2010 Kyffin Cougar Tracks Date & Time Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 8:00 AM Address Kyffin Elementary School 205 Flora WayGolden, Colorado FeesStudent - $15 Adult - $20 Family of four - $65 Registration Closing Date Thursday, May 13, 2010 Description2nd Annual Kyffin Elementary 5K Cougar Tracks. Join us for a fun family event to raise money for the Kyffin PTA Technology Fund which will provide much needed equipment to our students and teachers. A 1K Cougar Chase for kids will start at 8:30am followed by the 5K Fun Run at 9:00am. Kids are welcome to participate in the 5K run. Join us after the race for music, food, vendor booths and fun! Kids participating in the Cougar Chase will need to register as students ($15), but kids are encouraged to do the 5K run with their families! Additional Infor... 03/03/2010

Fairmount 5000 Date & Time Sunday, May 02, 2010 @ 8:00 AM Address Fairmount Park 5222 Quaker StreetGolden, Colorado Fees$25.00 Adult (18 & up), $15.00 Students (K to 12th) Registration Closing Date Thursday, April 29, 2010 @ 11:59 PM DescriptionWelcome to the 5th annual running of the Fairmount 5000. This event is hosted by the Fairmount Elementary PTA and is designed for competitive runners and recreational runners and walkers of all ages. Racers begin at scenic Fairmount Park and race through Coors Technology Center. 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 active runner and regularly participate in races. If you're... 02/24/2010

Genesee Real Estate Market Report, Golden, Colorado Genesee in Golden, Colorado is a great neighborhood in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just west of Denver. Genesee is a neighborhood of mountain homes with lots of open space. Genesee is a very family friendly neighborhood. There are many  trails for biking, hiking and running. There are two community centers with workout facilities and swimming pools. Genesee is just a short drive from Golden and an easy commute to downtown Denver. If you're looking for a neighborhood in the foothills with great views and amenities, Genesee is the neighborhood for you! Genesee real estate sales are a little slow right now due to the time of year. Also, homes priced above $350,000 in the Denver area are not selling as fast as lower priced homes. ... 02/19/2010

Genesee Real Estate Buyers Must Act Now To Claim The Federal Tax Credit The federal tax credit for first-time Genesee 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 Genesee can claim a $6,500 tax credit. A tax credit is much better than a tax deduction because Genesee 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 Genesee who want to take advantage of this great government program need to get their Genesee real estate for sale as soon as possible and sell their house fast. They need to get their current home sold and get under contract to purchase their new ... 12/23/2009

Interesting.... a person's financial position can be traced to their Check book...what they are spending money on. So ...Today ..on " BLK Friday....did you go buy a TV which will be worth nothing in twenty years..or did you go look at a home to invest in.....that will be double in value...in twenty years !!!!   Below is a little twist..to the Night before Christmas..               Twas the Month before Christmas.......By Gary D   Twas the month before Christmas, when a few scurries around like a mouse. A few smart shoppers , were looking at a house The stock market drop.... had made them move their cash with care In the hopes that St James place, who soon be theirs.   Their Children were choosing which room for their bed While dads' visions of a great interest rate danced, in his head A... 11/27/2009

Listen to the tunes of : ("Sunrise -Sunset") OR (Some Buy-Some Don't) Buy today... Don't snooze and loose The old phase..buy low --sell high, is more realistic then ever. Homes are at a low today. Buy Today...Sell in 5 years...you 'll be glad YOU did !!! Please scroll down to the video, click to start Please scroll back up to the new words Some Buy - Some Dont"t ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Is this the little home we looked at? Is this little home under contract ? I don't remember growing older When did they? This little home was a beauty? When did it go under contract? Wasn't it yesterday Wished I hadn't drop the ball? Some buy, some don't Some buy, some don't Swiftly flow the days Homes turn under contract for sellers Low interest rates eve... 11/12/2009

Tis the season to be ...investing in the future..buy now..you ll be gald u DID !!!, Please scroll down to get the beat Then scroll back up to sing somethin neat. Cause I have a buyer -------------------------- Cause I have a buyer. I show em the morning I show em in... the evening All over.. this find land.. Id write out on strangers Id write out a welcome Id write out love between my buyers and my sellers All over this fine land !!!... Cause I have a listing I sell it in the morning I sell it in the evening All over.... this fine land Id write out on strangers Id write out a welcome Id write out of love between my buyers and my sellers All over this fine land !!!... Cause I do have a contract Id write em ...in the morning Id write em.. in the evening All over ..with my bears hand Id wr... 11/10/2009

