Colorado Springs Real Estate & Miltary Relocation Blog

Colorado Springs Short Sales: How to Negotiate with Your Mortgage Company

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:01:12 -0500

If you are facing imminent foreclosure, you should know that you have options. There are ways that you can stop foreclosure and save your credit rating. Just one of those ways is a Colorado Springs short sale. A short sale is an agreement made between you and your mortgage company that allows you to sell your property for less than what you owe on it.

A short sale is a tool that helps minimize loss for all parties involved. The mortgage company can recoup a good portion of the defaulted debt while the homeowner can protect his or her credit rating from foreclosure. During Colorado Springs short sales the mortgage company allows the homeowner to sell their home through a real estate agent at a discounted price. The monies earned from the sale go directly to the mortgage company, and the remainder of the debt is either forgiven or charged back to the homeowner.

Before a short sale can occur, however, the mortgage company has to agree to it. So, if you are thinking about trying to avoid foreclosure through short sales in Colorado Springs, you need to sharpen your negotiating skills. Following are a few tips that will help you negotiate a short sale with your mortgage company:

• Keep the lines of communication open.

It is a natural reaction to want to avoid your debtors when you start to fall behind on payments, but you can’t. You need to communicate with your mortgage company from the onset of your financial problems if you want them to agree to a Colorado Springs short sales later.

• Learn all you can about short sales.

Knowledge equals power, especially when dealing with lenders that aren’t very forthcoming with information. If you know the ins and outs of short sales, you will be able to hold a conversation with your lender without feeling like you are being led around in circles.

• Ask a real estate agent to help you.

An agent can help by giving you vital information about your local housing market. You can use this information to customize your Colorado Springs short sale offer. For example: If similar homes are selling quickly in your neighborhood, you can pass this information along to your lender. They might be more open to a short sale if they think that it will be finalized quickly.

• Keep it professional. Put all offers in writing even if they are made over the phone. Be sure to take notes and write a letter after the conversation stating all that was mentioned in the conversation and send it to your mortgage company.

If the thought of negotiating a short sale in Colorado Springs by yourself sounds daunting, then find a good Short Sale Service to do the work for you. We offer a Full Service Short Sale package that covers everything from putting your home on the market and finding a buyer to negotiating the entire short sale on your behalf. And it won't cost you one red cent out of pocket.

Learn more about our Short Sale Service and find out if you qualify for a short sale today!

Wanna learn more about short sales?

Checkout the Short Sale Series:

Colorado Springs Short Sales Part 1 - What is a Short Sale?

Colorado Springs Short Sales Part 2 - Do You Qualify?

Colorado Springs Short Sales Part 3 - Pros and Cons

Colorado Springs Short Sales Part 4 - The Short Sale Process

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 685-8200

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Jamie specializes in Colorado Springs homes for sale, Short Sales and Colorado Springs PCS Services,

"reinventing real estate

just for you"

Do You Qualify for a Colorado Springs Short Sale?

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:09:36 -0600

So you've heard about short sales. Now you'd like to find out if you might qualify for a Colorado Springs Short Sale yourself. Here's a quick litmus test:

No Ability to Pay Current Mortage

This is really the very first criteria the bank looks at. If a small adjustment on you payment would help ensure you could pay the mortgage, they might consider a loan modification instead. If you can't make the payment regardless of how they might restructure your loan, then a short sale becomes an option.

The bank will want to look at all of your current financial information, like pay stubs, bank statements and a list of all your current expenses. They'll compare that information to your current payment and see if they think you could make the payment by using a formula. If they see that your debt load and expenses far outweigh your income, they'll open the door for a Colorado Springs short sale.

Lack of Equity

Is your home worth less than what you owe? If you have enough equity in your home to sell it, cover all the transaction costs and still break even or make money, then the bank won't consider a short sale. It only makes sense for them if you have to take a loss to get the home sold. They view the mortgage repayment as your responsibility, so if there's any way you could pay off the entire loan in a sale, they will expect you to do so.

Valid Hardship

Is there a good reason you are having difficulties making your payments? Do you have unexpected medical bills, sudden job relocation or termination? This is another way the bank determines your ability to pay back the loan. They'll require a handwritten hardship letter explaining why you can't make your payments anymore. It doesn't have to be 10 pages long or a sad story, just a simple explanation of your situation.

Desire to Resolve Situation

If you care about your financial future and your ability to get credit or even a home in the future, then a Colorado Springs short sale is a much better alternative to foreclosure. It will take some work on your part and the process can take a few months. And while there's little work in a foreclosure, you'll receive constant harassment from the banks, their lawyers and you'll find it next to impossible to get a home loan in the next 6 years.

If you're willing to roll up your sleeves, organize your house and get your life back on track, you can be in a much better place within 9 months. And within 2 years, you may start to get qualified for a mortgage again. There are rewards to stepping up and taking action to resolve your current hardships. And while some effort will be required on your part, you can set yourself up for a much happier life in the near future.

Get started with your short sale today!

Wanna learn more about short sales?

Checkout the Short Sale Series:

Colorado Springs Short Sales Part 1 - What is a Short Sale?

Colorado Springs Short Sales Part 2 - Do You Qualify?

Colorado Springs Short Sales Part 3 - Pros and Cons

Colorado Springs Short Sales Part 4 - The Short Sale Process

Contact me if you'd like to learn more about short sales or want to list your home with a Colorado Springs Short Sale Specialist.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 685-8200

*******************************************************************************************

Jamie specializes in Colorado Springs homes for sale, Short Sales and Colorado Springs PCS Services,

"reinventing real estate

just for you"

Colorado Springs Military Relocation Update

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:15:54 -0600

Have you been allowed on base recently?

If you don't register your CAC card by March 2nd, you may not be.

The Air Force is working implementing a new Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) starting on 3/2/09. It's a scanning device that checks your CAC card to verify your identity. Peterson AFB had some early trials on this new system and experienced some traffic backups (as expected.)

The biggest help to make your entrance onto Peterson AFB is to have your Military ID card ready in hand when you drive up to the gate (if you aren't already in that habit.)

What happens if you don't register by Mar 2, 2009?

You'll be sent to the Visitor's Center to get access to base. Not a deal-killer, but will certainly add some time to your entrance.

So if you're planning on making a house-hunting trip to check out Peterson AFB real estate for a Colorado Springs Military Relocation, make sure you're registered with DBIDS (especially if you want to make those in-processing appointments on time!)

Contact me if you'd moving to the area and would like to use Colorado Springs PCS Services to make this your smoothest PCS yet.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 685-8200

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Jamie specializes in Colorado Springs homes for sale, Military Relocation and Colorado Springs Short Sale services, providing buyer and seller services for homes near Fort Carson, homes near Schriever AFB and homes near the Air Force Academy.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Keys to a Colorado Springs Short Sale

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:10:43 -0600

Short Sale Basics

Today's real estate market can be complicated. The declining markets have made it a real challenge to sell your home and the current economic climate can make for a seemingly impossible situation. Most people are only aware of 2 different ways to get out from under your home. If you have equity, then you could do a traditional sale, if not, then foreclosure looms around the corner as a second option.

There's another way to sell your home if you don't have equity. It's called a short sale and can be one of the best ways out of your current situation. Banks approve short sales throughout the U.S., so you could certainly do a Colorado Springs short sale once you learn the basics.

Not Enough Equity in Your Home

With our declining real estate market, most people that purchased a home or refinanced since 2004 do not have enough equity to sell their home. If they're upside down, owing more for their home than it's currently worth, then a traditional sale is out of the question. And even if your home is worth current market value, the transactions themselves can be expensive. That's where a Colorado Springs short sale comes into play.

