Heather is a full-time Realtor and a consistent top producer in the local Crested Butte, Almont and Gunnison markets.
U.S. housing markets are gaining as demand for homes exceeds available supplies in many areas. The National Association of Home Builders/ Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for June increased by eight points over May's reading to achieve a positive reading of 52. This last happened in … [Read more...]
RealtyTrac Foreclosure Report Shows 28% Decrease From May 2012
June 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Foreclosure actions increased by 2.0 percent in May from April's 75 month low point for foreclosure activity according to RealtyTrac's U.S. Foreclosure Market Report released June 11. However, the good news is that May 2013 foreclosure filings were still 28 percent below May 2012 filings. RealtyTrac … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 17, 2013
June 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Last week's news was relatively quiet with no data significant to the mortgage lending released until Wednesday, when the federal government announced a $138 billion budget deficit for May. According to the U.S. Treasury this figure is 11 percent higher than for May of 2012, but the federal budget … [Read more...]
Make Your Home A Movie Star! How To Rent Out Your Property As A Film Location
June 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Whenever a scene in a film or television show takes place in a private home, have you ever thought about who owns that property? Well, it could be you! The fact is that film and television production companies are always on the lookout for new locations where they can shoot their footage. If you … [Read more...]
Why It’s Critically Important To Have A Home Inspection
June 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Many home buyers have found the perfect house, signed on the dotted line and may think they've watched enough home improvement shows to know if the home they're getting is in good shape. Unfortunately, some buyers make the mistake of skipping a home inspection in order to save a little cash. Even if … [Read more...]
Case-Shiller Reports Energetic Annual Home Price Gains Nationally
May 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The most recent S&P/Case-Shiller Index showed all three composites posting double-digit increases over the last four quarters. The national composite, which is the broadest based index, showed an increase of 10.2% annually. The 20-City composite posted even stronger annual growth at 10.9%. … [Read more...]
Simple Ideas To Create An Outdoor Living Space For Your Home
May 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment
As the weather gets warmer, the desire to get outside and enjoy the fresh air begins to take hold. Having a place to entertain or just unwind can add a new dimension and enjoyment to your home. First, you have to decide what type of space you want to create. Whether you want to have an outdoor … [Read more...]
Existing Home Sales Numbers Highest Since 2009
May 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The National Association of REALTORS reported that sales of existing homes in April reached 4.97 million on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Although this reading fell short of Wall Street's expectations of 5.00 million existing homes sold, it surpassed the March 2013 upwardly revised reading of … [Read more...]
How To Throw A Memorial Day Weekend Party To Remember
May 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
May 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
3 Ways Clean Floors Can Help Sell Your Home Faster
April 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Have you ever walked into a home for sale and looked down to see stained carpet or scratched and worn flooring? If so, you would probably agree that it doesn't leave a positive first impression. Imagine if you were a buyer looking at the same floor. The right type of flooring and whether it is … [Read more...]
Home Builders Hold Great Confidence For New Homes Over Next 6 Months
April 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Four Ways To Ensure Your House Sells Quickly And For Top Dollar
April 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Selling a house in the current market can be tricky, but there are certain mistakes an owner can make that will cause a Crested Butte home to sit still without a decent offer and cause the listing to go stale. In order to prevent that from happening, make sure you are not making one of the … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 22, 2013
April 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Energy Smart Challenge Kicks Off
April 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Taking part in the Energy Smart Challenge are the Colorado cities of Aspen, Crested Butte and Vail. Not only will the three Colorado towns compete for skier days, but they will also be going head to head for energy assessments. The Eagle, Pitkin and Gunnison Counties all received Department of … [Read more...]
Should You Fix And Flip Or Buy And Hold Your Investment Real Estate?
April 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
6 Essential Spring Cleaning Chores to Make Your Home Shine
April 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment
If the thought of cleaning your Crested Butte home this spring doesn't bring a smile to your face, you're not alone. To help you get going now, here is a short list of the 6 essential spring-cleaning chores. 1. Store winter clothes. It's time to pack away your winter clothes. Coats, sweaters, … [Read more...]
