• Mary Poppins Buell Theatre Through April 4


• Denver International Auto Show Colorado Convention Center April 7-11


• Colorado Rockies Home Opener Coors Field April 9


• Doors Open Denver(Architecture Tour) Locations throughout Denver April 17-18

When Real Estate Headlines Confuse, Consult a Professional

The information you read about real estate these days can be as confusing as the weather. One day, headlines are bright and sunny, noting that home prices are up and foreclosures down. The next day, gray skies arrive in the form of new headlines reporting that home sales are dropping.
Meanwhile, online websites tell you how to value your home -- but they have been found to be routinely inaccurate by as much as 25% to 40% in either direction.How can homeowners know what's really going on? Some simple thoughts might help.
When considering the value of your home and its place in today's market, it's best to remember that headlines can only give you a broad idea of what's happening, because real estate values vary not only state by state, but also neighborhood by neighborhood and even block by block.
In addition, the way markets behave also varies according to price range. For example, the Denver metro real estate market can be broken down into two main categories: homes priced below $400,000, where activity has been extremely brisk, and homes priced above $400,000, where sales are much slower.
With those caveats in mind, it's nice to note that local statistics indicate several upbeat trends: in the metro area, average home prices are up; inventory is down, and the number of days a home spends on the market is down.

What's more, according to the S&P/ Case-Shiller Home Price Index, Denver was third in the country, after Dallas and San Francisco, in the rise of home values last year.
But don't rely on broad numbers as you make important decisions. For a closer look at your individual market, please call me. I will research comparable properties in your area and give you a much more accurate picture of your home's worth than any website -- or newspaper article -- can hope to offer.
You can count on my experience and guidance to make sense of our often-confusing marketplace. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Cold Weather Tips
for Car Owners

Lower the Cost
of Your
Homeowners Insurance

Act Quickly
to Avoid Costly
Changes in
FHA Rules

Volume XVII
-- Number III

These statements, while not guaranteed, are from sources which we believe reliable; however, all data should be independently verified, subject to sale, charge or withdrawal. If your property is presently for sale with a broker, this should not be construed as solicitation of the listing.

Metro Market At A Glance

Sales

Single-Family Homes
January '09 1,943
January '10 1,841
% Change -5.2%
% Change from Dec. '09 -20.9%

Condos/Townhomes
January '09 526
January '10 512
% Change -2.7%
% Change from Dec. '09 -18.9%

Average Price

Single-Family Homes
January '09 $230,878
January '10 $260,530
% Change 12.8%
% Change from Dec. '09 -7.5%
Condos/Townhomes
January '09 $148,509
January '10 $157,701
% Change 6.2%
% Change from Dec. '09 -1.17%

Inventory*

Single-Family Homes
January '09 18,181
January '10 15,913
% Change -12.5%
% Change from Dec. '09 8.7%
Condos/Townhomes
January '09 5,398
January '10 5,242
% Change -2.9%

Avg. Days on Market

Single-Family Homes
January '09 99
January '10 90
% Change -9.1%
% Change from Dec. '09 2.3%
Condos/Townhomes
January '09 107
January '10 85
% Change -20.6%
% Change from Dec. '09 -8.6%




* Includes active and under contract. Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period 1/1/09 through 1/30/10. Note: This representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist, Inc. does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Content maintained by Metrolist, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

Spring may be just around the corner, but in Colorado, March and April are often among the snowiest months of the year. This can mean a few more weeks of fogged windshields, squeaky windshield wipers and other annoyances for drivers.
But there's no need to let these car woes drive you crazy. Here are some household remedies that can help:

• For foggy headlight covers that weaken the power of your headlight beams, try using car wax. Apply an inexpensive brand of wax on each headlight, then wipe off completely. This should clear the view. Water repellent can also be used to prevent dirt accumulation on your light covers.
• If the problem is windshields that chronically fog up, rub shaving cream on the inside of the windshield, then wipe clean.
• For squeaky windshield wipers, apply rubbing alcohol.
• If your windows tend to ice up, a simple vinegar solution can help. Use 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water. Pour into a spray bottle, then spritz the solution on your windows at night. (Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water.)
• For car doors that tend to freeze shut, pour cooking oil in a spray bottle, then spritz the solution on the rubber seals around the door.

