Purchasing a home can be filled with excitement and anticipation for homeowners. Regarded as one of the great American traditions, it can also be a time where additional responsibilities are acquired. There are many locations throughout the state of Colorado in which citizens have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is found in the ground as a naturally-occurring mineral and pollutant. Left behind by many industrial plants and military bases which are now abandoned, there are still dangers present which pose risks to citizens throughout the state.
Potential Denver, Colorado home buyers or those remodeling homes should be aware that homes built before 1980 may still harbor asbestos materials. This is not to make you alarmed because asbestos exposure is easily prevented by taking simple precautions. Typically found in attic insulation, piping, popcorn ceilings, roof shingles and flooring, many green, healthy options insulation options exist that make the use of asbestos obsolete.
Asbestos fibers are thin and strong, and when inhaled frequently, an individual can develop mesothelioma, a rare but severe lung ailment caused by asbestos exposure. Several mesothelioma treatments are available; however, patient prognosis is usually poor. There are a number of factors that can impact how a person reacts to the disease and how their life span and mesothelioma life expectancy will be affected. These factors include latency period, age of diagnosis and cigarette smoking.
If any asbestos is suspected in the home, the best thing to do is leave it un-disturbed until a home inspector can determine the best course of action. Disturbing asbestos in good condition may cause its fibers to be released into the air. It is important to meet with health or environmental professionals to properly examine your new property. Sometimes, the best action is no action. However, if removal is necessary, it must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling hazardous substances. Organizations such as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, assists businesses and schools to comply with laws regulating asbestos containing materials.
In Colorado, construction practices are upgrading methods to suit better lighting, heating, cooling systems and environmentally habitable insulation. Green options such as cotton fiber, cellulose and lcynene should be given consideration as replacements to asbestos. Not only will eco-friendly materials provide a healthy atmosphere, it can significantly reduce energy costs.
Current statistics demonstrates that the use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber insulation can reduce energy use in the home by 25 percent. Alternatives to asbestos allow for you and your family to live in a healthy and safe home, free of health corroding materials.
For help in buying a home in Denver where you can depend on an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent to look out for your best interests and point out potential pitfalls, call Judith Clausen today at 303-587-3509, or email Judith@Buyers-Advantage.net. For more articles check out the Buyers Advantage website.
Denver's housing market is beginning to reflect the deepening economic crisis, but with some bright spots that show continuing buyer activity and potential for 2009.
According to recently released housing reports Denver's market is stronger than elsewhere. The Case Shiller Housing Index shows a year over year average price drop of 18.5% nationally. Of the 20 metropolitan areas measured, Denver showed the smallest decline, 4.0%, from 2007 to 2008.
The new OFHEO (Federal Housing Finance Agency) report for 2008 shows that Denver's values decreased by only -0.71%, 111th of 292 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. In the fourth quarter of 2008 values actually increased by 0.77%.
Foreclosure filings dropped by 2% in 2008 according to the Colorado Division of Housing. Completed foreclosures dropped 16% from 2007.
Denver's drop in values began in 2001, unlike most U.S. cities where the drop didn't begin until 2003, and then only in cities showing the greatest increase in prices during the early 2000s. Denver's increases took place in the 1990s and prices did not drop steeply from 2001 to date.
More houses went under contract in January than in December by 16.59%, following a trend beginning in December. But average prices for all residential housing dropped significantly by 5.29% from December. The mix of single family residences sold under $200,000 in January was 56.19% and over $200,000 was 43.81% compared to December where the mix was evenly split. For condos the split was greater. Only 20.9% of sold condos were over $200,000 while 79.1% were under $200,000.
For buyers, the time is still opportune, especially given recent interest rate drops. Interest rates reached 4.875% on February 20th for a $300,000 loan from our preferred lender, Rate One, The Mortgage People. FHA rates were at 5.000% for a $140,000 loan and 4.875% for a $300,000 loan. Credit is still tight, but loans are still possible for buyers with good credit and a 10-20% down payment.
Single family homes priced well, in good condition, in good locations were staying on the market fewer than the average of 99, and were selling in 30 days or less for 98.73% of list price. Homes staying on the market over 90 days sold at 94.46% of list price. If you’re a seller you’ll want to price your home well and make sure it’s in good condition, attractively staged. If you’re a buyer and you want to buy a move-in ready home in a good location, be prepared to pay close to list price. My experience over the last month to month and a half shows that premium homes are selling, many with more than one offer, and some even at above list price. Denver’s real estate market isn’t uniformly declining, contrary to what you may hear on the news or read on the internet or in the newspaper.
