About Douglas County, CO

Highlands Ranch Home Sales - The Hearth Oct 09

Twelve houses sold in The Hearth in Highlands Ranch in October. One less than in Oct 2008. The average days on the market has more than doubled since last October. The home values in the Hearth have gone down about 5% since early parts of 2008. So, for example if a house sold for $290,000 in Jun 08, today you could expect to get $280,000. However this is not for each and every house.

The few ranch style homes that are sprinkled between the typical 2-story houses in the Hearth have been for the most part seen even larger depreciation.

The Hearth, Highlands Ranch Home Sales

Days on Market = total days on market.

45 homes are for sale in the Hearth in Highlands Ranch as of Nov. 20th, 2009. The listing prices range from $265,900 to $699,000. The price per square foot ranges from $140 for a short sale to $250 per square foot for a ranch style home. Five homes for sale are listed as short sales.

Search Homes for Sale in The Hearth

Closed Sales Jan 07 to Jul 09 - The Hearth, Highlands Ranch

This Market Report is brought to you by Rita Burke, Kenna Real Estate. The report is for detached residential single family homes only and may not include all sales activity in the area. Figures for sold prices used are NET sold price, price after seller concessions or down payment assistance, if they were any. This report or any part of it may not be used without permission.

*Disclaimer: Data based on information from Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist Inc. does not guarantee nor is any way responsible for its accuracy. Content maintained by Metrolist Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Reported sales were not necessarily listed or sold by Kenna real estate and are intended only to show trends in the area. Disclaimer: Kenna Real Estate Blog does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information provided herein, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.

Copyright 2009.© Kenna Real Estate. Rita Burke. All Rights Reserved. Nov 20th 2009. "Highlands Ranch Home Sales The Hearth Oct 09".

What makes Colorado real estate different?

For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com

I recently took some accreditation classes in another state. It was eye-opening for me to understand how much the laws vary from state to state. Since a major portion of my business is from Internet leads and from people moving to Colorado Springs from other parts of the country, these classes were very helpful.

Some other articles that could be of interest:

• News Flash - Colorado Springs ranked Fittest City
• Moving to Colorado Springs, check out Zip Skinny
• El Paso County taxes are some of the lowest in the nation!
• Colorado Springs in ratings for Best Places to Start Over

Did you know ?

1. Colorado is an "actual knowledge" state, which means as Colorado Realtors we only need to disclose facts that we know and we must disclosure material facts. Some states are "imputed knowledge states", which means Realtors are expected to know certain things.
2. Most Realtors in Colorado list properties for sale in their local MLS and ask for 1% for Earnest Money. Some areas in the U.S. ask closer to 10% for Earnest Money.
3. The majority of Colorado Springs homes get listed in some type of MLS database; and many homes get listed in multiple MLS's. There are some major cities in the U.S. that don't have an MLS.
4. Colorado doesn't have dual agency. Many states still have dual agency. In Colorado you can only be an agent for either the Buyer or the Seller, you can not be an agent for both.
5. In Colorado, real estate contracts are in writing. In some states, real estate contracts can be oral and are enforceable in a court of law.
6. In Colorado, the homes listed in the MLS include basement (below ground) square footage. In some states, the MLS will only allow Realtors to list above ground square footage. This can cause some challenges for national databases and consumer sites, including Zillow.
7. In Colorado, every listing must include a Square Footage Disclosure which shows were the broker obtained the square footage information. Many states don't use this type of disclosure.
8. In Colorado, lawyers are often times not involved in real estate contracts. In many states, lawyers are almost always part of the transaction. Colorado Realtors are allowed to use approved Colorado Real Estate Forms; but any new forms should be done by a lawyer.
9. A sales representative working for a builder is NOT required to be a Realtor in Colorado. In fact, most sales reps aren't licensed Colorado Realtors.
10. Every Real Estate broker in Colorado carries their own Errors and Omissions Insurance. There are states that don't require Realtors to carry this insurance.
11. Colorado's Contract to Buy Sell is currently 16 pages. Some states only have a 3 page buy sell contract.

Do you have anything I should add to my list?

