real estate: Boulder Fire Details - 10/30/10 08:57 AM
With this latest fire, over 1,800 Boulder Colorado residents were asked to evacuate their homes yesterday and the breaking news for today is that the evacuation was lifted. And according to the Daily Camera, mandatory evacuation orders remained in place overnight for at least 139 Boulder County residents and 1,700 people within city limits west of Seventh Street, from Canyon Boulevard on the south, to North Street on the north. Also, Boulder Community Hospital's Maxwell and Mapleton facilities were also evacuated and will remain closed Saturday. The hospital's north Broadway location was not affected. Read about how the fire started and … (0 comments)

real estate: Vendee Financing; Even Non Veterans Should Apply - 10/28/10 11:38 AM
I was asked the following question when showing one of our VA (Veterans Administration) owned properties: "Are you familiar with the Vendee Program in which Bank of America offers to buyers? And I am curious if you've had real estate deals involving the Veterans Administration." Since we are witnessing more and more Veteran Administration-owned properties in the real estate market, I assume that many more people have the same question or are unaware of financing that they may in fact qualify for. Vendee financing is a program Veterans Admin offers to help finance VA REO (bank-owned) properties. The appeal of this … (1 comments)

real estate: Advice On How To Bike To Work And Still Smell Ok........ - 06/06/10 12:08 PM
Yes, I am seriously writing about this! I need to write a fun blog and since it's Bike and Walk to Work Month, why not? June is the designated month for biking and walking to work and the month is filled with events in Boulder Colorado. Bike to Work Day will be held on Wednesday, June 23. It is presented by GO Boulder and coordinated by Community Cycles. First celebrated as Bike to Work Day in 1977, the event has grown and continues to encourage thousands of commuters to explore their transportation options. Serious facts provided by the City of Boulder … (2 comments)

real estate: Boulder Summer Camps - 05/15/10 05:09 PM
School is ending for the 2009-2010 year and with that comes the need to find childcare for the summer. As a working mother in Boulder Colorado, I am always looking for a great summer camp or two around the county. And since real estate is really picking up, I will need plenty of full-time child care. Over the years, my children have attended YMCA, Science Discovery, and Avid4Adventure. These are all fulfilling camps providing not only supervision but stimulating activities as well. Did you know that YMCA camps have been voted the best day camps 4 years in a row!? Wow, … (0 comments)

real estate: Boulder County Family Week - 05/06/10 03:33 PM
Got kids? How about family visiting from out of town? Well, this is your week Boulder County Colorado! It's family week, which obviously means a weekends worth of activities designed for the whole gang. If you're from Lafayette, enjoy time spent at the Bob Burger Recreation with FREE ADMISSION for the kiddos! The Longmont Museum and Cultural Center is hosting hands-on games including a water game and solving the Sweet Beet Puzzle. Read more and join the activities. … (0 comments)

real estate: No Phone Zone - 05/05/10 01:29 PM
The Troia Team is supporting the newest initiative instigated by Oprah Winfreyherself. NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING! While it's a nationwide promise, we are honoring it here in Boulder Colorado as real estate agents and concerned members of our city. It all began in a local community near our county, Fort Collins Colorado when earlier this year, Shelley and Daren Forney, lost their 9-year-old daughter. Erica, who was on her bicycle, just 15 pedals from her front door when she was hit and killed by a driver who was distracted by the cell phone. Erica's death was senseless and stupid because it … (1 comments)

real estate: The Coldwell Banker Story - 04/25/10 09:19 AM
The Coldwell Banker Story. I've been on a lot of listing appointments lately with spring arriving here in Boulder Colorado and included in the listing presentation are reasons why to choose Coldwell Banker. I, myself even had to ponder the reasons why to choose one brokerage company over another when becoming a real estate agent. Upon intensive research and endless appointments with recruiting office managers, I went with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and The Troia Team. Here's why I did and why you should as well. … (1 comments)

real estate: Rockies Baseball 2010 - 04/21/10 05:52 AM
The Troia Team Realtors of Boulder Colorado love Rockies baseball. Because we also love our clients, we throw a client appreication game day each year in which we provide free Rockies Tickets and a pre game party. Last year it was held on the rooftop of LoDos, serving food and beer. Then, we all headed to the game, providing free popcorn and snacks. It's always a blast. Many of you have already participated in a game, forever loyal to your local Denver team. Read more about the Rockies season and history. … (0 comments)

real estate: What Are You Going To Do Tonight? - 04/04/10 02:03 PM
Looking for entertainment tonight or this week in Boulder County Colorado? Do you love to dance, listen to music, drink famous beer, and eat yummy food? Well, look no further than the all-famous Oskar Blues in either Longmont or Lyons. One of my favorite attributes of the brewery is the live music. Of course, many visitors love the beer including the all-famous Dales Pale Ale, which was voted one of the quintessential American hoppy pale ales of our time by BeerAdvocate.com. The intimate, 100-person capacity of the beloved juke joint gets you up close with the best musicians in Colorado and … (0 comments)

real estate: Shrink Your Home Loan: Obama's Foreclosure Prevention Plan - 04/01/10 02:06 AM
The following is a true story. I have a family member who bought her home in 2005. The economy was better then and real estate was hot in Boulder Colorado. Prices were high, inventory was low, and banks were more lenient with loan qualifications. She makes over $50,000 and has a steady job. However, she just had a baby and would like to buy a bigger home. As expected, she got her home ready to list and had the home appraised first in order to determine a price. What do you guess happened? Click here to find out. … (0 comments)