According to the Denver Economic Development Council, the outlook for Denver’s economy in 2009 is better than average. Denver’s unemployment rate at the end of 2008 (the latest figures available) was 6.1, considerably better than the national unemployment rate of 7.6%. Jobs outlook is better, too, for the Denver Metro area. According to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for the area issued on February 6th, 15% of employers expect to hire more employees, 12% expect to reduce their work force, 70% hope to maintain their current work force, and 3% are uncertain. Sectors hoping to hire include construction, transportation and utilities, information, financial activities, education and health services, and other services. Sectors expecting job losses are manufacturing, leisure-hospitality, and government.
Of course, all this could change given the volatility in the economy, but for now the Denver metro area is plugging along and likely won’t be as hard hit as other metro areas in the country, partly due to Denver’s recession beginning in 2001 which tended to stop the real estate bubble earlier than other metro area. Prices have held relatively steady through the end of 2007, and only in the last two months have prices dropped significantly, which is good news for buyers.
The Pew Research Center cites Denver as THE top place to live! Just what I've always thought. And the recently-released Case Shiller Report shows a loss of value much less than in other cities, just 1.1% less in November than in October 2008 (the report lags by two months), and 4.3% lower than in November 2007.
A question asked by many of my buyers is "If I buy now, what about declining values? Will my home be worth less when it comes time to sell it?" The answer varies depending on how long you stay in your new home.
On average buyers stay in their homes about 5 years before selling according to independent real estate broker, Gary Bauer. (Bauer issues a monthly market report used by the Denver dailies and is widely regarded in Denver real estate circles as a market expert.) In an April 2008 report in the Rocky Mountain News by Rob Reuteman, Bauer is quoted on the issue. He says, "If I bought my home a year ago for $200,000, and I had to sell for $180,000, I'd be upset. If I'm staying in the Denver market I take $180,000 and buy a house that would have cost me $200,000 a year ago. But I'd still have a little feeling that I really didn't do so well. If I were that individual five years ago, my average appreciation would be 39 percent. Would I be concerned about a 10 percent drop in price today? I don't think so. I would have bought it for $130,000 and sold it for $180,000."
Denver's cost of living makes it an easy choice over higher cost areas like both coasts. According to CNN/Money.com it costs 51.1%% less to live in Denver than in San Jose; 43.8% less than in San Diego; 66.6% less than in San Francisco; and 12.9% less than Seattle. If you live in the east, it will cost 37.6% less than in Washington, D.C.; 32.8% less than in Boston; 101.9% less than in New York; 22% less than in Philadelphia.
For buyers coming from the south and the midwest, Denver could cost more. It costs 4.9% more in Denver than in Atlanta; 12.8% more than in Houston; 8% more than in Dallas; 8.3% more than in Dayton, Ohio; 5.2% more than in Rochester, MN, and 10% more than in Boise. But living in Denver still costs 10.7% less than in Chicago, 15.1% percent less than in Portland, and a whopping 49.3% less than in Los Angeles.
You'll need to do your due diligence to compare cost of living between your city and Denver at websites like Sperling's Best Places, Bank Rate or CNN/Money.
Having an Exclusive Buyers Agent to find the best buys will shore up your buying ability by representing your best interests - finding the best home at the lowest possible price, and saving you time and hassles. See client references. Phone numbers available upon request. Call Judith Clausen now at 303-587-3509 to help you find your next house.
Buyers are in the catbird seat again this month, that is, if they can get a mortgage. Prices take a slide but credit is still tight even though rates are the best they've been in awhile.
It's too early to tell, but Denver's real estate market may be showing signs of life. More homes sold in December than sold either in December of 2007 or in November 2008. The uptick over 2007 was slight, just .47%, But the gain over November was a surprising 10.75%. For single family homes the mix of sold properties was evenly split between homes selling under $200,000 and homes selling over $200,000. For condos and townhomes the split was more stark, 76% selling under $200,000 and only a quarter selling above $200,000. Generally condos and townhomes sell at a lower price than do single family homes. Average sold price for condos is $162,770, while for single family homes the average is $240,945. For all homes the time it took to sell was down both from last year and from last month.
The total number of homes on the market in December was lower than it has been since 2002, the year after the Denver market started to decline. That's a good sign, as is total sold activity at the end of 2008. Fewer foreclosed homes were on the market in December, indicating a possible turnaround in the availability of cheap homes. The Colorado Division of Housing predicts that when year end figures are in, the number of foreclosures for all of 2008 will decline by about 13%. With a broader mix of homes on the market prices may begin to rise.
Buyers may be encouraged to begin searching for homes with interest rates below 5% and lenders a bit more willing to lend. But Buyers will still have to have excellent credit and a sizeable down payment.
