HOUSING NUMBERS THAT COUNT FOR YOU

 2012 is starting off well for the housing market.  The Denver Metro Area is showing improvment in sales and here's an  important tidbit of information, the number of active listings on the market is down significantly from last year. This is also supported by a report from the  NAHB that new housing starts are slightly higher over last year.  This all goes back to supply and demand.  With interest rates low and the supply of housing decreasing, this is a good time to buy.   Does this mean it is becoming a seller's market again?  Only time will tell.

DENVER METRO AREA REAL ESTATE STATS
JANUARY 2012

Denver Metro Single Family Housing Stats: Active Listings: 8,356 Down 39% from Jan. ‘11 Under Contracts: 2,838 Up 13% from Jan. ‘11 Solds: 1,993 Up 16% Jan. ‘11 Average Price: $272,328 Down 2 Jan. ‘11 Average Days on Market: 103 Down 14% from Jan. ‘11

Denver Metro Condo Housing Stats: Active Listings: 2,087 Down 50% from Jan. ‘11 Under Contracts: 648 Up 2% from Jan. ‘11 Solds: 477 Up 10% from Jan. ‘11 Average Price: $146,544 Down 2% from Jan. ‘11 Average Days on Market: 108 Down 12% from Jan. ‘11

• Real Estate News – Record High Showings/Listing in January!
• Buyers – What’s Your FICO?
• Sellers – Home Inventory is at a 12-Year Low
• Investors – ROI for Remodeling Projects Lower than you Think

Confusted About The Real Estate Market?

Five Reasons For Prices To Go Up And Five Reasons They May Go Down | REALTOR.com® Blogs

It is a confusing time for property owners and for potential buyers too.  According to Realtor®.Com:

 "If you’re buying a home to live in it is a great time to do so, if you’re buying a home as an investment it is a great time to do so, the only thing that it’s not a great time to do is sell a home and not buy another one…unless of course that sale is a short sale."

If you need help wading through all the information that is out there about the Real Estate Market, please email me, I have been a Realtor® for over 30 years in the Colorado mountains and I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Let's hope at least the "ugly" is behind us.

Art in Public Places

Discover Art in Aurora

Our new home town, Aurora, Colorado is as diversified as the people who live in this city.   My wife and I have diversified as well, moving from the resort  mountains of Summit County,  to the city has been a great experience for us and has given us the opportunity to expand our Real Estate business to include Aurora as well as the mountain resorts....all great places to live. 

For more information and visuals check out the  Art in Public Places video.

Aurora, Colorado "Gateway to the Rockies"

Aurora, CO Community Profile and Information - AmericanTowns.com

My wife and I recently relocated from the mountains of Summit County to Aurora, CO.   
 We have expanded our Real Estate services to include Summit County (Keystone, Dillon, Silverthorne, Frisco,  and Breckenridge)  and the  Denver Metro area, so for us it is a win-win. 
 My 30 year business "pipeline" in the mountains continues to provide satisfied customers and clients and new contacts down here appreciate my experience and customer service emphasis.  
In the last 2 months I have written 3 contracts on 3 properties, two in the mountains and one here in the Denver metro area.  I am glad to be balanced and look forward to the economic upswing. 
While we miss living in the mountains, moving to the ctiy has been a pleasant change.  Our location is still a little rural, but yet we are close to everything a city has to offer.  And not living in snow nine or so months out of the year has been an enjoyable experience.

Mortgage Rates Falling to New Lows!

Weak Economic Data Sends Mortgage Rates Lower

Today's economic news drove mortgage interest rates down.  If you are position to buy property, NOW is the time.  

"The gross domestic product rose 2.8% in the final three months of 2011, below the market consensus forecast of 3%, while consumer spending in December was flat. One bright spot, however, was that fixed residential investment increased for the third consecutive quarter and residential construction spending rebounded in December, rising 0.7%."    Housing Wire - Kerri Panchuk 

 Home prices in the Denver Metro area have turned the corner and with today's low prices and low interest rates this may be your opportunity.  If you think you are ready for a new home, contact me.  waltgrande@yourcastle.org
 I have been selling Real Estate for over thirty years now, and have not seen interest rates this low before.  Don't miss out on this buying opportunity.  

Winter activites aren't just about riding the slopes

Family Style - Colorado Summit Magazine - Winter 2012 - Breckenridge, Copper, Dillon, Frisco, Keystone and Silverthorne, CO

Not everyone who visits the mountains wants to spend their days going up and down them in some fashion—at least not all day. Sometimes, especially when it’s extra chilly, you just want to chill. Summit’s menu includes tried-and-true ski-town favorites blended with creative options for light-adrenaline fare both indoors and out.  Make sure you check out all the "other" activities available in this spectacular resort community.  There's something for everyone!

Some speculation mortgage rates going up.

Realty Times - Mortgage Rates Reverse Course on Positive Housing Data

Rates are still low, but will they trend upward?   Buying property is a big decision and  If you would like to discuss timing of the market, please contact me.  

Colorado Creativity - Doritos Super Bowl Commercial

Two Coloradoans In Final Five

Why I love living in Colorado.


Two of the five finalists in the national Dorito's Super Bowl Ad competition have roots here.
Brad Scott and Nate Watkin of Denver created "Hot Wild Girls," and Justin Folk from Littleton helped create "Sling Baby."

"Everyone in the commercial is from Denver, even the dogs. We're the only top-five entrant from Colorado, or even the Midwest," Watkin told Westword. "Three are from California and the other is from Virginia, so we think this is a really big deal for the state and hope everyone will get behind us to help us win."

Let's all of us get behind these Coloradoans and vote for your favorite  Dorito commercial!