With a short sale, the bank will let you sell your home for a loss and potentially forgive the difference that you owe. They can reserve the right to ask you to pay back the difference, although it's a point you can often negotiate. It also damages your credit, but not nearly to the extent that a foreclosure would. It's a way of minimizing the damage and moving on from your current situation and most importantly, a short sale gives you back control of your situation.

Acquire a Buyer and Written Contract

Your very first step is to find a buyer for your home. You have to have a written offer to take to the bank. You can do this the traditional route, by hiring a Realtor and putting your home on the Multiple Listing Service. In fact, most banks recommend using a Realtor to make sure the transaction is done correctly. At this point, don't worry about their commission. In this particular case the bank usually pays them at closing.

Send the Contract and Short Sale Package to Your Lender

Once you have an offer, you submit it to the lender along with your short sale package. If you found a good realtor with short sale experience, they should organize your package and submit it to the bank for you. There's a lot that goes into this package, like your financial information, the offer, a title report and an estimated closing statement.

It's a lot to put together, so you may want to start this process early. The bank won't even consider your Colorado Springs short sale until they have a complete package. Usually they'll provide a checklist of everything you need to send them. Once they have the package, they'll assign a loss mitigation specialist to your file.

The Bank Reviews Your File

At this point the bank will review your the offer, you package and the market value of the property. The bank's job is to get the most amount of money they can for the loan. Or rather, to minimize their loss as much as possible. So they'll compare how much they'll get by accepting a short sale by how much they'd get with foreclosure. And foreclosures can be very expensive. The bank will have to hire a lawyer for the 6-12 months it takes to complete foreclosure proceedings, hire a Realtor themselves, clean the property and try to sell a vacant home that hasn't been cared for in months.

Once they've made their analysis, the bank will then either approve the Colorado short sale, make a counter offer or simply reject it altogether. They may counter the buyer or even ask you to bring money to the closing table. If your using a Realtor or Negotiation service, they will handle this for you.When you receive final short sale approval, the bank will set a deadline for closing.

Finalize the Paperwork

Now that you have approval, the closing process is nearly the same as a traditional sale. At this point, you'll sign over the deed to the new buyers as well as any paperwork the bank requires. This will include documents for any mortgages or liens you have on the property and any agreements you made with the bank during negotiation.

Once you have finished closing, you'll have a fresh start on your finances and your life. A Colorado Springs short sale will bring a quicker resolution to your situation and usually on much better financial terms for you.

Get started with your short sale today!

Wanna learn more about short sales?

Checkout the Short Sale Series:

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 1 - What is a Short Sale?

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 2 - Do You Qualify?

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 3 - Pros and Cons

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 4 - The Short Sale Process

Contact me if you'd like to learn more about short sales or want to list your home with a Colorado Springs Short Sale Specialist.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 685-8200

*******************************************************************************************

Jamie specializes in Colorado Springs homes for sale, Short Sales and Colorado Springs PCS Services,

"reinventing real estate

just for you"

Great Colorado Springs Short Sale Home Minutes from Peterson AFB

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:03:03 -0500

Here's a great Colorado Springs short sale home just minutes from Peterson AFB.

It has a lot to offer with large neighborhood trees and a giant back yard. As a 3 bedroom/3 bathroom home it's a perfect fit for the First-Time Home Buyer. Inside you'll find upgraded countertops and new paint. If you're looking for a home near Peterson AFB, this is it. The Peterson North Gate is less than 5 minutes away...also making it a great fit for Schriever military members, too.

It's priced to sell fast, so get inside to see it today!

Great Home Just Minutes from Peterson AFB

Location: Cimmaron Hills

Great family home minutes from Peterson AFB. Large, spacious backyard with mature landscaping. This 2 level house has 3 bedrooms on the main floor and a great family area in the bottom level. Large garage easily fits 2 cars. Perfect for first time and starting families.

Information

Contact Information

Jamie Mades

(719) 322-4645

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Pricing

Price: $150,000

Flexibility: Negotiable

Additional Pricing Information: Home is a Short Sale

Property Location

6320 Chippewa Rd
Colorado Springs, CO 80915
View Map

Features

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Parking Spaces: 2

Year Built: 1973

Subdivision: Cimmaron Hills

Lot Size: 8400 SF

Garage Size: 2

School District: 49

Square Footage: 1584

Agent Name: Jamie Mades

Broker: Keller Williams Client's Choice

MLS #: 492562

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Full Refrigerator

Dishwasher

Sink Disposal

Interior Amenities

Fireplace

Exterior Amenities

Patio

Fenced Yard

Grass Lawn

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1989258

Contact me if you'd like to see this home or want to know more about Colorado Springs Short Sales.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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Jamie is a residential Colorado Springs real estate and Colorado Springs Military PCS specialist, providing buyer and seller services for Peterson AFB real estate, Fort Carson real estate, Schriever AFB real estate and Air Force Academy real estate.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Peterson AFB Real Estate Minute - The Allure of New Homes

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:39:05 -0500

Welcome to another installment of the Peterson AFB Real Estate Minute!

Today I'd like to cover the topic of New Homes.

I've blogged a few times about the Banning Lewis Ranch Community. Why? It seems a lot of my Colorado Springs Military Relocation clients gravitate to that community. After looking at all the resale homes (previously owned) they start to see the same thing over and over again. And it's true. You can get some great deals and great housing in the Powers Corridor and Briargate neighborhoods.

What differentiates Banning Lewis is the Community aspect. They have a ton of trails and park space in their first small subdivision (North Tree.) They also mandate front yard landscaping and varying the models and exterior finishing of homes (stucco, stone, siding) so each street looks like a symphony of colors and textures. And of course, there's the Ranch House itself, with an great outdoor fireplace and lounge, Jr Olympic-sized swimming pool, picnic area with large gas grills and brand new tennis courts.

To top it all off, this community has a D-49 Charter School for kids K-8. That makes it pretty darn appealing for anyone with kids. If you're in the market to buy, now's a time to get some great deals out there, too. It's definitely a buyer's market when it comes to new homes.

A quick word of advice if you want to go look: take a Realtor with you (if you're seriously considering a home.) The builder reps in Banning Lewis are all wonderful people (I've become friends with quite a few from all the time I've spent out there.) Just realize that ultimately they represent the Builder's best interests. Take someone with you who represents you and your family's interest.

So that's it! The reasons why Banning Lewis Ranch has been such a popular choice for my clients that have been looking at Peterson AFB Real Estate.

If you're PCSing to the area, checkout our Colorado Springs Military Relocation FAQ!

Contact me if you'd like to know more about Banning Lewis Ranch or would like a Colorado Springs Military Specialist representing you!

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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Jamie is a residential Colorado Springs real estate and Colorado Springs Military Relocation specialist, providing buyer and seller services for Peterson AFB real estate, Fort Carson real estate, Schriever AFB real estate and Air Force Academy real estate.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Colorado Springs Short Sale Success Story - Buying Side

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:54:01 -0500

In the land of news and media, most stories that grab the headlines are doom and gloom. So it's nice to share a story with a happy ending.

A few months ago I was working with a young couple who were looking to buy their first home. And like a lot of buyers in the Colorado Springs Real Estate Market, they selected several Short Sale and Bank-owned properties. One of the major challenges of our current MLS search system is that it won't flag these homes. So if you're a buyer looking online, you just see a great deal...not that it's a Short Sale.

