The good news. The Tax Credit frenzy generated 125 homes to go under contract in the Evergreen & Conifer Colorado Real Estate Market in the past 45 days ending April 30. In 2009, that period had only 77 U/C. This frenzy eliminated 17% of the inventory and helped increase sales by 63% in just a short amount of time! Year to date stats show an increase in home sales of 24% compared to the same period in 2009.  I am optimistic that 2010 will be a banner year for da Vinci Realty and the Evergreen Conifer Colorado area.  05/07/2010

April was a very busy month for me.  Besides 1 closing and 2 clients going under contract, on the last day of the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit (April 30), I negotiated 2 contracts (1 with competing offers) successfully.  This month I'll close 4 deals just before the Summer rush. I believe 2010 will be a great year for real estate in Evergreen and surrounding foothill communities in Colorado. 05/04/2010

Three Sisters Trail RaceEvergreen, Colorado Date & Time Saturday, June 12, 2010, 8:00 AM Address Alderfer/Three Sisters Open Space Park Parking Area Located 1.5 Miles West on Buffalo Park Rd off of Highway 73.Evergreen, Colorado Fees$30 In Advance or $35 Race Day Registration Closing Date Friday, June 11, 2010, 8:00 AM Description Runners will explore the scenery of Three Sisters Open Space Park as they race to up and over the rock outcroppings that give the park its name. Additional Information and Registration Get out there and run. Running Event Information Provided By: J. David Lampe, REALTOR® Broker Associate Denver Real Estate Group 303.550.8563 WebSavvyRealEstate.com I'm an avid runner and regularly participate in races. If you're in the Denver Metro area and would like to go fo... 05/03/2010

Mortgage Rates Market Update by RJ Baxter First Mortgage Corp Evergreen, Colorado Mortgage Rates improved last week due to several key factors.  Note the bond chart below and Friday's close at the highest level we have seen for over a month, above the 200-day moving average, an important level of resistance currently. One of the biggest factors for Mortgage Rates last week was the FOMC meeting and policy statement on Tuesday and Wednesday.  The world watched as the Fed kept their verbiage essentially the same and stated that rates would remain unchanged "for an extended period" and that inflation remains subdued.  These announcements were good for rates as inflation is the enemy of Mortgage Rates, driving rates up, so the Fed stating that inflation is not a concern caused a rally mid-we... 05/03/2010

Mortgage Rates in Evergreen, CO - Market Update from RJ Baxter First Mortgage Corp Rates had a volatile week last week but are faring well so far today.  This week will be action-packed.  Rates will likely be driven by the Greece crisis and an excessive amount of bond supply that is hitting the market.  The government continues to auction large volumes of debt in order to fund the stimulus programs. In economic news, the FOMC is meeting this week and will release their policy statement on Wednesday.  Consumer confidence is due out on Tuesday and GDP on Friday. View my video market update below for all the details!   04/26/2010

Mortgage Rates in Evergreen CO - Market Update by RJ Baxter First Mortgage Corp 4-19-2010 Mortgage Rates improved last week and rallied on Friday on news of Goldman Sachs fraud allegations.  Strange week of economic data last week.  While retail sales improved, housing appears to be struggling despite the waning weeks of the home buyer tax credit.  New homes sales are down, but housing starts are up 20% since last year at this time.  Add to the poor housing data a higher than expected jobless claims number, and bonds liked the news, sending mortgage rates lower even before the Goldman Sachs announcement on Friday.. This week is a light week with one of the only important releases being PPI data later in the week.  The markets and mortgage rates will likely take direction from the Goldma... 04/19/2010

Refinancing Your Home Loan - Is Now the Right Time?  by RJ Baxter First Mortgage Corp Evergreen Colorado Mortgage rates have been low for quite some time, and despite several spikes upward, they always seem to come back down.  Because of  this, every day people ask me if it's the right time for Refinancing Your Home Loan.  Should you wait for rates to get lower, or jump in and get it done at the historically low rates we have been seeing lately? There are many signs that rates will be going up in the near future.  Refinancing Your Home Loan now, in my opinion, is the prudent thing to do.  It's not like 5% on a 30 year fixed mortgage is a bad rate, and the possibility of rates going much lower is slim. Here are 4 reasons why now is the time for Refinancing Your Home Loan and why rates ar... 04/16/2010