The only fly in the ointment is the Colorado economy and the possibility of more job losses leading to more foreclosures. Unemployment in the Denver metro area rose .2% in December to 5.9%, which is less than the national unemployment rate of 7.2%, but still high. However, the Monthly Economic Summary published by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation titles its January 2009 report, Strong long-term prospects will support a solid recovery for Metro Denver's economy, a very good sign for Buyers looking to buy in the Denver metro real estate market.
But there are some sweet spots for sellers too. As I've said before, good homes in good shape in good neighborhoods sell quickly, even in this slow market. And if you're looking for a good deal on a foreclosure - either pre- (short sale) or post (bank owned), you may be competing with several other offers forcing you to pay above asking price if you really want the home. For either resale or distressed sale homes, the basic rules of economics still apply. Good houses in great shape in desirable locations command the attention of multiple buyers in good times and bad. What's in short supply these days is the total number of buyers. But take note that some may be looking at the very same house you want.
A question asked by many of my buyers is "If I buy now, what about declining values? Will my home be worth less when it comes time to sell it?" The answer varies depending on how long you stay in your new home.
On average buyers stay in their homes about 5 years before selling according to independent real estate broker, Gary Bauer. (Bauer issues a monthly market report used by the Denver dailies and is widely regarded in Denver real estate circles as a market expert.) In an April 2008 report in the Rocky Mountain News by Rob Reuteman, Bauer is quoted on the issue. He says, "If I bought my home a year ago for $200,000, and I had to sell for $180,000, I'd be upset. If I'm staying in the Denver market I take $180,000 and buy a house that would have cost me $200,000 a year ago. But I'd still have a little feeling that I really didn't do so well. If I were that individual five years ago, my average appreciation would be 39 percent. Would I be concerned about a 10 percent drop in price today? I don't think so. I would have bought it for $130,000 and sold it for $180,000."
The Denver Post has a very useful interactive map of home values across the metro area. You can look at values by neighborhood, discover whether values are rising or declining and much more. The map hasn't been updated since the end of June 2008, but it's a useful guide nonetheless.
Interest rates are historically low. Conventional loans were at 4.750% for a loan value of $300,000, and 5.000% for a loan value of $140,000; FHA loans of $140,000 were 5.000% and $300,000 were 4.875% for well-qualified buyers as of January 12, 2009, from our preferred lender, Rate One, The Mortgage People. Homes are much more affordable. Denver's economy is steadier than the rest of the nation, and while unemployment has risen to 5.7%, jobs are still expected to increase this year.
Denver's cost of living makes it an easy choice over higher cost areas like both coasts. According to CNN/Money.com it costs 51.1%% less to live in Denver than in San Jose; 43.8% less than in San Diego; 66.6% less than in San Francisco; and 12.9% less than Seattle. If you live in the east, it will cost 37.6% less than in Washington, D.C.; 32.8% less than in Boston; 101.9% less than in New York; 22% less than in Philadelphia.
For buyers coming from the south and the midwest, Denver could cost more. It costs 4.9% more in Denver than in Atlanta; 12.8% more than in Houston; 8% more than in Dallas; 8.3% more than in Dayton, Ohio; 5.2% more than in Rochester, MN, and 10% more than in Boise. But living in Denver still costs 10.7% less than in Chicago, 15.1% percent less than in Portland, and a whopping 49.3% less than in Los Angeles.
You'll need to do your due diligence to compare cost of living between your city and Denver at websites like Sperling's Best Places, Bank Rate or CNN/Money.
Having an Exclusive Buyers Agent to find the best buys will shore up your buying ability by representing your best interests - finding the best home at the lowest possible price, and saving you time and hassles. See client references. Phone numbers available upon request. Call Judith Clausen now at 303-587-3509 to help you find your next house.
Buyers are in the catbird seat again this month, that is, if they can get a mortgage. Prices take a slide but credit is still tight even though rates are the best they've been in awhile.
Figures for the Denver real estate market for November 2008 show steep declines in prices, in number of homes sold versus last month and last year at this time, and number of homes currently on the market. Area economic experts predict that prices will continue to fall, possibly into 2010. But metro Denver is still in a better position economically than most.
Average single family home prices dropped the most, a whopping 18.55% from November 2007. Condos and townhomes fared better, experiencing only a 2.37% drop in average price from this time last year. The single family median sold price dropped below $200,000 to $195,000 for the first time since the 1990s. The average price was $242,557.
The average price for condos or townhomes was $161,615 compared to $165,533 in November 2007, while the median price was $130,000 compared to $139,000 in November last year, a drop of 6.48%.
