Doug's Blog- Northern Colorado Real Estate

High Plains Village at Centerra- Open House Weekend

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Sat, 24 May 2008 10:50:03 -0500

Need something to do this weekend? As weather permits, here is this weekends open house schedule. Come on out and enjoy the weather, see some great home in the built green community of High Plains Village. To get to a specific open house, please click on a link below and look for the see map link.

Saturday, May 24th 2008

1:00PM-3:00PM 4004 Plum Creek DR (click here for a virtual tour)

3:15PM-5:00PM 2105 Buffalo Mountain Place (click here for a virtual tour/video)

Sunday, May 25th 2008

1:00PM-3:00PM 1991 Grays Peak Drive #202 (tour)/ 1963 Grays Peak DR # 204 (tour)

The above schedule is subject to change or cancellation due weather.

High Plains Open House Weekend

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Sat, 03 May 2008 09:34:49 -0500

Saturday, May 3rd

11:30-1:30 Very Private Main Level Condo, Next to Walking Trails- 2147 Grays Peak DR # 104

1:45-3:15 Very Affordable Town Home w/ Attached Garage, Basement- 1949 Piney River DR

3:30-5:00 Three Bedroom Home w/ Main Floor Master, Across From Park- 2105 Buffalo Mountain PL

Sunday, May 4th

12:00-2:00PM Light & Bright End Unit Town Home- 1954 Big Sandy PL

2;30-4:30PM Great Main Floor Master Town Home- 4004 Plum Creek DR

Why Full-Time Means Go Time

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:44:29 -0500

This past weekend, I was showing property to one of my buyer clients. During the course of the day, the client identified two homes that he wanted me to check into further before making an offer. After leaving messages on the other agents voice mail, I heard back from agent # one within an hour or so of my original call. Agent # two did not return my call by the end of the day on Sunday. No big deal, I try and take Sunday's off myself. On Monday, still no call, so I left another voice mail message. Tuesday, same thing, no call. Wednesday I leave another message and finally get a return call about 4PM in the afternoon. The agent was quick to apologize for her delay in getting back to me. What she said next made me sad and angry all at the same time. This woman had to two part-time jobs in addition to her real estate practice, recently divorced with two young mouths to feed. Very sad!

This got me to thinking about her client and if they were made aware of the fact that their agent was part-time at best. Not even mentioning the fact that my buyer client was ready to make an offer on the first house because we did not hear back from the agent for four days after my original phone call. While I feel sorry for agent # two, I feel even more sorry for her clients. Do they know that they do not have full-time representation? Would they be ok with their agent not returning a phone call to another agent for four days? How ~~pissed~~ dissapointed would they be if my buyer and I had written an offer only to find out that the offer was not longer valid because the response time had already expired?

I know we all have challenges to overcome but now more than ever, buyers and sellers alike should only work with full-time agents to represent their best interest. The key phrase here is not full-time but rather best interest. I find it impossible to believe that an agent can truly be affective and represent someone's interest as a part-timer.

NAR- Stop Being a Cheerleader & Start Telling the Truth.

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:06:02 -0500

In order for me to be a Realtor, I must be a member of NAR. Much like a teacher, they willingly or unwillingly pay to be a part of the industry that is suppposed to represent their best interest. Question? What if I don't agree with those that I pay to represent my best interest? Do I quit and go find a real job? Nope, I whine. See below.....

As late as December 2005, the former Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, David Lereah was touting how great the national housing market was doing. This was before the credit crunch, sub-prime crisis and all the mayhem surrounding foreclosures. Meanwhile, the national housing market was not doing well and the writing on the wall was seeping through Lereah's everything is fine ~~pile of crap~~ forecasting. David Lereah was in the truest sense of the word an economic cheerleader. And why not, he was the Chief Economist for an industry that needed some positives. The problem was that he was paid to be the Chief Economist and should have acted like one.

Forward to our new Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors Lawrence Yun. He took over as Chief Economist at a time when the national housing market is considered to be in the tank. The best thing that Yun has done so far is tell the truth. So far, I have been very impressed with what I have read about him and his forecasting. It seems to me that he is not afraid to tell the truth even when Realtors are dropping like flies.

A few months back, Yun was in Longmont, Colorado speaking before a local group of Realtors and despite all the national media hype on the housing market, told these agents that Colorado he is more optimistic about Colorado than the rest of the country. Is this David Lereah all over again? Not by a long shot. In his short time as Chief Economist, he is calling it like he sees it. He is credible because of his convictions and ability to tell the truth. In my eyes, he is clearly breathing new life into NAR even when membership has been in decline. Keep it up Mr. Yun, call it like you see it because I doubt the little skirt fits you as well as it did Mr. Lereah.