As a homeowner, it's important THAT you have insurance to cover the cost of unexpected catastrophes; that fact is a given. But the overall cost of that insurance might be more within your control than you ever suspected. Insurance rates vary according to many factors.
If you have a good credit history, for example, you could save as much as 20% on your premiums. Insurance companies try to match rates with risk, and a client's credit history has been documented as one of the best predictors of future claims.
Your premiums can also depend on how many claims you have filed in the past. In Colorado, the average homeowner files a claim against his insurance once every seven years. If your claim rate is higher, your insurance company may raise your costs -- or even cancel coverage. (Note that it's wise to find an insurance agent with whom you can talk freely about whether or not to file a claim. Some Internet and 1-800 companies record every call you make and will count these queries against you -- even if you decide not to file the claim.)
Generally, the greater the risk of damage to your home, the higher the premium. In Colorado, hail damage to roofs is a huge burden to insurance companies. Thus, homeowners who install impact resistant roofing can save by as much as 30% on insurance. Check with your insurance agent to confirm available discounts before installing a new roof.
One of the simplest ways to keep costs down is to avoid owning dangerous backyard items, such as trampolines, swings, swimming pools and hot tubs. While pools or hot tubs may increase your property's value, they also increase the risk of injury, which will be reflected in your insurance charges.
And if that backyard danger comes in the form of your family pet, take note: homeowners with a dog on an insurer's "bad dog list" -- meaning that its breed is considered to have a bad temperament -- are likely to have a bite taken out of their wallets. Insurers often charge more to cover the risk that the dog might attack someone.

Even as the United States economy continues to sputter, Denver's job market ranks among the best in the country. According to Juju. com, a website for job hunters, Denver is the 8th best city and Colorado the 8th best state in the nation for job seekers.
Denver reported 3.81 unemployed workers per advertised job in December, according to the website. Colorado reported 4.99 individuals per job posting. This compares to low-ranking Detroit, with 20.76 unemployed workers per available job. Other low-ranking cities include St. Louis, Miami, Riverside, Calif. and Las Vegas.
The best locale? Washington, D.C., with 1.87 job hunters per opening.

Stop Drafts to Save Energy

You don't have to leave a door or window open for cold air to seep into your house. Silent leaks often abound, unnecessarily draining your budget (by as much as 40% extra) and taking a toll on the environment in the form of wasted energy.
To avoid such problems, Pillar to Post, a website of home inspectors, suggests homeowners take a second look at:

• Electrical outlets: Examine all outlets on outside walls by unscrewing the outlet plates and looking underneath them. If there's no insulation beneath the plates, you can bet that the outlets are letting in cold air. Stop the leak by buying foam insulation made especially for outlets at the hardware store. Cut the insulation to fit the outlet, insert and fasten the plate back in place.
• Windows: Hold a lit candle near your window frames. If the flame flickers, you've got a leak. Rope caulk can easily plug such drafts. The caulk comes in cords; just unroll and press carefully around your windows' edges.
• Doors: To pinpoint problem doors, have a friend or family member take a flashlight outside after dark while you remain inside. Close the door. Then ask your helper to shine the light toward the doorframe. If you see a lot of light, you have a problem -- easily solved with weather stripping or a draft stopper.

Act Quickly to Avoid Costly Changes in FHA Rules

If you've been thinking of buying a home in recent weeks but haven't been able to make a final decision, now is the time to make your move. Waiting even a few more weeks could be a costly mistake.
The office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will soon implement an important change for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) that could significantly raise your costs. On April 5th, the cost of required up-front mortgage insurance for FHA- guaranteed loans will rise from 1.75% to 2.25%. This is a notable increase. For example, a borrower purchasing a $200,000 home with a $7,000 down payment will pay $965 more under the new rule. (While upfront mortgage insurance can be added to the loan amount, impacting the monthly payment, the increase is still borne by the borrower.)
The moral of the story? To avoid this costly change, you must act quickly. If you're not already working with a lender, call immediately for recommendations.