Last week, I was preparing my laptop for the marketing videos on my website.  It was new to me, but I felt certain that with persistence, I could figure it out.  There was a glitch with the microphone or the laptop because the audio sound was poor.  I turned the volume up on both and it still was not working.  So, I decided to make a few calls before running out and buying a new microphone.

    My first call was to a large office store franchise that I figured could give me a quick answer on whether they sold microphones.  The phone rang, and rang, and rang until finally...an automated voice answered.  Then the long list of choices on which button to push to get to an actual live person.  "Hello, how may I direct your call?" I said, "I was wondering if you sell microphones in your store"  Long pause, "Please hold"  Five minutes later a male voice answered, "Hello?" I asked again "I was wondering if you sell microphones in your store"  Long pause, "Just a minute" he said.  I waited another ten minutes and during that time, he picked up the phone 3 times to try and make an outgoing call - forgetting that I was on hold and the reason for my call.  The last time he picked up the phone, he hung up on me.

     So, I tried another local office chain store that is new and has a bigger name.  Same drill!  But this time I waited longer and when the operator got back on the phone after forgetting I was even there, she took a message and said someone would have to call me back later - they were too busy to answer my question.  They never returned my call.

     I remembered a small computer service company where I had taken my laptop for service last year.  Maybe I could simply call and ask them a question about the volume on the laptop and microphone to see if I even need to buy a new one.  The phone rang once and was answered.  I said, "Hi, this is Lori Jarrett.  You guys helped me with my laptop last year, I'm not sure if you remember me."  She said, "Of course, Lori. How are you?"  Wow, what a relief.  "I'm having some trouble with the volume on my laptop and I wanted to see if I could ask Jerry a quick question." 
"Sure, I'll get him for you."

     Jerry answered the phone immediately.  I described my situation with the laptop and he told me, without hesitation, all I had to do was right click on the volume and change the input level for the microphone.  No need to buy anything or bring my laptop in for service.  

     Where do you think I'll take my computer for service the next time it's needed?  

     Small businesses with quality customer service will thrive during this economic recovery because the bottom line is people want to be recognized, appreciated and heard.  If I had gone into either of the large chain stores looking for a microphone, I guarantee they would not have asked me questions to solve my problem.  They would only sell me something that I neither wanted or needed just so they could meet their quota for the month.  All I was looking for was information to make a good decision.

     It's simple, if we care and listen to the people we serve, they will come back and refer their friends and family.  A dose of kindness goes a long way!

    

Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings (Wikipedia)

Remember those old typewriters that would "bing" at you to let you know you were at the end of the line? In a way, typing was a form of exercise - putting the paper in just so, making sure you have enough ink ribbon, pushing the keys down far enough without getting your fingers stuck, being able to type the letters fast enough so you don't forget what you want to say...."bing", push, cliiiiiiick, stop.  I can still hear it.  There were no distractions then - it was a rhythm, an art.

When I sit in front of my computer now thinking of something wonderful and brilliant to say about the housing market, I see five windows open on my browser with things left undone.  So, I'm gonna go close those windows and get back to the work at hand...stream of consciousness - whatever comes to my mind and heart relayed through my fingers onto this magical thing called Blog.  Ok, logged out of Facebook and Twitter, closed Google, Word and Quickbooks.  I'm in (wonderful and brilliant? not so sure). 

I used to type a daily diary when I was younger on that old typewriter and I loved every minute.  I am a fast typer because I took piano lessons for most of my young life so it came naturally for me.  Music and writing have always been the best ways for me to express myself (my family knew what kind of mood I was in by the songs I played on the piano - bless them for not throwing me out on the street...there were no headphones on a grand piano)  Anyway, I digress.

Housing Market/Real Estate - yes, that is the subject.  I'm focused now. 

Here's the thing...we've just entered a new decade and it's time to shake things up.  Add some Jane's Krazy Mixed-Up Salt (my fav) and make buying and selling a home fun again.  It's why I began a career in real estate 20 years ago - the people, the laughter, the fun.  Yes, it's hard work too, but doesn't anything worth living for take faith, trust, patience and dedication?!  And, it's never too late to be happy, move to a new neighborhood, make new friends, or start a new career.  
Jane Semans, founder of Jane's Krazy Mixed-Up Seasonings, started her business at the age of 60. "I don't feel anyone should actually retire, but should keep busy meeting people. When you start a business at sixty like I did, you realize that age is not important. It's the enthusiasm." 

Enthusiasm!  Taking that leap of faith and saying "I can do this, no matter what." The resources and support are out there if we choose to seek and find them.

No more bland. Bing", push, cliiiiiiick, stop.  We're at the end of the line - jump or fly.