Original Article was posted at: 10 things to know about Colorado real estate

A Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent You Can Trust

Selling Real Estate in El Paso & Douglas County; including Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Larkspur, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Palmer Lake

www.Kathytorline.com and www.ColoradoSpringsVintageHomes.com

Colorado Springs Real Estate

Posted by Kathy Torline - Nordstrom

If you've ever skated outdoors in Colorado, you know what fun it is. Here in Highlands Ranch, we have 60 degree days with bright blue skies and fabulous views of the Rocky Mountains. And for that reason, it's tough to keep an outdoor rink in good condition.

Today, Highlands Ranch residents can enjoy the fun of outdoor skating from November through February with the benefit of a synthetic ice rink. Technically speaking, the panels are a uniquely developed plastic polymer that allows Highlands Ranch homeowners to skate at an 85% glide factor at all times.

Visit the public skating rink and enjoy hours of family entertainment. It is located at Town Center North, found at the Northeast corner of Highlands Ranch Pkwy & Lucent Blvd.

The 2009-2010 program hours and costs are as follows:

Open Skating Hours:
Monday- Thursday 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 1:00-8:30 p.m.
Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Fees:
Monday-Thursday $4 Member; $5 Program Guest
Friday- Sunday $5 Member; $6 Program Guest
Skate Rental $2 pair
Skate Sharpening $5 pair

The Highlands Ranch Community Association skating rink also offers ice hockey and learn to skate programs.

If you are thinking about selling your home in Highlands Ranch, give us a call at (303) 718-4148 or visit our website at http://www.denver-homesforsale.com. From December 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, home sellers may qualify for a $6,500 home seller's tax credit. Give us a call. We're always here to help.

The Highwoods Highlands Ranch Home Sales ~ Oct 09

One house sold in The Highwoods in Highlands Ranch in October. The house was a bank owned property and it sold in seven days for $200 per square foot. The house was originally on the market for over 450 days - before appearing on the market as a bank owned home.
The Highwoods is one of the three gated communities in Highlands Ranch CO.

Days on Market = total days on market.

The Highwoods Home Sales comparison 2008 vs. 2009 (year-to-date)

*Short Sale.

As of Nov 19th, 2009 there are six houses for sale in The Highwoods luxury homes community. The prices range from $1,150,000 to $1,585,000. The price per square foot ranges from $277/sf to $379/sf. One house is currently pending sale.

Search homes for sale in The Highwoods Highlands Ranch

Some of the numbers used in this market watch are for only one month of activity. Therefore they can sometimes look extreme due to the small sample size.

This Real Estate Market Report is brought to you by Rita Burke, Kenna Real Estate. The report is for detached residential single family homes only and may not include all sales activity in the area. Figures for sold prices used are NET sold price, price after seller concessions or down payment assistance, if they were any. This report or any part of it may not be used without permission.

Greenwood Village | Cherry Hills Village | Highlands Ranch | Lone Tree

*Disclaimer: Data based on information from Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist Inc. does not guarantee nor is any way responsible for its accuracy. Content maintained by Metrolist Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Reported sales were not necessarily listed or sold by Kenna real estate and are intended only to show trends in the area. Disclaimer: Kenna Real Estate Blog does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information provided herein, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.

Copyright 2009.© Kenna Real Estate. Rita Burke. All Rights Reserved. "Highlands Ranch Real Estate The Highwoods Home Sales"

Home Buyers Tax Credit Extended

Congress recently passed legislation was that will extend the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit. This credit also provides additional tax breaks up to $6,500 for qualified repeat home buyers. With interest rates remaining low this tax credit extension is a bonus for those looking to buy their first home or for those looking to move up. Below are some key highlights to the tax credit for each group.

First Time Home Buyer

• The $8,000 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 and only applies to homes priced at $800,000 or less.

• The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

• For homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, the income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.

• For homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010, single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

Repeat Home Buyer

• To be eligible to claim the tax credit, buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.

• 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 $6,500 and only applies to homes priced at $800,000 or less.

• The credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.

• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

Contact me to begin the process of obtaining financing for your home purchase.

Patrick Dozler – Mortgage Specialist

FirsTier Bank

Direct: 303.439.6818

Cell: 303.598.8606