Rob Kelly's Real Estate Blog

Boulder, CO-St. Nick's on the Bricks

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:17:36 -0600

My girls might be getting a bit old for Santa, but for the younger kids this looks like a great event!

St. Nick's on the Bricks November 28, 2009 - December 19, 2009 Saturdays 11am-2pm Visit website Name: 13th & Pearl Event Address: Downtown Boulder Visitors Center Phone: 303-449-3774 Admission: FREE Kids of all ages can visit with Santa at the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center. Whether you are asking for a fire engine for Tommy, a new doll for Molly or a diamond ring for mommy, bring your list and a camera to capture priceless holiday memories.

Boulder, Co-Lights of December Parade December 5, 2009

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:15:17 -0600

This is supposed to be a great event!

Lights of December Parade December 5, 2009
6:00pm

Visit website
Location:  Downtown Boulder
Phone:  303-449-3774
Admission:  FREE
Spectators will enjoy floats created and decorated by local businesses, churches and civic groups. Local boy and girl scout troops will march through Downtown dressed as gifts, candy canes and reindeer. Crowds will enjoy marching bands, lit fire engines, holiday carolers and much more. The grand finale includes an appearance by the jolly old man himself - Santa Claus.

Louisville, CO-Annual Chamber Holiday Open House

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:09:45 -0600

This should be a great event! Mark your calenders...

Annual Chamber Holiday Open House 12.10.2009 9:00am - 12:00pm Annual Chamber Holiday Open House – December 10 - 4 to 7 p.m. Mountain High Appliance, 1130 Pine St., #3, $10.00/person. We want to thank Brad Barnett for hosting our Holiday Open House! Mountain High Appliance opened in 1993 and has now grown to be over 12,000 sq. ft. with a Showroom that features Seven Live Kitchens - the largest in the region. Supporting the Louisville Chamber of Commerce has always been a priority to Brad. He recently hosted the networking breakfast and After Hours. With the showroom now open to groups as a venue for Breakfast meetings, Teambuilding activities around cooking, as well as Appreciation dinner’s, it’s no wonder why it is the perfect place to host the Chamber Open House.

Louisville, Colorado-Winter Skate Open til Feb 15!

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:01:57 -0600

Located at the Steinbaugh Pavilion in Historic Downtown Louisville, WinterSkate is an old-fashioned ice skating rink complete with skate rental, concessions and traditional holiday music. Celebrating its eleventh year as the original outdoor ice skating rink in the community, WinterSkate presents the perfect opportunity to enjoy the winter season in a beautiful small-town setting.

Hours of Operation
Open seven days a week!
Mon–Wed: 2pm–8pm
Thu: 2pm–10pm
Fri: 12pm–10pm
Sat: 10am–10pm
Sun: 10am–9pm
Hours are subject to change
due to inclement weather and/or
management’s discretion

Holiday Hours

Thursday, Nov. 26: 9am–4pm
Thursday, Dec. 24: 9am–4pm
Friday, Dec. 25: 12pm–7pm
Thursday, Dec. 31: 10am–Midnight
Friday, Jan. 1: 12pm–9pm

School Vacation Hours
Thanksgiving Week/Winter Break

Monday–Wednesday: 9am–9pm
Thursday–Saturday: 9am–10pm
Sunday: 10am–9pm

Group rates and private parties available,
phone 303-449-3137.

Dates: Fri, Nov 20, 2009 – Mon, Feb 15, 2010

Location: 824 Front Street in Historic Downtown Louisville.
Click here for directions.
Plenty of convenient, free parking!

Additional info:
see www.bceproductions.com for more details, or call:
303-449-3137, or skate shack 303-604-1010

Free Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

brought you by the Louisville Downtown Business Association and Boulder Creek Events

Fri, Nov 27: 12–3 pm
Thu, Dec 3: 5–8 pm
Sat, Dec 5: 10 am–3 pm
Fri, Dec 11: 5–9 pm
Fri, Dec 18: 5–9 pm
Sat, Dec 19: 12–4 pm
Thu, Dec 24: 10 am–2 pm
Sat, Dec 26: 12–4 pm
Thu, Dec 31: 12–4 pm
Fri, Jan 1: 5–9 pm

Louisville, Colorado-Annual Parade of Lights 03Dec09

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:59:47 -0600

It's that time of year again, The Louisville Parade of Lights! Both of my girls are marching with their Girl Scout troop...should be around 15F tomorrow night, cold for us Colorado Residents!

The annual “Parade of Lights” will be held on Friday, December 4th. Starting at 6:00 p.m. there will be choirs singing and the Living Nativity Scene with live animals. Santa will be in front of the Chamber office from 6-7 p.m. to meet with the children and listen to their wish list. Everyone is invited to join the parade. The only requirement is that your entry must have lights and no Santa. Also, entrants are not permitted to toss candy to the crowd. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. in front of the Chase Bank and the Chamber office. The parade will line up on Parkview Street, with walking groups in the Tri-City Elk's parking lot, beginning at 6:30 p.m., and will start promptly at 7:00 p.m. Parade participants are asked to pre-register if possible. If you decide at the last minute that you want to participate, just show up that night in front of the Elks and we will get you lined up.