Hiwan Clubhouse Courts Condos Hiwan Golf Club is know for it's beautiful fairways and meticulously maintained greens.  And just a stone's throw from the Hiwan Clubhouse and driving range are 8 homes, 4 attached homes (like a duplex) and 4 detached homes.  These are high quality townhome style condominiums on Hearth Drive in Hiwan. As such they are frequently confused with the Hiwan Hearth Condominiums.  However condos in Hiwan Clubhouse Courts are in a unique and dramatic setting since they are at the very end of the culdesac of So. Hearth Drive and almost completely surrounded by the Hiwan golf course and the driving range.   There are only 8 Hiwan Clubhouse Courts homes.  All of which were built in 1979.  Another unique feature of this community, beyond being in an excellent location... 04/15/2010

RJ Baxter First Mortgage Corp Evergreen Colorado - Product Updates Here are a few product updates from RJ Baxter First Mortgage Corp: 95% Conventional Financing in CA:  That's right, underwriting standards appear to be loosening up and 95% financing is now available in California.  RJ Baxter First Mortgage Corp is a credit union subsidiary, so we have access to this financing in California. First time Home Buyer Tax Credit:  You must be under contract by April 30th in order to qualify for the Home Buyer Tax Credit.  Talk to RJ Baxter First Mortgage Corp about getting pre-approved. USDA Rural Housing Loans:  Government still has not provided funding for this important program, so it looks like it will expire at the end of this month.  RJ Baxter First Mortgage Corp still has USDA options ... 04/14/2010

The Range at Hiwan is a beautiful community nestled in the trees and within a few seconds of Hiwan Golf Club and it's driving range.  These are some beautiful homes on roughly 1/3 to just over a half acre of tall pine trees and well landscaped lawns.  There are 12 homes on this sought after real estate.  Most were built in the early nineties and are of above average condition and style. The Range is located between Hiwan Hearth Condos, The Clubhouse Courts Condos and The Hiwan Golf Club.  Learn more about these fine homes and search at: The Range At Hiwan. The Range is very close to the highly acclaimed Bergen Valley Elementary school and Evergreen Middle School as well as all of the amenities of Bergen Park like the Buchanon Rec Center and the Blue Quill Angler-- Evergreen's premier fl... 04/13/2010

Mortgage Rates in Evergreen Colorado - Market Update 4-12-2010 After a scary few days after the end of the Fed's MBS purchase program, Mortgage Rates rallied late last week, to end the week vastly improved over where we closed opened on Monday. Much of the improvement in Mortgage Rates came as a result of commentary from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday as he stated inflation remains subdued and he has his concerns about the labor market.  Bottom line is that without a marked improvement in unemployment, the economy will not turn around any time soon.  Bad economy = low Mortgage Rates. As you can see from the chart on the left, unemployment remains high, but off the highs of October 2009 when it peaked at the highest level since 1983 at 10.1%.  However, 9.7% is not too... 04/12/2010

What is a Bond Coupon Rollover? The Bond Coupon Rollover is an event that happens every month at which time the current month's coupon is closed out and any new loans are placed with next month's coupon.  On Friday, the monthly Bond Coupon Rollover happened, and we saw the price of bonds drop by almost 40 bps.  However, despite this, there was no effect on mortgage rates because this was a paper drop in bond prices.  One way to help understand this is to think of each month's issuance in terms of the time they mature.  A 30 year bond will mature in 360 months.  These loans for the current previous month are packaged and sold to investors.  Because new investors who are jumping into the market with new loans today effectively have 30 days from now to write loans on this months coupon, th... 04/12/2010

Affordable Neighborhoods in North Evergreen CO Looking for Affordable Neighborhoods in North Evergreen?  This might seem to be an impossible task, and affordable is a matter of your perspective, but it is not impossible to live in the area and still stay within your budget. Although there are many high priced neighborhoods in Evergreen such as Hiwan, if you are patient and look carefully at homes in these Affordable Neighborhoods, you will eventually find a great home that you can afford on the north side of the stoplight. Hiwan Hills:  This is one of my favorite Affordable Neighborhoods in North Evergreen because the location is excellent, only a mile or two from downtown and Evergreen Parkway, with views from many of the lots.  It is possible  to find great buys in Hiwan Hills in the ... 04/09/2010

Wah Keeney Park in Evergreen has a variety of homes for sale right now and is shaping up as a hotspot for affordable homes in the Evergreen Real Estate market. I recently closed a short sale in Wah Keeny Park that was in excellent condition and right around the $200k range. Wah Keeny Park in Evergreen is in North Evergreen just East of Evergreen Parkway (Highway 74) and offers homes and condos starting in the low $100's and up through the $200's. It provides a quick commute to Denver as well as fast access to skiing via I-70. The Elk Meadows Open space is very close to the west as are a variety of amenities like the Safeway, schools in Hiwan and the new Walgreens. Adjacent and to the South of Wah Keeney Park is El Pinal, home to the Evergreen Rodeo! I've written more about these communi... 04/05/2010