The total number of homes sold in November 2008 as compared to November 2007 dropped 16.14%. But the biggest drop came when comparing the drop from October to November 2007, indicating a seasonal slide, to the drop from October to November 2008. The drop in 2007 was 9.51% while in 2008 it was 31.81%! Denver, like other major cities, has taken a hit in light of the general economic picture, particularly tightening credit.
But overall the year to date home sales number through November is trending only slightly under 2007 (4.22%), a good sign for the future, especially considering the local economy which is showing a slowdown in job hires rather than the steep drops seen elsewhere. And home foreclosures, which have been a drag on the Denver real estate market for the last few years, dropped 2% for the first ten months of this year compared to the same period last year. New building continues to slow down. In 2008 only half the number of homes were built than in 2007, reflecting the general economic slowdown.
But there are some sweet spots for sellers too. As I've said before, good homes in good shape in good neighborhoods sell quickly, even in this slow market. And if you're looking for a good deal on a foreclosure - either pre- (short sale) or post (bank owned), you may be competing with several other offers forcing you to pay above asking price if you really want the home. For either resale or distressed sale homes, the basic rules of economics still apply. Good houses in great shape in desirable locations command the attention of multiple buyers in good times and bad. What's in short supply these days is the total number of buyers. But take note that some may be looking at the very same house you want.
A question asked by many of my buyers is "If I buy now, what about declining values? Will my home be worth less when it comes time to sell it?" The answer varies depending on how long you stay in your new home.
On average buyers stay in their homes about 5 years before selling according to independent real estate broker, Gary Bauer. (Bauer issues a monthly market report used by the Denver dailies and is widely regarded in Denver real estate circles as a market expert.) In an April 2008 report in the Rocky Mountain News by Rob Reuteman, Bauer is quoted on the issue. He says, "If I bought my home a year ago for $200,000, and I had to sell for $180,000, I'd be upset. If I'm staying in the Denver market I take $180,000 and buy a house that would have cost me $200,000 a year ago. But I'd still have a little feeling that I really didn't do so well. If I were that individual five years ago, my average appreciation would be 39 percent. Would I be concerned about a 10 percent drop in price today? I don't think so. I would have bought it for $130,000 and sold it for $180,000."
The Denver Post has a very useful interactive map of home values across the metro area. You can look at values by neighborhood, discover whether values are rising or declining and much more. (The map hasn't been updated to include the third quarter 2008.)
Interest rates have dropped significantly in the last few days. Conventional loans were an astonishing 4.5% for a
loan value of $300,000, and 4.625% for a loan value of $140,000; FHA loans of $140,000 were 5.000% and $300,000 were 5.000% for well-qualified buyers as of December 17, 2008, from our preferred lender, Rate One, The Mortgage People. Homes are much more affordable. Denver's economy is steadier than the rest of the nation, and while unemployment has risen to 5.7%, jobs are still expected to increase this year.
Denver's cost of living makes it an easy choice over higher cost areas like both coasts. According to CNN/Money.com it costs 51.1%% less to live in Denver than in San Jose; 43.8% less than in San Diego; 66.6% less than in San Francisco; and 12.9% less than Seattle. If you live in the east, it will cost 37.6% less than in Washington, D.C.; 32.8% less than in Boston; 101.9% less than in New York; 22% less than in Philadelphia.
For buyers coming from the south and the midwest, Denver could cost more. It costs 4.9% more in Denver than in Atlanta; 12.8% more than in Houston; 8% more than in Dallas; 8.3% more than in Dayton, Ohio; 5.2% more than in Rochester, MN, and 10% more than in Boise. But living in Denver still costs 10.7% less than in Chicago, 15.1% percent less than in Portland, and a whopping 49.3% less than in Los Angeles.
You'll need to do your due diligence to compare cost of living between your city and Denver at websites like Sperling's Best Places, Bank Rate or CNN/Money.
Having an Exclusive Buyers Agent to find the best buys will shore up your buying ability by representing your best interests - finding the best home at the lowest possible price, and saving you time and hassles. See client references. Phone numbers available upon request. Call Judith Clausen now at 303-587-3509 to help you find your next house.
Buyers continue to snap up Denver homes at bargain prices. 4,282 homes (both single family and condo/townhome) were sold in October compared with 4,265 in September, 4,542 in August, and 5,123 in July. Median prices for October were $206,000 for single family homes, a drop of $10,000 from September, and $130,300 for condos/townhomes a drop of $9,000 from September.
Home prices were 12.2% lower in October 2008 than in October 2007, which in turn was 2.67% lower than October 2006. The average price for single family homes and condo/townhomes combined was $232,284 compared to $265,232 in October of 2007.