Boulder County Real Estate Update-Courtesy of RE/MAX Alliance

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:37:02 -0600

REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE

An Information Service of RE/MAX Alliance/Boulder Valley

November/2009

To say that 2009 has been an interesting year thus far would be a huge understatement. The true impact of a global economy has become part of the world’s consciousness. Billions upon billions of tax payer dollars have been poured into various state and government programs to hopefully stem the tide of growing unemployment. The stock market has wreaked havoc with individual’s retirement funds and future plans. Real estate values have tumbled across nearly all sectors of the American landscape. A pessimist would say the sky is falling. An optimist would say there is opportunity to be had here. A brief article in the Denver Post newspaper (11/8/2009) had the following headline: Homebuilders on the hunt for land as prices stabilize. The article talks about large production builders i.e. Ryland Group Inc. and Meritage Homes Corp. purchasing land for new home development in areas like Southern California, Las Vegas and Orlando. These have been some of the hardest hit housing markets in the nation.

Real estate markets fall quickly and recover slowly. Two things normally signal an upbeat in real estate activity: (1) Sales trends having stabilized and beginning to move upward, and (2) New home construction increasing. For the past two months, Boulder County SOLD listings have mirrored 2008: 471 single family home sales in 2009 vs. 483 in 2008; 197 attached unit sales in 2009 vs. 186 in 2008.

During the last two years there has been minimal new home construction across the Boulder Valley. In a balanced real estate market, where there are a reasonable number of home buyers and an acceptable number of properties for sale, new home construction becomes part of the housing landscape. Homebuyers contract to have new homes built and builders are willing to take the risk of building “spec homes” anticipating they will attract a buyer during the construction phase.

Risk versus reward is the key element in most real estate transactions and it doesn’t apply solely to the buyer and seller. Standing in the wings is a third entity and, in most cases, they are the determining factor in how this all plays out. They are the purveyor of the golden rule: He who has the gold makes the rules! They are the lender.

New home construction is dependent upon financing; financing of construction loans and financing of permanent loans when the home is completed. Builders are at the mercy of the lender. Most lenders today shy away from new home construction unless it is a “presale” and the lender’s risk is minimal. Want to build a spec home and get lender financing? Good luck finding a bank that will work with you without 30% to 40% down, two to three points over prime, etc. The good old days of 20% down construction loans at prime or prime plus one are history.

-------------------- Below is a brief overview of single family home values within certain geographic areas of the Boulder Valley comparing the past two years through October of each year. Information is provided by IRES, the Northern Colorado Multiple Listing Service.

2008 2009 % 2008 2009 %

Area Solds Solds Change Average Price Average Price Change

Boulder 684 466 -31.87% $653,314 $638,975 -2.195%

Broomfield 316 306 -3.16% $401,412 $355,610 -11.41%

Superior 111 121 +8.26% $441,192 $416,028 -5.71%

Louisville 191 190 --------- $393,709 $369,103 -6.25%

Lafayette 232 192 -17.24% $354,349 $348,488 -1.655%

Longmont 926 767 -17.17% $256,706 $241,215 -6.035%

Sub. Plains 402 308 -23.38% $524,203 $519,379 -0.990%

Sub. Mtns. 233 167 -28.32% $435,036 $404,542 -7.00%

Fannie Mae "Deed for Lease" program announced

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:46:47 -0600

Here's an interesting program being offer for Fannie Mae Borrowers, it will be interesting to see how this impacts the foreclosures of Fannie Mae loans... November 5, 2009



	WASHINGTON, DC -- Fannie Mae (FNM/NYSE) is implementing the Deed for Lease™ Program under which qualifying homeowners facing foreclosure will be able to remain in their homes by signing a lease in connection with the voluntary transfer of the property deed back to the lender. "The Deed for Lease Program provides an additional option for qualifying homeowners who are facing foreclosure and are not eligible for modifications," said Jay Ryan, Vice President of Fannie Mae. "This new program helps eliminate some of the uncertainty of foreclosure, keeps families and tenants in their homes during a transitional period, and helps to stabilize neighborhoods and communities." The new program is designed for borrowers who do not qualify for or have not been able to sustain other loan-workout solutions, such as a modification. Under Deed for Lease, borrowers transfer their property to the lender by completing a deed in lieu of foreclosure, and then lease back the house at a market rate. To participate in the program, borrowers must live in the home as their primary residence and must be released from any subordinate liens on the property. Tenants of borrowers in this circumstance may also be eligible for leases under the program. Borrowers or tenants interested in a lease must be able to document that the new market rental rate is no more than 31% of their gross income. Leases under the new program may be up to 12 months, with the possibility of term renewal or month-to-month extensions after that period. A Deed for Lease property that is subsequently sold includes an assignment of the lease to the buyer. For additional information about the Deed for Lease Program, including full details on program eligibility, please review the Guide Announcement on www.efanniemae.com.

