Memorial Day weekend is widely regarded as the beginning of summer and many people kick off their summer plans on the weekend coming up. We take this time to remember the brave men and women who have given their lives to protect and defend our liberty and freedom. But even while giving thanks for … [Read more...]
Fed Meeting Minutes Expose Rising Interest Rate Risk
Minutes of the April/May Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) recently released may have a significant impact on mortgage rates going forward. One significant development from the meeting suggests that the present quantitative easing (QE) program may be modified in the near future. … [Read more...]
Simple Tips To Help Your Flowerbeds Flourish This Spring
Flowerbeds can be a very attractive addition to any Crested Butte home -- if you have the time to set up and maintain them. Flowerbeds don't necessarily require a profusion of costly flowers that need to be fertilized, mulched, covered during severe weather, and possibly re-planted on a yearly … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 20, 2013
Last week was jam-packed with economic news; here are some highlights with emphasis on housing and mortgage related news: Monday: Retail sales for April increased to -0.1 percent from the March reading of -0.5 percent and also surpassed Wall Street's downward forecast of -0.6 percent. Retail sales … [Read more...]
Benefits Of Owning A Green Home You May Not Have Considered
Going green is not just a new trend; it is a way of life that benefits not only the environment, but also your health — and your pocketbook. Green living cuts down on carbon emissions and creates a healthier environment both inside and outside of a home. While green structures sometimes cost … [Read more...]
Home Builder Future Sales Confidence Rises To New Highs
Home builders are gaining confidence in current and future market conditions for new homes, but continue to see below-average foot traffic in new homes. The reading for May's National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) /Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) increased by three points to a reading … [Read more...]
7 Tips To Make Your Living Room More Appealing To Home Buyers
Everyone knows that first impressions are important. By carefully staging your home, you can positively influence the feelings your potential buyers have when they are viewing the property. Staging is the art of decorating and arranging the spaces within your house to make it more appealing to … [Read more...]
Know Your Real Estate Disclosure Laws Before You Sell Your Home
When deciding to sell a piece of Crested Butte real estate, there are certain things you must disclose about the property to the buyer before the sale can go through. Disclosure laws are put in place to protect the buyer from unknowingly purchasing defective property. Not disclosing certain … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 13, 2013
Mortgage rates rose last week with average rates a 30-year fixed rate mortgage rising from last week's 3.35 percent to 3.42 percent with buyers paying all closing costs and 0.7 percent in discount points. Average rates for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage rose from 2.56 percent to 2.61 percent with … [Read more...]
May 2013 RealtyTrac Foreclosure Report Shows Strength For The US Housing Market
RealtyTrac recently reported that national foreclosure filings are down while foreclosure filings are seeing marked increases in some states. There are two systems for foreclosing residential real estate in the United States; judicial and non-judicial foreclosure. The states individually decide … [Read more...]
What Women Want In Homes This Mother’s Day
Whether you're looking to buy a new house this month or do a little remodeling, take advantage of the opportunity to give the mom in your life a present she'll appreciate every day. Below are a few ideas for housing priorities and renovation projects that typically rate high on women's wish lists … [Read more...]
Upswing In April 2013 Jobs Report Signals Good News For Real Estate
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly Non-farm Payrolls and National Unemployment Rate for April last Friday. These two reports are collectively called the Jobs Report. 165,000 jobs were added in April, while the unemployment rate dropped from 7.60 percent in March to 7.50 percent in … [Read more...]
How To Maximize Those Awkward Spaces In Your Home
In almost every Crested Butte home, there are awkward spaces that are difficult to utilize. Especially in older houses, there are rooms, closets and nooks that once had a purpose that is now outdated. So before you try to cover it up or fill it with junk, take a look at the smart solutions below to … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 6, 2013
Mortgage rates fell last week and approached or reached record low levels. According to Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage (FRM) fell from 3.40 percent to 3.35 percent. Average rates for a 15-year FRM moved from 2.61percent to 2.56 percent. Average rates for a 5/1 … [Read more...]
Fed Meeting Statement Points To Continuing Low Interest Rates
Wednesday's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement indicates the Federal Reserve's commitment to keeping long term interest rates and inflation under control. The Fed will continue monitoring inflation, but does not expect inflation to rise more than 0.50 percent above its target rate of … [Read more...]
Case-Shiller Home Price Indices Post Highest Growth Rates Since 2006
Housing markets continue to improve according to the S&P Case Shiller Home Price Indices released April 30 for February's data. The Indices consist of a 10-City Composite Index and a 20-City Composite Index with housing markets for each city reported based on a three-month rolling average of … [Read more...]
Understanding And Purchasing Distressed Property For Profit
According to the the latest Foreclosure Inventory Analysis showed nearly 1.5 million properties were currently in the foreclosure process or being held by banks as Real Estate Owned. This was up 9 percent from the first quarter of 2012, but down significantly from the apex of foreclosure activity -- … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 29, 2013
Mortgage rates fell again last week and are again near record lows. According to Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage did achieve a record low of 2.61 percent as compared to 3.1 percent one year ago. The average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to 3.40 percent … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of April 26th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Home Builders Hold Great Confidence For New Homes Over Next 6 Months

