Boston Condos - Web Technology Galore

The Web Innovators Group of Boston held a meeting on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA. The evening was kicked off with informal conversation and "side dishes" of innovative start up companies in the Boston Area.

From a real estate perspective, an interesting online service was discussed called Citysquares.com, which is a local Boston company that brings together local businesses and their consumers - and we're talking really local here, as in what's down the block.

You can visit a local Boston South End Condo expert's listing on Citysquares.com, and provide a rating on the Boston Condos Google Maps technology that is available for your viewing and Boston Condo hunting pleasure.

Boston Walking Tours

How can you get to know the city of Boston? Well, one innovative new way is to hook up an iPod / MP3 audio walking tour of Boston. Audissey Guides has developed high-quality audio walking tours of various cities across the country, including Boston, and have partnered with notable locals and recording artists to make the experience a notable one. Boston walking tours are made fun and hip with Audissey Guides efforts to deliver something unique and interesting to the market.

The Bryant - Boston Condos Making Noise

The buzz is out on the streets, those being Columbus Avenue and Dartmouth – the site of one of Boston’s newest condo developments in the South End, The Bryant Condos. Local residents to the 50-unit mixed-use complex, which will see unusually large living areas, are perhaps doing more complaining than talking about the new complex.

Demolition and excavation has rendered structural damage for neighbors to The Bryant – imagine coming home only to find a nice crack in your ceramic tile floor…welcome to the neighborhood! Neighbors to the condo complex construction are also on a regimented sleep schedule, with a construction wake-up call beginning at 6:30 am – is breakfast being provided?

Residents in the area may chip in on the weekends to see this complex brought to fruition before its established Spring 2008 completion date. Stay tuned for more breaking news.

Boston Broadluxe Condo Development?

At the corner of Franklin and Broad in Boston’s Financial District, the Boston Broadluxe Condominium Development Project will go to market with over forty distinctive condo dwellings. The Boston Broadluxe will feature fourteen unique floor plans and a plethora of different options for its Boston inhabitants.

Sell Magazine Subscriptions with Deekins.com

Deekins.com, a provider of magazine subscriptions, has announced the launch of their magazine sales affiliate program (Sell Magazine Subscriptions), providing a practical entry point into eCommerce for those that are looking for a continuous revenue stream through the sale of magazine subscriptions.

Deekins provides its affiliates the opportunity to generate a constant revenue stream through the sale of magazine subscriptions through different channels. Deekins partners with its affiliates in creating a viable and constant revenue stream through the use of a competitive commission structure, professional marketing materials for promoting pertinent magazine titles based upon website visitor demographics, fully trackable links displaying pertinent cumulative traffic and revenue details, access to a free datafeed of all the magazines Deekins offers, and coupons and promotions provided on a regular basis to drive increased revenue for affiliates.

Deekins is a proven and reputable company, which has provided magazine subscriptions to thousands of individual clients, libraries, business offices, clubs, and organizations. Deekins offers more than 1,000 discount magazine subscriptions. Magazine titles are available at www.Deekins.com in both new and renewal subscriptions.

Broadluxe - Boston Condo Development Project

The Broadluxe of Boston is a stunning new nine-story residential property in the heart of downtown Boston at the intersection of Franklin and Broad Streets. Designed by the Boston firm of Melton Ferre Associates, Broadluxe artfully combines elements of original 19th-century mercantile architecture with a stylish, new contemporary glass and steel addition. The effect is at once familiar, but intriguing, balanced in scale but set firmly in the 21st century.

Floors 7, 8, and 9 of the Broadluxe are sold as shell units, to be finished by the Buyer. Spaces range anywhere from 540 square feet, up to the 1,800 square foot penthouse. Different ceiling heights impact pricing, whereby the 6th floor units have the most economical pricing based upon 8 foot ceilings. Pre-construction units are available. There are currently possibilities for the combination of some units, which would create a larger living space for the Buyer.

Provided By: Boston Condo Guy - The Authority in Boston Condos. Professionally representing Buyers, Sellers, and Condo Developers in the Boston real estate market.

Rising Mortgage Payments

No doubt about it, interest rates have been steadily moving up from the once lows that we saw not too long ago. Given the situation, many home owners are faced with increasing loan payments. Look to the following four tips and tricks to aid you in this time of rising interest rates.

