GETTING A MORTGAGE WILL BECOME HARDER IN 2014 – IS IT TIME TO REFINANCE YOUR MORTGAGE?

GETTING A MORTGAGE WILL BECOME HARDER IN 2014 – IS IT TIME TO REFINANCE YOUR MORTGAGE?

Written by 

Getting a mortgage will become harder in 2014 - Is it time to refinance your mortgage?

According to recent reports, the mortgage loans will be harder and more expensive to get next year. Not it’s up to you to blame or thank Uncle Sam for that. You must be thinking why you would thank Uncle Sam for that; well because he’s trying his best to avoid yet another housing price crash or the big bank bailout in the near future. The US government might even hit the home borrowers with different issues in 2014 and therefore there are experts who are recommending people to refinance their mortgage loans right now so that they don’t have to be subject to outrageously high interest rates in 2014. The Federal Housing Finance Agency forced Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to increase the fees that they charge to guarantee mortgages. These new fees would actually be passed down to the consumers beginning early in 2014.
The incoming head of the regulatory agency postponed the hike in the fees, as per the Wall Street Journal, Mel Watt and he said that he wants to evaluate and determine the rationale for the plan. If he approves it, the new borrowers will soon feel the pain. A homebuyer with 720-740 credit score who borrows a mortgage loan amount of about $20,000 and puts down 10% will face a whopping increase in the percentage of upfront fees. The change, that is combined with a smaller new fee can even add about 0.36% to the interest rate of the consumer who pays on that loan.

Why is Uncle Sam being such a mean-hearted person?

The perennial question among the consumers is why is Uncle Sam being such a meanie? It might be because Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae guarantee the majority of the mortgage loans and the government controlled agencies need a federal bailout 5 years ago. On the other hand, the government wouldn’t rather go through that again. By raising the cost of Freddie and Fannie backed loans, theprivate mortgage loan market is encouraged and developed. Getting a market going for all those smaller loans would ease the government away from the mortgage business.

Is this the right time to refinance your mortgage loan?

After record-low interest rates on your mortgage loans, the current rates are gradually rising out of control and hence this is the reason why the experts believe that it is the right time to refinance yourhome loan in order to avoid the high rates and fees in 2014. Here are some tips that you need to take into account before refinancing your home mortgage loan.

  1. Improve your credit score: The first tip to take into account is to improve your credit score so that the lender doesn’t feel that you were not good at managing your finances in the past. The credit score is nothing but a 3 digit number that speaks a lot about your financial health and tells the lender whether you’ve been timely while making payments or you’ve been late at making payments.
  2. Lower the DTI ratio: The ratio between your debt and income is yet another factor that you need to take into account. The higher is your DTI ratio, the higher will be the chances of obtaining a mortgage loan with a high interest rate. Pay off your debts and reduce your DTI ratio so that you can get a loan within your means.
  3. Save enough money for the down payment: When you have to take out a mortgage loan, you have to pay down a certain amount of the loan amount (usually 20%) and if you don’t pay this amount, you might have to qualify for PMIs or the Private Mortgage Insurance payments. You should save enough money so that you can get a mortgage loan at an affordable rate.

Therefore, when you’re someone who is about to take out a new mortgage loan to repay the existing mortgage loan and is planning to wait until 2014, you should change this decision. Take into account the above mentioned statistics so that you can make a better informed and measured decision.

Find your next Boulder Colorado home here!

 

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.

 

new bh4u logo

2014 REAL ESTATE PREDICTIONS: INFOGRAPHIC

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.

 

new bh4u logo

 

Boulder CO homes for sale

Boulder Colorado listings

5 WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR HOME WITH FENG SHUI

5 WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR HOME WITH FENG SHUI

Written by 

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.

1. ENTRYWAY

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.

2. KITCHEN

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.

4. BATHROOM

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. Feng shui is all about balancing the elements, and bathrooms tend to have an excess of the water element.

To prevent any imbalance of energy, make sure that sinks and bathtubs are kept as dry as possible when not in use. Consider hiring a septic tank pumping contractor to prevent clogs that will cause flooding and water leaks. 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.

5. HOME OFFICE

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.

new bh4u logo

IT’S NOT DEJA VOUS ALL OVER AGAIN….

IT’S NOT DEJA VOUS ALL OVER AGAIN….

Written by   

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.