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) report for April shows that builder confidence slipped by two points to a rating of 42 from the March reading of 44. The Housing Market Index (HMI) measures home builder confidence in market conditions for newly … [Read more...]
5 Great Questions To Ask At An Open House For Real Estate

An open house gives you a great opportunity to look more closely at Crested Butte real estate you might be interested in buying. It also affords you the chance to chat with the owner or real estate agent so you can bring up any issues or hesitations you have with the home. Knowing what to ask can … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 22, 2013

Mortgage rates fell for the third consecutive week According to Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell by two basis points to 3.41 percent as compared to last week's 3.43 percent and 3.90 percent year-over-year. The average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage was … [Read more...]
Should You Fix And Flip Or Buy And Hold Your Investment Real Estate?

When you make an investment in Crested Butte real estate, it's important to consider your options for turning a profit even before you write an offer. It might be best to rent out the property to cover your mortgage and build equity providing the home cash-flows with solid rents and demand. Or, … [Read more...]
Federal Jobs Report Shows Biggest Increase Since 2008

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) issued its Job Openings and Labor Turnover report for February on Tuesday, April 9th, 2013. The data was mixed with preliminary figures for all non-farm jobs increasing from 3.62 million jobs in January to 3.93 million jobs in February. This was the highest … [Read more...]
Fed Meeting Minutes Reveal Rising Wealth Among Homeowners

The minutes for the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting held March 19 and 20 were released on Wednesday April 10, 2013. These periodic meetings by the FOMC cover a wide ranging group of topics that impact the overall economy in the United States. The decisions made and acted upon from the … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 15, 2013

Mortgage rates saw little change last week amidst mixed economic news. Treasury auctions held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday saw weak demand; this could have been caused by the FOMC minutes that were released on Wednesday. The minutes indicated that some FOMC members supported ending the … [Read more...]
Crested Butte Community Events for May 2013
May 2013 3 First Fridays Art Walk & Music, Various Galleries & Locations, Gunnison4 – 5 Gunnison Kiwanis Club Fishing Tournament, Blue Mesa Lake, Gunnison 15 – 18 Ten Minute Plays presented by CB Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret Theatre18 – 19 Weekend Warrior Fishing … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of April 12th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
5 Top Tips For Purchasing Your New Home

It's a great time to buy a new home because there are still quite a few Crested Butte homes for sale, and interest rates have continued to stay comparatively low. Whether it's your first time purchasing real estate or you're a seasoned professional, here are a few tips to make shopping for a new … [Read more...]
Don’t Get Fooled By Tricky Terms When Purchasing Real Estate

When looking to buy or sell Crested Butte real estate, confusing terminology can leave you feeling somewhat uneasy. From a multitude of numbers to marketing jargon, property listings can provide you with an overwhelming amount of information — and it's hard to know what's important. So, brush up … [Read more...]
7 Fun and Easy Housewarming Gifts for A New Homeowner

Whether you have new neighbors next door or old friends moving across town, a housewarming gift is a great way to show you care. New owners always appreciate anything that relieves the pressures of moving and settling in to an unfamiliar neighborhood. Here are seven fun and easy housewarming-gift … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 8, 2013

Last week's economic news includes several factors that drove U.S. mortgage rates lower. The Bank of Japan announced that it would increase its purchase of bonds by $1.4 trillion over the next two years. This news caused yields on Japanese bonds to fall, which made U.S. bonds more appealing to … [Read more...]
Home Prices Accelerate In 2013 WIth Double Digit Growth

Last week, the S&P/Case-Shiller Index showed home prices gaining 8.1 percent during the 12-month period ending January 2013, marking the largest year-over-year increases since the summer of 2006. The Case-Shiller Index measures changes in home prices by tracking same-home sales throughout 20 … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of April 5th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
March 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Mount Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) … [Read more...]
March 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
March 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Gunnison Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that you … [Read more...]
March 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Crested Butte South Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
March 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Gunnison Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that … [Read more...]
March 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Mount Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
March 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Downtown Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) … [Read more...]
March 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Almont Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BATH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that you can … [Read more...]
Rising Sales Prices Are Excellent News For Homeowners Across America

