Recently, a home buyer told me, “I don’t like all these surprises!”  We were in the middle of a short sale transaction, and there were a few surprises but no more than usual. It all seemed pretty normal to me. Then I remembered, nothing about buying a house is ‘normal’ to most home buyers.  Pretty much everything is either a mystery or a surprise unless I tell them what to expect. I was pretty sure I HAD explained everything, but obviously it didn’t all ‘stick’. There’s so many things that can happen, and so many twists and turns (especially with the distressed sales so common today), that when I try to tell my clients everything they need to know, their eyes glaze over and they don’t remember half of it. So – I’m developing a series of blog posts that will address all the issues I can ... 01/17/2010

If you're thinking, "I want to buy a foreclosure," or "I want to buy a short sale", and you contact me, I'll want to chat about what your goals are exactly. Almost always, after a little conversation with people who start out that way, I discover that what they really want is the 'best deal', and someone has told them 'foreclosures are the best deal', 'HUD homes are the best deal', or 'short sales are the best deal'. The problem is, quite often *someone* is wrong. They may be passing on bad information they got from someone else, or they may not know all the facts. It's really sad when you paid *someone* for their bad information. I have helped people buy short sales, HUD homes, and foreclosures. And it's not all about the bottom line. But let's talk about the bottom line first. I've do... 01/16/2010

Ahhh, the thrill of making it past all the hurdles, and starting on the last leg - closing! Normally, you've made it past the annoying things that can happen, and you're ready to sign the many, many docs and take your keys home. Here's a few annoying things that can still happen, but shouldn't. 1.  Issues with the loan. If you went out and bought a car or even some appliances or furniture before closing, you might have thrown the whole closing into question. Yes, the lender does check your credit again - even after qualifying you.       If you are working with a not-so-good lender, they may wake up a couple of days before closing and realize they didn't get their job done. Your loan package must go to underwriting, then final numbers must be sent to the closing company, and a final HUD ... 01/13/2010

Joetta’s Neighborhood Newsletter January 2010 Hello, Friends & Neighbors!            As we embark upon a new year and a new decade, I find myself contemplating what to say. I know the standards I've set in the past are causing you right now to eagerly anticipate sage pearls of wisdom; carefully selected words expressed in such an articulate, heartfelt fashion with a message so touching and meaningful they'll render mental and emotional images that will make you cry (just a little). WELL...... Sorry to tell you - I got nothing!           But I do have a good excuse! I had a wonderful interruption to my ‘normal’ holiday plans, in the form of my first grandchild. Jayden James arrived on December 30, a nice little tax deduction for my daughter and her husband.  I hope your holiday season wa... 01/09/2010

Save landfill space while creating valuable mulch by recycling your Christmas trees at the end of the holiday season. The sites are only taking trees-no garlands, wreaths, or yard waste will be accepted. There are two drop off sites for your trees: City Park Maintenance Shops at 7800 W. 62nd Ave Lutz Sports Complex in the southwest parking lot off of Oak St. Both sites will accept trees through Sunday, January 24, 2010. Park Maintenance Shops will be open Monday through Friday 7:00 am-3:30 pm. and Lutz Sports Complex will be open 24/7 until January, 24. Please make sure the tree is free of nails, wire, and all decorations. For more information on the Christmas tree recycling program you may call 720-898-7410 01/08/2010

2010 Arvada Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner will be held on Friday, January 22nd 6 - 9pm at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard in Arvada. This year's theme will be INSPIRED. The Annual Dinner is the place to be in January. Tables are decorated by local businesses with lavish centerpieces and gifts for guests. Our live auction is always very entertaining. At this dinner we also recognize our 2009 Business of the Year: Sooper Credit Union. Tickets are $75 per person and we are sure to sell out again this year so please RSVP today by calling the Arvada Chamber of Commerce at 303-424-0313. Formal Attire. The Jefferson County Business Lobby (JCBL) represents four business organizations including the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. Our mission is to advocate for business with governmen... 01/08/2010