The challenge of writing a buyer contract on a Colorado Springs Short Sale is the waiting period involved. After the seller accepts your offer, the bank can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months to approve it. And there's no guarantee that they will.

However, if you can be a little patient (and don't need to move into a home right away), you can get a great price on a nice home.

Knowing the challenges and the opportunities involved, my buyers decided to make an offer. After the bank busted our initial time table of 3 weeks for an answer, the buyers decided to give them 7 more days. And at the end of that week, the bank came back and approved a sale that was about $20,000 less than the exact same model down the street was selling for. And the bank paid for their closing cost to boot!

My clients moved into their home a few weeks ago (which was very well maintained) and are absolutely thrilled with their first house.

Knowing the process allowed me to counsel these new home buyers on what to expect. And going in with reasonable expections, knowing that nothing was guaranteed, they ended up with a great home for a great price.

Learn more about Short Sales:

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 1 - What is a Short Sale?

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 2 - Do You Qualify?

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 3 - Pros and Cons

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 4 - The Short Sale Process

Contact me if you have more questions about Short Sales or want work with a Colorado Springs Short Sale Realtor to buy your next home.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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Jamie is a residential Colorado Springs real estate and Colorado Springs Military Relocation specialist, providing buyer and seller services for both traditional and short sale homes.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Peterson AFB Amenities Part 6 - Aero Club

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:57:47 -0500

The next part of our series for those of you with an upcoming Colorado Springs Military Relocation and current residents in the area of Peterson AFB Real Estate highlights a little-known service the base provides.

The Peterson AFB Aero Club is one of the coolest (and expensive) services on the base. If you have a current pilot's license, you can rent an aircraft for the day or weekend. And if you don't have license, not to worry, the Aeroclub's got you covered.

You can take classes there to get your pilot's license. Rates are very reasonable (compared to their civilian counterpart.) And once you have your pass, you can get all kinds of add-on ratings like instruments and multi-engine.

Best of all, if you're Active Duty, you can get tuition assistance for part of the training (ground school.) I also have some friends that used their VA benefits to get their training and go on to fly for the airline industries (you'll have to get additional training for that!)

Peterson AFB Aero Club Rates & Information

Aircraft Wet Dry

T-41C $85/hr $50/hr

T-41B $99/hr $55/hr

Cessna 172M $84/hr $53/hr

Cessna 172SP $96/hr $50/hr

Piper Arrow $126/hr $78/hr

Piper Seneca $234/hr $146/hr

Beech Baron $235/hr $146/hr

Additional Services

Instructors $28/hr

Simulator $20/hr

Fuel $4.80/gal

*Prices effective as of 1 August 2008

If you're PCSing to the area, be sure to checkout the Colorado Springs Military Relocation FAQ!

Contact me if you have any questions about Peterson AFB Real Estate or want to work with a Military Relocation Specialist as a Buyer's Agent for your move.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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Jamie specializes in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Colorado Springs Military Relocation, providing buyer and seller services for Peterson AFB Real Estate, Fort Carson Real Estate, Schriever AFB Real Estate and Air Force Academy Real Estate.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Peterson AFB Amenities Part 5 - The BX & Commissary

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:01:37 -0500

More information about the services on Peterson AFB for those of you with an upcoming Colorado Springs Military Relocation and current residents in the area of Peterson AFB Real Estate.

Today we look at Peterson's new BX and Commissary complex. It's a brand new building that opened in June of 2007 and has to be one of the nicest (and cleanest) BX/Commissaries I've ever been to.

As you can see in the picture below, the Commissary aisles are wide open and spacious. They also have one of the largest selections of food in the city...comparable to Albertson's and King Soopers (Colorado grocery store.) This includes a sushi station (prepared fresh daily, of course), a large selection of Natural Meats (no hormones added) and all the frozen foods you could ever ask for. Best of all, it's one of the few Commissaries in the entire Air Force that's open 7 days a week.

Peterson AFB Commissary Hours

Normal Hours

Sun: 0900 - 1900

Mon: 0900 - 2000

Tue: 0900 - 2000

Wed: 0900 - 2000

Thu: 0900 - 2000

Fri: 0900 - 2000

Sat: 0800 - 2000

Early Bird Hours

Sun: N/A - N/A

Mon: 0700 - 0900

Tue: 0700 - 0900

Wed: 0700 - 0900

Thu: 0700 - 0900

Fri: 0700 - 0900

Sat: N/A - N/A

The Peterson BX is large for an Air Force Base and has lots of little restaurants and shops, including the regulars like the Barber Shop and Uniform Sales. Becoming a bit trendier than most other bases, it also sports a Starbucks. Here's a run down of the BX hours and shops.

Peterson AFB BX Shops and Hours

Main BX Store Mon-Sat 0800-2000/ Sun 0900-1900

Food Court Area

Anthony's Pizza Mon-Fri 1030-1900/ Sat 1030-1800/ Sun 1030-1700

Taco Bell Mon-Fri 1100-1900/ Sat 1100-1800/ Sun 1100-1700

Charley's Steakery Mon-Fri 0730-1900/ Sat & Sun 1000-1700

Manchu Wok Mon-Sun 1100-1600

Robin Hood Mon-Fri 1100-1400/ Sat & Sun Closed

Starbucks Coffee Mon-Fri 0700-1800/ Sat 0900-1700/ Sun 1000-1700

Clothing Sales Mon-Fri 0930-1730/ Sat & Sun 1000-1600

Alterations Mon-Fri 0930-1730/ Sat 1000-1600/ Sun 1000-1600

GNC Mon-Sat 0900-2000/ Sun 0900-1800

Concessions Area

Optical Shop Mon-Sat 0900-1800/ Sun 1000-1800

Optometry Mon-Sat 0900-1800/ Sun 1000-1700

Watch Repair Mon-Sat 0900-1800/ Sun Closed

Barber Shop Mon-Sat 0800-1800/ Sun 1000-1700

Beauty Shop Mon-Sat 0800-1800/ Sun 1000-1700

Flower Shop Mon-Sat 0900-1800/ Sun 1000-1700

UPS Store Mon-Sat 0900-1800/ Sun 1000-1400

And if you're PCSing here soon, be sure to check out our Colorado Springs Military Relocation FAQ.

Contact me if you want to work with a Military Relocation Specialist for your upcoming move.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

How I Find Balance in My Busy Realtor's Life

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 21:03:24 -0500

Perhaps more prevalent than any other profession is the trap of living a manic lifestyle, running from one fire to another with a bucket of water, trying not to let our business burn down...or drown ourselves in the process of saving it.

I see it everyday...and sometimes I'm really tempted to follow suit.

You see...I've developed a schedule...or just a few habits...that actually skyrockets my business productivity by focusing on myself first.

Are you ready for my big secret?

It's 3 simple things:

1. I sit and do nothing for an hour every morning

2. I take extra care of the only thing I really own

3. I'm a master of sleep

I'll elaborate a little more on each of these.

Meditation

Every morning the very first thing I do is meditate for an hour. At this point most of you are already saying "Are you crazy?! I don't have time for that!" Hear me out on this. During my sit, I clear my thoughts and boost my energy. By the time I'm done, I have a very clear picture of exactly what steps I need to take to make the most progress in my day.

How would your business take off if you focused on the important tasks and stopped spending so much time worrying about things out of your control? How would your bottom line grow if you could pull yourself out of the weeds everyday and look around to see what direction would make you the most profit?

That's what I get out of meditation. The hour I spend sitting gives me at least 3 times that in high production activities.