Housing inventory continues to slide as sellers keep homes off the market. Prices of current listings continue to fall because buyers are in short supply. The recent global financial crisis and credit crunch has affected what looked to be a stable market in September, the first hopeful sign of a housing recovery in the Denver metro area. The area's real estate market is now expected to bottom out sometime in the future, perhaps as far out as a year or 18 months from now.
That leaves an incredible opportunity for buyers looking for Denver homes. Interest rates have steadily fallen, making more homes affordable. The only glitch is that buyers may have to come up with more cash down and have excellent credit in order to qualify for financing.
Denver is in a much better position than many U. S. cities. The S & P/Case-Shiller report for August 2008 (published October 28th) showed a very slight decrease in home prices from July, the first decrease in five months. In July Denver was one of only two cities out of 20 measured nationally that showed any increase. Only Minneapolis showed a greater increase (1.8%).
But the continuing loss in value from last year is striking. After the economic meltdown earlier this year local economists are predicting a continuing slide in prices for at least another year.
On the whole Denver's economy is showing a slow-down, but is still in better shape than many other U. S. cities. Job growth is stable, and unemployment through September was 5.4%, less than the U. S. rate of 6.1%. Governor Bill Ritter predicts that unemployment will slowly drop through 2009, and believes the Denver economy is relatively strong. A report issued by the Governor's office on September 19th shows that "Colorado's economy…is more resilient and perhaps better poised to rebound from the current national financial turmoil than the national economy," noting that "Colorado has lower unemployment, greater job growth and lower inflation than the nation overall."
Another interesting fact indicating the strength of Denver's economy is that its credit rating was recently upgraded to AAA from Standard & Poor's Rating Service, citing its "role as the economic center for the Colorado Front Range — with a diverse economy and reliant per-capita property values" (Denver Post, 9/9/08). And Wells Fargo, one of Colorado's largest lenders has just upgraded their ratings for Denver housing from "distressed" to "stable." In an article in Denver's Rocky Mountain News (9/16/08) Thomas Thibodeau, academic director for the CU Real Estate Center in Boulder was quoted as saying that "The housing market here is vastly different than the rest of the U.S. I think the Denver housing market has turned the corner and is on the way to recovery."
Two large renewable energy projects are slated for the metro area. Rentec
h recently opened a demonstration plant in Commerce City to produce synthetic jet and diesel fuel. And Vesta Wind Systems announced plans to build a wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Brighton. The two projects combined could bring as many as 1,800 new jobs to the Brighton/Commerce City area. Colorado is becoming internationally known as a center for renewable energy and aerospace development activity. "Metro Denver's dynamic and innovative industry base continues to support the region's economy through challenging times," stated Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation.
A question asked by many of my buyers is "If I buy now, what about declining values? Will my home be worth less when it comes time to sell it?" The answer varies depending on how long you stay in your new home.
On average buyers stay in their homes about 5 years before selling according to independent real estate broker, Gary Bauer. (Bauer issues a monthly market report used by the Denver dailies and is widely regarded in Denver real estate circles as a market expert.) In an April 2008 report in the Rocky Mountain News by Rob Reuteman, Bauer is quoted on the issue. He says, "If I bought my home a year ago for $200,000, and I had to sell for $180,000, I'd be upset. If I'm staying in the Denver market I take $180,000 and buy a house that would have cost me $200,000 a year ago. But I'd still have a little feeling that I really didn't do so well. If I were that individual five years ago, my average appreciation would be 39 percent. Would I be concerned about a 10 percent drop in price today? I don't think so. I would have bought it for $130,000 and sold it for $180,000."
The Denver Post has a very useful interactive map of home values across the metro area. You can look at values by neighborhood, discover whether values are rising or declining and much more. (The map hasn't been updated to include the third quarter 2008.)
Interest rates are still low (conventional loans were at 6.125% for well-qualified buyers as of November 10, 2008 from our preferred lender, Rate One, The Mortgage People). Homes are more affordable. Denver's economy is steady and jobs are expected to increase this year.
Denver's cost of living makes it an easy choice over higher cost areas like both coasts. According to CNN/Money.com it costs 51.1%% less to live in Denver than in San Jose; 43.8% less than in San Diego; 66.6% less than in San Francisco; and 12.9% less than Seattle. If you live in the east, it will cost 37.6% less than in Washington, D.C.; 32.8% less than in Boston; 101.9% less than in New York; 22% less than in Philadelphia.