The National Association of REALTORS® released its monthly Existing Home Sales report on March 21 and gave investors and home sellers something to cheer about. While February sales of existing homes didn't meet investor forecasts of 5.00 million homes sold on a seasonally adjusted annual basis, … [Read more...]
7 Quick And Inexpensive Ways You Can Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Have you ever heard the saying, "You never get a second chance for a first impression?" If you have a Crested Butte home for sale, it is important to appreciate the significance a first impression has on your potential buyer. When buyers drive up to your property and take their first look at your … [Read more...]
3 Common First Time Home Buyer Mistakes Can Cost Thousands

Buying real estate for the first time is a very exciting step in life. It is likely to be one of the biggest financial commitments that you make, so it's very important to navigate the purchasing process wisely. Many first-time home buyers make rookie mistakes that bring on negative consequences … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week: April 1st, 2013

European Market Jitters Continue To Affect The US Economy Mortgage rates fell last week as investor concerns over the European economy grew. Fears of growing differences between wealthier European nations and European nations needing economic aid brought higher bond prices and lower mortgage … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of March 29th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
How To Spot And Treat Mold In Your Home
The first sign of mold you notice may be a musty smell in your home. After looking around, you spot what looks like mold -- don't panic! You can remove unhealthy mold from your house without it costing a small fortune. Check To Be Sure It's Really Mold Mold can look many … [Read more...]
Great Staging Tips To Set A Buyer’s Mood At Your Home For Sale
Staging is the art of preparing your Crested Butte home for sale before showing it to prospective buyers. The point of staging is to highlight the house's strengths, downplay its weaknesses and make it more appealing. With the right decorating techniques, you can win buyers over the moment they … [Read more...]
Fed Meeting Statement Reveals Good News For Real Estate
The Federal Reserve's statement after yesterday's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting left no doubt as to the Fed's dual commitment to keeping long term interest rates down and encouraging economic growth. No changes to the Fed's current bond-buying program were made during today's FOMC … [Read more...]
NAHB Housing Market Index Shows Builder Confidence Slip In March
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index for March on Monday. The HMI measures builder confidence in the market for newly constructed single family homes. A reading of 50 for the NAHB Housing Market Index (HMI) indicates that more builders … [Read more...]
Crested Butte Community Events for April 2013
Apr-13 3 – 7 Flauschink, Crested Butte & Mt. Crested Butte 3 – 7, 10 – 13 “The Exit Interview” presented by CB Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret Theatre5 First Fridays Art Walk & Music, Various Galleries & Locations, Gunnison6 Slush Huck & Pond Skim Competitions & … [Read more...]
5 Quick Tips To Get A Better Price On Your Home Purchase

When you are looking to buy a home, it is important to keep in mind that no real estate price is set in stone. There is always room for negotiation, and with the right techniques you may end up saving thousands of dollars on your dream house. However, it can be tricky to get the right reaction … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of March 22nd
Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
4 Critical Tips When Purchasing Foreclosure Real Estate

Buying a foreclosed property in Crested Butte and the surrounding area can be different than buying other types of real estate. In many cases you will be able to get a fantastic deal on a home, but you will need to go through quite a bit of work and negotiation. Here are four tips to help you … [Read more...]
Surprisingly Strong Jobs Report May Affect Mortgage Rates

Last week's jobs report -- a combination of the Department of Labor's Non-farm Payrolls Report and Unemployment Rate -- provided investors and job seekers with unexpected good news. Job growth for February handily exceeded most economists expectations of 160,000 by adding 236,000 new … [Read more...]
3 Top Tips To Selecting The Right Home For Your Family

Whether you are moving to a new house with children or you are buying your first Crested Butte home with the intention of raising future little ones there, many factors will come into play when making your decision. You will want to find a house with the right size and layout, that has a suitable … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week: March 18th, 2013

Last week's positive employment reports were good news for the economy, which typically causes mortgage rates to rise, but mortgage rates ended the week lower. As of Thursday, Freddie Mac reports that the average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 3.63 percent with borrowers paying … [Read more...]
3 Tips To Get The Best Results On Your Mortgage Application

Although the financial markets have tightened lending guidelines and financing requirements over the last few years, the right advice when applying for your loan can make a big difference. Not all loans are approved. And even when they aren't approved immediately, it doesn't have to be the end of … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of March 15th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Look For Improvements In The Real Estate Market In 2013

The previous couple years' doom and gloom outlook is looking like it is turning more upbeat and robust for the rest of 2013. Home Prices Climb Nearly 10% Over Past Year In fact, a recently released report by CoreLogic stated that home prices were up 9.7 percent from one year previously. That kind … [Read more...]
February 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Mount Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) … [Read more...]
February 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
February 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Gunnison Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that you … [Read more...]
February 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Crested Butte South Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
February 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Gunnison Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that … [Read more...]
Metro Area Home Values Continue To Shine