Holiday Light

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:39:04 -0600

Are you starting to think about hanging up your holiday lights this year? Consider trading your old lights in for new energy efficient LED lights!

City of Louisville
Holiday Lights Exchange Program
for Louisville Residents
Turn-in your strings of old Incandescent Holiday Lights for recycling and get a $5 Discount Coupon per
string (limit 4), for new LED Holiday Lights you can purchase at participating Louisville Merchants!
Turn in your old lights at the Louisville Recreation Center, Saturday, Nov 7th 2009, 10am-2pm. Please
bring proof of your Louisville residency to receive coupons, since this program is only for Louisville
residents. We have a limit of only 400 coupons, so don’t wait too long!
LED lights use an average of 90% less energy than mini-incandescent lights, and can use only .6% of the
energy draw of large incandescent bulbs (C9). So using LED holiday lights can significantly reduce the
amount of energy you have to pay for during the holiday season. And that can be helpful when you’re
trying to reduce your expenses, especially with all the other costs you have during the holidays.
The following chart compares the energy usage and operating cost of LED holiday lights to both mini and
large incandescent holiday lights in your home.

Louisville, Colorado Leaf Collection Program

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:32:35 -0600

Now that the last snow has melted and uncovered your fall leaf collection, are you thinking of raking and disposing of them?

Perfect timing! See below:

Leaf Collection 2009, November 2 - November 20

As a result of budget impacts, the City will no longer offer curbside pick ups or bagged leaf collection. However, the City has expanded its drop-off program to include new locations throughout town. You may drop your leaves at any of these locations.

If you are unable to take your leaves to the drop-off locations, you may utilize Western Disposal’s compost bins. Just toss your leaves into the compost bins and Western will take them away with the rest of your compost! As a reminder, please do not rake leaves into the street curbs or gutters. This activity may plug up storm sewer inlets and cause flooding.

Alternatively, you can learn about improving your soil by raking less. An article from Fine Gardening.

LEAF DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:
Please note: only leaves and grass clippings are accepted at the drop-off bins (no trash, branches, or plastic garbage bags).

Leaves may be dropped off at any of the designated sites from November 2 – November 20 (dates are approximate). The numbers below correspond with the numbers on the attached map.

Waste Water Treatment Plant: 1601 Empire Road, open daily, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
(leaves are accepted at the plant 365 days per year);
Warembourg Fishing Pond Parking Lot: Cherry Street, just east of Heritage Park;
North Lift Station: East side of Centennial Drive, in the 2100 block, north of Safeway;
Harper Lake Parking Lot: McCaslin Boulevard and Washington Avenue;
Gateway Lane: McCaslin Boulevard and South Boulder Road - east end of cul-de-sac;
Recreation Center: 900 West Via Appia - south end of the parking lot;
Coal Creek Golf Course: 585 Dillon Road, west side of parking lot
Lafayette Street and Franklin Court: west end of street
Louisville Community Park: East entrance off County Road north of Bella Vista Drive.
Memory Square Park: at dead end just south of the intersection of Walnut Street and Grant Avenue.
Lincoln Avenue and Griffith Street: Open area on northwest side.
Monarch Court: By Keith Helart Park
South Street and Front Street: 1 block North of the Steinbaugh Pavilion

If you use plastic bags to collect leaves for disposal at the drop-off sites, please empty the leaves into the bins and reuse the bags. This helps control the cost of the program, saves the cost of the bags, and keeps bags out of the landfill. The City will collect only compostable bags at the drop-off sites. Eco-Guard® compostable bags will be available at local area grocery and hardware stores. King Soopers “Biobag” brand is also acceptable. Do not leave trash, branches, or plastic garbage bags in drop-off sites. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

Last year, the leaf collection program produced over 2,000 yards of compost material when incorporated with biosolids at the Waste Water Treatment Facility. This material is available to residents for use as a soil amendment for lawn, gardens, and other landscaping needs. If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Operations Division at 303-335-4750.

Thank you for making the program a success!

NORTHERN COLORADO CRIME STOPPERS SHRED-A-THON 8/29/09

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:04:49 -0500

Here's a great opportunity to purge your old documents.

NORTHERN COLORADO CRIME STOPPERS SHRED-A-THON
08/29/2009
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

You could be a victim of identity theft and not even know it!

Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers is trying to prevent you from becoming a victim through a free Document-Shredding Event. Saturday, August 29th, 8 am until noon. Hobby Lobby - King Soopers Shopping Center, highway 42 and South Boulder Road, Louisville.

Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers will be accepting donations at the event.

Sponsored by: Louisville and Lafayette Police Departments, Boulder County Sheriff's Department, Louisville, Lafayette and Superior Chambers of Commerce and APEX SHREDDING CO. OF BERHTOUD.

