Colorado Homes and Mortgage

                 Another Indication


The Housing Affordability Index was developed over thirty years ago to help consumers determine when it is a good time to buy a home. It's considered advantageous to the buyer when the index is over 100 because a median income family can qualify for a median price home.

Recent figures released by the National Association of REALTORS' economic department show that the 2011 index of 184.5 is the highest annual average since it has been calculated. The most recent month released, December 2011, was 194.9. The index is also broken down into four regions of the country.
The two major components that contribute to the index are home prices and mortgage interest rates which are lower than they've been in the

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Try this Financial Aptitude Test and see how you score!!

Financial Aptitude Test - Questions - True or False No Cheating by Looking at the answers! 

1. It is best to pay only the minimum payment due on a credit card bill each month rather than pay your bill in full.

2. Your credit report (your history of paying debts and other bills) can be a factor when you apply for a loan or a credit card, but will not affect your ability to get a job, get an apartment, or how much your car insurance will cost.

3. A debit card is a good alternative to a credit card for a young person because the money to pay for purchases is automatically deducted from a bank account, thus avoiding interest charges or debt problems.

4. There is no good reason to have an

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Did you know Arvada CO - the best small town between Denver and Boulder - has over 125 miles of trails?  It's true, and it's time you got more familiar with them.

You can start now, we're already having days near 60 degrees, but be sure to mark your calendar for Trails Day, June 2, 2012.  

The activity is happening at two beautiful locations - Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge and Majestic View Nature Center.  

At Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison Street, activites include live animal presentations, nature exhibits, Eco-Fair, Arvada trails information, and kids' environmental activities.  Parking is available on site and at the Majestic View parking lot at W. 72nd Ave.

At Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge (80th Avenue just east of

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The Kite Festival is one of my favorite Arvada events.  Arvada hosts so many fun events, it's hard to choose - but this one is just so full of eye candy, and laid back and family-friendly. Not to mention so close to my home, I can walk there!

Arvada's 2012 Kite Festival is set for Saturday, April 14 starting at 10 am, and the rain date is April 21.  It's a very popular event, and cars line the neighborhood streets quite a ways in both directions on both streets that border the park.  So it's nice to see that this year, they will be offering shuttle service from the free parking lots at Warder Elementary School, 7840 Carr Drive, and George Meyers Pool to Robby Ferrufino Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are 8 kite-building classes in

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In the wake of recent severe thunderstorms, wind and hail damage across the country, homeowners could now be faced with another disaster: unscrupulous storm-chasing contractors.

Storm chasers often go from house to house looking for people who need help cleaning up storm damage, offering promises of quick repairs for cash up-front.

“If a person you don’t know comes to your door promising to help if you’ll just pay in cash, just say ‘no,’” says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List, which provides consumer reviews on local contractors and service companies.

“Severe storms can be traumatic, and people trying to put their lives back together shouldn’t have to worry about trouble from shady contractors. With just a

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 FHA Fees Going Up April 1st 2012

   By now  most people have heard about the mortgage insurance rate getting higher and higher.

   If you are in the process of buying a home through FHA you need to get moving on finding a home quickly.  Ask your lender to figure out how much your payments will increase if you wait until after April 1st, 2012.  Of course that's April Fools Day but it's not an April Fools Day prank.

               
FHA has raised the annual Mortgage Insurance Premium to 1.25% beginning April 1st.  MIP is required on all FHA loans and used to fund losses by lenders for borrowers who default on their mortgages.  As of June 1st, FHA loans in excess of the standard maximum of $625,500, in high-cost

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The main purpose of Daylight Saving Time is to make better use of daylight

A poll conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation indicated that Americans liked Daylight Saving Time because there is more light in the evenings.

According to some source, DST saves energy.  Studies done by the U.S. Department of Transportation showed that Daylight Saving Time trims the entire country’s electricity by a small but significant amount, about one percent each day, because less electricity used for lighting appliance.  Power companies have found that power usage decreases 3-5 percent when daylight saving starts.

There may be also an economic benefit to DST, as daylight evening hours encourage people to go out look at homes and shop, potentially

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Many of you hear about the horrible state of the real estate market on a daily basis.  I am here to hopefully brighten your day with THE TRUTH about the state of the Denver real estate market.  Below details, in very basic terms, what you need to consider if you are thinking of buying or selling a home in the near future.  The current real estate market is exciting, and what you hear on the national news about real estate as a whole DOES NOT apply to our local market in Denver, Colorado.

FACT 1: The Denver Real Estate Market is stronger right now than it has been anytime since the crash.  AND it’s getting stronger.

FACT 2: We are now officially in a Seller’s Market.  What does that mean?  There are now fewer homes and condos on the

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2012 Is Looking Good For 2012 Denver Metro Real Estate

Numbers released in February from Metrolist Inc. show the number of homes put under contract is up 19% from January and up 12% from February last year.  This is good news for the Denver Metro real estate market. 

The inventory of unsold homes was down 3% from January and down quite a bit from February last year, a whole 42%.  Sold homes remained at more steady numbers.  Sales were up 1% from January and up 12% from the same month last year.

The largest percentage of homes/condos being sold was 62% under $150k and 43% sold for less than $200k.  This shows promising signs for the market as these buyers will eventually want to move up to more expensive homes. 

The homes that are currently

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High Tea for Seniors is a highly anticipated annual event in Arvada, Colorado.  The event is for Arvada residents 90 years and over, which is why I don't have any pictures - I can't go for nearly four more decades. Please read the info below, from the City of Arvada's web site, for more information.  If you know anyone who might enjoy High Tea for Seniors, please pass this along so they can have this wonderful afternoon memory too.

Tea is served!  And tasty sandwiches!  And elegant desserts!  It’s the 6th annual High Tea for Seniors on Saturday, March 10, 2012, at 4:00 PM at the Community Recreation Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd. The festivities are for residents of Arvada 90 years and older and a guest.

“The High Tea has become an event

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