 

new bh4u logo

THE DO’S AND DON’T OF KITCHEN INTERIOR DESIGN

THE DO’S AND DON’T OF KITCHEN INTERIOR DESIGN

Written by 

 

 If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen then you might be interested to read some do’s and don’ts of kitchen interior design so that you don’t waste time and money in creating a kitchen that could have been an awful lot better.

 

  •   Do have at least one element that is fun or creative :

It’s all too easy to play everything safe and end up with a kitchen that looks fine but lacks any personality or spirit. The key here is not to be boring but to be a bit creative and add something that is a little quirky and interesting or that is you to a tee. For example if you’re renovating a kitchen in what was originally an old barn then why not do something like keeping the architecture of the horse stalls and adding a pot rack in the shape of a wagon wheel?

 

 

  •   Do use cabinetry to conceal some appliances :

Many a good kitchen interior design will feature splashes of stainless steel here and there, but too much and it starts to overpower the kitchen. Instead use built in cabinets that conceal those large expanses of stainless steel such as in the refrigerator. Your kitchen will look seamless and elegant.

 

 

  •  Do have countertop space around a wall oven :

It’s all well and good having a wall oven but if you don’t have countertop space adjacent to it or opposite where are you going to put the joint of beef when it comes out of the oven?

 

  •  Do purchase strong good looking cabinets :

When you think about the amount of times you open and close your kitchen cabinets doors and drawers it makes sense to invest in cabinets that have a high specification including soft close doors, concealed hinges and dovetail joints. A good finish and strong hinges are essential.

 

  •   Do make your small kitchen work  :

Don’t be put off by a small kitchen thinking that big is best. A well designed kitchen which utilizes the space and adds some thoughtful detail can be perfect for you. In a compact kitchen make the most of floor to ceiling cabinets and a handy island on castors which can be wheeled around to wherever you need it. With everything within reach you won’t have to walk so far during the course of the day.

 

  •   Do know when to stop :

Knowing when to stop can be a real challenge but by throwing everything at a kitchen it can end up looking messy, cluttered and overdone. Use a bit of restraint and invest in soft pale shades to match a mellow wood floor with possibly some vintage marble counters.

  •   Do take your cabinets right up to the ceiling :

Don’t stop short your kitchen cabinets a couple of feet short of the ceiling as this just attracts dust and leaves a wasted area of space which often gets unnecessary items placed there out of the way. Full height Tall cabinets give plenty of storage and if you use glass paned doors these will reflect the light and make your kitchen look bright and airy.

 

 

 

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.

WHAT IS A ZOMBIE TITLE

WHAT IS A ZOMBIE TITLE

Written by 

With the economic downturn, anyone dealing in real estate quickly became familiar with previously little-known terms such as foreclosure and short sale. Now that the housing market is picking back up and people are moving on, a new term is coming to light — zombie titles.

The Zombie Title

This is when a home has been vacated because the owners defaulted on their loan and their bank started theforeclosure process. However, for some reason or another the bank never completed the foreclosure and sold the home. So, when the city starts fining someone for the overgrown grass and dilapidated structure, the homeowner who thought they were finished with the property gets the bill.

 

A Home that Keeps Haunting

Homeowners think they don’t own the property any longer and therefore try to move on by rebuilding their credit score and finding a new place to live. It can be a rude awakening to find out that not only do they still own a home they could have been living in, but also its long vacancy has caused it to fall into disrepair.

 

It’s Spooking the Neighborhood

These vacant homes can decrease the value of a neighborhood. If the bank or the un-suspecting homeowner are neither one taking care of the property, then it can become overgrown and an eyesore on the block. It becomes a problem with no solution because the owner won’t want to invest any money in fixing up the property when the bank could come back with the foreclosure at any time.

 

Nail Shut the Foreclosure Coffin

Homeowners who have foreclosed on a home should double check that their bank actually followed through to closing on a sale. They could contact their lender or check public property records just to make sure. Otherwise, they could be haunted by their housing nightmare 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.

8 ECO TIPS TO CREATE YOUR GREEN BEDROOM OASIS

8 ECO TIPS TO CREATE YOUR GREEN BEDROOM OASIS

Written by 

 
Did you know we spend approximately 1/3 of our lives sleeping?The bedroom is supposed to be an oasis – a place of peace, safety, and happiness. But it can also be a potential source of toxins and chemicals.

