Colorado Sees Improvement in January 2012 Unemployment Numbers

Unemployment Rate Decreases by 0.1%

Denver Still Beating National Average

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) reported recently on the newest employment numbers for our lovely state. Great news for the post-holiday situation: unemployment actually decreased from December 2011 to January 2012. The new rate is just 7.8%.

This is still a fairly good percentage compared to the national average, which is at 8.3% for the same period.

Where’s the Improvement?

Wondering how we achieved these attractive percentages? Well, according to the report:

Employers in Colorado added 19,500 nonfarm payroll jobs from December to January for a total of 2,284,800 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs increased 22,500 and government decreased 3,000.

Curious about the industries that are seeing the most growth? Let me satisfy that curiosity.

The largest over the month private sector job gains were in construction, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.

Better employment means better conditions for Colorado’s recovering housing market. With the busiest time of year now gearing up (in real estate anyway) I’m looking forward to showing and closing more properties over the warm spring and summer months.

I’m also anticipating further slow-but-steady growth in the Colorado employment numbers. We have received so much good press on the national stage, and with the warm weather comes a whole new round of tourists and conference attendees. No signs yet of any reasons that might derail the Colorado economic recovery!

How Wealthy Is Douglas County?

Incomes in Douglas County are Soaring!

image courtesy Thad Roan, all rights reserved

If you’re lucky enough to live in gorgeous (and affluent) Douglas County in the Denver Metro area, well, according to MSN Money then you are definitely lucky enough.

(Sorry for all the talk about luck, it must be the St Patty’s Day bug has bitten me).

Local papers recently reported that MSN Money released their new list of the nation’s wealthiest counties, and  Douglas County ranked sixth overall. That makes it the only county in Colorado, and indeed the only county west of the Mississippi, to make the list.

According to OurParkerNews.com, these are the things that MSN liked best about DougCo (besides its impressive median household income of $94,909):

The online magazine showcased the youthful population in Douglas County, with about 30 percent of its residents younger than 18 years old, its rural beauty, proximity to Denver and its open space, with about 340 residents per square mile.

They’re not going to find much argument from me!

Looking for Things To Do in Douglas County:

If you’re curious about this part of Colorado, and want to explore it with some of your weekend, see my links below for some good ideas on getting started.

• Cities & Towns in Douglas County (a very useful list)
• Check out the Park Meadows Mall in Lonetree
• Drive over to Chatfield State Park
• Visit friends who live in the area (maybe you should call ahead, though)

With the warm spring weather that is already hitting the area, there couldn’t be a better time to investigate all of the potential in this, our nation’s sixth wealthiest county!

Certified Residential Specialist in Denver Metro

Everyone Has Designations These Days…Why the CRS Matters

Designations abound in every industry it seems… some of them bear weight and carry meaning, some of them maybe not so much.

In real estate, though, the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is a REALTOR who has truly distinguished herself from the pack. It’s not handed out lightly (less than 4% of agents have attained it). And when it comes to buying and selling your home, the CRS means your chosen REALTOR is someone with the experience and education to provide the best possible service.

Denver-Based Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

When you work with a CRS for your Denver Metro purchase or sale, you are getting:

• An agent with a proven volume of successful transactions under her belt
• An agent with advanced and ongoing training in marketing, technology and finance
• A top-notch commitment to the ethical standards of the industry

I am a proud member of this small percentage of REALTORs who have proven their longevity and success in real estate. I’m glad to be able to use my confidence and experience on your behalf, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or seller or an established investor.

Utilizing a Certified Residential Specialist in Denver doesn’t mean an increased cost to your pocketbook. In reality, it can dramatically increase the value of the services you are receiving. A better grasp of the technology, trends and marketing techniques can translate into better advice and smoother transactions!

If you want to know more about the CRS designation, check out the Council of Residential Specialists website.

Customized Retur Storage Bins

Ikea Hacks are All the Rage

Denver has gone a little crazy over the new Ikea location, it’s true. As a Realtor, I’ve seen the best and worst of what good home organization can do for house appeal.

While much of the furniture and accessories from Ikea have a certain repetitive sameness, they offer great potential for a little customization. Otherwise known as “Ikea Hacking”, there are now whole websites devoted to the topic.

A Retur Bin Hack Adds Custom Appeal

So here’s a quick hack from one of my friends. She took her latest Ikea purchase, her husband’s love of anything Van Halen, and a little bit of that crafting wonder–Mod Podge–to create the following storage arrangement for their home office.

Step-by-Step DIY Customization

1. Gather Supplies
   1. Retur Bins from Ikea, any size
   2. Covering fabric
   3. Fabric pen or pencil for tracing
   4. Sharp scissors (or cutting mat and rotary wheel)
   5. Spray craft adhesive
   6. Mod Podge glossy finish (or other decoupage medium)
2. Trace around back of your Retur bin onto the wrong side of fabric
3. Cut traced shape inside the drawn lines (reducing rectangle by about 1/8″ all around)
4. Spray wrong side of fabric lightly with adhesive
5. Adhere fabric to front of bin, sliding up under the handle
6. Cover fabric with Mod Podge, spreading all the way to the edges
7. Allow to dry completely and then attach bins to wall following the manufacturer’s instructions

I can see so many uses for these handy little bins! I have to say that my friend strongly recommends the use of a cutting wheel and mat instead of scissors for cutting the fabric, to reduce any fabric fraying and ensure a smooth edge.