BRING - Old checks, bills, bank statements, credit card offers, medical records, tax forms, pay stubs, etc.
DO NOT BRING - Newspapers, phone books, magazines, junk mail, plastic, cardboard or catalogues.
5 COPY BOXES OR BAGS PER SMALL BUSINESS OR HOUSEHOLD (Exceptions, call Rob 303-666-6199).

Rob Kelly REALTOR®,CDPE
www.RobKellyColorado.com
www.DenverForeclosureTour.com

RE/MAX Alliance
225 South Boulder Road
Louisville, CO 80027
720-284-9211 Cell

NORTHGLENN 5 Bedroom, 2 Bath HOME FOR SALE

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 09:49:08 -0500

Great Northglenn home for sale. COMPLETE RENOVATION BY QUALITY CONSTRUCTION NORTHGLENN PERMITS,NICEST HOME AVAILABLE 42 INCH MAPLE CABINETS, SS APPLIANCES, GRANITE COUNTERS, NEWER FURNACE, AC, WATER HEATER, CARPET, DUAL PANE WINDOWS, COMPLETE LANDSCAPE, 3 BR ON MAIN, 2 NON-CONFORM IN BASEMENT

Listing Number: 802275
Address: 10484 DOWNING STREET
Price: 192,500
City: NORTHGLENN
Sub-Area: NORTHGLENN THIRTEENTH FILING
Bedrooms: 5 Baths: 2 Square Feet: 1004 Attached Garage
Listing Office: RE/MAX ALLIANCE-LOUISVILLE

Click on link to view photo and description:
http://www.mymls.com/asp/email_zoomin.asp?PROPERTY_TYPE=RES&LISTING_NUM=802275&AREA=NSC&AgentID=013622&ID=ca9041ad6fecf79418a5f3dfb3a399d2&AgentName=ROBERT+KELLY

Call me for more information!

Rob Kelly REALTOR®,CDPE
RE/MAX Alliance, Louisville CO
720-284-9211 Cell
Email: Rob@RobKellyColorado.com
www.RobKellyColorado.com
www.DenverForeclosureTour.com

RE/MAX of Louisville ReCycle-Athon Sat July 18th, 2009

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:59:38 -0500

Louisville CO Trash Recycling and Compost pick up

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:24:37 -0500

I sure have been thinking alot about trash lately! We received our new trash, recycling and compost containers recently and now I need to think about which bin my trash goes into. It's all good, but I need to learn what goes where and when to put the compost bin out for pickup vs the recycle bin.

In Louisville, we are Thursday Schedule E and this week is our first compost bin pickup.

Here's the link to Western Disposals collection calendar: http://www.westerndisposal.com/wp-content/PDFs/calendars/2009/Thursday%20E%202009.pdf

Also I found this page on their site to sign up for email reminders for holidays.
Western Disposal e-minder sign up http://www.westerndisposal.com/contact-us/e-minders/

Now if anyone knows which bin my Starbucks cup goes into please let me know.

Happy Recycling!

Rob Kelly REALTOR®,CDPE
www.RobKellyColorado.com
www.DenverForeclosureTour.com

RE/MAX Alliance
225 South Boulder Road
Louisville, CO 80027
720-284-9211 Cell

Boulder County Real Estate Market Update

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:10:07 -0500

REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE

An Information Service of RE/MAX Alliance/Boulder Valley

June/2009

As we begin the trek toward the dog days of summer, below are some thoughts about the nature of the home mortgage industry and the real estate market in general. It's important to understand and acknowledge that the old way of purchasing real estate i.e. do you have a pulse and can you spell your name, as the only criteria for acquiring a loan, are gone forever. Lenders, appraisers and title companies today are no longer risk oriented. They are playing by a whole new set of rules and the rules aren't always particularly favorable to the buyer or seller.

Financing in today's real estate market is taking longer to obtain and more difficult to get. When a lender says we can get you approved in twenty-four or forty-eight hours, that usually means we can get you approved subject to an acceptable appraisal and you bringing in every financial document you've ever owned for us to cull over. If your loan is being sold into the secondary market i.e. Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, it better be an A+ loan or the lender will have to belly-up to the bar with the funds. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not in the business of being the depository for loans that may potentially go south. They have too many of those on the books right now.

In today's economic client, most people are looking for a deal. Whether it's the best price on a home, a car or your cable bill. This is the age of "negotiation". As such, many lenders are willing to negotiate to get your loan. They'll use phrases like ... no problem getting you approved in two weeks ... or ... low/no closing costs ... or ... we can get you a loan 1% under the market ... etc. Be cautious of lenders bearing gifts; read the fine-print; make-sure you understand the Truth in Lending disclosure. What appears on the surface to sound great, may result in not being what you envisioned or what you were led to believe.

The Boulder County real estate market continues to ebb along. The inventory of available single-family homes is down slightly over 14% this time of year versus last year. Through May, sales are off around 38% for single-family homes and the same for attached units as compared to 2008. The spring sales push, which the market normally experiences, has not exhibited the same level of energy this year as the previous three years. Homes continue to sell, and sales are increasing, but not an exponential rate.