1) Think both realistically and creatively on the use of home-equity lines of credit. Typically, borrowers can save interest on a month-to-month basis by moving balances from a home-equity line of credit to, a credit card for instance, oftentimes finding zero percent, or very low, interest rates. A borrower can make this work, however, a borrower must be attentive to detail (i.e. the small print), and moving money around at the proper times given the situation.

2) Consider a fixed-rate second mortgage to replace a large home-equity line of credit. Typically, borrowers can find a lower rate by ferreting out the details on this one., and perhaps remove the possibility that a rate hike will increase your costs, and set a fixed term so you fence in just how long you will be paying for the home improvements, or the condo development project that you took on.

3) Be on the lookout for mortgage brokers who will entice you to come back by offering home-equity credit lines with interest rates of prime plus zero or even below prime. If you do your research, this might allow you to get over that hump.

4) If you have an option loan, consider the idea of using the option to make interest only payments, while you go out and look for a better (longer term or fixed) rate. You won’t build equity while doing this, perhaps one of the main reasons for buying a condo, but you will not hurt your credit by doing this.

Boston Home Sales Are Up This Year

The roof may have collapsed on the Bay State’s housing boom, but sales in the Back Bay and Beacon Hill so far have exceeded last years levels as prices fell slightly.

While home sales dipped statewide by 6.4% in Massachusetts to 15,381 units this year, down from 16,438 for the same period a year ago, the two downtown neighborhoods saw home sales rise, according to data from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors and the MLS Property Information Network (MLS).

Sales of single-family homes and Boston condos during the first half of this year on Beacon Hill increased to 93 units up from 63 for the same period last year, a 34% increase, according to MLS. The Back Bay saw a more modest increase of 5% as the number of units sold this year reached 197, up from 188 units a year ago.

Despite a sluggish market statewide, Beacon Hill and Back Bay remain among the most popular Boston neighborhoods.

Junk Mail

Are you tired of the amount of Junk Mail you get at home? Aren't we all? There is an interesting blog post that gives information on how to stop the credit bureaus from selling your information to marketing companies. Take a look at the "Junk Mail" post if you want more information.

Ken Smith is a Arlington Heights real estate agent. Also check out Ken's new blog.

ESPN Magazine Subscription

Looking for that summer sports fix for your new home? Turn to an ESPN Magazine Subscription to cure the fix.

Like the industry leader in sports television that created it, ESPN The Magazine is big, bold, and brash, using its oversize format to show off striking full-page images and splashy sidebars. It's not all flash, though: the magazine also gets contributions from familiar on-air talent such as Dan Patrick, Chris Berman, Stuart Scott, Peter Gammons, and John Clayton as well as the athletes themselves.

Get your ESPN Magazine Subscription at Deekins, your online provider of cheap magazine subscriptions!

Boulder Listings

If you are looking for premier Boulder Listings, stop by Boulder Colorado’s number one real estate website. Trust a Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert, and get started in finding the right Boulder Listing for you!

Exposure – Is the Word Getting Out About Your Home?

Tracking the amount of interest you’re getting is more than counting how many buyers have visited your home. Today, most real estate agents can provide you with detailed information on:

• The number of agents that have hit your listing page
• The number of private party hits to your listing page
• The number of flyers removed from your listing box
• The number of showings or previews you home has received
• The places and frequency that your home has been advertised
• The number of phone calls to the office or hotline on your home

As with anything you attempt to sell, having “eyes” on your product is key. If your agent can demonstrate people know about your home, but it’s still not getting traffic or an offer(s), it probably is a pricing, not an exposure issue.

Finding A Home That Is Right For You

Buying a new home or real estate is exciting, but it can also be a bit stressful because it is a big step, especially if you’ve never purchased a home or real estate before. Before you contract a realtor there are several things that you should really consider so that the search for your new home will be a lot more fun and a lot less stressful. When you know what you want and need you can then direct your realtor of choice to help you find the house that is out there waiting for you.

