Ah...tax returns have been submitted and you are going to get the tax refund soon. What are you going to do with the money? HDTV, IPhone, Plasma???? Do you care?
The greatest return on investment has always been real estate. Over the last 50 years it has beaten the stock market. The smart players know when to buy and when to sell. Are you ready to BUY! This is one of the greatest opportunities to gain wealth. Are you saving your money for a down payment? Save your tax refund!!!! If you have more money than what you can deal with, invest in residential and commercial real estate, dividend storcks and solar energy (that last one was the liberal environmental in me).
I believe that all investments are a gamble. No one knows what will do well and what will not. Anything can happen that will disrupt the market or make it a success. An environment of free enterprise takes care of all issues. Free markets encourage investment and (hopefully) improve the society.
There are many opportunities in Colorado Springs Real Estate. The properties that are selling at a high level right now are bank owned properties. But, there are also opportunities for properties that are priced right and are in great condition.
We have a great software program that will tell you exactly what areas of Colorado Springs are doing the best. If these areas are doing well today, can you imagine how they wil do it a seller's market!
We look forward to hearing from you and look forward to serving your interests.
John
Looking to Buy? Ready to Sell?
Call Hauber Realty Group at 719-867-9018 or toll free at 1-800-404-7210.
Comparing Quarterly Market Activity
Jan-Mar 2007 vs. 2008
Hauber Realty Group
719-867-9018 or toll free at 1-800-404-7210
Imagine the possibilities…
Below are the February 2007 vs. 2008 local market activity comparison numbers from the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors. Look for first Quarter 2008 information in an upcoming blog.
Just SOLD! – 6739 Wagon Ridge Drive, 80923, in the Northeast area of Colorado Springs, for another satisfied Hauber Realty Group Client. We represented the Sellers in the transaction, and if you are ready to sell, we look forward to representing YOU in the sale of your Residence, Condo/Town home, or Investment Property.
Just SOLD! – 835 Neon Moon View, 80829, in the gated community of Crystal Park in Manitou Springs. Hauber Realty Group represented the Buyer in this transaction, and if you are thinking of buying a Residence, 2nd/Vacation Home, or Investment Property, we look forward to assisting you as well!
Comparing Monthly Market Activity 2007 vs. 2008
Property Type: Residential
All Sales
Existing Homes
MONTHLY SUMMARY
Feb-07
Feb-08
% + or -
SINGLE FAMILY/PATIO HOMES:
New Listings
1,530
1,672
9.3
1,437
1,522
5.9
Sales
669
556
-16.9
587
498
-15.2
Avg. Sales Price
$255,017
$226,692
-11.1
$237,414
$214,181
-9.8
Median Sale Price
$214,950
$197,500
-8.1
$205,000
$186,950
-8.8
Total Active
5,202
5,571
7.1
4,403
4,846
10.1
CONDO/TOWNHOMES:
268
240
-10.4
211
179
100
76
-24
83
56
-32.5
Ave. Sale Price
$182,319
$156,077
-14.4
$162,034
$138,588
-14.5
$143,950
$155,750
8.2
$130,000
$128,750
-1
973
950
-2.4
686
691
0.7
Information is Believed To Be Accurate But Not Guaranteed
Pikes Peak Realtor® Services Corp.
Nationally syndicated radio talk show host and New York Times best-selling author, Dave Ramsey, presents his common sense debt reduction and wealth-building strategies LIVE in Colorado Springs, Saturday, April 5, from 1p.m. to 6p.m. at World Arena. Hundreds of thousands of people have dramatically changed their lives using Ramsey’s proven plan to financial fitness.
As one of Dave’s Endorsed Local Providers, the Hauber Realty Group is so pleased to have Dave appear in Colorado Springs, and hope you can join in the event. Details are below (from the Gazette.com):
Can’t make the show, but want to know more about Dave’s philosophy and how it applies to your Real Estate holdings? Already enrolled in Dave’s Financial Peace University, and ready to take action? Give the Hauber Realty Group a call anytime at 719-867-9018, or toll free at 800-404-7210.
Saturday, April 5 1:00p to 6:00p at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, CO
DAVE RAMSEY’S TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER LIVE IN COLORADO SPRINGS
Find Out How to Transform Your Financial Life through This Entertaining LIVE Event - DAVE RAMSEY’S TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER LIVE IN COLORADO SPRINGS
Find Out How to Transform Your Financial Life through This Entertaining LIVE Event
What: Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover LIVE
Where: World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80906
When: Saturday, April 5, 1p.m. to 6p.m.
How much: Tickets for the LIVE event are $32.00 for general admission, $68.00 for VIP seating.
How to order: Register at www.daveramsey.com or call 1-888-227-3223.