Fed Meeting Minutes Reveal Rising Wealth Among Homeowners
April 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
5 Top Tips For Purchasing Your New Home
April 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Rising Sales Prices Are Excellent News For Homeowners Across America
April 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
April 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Residents in Crested Butte Cheer on Gunnison Ski Star
March 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The 14-year-old Caleb Mueller has become something of a celebrity in the Crested Butte and Gunnison area lately. Just around the corner from qualifying for the USSA Junior National Cross Country Ski Championships, Mueller is arousing the good cheer of the many ski enthusiasts in this part of the … [Read more...]
How To Spot And Treat Mold In Your Home
March 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
March 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
March 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
March 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
5 Quick Tips To Get A Better Price On Your Home Purchase
March 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
4 Critical Tips When Purchasing Foreclosure Real Estate
March 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
March 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
March 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
March 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Crested Butte Real Estate Demand on the Rise
March 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
With the development of a new plan of expansion for the Crested Butte Ski Resort, Crested Butte homes are expected to increase in value and decrease in availability The ski resort’s plans are quite ambitious, involving a proposal for 440 new acres of land and two new ski lifts on the east side of … [Read more...]
3 Tips To Get The Best Results On Your Mortgage Application
March 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Look For Improvements In The Real Estate Market In 2013
March 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Metro Area Home Values Continue To Shine
March 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
5 Simple Indoor Do-It-Yourself Projects for Your Home
March 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
March 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
March 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Quick Tips For Moving To A New Home In Miserable Weather
March 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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?
March 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
March 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
March 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
March 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
2013 May Be the Best Time to Refinance Your Crested Butte Property
March 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Now might be the best time for home owners to refinance their Crested Butte home. Mortgage rates remain at historic lows, the lowest since long-term mortgages began in the 1950s. And with the majority of home sales occurring in the spring and early summer - April, May, June, and July account for … [Read more...]
New Development Plan Submitted For Crested Butte Resort
March 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) has submitted a new 2012 Master Development Plan (MDP) to the U.S. Forest Service. The plan includes past approvals at the ski and snowboard resort’s main mountain along with private land development, new lifts and terrain in the Teo Park and Teo Drainage … [Read more...]
3 Stress-Free Packing Tips For Moving Into Your New Home
February 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
February 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
February 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
February 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
February 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Your Guide to Buying a Rural Property in Crested Butte
February 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Crested Butte offers many pristine, rural properties, ranches and farm houses for sale. There's plenty of acreage for kids to play on and ground for horses to run across, not to mention the best slopes and plains for skiing and snowshoeing. You get more bang for your buck the further … [Read more...]
5 Power Saving Ideas That Can Lower Your Energy Bill
February 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Over 70% Of US Metro Market Housing Markets Improve In February
February 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
February 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Colorado Real Estate Projections Paint a Rosy Picture for 2013
February 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Recent projections point to a healthy real estate market continuing to span in the coming year. According to AGC Colorado, construction as related to overall economic growth will be up for multiple markets across the state. And a recent surge this year in Crested Butte home sales definitely seems to … [Read more...]
Crested Butte One of the Premiere Towns for Buying a Second Home
February 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
At some point, life changes dictate a change in property ownership: marriage, children, retirement, or just a desire for change. Whatever the reason, you may want to trade-up in home size, location and/or features, or simply buy a second property. You want to find a new place and Crested Butte might … [Read more...]
Help Your Home Office Shine When Selling Your Property
February 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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)
February 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
February 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
February 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Tips For Selling Your Home In The Colder Winter Months
February 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
January 31, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
January 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
January 29, 2013 By 1 Comment
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
January 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Homebuilder Confidence Nearly Triples In 2 Years
January 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
January 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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.