Determine Your Needs

The first thing you need to do is determine what you personally need from a home. For instance, if you have a family of six you probably aren’t looking for a one or two bedroom home. Decide how many bedrooms you need as well as how many bathrooms would be desirable. Consider whether you can deal with more or less of either bedrooms or bathrooms. Also think about what type of yard you’ll want around your house. If you have a big dog, you may consider a big yard a necessity. Do you desire a specific type of floor plan? If you don’t want stairs or you do want that second story that you have been dreaming of these are all things that you should write down on a list. You should also consider overall square footage. Many families simply need more space to spread out, and that’s understandable, while others are looking to decrease the size of their homes after the kids leave! Really determine what your needs are so that you will be able to convey them to your realtor.

Pick Your Location

It can be difficult to determine where you want to live if you are relocating to a new area, but if you have an area of town picked out where you absolutely know you want to live, that will help your realtor do his or her job much more efficiently by searching for your needs and wants in a specific area of town. Location can also be important from a resale point of view because you want a home that will gain value, not lose value. It’s a good idea to not only consider how close a certain neighborhood is to work and school and the grocery store, but how wise of an investment it is as well. If you aren’t sure about location, a good realtor can always help you determine where the best place in town will be for you.

Know Your Finances

Now that you have determined your needs and where you want to live, you need to take a close look at your finances. Of course, this may seem like it should be the first step, but unless you know what you need it will be hard to determine if it will fit into your budget. Look at what you are paying now and determine if you want that to stay the same, be reduced, or if you can afford to pay more. Now, will the dollar amount that you want or need to pay each month for your mortgage mesh well with what you want from a home and where you want it? If so, you might want to look into getting pre-qualified for a home loan to streamline your house hunting process.

What You Want

Now is the fun part, you can think about what you want. Do you really want air conditioning? Do you want a pool? A fireplace? A wet bar? An upgraded kitchen? A spa tub in the bathroom? Make a wish list of the things that you would be thrilled to find in a home that is the right price, has the appropriate number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and is in the right part of town. This will help your realtor show you homes that you will enjoy seeing and could really see yourself in.

Get a Realtor

Now it’s time to find yourself a realtor and give him or her a list of all the things that you really want and need from a home. All of your planning will make your realtor’s job much easier and will also ensure that you are on the same page and make sure your time looking at homes is very well spent.

Buying a home is something that takes some planning, so try to be patient as you put all the pieces of the puzzle together for yourself and your realtor. The more you know what you want or need, the more smoothly the process will run, getting you into your new home sooner.

- Written by Ken Smith of the Suburban House Hunters Team and Web News for Us.

Visit these other blogs for Chicago area real estate information; Arlington Heights, Palatine, and Schaumburg blogs.

The Boulder Benchmark - New Listing!

Simple exterior meets exquisite interior. You will not believe it until you walk in the front door - a simply incredible downtown Boulder home. The standard upgrades are all here, including stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and hardwood floors. What sets this property apart is the meticulous finishing's that, bottom line, you will not find on the market in this price range - mosaic tile and steam shower, pedestal sink, marble flooring, Maytag Neptune Washer & Dryer, glass & wooden cupboards, VELUX skylights, dual zone thermostat, custom closet systems, cat 5 wired, Hurd windows, decorative cutouts, and a flagstone patio with flatiron views.

Priced to Sell!

Showings will begin Monday, April 10, 2006, and an open house will take place from 1:00-3:00pm on Sunday, April 16, 2006.

Denver Live Music

Denver's hottest up and coming musical artist - Carey Pearsall. Songs such as 'Night Life', 'Where Have You Gone', and 'Wanted You to Know', are drawing crowds and reviews.

Get the scoop on Denver Live Music, and sign up for Carey's newsletter to get inside information on shows and events to the hottest rising star in the Dever Music Scene.

Keys to Perfect Pricing #4

Don’t Rely Upon a Refinance Appraisal to Set Your Price. The purpose of the appraisal often affects the outcome. Appraisals are typically done for many reasons including fire loss, divorce, insurance reassessment, taxation reassessment, replacement cost, and mortgage refinancing. None of these may relate directly to your need to sell. Your purpose is to establish market value not replacement value. Remember, market value is the value that would appeal to many people and result in a sale in a reasonable amount of time, value represents typically what one person might be willing to pay for a home, or in the case of an appraisal, what one person thinks is the value.

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If you are looking for a Boulder Colorado Home, Boulder Condo, Boulder Colorado Condo, or Downtown Boulder Condo investment property, contact your Downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert today!