So, the question in most people's minds is: Where to do we go from here if we want to buy or sell real estate? Unfortunately, there's no simple answer to that question. People who are attuned to risk see this as an opportune time to take advantage of current market conditions and invest in real estate. They look for deals. They are willing to negotiate. They know that real estate markets have historically trended-up over time.

Other people may be much more conservative. Risk isn't in their blood. They have a tendency to wait and see what happens rather than try to anticipate what might happen. Often the path of least resistance is not to leap, but rather to sit on the sidelines and get in the game when the timing feels comfortable to them. No problem with that.

For those individuals who are willing to roll the dice and step to the starting line, now is an excellent time to give some consideration to making that move or to invest in real estate. There are opportunities out there to be had. Motivated sellers and relatively low mortgage interest rates make for good bed fellows.

Improvements for a Greener Home

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:08:49 -0500

Benefits for Homeowners

While some people go all out in building green in order to lessen their home's "footprint" on the environment,most consumers want to upgrade their homes to experience green benefits like these:

• Have more control over future maintenance costs,

• Lower, manage, and better predict monthly expenses,

• Enjoy health benefits, including lower emissions and better air quality, and

• Improve their home's resale value and marketability.

Pick One Project ... or Two

Even for homes where it doesn't make sense to remodel, homeowners can still enjoy economic and health benefits by implementing one or more green improvements as they are able:

• Tankless water heaters heat water only on demand.

• Low-E windows have a thin layer of metal that helps keeps the hot side of the window hot and the cool side cool, thereby saving energy on heating and cooling bills.When purchasing windows, pay attention to the U-factor, which measures the rate of heat transfer, and also the SHGC rating, which measures how well a window blocking unwanted heat gain. Low-E windows are well worth the price, since homes can lose up to 25% of their heat through the windows. Properly installed low-E windows can reduce energy loss by 30-50%.

• Storm door installation provides extra protection against inclement weather and can increase energy efficiency by up to 45%.

• Paints and materials that contain low- or no-VOC (Volative Organic Components) cut down on landfill pollutants as well as help keep indoor air clean.

• Spray foam insulation increases to 100 times its initial volume and therefore better fills in air gaps than fiberglass insulation. It's also non-toxic and has a lifetime guarantee. Energy savings: Up to 50%.

• Landscape responsibly. Xeriscaping with native and drought-resistant plants helps conserve water. Strategic planting of trees and careful maintenance of existing mature trees can help reduce energy costs by shading a house.

• Retrofitting radiant heat can be pricey, but the savings in energy costs mean it will eventually pay for itself. Radiant heat is often more comfortable than forced air, and better for people with allergies.Additionally, people don't get cold feet and therefore tend to keep the thermostat a degree or so lower as well.

• Programmable thermostats allow homeowners to automatically reduce heating and cooling during times when it is not needed as much. Energy savings:As much as 5-20% off a monthly energy bill if the heat is turned down 5 degrees at night and 10 degrees during the day when no one is home.

• Ceiling fans may provide enough cooling for some rooms and can reduce the need for air conditioning.

• Caulking windows and doors is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve energy efficiency in a home- in fact, it will usually pay for itself in energy savings within a year.

• Replace exterior wood doors with insulated metal or fiberglass doors. Wood is not a good insulator, and fiberglass doors now give the appearance of wood while insulating 5 times better.

• Choose LED lighting. LED stands for "light emitting diodes," which are small devices resembling a computer chip sandwiched between thin layers of plastic or glass.When charged with electricity, the diode emits lights. Benefits of LED lighting: It has no hazardous chemicals like other lighting options.The price over its lifetime (good quality bulbs can last more than 50,000 hours) make it an economical alternative to standard lightbulbs. LED lights generate very little heat and 80-90% of electrical power goes directly to generating light, compared to incandescent bulbs where only 5-10% of the energy is used to create light (the rest creates heat). Finally, LEDs give more light with less glare, a plus for an aging population.

• Low-flow showerheads and toilets help homeowners conserve water.

• Solar orientation is one area homeowners can't change about their existing home, but a passive solar retrofit means adding solar features to an existing house. For example, the location of sunrooms should be true solar south for greatest heat gain.

• Smart irrigation technology may be the biggest change in lawncare since the automated sprinkler system. Evapotranspiration (ET) controllers automatically adjust watering based on the weather and typically pay for themselves in water savings after about two years. Please keep in mind that this is only a partial list of many projects that can increase the value of a home, as well as improve comfort and reduce energy costs. For more information on these and other green recommendations, visit:

• www.nahbgreen.org

• energystar.gov

• www.usgbc.org

Northglenn CO, Beautifully remodeled 4 bedroom 2 bath home for sale

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:36:43 -0500

Address: 960 E 112th Pl, Northglenn, CO 80233

Price: $177,900
Total square feet: 1700
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2
2 car detached garage

Solid, brick ranch with full, finished basement. All the work is done, complete remodel. New paint, wood floors, carpet, doors, windows, baths remodeled with tile, granite counters&travertine surround. Kitchen has granite counters & tile floor, stainless steel appliances. Huge, open multi-purpose room in basement. Large fenced yard with nice garden space. 2-car detached garage with cabinets and two workbenches.