January 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
January 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Help Your Pets Adjust To Your New Home
January 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Choosing “Green Homes”
January 17, 2013 By 1 Comment
"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
January 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
January 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
January 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
What is Old is New Again in Crested Butte
January 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
For 50 years, the Nordic Inn has been a staple of the Crested Butte community and one of its most prominent tourist attractions. However, time proves that all things must pass, but the Nordic Inn has been given a renewed lease on providing superb resort options to the people and visitors to Gunnison … [Read more...]
Keller Williams Realty Vail Mountain Properties combines forces with Prudential Becky Hamlin Realty and introduces Crested Butte’s Newest Keller Williams Office
January 9, 2013 By 1 Comment
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
January 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Post-Fiscal Cliff, Mortgage Markets Turn Attention To Jobs Data
January 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : January 7, 2013
January 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Second Home Buyers Finding Great Opportunities in Colorado
January 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Crested Butte (81224) - Quarter 3, 2012 Report An improving real estate market, both across Colorado and throughout the nation, has spurred activity in the purchase of second homes. With most of the attention during the real estate downturn in recent years focused on just maintaining current … [Read more...]
Winter Wonderland in Crested Butte
January 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A series of mid-month storms are laying down a layer of powder that will please skiers and outdoor enthusiasts in the region. Crested Butte enjoyed a 30-inch base on December 13th, making it the first area in all of Colorado to accumulate that depth. And with more storms on the way as we enter the … [Read more...]
How To Make An Emergency Preparedness Kit For Your Home
January 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
January 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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
December 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Housing Starts, Building Permits Rising Into 2013
December 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Improving Market Index : Up To 201 Cities For December 2012
December 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (December 12 , 2012)
December 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Mortgage Rates Rising On 26 Straight Months Of Jobs Growth
December 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Energy-Saving Tips For The Holiday Season
December 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
New Home Sales Remain Elevated Into Q4 2012
December 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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?
December 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
December 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
New Name and Direction for Crested Butte Ski Club
December 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Crested Butte Ski Club has been around since 1982, and since then, they have developed many excellent ski racers. But now, the focus of the group has changed to make snowsports of all kinds accessible to more kids. Today, Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the Crested Butte Ski Club focus on … [Read more...]
More Bullish Data : Housing Starts Climb 3.6%
November 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
November 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
November 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
November 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Bank Repossessions Slip For 24th Consecutive Month
November 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Your November Gardening Task List
November 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
November 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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
November 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
When It Pays To Refinance Your Mortgage — Literally
November 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
To refinance a mortgage means to pay off your existing loan and replace it with a new one. There are many reasons why homeowners opt to refinance, from obtaining a lower interest rate, to shortening the term of the loan, to switching mortgage loan types, to tapping into home equity. Each has its … [Read more...]
For November : Home Maintenance To-Do List
November 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The calendar has turned to November; the month during which we transition from fall into winter. With less sunlight, colder temperatures, and shorter days ahead for Almont , it's an opportune time to cross those last-minute maintenance items off your homeowner to-do list. Practicing preventive … [Read more...]
Questions First-Time Home Buyers Should Ask
November 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Nationwide, mortgage rates are low in Colorado and home prices remain relatively low, too. This combination, plus rising rents, is pushing renters in some cities -- including Mt. Crested Butte -- toward first-time homeownership. Buying your first home can be exciting, but you should also do your … [Read more...]
Improving Market Index Swells To 125 In November
November 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The U.S. economy continues to improve. The National Association of Homebuilders released its Improving Markets Index Tuesday. The report attempts to identify U.S. metropolitan areas in which the economy is improving, demonstrating "measurable and sustained growth". 125 U.S. markets are qualified … [Read more...]
October Jobs Report Blows Away Estimates; Mortgage Rates Falling
November 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Another month, another good showing for the U.S. economy. Mortgage rates are performing surprisingly well after Friday's release of the October 2012 Non-Farm Payrolls report. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly report beat Wall Street expectations, while also showing a giant revision to the … [Read more...]