You can start by spending a little quiet time in the morning to take stock of where your at. Look at your goals. Do something quiet where it's just you. If you feel like meditating, then give it a try. I started with 10 minutes at a time. After a while it felt good to do a little more. And the effects are cumulative. The more days you stick with it, the bigger the effect it will have on your life and your business.

Exercise

The second habit I've established is taking care of my body through consistent exercise. It's the next part of my day. When I first started my business, I was so focused on getting it off the ground that I didn't take time to workout. About 3 months later I was completely dragging. I went from whistling in the morning and bouncing up the stairs to crawling up them and contemplating the virtues of an elevator.

That's when I decided to incorporate a consistent workout regimen. I started with walking a little bit everyday. If I didn't feel like walking, I did it anyway...and just walked slower, but walk I did. As my legs and lungs started building endurance I wanted something more challenging. So I started running. Like walking, it was a little bit at a time. Then I ran a little longer. Now I go trail running in the park three times a week.

Want to know the best part about that? My business endurance has grown in lockstep with my exercise endurance. I'm now more focused and more energized than I ever have been before. That translates to more blogging, more prospecting and more closings.

Sleep

This is the final piece of the puzzle for me. I make sure I get 7-8 hours of sleep everyday. This is probably the biggest challenge for our profession. If you allow it, you'll have clients calling you all the way to 10pm and beyond (I have some colleagues that actually encourage that kind of thing!)

Every now and then I'll make a phone call after 8pm, but it's a rare practice. My clients understand that I work hard for them all day...and I need rest if I'm gonna work hard for them the next day. The way I see it, if you stay up late to work, then you're stealing from tomorrow's productivity. Do that often enough and soon you don't have any productivity left when you get up! You'll just be sitting at your desk...staring at the computer, getting absolutely nothing done.

The other sleep hurdle for most people is getting their mind chatter to slow down long enough to drift into a restful slumber. That's where the other two habits really help. Meditation clears the mind enough to keep the chatter down and exercise tires my body enough to crave the night's rest.

How Do I Find the Time?

To make this work, I wake up between 5am and 6am everyday. And I'm in bed between 9pm and 10pm. It's a matter of drive and discipline. I have enough drive to accomplish my goals that I make myself have the discipline to wake up on time and more importantly, go to bed on time.

Finally, it's a matter of my business's bottom line. Say what you will about the schedule I keep, but its designed to give me the best chance to grow my business and increase my bottom line. Since I've started these habits, my productivity is through the roof! And it's important to me that I keep it there.

I make the time to take care of myself, so I can be at my peak for my business, my family and my friendships. And if I feel really good while I'm doing...then double bonus!

How do you live and work at your best?

I'd like to hear how you find balance in your busy life. My way is certainly not the only way...just the one that works best for me. How do you live your life and your business?

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

Peterson AFB Amenities Part 4 - Outdoor Rec

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:43:50 -0500

Continuing our guide to military members and current residents in the area of Peterson AFB Real Estate, today we explore the Peterson AFB Outdoor Rec.

Most military members know that Outdoor Rec is the place to go for renting sports equipment. And if you're moving to Colorado, I bet you also know about all the great skiing this state has to offer. That makes the Peterson AFB Outdoor Rec a service worth looking at.

Perhaps the 2 best deals are for renting ski equipment and buying lift tickets. If you're new to skiing or snowboarding and want to get a taste for it, then renting is the way to go. And if you like it, I recommend renting for your first season to get a feel for what kind of equipment is gonna suit you the best. Then you can make the bigger investment of buying your own gear.

And you can buy Lift Tickets at a significant discount...usually anywhere from 15-40% off the window prices.

Take a look at some of the rental rates:

Peterson AFB Outdoor Rec Rental Rates

Ski & Snowboard Equipment Daily Weekend Week

Cross Country Ski Package $10.00 $18.00 $30.00

High Performance Ski Package $20.00 $38.00 $60.00

Recreational Ski Package $15.00 $28.00 $45.00

Snowboard Package $20.00 $38.00 $60.00

Snow Blades $10.00 $18.00 $30.00

Junior Package $10.00 $18.00 $30.00

Lift Ticket Prices (Adult during 2007/2008 Season)

Ski Resort ITT PRICE GATE PRICE

ARAPAHOE BASIN $49.00 $58.00

COPPER MOUNTAIN
(WEEKDAY) $43.00 $79.00
(REGULAR WEEKEND) $47.00

KEYSTONE/BRECKENRIDGE $55.00 $78.00

VAIL/ BEAVER CREEK $55.00 $85.00

WINTERPARK $43.00 $79.00

And best of all is the Liberty Pass where you can ski/snowboard all you want at Keystone and Arapahoe Basin for just $189! You simply can't beat the price there. Four days of skiing pays for itself! You can get the Liberty Pass (with military ID) anytime during the ski season at either the Keystone or A-Basin Season Pass offices.

Of course, the Peterson AFB Outdoor Rec has plenty more to offer. In the summer, they have Whitewater Rafting trips, Outdoor Rock Climbing Sessions and plenty of rental equipment for camping.

Contact me if you want to know more about your upcoming PCS to Peterson AFB and be sure to read the Colorado Springs Military Relocation FAQ!

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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Jamie is a residential Colorado Springs real estate and Colorado Springs Military Relocation specialist, providing buyer and seller services for Peterson AFB real estate, Fort Carson real estate, Schriever AFB real estate and Air Force Academy real estate.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Peterson AFB Real Estate Minute - PCS's Getting Back to Normal

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:36:43 -0500

Real Estate in Colorado Springs has been busy of late, especially in the military communities, like Peterson AFB real estate, which covers the areas of Falcon, Banning Lewis Ranch, the Powers Corridor and the South East.

PCS's Getting Back to Normal

After a slow spring, the fall has really picked up. I've noticed an increase in market activity both as a Buyer's Agent and as a Seller's Agent. For a time, the Air Force really ratched down on PCSing to trim costs. They changed the length of standard Officer tours from 3 years to 4 years. And for a while, almost completely froze any PCS's at all. Looks like the tide has finally broken and people are moving again.

This is great news for both buyers and sellers of Peterson AFB real estate. Buyers get to come into a market that's been sluggish and find some great deals. Sellers are getting more opportunities to show case their homes for a sale.

The biggest trend I've noticed is that many Colorado Springs military relocation clients are looking at the new homes in Banning Lewis Ranch. There are 2 builders in particular that come in right around $250k. They are Today's Homes and Capital Pacific Homes.

Should traditional sellers worry? Not really. The influx of military buyers has been big enough to allow for new home sales and traditional resale homes. Staging and Professional Photography can help sellers compete with the allure of new homes. It's a service we provide at no extra charge for our sellers and makes a big impact on buyers.

See you next time on the Peterson AFB Real Estate Minute!

Contact me if you'd like to sell your home near Peterson AFB or will be PCSing to Colorado Springs.

And be sure to checkout our Colorado Springs Military Relocation FAQ!

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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Jamie specializes in Colorado Springs homes for sale and Colorado Springs Military Relocation, providing buyer and seller services for homes near Peterson AFB, homes near Fort Carson, homes near Schriever AFB and homes near the Air Force Academy.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Peterson AFB Amenities Part 3 - Peterson Golf Course

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:20:20 -0500

In this part of the Peterson AFB Services Series for people with an upcoming Colorado Springs Military Relocation and residents in the vicinity of Peterson AFB Real Estate, we're looking at the Silver Spruce.

Peterson AFB Golf Course

The Silver Spruce is Peterson's built-in golf course. It sits between the flight line and the rest of the base. The course itself is designed to accomodate both the experienced golfer and the novice. While it has wide, open fairways, the doglegs and traps do offer a few challenges. And if you're new to Colorado, then adjusting your club selection will take a round or two itself (the ball really flies up here.)

