GotRealEstateTeam -

Big potential for ConocoPhillips site, an article from The Rocky Mountain News, reports that on Thursday, several experts said the 432-campus in Louisville purchased by ConocoPhillips could be rezoned to easily handle 10,000 or more people. Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., said if you do the math the land easily supports well in excess of 10,000 on the site. Clark said, "This would dwarf any economic development deal in the history of the state." Paul Wood, planning director for Louisville, said ConocoPhillips could easily rezone the property from industrial, allowing 5 million to 5.5 million square feet of a wide range of buildings, from offices to industrial to research and development facilities, and even retail and hotels. Bill Tanner, a ConocoPhillips spokesman, said it would be "speculative and premature" to comment on the number of people who ultimately will work on the campus. He said, "We'll be putting teams together to work out long-range plans."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/feb/22/big-deal-on-road-ahead/

Foreclosure prevention plan under attack, an article from CNNMoney.com, reports there are two bills before Congress that would give bankruptcy court judges the authority to reduce mortgage debt, which could save thousands of borrowers from foreclosure. The prospect of having judges seize control of their mortgage portfolios has lenders angry and consumer advocates argue that such a move makes sense given the current mortgage crisis. Both the Emergency Home Ownership and Mortgage Equity Protection Act of 2007 and the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 aim to provide relief for some home owners in bankruptcy. Only borrowers who live in their homes and hold subprime or non-traditional mortgages, like interest-only loans, would be eligible. Ellen Hornick, an attorney for the Center for Responsible Lending said, "This will help 600,000 households avoid foreclosure this year and next." Steve O'Connor, the senior vice president for government affairs at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), claims this could add upwards of one-and-a-half percentage points to everyone's interest rates. A vote on the Senate bill could come as early as next week.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/02/21/real_estate/cram_downs_coming/index.htm?postversion=2008022113

Additional articles that you may find of interest:

Some starting own downtown improvements
http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=15100

Loveland homebuilder captures national honor
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080222/LOVELAND01/80221042/1192/LOVELAND

Grand Station delayed but not out
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080221/LOVELAND01/80221040/1192/LOVELAND

Local reaction to ConocoPhillips' plans: ‘Huge!'
http://www.timescall.com/News_Story.asp?id=6701

Downtown Regency Hotel sells, will become a Clarion
http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20080221/NEWS/520307979

Museum plans roll forward
http://www.ncbr.com/enews.asp

Investor Report: The Year to Invest
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080222_investorreport.htm

Real Estate Outlook: Positives Taking Shape
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080221_realestateoutlook.htm

Pinpointing an Opportune Time To Build That Brand-New Home
http://www.realestatejournal.com/columnists/housetalk/20080221-fletcher.html

Not in my Backyard!

NUNN GLOW.

Local Coverage.

Last Months INFO.

Yesterday was a long day. We got home at 9:30pm. It certainly gave me a great amount of appreciation for the jobs that our Elected Officials have in front of them. HB1161 had it's public hearing in front of the Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources Committee. The bill was introduced by Randy Fischer and John Kefalas and lists these sponsors:
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Kefalas and Fischer, Butcher, Carroll M., Frangas, Gagliardi, Green, Levy, McFadyen, McKinley, Primavera, Riesberg, Solano, Soper, and Weissmann
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Johnson, and Bacon

The committee heard almost 30 testimonies. Most of them against the bill by the mining industry, 2 Powertech attorneys, George Robinson from R squared, Dick Clement, and I know at least one other Powertech rep, but I had to step out of the room for a while while they paraded their people (I'm sure you can all understand why --- siggghhhh.) The Colorado Mining Association spoke in opposition as well as some out of state mining experts who said this bill will have repercussions around the globe. (WoooHoooo!!! Why shouldn't the mining companies have to clean up their mess)

We met some people from Fremont County who are getting organized because of a threat of in-situ and hard rock mining adjacent to their million $$ homes. (Funny thing, they are already seeing their property values in huge decline - hmmmmm)

Jeff, Lilias, me and one woman from Fremont County all had very compelling testimony in favor of the bill. Matt Garrington from Environment Colorado testified in favor as well. We were definitely out numbered in bodies in opposition, but the sense was that the committee was getting very tired of the same old "rap" from the U miners and the mining industry. Our strategy of being low key likely worked in our favor.

Also speaking in favor of the bill was Dr. Cory Carroll (Speaking for the Colorado Med Society and Larimer County Med Society), Larimer County Commissioner Randy Eubanks, and a representative from CCI (Colorado Counties Inc.)