For buyers coming from the south and the midwest, Denver could cost more. It costs 4.9% more in Denver than in Atlanta; 12.8% more than in Houston; 8% more than in Dallas; 8.3% more than in Dayton, Ohio; 5.2% more than in Rochester, MN, and 10% more than in Boise. But living in Denver still costs 10.7% less than in Chicago, 15.1% percent less than in Portland, and a whopping 49.3% less than in Los Angeles.
You'll need to do your due diligence to compare cost of living between your city and Denver at websites like Sperling's Best Places, Bank Rate or CNN/Money.
Having an Exclusive Buyers Agent to find the best buys will shore up your buying ability by representing your best interests - finding the best home at the lowest possible price, and saving you time and hassles. See client references. Phone numbers available upon request. Call Judith Clausen now at 303-587-3509 to help you find your next house.
Approximate Location Boundaries: Denver Metro Area
Location Characteristics: Denver's an exciting place to live. Winter, summer, spring or fall -- there's always something special to do in the Denver area. Cultural amenities include the Denver Center for the Performing Arts which houses the Colorado Ballet, the Denver Symphony, and the Denver Center Theater. Art galleries, the Denver Museum of Science and Nature, over 90 golf courses, sophisticated shopping centers, the Denver Zoo -- the list goes on and on. Denver is a large urban area close at hand to some of the most beautiful country in the U.S. Ski areas are just hours away. Fly fishing, hiking, mountain climbing and much more offer spring, summer and fall recreation in the nearby Rocky Mountains. Quality of life in the Denver area is its biggest draw.
For More Information:
About Judith Clausen, Broker/Owner:
I represent Buyers only. My hallmark in assisting buyers is to provide timely, energetic and honest service. Check out the Buyers Advantage Real Estate website for client feedback. When asked to fill out a Customer Satisfaction Survey one recent client, "I'll give you all tens because you're worth it!!"
If you're planning to buy in the next six months go to the Buyers Advantage Real Estate website Home Search feature to look for homes in the Denver area. You can save your searches, and return as often as you want. And I'm always available to answer any of your real estate questions. Just email me or call direct at 303-587-3509.
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Exclusive buyer representation for buyers relocating to Denver or moving locally. Advocating ONLY for you, not the seller, providing expert guidance through the complexities of buying a home in Denver
Buyers Advantage Real Estate is my professional creation. Years of experience taught me that buyers and sellers need special representation and a REALTOR® of their own they can trust, so I decided to develop my own business as an Exclusive Buyer Agent brokerage. I’ve been in business in Denver for many years, first in property management and then as a broker associate in a large real estate firm before I established my own business. I’m a member of the
I work hard for my clients to save them money. If I can negotiate $5.000 off the price of a home, that doesn't include the additional build-up of equity amortization for paying less for the original loan amount, and that's much more than the original $5,000. Why would I do this when I'm paid by commission and a higher price would mean a higher commission for me? First, as an Exclusive Buyer's Agent I'm legally obligated to represent the best interests of my clients above any other interests, including my own! And -- the difference in commission for negotiating $5,000 off the price of the house is only $140! I want my clients to be satisfied. Their good will and word of mouth are good advertising, worth much more than whatever I save them. My goal is to save my clients as much money as possible when making what may be the biggest purchase of a lifetime. I save clients liability and pitfalls they may not be able to avoid simply because they don't have the knowledge and experience to know what those issues might be.
Real estate is a second career for me – I’m an ordained minister. In my years as chaplain and pastor I learned about listening to and understanding people’s needs. Serving people wanting or needing to buy their home is a very special ministry for me. I want to work with people I like and who need my professional help, people who will trust me to be their REALTOR®. I have two grown sons and a granddaughter. My spouse is a retired university professor. We love to spend time in the mountains – we go there as often as possible. And we both like to garden. And to travel. I continue in ministry as a consultant to the Department of Pastoral Care at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood.
Well, that’s it – that’s me. Can I help you better than any other REALTOR® in the Denver area? I think so! That’s my job and my passion, it’s what gives me satisfaction.
Only an Exclusive Buyer Agent (often called an Exclusive Buyer's Agent, or EBA) can GUARANTEE to represent you in your home purchase. Only an EBA can GUARANTEE to negotiate on your behalf.
An EBA provides the true facts as to value, market/neighborhood conditions, and obvious physical defects. The high level of negotiation training and expertise of an EBA truly levels the playing when it is time to make an offer on a property.
Because an EBA only represents buyers and does not have in-house or company listings, a seller is always unaware of the price buyers are willing to spend during the negotiation process, bringing the advantage back to the buyer and the buyer's wallet. For this reason alone, it is very common to save thousands of dollars during the critical negotiation process.
An EBA will insist that the buyer utilize a qualified home inspector who will treat the buyer as their client, and not as a customer.
