Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Boulder - one of the best places to live in 2010


This week, RelocateAmerica released their 2010 Breakout Lists for the Best Places to Live in 2010. It's no suprise to us that Boulder made not one, but FOUR of the lists including:
  • Top 10 Overall Cities
  • Top 10 Earth-Friendly Cities
  • Top 10 Recovery Cities
  • Top 10 Recreation Cities - #1 on this list!
According to RelocateAmerica's website, Boulder was chosen because of the "unique quality of life" that Boulder residents enjoy. This includes the stunning natural beauty of the Colorado front range, access to parks and mountain trails, performing arts, fantastic restaurants, the University of Colorado and innovative economic and technological development. Of course our beautiful climate with close to 300 days of sunshine a year doesn't hurt either.

We are lucky to live and work in such an amazing place. If you are thinking of relocating to the Boulder/Broomfield area and would like to receive some relocation information, or if you have any questions about this wonderful place we live, please contact a Colorado Landmark Realtor or our relocation deparment at info@coloradolandmark.com.








Jennifer Fly
Colorado Landmark, Realtors
(303) 443-3377

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

10 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring

Spring has sprung in Boulder! The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming. Is your home ready for the heat of the summer?

After months of freezing temperatures, bitter wind, and snow that hung around a lot longer than we are all used to, chances are that your home could use a little attention.

Here are some tips to keep your home in top shape as we move in to the warm, beautiful Colorado months.

1. Replace the filters in your furnace, humidifier, and air purifiers

2. Clean gutters and downspouts and make sure they are draining properly away from the house

3. Have your fireplace cleaned and chimney swept and inspected by a licensed professional

4. Consider having your ducts cleaned, this will improve the air quality in your home and make your furnace and A/C run more efficiently

5. Check your roof for any damage that may have occurred over the winter and repair/replace any shingles as needed

6. Have a qualified heating and cooling professional service your air conditioner or evaporative cooler

7. Inspect and seal cracks in your concrete or asphalt driveways

8. Check and clean the clothes dryer vent and stove hood

9. Check all windows and doors, make sure they open and close properly and well-sealed.

10. Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Taking these steps now will ensure that your home is ready for the coming summer months, and will eliminate the need for costly repairs and maintenance in the future.
If you have any questions, real estate related or otherwise, please feel free to contact a Colorado Landmark, Realtors professional. We are here to help!










Jennifer Fly
Colorado Landmark, Realtors
(303) 443-3377

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Tax Credit Home Sale AND National Open House Weekend - Boulder, Broomfield County Homes Open and On Sale!

Colorado Landmark, Realtors is leading the charge for housing recovery in our Boulder and Broomfield County communities.  The first time home buyer ($8000) and repeat home buyer ($6500) tax credits will no longer be available to buyers who are not under contract by April 30, 2010.  We have worked hard with many of our sellers to reduce asking prices on some of our best listings by 3% or more!  Check out this link to the IRS website for more information on the tax credit.

This Saturday and Sunday April 10th and 11th  is National Open House Weekend.  Colorado Landmark, Realtors will have many of our price-reduced homes open, as well as some of our brand new listings.

See the list of our Open Houses at http://www.landmarkopenhouse.com/ OR http://www.boulderopenhouse.com/.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Musings on Pricing, Sellers and Housing – Boulder and Beyond, Part II

In Part I of my musings I talked about real estate as housing, but a discussion about real estate is not complete without some reference to home prices.

Recently IRES (our local area MLS) had a True-False question on the home screen. Bank-owned homes sell at market prices. True or False? Surprisingly over 60% of respondents (who are realtors by the way ...) chose False. Serious hmmmm. Where is the logic in that? When a home sells for a price, that price reflects what a buyer in the market is willing to pay for that home. Isn’t the price a buyer is willing to pay in essence the “market price”? True! Bank-owned homes DO sell at market prices, and one could even say that they set the trend for prices in a given area. Bank-owned homes and the much dreaded “shadow inventory” will likely set market prices in virtually all areas of the country, and certainly in Boulder County, for at least the next 12-24 months. Sellers, are you listening??

The first time home buyer and move-up home buyer tax credits will expire shortly, and will most likely not be extended. The time to act is NOW, for both buyers and sellers. Buyers, get off your fences. You have between today and April 30th to get under contract on a home purchase. You must close before July 1st. Sellers, slash your prices or gird your loins for the upcoming storm. You have between now and April 30th to get your home under contract before one or all of the following things happen: tax credits expire, interest rates jack up, scores of bank-owned homes hit the market greatly affecting pricing (NOT to your benefit), mortgage markets tighten up again, and home prices in our neck of the woods take a much feared double dip. All of these things could happen, making it a “perfect storm” of trouble for home sellers, even in Boulder and Broomfield Counties.  We are not immune here, despite what some would like to think.

Colorado Landmark, Realtors is committed to matching home buyers and sellers at market prices. To this end on April 10th and 11th we are participating in the Nationwide Open House Weekend and having a “Tax Break Home Sale”. We are working with many of our home sellers and have successfully reduced asking prices on some of our existing inventory by 3% or more! Just in time to get a home under contract before the April 30th tax credit deadline. These discounted homes will be held open Saturday and/or Sunday, April 10th and 11th.

Colorado Landmark, Realtors is at the cutting edge, setting the market in Boulder and Broomfield Counties, and beyond. Check out our Open House schedule at http://www.landmarkopenhouse.com/ on RELO Homesearch, at our company website Open House page, and in the Boulder Daily Camera real estate section both April 10th and 11th.

Hope to see you at one of our open homes!  Please contact me if you have thoughts or questions about the tax incentives for 1st time and move up buyers.  I welcome your feedback.

Pam Metzger
Director of Business Development and Relocation
Colorado Landmark, Realtors
twitter = @pmcolorado
pam@coloradolandmark.com

Friday, April 2, 2010

Steve Remmert of Colorado Landmark, Realtors Hosts Boulder Easter Egg Hunt!


Boulder real estate expert Steve Remmert hosts his Annual Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt in conjunction with Boulder Lending Group.


Sunday, April 4 @ 12:00 noon


North Boulder Park

•Open to children of all ages
•Bring a basket to collect your goodies
•Special appearance by the Easter Bunny
•Bongo the Clown
•Face Painting
•Juggling Show
•Golden Eggs and special prizes

For questions contact Steve Remmert directly 303-302-8833 or sremmert@coloradolandmark.com


Thursday, April 1, 2010

Boulder Farmers Market Opening Day is Saturday!











It must be springtime - the Boulder Farmers Market is officially open for business on Saturday, April 3rd 8:00 AM!

Located in the heart of Downtown Boulder next to Central Park on 13th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue, the market is a Boulder favorite.

The Wednesday night market starts May 5 from 4PM - 8PM.

Some produce you can expect to see this week: bok choi, salad greens, sunchokes, and greenhouse tomatoes. And of course fresh bread, local wines & cheeses, plant starts, compost, and delicious prepared foods from local vendors.


See you there!










Jennifer Fly
Colorado Landmark, Realtors
(303) 443-3377
http://www.coloradolandmark.com/
jenniferfly@coloradolandmark.com
Twitter: @jenflycolorado