HOA : The Role Of Homeowners Associations In Housing Communities
November 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Homeowners associations (HOA) are legal corporations formed by a real estate developer to market, to manage, and to sell homes and lots in a residential subdivision. They're most commonly formed for condominiums and planned urban developments (PUDs), a category which includes suburban … [Read more...]
Top 10 Ways to Get Ready for Ski Season
November 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Here are my top 10 (funny) ways to mentally prepare yourself for the upcoming ski season. 10. Visit the local butcher shop and pay $40. to sit in a walk-in freezer. 9. Go to the nearest hockey rink and walk across the ice 20 times carrying your ski boots, two pairs of ski’s, accessory bag and … [Read more...]
How Choosing Kitchen Colors Can Affect Your Eating Habits
November 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Have you ever walked into your kitchen and instantly felt hungry? Rarely do people think about the colors that they choose to paint their kitchens. They are often too busy worrying about whether the kitchen will match the rest of the home, or whether the colors will be satisfactory to the rest of … [Read more...]
Find A Mortgage Rate Strategy Ahead Of Friday’s Job Report
November 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Friday morning, the government's Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its Non-Farm Payrolls report, more commonly called the "jobs report". Depending on how the jobs data reads, FHA and conforming mortgage rates may rise, or fall. This is because today’s mortgage market is closely tied to the … [Read more...]
19 of 20 Case-Shiller Index Markets Improve In August
November 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Home value rose to close out the summer, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Index, a national home-valuation tracker. Nationwide, values rose 0.9% between July and August 2012 with 19 of 20 tracked markets showing improvement. Only one tracked city -- Seattle, Washington -- showed a decrease, … [Read more...]
Pending Home Sales Index Suggests Housing Momentum Into 2013
November 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The home resales is expected to finish the year with strength. Last month, for the fifth straight month, the Pending Home Sales Index hovered near its benchmark value of 100, registering 99.5 in September. he Pending Home Sales Index tracks homes under contract to sell, but not yet sold, and is … [Read more...]
Home Supplies Drop To Multi-Year Low
November 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Crested Butte Real Estate Existing Home Supply Reviews As the third quarter closed, home resales showed considerable momentum nationwide. The National Association of REALTORS® reports Existing Home Sales at 4.75 million units in September 2012 on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, an 11 … [Read more...]
New Home Supply Remains Firmly In “Seller’s Market” Territory
November 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The U.S. housing market appears headed for a strong close to 2012. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold jumped to 389,000 units in September 2012 on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis. Not since the expiration of the $8,000 federal home buyer tax credit in April … [Read more...]
Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (October 24 , 2012)
October 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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 ninth consecutive meeting, the vote was nearly unanimous. And, also for the ninth consecutive meeting, Richmond Federal Reserve President Jeffrey … [Read more...]
The Most Expensive U.S. ZIP Codes (2012 Edition)
October 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Crested Butte Real Estate reviews on U.S. Expensive Zip Codes Since late-2011, home values have climbed in many U.S. markets. The government's Home Price index puts the increase at +3.7% an annual basis and the National Association of REALTORS® shows home sale prices up 11% since last year. The … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : October 29, 2012
October 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mortgage markets ended the week slightly better last week. Wall Street took its cues from U.S. economic data, from developments inEurope, and from the Federal Reserve, moving mortgage rates lower in Colorado and nationwide. Pricing for both conforming and FHA mortgage rates improved between Monday … [Read more...]
How To Improve Your FICO Score
October 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The U.S. housing market recovery is underway. New home sales are at a multi-year high, housing starts are at pre-recession levels, and home builders plan for a strong 2013. Since late-2011, falling mortgage rates have boosted buyer purchasing power. Now, today, in many U.S. markets, the number of … [Read more...]
Single-Family Housing Starts Rise To 4-Year High
October 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The housing market continues to improve. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, Single-Family Housing Starts rose to 603,000 last month, an 11 percent increase from the month prior and the highest reading in more than 4 years. A "housing start" is a home … [Read more...]
