At one of our last office meetings a discussion on new technology, trends, software, etc. came up. One thing that really stuck out in my mind was a new online tool called "Jott".
Essentially, it is an add on for your mobile phone to help you out when you may not have a free hand. You dial the hotline for Jott, tell it what you want done, and it does it. Need to remind yourself about a meeting next Thursday but don't have a pen or paper in the car with you? It will jot it down and send you an e-mail with all the details. You can send texts, e-mails, make calls and who knows what else!
It seems like a pretty great idea, and the best part, as always, is that it is totally free. I'm big on getting value for my buck, and free provides pretty great value. Check it out and find out how it can help you.
Market Statistics for Fort Collins in the month of January, 2008.
This first chart deals with the number of homes sold in Fort Collins (excluding condos) in the month of January 2008 compared to the previous 2 years.
This next chart shows both the average and the median selling prices for single family homes in Fort Collins. The median sales price really acts as a market sentiment indicator. It is found by dropping the highest and lowest sale prices and proceeding toward the midpoint in price.
This chart outlines the average days on market for single family detached homes in Fort Collins.
This chart shows a comparison of various housing types and their relative median sales prices.
This chart shows the number of listings taken at the month's end.
The next chart shows the absorption rate in Fort Collins. The absorption rate is the amount of time it would take for the market to absorb the current inventory if no other homes were added.
These statistics were pulled from IRES, the multiple listing service for Northern Colorado. I will try to post these and other statistics on a monthly basis. Please contact me if you have any questions about any of the charts or would like to know more about a certain set of statistics.
Fort Collins is a wonderful city! One thing to note is that the 2008 statistics are based only off of January 2008 (which typically is not a great time for real estate in Colorado anyway). A cross section of many different studies suggests that Northern Colorado is starting to pick back up again and may in fact become a seller's market within the next few years. Inventory is still relatively high and interest rates are wonderfully low, there are many foreclosures on the market (as well as short sales). All in all, this is still a great time to buy. Maybe even a historically great time to buy as stats show the seller's market on the horizon. Buy low, sell high. That's what we'd all like in Real Estate.
If there is one thing that I hate in this life it is a Windows error message. With a happy sounding little =ding= you get your hopes up for what that synthesized sound might bring! Is Bill Gates handing out millions of dollars for no reason and I am being notified that I am a lucky winner?
No.
Windows has encountered a problem... blah blah blah. We've all read the same message at least once in our life. The best part, though, is the comment that hopefully you weren't working on anything important, because, presto-chango, it's gone!
In this day and age where everything relies on computers, almost everything I do when it is on is important. Why would I use this funny looking box day after day if it wasn't important?
Oh well! Life goes on. That is until the next little =ding= reaches my ears.
Click the picture above to gain access to my website www.PropertyByBen.com
There you can search the MLS, request relocation information, watch home design videos (powered by ByDesign TV), and access an extensive list of useful links. You can find school info, utilities, traffic cameras, ski conditions or just about anything!
If there is something that you'd like to see on my website or if you have a great link to suggest to me, please shoot me an e-mail or reply to this blog. I'd love to hear any feedback you might have.
Every day I realize more and more why I love calling Northern Colorado home. I am obviously not alone in my love of the area. It's old news now, but Fort Collins was named the best place to live in America by Money Magazine in 2006. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/snapshots/PL0827425.html This study hit on the obvious points to what make Fort Collins great, but there really is so much more.
For one, people here are just different. There really is no formula that can explain why, but it is quickly known after you have spent some time here. I had a friend once say that the people here are just "chill". I mean, that really does sum it up. They are kind, level-headed, fun-loving, energetic, happy people. Obviously that's a generalization, but it's true for the most part.
I have traveled extensively in my lifetime and have rarely found anything remotely like this. There are swanky towns, bustling cities, wide spots in the road... and all have nice people. But there truly is something different. I have had relatives comment on this before and it baffles them as well. I have had people relocate here for the sole purpose of getting into "whatever all the other people out here have".
Is it in the water?
I don't know. All that I know is that I am proud to be a part of this vibrant community. So proud, in fact, that I think I'll stay.
Benjamin Emslie
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