Allison Smith

Spring is finally here and Denver is awakening from its typical Winter doldrums. Interest rates continue to hover at all time lows, mortgage applications are surging, new housing starts have gone up for the first time in months, and the region has recorded an increase in home purchase prices for the first time in months. It must be Springtime in the Rockies!!!

The attached stats don't reflect all of these positive trends and movements, so use them sagely: http://www.ltgc.com/files/marketstats/entire.pdf. I thank Shari Canon at Land Title for providing this info.

Investors have long been the "early birds" in our market, raking in the spoils created by the financial market collapse. However, Denver is now on the move -- forward. No longer do you see us in the top five, or even top ten, on the foreclosures list. However, there are still plenty of "distress" sales on the market to accommodate all the bargain hunters -- unless you continue to wait.

Allison K. Smith

Certified Residential Specialist

http://www.ColoradoDreamHome.com, 303-725-8152

With all the "Chicken Little"/sky is falling news we are inundated with on a daily basis now, we seem to forget the reality that the market we're in is making home prices more affordable for more buyers! Metro Denver's median household income is a little over $54,000. A buyer with that income, good credit and limited debt can easily qualify for homes over $200,000. A couple of years ago, $200k may not have gotten you much, but that's no longer the case. Add the fact the rates are at historic lows, there is very little reason why anyone who has the ability to own should continue to sit on the sidelines. Keep these things in mind:

• $8,000 in the pocket for qualified first-time home buyers, just for buying a place to live; http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/home2.html
• Rates have never been this low for so long. There's no telling when they may bounce back up;
• An FHA mortgage is assumable. When your buyer becomes a seller, they can "sell" the mortgage with the home. When rates do rise, and they will, this will be huge. Imagine identical homes being listed for sale; one with a mortgage attached at 5%, while the other has to get financing at a market rate of 7% or higher;
• Mortgage interest is tax deductable, paying rent is not;
• HUD homes are still available with a down payment of only $100 for owner occupants.

Utilize your increased purchasing power now, or you'll be kicking yourself in the near future as the market ramps back up.

Allison K. Smith, Certified Residential Specialist

http://www.ColoradoDreamHome.com, 303-725-8152

March 7, 2009
Event time 7am to Noon


Denver Public Works/Denver Recycles and TV8 are partners in the upcoming "9News Live Green Electronics Recycling Event" on Saturday, March 7th. This event provides a rare opportunity for residents to responsibly recycle old electronic equipment for FREE.

You may choose from five convenient metro area locations at which to drop off your recyclable electronics:

Denver: The Pepsi Center - 1000 Chopper Circle, 80204
Aurora: Town Center at Aurora - 14200 E. Alameda Avenue, 80012
Littleton: Southwest Plaza - 8501 W. Bowles Avenue, 80123
Englewood: Comcast - 183 Inverness Drive West, 80112
Broomfield: The Orchard Town Center - 14697 Delaware Street, 80023

For more information, or to sign up to participate please e-mail Charlotte.Pitt@denvergov.org
or call 720-865-6816.


For more information about this event visit http://www.Denvergov.org/DenverRecycles.

Responsible recycling of electronics helps to prevent lead and other chemicals from leaching into the groundwater and into our atmosphere. Televisions and computers monitors contain 4 to 8 pounds of lead each, as well as many other metals and toxic materials. Recycling old electronics also saves energy and valuable resources.

The Park People, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing and advocating for Denver's parks, recreation resources, open space and urban forest, is now accepting applications for its annual Denver Digs Trees street tree program. Denver residents must submit a street tree request form by March 16. Trees are free for Denver residents in 21 target neighborhoods, or just $25 for residents not in the target areas. The trees will be distributed on Saturday, April 18.

The 21 targeted neighborhoods, which have the lowest tree canopy coverage citywide:

Baker, Barnum,
Barnum West, Chaffee Park, Clayton, Cole, Elyria/Swansea,
Five Points, Globeville, Jefferson Park,
Lincoln Park,
Northeast Park Hill, Ruby Hill, Skyland, Sunnyside, Sun Valley, Valverde, Villa Park, West Colfax, Westwood, and Whittier

Street tree request forms are available at http://www.theparkpeople.com/denverdigs.php, by calling 303-722-6262, or by sending an e-mail to info@theparkpeople.org. Street trees must be planted in public right-of-way, near the curbside. According to a study by HomeGain, landscaping the front and back yards can bring up to a 415% return on your investment. Start adding value to your home now, with a free tree!

For more about Denver and Denver real estate, check out my web site at http://www.ColoradoDreamHome.com.

How great in this tough economic climate to have a business giving its product to customers! That is just what Einstein Bros. Bagels is doing throughout the month of March, according to the coupon that was delivered to my house in the grocery sales fliers we all receive in the mail every week. Here's how it works, you reuse the coupon through the end of March; every Monday, before 11:00 a.m. you will receive a free, 12 oz. cup of regular coffee; and, every Friday, also before 11:00 a.m., you can get a free regular bagel!

Now that's value added service, and here's some more: contact me for a no obligation, free market update on your home. http://www.ColoradoDreamHome.com