I’ve been in therapy since early January. I meet with my therapists every Saturday morning for an hour. The cost adds up, but it has been well worth the six dollars a session. I highly recommend these therapists. There is Princess the lab mix, Busby and Arnold the golden retriever brothers, Bailey the australian shepherd mix, Otis the bulldog, etc. I can’t remember all their names, but these guys are memorable and will make even the grumpiest person leave with a smile on their face.

These are my puppy therapists.

As most of you know, I adopted Olive, a mixed English Pointer, just before Christmas. She has been a wonderful addition to the family. She attends classes at the Denver Dumb Friends League including Puppy Preschool and Elementary Puppy. Every Saturday morning, all the puppies get together to play. The session is focused on socializing the pups with a little obedience thrown in for good measure. Watching puppies play is the most wonderful experience. They leap, run, tackle, chew, bark and totally give in to play. They are a joy to watch and function as my Saturday therapy. I think everyone needs puppy therapy.

I’m not sure the training staff will let you watch, so you may need to adopt a puppy so you can get admitted into the best therapy yet.

Now, my only concern is where will I go for therapy when Olive grows up?

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Fourth quarter real estate statistics show that Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree are continuing to average a lower absorption rate in comparison to other featured areas, which can translate into quicker home sales. North Jefferson County’s absorption rate is also lower in this current quarter. During the third quarter we had three areas identified as a Buyers Market. This quarter, we are up to eight areas. Buyers tend to shy away from purchasing a home during the holidays and that may explain the increase.

Considering Absorption Rate is one way to measure the health of our real estate market. Absorption Rate designates the number of months of housing supply on hand. The larger the supply, the more competition there is for sellers and the higher likelihood that prices will drop or concessions will be offered. The market has definitely slowed in a the last quarter.

More Months of Supply = Buyer’s Market = Possible Reduced Pricing and/or Concessions

Fewer Months of Supply = Seller’s Market = Possible Price Increases and/or Bidding Wars

The commonly accepted separation between markets is:

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“You know, your Dad and I almost bought that land years ago. Just imagine what it is worth today.” My mom said that every time drove by land along Parker Road just of I-225. That was more than a few years ago when my sisters and I were growing up. Is this year’s housing market one where we may look back and wish we woulda made that decision to buy? 

When I listen to the Sunday financial shows one person will tell us that we’ve hit bottom and the time is ripe to buy. The next “expert” will tell us that the housing market still has a long way to drop. There are more mortgages that are going to be adjusting this year and some families will be hit hard. However, the new federal tax rebates are coming this summer and a quick three quarter point drop by the feds this week may begin the turn around. So, what should we do?

That depends. (Don’t you hate that kind of answer? It happens to be the right one in every housing market.)

What are your circumstances?

If you have a house you need to sell before you can buy another, it may be time to hold if there isn’t enough equity in the property to actually walk away from the closing table with enough to buy a new one.

If you are looking to buy a home and plan on staying in it for a minimum of three to five years, it’s probably a great time to buy.

I suggest meeting with your family members, real estate professional and financial advisor to talk about whether or not the time is perfect to begin looking for a house you can make your home.

Don’t let the woulda, shoulda, couldas catch you if now is the perfect time for you to buy.

Give me a call and let’s chat.

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Here is a summary of December 2007 sales in the Bonnie Brae and Belcaro neighborhoods. The east and west boundaries are Colorado Boulevard and University Boulevard and the north and south streets are E. Exposition Avenue and E. Mississippi Avenue. It is a wonderful neighborhood with a eclectic selection of homes. From historical homes to custom contemporary construction, the neighborhood offers something for everyone. The neighborhood is within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, parks and transportation routes.

If you missed out on purchasing one of these fabulous homes, there are 34 other homes currently on the market in the Denver Bonnie Brae/Belcaro neighborhoods ranging in price from $330,000 to $3,495,000. If you’d like to get your house on the sold list so you can move on to your next adventure, or to purchase one of the available homes, I’d be happy to help. Give me a call.

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Over the last few months I’ve received a number of questions about reverse mortgages. Since the interest is high, I thought I’d go to one of my experts. Paul Martin is a Business Development Manager with the Security Title Reverse Mortgage Division. Paul has agreed to be a guest blogger regarding this critical topic. The decision to seek a Reverse Mortgage is a serious matter. Please make sure you only work with credible professionals. If you have questions about this post or about Reverse Mortgages, Paul can be contacted at 303–889–8104. I can also assist if you are looking for a mortgage loan professional to help you or your family member.

It’s all yours Paul.

I’m blogging today to create a basic understanding of Reverse Mortgages. We will go into more information in detail in future articles, but for now, let’s talk about what they are and the value they may bring to select homeowners.

Who here has a friend, family member, neighbor, someone in your life that you really care about who is 62 or older? If so, please stand. Yes, stand. If you have to close the door so no one thinks you are nuts, go ahead and do so.

Good…now I am going to ask you a series of simple “Yes or No” questions. If you answer “No” to any of these questions, please take your seat. However, if you answer “Yes”, please remain standing. OK? Let’s begin.

