doug james: Your basement - to finish or not to finish...That is the Question!
- 01/14/13 03:41 AM
There are many reasons to consider refinishing your basement. Do you want to make it look better because you are thinking of putting your house up for sale? Or do you want to create a more user-friendly living space in the area under your main floor? Especially in older Colorado homes, basements often exist - but they are often unfinished, dark, damp, and dingy. Additionally, many of the finished basements in homes more than 10 or 15 years old can be outdated and basically useless – other than as storage areas. It is not uncommon for homeowners to neglect their basements. … (1 comments)
doug james: Lions and Tigers and Bears – Denver Zoo & Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
- 10/12/12 06:43 AM
Lions and Tigers and Bears – All in Colorado? OH MY! Looking for a fun activity? If you live in Colorado (or if you are visiting), you simply must visit the Denver Zoo and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo at least one time each. If you have young children, chances are good that you will visit these two places several times a year, but even without children these attractions are exceptional. Colorado is lucky to be home to two fantastic zoos! Even if you live in the Denver metropolitan area, a visit to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is worth the drive. Speaking of … (0 comments)
doug james: Castle Café in Castle Rock is known for its Historical Significance and its Famous Pan Fried Chicken
- 10/02/12 05:04 AM
One of the oldest restaurants in the Castle Rock area, Castle Café, has been serving the residents of Colorado and people traveling through the state for more than a century! According to the history of this eatery, which is published on its website, the Castle Café was originally known as the Castle Hotel and Bar. When the Castle Hotel and Bar first opened in 1890, it was a central meeting spot for people that were working and living in the area, and also for any person or group that was traveling through Colorado on their journey north, south, east or west. … (0 comments)
doug james: Walking Tours in Historic Castle Rock
- 08/29/12 08:12 AM
Self-Guided Walking Tours Provide a Glimpse of the Many Historical Buildings in Castle Rock I live in Castle Rock and am constantly amazed at the rich history. Did you realize there are dozens of historic buildings in Castle Rock? With the expansion of Castle Rock over the past couple of decades and with all the new buildings and residential areas that have sprouted outside of Castle Rock’s downtown vicinity, it can be hard to remember that Castle Rock was founded in 1874 and incorporated in 1881. Unlike many of the newer areas in Castle Rock, the center of Town contains many … (0 comments)
doug james: Typical Components of a Short Sale Package
- 02/13/12 04:41 AM
Short sale information must be compiled into an acceptable package before it is submitted to your lender. Most Realtors who have short sale experience agree that it is better to submit a complete package to your lender as opposed to sending pieces of the package at different times. Mortgage companies are notorious for losing paperwork, and they often deny short sales because they claim that certain documents were never received. If you are applying for a short sale, you will want to provide all of the required documents to your lender in the simplest and most organized manner possible. It is … (0 comments)
doug james: Why Be A Short-Sale Buyer? What Are The Pro's and Con's?
- 01/27/12 08:30 AM
The thought of being a short sale buyer and getting a great deal on a nice piece of property is very appealing. However, it’s important to understand that the process of purchasing a short sale property differs from buying property the traditional way. There are additional steps involved in buying a short sale, and the seller’s lender plays an integral role in the acceptance of your purchase offer. Additionally, the process can be lengthy and frustrating. If you have a good idea of what to expect going into this type of transaction, you will greatly increase your chances of success. The … (0 comments)
doug james: Comparing Real Estate Investing with Other Options
- 01/10/12 09:05 AM
Comparing Real Estate Investing to Other Investing Ideas Steve Harney recently posted Real Estate: Today’s Golden Opportunity comparing the current housing market to the market for gold about a decade ago. Some folks commented on the fact that you can’t compare gold to real estate as an investment as gold is a very liquid asset and it would take more time and effort to sell a house. They were not trying to make the case for real estate vs. gold as an investment in the blog. They were just showing that all investments go through cycles and that the best time … (0 comments)
doug james: Do You "Qualify" For A Short Sale On Your Home?
- 01/05/12 06:08 AM
Do You Qualify For a Short Sale? Let’s talk about who will qualify for a short sale. When a mortgage company agrees to a short sale, it means that the lender is willing to accept less than the amount owed on the current mortgage to settle the debt owed to them. Oftentimes, lenders are willing to offer short sale opportunities to homeowners who they believe may end up in foreclosure if it were not for the short sale option. A short sale sounds like a great idea to homeowners who are desperate to sell their homes and know that they are … (0 comments)
doug james: How Many Castle Rock, Colorado Real Estate Options are There?
- 12/28/11 06:47 AM
There are many Castle Rock Colorado real estate homes for sale, and it’s not practical to look at every single one of them before deciding which one to buy. Buying a house is a very big decision and it sometimes takes a while to find the perfect one. With hundreds of homes currently on the market in Castle Rock, it is too time consuming to see every single one in person.
A question that people often ask us is, “How many homes should we see before we decide on one?” While there really isn’t a specific number that can be … (0 comments)
doug james: Help - behind in my mortgage - what are my options? Short sale vs Foreclosure
- 12/12/11 08:51 AM
Short sale versus Foreclosure – what’s best for your family? I hear these words on a daily basis. It’s heart breaking. These families have worked all their adult life to build “the American Dream” and some are seeing the dream disappear like smoke as it dissolves before their eyes. When you have a predicament that has come upon you either by your choice or not, you must take action to get to the best possible outcome as quickly as possible. Many homeowners are finding themselves in a predicament with their mortgage liability. They have suffered hardships ranging from job loss, … (0 comments)
doug james: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Act - FREE Real Estate Information - Free of Cost and FREE of Hassle!
- 12/06/11 09:19 AM
People are more tentative about making investments today than at any time that I have observed in my 30 plus years in the business world. As a Realtor, I can tell you that buying real estate is no exception. So what doess someone thinking of buying or selling need to make a decision - TIMELY AND ACCURATE MARKET RELEVANT REAL ESTATE INFORMATION!! More importantly how do they want to receive it and how do they get it in the way they want to get it, free of cost and free of hassle! For years I have become increasingly convinced that any … (0 comments)
doug james: Staging Your Home For Sale - Do's & Dont's!
- 11/22/11 06:27 AM
Preparing a home for sale requires a lot more than simply hiring a real estate professional. Staged homes sell faster and for a higher price than non-staged homes, translating to a happier you and more money in your pocket! To sell your home you must be prepared to de-clutter, re-light, scrub and neutralize the home. Your primary goal is to sell a lifestyle. A staged home should allow the buyer to imagine themselves relaxing in the den with his children or entertaining his friends on the patio. While professional home staging can be costly, it is possible to creatively and strategically stage a … (2 comments)
I've been in real estate for almost 33 years now and to say I've seen the ups and downs is an understatement! I will share my experience, my knowledge, my thoughts, opinions with you, the consumer. It's my intent to leave you with more knowledge than what you started with after you read my posts. As always, I encourage healthy and lively interaction here, or feel free to call me at 303-814-3684 to discuss!
All my best
Doug
There are many reasons to consider refinishing your basement. Do you want to make it look better because you are thinking of putting your house up for sale? Or do you want to create a more user-friendly living space in the area under your main floor? Especially in older Colorado homes, basements often exist - but they are often unfinished, dark, damp, and dingy. Additionally, many of the finished basements in homes more than 10 or 15 years old can be outdated and basically useless – other than as storage areas.
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