About Dave Ramsey -A personal money management expert, Dave Ramsey is an extremely popular national radio personality and best-selling author of The Total Money Makeover, Financial Peace and More Than Enough. He is also host of “The Dave Ramsey Show” on Fox Business Network. Ramsey knows first-hand what financial peace means in his own life – living a true rags to riches to rags to riches story. By age twenty-six he had established a four-million-dollar real estate portfolio, only to lose it by age thirty. He has since rebuilt his financial life and now devotes himself full-time to helping ordinary people understand the forces behind their financial distress and how to set things right. Through his proven plan, Ramsey helps people eliminate debt and credit cards, learn to budget, avoid bankruptcy, build wealth and find financial peace. “The Dave Ramsey Show” is syndicated to more than 325 radio stations nationwide with more than 3 million weekly listeners. In Colorado Springs, “The Dave Ramsey Show” can be heard on KRDO 1240 AM, weekdays from 9a.m. to 12p.m. “The Dave Ramsey Show” on Fox Business Network can be seen at 6p.m. MST on Comcast channel 134.
Many analysts have said of late that home prices should stabilize this year, and improve in 2009. That being said, with the amazing inventory of available homes in our local market, now is a great time to buy. According to a recent article from TheStreet.com, now is an especially good time to buy if you fall into one of two categories:
“First-Time Buyer - The market downturn is a great opportunity become a homeowner. Some phenomenal bargains are available to prospective buyers - Lenders have tightened restrictions, but they are still approving loan applications -- all it takes is good credit and a little extra paperwork. You might be able to get an even better deal by taking advantage of incentives -- such as lower interest rates and smaller down payments -- that many states offer for first-time home buyers.
Upwardly Mobile Buyer - If you're staying in the same local area, this could be a good time to trade up.
Say you're in a $300,000 home and want to upgrade to a $450,000 house. To do so in a stable market, you'd have to pay an extra $150,000. But if both houses suffer a 10% price decline, that difference drops to $135,000: Your home is down $30,000, but the new house drops $45,000.”
Taking advantage of the current market is made simple when you use the experience and expertise of a Real Estate Agent. May we suggest giving us a call? The dedicated Buyers agents at the Hauber Group Realty are ready to do the research to help you find the best home for your needs and budget. Here is some additional information that underlines the critical need to have a knowledgeable, experienced Buyers agent:
“The trick to getting a deal on the home of your dreams is to find a home currently owned by a motivated seller -- someone who desperately wants to offload their home, perhaps because of high mortgage payments, a job offer out of state or simply a deal that's about to close on a new house. Key indicators of a motivated seller are the number of days a house has been on the market, and the number of times they have dropped the price. You'd be hard pressed to find this information on your own. As a result, your best bet for finding a deal is to hire a buyer's agent, who will have access to a wealth of data about the local market. Your agent's data, including information about what the current owners originally paid for the house, will help narrow your search down to the likeliest candidates.”
First time Buyer? Want to move up to the home of your dreams? Ready to purchase a fantastic piece of land, or the perfect vacation getaway condo? Call the Hauber Realty Group today 719-867-9018 or toll free at 800-404-7210. Hauber Realty Group – Imagine the possibilities…
If you surf the web or read the paper for real estate related items, you are likely to know about the latest “green” trends in home building and improvement. There are many excellent and budget-friendly projects that will improve both the value of your home and it’s impact on the environment. If you are considering selling your home in the near to mid term, they can also be great selling points for today’s Buyers, who are statistically speaking, younger than ever before and very environmentally savvy.
There are several websites that provide information on such topics as how to identify products and materials that are “green”, choosing a “green” builder, and even a short survey that will tell you what your homes current impact on the environment is, along with projects to lessen that impact.
The below is taken from an article found on www.lowimpactliving.com about ideas to “green” your kitchen.
“If you're thinking about greening your home, the kitchen is a great place to start. The appliances and sink in your kitchen use very large amounts of water and energy, and in many homes the kitchen is used throughout the day. It's also a room with lots of opportunities to cut trash through recycling and composting…
· Use Energy-Saving Appliances. You can greatly reduce your energy and water usage and your greenhouse gas production by using ENERGY STAR appliances. You'll also save money! Start with your refrigerator. Your dishwasher is a quadruple opportunity: you save energy (1) and associated emissions (2), water (3) and wastewater(4). Look for an Energy Star dishwasher or better.
· Use skylights / solar tubes, compact fluorescent or LED lighting. A standard or tubular skylight saves energy for as long as you own your home. For kitchen light fixtures, make sure to use compact fluorescent or LED bulbs. They last much longer (5-20x) and use 25% or less electricity compared to standard bulbs.
· Get green cleaners. Use non-toxic, organic dish soap, detergent and cleaners. They are healthier for your family and work as well as standard products.
· Recycle and re-use. Can you rinse that ziplock & use it again? And don’t get plastic bags every time you go for groceries–use durable reusable sacks.
· Fill your dishwasher as fully as possible. Fewer big loads save you money and energy. And, only wash things in the sink if they can’t be washed in the dishwasher (the machine uses less water and energy than you would!).
· Planning a green kitchen remodel? Consider cabinets, flooring, and countertops made of recycled and renewable resources. “
Looking for other ideas to improve your homes value? Have several projects in mind, but wonder which ones will improve your homes value the most? Call Hauber Realty Group for these, or any of your Real Estate needs. We are always ready to listen, and to help. 719-867-9018, or toll free 1-800-404-7210.