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2008 -

The National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun has been named among the top 10 economic forecasters by USA Today. Yun is ranked fifth on the list and is responsible for NAR's real estate statistics and economic forecasting. The annual list recognizes accuracy in forecasting.

"NAR is proud of USA Today's recognition of Lawrence Yun and his economic forecast accuracy. He is a highly regarded economist, and the housing and real estate industry have come to rely heavily on his economic analyses," said Dale Stinton, NAR executive vice president and chief executive officer. "This acknowledgement contributes greatly to NAR's reputation as the leading innovator in housing-related research."

Yun was named NAR's chief economist and senior vice president of research in November 2007. He has been with the association since 2000, previously serving as vice president and senior economist. He pioneered the development of the Commercial Leading Index after helping develop the residential Pending Home Sales Index.

"I'm honored to be recognized among some of the best economists in the country," said Yun. "The economy and housing industry are facing many challenging issues at this time, which makes this an interesting and stimulating position."

USA Today enlisted the help of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to determine the most accurate forecasters among the economists surveyed in the newspaper's quarterly survey on the U.S. economy.

The economists, whose identities were unknown to those gathering the data, received four scores - one for each quarterly survey - and were ranked on the average of those four scores. FRBA used statistical methods to assess the joint accuracy of the predictions rather than assessing the accuracy of each forecast variable separately, as is commonly done.

Before joining NAR, Yun worked as an economic consultant to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Education. As a research associate at the University of Maryland, Yun developed the graduate economics curriculum for and taught free-market economics in the former Soviet Union as that country transitioned from communism to a free-market system.

Yun received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Maryland in 1995. He received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1987.

The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

For additional resources go to:

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2008/nar_chief_economist_top_forecaster.html

http://www.nocohub.com/2008/03/10/northern-colorado-not-in-a-recession/

http://www.nocohub.com/2008/02/27/colorado-is-a-safe-buy/

http://www.nocohub.com/2007/11/07/the-market-why-its-not-as-bad-as-you-think/

Is Newspaper Advertising Worth It?

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:47:42 -0500

As I was preparing my 2008 business plan and budget, I continue to be amazed that I was considering "throwing out" all print advertising. Some of the magazine ads that I have placed in the past have been fruitful (at best) but the newspaper has been a total disaster.

In the past year and a half, I have placed approximately 25 display ads and have received 0 calls. That's a 0 as in zero. Talk about a bad return on your marketing dollar. My basic theory when trying to sell houses is exposure creates demand and demand creates value. If the exposure is so minimal (newspapers), their cannot be any demand, no demand means no value.

My dilemna is not unique and because of this, I am hereby announcing that I do not plan on spending another nickel on newspaper advertising in 2008. The internet is just too powerful and in my estimation a better return on the precious investment dollar.

Here are several advantages that the internet has over any print media (specifically newspapers).

The internet is:

world wide
local (even targeted)
less rigid/ more flexible
perpetual (the same message can be seen over and over)
more timely (especially with blogs) and less reliant on deadlines
more colorful (assuming you have a color monitor)
less bureacratic (you don't have to worry about editorial guidelines)
more dynamic (RSS feeds will change the internet as we know it)
more creative (newspapers have looked just about the same for the last 100 years)
not going away

Wow! Looking at the bullets above just confirms my decision. The internet makes so much more sense and dollar for dollar is a much better value.

The latest stats from the National Association of Realtors are so compelling that I have no idea why so many real estate agents are not focusing their marketing on the internet. Did you know that over 92% of all active buyers start their search on the internet (source- NAR).

Goodbye newspapers!!!

Fort Collins- Safe Drivers...... Yep!

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:45:46 -0500

Yes, I am a bit surprised by this since I think we have a bunch of crazies on the road. I guess everyone has their share of bad drivers but this puts things in persepective. When I was living in California, they had road rage, here in Northern Colorado they have tailgaters. I'll take my chances with someone with a bad habit versus a bad temper all day.

Let The Markets Work It Out!!!!

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:43:49 -0500

If you didn't catch our Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke speech the other day, you should really take a look. As a casual Fed watcher, it has become apparent to me that we have a completely inept chairman at the helm.

Chairman Bernanke said the following:

But the current housing difficulties differ from those in the past, largely because of the pervasiveness of negative equity positions. With low or negative equity, as I have mentioned, a stressed borrower has less ability (because there is no home equity to tap) and less financial incentive to try to remain in the home. In this environment, principal reductions that restore some equity for the homeowner may be a relatively more effective means of avoiding delinquency and foreclosure.
Lenders tell us that they are reluctant to write down principal. They say that if they were to write down the principal and house prices were to fall further, they could feel pressured to write down principal again. Moreover, were house prices instead to rise subsequently, the lender would not share in the gains. In an environment of falling house prices, however, whether a reduction in the interest rate is preferable to a principal writedown is not immediately clear. Both types of modification involve a concession of payments, are susceptible to additional pressures to write down again, and result in the same payments to the lender if the mortgage pays to maturity. The fact that most mortgages terminate before maturity either by prepayment or default may favor an interest rate reduction. However, as I have noted, when the mortgage is "under water," a reduction in principal may increase the expected payoff by reducing the risk of default and foreclosure.