Listing agents (the ones with the sign in the front yard) and the company that they work for represent the SELLER, not the buyer. Their job is to get the SELLER the highest price on the best terms.
An EBA`s job is to get the BUYER the lowest price on the best terms.
EBAs will do a better job for people who are relocating than anyone else. They will give you the facts, good and bad. A listing agent cannot tell you about many things that would be detrimental for the BUYER because they work for the SELLER.
An EBA will help you with your financing alternatives. They may advise you to be pre-approved by a lender. Why? Because a fully approved loan makes you a cash buyer. EBA's have a legal and ethical obligation to put your interests first!
It just makes sense!
I love helping clients find their new home and facilitating their move. See what some of my clients say about working with me. Of course, I have more clients than show up here, but you have to put a limit on it somewhere! --Judith Clausen
This young physician and his family (T. K.'s a public health nurse) were first-time homebuyers who found their ideal home after much looking. It's a 4-bedroom, 2 bath, 3,520 square foot home in Greenwood Village, Colorado. It has what they were looking for -- a walk-out finished basement, a spacious kitchen with a breakfast room overlooking the family room, a striking brick fireplace, and even a central vacuum system. Their lovely home on a tree-lined street will provide plenty of room for this new family of three.
"Judith was very helpful in teaching us first time home buyers what to look for in a home. She was patient and very responsive to our questions." T. K. and Sonam
"Judith was an ideal agent for a first-time homebuyer like me. She was very reassuring and created a comfortable atmosphere for a very intimidating process. She was patient with my many questions and safeguarded my interests from start to finish. Thank you!" Bridget D., Capitol Hill, Denver, CO
"Thank you so much for your help! We could never, ever have done it without your guidance and excellent advice. (Heather at closing: "You were perfect!")"
Mike and Heather, Denver, CO
"We were first-time homebuyers and didn't know much about the process. It was very valuable to have someone on our team who knew the system so well and negotiated so effectively. Hiring a Buyer's Agent was a good decision and Judith did a great job!" Chris and Lynn, Denver, CO
"Judith is a great listener and has become a very good friend! She is one cool "gen-xer! Enthusastically recommend."
Barby and Adam T., Ken Caryl Ranch, Lakewood, CO
"As first-time bomebuyers Judith made us feel comfortable. She provided info and support while allowing us to make our own decisions. She is very easy to work with. We are very happy!!"
Brian and Heather P., Englewood, Colorado
"Buying our house from out of state, our real estate selling agent back home knew exactly the type of service that we would be requiring from our buying agent in Denver so she hand chose Judith for us. I know this was a researched and unbiased choice, Judith was not even a member of the same agency. Living in another state, we were very attracted to technical services that Judith was willing to offer, including her promise to preview and photograph houses and having the photos online for me to view within hours, which she did. One of the first points of her significant help was very early on when I had obtained a prequalification with one loan agency, Judith convinced me to at least try one other to have a comparison. This action not only gave us a better rate, but it brought to light some incorrect information on our credit report that we were able to correct in time for the loan. 
The hard work, great service and personal attention that Judith showed us in the looking process gave me enough confidence to sign a contract on a house without seeing it for myself. She knew our budget and pushed hard to find something within that range. As the hunting process turned long and looked dim, she was still very honest with every house that she viewed for us, even when I was excited about something that I had viewed on the internet and she new from our lengthy conversations and one brief meeting what to warn me about so that I would have a clear understanding of the complete package.
When Judith finally found the perfect house for our family, in the price range that we were looking for, she wasted no time helping us through the contracting procedures. This was the second house that my husband and I had purchased during our marriage. The first purchase was made when we were younger and it was very uncomplicated. That is why the obstacles that we encountered on this purchase came as a shock and stress factor at almost every turn. Judith was there to help us through all of it. We appreciated Judith's experienced advice and support through the entire month of our roller coaster contract. She helped us deal with problems that included our seller threatening to back out at every turn, handling completely unforeseen issues that came up at our inspection and getting us through many paperwork delays on our closing. We literally did not know if we would still be able to purchase the house 10 minutes past the start time of our closing appointment.
