About Adams County, CO

I am extremely pleased to share with you an exciting new tax credit, designed for first-time home buyers and existing homeowners.

The new bill calls for an incentive for existing homeowners who have owned their current homes at least five years, making them eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500 when they purchase a new home. First time homebuyers - or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years - would still get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers in both groups have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30.

The credit is available for the purchase of principal homes costing $800,000 or less, meaning vacation homes are ineligible. The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000.

The credit would be extended an additional year, until June 30, 2011, for members of the military serving outside the United States for at least 90 days.

As an industry, we are certainly pleased about this new tax credit. The key to returning stability to the economy lies within the housing market, and this is a meaningful credit that will create a strong foundation for future growth and make a measurable difference over the next seven months in our economy.

Furthermore, tax credits like this only work by creating the sense of urgency to take advantage of them. This is said to be the last extension of the home buyer tax credit and I urge people - whether you're a first time home buyer who has always dreamed of having a home of your own or someone who has been gridlocked in the challenges of our move-up market - to take advantage of this opportunity.

Now is the time!

If you'd like to learn more, please contact me today. 303-596-0573

Colorado is an awesome place to live. Here are the stats for Sept in Adams county.

Home Sales

September home sales were 657, down -20.9% from 831 in September of 2008 and 3.8% higher than the 633 sales last month. September 2009 sales were at a mid level compared to September of 2008 and 2007. September YTD sales of 5,448 are running -18.3% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 6,668.

Prices

The Median Sales Price in September was $157,500, up 1.0% from $156,000 in September of 2008 and down -3.4% from $163,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in September was $177,634, up 3.1% from $172,350 in September of 2008 and down -3.0% from $183,146 last month. September 2009 ASP was at a mid range compared to September of 2008 and 2007.

Inventory & MSI

The Total Inventory of homes available for sale as of September was 2,385, down -3.2% from 2,464 last month and down -28.6% from 3,340 in September of last year. September 2009 Inventory was at its lowest level compared with September of 2008 and 2007.

A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial for sellers while a higher MSI is better for buyers. The September 2009 MSI of 3.6 months was at its lowest level compared with September of 2008 and 2007.

Market Time

The average Days On Market (DOM) shows how many days the average home is on the market before it sells. An upward trend in DOM tends to indicate a move towards more of a Buyer's market, a downward trend a move towards more of a Seller's market. The DOM for September was 57, down -6.6% from 61 days last month and down -13.6% from 66 days in September of last year. The September 2009 DOM was at its lowest level compared with September of 2008 and 2007.

Selling Price per Square Foot

The Selling Price per Square Foot is a great indicator for the direction of home values. Since Median Sales Price and Average Sales price can be impacted by the 'mix' of high or low end homes in the market, the selling price per square foot is a more normalized indicator on the direction of home values. The September 2009 Selling Price per Square Foot of $112 was up 1.9% from $110 last month and up 4.1% from 108 in September of last year.

Selling Price vs. Original Listing Price

The Selling Price vs Original Listing Price reveals the average amount that Sellers are agreeing to come down from their original list price. The lower the ratio is below 100% the more of a Buyer's market exists, a ratio at or above 100% indicates more of a Seller's market. The September 2009 Selling Price vs Original List Price of 96.7% was down from 97.5% last month and up from 93.9% in September of last year.

Inventory / New Listings / Sales

The number of New Listings in September 2009 was 1,129, down -1.4% from 1,145 last month and down -15.2% from 1,332 in September of last year.

Ok, so do you want to get rid off all that candy without eating it...or having your kids eat it? There is a dentist in Greeley, CO that will pay you $1.00 per pound for your candy and will ship it to the troops. I'm just going to give them mine because I think the gesture is awesome. Here is the article: http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20091031/NEWS/910319992/1002/NONE&parentprofile=1001

If you live in Colorado and you want to donate your candy, I will going to Greeley on Wed. I will happy to take whoever's candy wants to go! Let me know and we'll see if we can work it out to meet up so I can take it.

If you don't live and Colorado, and you think it's a great idea, google it you may find someone that is doing something like it.

Also, if you'd like to adopt a troop, or become a pen pal to someone that doesn't have family back home... http://operationshoebox.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30&Itemid=2

Have a great Sunday!

Ok...one more piece of candy and I'm going to burst!!! It was great seeing the kids out tonight having a great time! I think I had 100 kids! I'm glad the snowy lawns didn't scare them away!

I'm looking forward to doing an open house tomorrow to get away from the candy bowl. Oh wait...I'm bringing it with me! Ok friends...stop by my open at 5108 Southern St. Brighton, CO 80601 and help me eat the candy! Don't leave me to my own defenses! It won't be pretty!

Hope everyone had a happy and safe halloween. Have a great night!

The definition of the term encapsulation, as it relates to a crawl space or basement, really seems to be subjective to whom you are speaking. Upon speaking with several "specialists" and reading information on-line, I would say that what most everyone can agree on is that it definitely means that the crawl space or basement is totally sealed from the outside elements that could lend that area to moisture and eventually mold. One thing that I have learned is that the materials used to encapsulate an area, can really vary. It can be a heavy plastic between 6-12 mil or a really heavy barrier of 20mil or so that almost seems like a very heavy pool liner. Oh and another thing, merely installing a vapor barrier is not encapsulation. The key is the sealing. I learned all this the hard way, through trying to come to an agreement between the seller and my buyer of a property. So a word to the wise fellow agents, when using the term encapsulation, make sure you specify the specific materials used and how it will be installed, otherwise there may be a very disappointed buyer and/or seller in the end. I never stop learning.