Keys to Perfect Pricing #3

Don’t choose your selling price based upon what you paid for your home. There is no relationship between acquisition cost and current market value. If you received your home in an inheritance at no cost to you, you would certainly hope to sell it for current market value, not the price you paid which was zero. Conversely, if you paid $500,000 and today’s market reflects a price less than that, you still would sell your home for current market value, not what you paid for it.

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If you are looking for a Boulder Colorado Home, Boulder Condo, Boulder Colorado Condo, or Downtown Boulder Condo investment property, contact your Downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert today!

Keys to Perfect Pricing #2

Don’t attempt to build in bargaining room when you set your list price. There’s a common belief amongst home sellers that all buyers will come in somewhat lower than the asking price. Therefore, they have to price their homes higher as sellers to work towards a negotiated price that is representative of market value. But in reality, bargaining room is often results in fewer showings and lower priced or no offers. This mentality often has the affect of causing a seller to overprice their home. Sellers don’t lose buyers as much in the negotiation phase as they do in the showing phase, because when you overprice your home, the buyers may not even see it, and if they don’t see it they won’t buy it.

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If you are looking for a Boulder Colorado Home, Boulder Condo, Boulder Colorado Condo, or Downtown Boulder Condo investment property, contact your Downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert today!

Keys to Perfect Pricing #1

Don’t Factor in Selling Costs When Setting Your List Price. Cost of sale has no bearing on market value. If you sold your home without paying real estate fees it adds profits to your net proceeds, just as paying fees would subtract from your net. In either case, what it costs to sell a home doesn’t add or subtract from it true market value, only the profits a seller realizes at closing.

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If you are looking for a Boulder Colorado Home, Boulder Condo, Boulder Colorado Condo, or Downtown Boulder Condo investment property, contact your Downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert today!

Upcoming Real Estate Season

As the final remnants of winter are replaced by the promise of a new spring, two things seem to be apparent this time of year…for the farmers it is growing season, and for real estate buyers and sellers it is the buying and selling season. Historically speaking, the upcoming months will be the peak of the yearly real estate market as the inventory of available properties grows and the number of prospective buyers increases.

If you are selling your home, here are a few things to consider for the spring/summer real estate market.

• As the inventory level of available properties increases, buyers “naturally” have a wider selection of options to choose from
• New homebuilders are becoming more aggressive in their marketing, offering discounted prices, appliance packages, home entertainment centers, mortgage incentives, landscaping packages, etc. to attract buyers.
• Unless your home is the “deal of the century”, homebuyers are normally taking longer to make decisions. They are “comparison shopping”, looking for the best value for their money. Buyers have a tendency to want to negotiate more.
• Market values are shifting more quickly. It is important to keep abreast of what is happening in the marketplace, not just in your neighborhood or community, but also in the localized region. Buyers are looking in a wider geographic area these days.
• Location, condition, and value are the three considerations buyers are focusing on when making a decision. Value, what the seller is offering the home for sale at, can often offset poor location and/or condition. More simply said, “Price often overcomes all objections.”

If you are buying a home, here are points to consider when purchasing a home during the spring/summer real estate market.

• Mortgage interest rates have trended up slightly over the past months, as the national economy appears to have stabilized. There is no indication rates will be going back down in the immediate future. Thus, this may be a good time to buy.
• There is a variety of alternative financing options available. Interest only loans are popular for two reasons, first, their interest rate is normally less than comparable fixed-rate mortgages, and second, principle reductions can be made at anytime, which immediately reduces the monthly payment.
• As a prospective buyer, do your due diligence when deciding to purchase a home. Inspections, schools, access to shopping and medical facilities, neighborhood functions, and don’t forget about environmental concerns, such as, radon gas, mold, and lead based paint.
• Finally, as noted above, the geographic area for buyers looking at homes has expanded significantly in the past decade throughout the country, which provides prospective buyers many new options.

Advances in technology have resulted in buyers and sellers having more timely access to information regarding real estate. As such, from a seller’s perspective, it is important to price your home competitively. Buyers normally are aware of how long a property has been on the market and whether it is priced competitively.

Therefore, when you plant that Boulder Colorado Real Estate for sale sign in your yard, make sure it still isn’t there later this year when the final remnants of fall give way to the promise of a cold and snowy winter.

