Todd Groth

Aside from the recent price reduction in gas, does it seem like pricing is going up on almost everything else? Businesses that actually help consumers save money should thrive in these recessionary times. I think that's what the Green industry is going to help with. Specifically, Green features should reduce the cost of owning a home. That's why I thought it would be good to become an EcoBroker, or a Realtor with specialized training in Green features in homes, harmful toxic chemicals and marketing Green features in homes.

This is a topic that people really care about and the costs of owning a home can really be slashed with unique things such as solor heating systems, tankless H2O systems, radiant heating, skylighting, etc. Its really fun to learn about all the little things you can do from compact floruescent bulbs to just donating your old cabinets and appliances so they don't end up in the dump. During a recent kitchen remodel, I sold everything on craigslist - oven, range, faucet, disposal, dishwasher, refrigerator. I donated the old cabinets to a second hand store.

I started advertising my listings on the Ecobroker web site. Its www.Ecobroker.com. If you are looking for someone to help you identify or market a home's green features please contact me. I also have a contact who is an energy rater and this company will tell you what improvements will make the biggest impact on your cost savings.

All the best,

Todd Groth - 720.203.9624

www.bevgrothproperties.com

Last week I had a closing for a first-time home buyer who was a young tax accountant. He did a great job of using some of his knowledge in the tax field to his advantage. Here is how it was orchestrated:

First, the client planned to use an early distribution from a traditional IRA (not Roth). This is funded by dollars that were deductable for tax purposes. So when they were withdrawn for the purpose of buying this home, he had to pay taxes. However, he did not have to pay a 10% penalty which is normally the case for an early distribution. He was exempt from the 10% penalty distribution because the money was used for a first-time home purchase.

The next part is what I thought was interesting. Thanks to the Housing and Economic Recovery Act, we now have a $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers. So the additional tax that this buyer had for the early IRA distribuition will be more than eliminated.

Upon further questioning and research, I learned that you have to pay back an addition $500 a year in taxes for the next 15 years. So, its more of an interest free loan, than a permanent tax credit, but it still works to his advantage. Also, things can be even better for an early distribution of a ROTH IRA for the purposes of a first-time home purchase.

I asked him how would anyone ever know to do this other than by researching it online and talking to tax experts. He said there is a whole industry out there to educate and take advantage of these things. I guess we are part of it, so I hope this helps.

Todd Groth - 720.203.9624

www.bevgrothproperties.com

I try to focus on my "strengths" in the real estate business and one of my "strengths" is working with out-of-town buyers relocating to the Denver area. I have helped families from all over the country find their dream home in Denver. Most of these families are relocating due to a new job, or a job transfer. Here's more information on why I'm a good fit for these people.

I worked in the Human Resources field for over 10 years. During that time I did a lot of recruiting for technical professionals. I was promoted repeatedly and managed HR teams of various size and nature. Many of my friends and business associates are in the HR profession doing recruiting and bringing people into town. I consider myself a friend to the HR community. I will entertain candidates that are in town for a recruiting trip and show them homes during their visit.

I spent the latter nine years of my HR career with EchoStar who went from 500 employees to 22,000 employees while I was there. We were an emerging Satellite TV company selling the Dish Network service. When I left, I was handling relocation, expatriate remuneration, compensation, benefits and HRIS. I made a lot of friends at EchoStar. To this day, if I was to categorize my clients, the majority were referrals or friends from my EchoStar days.

EchoStar hires only people that have energy, intelligence and a high need for achievement. It's a place to learn and grown as a professional. The company is run in a fiscally responsible way so that you don't have to worry about accounting scandals ruining the company. Lastly, let's face it....people will cut out a lot of other things before they give up their Satellite TV.

If you're taking a job in the Denver area, or for EchoStar, please look me up!!

Todd Groth - 720.203.9624

www.bevgrothproperties.com

Yesterday I closed a property that I listed for some dear friends that had moved out of town. It was on the market for 9 days before it went under contract. This home is located in the hot area called The Highlands, near 32nd and Lowell in Northwest Denver.

I was nervious about the home taking a while to sell when I took the listing because it lacked a few things but my clients had done a good job of updating what they could while they lived there. I was really hoping it would sell quickly because my clients had a lot of things on their mind and they needed their home sale to go smoothly so they could move on to a new chapter in their life. Fortunately, I think the right buyer just walked through the door after a modest amount of marketing time/effort.

I think that homes that are priced properly and have good "bones" are selling just fine in this neighborhood. They also took my advise to leave some furniture so it looked staged. Additionally, they had it professionally cleaned. All these things helped it sell.

During the closing it was fun to listen to the exchange of information about the neighborhood from sellers to buyer. They told a little story about the watchful neighbor next door and the history of the apartment complex across the street. The sellers explained what they had updated when they lived there and the buyer talked about her plans to add a bathroom and do some kitchen work.

For more questions about this sale or The Highlands call

Todd Groth - 720.203.9624

www.bevgrothproperties.com

Last night I attended the "Cherry Point Block Captain Appreciation" reception in my own neighborhood. This is a neighborhood in the Southeast part of Denver off Happy Canyon, just south of Hampden Avenue. I happen to be the Treasurer and Secretary of the Homeowners Association after living here for only a year. This explains why I was attending the aforementioned event.

At this function I was explaining that I sell real estate and I am trying to promote the Cherry Point neighborhood. This is a neighborhood that I think is a hidden gem and most of the other residents agree. When you explain where you live, "Cherry Point" isn't as recognizable as "Wash Park", "Observatory Park" or "Bonnie Brae". You generally have to describe where it is and what you like about it. I asked the other residents to join me in spreading the word.

What I like about Cherry Point is the general brick ranch style homes you can find there. They are situated on big 12,000 square foot lots with kid friendly yards which is one of the reasons we moved from our bungalow in Wash Park. The Cherry Point lot we have now is twice as big as the Wash Park lot we left. Everyone takes great care of their home and yard. Its very quiet and the kids can ride bikes in the street. We don't seem to have anyone in foreclosure or short sale situation (knock on wood).

We also border Cherry Hills North with easy access to the Highline Canal. In fact, the neighborhood is very similar to Cherry Hills North and at least on builder built homes in both neighborhoods. So, you can save about $200K and have lower taxes in Cherry Point when compared to Cherry Hills North. We are seeing real estate holding up pretty good with about $400K for a fixer-upper and up to $800K for a redone larger house.

Check out Cherry Point!!!

Todd Groth - 720.203.9624

www.bevgrothproperties.com