The Standard and Poor’s Case-Shiller Home Price Indices released February 26 show strong growth in the majority of 20 cities and corresponding metro areas tracked during 2012. The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices measure home prices nationally and locally by compiling data from individual … [Read more...]
February 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Mount Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
February 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Downtown Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) … [Read more...]
February 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Almont Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BATH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that you can … [Read more...]
5 Simple Indoor Do-It-Yourself Projects for Your Home

With spring right around the corner, you might be thinking about sprucing up your Crested Butte home. However, it may not yet be time to work in the garden or on other outside endeavors. If cabin fever has been setting in, this is a great time for indoor improvements to brighten your living space … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week: March 11th, 2013

Mortgage rates and the major stock market indices rose last week in response to a strong jobs report and lower national unemployment rate. The Department of Labor's Non-farm Payrolls report for February surpassed expectations with 236,000 new jobs reported against expectations of 170,000 new jobs … [Read more...]
Keller Williams Is Now The #1 Real Estate Company in the United States

Just under three months ago, our prior Prudential office made the decision to part ways with our Prudential franchise and join the Keller Williams company. Quite honestly, it has been one of the best decisions we have ever made. At last month's Keller Williams company reunion in Dallas, TX, it … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of March 8th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Quick Tips For Moving To A New Home In Miserable Weather

Ideally, when you are moving to a new Crested Butte home, you will want to do it on a pleasant and sunny day which makes everything much easier. However, if you are moving in the winter, or an unexpected deluge shows up on your pre-arranged moving day, it can really dampen your enthusiasm and throw … [Read more...]
Is Downsizing The Next Big Trend In Homes?

The real estate market has started to recover from the downturn over the last few years in many areas of the country, and more people are thinking about buying a new place to live. With this new energy in home buying, an interesting trend seems to be developing. Instead of going for larger … [Read more...]
Existing Home Sales Rise As Home Inventory Shrinks

Home sales rose for the 11th consecutive month according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing Home Sales Report for January. This is the first time this has occurred since the period between July of 2005 and May of 2006. National Average Home Price Up Over 12% Annually The national … [Read more...]
5 Important Tips To Save Money On Your Tax Bill

April 15th seems a long way off, but it will be here before you know it. Now is the perfect time to start getting your paperwork in order. Owning real estate can make a big difference on your tax return, so make sure that you're taking advantage of all the deductions you're entitled to. We've … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week: March 4th, 2013

U.S. Budget Stalemate, Italian Elections Stir Concerns Mortgage rates were lower last week as investors sought safety in bonds in the wake of US legislators' failure to agree on budget cutbacks, and after Italy’s elections failed to reveal a leader committed to continuing economic reform. When … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of March 1st

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
3 Stress-Free Packing Tips For Moving Into Your New Home

Moving everything in your house to your new |**CITY & CITY**| home can be an overwhelming task. You never realize how much stuff you actually own until you try to fit it all into boxes and move it somewhere new. When you are packing up your things to relocate, here are some helpful tips to … [Read more...]
Builder Confidence In New Home Sales Stay Near All Time High

Many times real estate market experts point to the feelings of the nation's home builders as a bell-weather signaling the health of the housing sector. This month's reading indicates that home builders are feeling pretty good. The National Association of Home Builders / Wells Fargo Housing … [Read more...]
3 Common Myths About Real Estate Short Sales

There is a lot of misleading and incorrect information about Crested Butte real estate short sales. Many people don't have a clear understanding of the purpose of short sales or how they actually work. Essentially, a short sale is when one sells their home for less than the balance remaining on … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week: February 25th, 2013

A quiet past week in economic news caused mortgage rates to worsen slightly. This week, however, will be packed with economic reports which may have an impact on interest rates going forward. Freddie Mac reported that the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose by 3 basis points from … [Read more...]
How To Know If You Will Need Private Mortgage Insurance on Your Mortgage Loan

Have you heard the term Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) when looking to finance real estate? You may be wondering what PMI is and how you know when you need to purchase it. These answers can be hard to find among all the real estate jargon you might be hearing lately. Below is the short version … [Read more...]
Crested Butte Community Events for March 2013
Mar-13 1 First Fridays Art Walk & Music, Various Galleries & Locations, Gunnison1 – 2 Move the Butte Presented by Crested Butte Dance Collective, CB Center for the Arts1 – 15 “Wild Wonder” Acrylic Paintings by Carlie Kenton, Crested Butte Center for the Arts2 Ski For Hope Nordic … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of February 22nd

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
January 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Mount Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) … [Read more...]
January 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Gunnison Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that … [Read more...]
January 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
January 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Mount Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
January 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Gunnison Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that you … [Read more...]
January 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Downtown Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) … [Read more...]
5 Power Saving Ideas That Can Lower Your Energy Bill

How to Save Money on Energy Costs in Your Home Many communities in Colorado and around the US are seeing their energy costs increase; sometimes dramatically. Whether you are energy conscious or just trying to save money, there are many steps you can take to lower your Crested Butte home bills … [Read more...]
January 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Crested Butte South Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
January 2013 Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Almont Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BATH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that you can … [Read more...]
Over 70% Of US Metro Market Housing Markets Improve In February