The clubhouse offers several nice features that one might expect for a base with several stars (both former and present.) You'll find a very nice locker room, a good selection of golfing supplies and, of course, a grill offering food and drink.

Green Fees:

Daily Fees 9 Holes 18 Holes

E1-E4, NAF 1-2, GS1-5 $10.00 $16.00

E5-E7, O1-O2, NAF3, GS6-8 $14.00 $23.00

E8-E9, O3-O4, NAF4, GS9-12 $16.00 $26.00

O5-O10, NAF5, GS13 & up $18.00 $30.00

Civilian Guests $23.00 $36.00

Youth fee under 18yrs $7.00 $11.00

Twilight Fee
1 May - 28 October after 3 p.m.
29 October - 30 April after 1 p.m.

* The twilight fee is 50% off of the 18 hole rate.

Rental Fees:

Golf Carts $9.00 per person $13.00 per person

Pull Carts $4.00 $5.00

Club Rental (E1-E4) $8.00 $11.00

Club Rental (all others) $10.00 $14.00

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

*******************************************************************************************

Jamie is a residential Colorado Springs real estate and Colorado Springs Military Relocation specialist, providing buyer and seller services for Peterson AFB real estate, Fort Carson real estate, Schriever AFB real estate and Air Force Academy real estate.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Peterson AFB Amenities Part 2 - Base Gym

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:15:12 -0500

Continuing the series about military services for people with an upcoming Colorado Springs Military Relocation and residents near Peterson AFB Real Estate, today we'll profile the base gym.

Peterson AFB Gym

The award-winning base gym at Peterson is one of the best in the military. There are so many different activies, equipment and rooms that you could easily have a different type of workout every day of the week. They have aerobics, spinning, a nice weight room, lots of cardio equipment, an indoor track, 2 indoor basketball courts, several racquetball courts, an outdoor track, tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts, a climbing gym, a smoothie bar and more!

Cardio/Aerobic Classes

Spinning

Yoga

Step Aerobics

Back to Basics

Kickboxing

Pilates

Power Pump

Yoga Tone

Sports Conditioning

Hours of Operation

Mon-Fri 0430 - 2230

Weekends and Holidays 0700 - 1900

If you can't find a good workout at the Peterson AFB Gym, then you're not looking hard enough. It has nearly all the amenities you could ask for and then some! And when compared to the other local gyms in the area, it has everything they do...and you simply can't beat the price.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Peterson AFB Amenities Part 1 - Swimming Pool

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:34:02 -0500

Peterson AFB has a lot to offer it's hard-working employees. I'm putting together a series both for those of you facing the prospect of a Colorado Springs Military Relocation and for residents in the vicinity of Peterson AFB Real Estate to highlight some of the great Peterson services that all of you can take advantage of.

Peterson Aquatics Center

Peterson AFB has it's very own indoor swimming pool. It's located next to the base gym. Inside you'll find a locker room and shower area with easy access to the main complex. The pool itself is designed to accomodate both lap swimming and family fun. And swimming lessons are available year round.

If you wanna give your running legs a rest from pounding the pavement, the Peterson AFB Aquatics Center offers lots of fitness activities. In addition to basic lap swimming, the pool offers a variety of aqua aerobics classes.

Aquatics Center Fees:

Annual Fees Family of five or more $180.00

Family of four or fewer $150.00

Single adult $90.00

Single junior $75.00

Senior adult (65+) $75.00

Daily Fees Adult (16 and up) $4.00

Child (6-15) $3.00

5 and under* Free

*Under 5 years Free with paying adult

Lap Swim - For ages 16 and older only

Active duty military Free

All others $4.00

Peterson AFB Pool Hours:

Lap Swim Only Mon-Fri 5:30-9 a.m.

Lap Swim Only Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Open Swim Mon-Fri 1-5 p.m.

Lap Swim Only Mon-Fri 5-6 p.m.

Family Swim Tue & Thu 6-8 p.m.

Lap Swim Only Sat 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Open Swim Sat 12-4 p.m.

Open Swim Sun 12-6 p.m.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

*******************************************************************************************

Jamie is a residential Colorado Springs real estate and Colorado Springs Military Relocation specialist, providing buyer and seller services for Peterson AFB real estate, Fort Carson real estate, Schriever AFB real estate and Air Force Academy real estate.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Colorado Springs Short Sales Help

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:20:40 -0500

In our current market, more and more people are put in the position of having to sell their home, but not having enough equity to do it. And for a variety of reasons they face the financial burden of holding onto a home that they either can't afford anymore (i.e. Adjustable Rate Mortgage increased) or no longer live in (i.e. job relocation.)

If you're facing this situation, it can seem like you have few good options. You can't afford the payments, but if you don't make them, the bank will foreclose. And if you don't know your options, it can get pretty bleak pretty fast. You could probably use some help putting out this small fire before it becomes a bit of an inferno.

We're here to help!

Fortunately you have some alternatives to foreclosure:

1. Eliminate Unnecessary Bills

Take a good look at your monthly budget and see where you can tighten your belt. You might be able to trim back on entertainment expenses, like going on a hike or cooking at home instead of eating out or going to the movies. Do you have excessively high car payments? If you own the car, you may consider selling it and downsizing to a cheaper model (with better gas mileage.)

Once you've given your monthly budget a good scrubbing, you'll know for sure whether you can really afford your mortgage payments. If you can't or if you see that it's gonna be a losing battle because you expect your expense to increase, then checkout the next option.

2. Ask for a Loan Modification

Banks aren't in the business of owning real estate. Sometimes they will work with you to ease your monthly payment. When you start to have difficulty keeping up, give them a call and ask if they can modify your loan. When the market was in full swing, banks didn't really advertise this as an option, but they've been doing programs like this for a long time. Nowadays some banks will even write sellers directly advising them to consider a loan modification.

If you try this path, be aware that it may take some time to fill out the paperwork and get an answer, but in any case it doesn't hurt to ask. Also, FYI...if you're already behind on your payments, then anything you tell them can be used to help the bank collect the delinquent amount. Your conversations and documents will be filed in your account and can be pulled for later use. If the bank denies your request, or the new payment would still be too high, the next step is to look at a doing short sale.

3. Sell Your Home as a Short Sale

This is where you sell your home for less than it's worth and ask the bank to forgive the difference. Believe it or not, there are a lot of Colorado Springs Short Sales on the market right now. That's because banks are actually approving a lot of them. In fact, some lenders even advise homeowners to find someone that can help them do a short sale.

If you're pursuing this option, be sure to find a Colorado Springs Short Sale Expert. These type of sales require a lot of paperwork and hours spent on the phone negotiating with your bank. Each one is different and comes with it's own challenges (even for the experts.) There are a few tricks to the trade, such as the right stacking order for your short sale package, how to work with the loss mitigation reps and the right escalation tactics (and more importantly when to use them.)

If you'd like to learn more about Colorado Springs Short Sales, you can read the following series:

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 1 - What is a Short Sale?

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 2 - Do You Qualify?

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 3 - Pros and Cons

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 4 - The Short Sale Process

Contact me if you'd like to find out whether you might qualify for a short sale or want to list your home with a Colorado Springs Short Sale Expert.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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Jamie is a Colorado Springs Short Sale Expert and specializes in residential Colorado Springs real estate and Colorado Springs Military Relocations, providing buyer and seller services for Peterson AFB real estate, Fort Carson real estate, Schriever AFB real estate and Air Force Academy real estate.

