Here are current mortgage rates for the Denver Metropolitan area. These rates change constantly, so they are subject to change. I will post new rate information if these figures increase, or decrease dramatically.
Conventional 30 year fixed: 6.25% up from 5.875% last week
FHA/VA 30 year fixed: 6.125 up from 5.875% last week
5 year interest only ARM: 5.5% up from 5.375% last week
Jumbo 30 year Fixed: 8.125% (OUCH!)
We actually have some news this week. Mortgage Bonds have made a decisive cross below the 200 day moving average, which is a …

photo credit: cioproject
I’m witnessing an interesting trend. Investment property opportunities are much tougher to come by than only a couple months ago!
Earlier this year, we were finding 2-3 properties per week that would meet our “Great Deal” or “Wholesale” criteria. That is, a property available for purchase at a price that was at least 20% below pre-2005 values.
Its been over 3 weeks since one of these deals has surfaced. Additionally, HUD owned home are tougher to find. For example, there are only 2 …

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have just settled a drawn out and expensive legal battle.  The result isn’t what’s news worthy.  The reason being is that is was pretty much a big waste of money.
The lawsuit brought by the DOJ was initially done so to force the NAR to allow greater access of listing content on the internet.  They somehow thought the NAR was limiting competition by withholding listing data from “Online” brokers.  Well as things have it, competition and technology kind of …

Preparing your home to sell can certainly be a daunting task, and most sellers don’t know where to start. I suggest you start where your buyers will start, with a first impression. It’s difficult to be objective about your own home, but there are some tricks you can try.
Jump in your car, and drive to an entrance to your neighborhood. Try to imagine that you are buyers considering purchasing a home there. Drive through the neighborhood, and take note of the conditions of all the …

photo credit: EverySpoon
Here are current mortgage rates for the Denver Metropolitan area. These rates change constantly, so they are subject to change. I will post new rate information if these figures increase, or decrease dramatically.
Conventional 30 year fixed: 5.875%
FHA 30 year fixed: 5.75%
VA 30 year fixed: 5.75%
5 year interest only ARM: 5.375%
Jumbo 30 year fixed:  7.875%
Jumbo 5/1 ARM 5.5%
Rates for Government programs (FHA & VA) have improved slightly over last week.  Conventional and Jumbo products have remained about the same.  There are fears from inflation that may move rates …

The Inspection and Financing
We have a contract! Don’t Panic! Now, what is it REALLY going to cost us and what kind of shape is it REALLY in. This is where we find out how much we REALLY want a new home.
Like any smart home-buyer, we were pre-approved for financing and had a couple of options on how to structure the possible loan. Now that the property & price are identified the real numbers come into play. As a Buyer, comparing GFE’s (Good Faith …

Here are current mortgage rates for the Denver Metropolitan area. These rates change constantly, so they are subject to change. I will post new rate information if these figures increase, or decrease dramatically.
Conventional 30 year fixed: 5.875%
FHA 30 year fixed: 5.875%
VA 30 year fixed: 5.875%
5 year interest only ARM: 5.375%
Jumbo 5/1 ARM 5.5%
You’ll notice the market is not wanting to play on adjustable rate mortgages, and they are making sure to get a premium for the Jumbo loan programs. But the market is loosening up a bit for …

The rate of foreclosures seems to be linked to a little bit of Mortgage Fraud. Well, I’ll be darned. Who’d of thunk it?
Colorado has ranked in the Top 10 (or bottom 10, depending on your level of cynacism) for foreclosures during many of the past 5 years. Not coincidentally, the Centennial State has been in the Top 10 for Mortgage Fraud, over much of the same time.
Why is this? Maybe Colorado is full of dishonest people, home of the swindler? No, the real truth …

Click here to view Part 1
We have found the property! After months (years?) of looking at properties and neighborhoods we have identified a nice little home that fits the bill for our current real estate needs. Like most young couples we have approached the purchase of a home as a long term decision because “we are going to live here a very long time.” The Realtor® in me knows we are likely to move, and purchase, again within the next few years, along with the rest of …

There are a number of key factors to consider when investing in Real Estate.  One of the most important for the long term thinkers, those who are buying with the intent to hold for a few years (3-5 minimum) is vacancy rates.  Vacancy rate is the percentage of units that are empty.
No one wants the cash flow pimp of an empty unit!  Cash flow is king,  and if the market is saturated with available units, it means the owner/investor will have to eat a monthly payment, or reduce the rent …