About Larimer County, CO

Greetings from Estes Park!

I really miss my dog. I mean, REALLY. No more walks through the forest, soft doggie ears or the slap of a happy tail. I can hardly wait to get a couple more puppies and start all over!

There is, however, one benefit to not having a big bad forest patrol kind of dog roaming in the backyard. The deer have taken to snuggling up in the sunshine and being generally adorable. The bucks come through now and again, but mostly there are two fawns and their mom. They really like the soft green grass under the snow for snacks. i will miss them when I get my big bad puppies!

"Babes in Toyland" is now playing at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins. With a cast of adults and children, it is sure to be a good show!

I'm so excited to go with my grand kids and daughter to see this because for my grandchildren, this will be their introduction to the theatre. Our grandson wasn't very enthusiastic when he found out they didn't have snacks there but, if they like it, maybe we'll see the Nutcracker in December.

Even if you live in Red Feather Lakes, it's a short drive! So if you're looking for something fun to do, check out what's happening at the Lincoln Center.

"The Lincoln Centeris one of Colorado's largest and most diverse presenters of professional theatre, dance, music, visual arts and children's programs". There is a large performance hall that holds 1180 people, and a 220 seat theatre for smaller venues.

Three Art galleries feature contemporary artists and the art exhibitions usually change about every 8 to 12 weeks. Opening Receptions are free and open to the public as are the Gallery Talk presentations given by the exhibiting artists.

The Terrace, which is an outdoor sculpture/ performance garden is where the "Out to Lunch" summer concerts are held.

There are also large conference/special event rooms and many people have their wedding receptions there. The Lincoln Center is a wonderful place, I'm glad that it is here, and not too far away from Red Feather Lakes!

This is the schedule for performances in the 2nd half of November: Click on the link above to purchase tickets, for art gallery information and for up coming events!

Mary Douglas, your Mountain Broker-Associate and REALTOR®

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, CO

www.redfeatherlakes.com ---800-531-2195

"A Day in the Mountains will always soothe your city soul"

The information contained in Mary's blog is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed, and the opinions and views expressed in these articles are solely those of the author.

According to a report released Thursday by the Department of Local Affairs' Division of Housing, Larimer County had 555 foreclosure fillings for the third quarter, compared with 346 in 2008. Larimer County had 225 foreclosure sales in the third quarter compared with 242 last year.

The economic downturn continues to take its toll on homeowners everywhere. While adjustable rate mortgages contributed to the first wave of distressed homeowners, now the rising unemployment rate and credit crisis is beginning to dig in. Even in the residential rental market, rents are staying flat and even coming down to accomodate the smaller pocket books of the increasing tenant population.

What does this mean? It means that a long term solution to the situation must be put in place! Many of today's homeowners may not be able to remedy their situation with moratoriums and loan modifications. While loan modifications seem like a good option and an opportunity to stay in the home, the results can be somewhat contrary. Short sales are becoming more and more the option for a long term solution.

Check out some of the information in a study that was done by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, published July 6, 2009. The study had some valid points:

• Lenders are reluctant to modify mortgages. Only 3% of seriously delinquent loans have had modifications.
• Percentage-wise, lenders are modifying FNMA/FHLMC and mortgages held on their books the same.
• 30% of delinquent loans become current with no intervention by the lender.
• Most modifications result in an increased loan balance as back payments are rolled into the loan amount.
• More and more modifications are being done and resulting in lower homeowner payments.
• 26% of modified loans in the 4^th quarter of 2008 resulted in lower payments.
• Payment decreases before the 3^rd quarter of 2008 ranged from 10-14%.
• Payment decreases in the 4^th quarter 2008 averaged 22%.
• 30-45% of modified mortgages redefaulted within 6 months of a modification.

These are all interesting statistics. The financial "experts' all seem to focus on the fact that 30-45% of modified mortgages redefault, while ignoring one important fact - only 26% of the loans modified resulted in a lower payment. Wow! Only 26% of the 3% of seriously delinquent loans are modified to lower payments! So only 0.78% of delinquent loans are modified to lower payments. Let me say this again...

Only 0.78% of delinquent loans are modified to lower payments!

I am a Realtor that provides you with several options to put in place a long term solution to the situation. From working with my investors who will buy your property directly from the bank without even listing it on the market, to listing it with my short sale negotiating team and getting it SOLD! Don't wait, call today: 970-219-8595!!!

Greetings from Estes Park!

We sometimes hear the phrase, "Buyers are Liars"...referring to the tendency of buyers to give us their list of "gotta haves" and they end up buying something completely different.

I think it's a matter of digging deep enough to find that ONE THING on their list that is the most important, the thing that could override everything else on the list. I just closed a property with some buyers who wanted to live outside of town on a bit of acreage in a "cabin in the woods" sort of property. Know what we closed on? A split foyer house in town on a paved street with a lot and block legal description. Not exactly what we started out searching for, right? When it came right down to it, the primary issue was a great deal. A house that could use a facelift, things that a handy homeowner could do himself. That's EXACTLY what they got. Their perfect first house, not at all what we had in mind to start, but just the right house for my buyers..

The National Association of Realtors Convention in San Diego was very good this year. There were many new technologies that were unveiled at the convention as well as a lot of very good classes. It is always a good experience getting to go to sunny California, meeting new people, learning new things, but there is no place like home. I'm looking forward to getting back to my little corner of the world.

NAR is a terrific place to network with other realtors from throughout the "Realtor" network. You would think that there would be 50 state representation at NAR. It is so much more than that. One of the classes I attended approximately 40% of the attendees were from other countries. It is truly amazing to be able to talk to agents from as many foreign countries as you can imagine that are interested in having their customers purchase properties in the United States.

It is nice to be able to walk along the docs and see the boats in thier slips, but I'm looking forward to seeing elk in my front yard again.