Remember the wonderful song "Downtown" Where we could forget all our problems, forget all our cares... Well that was yesterday...today is today...when you need to forget all your problems Forget all your cares ....you can go ...."On Line "... So just scroll down and click on the video to listen to the gentle song Then scroll back up the and sing along to this re write below "On Line" When you're house hunting and wishing you had a home You can always go .....on line.. When you've got tax problems, all the toys and the furry Seems to help,..... you know...on line Just listen to music of your fingers on the keyboard Linger on my web site where the newest homes are pretty How can you lose ?? The screen is much clearer there You can forget all your tax problems, forget all your credit cards... 11/05/2009

In a continuing effort to boost the economy by jumpstarting real estate sales by first time home buyers, Congress recently enacted a bigger and better tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after Jan. 1, 2009 and before Dec. 1, 2009. A tax credit is significantly better than a tax deduction since it is a direct reduction in the amount of taxes owed.  This typically results in a huge tax refund!  Or if you alter your tax withholdings-- you will net considerably more from each paycheck.   The tax credit is for first time home buyers only.  DON'T RULE YOURSELF OUT if you have previously owned a home.  The law defines a first time buyer as one who has not owned a principal residence in the previous 3 years-a rental home or vaca... 03/02/2009

The Orton Family Foundation is changing the way communities approach land planning, and they're doing it with heart and soul.   Founded in 1995 by Noel Fritzinger of Weston, Vermont and Lyman Orton, proprietor of mail- order business The Vermont Country Store, the foundation helps small cities and towns look with more than hope to the future. Citizens and their leaders are given tools, research, guidance and capital. The idea is to promote inclusive decision making and land use planning by getting people to talk about what's important to them in their communities. The essence of this process, and this is where the heart and soul conversation takes center stage, is to ask three questions of every person in the community and the community as a whole:   Why did you come here?   Why are you... 01/03/2009

Loan Considerations for Buy and Hold InvestorsAs far as investment loans, little or no money down loans are impossible.  However, lenders do permit the use of Home Equity Lines of Credit or second mortgages from other properties owned by the borrower as a source of down payment.  Or, self-employed borrowers are using funds from business lines of credit to fund down payments or renovations (please note: there are asset seasoning guidelines for doing so and the debt incurred by accessing other credit lines must be accounted for against the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio). Thus, we have clients leveraging themselves with other homes they own in order to get in with little or nothing down.  There are exceptions, but practically every lender requires Full Income Documentation on any investm... 12/16/2008

Loan Considerations for Fix & Flip / Short-Term InvestorsSecuring conventional financing on a fix & flip or short-term loan is not recommended.  Most conventional lenders sell off their mortgages to investors on the secondary market.  If the loan is paid off early (before six payments are made), the investor has not recovered their initial investment.  The investor will attempt to recover their loss from the lender, who will ultimately come after the loan originator.  The loan originator would then be obligated to pay back any premium paid out by the lender.  If such activity becomes habitual with the loan officer, the lender can cease doing business with them and their firm.Furthermore, conventional loans require conventional appraisals.  The lender will require that the home is a) hab... 12/16/2008

Loan Considerations for Jumbo MortgagesFor the Greater Metro Denver area, any loan amount greater than $417,000 is considered a jumbo loan.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac assign different thresholds for various regions across the country.  For instance, $417,000 is not considered a jumbo loan in a high cost city like San Francisco, yet there will still be higher rates for going above $417K.  Due to the size of jumbo loans, they are considered greater risk for lenders, resulting in higher rates.  Rates have fluctuated greatly over the past few years on jumbos.  As of today, a 30 year fixed could range from 7% - 8%; a full point higher than the prime rate below a loan amount of $417,000.  Five year ARMs are popular on jumbo loans, as they typically price out a half point lower than fixed pro... 12/16/2008