I would recommend Judith for any buyer in any special situation." --Christina T., Northglenn
"You are a "real person" who helped us buy a house. You honestly looked out for us and patiently helped us find the right house. No pressure. You made our experience of buying a house from an outside state a pleasure.--Glenn and Sarita B., Aurora I was very impressed (and sometimes surprised) at how quickly you responded to my e-mails and how quickly you answered my questions. In fact, it was your quick response to my initial inquiry that led me to select you in the first place. I had sent out several requests for information while I was in Kazakhstan, but yours was the first (and more thorough) response. I was impressed with your knowledge of the areas and your objectivity as we were looking. I was very grateful for the connection to the lender and the creative financing that she was able to come up with. I also liked all the information that you emailed to me while I was out of country. You always seemed to be available. And, I don’t know how accurate, but I got the impression that we working more off mutual trust rather than the formal buyer’s agreement. I liked that. I would definitely recommend you to someone. One criticism was that initially when I had listed our requirements, I received a lot of stuff that didn’t seem to meet what we were looking for. Having said that, however, our requirements were often pretty specific, and they varied quite a bit as time progressed and we learned more." --Randy H., Bonnie Brae, Denver Colorado
"We appreciated your services and enthusiasm, your overall knowledge of real estate in the Denver area and walking with us through the home buying process -- financing, inspections, builder meetings, etc. We love our home! --Linda and Merritt W., Denver Buyer's Advantage Realty lives up to its name. The buyer has a strong advantage with Judith as the realtor. She treated us as important members of a team. She stands behind what she says. She talks with us frequently and keeps us informed. She combines the best qualities of a realtor - knowledge, experience, integrity and a good sense of humor. With Judith on your side, the entire realty experience becomes the team effort it should be." --A.B. C., Denver
"Thank you for helping us with all the details of buying a newly built home. Luckily, we took your advice in hiring our own inspector. He saved us thousands! We are so thankful that we had you to represent us, not the builder. We LOVE our new home." --Tim and Katrina M., Golden
"I can't thank you enough for finding my home for me while I was in Minnesota. Your follow-through with having the sellers do repairs and include the appliances, as well as giving me phone contacts to get insurance, were all things that were in addition to finding the right home. Your ability to take care of the closing without my presence saved me from having to fly from Minnesota to Colorado many times. You are a miracle worker!" --Connie C., Littleton Colorado
"We enjoyed the personal touch you brought to the whole experience, from historical facts about Denver to your insights about its neighborhoods. Thanks again for helping us find a new home! The best thing about your service was the interest you showed in us personally. During our trips to Denver we both felt like we were traveling not just with a realtor but a friend. We also appreciated the additional services you provided (website links, loan companies, service professionals, etc.) -- Brian S. & Scot O.
Thanks for strongly recommending the buyers warranty! Because of the warranty we were able to get a brand new refrigerator for only $100! We’re going to put your name on it!!! --Sue E. & Nancy K., Thornton
It's kind of funny when you think how mad I was with Shaun for setting up the first appointment with you since we were technically working with someone else. Boy am I ever glad we went with you instead!" -- Lynn M. and Shaun B., Aurora Colorado
"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all your help with the house!" --Jan and Rob F., Aurora Colorado
"Thank you for the good job you did for us. We like our new home very much." --Dahlia and Art F., Highlands Ranch Colorado
"We appreciate all the hard work you did to find us a handicap-accessible home. Not every Realtor can find just the right home for clients living in another part of the world without their ever having seen it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! We love it!"
--Don & Sharon R., Denver
"Your service made the tough process of moving from the east coast to Colorado much easier. You made sure that every detail was seen to and the entire process went as smoothly as possible." --Tracy and Renee B., Aurora Colorado
"Judith went out of her way to protect my interests as a buyer, and settled many differences with the sellers for me. She took a lot of stress out of the buying process." --Judy B., Golden
"I was a first-time buyer. My experience with Judith was a blessing. I was in a difficult situation after an accident -- sore, angry, with a broken foot, and to boot needed a place to live within a month. I needed a Judith, and a Judith I got. Judith not only picked me up, but also chauffeured me wherever we needed to go. She educated me not only on the reality of buying, good and bad, but also on my potential in what I could achieve in owning my own home. She made sure I understood each situation, and the potential pitfalls of any place we looked at. When you are a first-time buyer (newbie) there are so many things one does not think of. We set a time frame. We closed just 20 days after my accident. She even picked me up for that! I got the very best deal one could get -- she made sure of it. Yes, she stood by her word! I now own a 2 bedroom, very nice condo. When my payments are made they are working toward my security and peace of mind -- a place of my own. Thank you, Judith!" --Trude F. Denver
"You were a great guide as I pursued buying my first home. You made it rather painless. You were easy to reach and you gave clear opinions. You found out what you didn't know. And you were sensitive about my perception of value for money." --Joe W., Denver
"There’s no way we can thank you enough for all you’ve done. Your kindness, patience, and thoughtfulness will always be remembered as the best part of our new venture. Thank you so much!" --Kathy A. & Sheri P., Denver (and Los Angeles) investors
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