The National Association of Homebuilders recently released its Improving Markets Index for the month of February. The report attempts to identify U.S. metropolitan areas in which the economy is improving, demonstrating "measurable and sustained growth". 259 U.S. markets are qualified as … [Read more...]
Why Buying Real Estate Can Be A Smart Financial Move

Buying Crested Butte real estate doesn't just give you a place to live; it can also be a very smart financial move. This is because owning a home can be like having a forced savings account, which you are committed to for the long term. Consistent Saving On Autopilot Sometimes saving money on our … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of February 15th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of February 8th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Help Your Home Office Shine When Selling Your Property

With telecommuting continuing to rise, and with more jobs requiring after-hours attention, showcasing your home's "home office" can help it show better with a prospective home buyer. It's wise to have your kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms show well, but a great-looking home office can make a huge … [Read more...]
Breaking Down The Federal Reserve Statement (January 2013 Edition)

The Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to maintain the Federal Funds Rate within its current range of zero to 0.25 percent, and to continue its current stimulus program of purchasing $85 billion monthly in Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Citing … [Read more...]
How To Paint Your Home’s Exterior Walls

When preparing to sell a home, few things improve its curb appeal more than a fresh coat of exterior paint. Many people are intimidated by the thought of painting their home's exterior, and choose to hire a third-party to handle the work. But, you can do it yourself, with these easy … [Read more...]
Pending Home Sales Post 20th Consecutive Month Of Annual Gains

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reports that the Pending Home Sales Index fell 4.3 percent in December as compared to the month prior. The index now reads 101.7. The Pending Home Sales Index measures the number of U.S. homes that have gone "into contract", but have not yet closed. The … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of February 1st

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Tips For Selling Your Home In The Colder Winter Months

Real estate agents will tell you that it can be harder to sell a home in the winter. The days are colder and shorter, leaving less time to show a home to potential buyers. The good news, though, is that most buyers looking at houses in the winter aren't just killing time. They're serious enough … [Read more...]
Buying A Home In A Golf Community

It's January, but home sales in golf communities remain strong like in the rest of the country. If you're looking to buy a home in a golf course community, either as a primary residence or as a vacation or retirement home, there are additional home traits which make buying on a golf course … [Read more...]
Existing Homes For Sale At Lowest Point In 11 Years

Home sales dropped last month, but not because demand was lacking. There are fewer homes for sale than at any time in the last 11 years. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, Existing Home Sales for December 2012 fell to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized rate of 4.94 million homes … [Read more...]
Reasons To Attend Your Own Home Inspection

As a home buyer in Crested Butte , you can get a feel for whether a home's systems and appliances are in working order. However, you can't know for certain until after the home's been inspected. This is why real estate agents recommend that buyers hire a licensed home inspectors immediately after … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : January 28, 2013

Mortgage rates rose last week as investors gained confidence in the global economy. China and Europe posted better-than-expected manufacturing rates, U.S. Jobless Claims fell for the second straight week, and the worst of the European debt crisis appears to have passed. Last week's economic news … [Read more...]
Crested Butte Community Events for February 2013
Feb-13 1 First Fridays Art Walk & Music, Various Galleries & Locations, Gunnison1 – 2 Junior Extreme Freeskiing Championships, Crested Butte Mountain Resort2 27th Annual Alley Loop Nordic Marathon (various race lengths), Crested Butte2 The Winter Night Sky (program and viewing, Black … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of January 25th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Homebuilder Confidence Nearly Triples In 2 Years

The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Housing Market Index ended its 8-month winning streak this month, posting a value of 47. The January 2013 reading is on level with last month, and remains at a near 7-year high. The Housing Market Index (HMI) is a measure of home builder … [Read more...]
Improve Your Credit Score To Get Better Mortgage Rates

For home buyers in Mt. Crested Butte and nationwide, credit scores can change low mortgage rates and alter home loan approvals. Borrowers with high credit scores get access to lower mortgage rates, for example, and can find the mortgage approval process to be more smooth that borrowers with low … [Read more...]
Selling? Improve The Appearance Of Your Home’s Bathrooms.