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If you are looking for a Boulder Colorado Home, Boulder Condo, Boulder Colorado Condo, or Downtown Boulder Condo investment property, contact your Downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert today!

Garages: The New Home Frontier

First-floor laundry and mud rooms have become the new front door for many families. But there's another part of the house that's competing for this role: the garage.

Nobody's writing off the garage anymore. After all, it's often the largest space in (or next to) the house. A two-car garage typically measures 20 feet by 20 feet. That's 400 square feet, larger than most living or family rooms. For years homeowners have used the garage not just to house cars, but to store everything from garden tools and sports gear to holiday decorations and grown children's old toys. And Barbara Butensky of GarageTek Inc., in Syosset, N.Y., a garage organization and storage systems company, says the garage is now becoming an extra room to pursue a hobby, particularly for homeowners who don't have basements and attics. “They're making them climate-controlled and an additional living space,” says Butensky.

In fact, the garage is on its way to becoming a feature that can help sell a house, along with a good location, curb appeal and the other rooms' condition.

Taking advantage of the trend, a growing number of closet organization companies recognized a golden opportunity to clean up these spaces and garage-specialist companies soon emerged. PremierGarage in Phoenix, for instance, has seen a 200 percent growth rate over the last few years and has 65 locations, says CEO and founder Mark Loberg.

How much homeowners spend varies, from about $600 to have a professional clean and de-clutter to thousands of dollars for design and installation of custom systems.

Many homeowners like panelized or grid wall systems with hooks to hang rakes, tennis racquets, ladders, bicycles and cabinetry, plus counters, shelves and storage lofts of different sizes and materials to store everything from bicycles to canoes. GarageTek, for example, offers 100 options for shelves, cabinets, hooks and more, says Butensky.

But such components often are only part of the overhaul. Allen R. Frechter's The Great Garage Co. in Needham, Mass., designs lighting to improve illumination in the often dark spaces. Other companies install colorful, patterned floors over the typical gray concrete. Loberg's company uses a hybrid, proprietary polymer coating that is impervious to freezing, stain resistant to fluids and slip resistant. GarageTek uses interlocking plastic tiles. More owners are heating floors to create a year-round hobby space.

Some owners are installing plasma TVs, CD players, potting sinks with running water, and cabinetry that's as good as the kind used in upscale kitchens, says Butensky. Frechter set up a wine cellar for one client.

Homeowner Richard E. Hamlin air-conditioned the garage in his home in Bonita Springs, Fla., to protect his collectible cars, including his 1931 Ford Model A roadster. The large garage also has two windows, a trophy case for his awards from car meets, a TV and treadmill. He loves to show guests the room when he and his wife entertain, he says.

Here are ways to make your garage the best it can be:

• Clean and organize. Throw out stuff you rarely or never use. Dana Korey, co-owner of Away with Clutter in San Diego, recommends going through what you have and organizing items into similar categories. “When you see that you have 30 umbrellas, it's easier to edit. If paint is dried up, get rid of it,” she says. You also need a system to organize what you keep, she says. Separate sports balls for golf, tennis, football since you don't want to throw them into one container because you won't be able to find them. Before you hire a company to do the organizing, ask about hourly charges. Tom Anderson of Clutterboy in northern California charges $100 an hour. He says the average garage takes between six and twelve hours to clean and organize.

• Pick good storage. Most companies suggest high quality wood or steel cabinets that are weather resistant. Units should be installed a few inches off the ground to eliminate water damage or pest infiltration, says Loberg of PremierGarage. While many closet and garage companies offer distinct lines, homeowners can also choose their own at storage companies' retail or online sources such as The Stanley Works. A useful planning tool is ClosetMaid's questionnaire and planner, which helps homeowners determine what they need. For $15, a homeowner gets two design versions for a garage or any room.

• Plan a new garage. If starting from scratch, make it roomy with an extra garage bay or even a half-bay, says Frechter of The Great Garage Co. Also make the ceiling high enough - 10 feet to 14 feet.

• Consider a security system. To protect all that you will keep in the garage, put it on your alarm system or add a surveillance system.
  

By Barbara Ballinger, Content That Works

Buy A Boulder Colorado Condo

With the Spring and Summer selling seasons approaching, have you been thinking about stepping out to buy a Boulder Colorado Condo? Your Downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert can help you find the Boulder Condo of your dreams.

