Here is a simple, straightforward plan to stimulate the economy. I received this in a cc: from my favorite lender. It was a message to Carmen Wong Ulrich at CNBC. I've been waiting but it hasn't made to air, I thought I'd post it here!

I am a 16 year mortgage veteran with a real idea on a low cost stimulus plan.

The biggest problem with refinancing people that are paying their mortgage on time is appraisals.

Many worthy people bought their home at the peak of the market and now can't refinance because they are upside down on value. They don't have enough equity to take advantage of the current low rates. They are missing out on lowering their payments by $100 to $400 dollars per month because their home won't appraise at value, with enough equity. They have paid on time and will continue BUT they don't have enough equity.

Let's let them refi without appraisals. This would pump BILLIONS of dollars back into the market monthly.The new investors that would be buying these loans would be guaranteed the top 25% to 40% of each mortgage. Just like V.A. and F.H.A. loans now. The only cost to the government would be the foreclosures which would be minimal because these are the GOOD borrowers who have been paying their mortgages on time and will continue to.

This is a LOW COST bail out that would stimulate the economy with much less cost than many proposed plans.

Makes sense to me!

Northgate Real Estate Sales Report For December of 2008:

The Northgate area actually had a pretty good December. Northgate is a small MLS area so seeing 19 sales in what is traditionally a slower month is actually quite impressive.

Northgate is one of the fastest growing areas in all of Colorado Springs, both residential and commercial.

Here is a look at the sales statistics for the Northgate Area:

If you are considering selling your home, make sure you choose a Realtor that knows how to price, stage and market your home.

Choose Real Estate Professionals Joe and Jennifer Boylan: Click Here to take a look at our Seller Marketing Plan

Here are the sales results for the Tri-Lakes market for the month of December 2008. Although this is a weak showing the good news is the Tri-Lakes market is leveling off. Sales in December were close to the same as the November numbers.

The activity has picked up an interest rates a bound to bring some of the pent up buyer demand in off of the bench.

Here is a closer look at the sold data for December:

If you are considering selling, make sure you choose a Realtor that knows how to price, stage and market your home.

Choose Real Estate Professionals Joe and Jennifer Boylan: Click Here to take a look at our Seller Marketing Plan

In a month that's shown some not so impressive numbers, one of the highlights for November of 2008 is the Days on Market statistic. We are currently sitting at an average of 82 days on market. 

This is actually the fewest Average Days on Market for this year. Here is an overview of the Year To Date, Average Days on Market.

This number really isn't a reflection of the health of our market but more a reaction of the market to the market place. Many sellers have chosen the rental market or to just sit on the sidelines. On the other hand there aren't a lot of buyer in the market either.

In a month that's seen a lot of lack luster numbers the Listing Discount for November of 2008 actually looks pretty good. The current number is at 2.6 % of list price, this number has been as high as 3.7% in recent history.

Take a look at the Year To Date Listing Discount numbers for Colorado Springs Real Estate in 2008.

This information provided by Joe Boylan: http://www.springshomes.com

With the final numbers in from the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors for the month of November 2008. The Average List Price has reached a new low for the year.

I think this is more a reflection of lack of listing activity as opposed to lack of value. In other words, we are seeing fewer listings and certainly fewer higher end listings. Sellers are opting to get into the rental market or sit on the sidelines as opposed getting in the game and risking a sack. 

Here is a look at the Year to Date Average Listing Prices for the Colorado Springs Real Estate Market. As you can see the decline has been gradual. Colorado Springs is for the most part a very conservative/stable market, so as this graphic shows, we don't tend to see dramatic swings i nour market statistics.

I was recently chastised by a reader for not including an apostrophe in Pikes Peak.

Just to set the record straight, according to Wikipedia in 1891, US Board on Geographic Names recommended against the use of apostrophes in names.

Additionally, in 1978 the Colorado state legislature passed a law mandating the use of "Pikes Peak" only.

So if you're an Old Timer, pre 1891 or 1978, go ahead and use Pike's Peak...Just understand, the rest of us have the State Legislature on our side.

Colorado Springs Real Estate numbers are on from the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors for the month of November of 2008. The news is not great, at least for home sellers.

The Median List Price is an important number as it points to the direction of housing prices in general. Having said that, the Median List Price is now $192,000 it's lowest point of the year.

Here is a look at the 2008 Year To Date numbers for the Colorado Springs Median List Price.

Colorado Springs Listing Inventory Numbers:

The November 2008 numbers have been released by the Pike Peak Association of Realtors. Although there are some numbers of serious concern, (499 sales for the month) There are some promising numbers. The number of months of standing inventory is down to 7.5 months.

My hunch is that this is based more on sellers choosing to sit on the sidelines then is some indication of market health. Having said that, I am still happy to see this number drop as we've seen it as high as 10 months earlier this year.

Here is an overview of our Colorado Springs Real Estate Market inventory times.

Here is a brand new video for a 1,600 square foot home we have listed for sale in Monument, Colorado. When people learn we do video marketing for our listings they usually make the assumption we only do video for the true luxury properties. We have actually found video to be really effective for all of our listings, regardless of price or size.

Here's a great home in excellent condition, priced aggressively at $210,000