Click on link to view photo and description:
http://www.mymls.com/asp/email_zoomin.asp?PROPERTY_TYPE=RES&LISTING_NUM=777544&AREA=NSC&AgentID=077725&ID=53a9d91caa16042283bf5426be08e4af&AgentName=

Contact me for more info!

Rob Kelly REALTOR®,CDPE
www.RobKellyColorado.com
RE/MAX Alliance
720-284-9211 Cell

Northglenn CO 4 bedroom 2 bath for sale. Complete Remodel!

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:13:32 -0500

10800 Larry Dr, Northglenn, 80233
PRICE: $179,500
4 Bedroom 2 Bath
Total SqFt All Lvls: 2008

Complete remodel! All the work is done, just move in! New paint, carpet, windows & doors. Kitchen has granite counter & tile floor, stainless steel appliances, living room & main level bedrooms have wood floors, full bath with tile floor, granite & travertine. Basement finished with family room, bedroom study and 3/4 bath with granite & tile & travertine. Covered patio, large fenced yard. 1-car attached garage with yard access. Basement BR non-conforming.

Contact me for more info.

Rob Kelly REALTOR®,CDPE
www.RobKellyColorado.com
www.DenverForeclosureTour.com

RE/MAX Alliance
225 South Boulder Road
Louisville, CO 80027
720-284-9211 Cell
720-368-5051 Fax

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Fri, 22 May 2009 09:56:07 -0500

I work with alot of first time home buyers and have had many questions regarding the $8000 tax credit. Here's a nice piece about First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit.

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit
Answers to the most commonly asked questions
by Land Title Guarantee Company
May 2009

In its efforts to stimulate the economy and revive the housing market, Congress has enacted legislation that provides a tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time home buyers. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law on February 17, 2009, is a stimulus package that makes a non-repayable tax credit of up to $8,000 to qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009, and before December 1, 2009.

• The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.

• The tax credit does not have to be repaid.

• The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.

• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009, and before December 1, 2009.

• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

The following information has been edited for length and is used with permission from the National Association of Home Builders' website, www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com.

Who is eligible to claim the tax credit?
First-time home buyers purchasing any kind of home-new or resale-are eligible for the tax credit. To qualify for the tax credit, a home purchase must occur on or after January 1, 2009, and before December 1, 2009. For the purposes of the tax credit, the purchase date is the date when closing occurs and the title to the property transfers to the homeowner.

What is the definition of a first-time home buyer?
The law defines "first-time home buyer" as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. For married taxpayers, the law tests the homeownership history of both the home buyer and his or her spouse. For example, if you have not owned a home in the past three years but your spouse has owned a principal residence, neither you nor your spouse qualifies for the first-time home buyer tax credit. However, unmarried joint purchasers may allocate the credit amount to any buyer who qualifies as a first-time buyer, such as may occur if a parent jointly purchases a home with a son or daughter. Ownership of a vacation home or rental property not used as a principal residence does not disqualify a buyer as a first-time home buyer.

How is the amount of the tax credit determined?
The tax credit is equal to10 percent of the home's purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.

Are there any income limits for claiming the tax credit?
Yes. The income limit for single taxpayers is $75,000; the limit is $150,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. The tax credit amount is reduced for buyers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of more than $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. The phase-out range for the tax credit program is equal to $20,000. That is, the tax credit amount is reduced to zero for taxpayers with MAGI of more than $95,000 (single) or $170,000 (married) and is reduced proportionally for taxpayers with MAGIs between these amounts.

What is "modified adjusted gross income"?
Modified adjusted gross income or MAGI is defined by the IRS. To find it, a taxpayer must first determine "adjusted gross income" or AGI. AGI is total income for a year minus certain deductions (known as "adjustments" or "above the-line deductions"), but before itemized deductions from Schedule A or personal exemptions are subtracted. On Forms 1040 and 1040A, AGI is the last number on page 1 and first number on page 2 of the form. For Form 1040-EZ, AGI appears on line 4 (as of 2007). Note that AGI includes all forms of income including wages, salaries, interest income, dividends, and capital gains. To determine modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), add to AGI certain amounts such as foreign income, foreign-housing deductions, student-loan deductions, IRA-contribution deductions, and deductions for higher-education costs.

If my modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is above the limit, do I qualify for any tax credit?
Possibly. It depends on your income. Partial credits of less than $8,000 are available for some taxpayers whose MAGI exceeds the phase-out limits.

How is this home buyer tax credit different from the tax credit that Congress enacted in July of 2008?
The most significant difference is that this tax credit does not have to be repaid. Because it had to be repaid, the previous "credit" was essentially an interest-free loan. This tax incentive is a true tax credit. However, home buyers must use the residence as a principal residence for at least three years or face recapture of the tax credit amount. Certain exceptions apply.