Loan Considerations for Loan Amounts Between $200K - $417KWith all the doom and gloom publications that are mostly exaggerated, many potential borrowers believe that home mortgage lending options have dried up.  While underwriters and investors are scrutinizing files more closely, attractive rates and terms still exist for owner occupied purchasers seeking a conforming loan limit (under $417,000).  FHA and VA can still lend up to 100% LTV and conventional permits up to 97% LTV.  There are certain guidelines to meet when going to these high LTVs, but they are not impossible to surmount.Every home buyer should first ask themselves what payment they feel comfortable in committing to on a monthly basis.  Too many buyers over-extended themselves in recent years on homes they simply could not... 12/16/2008

FHA First-Time Buyer Tax CreditIn an effort to boost the sagging real estate market and overall economy, first-time home buyers are being offered a limited time tax credit when purchasing a primary residence.  The highlights of the tax credit are:•    The tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only. •    The maximum credit amount is $7,500. •    The credit is available for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and beforeJuly 1, 2009. •    Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit. •    The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must be repaid over a 15-year period. Due to the volume of questions that can be generated with the above, I would recommend clicking on the below link for ... 12/16/2008

Loan considerations for a first time buyerLending guidelines are changing on a daily basis for every type of loan: conventional, FHA, VA & commercial.  Nevertheless, there are still very attractive first-time home buyer options available.   If you are or will be a first-time buyer, it is critical to speak with a loan officer before looking at homes.  It is a crushing feeling to view a home, picture making it your own and then find out that you cannot qualify to purchase it.  A loan officer will pull credit, analyze debt-to-income ratios, review assets and income and determine what you can afford.  Presuming a pre-qualification occurs, the loan officer will then be able to provide an array of loan options.  Presently, FHA loans are the predominant loan for first-time home buyers as they ... 12/16/2008

How can you improve your FICO score?To improve one’s credit score, it’s critical to understand the factors influencing a credit score.  The factors that contribute to a FICO score and the weighted percentages for each are as follows:•    35% — timeliness of payments •    30% — the ratio of used debt to allowable debt for consumer credit •    15% — length of credit history (the more credit history and showing proof of consistent timely payment, the better the score) •    10% — types of credit used  •    10% — recent credit inquiries and recent new credit The greatest driver behind a score is making timely payments on all accounts.  Scores will be adversely affected for any payment that is 30 days late or more.  Being late on a mortgage payment will not only crush one’s score, but will al... 12/16/2008

How does your FICO score impact your interest rate on your loan?Low credit scores are deemed greater risk for lenders since the likelihood for defaulting on the loan increases.  As such, lower FICO scores translate into higher interest rates.  Mortgage lenders will group credit scores in a range, usually in 20 or 40 point increments, with interest rates progressively getting better for each higher interval.  For example, a borrower with a middle credit score between 660 – 680 will have a higher interest rate (presuming all other variables being equal) compared to one with a 680 – 700 score.  Typically, when a borrower has a 750+ credit, they will be able to secure the best possible rate, assuming their income, assets, collateral and down payment are acceptable.For qualifying, underwrite... 12/16/2008

What is a FICO score?FICO stands for Fair Isaac Corporation, a company that created the most used credit scoring model in the United States.  An individual’s credit score is calculated through a statistical algorithm and is used as a factor in determining the likelihood of a borrower defaulting on a loan.  FICO scores are generally used for obtaining mortgages, car loans or consumer credit.  The scores are provided from the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and Transunion.  Typically, there is a variance amongst the scores since each agency has a slightly different scoring formula.  FICO scores range from 300 – 850, with higher scores being considered less risky.  For mortgage lending purposes, any score over a 680 is considered good and above a 750 is considered ... 12/16/2008

There are some signs of strengthening in our Denver market.  The metro area's inventory of available resale housing decreased 20% to 23,120 units in October from October 2007.  Some of this reduced inventory is attributed to homeowners taking their properties off the market in frustration because their property is not selling, but lower inventory implies a strengthening market.  Remember, the Denver area had housing inventory of 31,989 units in July 2006. Home sales rose 14% to 4,265 in September compared to the same month last year.  This is due almost entirely to the lower-end of the market (under $180K) selling like hotcakes. October's median selling price for single-family homes decreased 12% to $206,000 from the same month of '07, and was down 4.7% from September's median of $216,1... 12/16/2008