer may not be able to procure the loan which forces the seller to re-evaluate his negotiated price to determine whether to sell in today’s market.
If you are a current homeowner that has made the decision to sell your Real Estate in a “Short Sale” scenario here are some things you will want to investigate thoroughly. What is my future debt responsibility? What are my tax implications? How will this affect my credit now and in the future? The internet is truly a gift when it comes to finding answers; let’s look at the credit issue. Based on data compiled by Fair Isaac Corp., which developed FICO scores, and VantageScore, the scoring model used by three of the major credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion and Equifax – if a lower sales price than outstanding balance was negotiated (Short Sale), but a delinquency was reported it would affect the credit approximately 50-140 points; there will also be an impact on the score depending how many late or non-payments were reported prior to the close of escrow. You could possibly turn around and be able to purchase in as little as 12-18 months (a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac backed loan is a minimum of 2 years). If the home is foreclosed on the damage is a bit more severe and would affect the credit approximately 150-300 points plus damage of the late or non-payment history already reported. Typically this will affect your purchase power for a minimum of 3 years.
The Distressed Property Institute, LLC reports that Credit History on a Foreclosure will remain as a public record on a person’s credit history for 7 years or more. A Short Sale is not reported on a person’s credit history. There is no specific reporting item for “short sale”. In most cases a loan is typically reported “paid in full, settled” or “paid as negotiated”. For more information on Foreclosure vs. Short Sale regarding future loan potential, credit score, credit history, security clearances, current employment and future employment visit the Certified Distressed Property Expert at www.cdpe.com.
John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401
john@boulderhomes4u.com
Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com
When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.
Maybe New Year’s Eve festivities won’t come soon enough for you today. The end of one year, the dawn of the next. Here’s Your Boulder’s wish for you: we want you to avoid walking (or stumbling) into the New Year with a DUI on your record.
Boulder is a sleepy town for crime. We like our bar fights and hate the bike thieves. Doors to homes around town are left unlocked because we know and trust our neighbors and love our neighborhoods. That means our police department doesn’t have much to keep it busy — a blessing and a curse. We honor those who dedicate their lives to public service on the police force, protecting our homes, businesses, and families.
But we’ll be honest — we don’t really want to contribute to the revenue side of the whole serve-and-protect thing. DUIs are big business in Colorado. Before you even contemplate drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car — or even IN a car with someone who’s been drinking, how about a few sobering facts about the penalties for DUI in Colorado?
We thought you weren’t too fond of the 1%. According to BoulderColorado.gov, there were 708 DUIs in Boulder County in 2012. Whenpopulation statistics hover around 99,000-100,000 people, DUIs are approaching 1 for every 1000 residents. For a community that sure likes to talk smack about the 1%, here’s a 1% you don’t want to join.
What it takes to get a DWAI or DUI. The legal limit in Colorado is a BAC content of 0.08%. For some people, that’s 2 drinks in an hour. For others, it’s 3 to 4. Our bodies handle alcohol differently every day. Here’s what you can count on: If an officer thinks you’re operating a vehicle in an impaired state, they will (without doubt) demand that you submit to testing to verify. And guess what? You can’t refuse in Colorado. Well, you can, but refusing is an automatic suspension of your license for one year. We know you love the Boulder bubble and the Hop, Skip, and Jump, but seriously — why not skip the drama?
What a DUI costs in Colorado. As we said, they’re big business. First, you have to get out of jail. Got bail money? Hope so, because posting bond is nonrefundable. At least bail money can be applied to your fines. Then you’ll have to get your car out of impound. Cash. Attorney fees will run you between $5,000 and $10,000. Then there are state surcharges (yeah, good luck getting out of these) in the range of $1,500 from the State of Colorado — and that’s in addition to any fines you might be required to pay. Then (the list keeps going, doesn’t it?), you’re going to have to take some classes for a few months. More cash. Oh, and then there’s the in-house arrest period that you could be required to comply with, complete with ankle bracelet. To top it all off, you could be required to place an interlock device on your car. This means you get to pay to have a breathalyzer installed on your ignition and you have to blow to start your car and periodically while driving to continue operating your vehicle. You get to pay for this device yourself and pay the monthly fee for the privilege of having this device on your vehicle. This is all sounding super sexy, isn’t it?
For a full, unfiltered look at penalties and expectations if you’re pulled over, here’s a Colorado attorney with a solid list of realistic resources. Bottom line? We hope you have between $5,000-$12,000 lying around. How’s that walking or hotel thing looking now?
We just want you to be safe. $5,000 to $12,000 can go a long way. In Boulder, we have a higher cost of living so that money is pretty precious. So when you’re out and about — tonight or any night — just think about what a DUI or DWAI could cost you. The New Year is the time for things to go right and Boulder — well, Boulder isn’t that big at all, is it? Walk. Wait for a cab in the freezing cold. Tell a doorman, bartender, waitress (hell, tell anyone) that you need a cab and to please get one to you. Maybe you’ll wait an hour. But it sure beats waiting a year to drive your car and it’s definitely better than potentially killing someone because you “were okay to drive.”
Stay safe on New Year’s Eve, Boulder, and raise however many glasses you’d like — responsibly. Your community thanks you.
John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401
john@boulderhomes4u.com
Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com
When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.
Well, that’s behind us. Christmas — we’ve all survived another year of family squabbles, food not turning out quite as we imagined, running short of one ingredient or another at the last minute, and tidings of comfort, joy, and please stop playing that music.
Your Boulder hopes you had a brilliant holiday season, no matter how you chose to celebrate. But on to more important (and apparently, covert) matters.
Years. New Years, that is.
If you’re looking to stay local this year and still live it up, The Boulderado is probably where you want to be. And while I know I’m crossing spy genres here, your mission (should you choose to accept it) is a New Years party where even the hipest of hipsters can get their swank on. It’s the James Bond Ball — and all of Boulder (and Denver) is invited.
New Years in Boulder is generally lacking for bigger, glossier parties. This year, why not blow 2013 out with a bang and hit a real party? Skip the rave at a cold warehouse where you’re only going to end up crying wearing someone else’s sweater after tripping on things that are less than legal. There are a few ways to enjoy the James Bond Ball, so here’s everything you need to know:
Two live bands for the evening: Dressed in Black and The Fever.
You can make an evening out of it with a six-course dinner. $140 per person for a community table and $175 per person for a private table. All dinner packages come with general admission to the Dance Party beginning at 8:30pm. To check out the menu for the evening (ummm, YUM), have a look here. Seatings for the community table are at 8:30pm and the private tables at 8pm. All dinner packages include a champagne toast at midnight.
If you want to book a dinner reservation, be sure to call (303) 440-2880. You canbuy tickets online for the Dance Party via Open Table (this link wasn’t working last we checked, but it said to check back — so…check back).
Get your best Bond and Bond Girl on and head to a rockin’ dance party at the most elegant destination in town. Tickets are $85 (inclusive of a 20% service charge) and include access to the dance party along with “Bond Bites” to keep your stomach from rebelling when you’ve had one too many shaken (not stirred) martinis. Per the Hotel Boulderado website, doors open at 8:30pm and the party runs until 1am — or until you stumble home to sleep it off.
You could just stay at the Hotel Boulderado. They have an overnight package for $249 that includes a room, 2 tickets to the dance party, and valet parking. To purchase this package, call (303) 442-4344. Seems wise to sleep it off where you plan to party it up.
Whatever your plans for the New Year, we’re wishing all of Boulder a grand celebration in whatever style you choose. Stay safe, and as always, stay Boulder.
John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401
john@boulderhomes4u.com
Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com
When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.