How do I claim the tax credit? Do I need to complete a form or application?
Participating in the tax credit program is easy. You claim the tax credit on your federal income tax return. Specifically, home buyers should complete IRS Form 5405 to determine their tax credit amount, and then claim this amount on Line 69 of their 1040 income tax return. No other applications or forms are required, and no pre-approval is necessary. However, you will want to be sure that you qualify for the credit under the income limits and first-time home buyer tests. Note that you cannot claim the credit on Form 5405 for an intended purchase for some future date; it must be a completed purchase.

What home types qualify for the tax credit?
Any home that will be used as a principal residence will qualify for the credit. This includes single-family detached homes, attached homes like townhouses and condominiums, manufactured homes (also known as mobile homes), and houseboats. The definition of principal residence is identical to the one used to determine whether you may qualify for the $250,000 / $500,000 capital gain tax exclusion for principal residences.

I read that the tax credit is "refundable." What does that mean?
The fact that the credit is refundable means that the home buyer credit can be claimed even if the taxpayer has little or no federal income tax liability to offset. Typically this involves the government sending the taxpayer a check for a portion or even all of the amount of the refundable tax credit. For example, if a qualified home buyer expected, notwithstanding the tax credit, federal income tax liability of $5,000 and had tax withholding of $4,000 for the year, then without the tax credit the taxpayer would owe the IRS $1,000 on April 15. Suppose now that the taxpayer qualified for the $8,000 home buyer tax credit. As a result, the taxpayer would receive a check for $7,000 ($8,000 minus the $1,000 owed).

Is a tax credit the same as a tax deduction?
No. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in what the taxpayer owes. That means that a taxpayer who owes $8,000 in income taxes and who receives an $8,000 tax credit would owe nothing to the IRS. A tax deduction is subtracted from the amount of income that is taxed. Using the same example, assume the taxpayer is in the 15 percent tax bracket and owes $8,000 in income taxes. If the taxpayer receives an $8,000 deduction, the taxpayer's tax liability would be reduced by $1,200 (15 percent of $8,000), or lowered from $8,000 to $6,800.

Do I qualify if I bought a home in 2008?
No, but if you purchased your first home between April 9, 2008, and January 1, 2009, you may qualify for a different tax credit. For more information, visit FederalHousingTaxCredit.com.

Today Show Segment - Good News for Denver !

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:15:19 -0500

Great clip-

Denver is the #1 pick for the market most likely to recover and clearly on a rebound. Vibrant downtown . . . high employment . . . education . . . youth . . . park systems... it's heading up up up!!!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/30825142#30825142

Rob Kelly REALTOR®,CDPE
www.RobKellyColorado.com
www.DenverForeclosureTour.com

"Thinking of Real Estate? Think of Rob!"

Boulder County Local foreclosure sales decline

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:59:40 -0500

Publish Date: 5/12/2009

Local foreclosure sales decline

LONGMONT - The sale of foreclosed homes in Boulder County declined
25 percent in the first quarter, according to the Colorado Division of Housing.

One hundred foreclosed homes were sold in the January through March period, down from 134 in the first quarter of 2008.

Foreclosure filings, however, increased 5 percent, to 291 in the quarter, up from 278 during the same period last year.

Foreclosure filings indicate people who are seriously delinquent in their housing payments, while sales indicate the number of homes that are eventually sold through the foreclosure process, according to the Division of Housing.

Having a home sold through foreclosure is generally the most harmful to a homeowners' credit, according to the division, and it also means the owners lose all equity in the property that is sold.

Statewide, there was a 26 percent drop in foreclosure sales during the quarter, to 4,354 from 5,899 last year.

Foreclosure filings statewide were also down, to 10,745 from 11,634 last year.

The Division of Housing's report showed that the 12 most populous counties in Colorado account for 95 percent of foreclosure activity, and counties with the highest foreclosure rates tend to be along the Front Range.

In the Denver metro area, Boulder County had the lowest foreclosure rate at 1 completed foreclosure for every 1,157 households.

Among other metro-area counties, Adams County, with 1 filing for every 238 households and Weld County, with 1 filing every 245 households, had the highest rates.

Boulder County Real Estate Market Update May 2009

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:25:01 -0500

REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE

An Information Service of RE/MAX Alliance/Boulder Valley

May/2009

If you read the newspaper, watch the news on television or religiously track the ups and downs of the stock market, there appears to be a general feeling in people's minds that things are getting better economically in this country. At least on the surface, they don't appear to be getting worse.

According to the Federal Government, job losses continue, but at a slower rate than has been experienced recently. The stock market has rallied over the course of the past few months and regained a portion of its losses. Home mortgage interest rates continue to vacillate between 4.75% and 5.25% for a fixed-rate thirty year loan. Most of us have survived the two great government revenue source days - income tax day (April 15^th) and property tax day (April 30^th).