"The Expert You Know & Trust"

Short Sale Listing - 4912 Dunecrest, Colorado Springs

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:54:36 -0500

Here's a great opportunity for a buyer to get a lot of square feet at a premium price.

This Colorado Springs Short Sale home is in fantastic condition with lots of great features, including beautiful archways throughout the main area, gorgeous hardwood flooring in the kitchen and dining room, a large spacious basement and 4 bathrooms!

Buyers, if you've been looking for a great deal, you need to check out this home at 4912 Dunecrest.

Set a Showing

Super Value 2-Story Home in Powers Corridor

Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Great home in Willowind. Very bright and spacious floor plan. Hardwood floors in kitchen and dining room with additional pantry make this space a chef's delight. Features arched doorways throughout the home. Close to Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB. Ideal for a family needing a lot of home for the money. Come see it today!

Information

Contact Information

Jamie Mades

(719) 322-4645

Contact Reply Form

Forward to a Friend

View Other Flyers

Pricing

Asking Price: $228,000.00

Flexibility: Negotiable

Property Location

4912 Dunecrest
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
View Map

Features

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 4

Parking: Garage

Year Built: 2004

Subdivision: Willowind at Stetson Hills

Lot Size: 5958 SF

Garage Size: 3

School District: D-49

Square Footage: 2678

Agent Name: Jamie Mades

Broker: Keller Williams Client's Choice

MLS #: 572590

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Full Refrigerator

Washer/Dryer

Dishwasher

Sink Disposal

Microwave

Satellite

Interior Amenities

Fireplace

Hardwood Floors

Security System

Vaulted Ceilings

Basement

Exterior Amenities

Fenced Yard

Grass Lawn

Photo Gallery

View as Slideshow View Photo Gallery (9 Photos)

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1855225

Wanna learn more about short sales?

Checkout the Short Sale Series:

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 1 - What is a Short Sale?

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 2 - Do You Qualify?

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 3 - Pros and Cons

Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 4 - The Short Sale Process

Contact me if you'd like to learn more about short sales or want to list your home with a Colorado Springs Short Sale Specialist.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

*******************************************************************************************

Jamie specializes in Colorado Springs homes for sale, Colorado Springs Short Sales and Colorado Springs Military Relocation, providing buyer and seller services for homes near Peterson AFB, homes near Fort Carson, homes near Schriever AFB and homes near the Air Force Academy.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 4 - The Short Sale Process

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:23:38 -0500

If you bought a home in the Colorado Springs area from 2004-2006 & are behind on your payments, you need to read this series!

The first 3 articles in the Colorado Short Sale Series give us a solid background for understanding the entire short sale process. While there aren't a lot of steps, each part requires a good amount of work.

1. Determine if You Qualify for a Short Sale (30-60 Minutes)

First, you have to see if a short sale is even possible for you. There are a couple of different ways to find out. You could ask a short sale expert, like a REALTOR specializing in short sales or a Loss Mitigation Company. Or you could search the web for a good checklist. If you haven't already seen it, I've created a quick test for you in the first article, Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and EL Paso County Part 2 - Do You Qualify?

2. Find a Buyer for Your Home (preferably less than 60 Days)

You'll go through all the usual steps to sell your home, just like normal. In this instance I recommend using a Realtor that actually specializes in short sales. There are a couple of reasons for this. The selling part is pretty straight forward. The biggest challenge is your race against time. If your late on your payments, every day your home sits on the market brings you one day closer to Foreclosure. This is where a short sale is different than a regular home sale. While we want to get as much for your home as possible to satisfy the bank, we also can't afford to wait around until the market changes or the perfect buyer comes along. There's simply too much at stake.

The key is to find a buyer quickly and efficiently because the next step could take quite a while. This is where using a Colorado Springs Short Sale Specialist really comes in handy.

3. Negotiate with the Bank to Approve Your Sale (2 Weeks to 4 Months)

Once you have a signed contract from a buyer, you'll have to prepare a long list of documents and submit them to the bank with your contract and listing agreements. These inlcude:

Basic Seller Information
Hardship Letter
Financial Statement
Most Recent Mortgage Statement(s)
Copies of Last 2 Months Pay Stubs (or Letter of Explanation)
Copies of Last 2 Bank Statements (or Letter of Explanation)
Copies of Last 2 Years Tax Returns (or Letter of Explanation)
Authorization Letter
Comparative Market Analysis or Broker Price Opinion
Residential Listing Agreement
Signed Contract with Pre-Qualified Buyer
HUD-1 (list of expected expenses and payoffs at the agreed upon sales price)
Any other paperwork your lender may require

This looks like a lot...and it is...but a good professional will help you put it together in one big package and send it to the bank.

Believe it or not, submitting the short sale paperwork is the easy part. Now comes the time where your professional really earns their pay. Your Short Sale Specialist must call the bank and check on the status of the deal with a Loss Mitigator (a representative of the bank.) These bank employees are working with anywhere from 40-200 short sale files at any given time. This can make it difficult to get the Loss Mitigator on the phone or get a quick response. Your Specialist will spend hours on hold, returning calls and working with the bank to get your sale approved. With the right system and procedures, your Short Sale Specialist can keep this step closer to 2-6 weeks (rather than up to 4 months.) Once the bank approves your sale, the rest of the process will move pretty quickly.

4. Buyer Schedules the Inspection and Appraisal (15-30 Days)

The Buyer can now press ahead with getting ready to close on the house. Just like a normal sale, they'll schedule a home inspection and an appraisal. The buyer still has a right to walk away at this point. Typically (though not always) the buyer already has a good idea of what to expect and likely will want to move ahead with the sale (provided there are no major suprises.) Remember, they've been waiting nearly as long as you have to get approval from the bank. Once the inpsection and appraisal are finished we can go to the last step.

5. Closing (60-90 Minutes)

Finally, after lots of hard work and waiting, you can officially sell your house. At closing you'll sign over the deed to the buyers. Your lender will have several other documents you'll need to sign as well. During closing, your Short Sale Professional will look over all the paperwork with you and answer any questions you might have along the way. By the time you leave the table, you'll be well on your way to your brand new life.

Contact me if you have questions about your Colorado Springs Short Sale or want to list your house with a Short Sale Specialist.

Along with the previous 3 articles in the series, this post gives you all the basic information on what short sales are and how they work in Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

Homes Near Peterson and Schriever AFB - Claremont Ranch

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:43:18 -0500

On my main website, I have a list of homes near Peterson AFB and homes near Schriever AFB. As a potential buyer, I thought it would be nice to have a little more detail on each of these areas. What follows is the first part of a series about neighborhoods and homes near Peterson AFB and Schriever AFB.

Claremont Ranch is about as close as you can get to Peterson AFB without living in Base Housing. It's off Markshuffel, just north of Hwy 24. It's a new neighborhood geared to Lower-Middle income families. Here's a quick "At a Glance" on the neighborhood:

Price Range: $130k - $270k

Bedrooms: 2-5

Bathrooms: 1-4

Square Feet: 900-2900 SF

Most of the homes were built by Richmond American and D.R. Horton. In fact there are still a few new homes available (check the builder's website.)

Here's where Claremont Ranch sits in relation to Peterson and Schriever AFB:

Here's a map that you can scroll in/out to see more details or where Claremont Ranch sits in in relation to the rest of Colorado Springs:

View Larger Map

Finally, here's a quick look at some of the homes in Claremont Ranch.

If you've got an upcoming PCS, checkout our Colorado Springs Military Relocation FAQ.