If you're getting a loan to buy your house, your lender will require an appraisal, which you will pay for. Appraisal is one of the standard contingencies on Colorado's Contract to Buy. Appraisal is one of the protections for the buyer, but it can be totally annoying, because the process is highly regulated and the 'person' who really wants to be protected is the lender. It's a business decision for the lender, and the appraiser won't have 'fallen in love' with the house like you might have. So it's one of those times when you're invested in the house emotionally and financially (if youve done the inspection), and the outcome is out of your hands.  There’s two deadlines relating to appraisal – the Appraisal Deadline and the Appraisal Objection Deadline (found on line 9 and 10 of the Cont... 01/06/2010

Who Ya Goin To Call .When you need to sell your home.....House Sellers . Who is a house seller ????? .We Realtors.. are house sellers... So when you are all alone and need to sell ....call a House Sellers Take a moment to review and see below......Who You Going To Call Im your Denver,Co Metro Denver Realtor !!!! Call ME !!!! Gary DiGiorgio The DiGiorgio Group 9035 Wadsworth pkwy 2000 Westminster.Co 80021 Direct 303 898 4279 Office 303 422 5200 fx 303 467 0211 ******************************************** 01/05/2010

Townhome in Lake Arbor Fairways    $104,900    MLS #8370726735 W. 84th Cir. #71, Arvada, CO  800031 bed, 1 Bath, 764 sq ft 2 story townhome with 1 car oversized attached garage.    All kitchen appliances included, built 1985. This home has been sold.   01/02/2010

Have you been thinking, "It may be time to sell our house and buy another one?"  Maybe the $6,500 tax credit is just enough incentive to perk up your interest? Well then -  I have an exciting new opportunity to tell you about! My broker, Gary DiGiorgio, and his team are going to put on a 1-day super home sale. Pre-qualifed, ready-to-go buyers will view your house on Saturday, February 27, 2010.*  Put your house on the market just as real estate heats up. Buyers will be on the hunt - they waited until after Christmas yet don't want to miss their tax credit. You'll receive advice about preparing your home for showing, including needed maintenance and staging, so buyers will want it. You'll be buying your next home at a time of historically low interest rates, and when home prices are stil... 12/27/2009

If you want to buy a house in Arvada Colorado between $175,000 and $225,000 you probably know it may not be easy. There's a lot of people with that same idea, hoping to cash in on the $8,000 tax credit for first time buyers, or $6,500 for next-time buyers.  So people find a house they like and write an offer, only to hear there are already several other offers. The offer that wins is the best one, not necessarily the first one. And the best one may not be the highest one. Many times, hopeful homeowners find themselves competing with cash buyers (usually investors) in this price range. And a cash buyer may waive title insurance, inspection objection, etc., to sweeten their deal. Many home buyers are finding themselves unhappily writing offers for several homes before they 'get lucky'. So... 12/24/2009

Village of Five Parks Real Estate Buyers Need To Act Now To Claim The Federal Tax Credit The federal tax credit for first-time Village of Five Parks real estate homebuyers has been expanded. It now includes homeowners who have lived in their current home for at least five years and purchase a new home. Homeowners who buy a new home in Village of Five Parks can claim a $6,500 tax credit. A tax credit is much better than a tax deduction because Village of Five Parks real estate owners who buy a home will get the entire $6,500. First-time buyers will get $8,000 from the federal government. Homeowners in Village of Five Parks who want to take advantage of this great government program need to get their Village of Five Parks real estate for sale as soon as possible and sell their house fast.... 12/23/2009

WHATTA    YA      MEAN    >>>    YOU   DIDN'T    LOCK   THE   LOAN   ??????   The look on the Realtors' face......       After the first of the year !!!! ....Tis the season to lock rates....     Gary DiGiorgio The DiGiorgio Group 9035 Wadsworth pkwy 2000 Westminster.Co 80021 Direct 303 898 4279 Office 303 422 5200 fx 303 467 0211 Gary@Di-DenverRealty.com 12/18/2009

Took a holiday break from staging for a nice family time out.  We went to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at the Arvada Center just west of Denver last night.  What a treat and what a great venue! This was our first time to the Arvada Center, having seen most of our shows at the Buell in Denver (last saw Phantom of the Opera there) but the chance to see Joseph live was not to be missed.  The Arvada Center is a great venue for live theater! And the production and acting were very professional.  Music production was very good and the singers were brillant!  This is Joseph with a few new twists on some of the songs which were very very good! Looking around the theater I didn't see a bad seat in the house, except for perhaps the outer front row seats on either extreme side... 12/16/2009