One of the methods of evaluating today's local real estate market is to take a look back. To compare what has happened in the past to what is happening now. An area that many homeowners are concerned about is the value of their home. How has it been impacted over the course of the past few years?

Below is a brief overview of the housing market for single family homes in Boulder County from IRES (MLS) through April of each year.

Year Active Listings # of Sales Avg. Sales Price % Change

2009 2105 570 $400,911 -8.24%

2008 2410 939 $436,938 -5.81%

2007 2408 1028 $463,896 +8.20%

2006 2410 1249 $428,726 ---------

What are some of the reasons the average sales price has decreased over the past couple of years?

The one you might initially consider is that home values have declined. There is some degree of truth to that. In a negatively impacted economic environment, more expensive homes normally feel the price pinch first. As such, the average sales price of all the homes in a particular market drops.

Another reason for a lower average sales price is that more homes are selling on the lower end and thus the average sales price is less. This is true of the Boulder Valley real estate market as lower mortgage interest rates and government tax incentives have brought more first-time homebuyers into the market.

A third reason is the impact on values from bank foreclosures and HUD properties. These properties often, but not always, sell below area home values. This impacts the average sales price of a neighborhood and geographic area. It also affects appraised values of other homes.

Finally, there are the occasional "fire sales", where a homeowner desperately needs to sell. This is most often because of personal reasons i.e. job loss, divorce, health reasons, change of life circumstances, economic conditions, etc. Basically, the seller simply needs to rid themselves of their home so they can move-on with their lives.

Compliments of RE/MAX Alliance-Louisville, CO

Boulder County 2009 Summer Camp Guide

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:36:50 -0500

School is out in less than a month. Have you found camps for your kids? Here is the 2009 Summer Camp guide for Boulder County.

2009 Summer Camp Guide

Louisville CO Tree Branch Recycling

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:05:19 -0500

It's gardening time and time to clean up the yard! This weekend, the Louisville tree branch recycling is open. I'm planning on dropping branches and picking up free mulch for the garden. Gotta love spring time!

Who:	Louisville Residents only
Where:	Empire Road and Highway 42 (north of cemetery)
2009 Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM	January 1-4 and January 10 February and March CLOSED April 4 & 5 April 25 & 26 May 2 & 3 June 6 & 7 July 4 & 5 August 1 & 2 September 5 & 6 October 3 & 4 November 7 & 8 December 26 - 31 January 1 - 10, 2010
Accept:	Only woody plant material
Other Services:	Self-serve free mulch available at the site
Questions:	Contact Department of Parks & Recreation at 303.335.4735
What this site is NOT for:	Residential grass clippings and leaves
What this site is NOT for:	Tree service contractor debris

Northglenn Investor Tag Along & Foreclosure Tour May 2nd

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:27:09 -0500

Investor Tag Along and Mini Foreclosure Tour Saturday May 2, 2009

Where: Northglenn - Email Rob for directions
When: Saturday May 2, 2009
Time:   Investor Tag Along 11 A.M. - 1 P.M.     Foreclosure Tour 1 P.M. - 3 P.M.
Why:    Because you love watching homes under construction and rehab
Who:    Rob Kelly, RE/MAX Realtor/Investor

Investor Tag Along Northglenn Fix and Flip event 11am - 1pm

We have the next installment of our "Investor Tag Along" series. Here's your opportunity to watch a flip project from beginning to end. Talk to the sub-contractors, study the budgets, ask all the questions you've ever had about flipping a house. We'll be viewing 2 properties currently under construction.

Denver Foreclosure Mini Tour 1pm - 3pm

Are you interested in learning how to buy foreclosed homes in the Denver Metro area? Join us for a tour of 3 - 5 properties in the North Denver Metro area on Saturday, May 2, 2009 @ 1pm right after the Investor Tag Along!

The homes featured will include Bank owned and HUD homes. All are in some state of distress. They may be bank-owned, in need of repair, sitting vacant, have a very motivated seller, or going through a "short sale", a process where the lender discounts a portion of the mortgage balance.

Louisville Cashflow 101 Game Night

Rob Kelly (RE/MAX Alliance) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:28:09 -0500

The Louisville Cashflow Game Night was established to provide a casual environment for both the seasoned real estate investor and those who are simply curious; to develop knowledge required to establish long-term passive income and financial freedom.

Where: Louisville CO (Contact Rob to get location address)

When: Friday, May 15, 2009

Time: 6 P.M. - 9 P.M.

Come and have some fun and learn something at the same time by joining us to play Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad CASHFLOW® game.

CASHFLOW® teaches you the basics of fundamental investing and how to take control of your personal finances, build a business through proper cash flow management, and learn how to invest with greater confidence in real estate and other businesses.

While money has the power to make you a slave to it ...it also has the power to set you free. CASHFLOW was created to teach people how to become a master of money and elevate their financial IQ.

For this event we will be running 4 games in parallel, with up to 6 people per game. There is therefore a limit of 24 people to this event so please book early to avoid disappointment!

To Register or questions, contact Rob Kelly at:

rob@robkellycolorado.com