Contact me if you'd like to know more about Claremont Ranch or want to sign up for our Colorado Springs Military Relocation VIP Buyer's Service.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

*******************************************************************************************

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 3 - Pros and Cons

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:37:22 -0500

If you bought a home in the Colorado Springs area from 2004-2006 & are behind on your payments, you need to read this series!

Part 2 of the Short Sale Series covered the requirements for a short sale. Now it's time to look at the pros and cons of a short sale in Colorado Springs and El Paso County. By the time you finish reading this article, you'll have a good idea if Short Sale Services will be right for your situation.

Pros

Avoid Foreclosure

Foreclosure will be a very long and painful process. It will take 6-12 months to take your home to auction, then another 6-18 months for the bank to sell your home. The bank will likely then try to collect their losses from you (following you until it's paid off or satisfied.) I'm not trying to paint a dark picture to scare anyone. I just want to educate you on the entire foreclosure cycle.
Proactive Solution = More Control

If you let the bank do everything, they'll certainly stack the deck in their favor. Facing the problem head on gives you a little control of the process. With a short sale you can be proactive and have a say in your financial situation, like finding a buyer for your home and negotiating for better terms with the bank. This can mean the difference between a $40,000 bill after foreclosure and no bill at all.
Start Your New Life Faster

By getting started early, you can minimize the damage to your finances and your family. Not only that, but you get resolution on the entire process 12-18 months faster. Translation: You'll be eligible to buy another home 12-18 months faster (at the very least), not to mention getting on solid ground sooner with fewer long term debts.
Potentially Owe Nothing After the Sale

Perhaps the best reason to pursue a short sale is the chance of sharing your losses with the bank. It's possible to sell the home for less than you owe and negotiate with the bank to forgive the difference. Say you owe $250,000 and sell your home for $200,000. Since the bank loaned you that money, you're still on the hook for $50,000. During the process of a short sale you can ask the bank to cancel that debt altogether. Does this happen often? More so than you might think. This is where professional help can really pay off.

The bottom line on benefits is that a short sale can be the fastest way to get out of a bad situation and potentially owe nothing when it's all said and done.

Cons

Still Damages Your Credit

When you take a short sale on your home, it will be documented on your credit. While it won't have the same impact as a foreclosure for most creditors, Mortgage Lenders currently view a short sale in nearly the same light as a foreclosure. That means the chances of getting a home loan after doing a short sale are pretty slim (at least in the near future.)
Possible Tax Consequences

If the bank forgives your debt (meaing you don't owe them anything after the short sale), they will issue you a 1099 for the amount forgiven. They send this form to the IRS, allowing the bank to write off the loss. The IRS treats forgiven debt as taxable income. That means you have to pay taxes on that amount (i.e. You owe $250,000 on your home, sell it for $200,000, the bank then issues a 1099 for $50,000 and now you have to pay taxes for $50,000 of "income.")

Is there a way around it? Possibly. If you can prove insolvency at the time of the sale to the IRS, then you are exempt from paying taxes. Another alternative is the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007. If you used your mortgage(s) to buy, build or improve your home, then file a form 982 with your taxes & 1099. No taxes are owed on the forgiven debt. If you used your mortgage or Home Equity Line of Credit to buy a boat, take a vacation or pay off credit cards, then you're out of luck. Most home owners, however, will benefit from the Act and pay no taxes.
Bank Could Demand Payment for Their Loss

The bank doesn't have to forgive your debt. They can ask you to pay them back for the difference in the sale and what you still owe. There's a catch to this, however. You have to agree to it. If the bank approves the short sale, but says you still owe them the remaining balance, you don't have to take the offer.

You have 2 options here. Negotiate that provision out of the short sale (tell them "No, approve the short sale and forgive my debt completely.") Or if they insist on that repayment, you can let it go to foreclosure (where they still might come after you for the balance.) Once again, this is where it pays to have professional help.

Selling your home as a short sale in Colorado Springs and El Paso County is no free lunch. There will be consequences. It's important to know what they are before pursing a short sale.

Finally, there are no guarantees in a short sale. No guarantee that your home will sell before it goes to foreclosure. No guarantee that the bank will approve a short sale if you have a willing buyer. No guarantee that the bank will forgive your debt.

That being said, if you want to have a little more control of your situation and minimize the downsides when facing foreclosure, then a short sale is one of your best options.

In the next part of the Short Sale Series, we'll look at the entire Short Sale Process, from start to finish, so you'll know exactly what to expect. Read: Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 4 - The Short Sale Process

Contact me if you'd like to know more about the Colorado Springs short sale process or want to list your home as a short sale.

Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 2 - Do You Qualify?

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:38:54 -0500

If you bought a home in the Colorado Springs area from 2004-2006 & are behind on your payments, you need to read this series!

In Part 1, we learned what a short sale is. Now in Part 2, we'll discuss the requirements to be considered for a Short Sale in Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

To qualify for a short sale, you must pass the following tests:

1. Has your home's market value dropped?

Due to slow or declining local real estate conditions
NOT because of neglect or intentional damage

2. Are you late or will soon be late on your mortgage payment?

Due to forces beyond your control
NOT because of poor spending habits

3. Were you truthful on your Loan Application

Lenders have access to your original application
If you committed loan fraud, your lender will not look kindly on your case

4. Do you have a Hardship?

Injury
Illness
Job Loss
Relocation
Medical Bills
Adjustable Rate Mortgage payments increased and you're unable to refinance
Etc.

What is NOT a Hardship?

You can afford your monthly payments, but you...
Simply want a different house
Don't want to own your home anymore
Don't want the house payment anymore

(If that's the case for you, then I recommend keeping your home (or renting it) until the market swings back up.)

If you've passed each of these tests, then you're a very good candidate for a short sale.

Speak with a professional about your situation to find out for sure.

The next installment of our Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs & El Paso County will cover the Pros and Cons of a Short Sale. It's not a complete Fairy Tale Ending, so find out the Bad that comes along with the Good.

Contact me if you'd like to know more about the Colorado Springs short sale process or are considering listing your home as a short sale.

Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 1 - What is a Short Sale?

Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 3 - Pros and Cons

Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 4 - The Short Sale Process

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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Jamie specializes in Colorado Springs homes for sale, Colorado Springs Military Relocation, and Colorado Springs Short Sales.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 1 - What is a Short Sale?

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:56:57 -0500

If you bought a home in the Colorado Springs area or El Paso County from 2004-2006 & are behind on your payments, You need to read this series!

A combination of re-adjusting ARMs (Adjustable Rate Mortages) and a slow real estate market has created some tough times for many home owners in the Colorado Springs area. It's a recipe for missed payments...which can snowball quickly into bad situation. Late payments can lead to foreclosure and a foreclosure is not a pretty picture.

A lot of these home owners are good people that simply find themselves in a tight spot. It's a stressful experience and they want a way to clean up their situation and get back on track with their lives.

Fortunately for home owners, there may be hope.

If you are already late or have received a Notice of Default from you lender, you still have options. This series will focus on one option in particular: a Colorado Springs Short Sale.

What is a Colorado Springs Short Sale?

Simply put, it's when you sell your home for less than you owe.

For example, if you owe $250,000 on your home and sell it for $200,000, then it would be short the full amount required to pay off your loans. Will a lender allow you to actually do it?

The answer is "Yes, in certain cases." Since the lender is taking a loss, they will have to approve the deal. Why would they consider doing it?

A lender will consider a short sale if it would net them more than foreclosing on the home and selling it as a Bank-owned property. It's a way of making their loss as small as possible. In fact, the bank departments that deal with short sales are called the "Loss Mitigation Department."

