FREEDOM FROM FINANCING FEAR! - 03/26/09 02:56 PM
If you're planning the purchase of your first home, you're probably experiencing two conflicting emotions - excitement and apprehension.  The positive energy from your excitement is an asset in your home search, but the negative energy from your fear of the unknown is a liability you can leave behind once you're armed with some basic information.
 
Paramount to buying your first home is understanding how much you can afford.  You can start with any number of online financial calculators, and once you've established a budgetary picture, take the all-important next step - loan pre-qualification.
 
Pre-qualification may sound intimidating, but … (0 comments)

A BALANCING ACT! - 03/26/09 02:51 PM
"Buyers market."  "Sellers market."  What does it all mean when you find yourself ready to buy or sell a home?
 The basic concept behind a "buyers market" is that there are more houses or residential properties for sale in your community than there are buyers qualified to make a purchase.  This creates increased competition among the sellers for those fewer buyers, and can put the buyers in the "driver's seat" when it comes to negotiation.
 It logically follows that a "sellers market" happens when there are more prospective buyers than there are homes for sale.  Now it is the buyers who … (1 comments)

COMPLETELY REMODELED CHARMING HOME IN CENTRAL LOCATION! - 03/26/09 02:47 PM
2 Bed, 1 Bath,
NEWER SIDING, KITCHEN, , BATH AND PAINT. VERY NICE LARGE MANICURED BACK YARD-GREAT SMALL HOME AT A GREAT PRICE! EXCELLENT CONDITION! NO HOA'S!

Paul Gruber    CRS, e-Pro, REALTOR
Broker/ SR Partner
Metro Brokers - The Edge Group, Inc.
paul@theedgegroup.net
www.theedgegroup.net
7400 W Jefferson Ave
Lakewood, CO 80235
303-886-5991
… (0 comments)

THE QUICK AND THE DEAD! - 03/13/09 02:47 PM
When you start planning to put your home on the market, it's time to show off!  Try to imagine that your in-laws are coming for an extended visit, and then triple the effort you would put into preparing for their arrival.  Sellers are competing for offers, and it all starts at your front door - literally.
 
Impress potential buyers at first sight with a well-tended lawn and entryway.  When they walk through the door, make sure they do not sense any clutter.  You've got to pack it up sooner or later, so take the opportunity to do it now, before … (3 comments)

A TRULY SECURE TRANSACTION! - 03/13/09 02:40 PM
If there were a health issue in your family, you would turn to your doctor with questions.  Likewise, you would consult an attorney if you were facing a legal problem.  Chances are, however, that you would first go online to any number of medical or legal websites to familiarize yourself with the issues and get enough information to begin an informed discussion with the professional.
 
Those websites won't illustrate how to perform surgery, or advise you how to conduct your case in court.  That's up to the professional.  The Internet plays a similar role in real estate.  It's a place … (1 comments)

TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN! - 03/13/09 02:34 PM
How would you place a value on your home?  More critically, how would you put a price on your home?  Sounds like the same question, but it suggests the difference between price and value that's important to understand as you prepare to sell your home.
 
Two homes may have identical features and prices, but factors like location and condition can impact the homes' perceived value.  To arrive at an attractive asking price, you must compare your home's value against its competition, which is easily done through realty websites and advertisements.
 
Your goal is to set the right price right … (0 comments)

VACANT HOME OR “OPEN HOUSE”? - 03/10/09 03:01 PM
If you move out of your home while it's on the market, you'll expect your real estate agent to handle showings in your absence.  But how do you avoid the unwanted attention that a vacant home can attract from uninvited intruders?
 
There are many suggestions to offer to increase your security.  While your agent likely won't have the time available to constantly monitor your home, you do have the option of registering with the local police department, so that officers assigned to your neighborhood can keep an eye on your home and perform security checks as needed (generally at no … (2 comments)

YOU’RE NOT ALONE! - 03/10/09 02:55 PM
Foreclosure.  The very term strikes fear into the heart of any homeowner.  Would you believe that two in every 100 homes in the U.S. were in the process of foreclosure at the end of 2008?  If you're facing such circumstances, first understand that you are not alone.  
 
Most people got into this position by taking advantage of ridiculously low introductory rates on adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs).  Now that those loans are resetting, consumers face dramatic increases in the interest rate, and consequently, the monthly payment.  Even a reasonable rate like 7% becomes a burden to those who have grown accustomed to … (0 comments)

RUBBING ELBOWS! - 03/10/09 02:49 PM
 
At some point in your life you're likely to find yourself either buying or selling a home. When that time comes, you might want to ask yourself some questions.
 
Can I figure like an accountant? Can I measure like a surveyor?  Do I understand "legalese" like an attorney?  Can I spot defects like an inspector?  Can I speak like an auctioneer?  Do I understand zoning, building codes and taxes like a city or county employee?  Do I understand human motivation like a psychologist?
 
Chances are you'll be hard pressed to answer all those questions with a "Yes," unless … (0 comments)

DON’T OVERDO IT! - 03/10/09 02:45 PM
Homeowners who are preparing to sell realize there's quite a bit of competition out there.  While presenting your home in model condition is one of the best ways to win the attention of potential buyers, be careful to avoid the pitfalls of improvements that may not produce the full-price offer you are seeking.
 
First and foremost, do not try to out-do the other homes on the block.  Yes, you want your home to stand out, but not so far out that your asking price will have to be significantly higher than those of the homes around you.  You'll price yourself … (5 comments)

Inspirational Quotes - 03/03/09 04:46 PM
Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.Albert Einstein
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.Henry David Thoreau
Inspiration and genius--one and the same.Victor Hugo
To find what you seek in the road of life, the best proverb of all is that which says:"Leave no stone unturned."Edward Bulwer Lytton
Do we not all agree to call rapid thought and noble impulse by the name of inspiration?George Eliot
If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you … (1 comments)

Quit freaking out over the DOW - 03/03/09 03:32 PM
Recently I looked at A Sampled History of The Dow Jones Industrial AverageFrom 1900 to The Present. Then I went around asking friends, coworkers and clients what they thought the DOW was at in 1990. I received various answers 8000, 6000, 7200 etc but it was fun to look at their face when I told then that a little less than 20 years ago the DOW was only at 2633 (December 31,1990). Most of them look bewildered and confused. At that point I told them from Jan 2, 1900 to December 31, 1990, 90 years the DOW only went up 2565 … (1 comments)

Good News with CHFA - 03/03/09 02:58 PM
Take a look at what one of my lenders sent me:
 
CHFA has made some big changes to their down payment assistance program as outlined below. The changes were effective yesterday and should help a lot of home buyers. I've also attached the February Market in Review at the bottom. If you have questions about any type of loan (or down payment assistance), including, but not limited to: FHA, VA, conventional, CDMP- 5.125% today (97% with NO mtg. insurance & NO title seasoning), renovation, or jumbo, please don't hesitate to contact me. I have the knowledge and want to be … (0 comments)

 
Paul_re_tought

Paul Gruber CRS, e-PRO

Littleton, CO

More about me…

The Edge Group Inc

Address: 7138 W Roxbury Ave, Littleton, CO, 80128

Office Phone: (303) 980-0799

Cell Phone: (303) 886-5991

Email Me

Paul Gruber on Zillow


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