Marsha Looper gave me a big hug and thanked us all for what we are doing. Kathleen Curry called Dick Clement on the carpet by telling him that people do not approach the capital with a bill unless they are at their wits end. He might want to examine how his company is doing business. I saw Dick's ears turn red on that one...... He proceeded to defend himself by telling her we are just all anti-nuke activists (my summary of his words - interesting how not one of our testimonies mentioned nukes. Just water.) Buffie McFadyen shared a story of a family member who is sick from heavy metal poisoning because of the U tailings in her district. Wes McKinley thanked me for our efforts, as well.

The mining industry is doing their best to sell their position to the committee as a property rights issue (they own the minerals and should have the right to go after them), as well as talking about how they are helping the groundwater to be cleaned up by taking the uranium out (these same testimonies also talked about how the groundwater could never be used as a drinking water source after the mining is completed - Oh yeah, they are making our water better alright.) They also talked about how much $$ they pump into the economy. They are selling the fact that the regulations are already great, varied and in place to protect the health and safety of people and the environment, so "please don't muddy the waters by adding one more piece of law." (my pun)

Everyone - PLEASE TAKE ACTION Call - write - e-mail.... whatever you can do. My gut says that we need to especially hit Sonnenberg, McNulty, Rose and Gardner with strong words about how polluted water will effect OUR property rights. Even if these guys are not your reps, they are serving on this committee that is in place to represent the entire state, so they deserve to hear from you. Tell them your personal stories. Tell them how close you are to any proposed uranium mining site. I have no strong feel either way for Scanlan, Hodge, Curry, or Gallegos. They need to hear from us too, but maybe not as strongly worded. Encourage McKinley, McFadyen, Fischer, Looper and Solano to stand strong. Again tell them all your personal stories. These are very effective right now. We have rights as well. We have rights to clean water and right of use of our property and right to health and safety.

Below is all their contact information. Below that even, was my testimony, if it helps give you ideas......

The Bill is in amendment phase right now. It will be re-heard and voted on on 2/6/08. Contact all these people ASAP and often. Spread the word......

Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources Committee

Frank McNulty
303-866-2936

Jerry Sonnenberg
303-866-3706
jerry.sonnenberg@state.co.us

Wes McKinley
303-866-2398
wes.mckinley.house@state.co.us

Christine Scanlan
Capitol Phone: (303)866-2952
E-Mail:christine.scanlan.house@state.co.us

Mary Hodge
Cap: 303-866-2912
E-mail: mary.hodge.house@state.co.us

Kathleen Curry (Chair)
Cap: 303-866-2945
E-mail: kathleencurry@montrose.net

Rafael Gallegos
Cap: 303-866-2916
E-mail: rafael.gallegos.house@state.co.us

Buffie McFadyen
Cap: 303-866-2905
E-mail: McFadyen2002@hotmail.com

Marsha Looper
Capitol Phone: (303)866-2946
E-Mail: marsha.looper.house@state.co.us

Judy Solano
Capitol Phone: 303-866-2918
E-mail: judy.solano.house@state.co.us

Wal-Marts at varying stages, an article from The Coloradoan, reports that the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenters in Timnath and Windsor are in varying stages of development. Wal-Mart spokesman Joshua Phair said the Supercenter planned for Interstate 25 near the Harmony Road exit is waiting on its building permit from Timnath and the company hopes to break ground by midyear. That would put the store opening on track for spring 2009. As far as the Windsor store is concerned, Wal-Mart owns the land but no real construction timeline has been scheduled. Phair said, "Both are a go, it's just a question of what financial quarter they'll be built in or what year."
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/BUSINESS/801180356/1046/CUSTOMERSERVICE02

For Your Clients: 7 Tips to Make Sure the Price is Right, an article from RISMedia.com, reports that with the right research, you can help your clients sell their house in today's buyer's market. One way to educate you and your clients is to analyze who is buying and selling in your market. Some questions to ask include: What's your competition? Who are the buyers, and why are they shopping? Another thing to consider is strategic pricing. By paying attention to prices in your area, you can determine a price that may help sell the home quickly. And finally, recognize that housing markets are local. According to Dick Gaylord, president of the National Association of Realtors, look at comparables for similar houses. Study prices and sales for one year ago, six months ago, three months ago and current numbers.
http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-01-17/for-your-clients-7-tips-to-make-sure-the-price-is-right/

Additional articles that you may find of interest:

Daily briefing
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/BUSINESS/801180357/1046/CUSTOMERSERVICE02

Do you see what I see?
http://www.reporterherald.com/feature-story.asp?ID=14361

Mortgage relief rises amid housing crisis
http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/17/real_estate/mba/index.htm?postversion=2008011715

Prime Time: A Resurgence Begins in Mortgage Refinancing
http://www.realestatejournal.com/buysell/mortgages/20080118-opdyke.html

Get Rich in Your Niche: Sales Strategy for Today
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008011703