Full-scale bathroom remodeling can be expensive and, in today's Crested Butte housing market, you won't likely get all of the money back that you put into it at the time of sale. Knowing that bathroom projects tend to have a low return on investment, therefore, here are a few inexpensive changes … [Read more...]
Simple Fixes To Help Your Home Sell More Quickly

If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to sell your Almont home, there are a few simple steps you can take to help prepare it for showings. With a prospective buyer in mind, take a tour of your home, making a list of the good, the bad, and the not-so-bad. You may spot areas in need of major … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of January 18th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Help Your Pets Adjust To Your New Home

Moving to a new home can be a difficult transition for everyone in the family, including the furry, four-legged members. Dogs and cats develop a strong bond with their environment so when they are relocated from their territory it can cause them stress. Here are some tips to ease your pets' … [Read more...]
December Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Mount Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) … [Read more...]
December Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
December Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Gunnison Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that you … [Read more...]
December Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Crested Butte South Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
December Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Gunnison Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that … [Read more...]
December Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Mount Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
December Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Downtown Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) … [Read more...]
December Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Almont Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BATH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that you can … [Read more...]
Choosing “Green Homes”

"Green" homes can be great for the environment and can save you money over time. For environmentally-conscious homeowners wanting to minimize their footprint and their energy bills, there are four areas upon which to focus. In-Home Energy-EfficiencyAccording to the Environmental Protection … [Read more...]
What To Do When Your Home Doesn’t Appraise At Its Purchase Price

Experienced home sellers in Mt. Crested Butte know that reaching a sales agreement with a potential buyer can be just the start of the negotiation process. There are often inspection issues to resolve, among other items. One particular negotiation point which can present difficulties for both … [Read more...]
27 Months Of Consecutive Job Growth Helping Home Prices Rise

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Non-Farm Payrolls report for December exceeded Wall Street's expectations by 5,000 net new jobs, showing 155,000 positions created in December. The December tally raised the economy's 12-month total to 1.84 million net new jobs created nationwide. Jobs added in … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : January 14, 2013

Mortgage rates rose last week nationwide during a week of sparse economic news. Thursday's weekly jobless claims report showed 371,000 new claims, which was 1,000 fewer jobless claims than for the prior week. Wall Street expectations of 365,000 new jobless claims turned out to be too … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of January 11th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Keller Williams Realty Vail Mountain Properties combines forces with Prudential Becky Hamlin Realty and introduces Crested Butte’s Newest Keller Williams Office

CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO, JANUARY 9, 2013—Keller Williams Realty Mountain Properties announced today a merger with Prudential Becky Hamlin Realty, Inc. The offices will operate under the Vail Mountain Properties market center and operate out of 211 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte, CO 81224. The new name … [Read more...]
Pending Home Sales Index Cruises To Multi-Year High

Crested Butte Real Estate Pending Home Sales Updates Home buyers continue to push the U.S. housing market forward. In November, for the second straight month, the Pending Home Sales Index eclipsed its benchmark reading of 100, posting a value of 106.4. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) is … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : January 7, 2013

Mortgage rates in Mt. Crested Butte rose during the first week of 2013. The fiscal cliff crisis was resolved prior to the market's opening Wednesday, when legislators voted to approve a deal. While many tax cuts were extended for taxpayers earning less than $450,000 annually, other facets of the … [Read more...]
Post-Fiscal Cliff, Mortgage Markets Turn Attention To Jobs Data

Crested Butte real estate mortgage rates moved higher Wednesday up congressional leaders voted to avoid the "Fiscal Cliff". Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) fell as investors bid up stock prices. Confidence among investors and consumers typically causes mortgage rates to rise. That's what happened … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of January 4th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
How To Make An Emergency Preparedness Kit For Your Home

Some natural disasters can be forecast -- hurricanes, snow storms and, in some cases, flooding. Other disasters occur unexpectedly, such as tornadoes and earthquakes. As a homeowner or renter in Crested Butte , it's a safe idea to prepare for disaster or unexpected emergency. Every home should … [Read more...]
How To Install A Water Heater Jacket

A simple way to save money is to improve your home's energy efficiency rating. For example, Crested Butte homeowners can save up to 9 percent per year on water heating costs simply by installing a water heater jacket. Water heater jackets are easy to install. Here's how you do it : First, before … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : December 31, 2012

Mortgage bonds improved last week, pushing mortgage rates lower in Colorado and nationwide. Positive economic news and strong housing data was trumped by ongoing Fiscal Cliff discussions on Capitol Hill. The "Fiscal Cliff" is meant to represent January 1, 2013 -- the date on which mandatory … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of December 28th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Housing Starts, Building Permits Rising Into 2013

Single-family housing starts took a small step back in November. According to the monthly Housing Starts report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, single-family housing starts tallied 565,000 in November 2012 on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis. This marks a 4 percent decline from … [Read more...]
3 Ways To Purchase Foreclosed Properties

The process of buying a foreclosed home is slightly different from the process of buying a non-foreclosure home. If you want to invest in Almont foreclosures, therefore, it is important to understand the different ways by which to purchase a foreclosed home. There are three main ways to buy a … [Read more...]
Homebuilder Confidence Rises For 9th Straight Month

