I follow a blog from a disgruntled home buyer in the Denver area.  This person bought a home, used a Realtor, and is VERY unhappy with the results.
If what is written is true, there would appear to be some shiftiness on their broker’s side, but no huge problems uncommon with home ownership.  The major issues are that there seems to be a whole lot of repairs and maintenance items that these buyers were unaware of and unprepared for.
I follow this blog for the simple reason of training my agents …

A large majority of today’s buyers start their home search on the internet.  What does that mean to you? It means the first impression buyers get of your home could be photos posted online. And, they need to be pretty darn good to make your home stand out.
Would it be safe to say that if the home looks good in person, it will also look good in photos? There are a few things to remember to make the photos of your home the best they can be.
So, if …

With all the turmoil in the financial and real estate markets, I am constantly striving to provide up to date information and data on what is REALLY going on in the Denver Market.
I’ve found a couple of sources of live, dynamic information that I will provide to you.  I have a new “Market Research” tab on the Top navigation bar.  Click here to see charts that are automatically updated with the latest data available.
Real Estate is local, and without local facts and figures it is easy to get the wrong …

In Colorado, it is not a requirement to disclose the knowledge of registered sex offenders near any property for sale. It is the buyers responsibility to do the research and determine if the location of the property is acceptable to them.
So here is a great website to check out who may be living nearby.
http://sor.state.co.us

This is the BEST article I’ve read about the recent demise of some of this countries largest financial institutions.  It is so well researched and written that anything I may add would only detract.  So here it is, in it’s entirety.  Thanks and credit go to Jeff Corbett with Agent Genius!

September 16th, 2008

Black Monday
Black Monday: The end of the financial world as we know it….
If you watch any of the financial TV shows one would think that we are on the verge of an epic economic implosion… Well, the world …

When you put your home on the market, you are selling more than the physical structure.  Think of it as selling a lifestyle.  This is why preparing your home is so important.  As buyers walk through your home, they are trying to imagine themselves living there.  A savvy seller will help them along the way!
Here are some suggestions to get you started:
One of the ways is to set the dining room table.  The china doesn’t come with the house, so why would you do it?  Because buyers want to …

Major Points

Fannie and Freddie have been placed in conservatorship. (Federal government has taken 79.9 percent of common stock and all dividends in return for buying $1 billion of preferred shares.)  Top Fannie/Freddie executives have been replaced.)  In return, the Treasury will receive new senior preferred stock and warrants on the GSE’s (Government Sponsored Entitites) common stock.

Treasury Department says both are open for business with no major changes in operations.

Fannie/Freddie can grow their guaranteed mortgage book with no limits and grow their retained portfolios with limits. Ultimately, the government plans to …

The number of homes on the market, in the Denver, area plunged by 20 percent in August from a year earlier, the largest percentage drop in five years.
According to data from Metrolist, there were 24,648 unsold homes on the market last month, compared with 30,827 in August 2007.
This is very good news and reflects what we’ve been seeing also.  Home choices are not what they were 6 months ago.  However, there are still many options for those looking to buy right now.
Year to Year pricing is way down for August.  …

We’ve been getting many questions on the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac seizures by the U.S. Government.  Here is some information to help get your arms around the situation.

This from the Wall Street Journal
U.S. Seizes Mortgage Giants
Government Ousts CEOs of Fannie, Freddie;
Promises Up to $200 Billion in Capital
By JAMES R. HAGERTY, RUTH SIMON and DAMIAN PALETTA
September 8, 2008 11:31 a.m.

In its most dramatic market intervention in years, the U.S. government seized two of the nation’s largest financial companies, taking direct responsibility for firms that provide funding for around three-quarters of new home …