Many options are available to green up your bedroom from adding plants to investing in an eco-friendly mattress. 

Protect your health and create your green bedroom oasis with these 8 eco tips:

  1. Indoor plants – Adding some hearty indoor plants is the simplest way to begin greening up your bedroom. Plants can help improve air quality and add a bit of Mother Nature’s beauty into your sustainable oasis.
  2. Eco Flooring – Eco-friendly flooring is cost-effective, durable, and devoid of harmful pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). Cork, bamboo, or natural fiber carpeting are fantastic green options for the bedroom.
  3. Eco Paints – A fresh coat of paint can liven up your bedroom, but most conventional house paints contain VOC’s. Choose green products verified for top performance, consistent environmental standards, and social awareness.
  4. Eco Mattress – Choosing your optimal green mattress takes time and a solid financial investment. Keep in mind that there is no regulated certification for “green” or “natural” mattresses. Look for mattresses free of polyurethane foam and contain no fire-retardants such as PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers). Choose materials such as organic cotton, pure grow wool, 100% natural latex, hemp, and steel innersprings. Support your mattress with a natural, untreated Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood box spring.
  5. Eco Bedding – Many bed linens are treated with formaldehyde to make them soft. High-thread count and wrinkle-free sheets are often treated with chemicals. Choose bed linens in fabrics like organic cotton and bamboo to cover your green mattress.
  6. Eco Lighting – Make the switch to LED lights. While LED lights are more expensive than traditional lighting, you get 50,000 to 100,000 uses. If you want a new bubble chandelier seus lighting, be sure to ask for led lights.
  7. Eco Scents – Eliminate chemical-scented candles, synthetic fragrances, air diffusers, and room sprays. Try bouquets of lavender and rosemary. Choose plant-based scents, 100% essential oils, non-aerosol citrus room spray, and soy-based candles.
  8. Energy-Efficient Windows – Keep it cool in the summer and cozy in the winter by installing energy-efficient windows and insulating window shades/curtains.

Create a healthy, green, clean, and sustainable bedroom oasis today for sweet dreams tonight!

**Note: From the Green Science Policy Institute – “Manufacturers can begin to make flame retardant-free furniture under the new regulation, TB117-2013, beginning January 2014. Although the new standard can be met without flame retardants, it does NOT ban their use. Look for the TB117-2013 label on products, and then verify with your retailer or manufacturer that products do not contain flame retardants.”**

Come follow me on Twitter and Google+ 

Subscribe to my ezine Holistic Realty News, an integrative news source for holistic living.

Please share this article and your comments! 

More Green Articles:

Green Guide

 

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.

Afternoon (Holiday) Tea at Boulder’s St. Julien

Afternoon (Holiday) Tea at Boulder’s St. Julien

st julien boulder gingerbread tea

Have you been to tea at the St. Julien on Walnut Street? As one of Boulder’s swankiest mainstays, you’ve probably been to Jill’s for breakfast. You’ve grabbed a post-work cocktail at their bar for happy hour with your bestest of best work buddies. Maybe you stuck around long enough to hear some jazz in the lobby or mingle outdoors in the courtyard in summertime.

But why not step inside for a cuppa Boulder-style holiday hot this winter and book a tea (not tee) time at the St. Julien Hotel?

For the holiday season, they’re offering their signature Gingerbread Teas featuring teas by Tea Forté. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit Boulder-based There With Care, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting families and childrenfacing critical illnesses. You can ease into a comfy chair and listen to the twinkling ivories of Grammy-winning pianist Ralph Sharon and his accompanying trio, accompanied by your own aromatic and warm cup of tea.

The tea spread includes scones, petit fours, and tea sandwiches to tide your tummy over until your weekend holiday meal. You can view the entire tea menu here.

And it’s not just for the grown-ups. Bring the kids and let them try their hand at decorating gingerbread cookies — definitely fun and always a non-denominational type of tasty.

Teas at the St. Julien are held every Saturday and Sunday through December 22nd, with seatings at 12:00 pm, 12:15 pm, 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm, 2:15 pm, 2:30 pm. It’s $29.95 for adults and the kiddos come along for only $19.95 (decorating the gingerbread cookies is included!). You can make reservations online at OpenTable or simply call the hotel at 720-406-8208.

 

 

 

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.