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its Housing Market Index (HMI), showing another monthly gain -- its ninth in a row. The HMI -- a gauge of homebuilder confidence -- rose 1 point to 47 in December 2012, lifting the index to its highest levels since April 2006. Readings … [Read more...]
Short Sales Outnumber Foreclosure Sales For Third Straight Quarter

Foreclosure-tracker RealtyTrac reports falling foreclosure sales nationwide as banks get better at selling homes via short sale. In its Q3 2012 report, RealtyTrac says that 193,059 homes in some stage of foreclosure were sold, accounting for 19% of all residential home sales. In addition, … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week: December 24, 2012

Mortgage markets worsened last week amid ongoing discussions budget and tax conversations in Washington, D.C., and the release of key housing and economic data. Mortgage rates climbed in Colorado and nationwide. Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate at 3.37 percent … [Read more...]
Crested Butte Community Events for January 2013
2 - 9 College Week, Crested Butte Mountain Resort3 Learn to Skate Ski for Free!, Crested Butte Nordic Center4 First Fridays Art Walk & Music, Various Galleries & Locations, Gunnison5 Citizens Race: 15K Skiathalon, Crested Butte Nordic Center9 - 16 Military Appreciation Week, Crested … [Read more...]
Improving Market Index : Up To 201 Cities For December 2012

Last week's National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) brought positive news about U.S. housing markets and the broader U.S. economy, in general. According to the IMI, there are now 201 U.S. markets which can be considered "improving". To meet this standard, … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of December 21th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (December 12 , 2012)

The Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged within its current target range of 0.000-0.250 percent Wednesday. For the tenth consecutive meeting, the FOMC vote was nearly unanimous. Richmond Federal Reserve President Jeffrey Lacker was the lone dissenter in the 9-1 … [Read more...]
November Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Mount Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) … [Read more...]
November Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Gunnison Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that … [Read more...]
November Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Rural Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
November Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Mount Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
November Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Gunnison Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that you … [Read more...]
November Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Crested Butte South Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so … [Read more...]
November Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Almont Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BATH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) ratio so that you can … [Read more...]
November Sale Stats
Data compiled from the Gunnison Country Association of REALTORS® (alternatively, from the Gunnison Country MLS). Downtown Crested Butte Real Estate Maket Update Original List Price (OLP), List Price (LP), Sales Price (SP), Bedrooms (BRS), Bathrooms (BTH), Style and Days on the Market (DOM) … [Read more...]
Mortgage Rates Rising On 26 Straight Months Of Jobs Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and its November 2012 Non-Farm Payrolls report, the U.S. economy added 146,000 net new jobs last month. November's job growth exceeded Wall Street expectations of 90,000 jobs added for the month, and was a small increase from October's 138,000 jobs … [Read more...]
The Federal Reserve Begins A 2-Day Meeting Today

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) begins a 2-day meeting today, its last of 8 scheduled meetings this year. The Federal Open Market Committee is a 12-person subcommittee within the Federal Reserve. It's the group which votes upon U.S. monetary policy. The monetary policy action for which … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : December 17, 2012

Mortgage bonds worsened last week, moving mortgage rates higher. Economic news was mostly positive and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) changed some of Wall Street expectations for future monetary policy. Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate at 3.32 percent … [Read more...]
2012/13 Flights into Crested Butte/Gunnison Regional Airport

2012/13 Flights into Crested Butte/Gunnison Regional Airport There are some great options for flights this year in and out of the Crested Butte/Gunnison Regional Airport. American Airlines is offering daily, nonstop flights from Dallas and Houston areas as well as their daily nonstop flight from … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of December 14th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Energy-Saving Tips For The Holiday Season

With the holiday season comes more than colder weather -- there are the parties, the baking, the fixing of family dinners, and, in some cases, the stringing of holiday lights. It's also a time of year when home energy use can spike, leading to a very large January electricity bill. This year, do … [Read more...]
November 2012 Non-Farm Payrolls Report May Show Hurricane Sandy Effects

Floating a mortgage rate? Consider getting locked Thursday. ADP released its November 2012 Employment Report Wednesday in which the payroll-processing firm reported 118,000 new jobs created last month. The company said the service sector created 114,000 new positions, the construction sector … [Read more...]
Short Sale : Writing A Letter Of Hardship

A short sale is when a property is sold for less than its remaining mortgage principal balance, and executed as a way for both the existing homeowner and mortgage lender to reduce their respective losses. Typically, although not always, short sales are reserved for situations of extreme financial … [Read more...]
How To Maintain Adequate Homeowners Insurance Coverage

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, stories have emerged of homeowners whose hazard insurance coverage was too low to cover the damage to their respective properties. Unfortunately, this scenario is common among U.S. homeowners, and is not just limited to damage from natural … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : December 10, 2012