real estate: Short Sale Hardship Letter Examples - 03/25/10 04:31 PM
Yes, we can help! Short sales are increasingly common as new government acts have passed to find alternatives to foreclosures. You are not alone. The economy is tough in Boulder Colorado and elsewhere; people are losing jobs and it's been a difficult time in real estate as property values have dropped below mortgages owed on homes. This makes it difficult to refinance and when it's hard to pay on that mortgage, you find yourself in a dire situation. Often times if you qualify, a short sale is a better solution that foreclosing. It's not as hurtful to your credit and the … (1 comments)

real estate: Yes, Another Short Sale Blog. - 03/18/10 03:11 PM
But worth your while, I guarantee you. The Troia Team from Boulder Colorado is writing so much on the subject lately because IT IS the subject lately. Real estate short sales are everywhere and the numerous listings are partially due to the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program; go ahead, call it HAFA. The information is non-ending. You can't write enough about short sales. As we discussed before, having a knowledgeable Realtor is most important. One who can walk you through the process. If I were going through a short sale, here's what I would want to know from my real estate … (0 comments)

real estate: What You Need To Know About A Short Sale - 03/10/10 03:41 AM
What is it when a seller's lender agrees to accept a lower amount for a property than is owed? Yes...a short sale. This is big real estate news in Boulder Colorado and throughout the country. If the owner of a home has an outstanding loan/lien that is greater than the value of the home and they are in financial distress (late on mortgage payments), then a short sale is an option other than foreclosure. Click here to read all about it. … (0 comments)

real estate: Foreclosure Verses A Short Sale - 03/07/10 09:12 AM
A short sale is when the real estate sale proceeds fall short of the balanced owed on the property's loan. This happens when the borrower is unable to pay their property's mortgage. Instead of penalizing the mortgagor, the lender agrees to sell the property at a moderate loss. This is an advantage to both parties as it allows them to avoid foreclosure, which involves hefty fees for the bank and poorer credit report outcomes for the borrowers. Clients in Boulder ask this all the time and no, this may not release the mortgagor from their deficiency. Neither foreclosure nor a short … (2 comments)

real estate: What Is An Eco Friendly Renovation: Part Two - 03/03/10 01:51 PM
Why is this information important? For several reasons: Being more conscientious is the way to be. It's the right choice. The eco evolution is not only taking over Boulder but it's blossoming throughout the world. We drive Priuses, shop locally, and remodel with the consideration of the environment. You're not only saving mother earth but yourself as well; indoor contamination causes health problems and the community is becoming more aware of its harmful risks. It's really not that more expensive to do a earth loving remodel and it will positively increase the value of your real estate. Buyers are looking for … (1 comments)

real estate: Happy Happy Boulder - 02/20/10 07:40 AM
I'm sure you heard the good news by now, Boulder was rated the happiest and healthiest place to live in the United States. This was according to a Gallup Poll and the Colorado Daily reports: The new massive study of Americans' attitudes and lifestyles concludes that Boulder is the prime U.S. location for general well-being and quality of life. "The fact that Boulder is up there makes a lot of sense when you're looking at what we know of happiness," said Tim Wadsworth, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Colorado. "For example, health is huge, and Boulder is … (0 comments)

real estate: What Is An Eco Friendly Renovation? Part One - 02/17/10 04:40 AM
Just what defines a home remodel going eco friendly? It's important to know if you are a home buyer and a home seller. If you are a home buyer then this will help you know what to look for when house shopping. Sellers wanting to increase the value of their home and attract more buyers, need to be aware of what the new earth loving trends are. Being a real estate expert in Boulder Colorado and Boulder County, we are witnessing a revolution in green building. This is not a passing trend, but in my opinion, a change in how we … (1 comments)

real estate: Homebuyer Tax Credit - Extended and Expanded - 02/14/10 12:19 PM
Recently I was showing homebuyers around Boulder Colorado and they made an interesting comment about it being unfortunate they missed the deadline for the tax credit and they don't qualify because this wasn't their first home.  Just when I thought EVERYONE knew about the homebuyer tax credit!  I was quick to correct them and reassure my new clients that they can indeed still benefit from this one-of-a-kind credit.  Read more and you too can reap the rewards of homeownership in 2010!  It is a buyers market and this is opportunity should not be missed.  A fantastic time to buy!  The time to buy … (0 comments)

real estate: First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Paid In Advance - 08/09/09 08:30 AM
If you're not taking advantage of the first time homebuyer tax credit - you should be! Lower interest rates, high inventory and low sale prices are continuing to make this a buyers real estate market. Not only are we seeing great deals in home sales, but first timers are getting that tax credit we are all hearing about. Buy before December 1st and receive $8,000 at tax time. Luke Mullins from US News explains that the federal first-time homebuyer tax credit was created by Congress this summer to encourage new homebuyers to purchase homes and thereby stimulate housing markets. However, the … (0 comments)

real estate: Boulder News - 06/29/09 08:14 AM
When buyers are new to the area, it's always fun to give them tidbits of what's happening in Boulder and Boulder County. As real estate agents, we not only keep up on trends but we also stay informed on the happenings in our city. This week's news in Boulder includes Boulder being rated in the top ten, schools banning junk food, and drivers protesting a bike race. Read the rest of these stories … (0 comments)