1. Does the person who came to mind own their own home? By ownership, I mean are they on the title even if they have a mortgage. If “No” take your seat.

2. Does the person you are thinking of live in that home as their primary residence? If “No” take a seat. The person you are thinking about right now may qualify for a Reverse Mortgage at this very moment. Yes, qualifying can be that easy. But what makes a reverse mortgage such a life giving / freedom giving opportunity for a senior homeowner? Let me ask a couple more yes or no questions following the same stand up or sit down format.

3. Do you feel the person would  appreciate a loan the doesn’t require them to verify income? No W-2s or pay stubs to submit. No debt to income ratios to worry about. If “No”, please be seated.

4. Do you feel the person would also appreciate a loan that didn’t require them to be working? No employment verification what so ever? If “No”, please be seated.

5. Do you feel that  person would also appreciate a loan where their credit score, good or bad, doesn’t matter? Late payments don’t count against them. They could have judgements, be in foreclosure or even bankruptcy. If “No”, please be seated.

6. Do you feel that the person would also appreciate having a loan where no monthly payments would ever be required as long as they live in their home? They can make payments if the want, but aren’t required to. And, the money drawn out on the loan doesn’t affect their Social Security or Medicare benefits. If “No”, please take your seat.

7. Do you feel that the person would also appreciate using the proceeds from such a loan for anything they want – medical expenses, home improvements, paying off an existing mortgage, helping their kids get out of an adjustable rate mortgage when payments are increasing, travel, long term care insurance, life insurance, a new car, even a face lift? If “No”, please take a seat. And, the final question.

8. Do you feel the person would appreciate such a loan in which they would not have to give up title of their home? If “No”, please be seated.

You’ve just experienced the value that a Reverse Mortgage can provide to a senior. Because you experienced it, you’ll likely remember it much longer than reading about the details in future blogs. Maybe, the person you thought of is someone who needs to take a closer look at the benefits of a reverse mortgage to see if it is right for them. The next reverse mortgage blog will look at the “Nevers” of a reverse mortgage. Oh, almost forgot, please take a seat!

Paul Martin
Business Development Manager
Security Title Reverse Mortgage Division
303–889–8104
pmartin@stgco.com

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In summer, Cherry Creek State Park is filled with bikers, hikers, traffic and boaters. It is always busy because of its convenience to the Denver area and all the activities that it supports. The Reservoir takes on a different feel during winter, especially after a winter storm. The amazing beauty and silence makes it a wonderful place to visit in the winter too.

Around Christmas I spent some time enjoying the park. It was cold, but beautiful.

Winter options include ice fishing and cross country skiing. While I love riding my bike at the park during the summer, I have to admit that my winter visit was wonderful and I can’t wait to go back.

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Here is an overview of December 2007 home sales in the Lowry neighborhood. The area is generally located between Yosemite Street (east) and Quebec Street (west), E. 11th Avenue (north) and Alameda Avenue (south). There is a small pocket that juts out to the west side. The Lowry neighborhood was developed as a result of the Lowry Air Force Base closure. It is a wonderful community that has a variety of parks, the Lowry Town Center and neighborhood activities that are scheduled year round.

Lowry living opportunities range from historical homes that have been renovated to areas still waiting for the soil to be turned before construction begins. The Lowry neighborhoods are within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, parks and transportation routes.

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Like most people, the end of every year I begin thinking about my New Year’s Resolutions, or the goals I want to accomplish. Is there any hope that we can keep those resolutions? Here are a few steps I hope to use in accomplishing mine.

1.  Keep the goals simple and reasonable. If you want to lose 100 pounds, begin with 10 or 20 pounds. That doesn’t seem like such an insurmountable impossibility. We can always modify that once we accomplish the goal.

2. Anticipate and plan for roadblocks. What has kept me from accomplishing that goal in the past and what can I do to prevent that from happening again? If I can’t get up early in the morning to exercise despite my best laid plans, maybe I need to work some exercise into my day by parking farther away or taking the stairs at work.

3. Plan for the long haul. We’ll all miss out on a few days, but this is a long race. Remember, you have all year. Just get back on track when things have not gone as planned and pat yourself on the back when you make progress.

4. Have a support system. We all need a little encouragement at times and it’s important that I let key people know what I am trying to accomplish. There may be that one person who always tries to sabotage us, so don’t tell him or her. We need to hand pick those people who can inspire us to greatness. We also can be part of someone else’s support system.

5. Measure your progress. Keep track of the progress you’ve made so you can look back and see the small changes. Those changes will add up to something big over time. When you get discouraged, you can always look at the progress you made and get re-energized.

In my opinion, goal setting is one of the most important things we can do. It gives us focus and direction and pushes us to improve. I don’t meet all my goals each year, but I have made considerable progress over time. This year, one of my goals is to lose weight. While I’d like to see those washboard abs on my body, I’d settle for a smaller pair of jeans. After all, those washboard abs can be my resolution for next year.

I wish you all a happy and healthy 2008!

Resources:

WebMD
Sideroad

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