Ahh, the excitement and joy of the moment when a home buyer knows, "This is it - the house we want to buy!" You found a great lender and got pre-qualified for your loan, you found a great real estate agent and looked at houses until, finally, this moment arrived. The very first annoying thing that can happen is something you do to yourselves: Writing a lousy offer. You know you've seen enough houses to be quite educated on what's available, and what they're going for. But you've heard a million times that it's a 'buyer's market', and you want a DEAL! Now, I certainly wouldn't want any of my clients to overpay for a house. That's why I do a market analysis, so you know what a fair offer price is. If you take a look at those numbers, and want to offer much less than what other homes are g... 12/14/2009

This snapshot of the real estate market in Arvada, Colorado provides info on homes for sale, under contract, sold in the past six months, and number of days on market using information taken directly from Metrolist on December 8, 2009. I've provided a particular number called ‘absorption rate’, which many of you may be unfamiliar with. I think it's one of the most useful statistics we can be aware of.Absorption rate is an estimate of how long it would take all the houses currently on the market to sell, if no new ones were added, based on how many sold in recent months. It’s an artificial number, of course, but a good indicator of market trends. We would expect the more expensive homes to take longer to sell, but these graphs show a dramatic difference. The first-time home buyers’ tax c... 12/14/2009

    I was most interested in a presentation by Arvada's City Manager at our Kiwanis meeting. He had presented some great info on the great city of Arvada. I was amazed to learn that Arvada was founded in 1850. It all begin as a result of being the first gold hit in Colorado. Yes, Mr. Ralston dipped in his pan the now Ralston Creek on the way west..... and found gold. Mrs Wadsworth named Arvada after her brother's middle name.  The first traffic light in all of Jefferson County was installed on Wadsworth and Grandview (57th). I was also completely off guard to learn the cost of a traffic signal today is $250,000.    Hey you can buy a house for that !!!! Gary DiGiorgio The DiGiorgio Group 9035 Wadsworth pkwy 2000 Westminster.Co 80021 Direct 303 898 4279 Office 303 422 5200 fx 303 467 0211... 12/09/2009

The First Light........Jefferson County ,Colorado     I was most interested in a presentation by Arvada's City Manager at our Kiwanis meeting. He had presented some great info on the great city of Arvada. I was amazed to learn that Arvada was founded in 1850. It all begin as a result of being the first gold hit in Colorado. Yes, Mr. Ralston dipped in his pan the now Ralston Creek on the way west..... and found gold. Mrs Wadsworth named Arvada after her brother's middle name.   The first traffic light in all of Jefferson County was installed on Wadsworth and Grandview (57th). I was also completely off guard to learn the cost of a traffic signal today is $250,000.     Gary DiGiorgio The DiGiorgio Group 9035 Wadsworth pkwy 2000 Westminster.Co 80021 Direct 303 898 4279 Office 303 422 5200 f... 12/09/2009

This snapshot of the real estate market in Arvada, Colorado provides info on homes for sale, under contract, sold in the past six months, and number of days on market using information taken directly from Metrolist on December 8, 2009.  I've provided a particular number called ‘absorption rate’, which many of you may be unfamiliar with. I think it's one of the most useful statistics we can be aware of.Absorption rate is an estimate of how long it would take all the houses currently on the market to sell, if no new ones were added, based on how many sold in recent months. It’s an artificial number, of course, but a good indicator of market trends.  We would expect the more expensive homes to take longer to sell, but these graphs show a dramatic difference. The first-time home buyers’ tax... 12/09/2009

Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas in historic Arvada Colorado, without burning a lot of gas!  Start with horse-drawn carriage rides through historic Olde Town Arvada Friday nights Nov. 27 through December 18. $10 per ride, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. And of course, get some shopping done while you’re in town!              And don't miss the tree lighting in Olde Town Square (57th & Olde Wadsworth) on Monday, December 7 beginning at 6:00 pm. Visit Santa, free horse-drawn carriage rides, enjoy hot chocolate, listen to carolers. This is Lagniappe, a gift from Olde Town merchants.            And during Lagniappe, you can see the old Flour Mill at 5590 Wadsworth Blvd. Say 'Hi' to members of the Arvada Historical Society, and check out the donated Christmas items they have for sale. 5 to 7 pm Monday... 12/05/2009