How cool is that?! I wonder if the federal government will start requiring my current and future debts to be discounted or relieved right after I incur the debt. Imagine the possibilities..... I can go and buy a Mercedes Benz for the price of a Ford or I can run up my credit cards, ask for forgiveness and give someone else the bill.

Mr. Bernanke, this is one of the most irresponsible, thoughtless, government run-a-muck ideas that I have seen in my lifetime. Whatever happened to individual responsibility, working hard, living within one's means and having an overall sense of accomplishment? Oh, one thing that is worth mentioning..... who will be paying for all the immediate equity? My guess is the banks will seek to make up the difference somehow for those overnight losses.

Rare Opportunity- Main Floor Master w/ Maintain & Boyd Lake Views

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:01:23 -0600

Rare Opportunity- Main Floor Master with Separate Guest Suite

Location: High Plains Village at Centerra

Rarely available main floor master floor plan in High Plains Village. This 3 bedroom (or 2 with office set-up) end unit has 2 master suites and fantastic views of the mountains. Open, bright & cozy best describes this elegant town home. The main living area is spacious with vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, numerous decorative shelves (and did I mention views of the mountains?). The dining room and eat-in kitchen would be great for entertaining. A separate guest suite is all by itself on the 2nd level. With a vaulted ceiling, several mountain facing windows and a 5 piece bath arrangement, your guests will probably never want to leave. If you like garages (who doesn't) then the epoxy floor that you could eat off of may be of interest to you. The basement layout has great potential as well.

High Plains Village is 1.5 miles from I-25, very close to shopping opportunities and the Loveland Sports Park. With 2 lakes, a dog park, numerous community parks, 8 miles of walking trails and 275 acres of dedicated open space, this is an ideal community for just about every phase of life.

Information

Contact Information

Doug Lindstrom

970-744-1075

Pricing

Asking Price: $230,000.00

Flexibility: Negotiable

Property Location

4004 Plum Creek DR
Loveland, CO 80538

Links

Search the MLS

High Plains Exert

noco HUB

Features

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Year Built: 2002

Subdivision: High Plains Village at Centerra

Attached on: 1 Side

Garage Size: 2

School District: Thompson R2-J

Square Footage: 1752

Agent Name: Doug Lindstrom

Broker: ReMax Alliance

MLS #: 559117

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Full Refrigerator

Washer/Dryer

Dishwasher

Sink Disposal

Microwave

Interior Amenities

Fireplace

Hardwood Floors

Kitchen Island

Vaulted Ceilings

Basement

Exterior Amenities

Fenced Yard

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1503645

Photo Gallery

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1503645

Carefree Cottage- 3 Minutes to I-25

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:59:36 -0600

Carefree Cottage in Centerra

Location: High Plains Village at Centerra

Almost maintenance free carefree cottage in High Plains Village at Centerra. This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home has a an upgraded kitchen with tile countertops, smooth top cooktop, wood floors and pull out drawers. A full length finished attic is a great place for the kids room, and office or even a separate guest area.
Since the property is a carefree cottage, the landscaping in the front and side yards is part of the HOA.
High Plains Village is close to I-25, MCR, shopping, restaurants and offers a dog park, 2 lakes, dedicated open space and several miles of walking trails.

Information

Contact Information

Doug Lindstrom

970-744-1075

Pricing

Asking Price: $218,000.00

Flexibility: Negotiable

Property Location

4137 Plum Creek DR
Loveland, CO 80538

Links

High Plains Expert

High Plains Cottage

Features

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.5

Year Built: 2005

Subdivision: High Plains Village at Centerra

Garage Size: 2

School District: Thompson R 2-J

Square Footage: 2369

Agent Name: Doug Lindstrom

Broker: ReMax Alliance

MLS #: 547303

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Full Refrigerator

Washer/Dryer

Dishwasher

Sink Disposal

Microwave

Interior Amenities

Fireplace

Hardwood Floors

Basement

Attic

Exterior Amenities

Patio

Fenced Yard

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1296526

Photo Gallery

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1296526

McStain Built Town Home in Centerra

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:58:09 -0600

Best Price in Centerra- Town Home

Location: High Plains Village at Centerra

Great opportunity to own in desireable High Plains Village. This home offers a spacious kitchen, vaulted ceilings, open floor plan, 2 car attached garage, nice front yard, huge soaker tub, window seat (great for reading) and a great price in a great neighborhood. High Plains is close to I-25, shopping, restaurants, Med Ctr. The community offers miles of walking trails, 2 lakes, a dog park, dedicated open space and numerous community parks. Simply a great place to live with all the conveniences.