Read up on the 7 Questions You Must Ask Before Buying a Condo, and don’t get left in the dust when making your Downtown Boulder Colorado Condo purchasing decisions.

Downtown Boulder Condos

Whether you are looking for a new Boulder Condo, an investment property, or that elusive downtown Boulder condo, your Downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert is the right choice for you!

Visit the growing Boulder Condos and Boulder Colorado Condos homepage of information, which is helping you make more educated decisions on how to buy and sell your next Downtown Boulder Condo.

Rental Property Investment Basics

Your guide to investment and/or rental property basics. Learn the four basic principles of investment and rental property before you begin. Rental Property Investment Basics.

Are you looking for a Boulder Colorado Condo, or Downtown Boulder Condo investment property, contact your Downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert today!

Home Buyer & Seller Survey

Technology is transforming how Americans buy and sell homes in unexpected ways, including how they work with real estate agents and brokers, according to one of the largest surveys of real estate consumers ever conducted - both home sellers and home buyers. The study was released today by the National Association of Realtors®.

Nine out of 10 home buyers use a real estate agent in the search process, but use of the Internet to search for a home has risen dramatically over time, increasing from only 2 percent of buyers in 1995 to 77 percent in 2005; it was 74 percent in 2004. The next largest source of information for buyers is a yard sign, mentioned by 71 percent of buyers.

When asked where they first learned about the home purchased, 24 percent of buyers identified the Internet, up strongly from 15 percent in 2004 and only 2 percent in 1997. Although most buyers use an agent to complete the transaction, 36 first learn about the home they buy from a real estate agent and 15 percent from yard signs; five other categories were 7 percent or less.

For the full article, click here.

The Latest Thing: Condo-Hotels

The word on the street is that condo-hotels are the latest trend in lodging. Get the basics on this new hotel hybrid, read investment tips, investigate condo-hotel projects nationwide and much more. Learn more about this trend at www.realtor.org.

If you're sticking with rock solid Boulder Colorado Real Estate, don't hesitate to contact your Downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert.

Staged to Sell: Part 4 of 4

A four part series on staging your home to sell faster, by your Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert.

Focus on Subtle Changes

Some improvements may seem subtle, but they impress buyers nonetheless. Updating hardware is an example.

Some buyers are really big on what is called the “jewelry” of the house. A tarnished or rusted porch light gives the buyer an immediate bad impression of the house as a whole. Replace it with a shiny new lamp.

And consider replacing switchplate covers, choosing either white or ivory, and making sure all in the home match. This will give the home a more uniform and appealing look.

This staging is not deceptive, but simply helping the house put its best foot forward. And there is always the idea that a homeowner in Colorado had with keeping a batch of cookie dough in the refrigerator, and baking cookies whenever prospects were scheduled to hour the house. The homeowner would put the cookies out for the visitors to munch on while there looking. Plus, the delicious aroma made her visitors feel right at home – including the couple that quickly decided to buy it.

Staged to Sell: Part 3 of 4

A four part series on staging your home to sell faster, by your Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert.

Lighten and Brighten

Make improvements that pay. When spending money on improvements, concentrate on return on investment or ROI. Painting to lighten and brighten is a good value. Some experts suggest white for interiors, although some experts disagree, preferring neutral colored – like a soft, buttery tan – to make the house feel warm and welcoming, rather then cold and stark. A bold accent colored could be used sparingly to draw attention to a unique feature.

According to a survey of 2,000 real estate agents by HomeGain, an Internet-based firm, lightening and brightening a house in any way is the most cost effective improvement. That might mean replacing heavy draperies with sheers and pruning shrubs away from windows, as well as putting lighter paint on the walls. It might cost about $100, if you do the painting yourself, but it will raise the selling price of a $200,000 house by nearly $1,000, an ROI of 1,000 percent.

Other valued improvements, according to the survey include manicuring the landscape and trim (266 percent return), fixing plumbing and electrical (196 percent), and some kitchen and bath upgrades (138 percent).

Stay away from these upgrades with low POI: painting interior walls any odd color (63 percent return), repairing flooring (50 percent), replacing carpeting (39 percent), and painting exterior walls (34 percent).