Affordable Homes in North Evergreen Colorado Are you wanting to live in North Evergreen but think you can't afford it?  Think again!  There are Affordable Homes in North Evergreen.  It's just a matter of being patient and working with a great Realtor who is also patient and knows what you are looking for. North Evergreen is the most coveted area of the Evergreen/Conifer corridor because of the easy access to Evergreen Parkway.  The infamous 3-way stop light in downtown, and the traffic jams that build up there, can be avoided by living in North Evergreen. But the location comes at a price.  The typical home in North Evergreen is priced well above a comparable home in South Evergreen or Conifer.  Finding Affordable Homes in North Evergreen can be difficult. So, to help you out, here are ... 04/05/2010

Buying a little cabin in the mountains has been a dream for many over the years and the Evergreen Real Estate market has some great options to help make that dream come true.  With our history of being a getaway for writers, artists and the Denver elite of the distant past there are a wide variety of locations, styles and conditions of small cabins.   According to our local MLS (Metrolist), In the last three years there have been thirteen one bedroom, one bath cabins sold in Evergreen with an average price per square foot of $166/foot.   However, I strongly encourage you to resist the temptation to rely on averages.  For example the range of sales prices for these cabins was from $22,500.00 (!) up to $185,000.  So while the average price was a little over $100k, that average does not in... 04/05/2010

Homes in Evergreen West, Evergreen Colorado Homes in Evergreen West represent some of the best value in the North Evergreen area.  Not only will you enjoy easy access to one of the highest rated elementary schools in the state, King Murphy Elementary, but you will enjoy great scenery and friendly neighbors. The community sits west of Evergreen Parkway, with most of the Homes in Evergreen West sitting on or near Witter Gulch Road or Stagecoach Blvd.  Much of the neighborhood sits in Clear Creek County, representing lower taxes and access to King Murphy Elementary.  King Murphy has consistently rated at or near the top of all elementary schools in the state and sits in an idyllic setting among the pines and hills in the area.  With a location a little farther from amenities and Denver acc... 04/05/2010

Mortgage Rates in Evergreen Colorado - Market Update April 5, 2010 Mortgage Rates got hammered last week, moving sharply higher on positive economic data and the best jobs report in quite a long time. Also weighing heavily on rates was the fact that the Fed exited their mortgage-backed security purchase program on Wednesday, meaning there will now be less demand for mortgage-backed treasuries, and also more volatility in the market without the Fed safety net in place. The downward trend in bond prices (upward trend in Mortgage Rates) continued this morning on strong housing data, and it is difficult to tell right now where or when this trend will stop. Take a look at the bond chart to the left.  The green lines are "support" lines and the red lines are "resistance."  This means that it ... 04/05/2010

Homes in Troutdale Evergreen Colorado With one of the best locations in North Evergreen, Homes in Troutdale provide all the best that Evergreen has to offer. Many of the Homes in Troutdaleback to the Dedisse Park, an expanse of open space with wonderful trails leading to and around Evergreen Lake.  This excellent location makes for a short walk or bike ride to central Evergreen events, the golf course, and Evergreen Lake. There are not many Homes in Troutdale.  The area is a smaller community with newer homes and only a couple streets in the entire neighborhood.  The prime location was originally a vacation retreat that was first built in 1920 for the vacationing Denver elite.  The glamorous Troutdale-in-the-Pines consisted of about 500 cabins and offered a resort-like setting to it's v... 04/04/2010

Homes in Bear Mountain Evergreen CO The name Bear Mountain conjures up images of the wild frontier and roughing it in the mountains, but the reality is that Bear Mountain offers one of the best South Evergreen locations with easy access to Denver and proximity to downtown Evergreen. One of the best things about Homes in Bear Mountain is that views are to be had from almost every location.  On the Evergreen side are panoramic views of Mount Evans and Evergreen Lake, and on the other side are views of the city lights of Denver.  Downtown Evergreen is just a short jaunt down Little Cub Creek Road, with easy access to Evergreen Lake and other central Evergreen events.  The close proximity of Evergreen High School and the library are also nice things about the location of Homes in Bear Mount... 04/02/2010