Information

Contact Information

Doug Lindstrom

970-744-1075

Pricing

Asking Price: $169,000.00

Flexibility: Negotiable

Property Location

1949 Piney River Dr
Loveland, CO 80538

Links

High Plains Expert

nocoMLSseach

HPV Townhome

Features

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Year Built: 2002

Subdivision: High Plains Village at Centerra

Garage Size: 2

School District: Thompson R 2-J

Square Footage: 1040

Agent Name: Doug Lindstrom

Broker: ReMax Alliance

MLS #: 546767

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Dishwasher

Sink Disposal

Microwave

Interior Amenities

Hardwood Floors

Vaulted Ceilings

Basement

Attic

Exterior Amenities

Patio

Fenced Yard

Grass Lawn

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1296516

Photo Gallery

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1296516

New Restaurant- Costa Vida (Promenade Shops at Centerra)

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:53:26 -0600

I am fortunate to again review a new restaurant in our beautiful Loveland area. This time the location is the Promenade shops at Centerra. Since there is no traditional food court at our fair mall, I think the addition of the new Costa Vida will be a raging success. Before arriving, I had heard it compared to a Wahoo's. I was beside myself with anticipation since that is a favorite of mine worth commuting to Longmont for. I have to say that there wasn't much similarity in my opinion. Although there is certainly a beach, surf ambiance, that is about where the likeness ended. The atmosphere is a bit more upscale, though still eclectic and beachie. Not the kind of place with random bumper stickers pasted on every wall like Wahoo's. There is a beautiful glass water feature that will grab your attention as soon as you walk in the door. And 2 hanging flat screen TV's - the day I was there one had basketball and the other had surfing. It is what I consider upscale fast food. I was impressed with a more diverse menu than some of the recent comparable Mexican restaurant additions we've had lately. If I had noticed they had Fish Tacos on the menu before I ordered, I'm sure I would have had that to further be able to compare to Wahoo's. But, instead I ordered the Sweet Pork Enchilada. Excellent! I also found their prices to be very reasonable. Since I knew I would be writing this review, I used the excuse to indulge in one of their specialty desserts as well, the Tres Leches. It's hard to believe something so decadent could be found at a fast food restaurant! So overall, although it would still place behind Wahoo's in my opinion, I do give an enthusiastic recommendation to Costa Vida. I'll go one step further and say when considering price, ambiance, and of course food selection I would even rank it above Qdoba and Chipotle. Check it out!

4 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom W/ Finished Basement in Centerra

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:42:15 -0600

4 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms with Finished Basement in Centerra

Location: High Plains Village at Centerra

Plenty of Room! This 4 bed, 4 bath home with a full finished basement is ready to show. On the main level is an open living room area, an office w/ double doors, a large dining area and kitchen with great cabinet and counter top space. The upstairs has 4 bedrooms, 3 with great mountain and lake views. The basement is nicely finished with a great room area and a hobby workshop area or add a bedroom. McStain built green home located in the heart on Centerra.

Information

Contact Information

Doug Lindstrom

970-744-1075

Pricing

Asking Price: $290,000.00

Flexibility: Negotiable

Property Location

4074 Buffalo Mountain DR
Loveland, CO 80538

Links

Search the MLS

High Plains Expert

noco HUB

Features

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 4

Year Built: 2003

Subdivision: High Plains Village at Centerra

Garage Size: 2

School District: Thompson R2-J

Square Footage: 2700

Agent Name: Doug Lindstrom

Broker: ReMax Alliance

MLS #: 558577

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Full Refrigerator

Washer/Dryer

Dishwasher

Sink Disposal

Microwave

Interior Amenities

Fireplace

Basement

Exterior Amenities

Patio

Grass Lawn

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1503709

Photo Gallery

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1503709

Lots FOR SALE in Centerra

Doug Lindstrom (ReMax Alliance) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:40:24 -0600

Lots For Sale in Centerra

Location: High Plains Village at Centerra

Here is a fantastic opportunity for a builder or multiple builders to purchase lots in Centerra. An individual may also purchase a lot or two and build in a dynamic community that's within 1.5 miles of I-25. Find a better deal this close to the Interstate and Highway 34, major shopping, employers and the Medical Center!

Information

Contact Information

Doug Lindstrom

970-744-1075

Pricing

Asking Price: $65,000.00

Links

High Plains Lots

noco HUB

Search the MLS

Features

Zoning: Residential