Boulder Events: Lights of December

Boulder Events: Lights of December

Lights of December Parade

Photo courtesy of Downtown Boulder

Are you looking for something fun to do with the family in Boulder over the weekend? I mean, something that doesn’t involve going into another big box store while attempting to avoid the inevitable meltdown that happens when a 4-year-old gets overwhelmed by fluorescent lights, holiday music, and all the candy that they aren’t allowed to eat right now.

Honestly, that nearly brings me to an in-store meltdown…

If the answer is yes, then take your kiddos to the 26th Annual Lights of Decemberparade in downtown Boulder this Saturday, December 7th. Downtown Boulder is alight with decorations; now take them all in, along with a beautiful parade that, of course, includes Santa himself.

The parade kicks off at 6PM on Saturday and starts at 15th and Walnut Streets, then heads west to 11th, then north to Spruce. There are reviewing stands at Walnut and 14th and on 11th and Pearl, for those of you who come early enough to be able to snag one of those seats.

To avoid the mayhem of parking right around the beginning of the parade, why not come an hour or two early and enjoy dinner or snacks on the Pearl Street Mall? That way you’ll have your full strength as you and your kiddos gawk at the spectacle of the parade. Here are a few other tips to keep in mind as your gearing up for the parade that evening:

  • Parking in the City of Boulder garages is free on Saturday and Sundays, so just head right there and avoid the Russian roulette of street parking in the area.
  • You’re a Boulderite, so I’m sure this probably goes without saying, but make sure to dress warmly and in layers. It’s only supposed to reach high teens at the end of this week. Also, consider browsing the web to buy sexy black prom dresses online.
  • Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate before you start watching the parade. It’s a natural hand and face warmer. Places around the parade route includeThe Laughing GoatOzo CoffeeAmante CoffeeThe Cup and Boxcar Roasters

Before you head out, there’s a handy map for the parade route and all other relevant locations (such as parking), so print up a copy or save it on your phone to reference it later in the evening.

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.

Boulder Neighborhood Guide: Hillcrest

 

Boulder Neighborhood Guide: Hillcrest

boulder neighborhood hillcrest

Sandwiched in between Whittier and Old North Boulder neighborhoods, Boulder’s exclusive Hillcrest neighborhood is perched high on a hill above Boulder’s floodplain. This translates to the centrally-located neighborhood being very small and exclusive. There are wide winding roads, homes featuring modern design, and expansive views that sweep from the foothills to the Flatirons. Anyone lucky enough to call this area of Boulder home can (literally) look down on the rest of Boulder.

History: This neighborhood was started in the beginning of the 1950’s, when Boulder’s population was booming and homes were expanding towards the north. Land on a hill can be difficult to divide but that did not stop the early developers from doing it. They measured out generous lots and the subdivision of Hillcrest/Panorama Heights was born.

Housing: In Boulder’s Hillcrest, renovation is the name of the game. It’s about buying the midcentury ranch houses and then tearing them down or remodeling them. Many of the lots are larger than the average Boulder home which means that many of the house prices are higher than average Boulder home. You definitely pay for the seclusion and gorgeous panoramas. Houses in Hillcrest start in the $500,000 range and it’s easy to spend a million or more for the opportunity to live in this neighborhood.

newlands ideal market shopping center

Restaurants and Shopping: Hillcrest is a small and mostly residential neighborhood. Fortunately, the midtown location means that Pearl Street anddowntown Boulder are just a short bike ride down the hill. This neighborhood is also only a few blocks away from Ideal Market and the various shops there (Breadworks, Marie’s Restaurant,Boulder Wine Merchant and Pharmaca, among others) provide many different options for shopping or dining. Additionally, RTD bus routes service the neighborhood frequently via Folsom street and connect you with wherever you want to go in town.

Family and Fitness: The neighborhood elementary and middle school are inwalking distance and there are obvious signs of family life all over Hillcrest. While there aren’t any parks proper in this neighborhood, Casey Middle School is right down the hill with soccer fields aplenty for outdoor recreation. There are also two different parks, Columbine and Salberg, that are within a four-block walking radius of the neighborhood.

Schools: Columbine Elementary, Casey Middle, Boulder High

Quirks: This Boulder neighborhood was featured in the New York Times as an example of what $1.3 million can buy you in the Boulder real estate market. If that’s not affirmation enough for Hillcrest, I don’t know what is.

Find homes in this area for sale here: North Boulder Homes For Sale

 

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.