Mortgage bonds worsened last week as Fiscal Cliff talks moved closer to resolution and as the U.S. economy showed continued signs of growth. Conforming mortgage rates in Colorado rose slightly, edging off the all-time lows late in November. According to Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate survey, … [Read more...]
Pending Home Sales Index Leaps To Multi-Year High

Homes were sold at a furious pace last month. According the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the Pending Home Sales Index rose 5.2 percent in October, crossing the benchmark 100 reading, and moving to 104.8. It's a 5-point improvement from September's revised figure and the highest … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of December 7th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
New Home Sales Remain Elevated Into Q4 2012

Sales of newly-built homes took a small step lower in October, but remain strong. According to the Commerce Department, New Home Sales slipped 1,000 units last month, falling to 368,000 units on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis. The final reading fell short of Wall Street expectations, … [Read more...]
Case-Shiller Index Verifies Home Value Gains Through Q3 2012

The housing market continues to expand. According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Index, which was released earlier this week, U.S. home prices rose in September for the sixth straight month, climbing 0.3% as compared to the month prior. On an annual basis, values are higher by 3.0%. The Case-Shiller … [Read more...]
Which Is Better : 15-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Or 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage?

As a home buyer or refinancing household in Mt. Crested Butte , you have choices with respect to your mortgage. You can choose a loan with accompanying discount points in exchange for lower mortgage rates; you can choose adjustable-rate loans over fixed rate ones; and, you can choose loans with … [Read more...]
A Look At This Week’s Mortgage Rates : December 3, 2012

Low mortgage rates are pumping up home affordability. Average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates made a new all-time low in November, continuing this year Refinance Boom and giving fuel to the budding housing market recovery. At month-end, Freddie Mac's survey of 125 banks nationwide put the … [Read more...]
Simple, Inexpensive Ways To Prep Your Home For Sale

When Crested Butte homeowners get ready to list, advice will often come from all corners of their personal and social network -- what within the home to upgrade; what to repair; what to replace. And, although some advice remains valuable, much of it can be ignored. The costs of an expensive … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of November 30th

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
More Bullish Data : Housing Starts Climb 3.6%

According to a joint release from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Housing Starts rose 3.6% in October 2012, climbing to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized rate of 894,000 units. A "housing start" is a new home on which construction has started and the … [Read more...]
Existing Home Sales Move Higher In October

After a small decline in September, Existing Home Sales rebounded in October, increasing a modest 2.1%. The housing market's slow, steady recovery continues as sales volume in all four regions expanded last month with the exception of the Hurricane Sandy-affected Northeast. The National … [Read more...]
Homebuilder Confidence Spikes To 6-Year High

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its Housing Market Index (HMI) Tuesday, which showed sharp, 5-point increase to 46 for November 2012, marking the seventh consecutive monthly gain for the HMI, and lifting the index to its highest point since May 2006. Readings under 50 … [Read more...]
Federal Reserve : New Economic Stimulus May Be Warranted

The Federal Reserve released its October Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes last week, revealing a Fed in disagreement about the future of the U.S. economy and about what, if any, stimulus may be warranted in the next 12 months. The "Fed Minutes" recaps the conversations and … [Read more...]
Pool time at Western State Colorado University
Bank Repossessions Slip For 24th Consecutive Month

According to data from RealtyTrac, a national foreclosure-tracking firm, the number of foreclosure filings increased 3 percent in October as compared to September 2012, climbing to 186,455 U.S. properties. RealtyTrac defines a "foreclosure filing" as any foreclosure-related action including a … [Read more...]
Heather’s Top Three Sweet Real Estate Deals – Week of November 23rd

Top Three Real Estate Deals Each week I am picking my top three sweet real estate deals in either Crested Butte, Almont or Gunnison. These properties are located in some of the finest areas with access to the skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, downtown Crested Butte's quaint amenities, … [Read more...]
Your November Gardening Task List

For homeowners who keep a garden, with the change of seasons comes a task list. There are basic tasks for gardeners -- for example, raking the leaves, sharpening your tools. And, there are advanced tasks, too, which includes identifying and removing plants and trees which may be dead, and covering … [Read more...]
Telluride Crested Butte Ultimate 6 Ski Pass

Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Telluride Ski Resort have teamed up to offer the Telluride Crested Butte Ultimate 6 Pass. This pass will offer 6-visits good for 3 days of skiing and ride at both resorts - no blackout dates. The Crested Butte Mountain Resort announced in late October that it … [Read more...]
Mortgage Approvals : Documents You’ll Need For Your Lender

According to the Federal Reserve's quarterly Senior Loan Officer Survey, it's getting easier to get approved for a home loan. Between July - September 2012, fewer than 6% of banks tightened mortgage guidelines -- the fourth straight quarter that's happened-- and roughly 10% of banks actually … [Read more...]
Heather is a full-time Realtor and a consistent top producer in the local Crested Butte, Almont and Gunnison markets.



