Staged to Sell: Part 2 of 4

A four part series on staging your home to sell faster, by your Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert.

Make Needed Repairs

Getting a house ready to sell is a chore, because a lot of people who are selling have emotionally checked out of the house. They’d rather focus their time and efforts on their next home instead of the one they’re leaving.

But this could be a mistake. There are cost-effective ways to make a house more attractive to buyers. The first suggestion is basic, repair what is broken.

A house in disrepair will receive a lower price, and the cost to fix items will often be deducted anyway. By getting the house in good repair, sellers take away the opportunity for buyers to haggle.

A thorough cleaning is suggest, and ridding the house of the clutter that homeowners learn to not see after a while. You know that area in the kitchen where you toss the mail and the kids’ lunch boxes and the recycling? When potential buyers come into a home, that’s the first thing they notice.

Cluttered closets are also a big turnoff for prospective buyers, who think: How am I going to put all my stuff in here?

One solution is to start packing early, before the house is sold, and then stow the boxes in a temporary storage locker. By packing up closets and clearing out the garage, sellers create a felling of openness in the house that’s attractive to buyers.

Staged to Sell: Part 1 of 4

A four part series on staging your home to sell faster, by your Boulder Colorado Real Estate.

Clean up the Clutter

“Staging” a house to get it sold fast, rather than simply lowering the price, is becoming more popular of late, thanks in part to such television shows as Sell This House on the A&E channel, and Designed to Sell on HGTV.

And no wonder. In 2001 the average home sold after four weeks on the market, but by 2003, that figure had jumped 23 percent. In a world that moves faster all the time, most homeowners would like their home to sell more quickly. Staging a home for sales, which has long been a tool in the high-end housing market, is now becoming popular with more modest properties.

To clean up the clutter, a recent client, Charles, removed clutter from a hallway, took down his art collection so potential buyers could imagine their own pieces hanging on the walls and put away family photos to de-personalize the space.

Outside, he planted red flowers near the curb to make the house easier to find, and kept the front-yard fountain running all the time.

He also had a small bedroom repainted to make it look more like a child’s room, which would have broader appeal

Pending Home Sales Index Down, But Expectations Up

Pending home sales continue to decline but are expected to recover in the months ahead, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Get the low-down from this recent article from NAR.

If you're looking to buy or sell real estate in the Boulder Colorado Real Estate market, contact your Downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate Expert.

Most Expensive Housing Markets

Are you living in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country? Perhaps you are thinking of moving, and you’d like to gauge where your new city fits in with your old, this CNN article on housing markets can help you get a feel for what you are getting into.

If you are thinking of relocation to the Boulder Colorado area, don’t hesitate to contact your downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate expert, providing a wealth of Boulder Relocation information.

Stay Out of Lending Trouble

The swift housing market of the recent past led to the invention of unique mortgage products - some of which can hurt a home buyer's financial health, home equity, and neighborhood stability. Your Boulder Colorado Real Estate expert brings you a free Web site developed by Freddie Mac that can educate you about abusive lending practices.

Should Banks Stay Out of Real Estate?

A December 2005 survey by Bankrate.com showed banks are boosting their fees faster than the interest rates they offer customers. The National Association of Realtors points to this trend as illustrating why banks should not be allowed to broker real estate.

No need to fret, you've got a solid contact for Boulder Colorado Real Estate.

Mortgage Rates Down for Fifth Consecutive Week

What has been happening in the mortgage market lately, especially considering the change in the Federal Reserve Board leadership, is quite interesting. Mortgage rates have leveled, and have actually decreased over the past five weeks. Couple this with slowing seasonal markets in the Boulder Colorado Real Estate area, some price reductions, and educated buyers, the first quarter of 2006 is shaping up to be a solid buyer’s market.

Read more detail on the five-week mortgage decline here.

Tax Deductions for your Home?

Tax time is approaching, and H&R Block's DeductionPro can help you save on tax deductions for your home, family, and life. If you enjoy this download, please visit our Google Ad sponsors located above. Thank you.

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Selling Your Home?

Before you put your home on the market, there are some things you can do to differentiate your house among the competitors. What are some tips for selling your home, visit the forerunner of Boulder Colorado Real Estate experts to find out today!

How Much Rent to Charge?

