Friday, May 23, 2014

Are You in Your Forever Home?

I sometimes ask this question of clients to give, "someday we'd like to move..." some real thought.  There certainly are times in life when moving just isn't in the cards, but it's also true that, like having a baby, it's almost never an ideal time.  Regardless of what's going on in people's personal lives, the market keeps moving and changing, and it's important to really think through the scenarios.

If you have a home to sell, the current low inventory will offer you an opportunity to get the price you want.  Homes that are well-priced and even moderately updated are going under contract within days.  And while the lack of inventory can affect your replacement home search, interest rates are still historically low and offer maximum purchasing power.  The chart below shows how much your options can be affected by waiting until next year to make a move:


Purchase Price
(with 20% down)
30-Year
Fixed Rate
Monthly Principal
and Interest
Monthly Cost
to Wait
Cost Over
Life of Loan
Purchase Now $450,000 4.5%
(4.523% APR)
$1,824    
Wait
(rates rise)
$450,000 5.125%
(5.274% APR)
$1,988 $164/mo $59,040

Or, looked at another way, if you wanted to keep your monthly payment the same while the interest rate rises, your purchase price would be reduced to only $418,758.  That $30,000 jump can mean significant sacrifices to your wish-list.  It's also going to reduce the buyer pool for the house you are trying to sell.
 
Staufer Team has a great reputation in the Louisville/Superior area, and often our agents have clients who are waiting for the right opportunity before they become serious about their move.  There are several homeowners in Louisville who would sell their home if only they could find another replacement nearby.  If this describes you, please let me know.  Our team may be able to match you up with another seller or buyer just waiting for you!


I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Friday, May 16, 2014

The Music of the Street Faire

 
Every summer, the Louisville Street Faire attracts guests from all over the area to enjoy food, drink, vendors and most of all - great music.  This year's lineup is setting a new bar:


June 13 - BoDeans

June 20 - Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience

June 27 - March Fourth Marching Band

July 11 - Los Lobos

July 18 - Young Dubliners

July 25 - Iguanas

August 1 - Chuck Prophet & the Mission Express

August 8 - Samantha Fish

August 15 - Subdudes

The event runs from 5-10pm at 824 Front Street, with live music from 6:30-9:30pm.  Come out and join us!


I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Friday, May 2, 2014

Coming Up For Air

Louisville is 17.3%.  Boulder is 11.2%  These are the increases in the median sales price for the first quarter of 2014 over the same time period in 2013, according to the Boulder Area REALTORS® Association.  The S&P/Case Shiller Denver Home Price Index is reporting a year-over year increase of 9.13% in residential real estate prices.

Property values are recovering, more quickly in some markets than others.  This is greatly affecting about a third of the nation's homeowners who are currently in the process of foreclosure - they are discovering that they may no longer be underwater.

During the first quarter of 2013, 26% of all homeowners were seriously underwater (debt equal to or more than 25% of their home's value).  This year, that number is down to 17%.  According to RealtyTrac, that equals almost 2 million homeowners.  That positive equity may help some of them avoid foreclosure with a refinance or short sale.  The Denver metro area is a population where perhaps half of the homeowners in foreclosure may actually have gained equity again.

Many homeowners may not realize their good fortune, some of them having vacated their properties already.  If you'd like to find out if your home's appreciation is significant, please contact me.  My team of experts will get you the right information and help you navigate the process of getting back on the shore.


I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com