Before moving on, it's important to know that there are no guarantees with lenders and short sales. We'll discuss pros and cons of short sales in Part 3.

In Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 2 - Do you Qualify?, we'll cover the requirements needed to sell your home as a short sale.

Contact me if you're currently behind or will soon become late on your mortage payments and want to learn more about your options.

Real also:

Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 3 - Pros and Cons

Short Sale Series: Short Sales in Colorado Springs and El Paso County Part 4 - The Short Sale Process

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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Jamie specializes in Colorado Springs homes for sale, Colorado Springs Military Relocation, and Colorado Springs Short Sales.

"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

3 Tips for Selling Homes Near Peterson AFB

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:29:47 -0500

As a Colorado Springs Military Relocation Specialist, I show a lot of homes near Peterson AFB.

I've put together the top 3 things that really pique a buyer's interest (or completely turn them off.) These tips can mean the difference between a quick sell for top dollar or several more months of sitting on the market.

1. Keep a Clean House

This sounds like a real no-brainer, but you might be surprised how many homes are dirty and cluttered for showings. Nothing turns off a potential buyer faster than a mess. And while a few people can look past the couple hundred dollars it would take to make it spotless, the fact is that most don't. When you're looking at 15 houses in a day, that means the dirty ones automatically get eliminated 95% of the time. Keep your house clean and keep it in the game.

2. Make Curb Appeal a Priority

A buyer's first impression of a home is made as they're walking up to the door. In every house hunting session it seems there's always at least 1 home that we drive up to and then promptly drive away from....due to curb appeal. Freshly cut green grass and a little touch up paint goes a long way. And while it can take some time to bring a lawn back to life, it's a relatively cheap fix and is well worth the time and money spent.

3. Paint Your House with Neutral (not Boring) Colors

Don't force a buyer to put his/her imagination in overload. If they like a home, buyer's are pretty good about imaging their own furniture and belongings inside the house. Start making them think of room colors and you're heading for uncharted territory. Garrish and bright colors can distract a buyer from what you want him to think about...namely all the great features and benefits your home has to offer. Nearly as bad are the homes near Peterson AFB that have white wall throughout. No one likes to feel they're in a hospital. Put some color in your house and choose different colors for different areas of the home.

Remember, you're competing against New Homes for Peterson AFB real estate as well as the other houses in your neighborhood. These tips are designed to help to make your home stand out from the crowd. Follow these simple guidelines and you'll make the odds work in YOUR favor instead of your competition's.

Contact me if you'd like to sell your home near Peterson AFB for top dollar.

If you're relocating to the area, be sure to check out our Colorado Springs Military Relocation FAQ.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"

Pictures Key to Colorado Springs Real Estate Sales

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:30:47 -0500

There are a very few things that Sellers can do that have a major impact in the Colorado Springs Real Estate Market.

You'll often hear Realtors and media moguls talk about 2 big topics that affect the successful (or unsuccessful) sale of your home. They are Exposure (marketing) and Price.

While both of those major factors are spot on, they only tell half the story. The real questions are...

"What price is a good price?"

and

"What's the right kind of exposure?"

Today we'll focus on exposure (price will be the subject of another post.) The right kind of exposure gets buyers in the door. The wrong kind of exposure can turn buyers off in the blink of an eye. So, before we begin, let me ask you....

What do YOU think is the right kind of exposure?

a) Flyers

b) Internet sites

c) Email Marketing

d) Great Pictures

The answer is (drumroll please)....Great Pictures.

Great pictures make the other 3 answers work for you rather than against you. Why are pictures such a big deal when selling Colorado Springs Real Estate? The answer lies in Buyer Psychology. The initial decision to purchase is almost always an Emotional Decision. It's justified afterwards by logic (that's where price really comes into play.)

Another reason is that we are now an Informationally Driven Society. In fact, we have so much information, that we've learned to make decisions nearly instantaneously just to cope with overload. What does that mean to you? You better have WOW pictures when someone comes across your marketing materials. You only have a very short time to impress them enough to take a serious look at your home...and then convince them to set up a showing in person.

If your pictures aren't up to snuff, the Potential Buyer says "NEXT!" and moves on without further consideration. That's why exposure is only half the answer.

Yes, the more exposure you have, the more people that see your property. The key to making it Click, however, lies in Great Pictures to make that big first impression. Remember, in today's Colorado Springs real estate market, there's more competition than ever for a Buyer's attention. You won't have long to make stand out from the crowd, so make those photos count!

Contact me if you have more questions about the right kind of marketing or want to sell your home fast and for top dollar.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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Jamie is a residential Colorado Springs real estate and Colorado Springs Military Relocation specialist, providing buyer and seller services for Peterson AFB real estate, Fort Carson real estate, Schriever AFB real estate and Air Force Academy real estate.

"The Expert You Know & Trust"

A Colorado Springs Military Relocation Story

Jamie Mades (Keller Williams - Clients' Choice) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:40:58 -0500

Next week I'm meeting with Barbara who's flown all the way from South Korea to see homes. (names have been changed to protect the innocent :)

She and her husband are moving to Colorado Springs for a Military Relocation. I'm excited to get her started, because up until now, they've just been viewing homes online and checking out the Military Relocation package stuffed with goodies that I sent them. Actually seeing them with the Rockies and Pikes Peak smiling at you is a whole 'nother story! :)

They started searching resales first (a real estate term meaning someone else has been living there.) After seeing what their options were, they wanted to see what new homes were available - see New Homes for Peterson AFB Real Estate Part I and New Homes for Peterson AFB Real Estate Part 2. It's a pretty savvy move for the area they're checking out because:

1. There's a ton of new building next to the areas they're considering

2. Builders have to compete with all the resales

3. They can end up getting a brand new home in a brand new community for close to the same price (good resale potential for themselves in this particular case.)

Now, new home shopping from South Korea presents a few challenges. Most notably that many home builders don't even have interior photos. Some builders have online virtual tours, like Classic Homes and Capital Pacific Homes. A good chunk, however, just have renderings (drawings) of the house from the front. These builders rely on people to come checkout their model homes. It's a practice that works pretty well for most of their target customers, just not for a Colorado Springs military relocation.

Also, there's no single website that has new homes accurately listed like the MLS. If you go look a many of the builders individual websites, they tend to be a little out of date (to be fair, it IS tough to keep currrent when you have so many homes selling.) All this means there's no way for an online buyer to accurately know what's available right now...much less what will be "move in" ready when they get here.

So here's what I did to overcome this challenge:

1. Called a professional (one I'm fortunate enough to call a friend) in the Real Estate Developing industry here to get a list of every current new development in the area they like.

2. Visited every development to get a list of current inventory homes (homes already built or scheduled to be completed by the time they got here.)

3. Photographed the homes that were missing online pictures.

After completing those three tasks, I put together another Colorado Springs Military Relocation package, this time for new homes, that included a builder and neighborhood packet for each development, a current inventory sheet listing all the new homes that are currently available and a CD containing photo files for the homes lacking them online.

Barbara comes into town next week to shop for them both (Dan had to stay in Korea for the time being.) I know they've really been able to narrow it down to their favorites. We'll go look at their top choices for both resales and new homes, as well as give her a driving tour of the area in 2 Days.

I'll let you know how the story ends!

If you want to know what to expect when moving here, start with the Colorado Springs Military Relocation FAQ.

Contact me if you'd like us set up your very own VIP Military Buyer Program.

Jamie Mades, REALTOR
Keller Williams Clients Choice
Office: (719) 535-0355
Direct: (719) 322-4645

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"Get an Expert You Know & Trust"