Do you have investment property that you need some advice on how to handle in regards to how much to charge for rent each month? This article will provide the information you need on how much rent to charge.

HOA Impact on Home Prices

The CATO Institute put together a recent study looking at the impact of a home being located within a Home Owner’s Association (HOA), and its impact on value. The conclusion? On average, homes within an HOA are worth 5% more than similar homes not within an HOA. Many question still remain, however, this empirical study proves why HOA’s are more becoming more accepted.

For the entire article discussing HOA impacts on home prices, click here.

Things to Consider When Purchasing Real Estate

The real estate market is currently booming nationwide and for this reason more and more individuals are looking into buying a home. As the purchase of a home is a major decision and the largest purchase you may ever make there are a few things that prospective homebuyers should look for in their journey to finding the perfect home.

Area Where the Home Is Located
Perhaps one of the main factors that should be considered when purchasing a home is location, location, location. Where the home is located is an extremely important aspect to the home and whether you want to make an offer. Various factors such as safety, adequacy of schools and location of nearby amenities are all things which relate to the location aspect. For this reason, it is best to start the search for potential real estate by narrowing down a specific area where you would like to buy a home. This will also help to narrow down one’s options with regard to homes for sale.

Price of the Home
As many individuals have a set amount of money they are able to spend for the purchase of a home, it is beneficial to know exactly what price range their potential real estate purchase will fall into. By having a set number in mind, the prospective homebuyer can narrow down their options and only look at those homes which they can afford. Looking at homes out of one’s price range is not only a waste of time but it is a bit of a temptation as well. When buying a home, one wants to be sure that they will be able to afford the mortgage payments once the house is purchased. Because of this potential homebuyers might consider getting a pre-approved mortgage so they know for sure their budget and the price of homes to shop for.

Size of the Home
Another way to narrow down the choices which one faces when it comes to home buying is to have a specific size in mind when it comes to the home. For example, if an individual is looking for a house that has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, there is no need to waste time looking at 1 bedroom condominiums. Having an approximate size in mind when looking for a home is a wonderful way to specify one’s desired options when it comes to square footage and number of rooms.

How Long the House Has Been On the Market
A great indicator to look at when viewing homes for possible purchase is how long they have been on the real estate market. This will tell the prospective homebuyer a few different things including condition of the home, price of the home and flexibility of the current owners with regard to the sale. This is a great way to get a feel for the overall situation surrounding the house.

Buying a new house is a wonderful and exciting adventure to embark on. Frequently one will get overwhelmed with all of the details that go into this somewhat arduous task. However, by keeping the previously mentioned factors in mind, one may be better able to prepare themselves for the journey which lies ahead in the great world of real estate purchase.

Written by Ken Smith. Ken Smith is the owner and team leader of the Suburban House Hunters Team and also has started a blog of resources for REALTORS.

What to Expect in the 2006 Real Estate Market

The trends that have formed in late 2005 appear as though they will spill into 2006, a market of evolution. We’re already seeing home inventory levels rise, approaching a four to six month market supply. If you are selling your home, be prepared for a longer wait time, perhaps 60-90 days – ensure that you select your agent carefully, challenge them on their marketing plan for your home, and talk to them about their track record in your area.

May it be a prosperous new year for all – should you need real estate or downtown Boulder Colorado Real Estate assistance, we are your source.

First-Time Homebuyers

First-time homebuyers are educated and informed in the homebuying process, as a result of Internet resources. However, the leap from renter to homeowner is, at times, overwhelming and most rely on their agent for professional direction and expertise. Use the resources, tips, statistics and links in the National Association of Realtor’s Field Guide to get the inside scoop on what agents should be doing to help you out!

What's Up with the Housing Market?

The housing market has been giving off mixed signals lately, mostly favoring buyers over sellers. November saw sales fall 21 percent and there was mounting evidence of at least intermittent declines in home values.

Inventory is key for sellers – November saw a 4.4 percent decline in the number of homes for sale compared with October, marking the first inventory decline from one month to the next since February of 2005, with listings continuing to erode somewhat

There will always be demand for homes that are priced right. Ensure that when working with your REALTOR on the listing side; pay particular attention to your CMA, and the price at which your home will hit the market. On the buy side, your REALTOR should have a good feel for what buyers are saying “yes” to in the market for comparable homes, which will aid you in making a strong offer.