Colorado

Inspired by Anna Banana's beautiful sunrise photo from sunny Phoenix, I wanted to share how our resident geese are spending the day, sunning themselves on the beach here at our lake, while we humans seek refuge from the sub-freezing cold by huddling next to the fireplace, wrapped in our snuggies, sipping cocoa with a healthy shot of rum, and hoping for a thaw.

If you're thinking of waiting to sell your house until prices go up, remember that the price of the house you're going to buy will go up too.

So the answer to this questions depends on whether you will be downsizing, or buying up.

In the market for homes between Denver and Boulder, lower-priced homes are 'recovering' more quickly than higher-priced homes. So waiting will mean you will almost certainly pay more for that smaller house than you would pay now. However, if your larger home also increases in value, you would be better off financially if you wait.

I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't believe prices will be increasing on large homes any time soon. You may have to wait several years. So the other thing to consider is, will your life be improved by downsizing now? If so, it's probably better to make the move now.

On the other hand, if you plan to buy a larger house, you're in a great position to buy now. You will be buying that larger home at prices much lower than you would have paid a few years ago, and your smaller house is in pretty stiff demand right now, so it is also a good time to sell.

Best of both worlds!

Check out my market reports for Arvada homes, broken down by price range. You'll see what I'm talking about. I issue a new report each month, so you can easily follow the local trends, if you're so inclined!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

How lovely it is to use fresh herbs in cooking. It's sweet to trek out to the home garden and clip herbs as needed, but if your home is in the Denver to Boulder vicinity that pleasure isn't available in the winter.

So ... grow herbs indoors!

I haven't done a lot of this yet, but will increase my indoor herb gardening, because I'm so happy with the results with my basil plants.

These are growing in pots, which are in an AeroGarden 3. I'm using this equipment wrong, I'll tell you up front. The plants are supposed to grow directly in the water - no soil at all. But I wasn't happy with the results when I grew plants that way.

I had two basil plants in a pot outside last summer, and when the cold temps arrived I transplanted them into smaller pots that would fit inside the AeroGarden.

I have to tell you - they have done better under these lights than they did outside. Whenever I want some fresh basil for pizza, spaghetti, a sandwich, I just snip some and it grows back quickly.

The plants are sitting on my desk, so often throughout the day I will pinch off a little piece of leaf and the scent fills the room. Heavenly!

Let me know if you have experience with indoor herb growing. I'd like to know what herbs you've grown, and what equipment you used.

Happy Gardening!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I love gardening, but my ‘real’ job is helping folks buy and sell homes, mostly between Denver and Boulder. If you’re in need of assistance with residential real estate between Denver and Boulder, Colorado give me a call. Maybe we could squeeze in some gardening talk too!

Copyright © 2012 Joetta Fort

Here is the Greeley CO February 2012 Real Estate Market Report:

January Property Sales were 61, down 9.0% from 67 in January of 2011 and 33.0% lower than the 91 sales last month. January 2012 sales were at their lowest level compared to January of 2011 and 2010. January year-to-date sales of 61 are running 9.0% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 67.

The Median Sales Price in January was $150,000, up 25.0% from $120,000 in January of 2011 and up 13.6% from $132,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in January was $155,930, up 12.3% from $138,887 in January of 2011 and up 5.7% from $147,483 last month. The January 2012 Average Sales Price was at the highest level compared to January of 2011 and 2010.

The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of January was 378, up 4.7% from 361 last month and down 34.3% from 575 in January of last year. January 2012 Inventory was at its lowest level compared with January of 2011 and 2010. The Average Days On Market for January was 93, up 8.1% from 86 days last month and up 16.3% from 80 days in January of last year. The January 2012 Average Days On Market was at a mid level compared with January of 2011 and 2010.

The Greeley CO February 2012 Real Estate Market Report shows a continuing increase in price data, with both average and median prices up. This most likely reflects more activity in higher price ranges rather than actual improvements in value. The decrease in sales activity is probably a result of seasonal effects. But even lacking changes in underlying economic conditions, there is still some reason to be optimistic about the real estate market in Greeley CO, as it continues to offer some outstanding opportunities, with very attractive pricing and great interest rates.

If you'd like to take a closer look, just Search Real Estate Listings for the homes currently on the market in Greeley CO. We'd love to show you any of these homes that seem interesting - please give us a call and we'll set up some showings at your convenience.

Here is the last 7 Days of Real Estate Activity for the Montrose Area. Feb 5th thru Feb 12th 2012 This information comes from the Montrose area Realtors Information Network.

If you have any questions at any time Be sure to contact me Alan Brown 970-209-8436 AlanBrownRealtor@gmail.com

SOLD

512 N 7th $27,500 A foreclosed hm 908 sq ft 3 bd 2 ba

tbd Cirque Way $27,500 Residential building lot in town

401 S San Juan $56,900 A foreclosed hm 1116 sq ft 3 bd 2 ba older hm

1386 Pitchfork $95,000 A foreclosed manufactured hm 2090 sq ft 4 bd 3 ba

62787 Hwy 90 $120,000 10 irrigated acres on Sp Creek

59925 Joe Pye Dr $126,000 A foreclosed hm 1963 sq ft on 2.3 acres

UNDER CONTRACT The prices here are the asking prices and do not reflect what the property maybe under contract for.

tbd Virginia ln $11,900 Residential building lot in town

14598 6355 Rd $34,900 A foreclosed single mobile on a lot 832 sq ft

18 N 9th $37,050 A foreclosed old hm 1459 sq ft needs work

tbd 6300 Rd $50,000 1.5 acre lot zoned B3

820 S 10th $98,000 A foreclosed hm 1682 sq ft 3 bd 2 ba

219 Indiangrassloop $124,500 Nice 1400 sq ft hm just a couple of years old

2729 Country Club $129,900 A foreclosed hm 1304 sq ft in good condition

2681 Maya $144,900 Short Sale in good condition 1472 sq ft

12059 6300 Rd $150,000 A foreclosed commercial condo unit 5300 sq ft

555 Spring Ck $150,000 Commercial brick building was A1 Liqour store 1800 sq ft

12773 6600Rd $168,300 A foreclosed 2608 sq ft on 1 acre nice condition 1 acre

3911 Lone Tree $169,900 A foreclosed hm 1910 sq ft in Cobble Creek

63749 Spring Ck $249,900 2000 sq ft older hm on 20 acres

14335 5950 Rd $339,900 Nice 3152 sq ft hm on Sp Ck 3 acres

68884 Vicuna $369,900 3524 sq ft hm on 10 acres 4 car garage good condition

1571 Ogden Rd $599,00 A foreclosed commercial building formerly Smugglers