Home Builder Confidence Moves To 6-Year High
October 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
As home prices rise, so does home builder confidence. Tuesday, the National Association of Homebuilders reported its monthly Housing Market Index (HMI) at 41, a one-tick improvement from September and the highest HMI value since June 2006 -- a span of 77 months. The Housing Market Index is a … [Read more...]
Buyers Win 6.6 Percent Increase In Purchasing Power
October 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mortgage rates in Colorado continue to troll near all-time lows, boosting the purchasing power of home buyers statewide. According to Freddie Mac's most recent Primary Mortgage Market survey, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage is now 3.39 percent nationwide, just three ticks off an all-time … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : October 22, 2012
October 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mortgage markets worsened last week as hope for a European economic rebound and stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data moved investors out of mortgage-backed bonds. Mortgage rates all of types -- conventional, FHA and VA -- lost ground last week, harming home affordability in Almont and reducing … [Read more...]
How to Clean the Kitchen Sink In Your Crested Butte Home
October 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Cleaning the kitchen sink seems like it should be a relatively easy task, but even though your sink may look clean, it's important to rid it of germs and bacteria. If you're looking for the best way to clean the kitchen sink in your Crested Butte home, here's a step-by-step guide on how to get it … [Read more...]
Florida Takes Top Foreclosure Slot For September 2012
October 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Foreclosure volume continues to slip. According to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac, in September, the number of foreclosure filings nationwide fell 7 percent from the month prior, and fell 16 percent from September 2011. RealtyTrac defines a "foreclosure filing" as any of the following … [Read more...]
Tips To Close Your Home Loan Faster, With Fewer Hassles
October 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
With mortgage rates at all-time lows, purchase and refinance activity is climbing. Home sales are at their highest levels since May 2010 as home buyers take advantage of favorable economic conditions. Home prices are low, household income is rising, and rents are up in many U.S. cities. Low rates … [Read more...]
103 Metro Areas On The “Improving” U.S. Markets List
October 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
It's not just the housing market that's improving nationwide -- it's the economy overall. The number of U.S. metropolitan areas showing "measurable and sustained growth" climbed to 103 this month. The data is measured by the Improving Markets Index, a monthly metric from the National Association of … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : October 15, 2012
October 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mortgage markets improved slightly last week. With a dearth of new U.S. economic data due for release, investors turned their collective attention to the Europe, China, and the Middle East. U.S. mortgage rates fell slightly in the holiday-shortened week. The combination of civil protests, economic … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : October 15, 2012
October 15, 2012 By 1 Comment
Mortgage markets improved slightly last week. With a dearth of new U.S. economic data due for release, investors turned their collective attention to the Europe, China, and the Middle East. U.S. mortgage rates fell slightly in the holiday-shortened week. The combination of civil … [Read more...]
How to Protect Your Crested Butte Home from Wild Fires
October 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Just because summer season is behind us doesn't mean we should forget how to protect our Crested Butte homes from wild fires. This summer was a chilling reminder of just how serious forest fires can be, and even though we're coming into the winter months where the landscape will be blanketed with … [Read more...]
Case-Shiller index Shows Home Values Rising Nationwide, Too
October 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
There have been no shortage of "housing market" stories lately. After sinking through much of late-last decade, home values slowly stabilized into mid-2011. By October 2011, values appeared to have bottomed. Today, nearly five-and-one-half years after the April 2007 housing market peak, … [Read more...]
Fed Minutes Detail QE3 Discussion; Mortgage Rates Down
October 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Crested Butte Real Estate Fed Minutes The minutes from the Federal Reserve's September Federal Open Market Committee meeting were released Thursday. The Fed Minutes detail the discussions and debates which shaped the central banker's launch of its third round of qualitative easing since 2008. The … [Read more...]
With Tomorrow’s Job Report Due, Mortgage Rates May Finally Rise
October 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Crested Butte Real Estate "The Jobs Report" It's a dangerous time for home buyers in Crested Butte to be without a locked mortgage rate. Friday morning, at 8:30 AM ET, the government releases its Non-Farm Payrolls report for September. More well-known as "the jobs report", Non-Farm Payrolls data … [Read more...]
