Here is The Bibeau Group's most recent summary of Denver Real Estate headlines. The following are excerpts, but you are able to read the complete stories by clicking on the links. Please let us know if you have any questions about the articles or what they might mean for your personal situation.
Denver scores best month of 2009 for home resales
"July home resales in metro Denver were the best of any month yet in 2009, but still down from the same month of 2008, according to Metrolist Inc. data released Friday by member brokers. Home resales -- which are sales of single-family homes and condominiums that have been sold at least once before -- reported by Metrolist increased 6.1 percent last month to 4,440 from 4,186 in June. "The Denver resale market is alive. The price range of $200,000 to $300,000 continues to be the area of major activity in the residential home arena," Gary Bauer, an independent broker in Littleton, said in a statement."
Denver Ranks No. 45 for Foreclosures
"The Denver-Aurora metro area ranked No. 45 in the nation for foreclosures in the first half of the year, the latest sign that while the local real estate market is improving, while much of the rest of the country is still caught in the downward spiral of people losing their homes. A mid-year report released today by RealtyTrac, based in Irvine, Calif., shows that foreclosures in the Denver-Aurora area are down 29.43 percent in the first half of the year."
Nov. 30 deadline looms for first-time buyer's credit
"First-time home buyers have just four months — until Nov. 30 — to close on a home to take advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit. A first-time buyer is defined as someone who has not owned a principal residence for the past three years or has never owned a home. The home you purchase can be a condo, townhome, patio home, houseboat, manufactured home, or single family home. It must be priced at $80,000 or higher to get the full tax credit. The 2009 tax credit does not need to be repaid if you live in the home as your principal residence for 36 months.
Recognizing that some first time buyers are unable to buy due to the lack of down payment, HUD has put together a program to allow families to use the tax credit toward closing costs, to buy down the interest rate, or make a bigger down payment on FHA loans. Colorado Housing Finance Authority also has a policy that allows first time buyers to take advantage of the tax credit for down payment and closing costs. These programs coupled with the tax credit will help people enter the market that might otherwise be unable to do so. Their purchases will help trigger other sales as those sellers move to different homes. Check with your tax adviser to see how the tax credit would benefit you."
Now's the Time to Buy Your Dream House
If you can afford it, home prices remain at an all-time low and selection an all-time high
"There is an opportunity in residential real estate ownership unlike any we've seen in quite a long time, a perfect storm of sorts that is unlikely to last much longer. Home prices are down, interest rates remain near historical lows, and inventory is high. Thus, those with stable jobs and good credit can find their dream home, pay a price lower than any time in the last five or more years, finance it at a very favorable interest rate, and thereby be perfectly positioned for the housing recovery that the magazine wrote about."
Denver among top U.S. cities for getting a raise
"Chances are three out of four that your Denver-area company is giving out raises this year, a survey out Tuesday indicates. In fact, Denver ranks No. 5 on a list of the 10 best U.S. cities for getting a raise, according to the poll by WorldatWork, a global human resources association. The survey says 76 percent of Denver companies are giving raises to "middle performers," and the average raise is 2.1 percent."
Economists say the recession is ending; When Colorado will recover is open to debate.
"A rising chorus of economists are declaring an end to the longest U.S. recession since the 1930s, a necessary step for Colorado's recovery. "The 'Great Recession' is no more. It's over, finished, kaput!" declared Jeff Thredgold, an economist with Vectra Bank Colorado. Thredgold serves on three national forecasting groups, and all predict economic growth will return this quarter and continue into next year. But local economists differ on whether Colorado's downturn will also end this quarter, with some cautioning that job losses will continue far into 2010. "Although the state went into the recession later than the nation, we are forecasting it to come out at roughly the same time," said Tim Sheesley, chief economist with Xcel Energy."