If You Don’t Stage, Are You Missing Out on A Quick Sale?

Staging Your Home for Sale Speeds the Process

Professionally staged properties prompt faster sales and can increase the value of your transaction!

Note that I said “professionally staged” here. So you may be asking how you can actually go home with more money in your pocket if you pay someone else to do the work of putting your home in its best possible presentation!

Styled, Staged and Sold — A publication of the National Association of REALTORS®, breaks it down this way:

Recent statistics gathered by Stagedhomes.com shows that 94 percent of homes staged by an Accredited Staging Professional sold in 29 days or less, compared to an average of 145 days for homes that were not staged. What’s more, homes staged by Accredited Staging Professionals stay on the market 83 percent less than a home that has not been staged.

Doing the Math

Think of it in terms of listing price. If you have priced your home in the upper range for the neighborhood, potential buyers will expect it to appear from all angles (photographed or in-person) as if it deserves that place in the price range. Proper staging emphasizes the best features of a home and maximizes space and layout. It’s an integral part of proving your home’s worth.

When non-staged homes don’t wow the buyers, and they reach a listing time of 90 days or more, sellers may contemplate reducing the price to attract more attention.

On a $250,000 home a price decrease of 5% translates to over $12,000 lost.

A professional home staging costs far less. Since the goal is for me to help you sell your house in the shortest time possible, for the most money possible, I have to point this distinction out to you!

Finding a Stager

Stagers are professionals in their own right. They have trade associations and educational opportunities. A quick internet search can bring up those nearest to your own location. Of course, referrals are always a great way to connect with a business, so ask your agent, friends who have recently sold homes, and your social networks for recommendations on who to use!

Denver in 2012 is Tourism Hotspot!

This year, a lot more people are going to get to see our beautiful little piece of heaven. Why? Because 2012 is set to be a blockbuster year for new tourism attractions for Denver at the surrounding area.

Marketwatch just reported on a press release that lists the one dozen top tourism events in Denver for this year.

How does this relate to the real estate industry? Well, anytime you can increase exposure to Denver, its great views, gorgeous climate and incredible quality of living, you’re increasing the number of potential relocations for people who are looking to retire, move their careers, or find a better place to raise a family.

Which events/attractions are top of the list?

Things to do in Denver 2012

• Art is the clear winner. With the opening of a new art museum adjacent to the Downtown Denver Art Museum and three prominent visiting displays at existing museums, this is the year to celebrate great artistic accomplishments of the past!
• Sports are also a major player in the year’s event lineup. We have the USA Pro Cycling Challenge finishing in Denver, and NCAA Women’s Final Four tournament taking place at the Pepsi Center. Both are major tourist draws that will prove a boon to the local economy.
• Museums and Zoos: This year marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, which is great news for the Molly Brown Museum. Also, the Denver Zoo will unveil a new elephant exhibit that should wow visitors both new and old. Finally, the Wild Animal Sanctuary is vastly expanding it’s 20 foot high pathway above the sanctuary into a mile of raised walking that allows visitors to observe the park’s more than 290 lions, tigers, bears, wolves and other large carnivores.

Of course, this is only a partial summary of the full list. If you want to see more of the top dozen events, check out the press release in full.

And if you are fully convinced that Denver is where you would like to make your next home purchase, contact me to see what’s available!

How Smart is It to Buy a Home Now?

The Experts Weigh In, Time to Buy or Stay in Renting?

image courtesy of www.legendswebdesign.com

The Bottom Line on MSNBC.com just published an article on this tricky debate. They based their recommendations on data and opinions garnered from Paul Diggle, a housing economist at Capital Economics.

In the end, their recommendations are a mixed bag. It boils down to a lot of “if this, then this…” and some predictions of where the housing markets and rental markets are headed in the next few years.

According to Diggle and his expert advice…for many people now may be the right time to buy a home.

Factors in Favor of Buying

These market factors are favorable to buying a home now, for renters who meet the right conditions:

• A 33% drop in home prices
• A 15% rise in the cost of renting
• Projected flat housing prices for the next 2-3 years, then rising
• Historically low interest rates

Cautionary Thoughts

Some renters may not benefit from buying, despite all these favorable conditions and predictions. If you plan on moving in a few years, or you have a low credit score and insufficient down-payment ability, then you might find yourself choosing to cope with the rising costs of rent.

Focus isntead on placing yourself in a better financial position, however, so that when you are locating somewhere for a longer term, the home-buying option is one that you can pursue if it’s still a good fit at that time.

What to Do Next if Buying is the Right Choice

If you are one of the many for whom home-buying makes great sense in the current market (especially for those of us in the relatively strong Denver economy), before you do anything you should get together with a professional real estate agent whom you can trust and feel comfortable working with through the complicated process of finding and buying your home.

If you are close to that “buying phase” but still need just a little time to get your financials together, just set your goals and make future decisions with that homeownership goal in mind (like renewing rental agreements, etc…)

Congratulations to those of you who have decided that 2012 is the year to buy! Contact me if you have any questions or would like to get started right away on searching for your new dream home.