How To Help Your Home Appraise At Its Fair Market Value
October 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Crested Butte Real Estate Home Value Home values are rising in many U.S. markets. The S&P/Case-Shiller Index has home values up 1.2 percent as compared to last year, and the government's Home Price Index shows an increase of 3.7 percent. This has been partially evidenced by rising median … [Read more...]
Summit Couple Are Pioneers in Adaptive Snowboarding
October 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Amy Purdy and Daniel Gale are former Crested Butte residents. The couple moved to Summit County earlier this year, and shortly after they arrived, they heard they would be on the newest season of “The Amazing Race.” The show premiered on September 30th, and part of the storyline will highlight … [Read more...]
Pending Home Sales Index Continues To Show Strength
October 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Nationwide, homes continue to sell briskly. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, the Pending Home Sales Index read 99.2 for August -- the fourth straight month in which the index hovered near its benchmark value of 100. A "pending home" is a home that is under contract to sell, but … [Read more...]
New Home Supply Remains Firmly In “Seller’s Market” Territory
October 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The market for new construction homes remains strong nationwide. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold slipped 0.3 percent in August 2012 to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized 373,000 units sold — just 1,000 units less than July 2012 and the second-highest reading … [Read more...]
Home Price Index Shows Values Rising 3.7% From One Year Ago
October 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Tuesday, the Federal Home Finance Agency's Home Price Index (HPI) showed home values rising 0.2% on a seasonally-adjusted basis between June and July 2012, and moving +3.7% on an annual basis. Home values have not dropped month-to-month since January of this year -- a span of 6 months. For … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : October 1, 2012
October 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Crested Butte Real Estate Mortgage News Mortgage rates dropped to another all-time low last week as concerns for global economic growth helped U.S. home buyers and refinancing households nationwide. U.S. mortgage rates responded to non-U.S. events and, for rate shoppers and home buyers in … [Read more...]
Existing Home Sales Leap To 2-Year High
October 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The home resale market put forth another strong data set last week. Home sales prices are higher nationwide and sales volume has moved to a 2-year high. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 4.82 million "existing homes" sold on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis in August, … [Read more...]
30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Drops To 3.49%–An All-Time Low
September 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
For the first time in 9 weeks, mortgage rates have made new lows. According to Freddie Mac's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell 6 basis points to 3.49% this week, tying the all-time low set in late-July. The 15-year fixed rate mortgage … [Read more...]
Allegiant Air Offering Service into Montrose
September 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Las Vegas-based carrier Allegiant Air announced Tuesday, September 25, that it would be offering service into the Montrose Regional Airport starting December 15, 2012 through April 3, 2013. This will be a nonstop service from Oakland International Airport and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport to … [Read more...]
Housing Starts Move To 2-Year High
September 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The new construction housing market continues to make gains. Wednesday, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Housing Starts for single-family homes up 5.5 percent in August to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized count of 535,000 units nationwide. The report marks the fifth month of six that … [Read more...]
Homebuilder Confidence Rises Again; Tops 40
September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Homebuilder confidence continues to make new highs. As reported by the National Association of Home Builders, the Housing Market Index, a measure of builder confidence, rose to a reading of 40 in September -- its highest mark since June 2006. The index is now higher through five straight months … [Read more...]
Foreclosures Remain Concentrated In Just A Few States
September 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The national market for foreclosed homes remains strong. According to foreclosure data firm RealtyTrac, foreclosure activity increased 1 percent in August as compared to the month prior, climbing to just above 193,500 units nationwide. 1 in every 681 U.S. households received some form of … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : September 24, 2012
September 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mortgage markets improved for the second consecutive week last week as demand for U.S. mortgage-backed bonds remained high. A series of economic reports showed strength in housing and a stability in jobs. Wall Street looked past it, however, to send mortgage rates to their lowest levels in … [Read more...]