As of February 1, 2010, buyers with FHA-backed loans will be able to purchase homes owned for less than 90 days.  This past Friday, January 15, 2010 HUD announced a temporary policy to allow for the quick resale of foreclosed property - with strict guidelines in place to prevent predatory "flipping" where buyers are purchasing homes with over-inflated pricing.  Most first-time buyers are using FHA insured financing because the down payment requirements are less than conventional financing.  Increasing the amount of affordable housing available for first-time buyers to purchase (along with the extension of the tax credit) will provide an opportunity to stimulate the economy by improving the value of homes in neighborhoods with high vacancy and those most affected by the foreclosure crisis.
For more information on the Federal Housing Administration, follow this link http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/federal_housing_administration

The goal of the temporary waiver is also to lure investors back into the market to purchase property with the intention of fixing them, and then selling them (flipping).  The guidelines included with this waiver are as follows:

     * All transactions must be at "arms length". In other words, the transaction must have no identity of interest between the parties.
     * Seller's profits are limited to 20% above the purchase cost.  Specific conditions must be met for profits above 20% to be accepted.
     * The waiver is limited to forward mortgages (mortgage where equity rises and debt falls), and does not appy to the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for purchase program.

The announcement is great news for investors, buyers, sellers, neighbors and even lenders.  We strongly encourage anyone buying or selling to hire competent Real Estate and Mortgage professionals to assist with negotiation, presenting offers, market analysis, FHA guidelines, inspections, etc. to look out for your best interest. 

We've all heard about the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit extension and the new $6500.00 Tax Credit for Repeat Homebuyers, now what do we do with that information and how do we get started?  Making a move can be a daunting task even when we know the outcome will be positive for us and/or our family. The Wall Street Journal recently listed 5 tips to consider when buying a home in time to get the tax credit: 

1.  Don't procrastinate
2.  Don't count on another extension
3.  Be mindful of interest rates
4.  Communicate with your lender
5.  Don't take shortcuts

Read the full article here
 

If you know someone who is considering taking advantage of the homebuyer tax credits and looking for a new home, have them contact Take Me Home Real Estate, LLC.   We'll be concise and honest in helping them determine how to move forward and assist them through the entire process of finding a home that matches their needs and wants.  Buying and Selling a home can be a positive experience and Take Me Home Real Estate, LLC knows that what's meant to be happens with ease.

Start searching for a home in Northern Colorado here 
Free Comparative Market Analysis for your home

The Northern Colorado real estate market has seen noticeable changes during the current recession and market adjustment.  There is no denying that buyers are hesitant or unable to purchase a home and sellers are weary and frustrated.  Take Me Home Real Estate, LLC works with both buyers and sellers and believe me, there has been a quantum shift in the way people buy and sell homes or secure a loan (not only with the logistics, but the mental process as well).  With the consistent negativity in the media regarding the housing market, it's difficult to focus on the possibility that there may be some GOOD news to be found.  It seems the ones who enthusiastically push the positive look quite silly because the reality is that people are struggling and that is no laughing matter. 

1. Areas included - Greeley/Weld County, Fort Collins, Loveland/Berthoud
2. Time frame - 1st-3rd Quarter comparison 2008 vs. 2009
3. Property types - Residential, Attached, Income, Vacant land, Farm/Ranch
4. Source of information - IRES, LLC (Northern Colorado MLS)

Question 3: What percentage of properties sold have been foreclosures and have they increased or decreased?
Question 4: Have the values of sold properties during the 3rd Quarter increased or decreased from 2008 to 2009?

Answer to Questions 1 and 2:  The number of properties sold AND foreclosures sold has decreased in all areas.  Here's how it breaks down:

                                        

	Greeley/Weld	Fort Collins	Loveland/Berthoud
Total Sold 2008	2979	2783	1360
Total Sold 2009	2697	2366	1163
DIFFERENCE	-282	-417	-197

	Greeley/Weld	Fort Collins	Loveland/Berthoud
Foreclosures Sold 08	1149	308	323
Foreclosures Sold 09	898	228	206
DIFFERENCE	-251	-80	-117

Answers to Questions 3 and 4:  
 
Percentage of Foreclosures Sold 2008/2009

Home values in Greeley/Weld and Fort Collins have decreased in value by approximately 2% and Loveland area values have decreased approximately 5% from the same time last year.

Why are these numbers important?  Because whether you are a Buyer or a Seller, knowledge of the real estate values and trends in the community you live or aspire to live puts the power of decision in your hands.  Buyers actively seeking a home can be thankful that the interest rates are currently below 5% and because the property values are decreasing, the likelihood of finding a home at an incredible value (foreclosure or not) is very high.  Sellers can be wise to price their home to compete with the changing market and know that a decreasing number of foreclosures in some areas is a good sign.

Mortgage Rate Trend Survey
Monday, Sep 21, 2009

The Mortgage Rate Trend Survey summarizes where mortgage professionals think mortgage rates are headed in the future. To conduct this survey, Mortgage-X asks more than 250 experts in the mortgage field about their expectations for the mortgage market.

Over the next 30 days: Over the next 90 days: rates will rise significantly: 0.0% rates will rise significantly: 0.0% rates will rise slightly: 27.6%  rates will rise slightly: 41.4%  rates will remain unchanged: 37.9% rates will remain unchanged: 34.5% rates will decline slightly: 34.5% rates will decline slightly: 20.7% rates will decline significantly: 0.0% rates will decline significantly: 3.4%

Currently, about 38% of the participating mortgage professionals believe mortgage rates will remain unchanged over the next 30 days and 41% believe mortgage rates will rise slightly over the next 90 days.

Note: Mortgage-X is not responsible for decisions based on the Mortgage Rate Trend Survey. The reported Survey results are for informational purposes only