Billionaire Building Private Old West Town Near Crested Butte
September 22, 2012 By 2 Comments
Some may think he's crazy, but when you have as much money as energy billionaire Bill Koch, you can pretty much afford to do whatever you please. Known for purchasing Western artifacts, Koch is now building his own old West town near Crested Butte. The 10-square-mile Bear Ranch is located near the … [Read more...]
Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (September 13 , 2012)
September 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged within its current target range of 0.000-0.250 percent Thursday. For the eighth consecutive meeting, the vote was nearly unanimous. Just one FOMC member, Richmond Federal Reserve President Jeffrey Lacker, dissented in the … [Read more...]
FOMC Expected To Announce New Stimulus Today
September 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Federal Open Market Committee ends a 2-day meeting today, the group's sixth of 8 scheduled meetings this year. As a Crested Butte home buyer or would-be refinancer, be ready for mortgage rates to change. The Federal Open Market Committee is a 12-person sub-committee of the Federal Reserve. Led … [Read more...]
Improving Market Index Climbs To 99
September 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The number of U.S. housing markets showing "measurable and sustained growth" has increased by 19 this month, according to the National Association of Homebuilders' Improving Market Index. The Improving Market Index is a monthly report meant to identify U.S. markets in which economic growth is … [Read more...]
Simple Tips To Keep Your FICO High
September 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
For today's home buyers and refinancing households, the value of "good credit" has never been higher. Mortgage approvals hinge on your FICO score, as does your final mortgage pricing. If you're shopping for a home in Colorado , therefore, or contemplating a refinance, be aware of how everyday … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : September 17, 2012
September 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mortgage markets improved last week as the Federal Reserve introduced new economic stimulus. The move trumped bond-harming action from the Eurozone, and a series better-than-expected U.S. economic data. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate dropped last week for most loan types, including for … [Read more...]
The Ruby of Crested Butte Ranked 7th for Pet-Friendly Hotels
September 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel website, recently released their list of America's most pet-friendly travel places. Crested Butte home owners will be happy to know that The Ruby of Crested Butte made the list, ranking #7. The Colorado bed and breakfast beat out many others across the U.S. … [Read more...]
Coming Next Week : New, Mandatory Loan Fees For All Conforming Mortgages
September 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
New Loan Fees Coming Soon Beginning as soon as next week, new, mandatory mortgage fees will push mortgage rates higher throughout Mt. Crested Butte and nationwide. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are raising their respective "guarantee fees". Guarantee fees are fees that mortgage-backed securities … [Read more...]
Case-Shiller Index Shows Huge Home Price Gain
September 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Home prices continue to rise nationwide. According to the Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller Index, home prices rose 6.9% between the first and second quarter of 2012, the largest quarter-to-quarter gain since the home-value tracker's 1987 inception and another signal that the housing … [Read more...]
Making Coupon-Free Savings At The Supermarket
September 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The average family puts 10-15 percent of its monthly spending toward food, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Agriculture, with most of that food purchased at a supermarket. The amount spent on food is less than the typical amount spent on housing each month but what … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : September 4, 2012
September 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mortgage markets improved last week for the second consecutive week. With no news coming from Europe, Wall Street was focused U.S. economic data and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's planned public speech from the Fed's annual retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Rate shoppers and home buyers … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : September 10, 2012
September 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mortgage markets worsened slightly in last week's holiday-shortened week. As expected, Wall Street took its cues from Europe and from the U.S. jobs market, and mortgage rates moved across a wide range. Home buyers in Crested Butte and would-be refinancing households were greeted with wildly varying … [Read more...]
Mortgage Rates Drop For The First Time In 4 Weeks
September 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
After 4 weeks of rising costs, Mt. Crested Butte mortgage rates finally recede. According to Freddie Mac's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate dropped 7 basis points to 3.59% this week. Depending on where you live, however, you may find that your … [Read more...]
In today’s real estate market, there is simply no substitute for a good REALTOR®. Whether you’re aiming to buy or sell property, a REALTOR® can spell the difference between a smooth transaction and an unsuccessful one. 