COMMUNITY WIDE GARAGE SALE!

Time to find your next treasure!

Bannockburn is having their annual community garage sale this weekend, Friday-Sunday, August 22-24.

From Hwy 86 and Hwy 83, go east on Hwy 86, about 3.5 miles, turn north on Deerpath Road, and follow all the signs.

Have fun!

Colorado Parade of Ponds Celebrates Milestone

Summer Charity Event Hits Decade Mark – Is One of Country’s Biggest Tours

 Franktown, CO, March 1, 2008:  The 10th Anniversary Colorado Parade of Ponds tour is set for August 23-24, 2008 and will feature 50 spectacular ponds – including 25 new ones – throughout the Denver metro area.  This self-guided pond tour is expected to draw thousands of visitors and is the nation’s fifth largest.

The tour also serves as an annual charity fundraiser with ticket sale proceeds going to a variety of organizations such as: Children’s Hospital, Denver Botanic Gardens, American Cancer Society, Hudson Gardens and many more.

Tickets go on sale July 1st with “Early Bird” prices of $10 each.  In August tickets are $15 each.  Children 15 and under are free.  A bus tour is available Saturday only.  Box lunch will be served.  Bus tickets are $20.

Contact Kelly Perkins at 303-660-5015 or Kelly@brdlandscape.com for more information.

Preview Day Friday, August 22, 2008 4:00 PM-8:00 PM

This gives participating homeowners the opportunity to see other ponds prior to the weekend’s main event. 

It is also the chance for media to take pictures or video if they choose to do a feature story.

 

A

2

5945 Easley Road

Golden

 

C

21

4027 South Wisteria Way

Denver

A

11

3064 South Holland Court

Lakewood

 

C

22

4940 South Clinton Street

Greenwood Village

A

14

12095 West Bowles Place

Littleton

 

C

27

6015 South Lewiston Court

Centennial

A

25

7215 South Parfet Street

Littleton

 

D

21

207 North Rocky Cliff Trail

Franktown ***

A

29

6659 Yukon Street

Littleton

 

D

22

27 Rocky Cliff Road

Elizabeth

A

30

6517 South Teller Court

Littleton

 

D

25

41451 Fairfield Circle

Parker

A

33

7284 West Otero Ave

Littleton

 

D

30

33250 County Road 21

Elizabeth

A

46

4800 West Evans Avenue

Denver

 

D

31

4753 County Road 128

Elizabeth

B

1

1429 South Broadway

Denver

 

E

7

6208 Hay Meadow Way

Sedalia

B

5

3078 South Vine Street

Denver

 

E

17

192 W. Surrey Drive

Castle Rock

B

26

5650 South Grape Court

Greenwood Village

 

E

18

1170 Berganot Trail

Castle Rock

B

27

5535 S. Forest Lane

Greenwood Village

 

E

19

1154 Berganot Trail

Castle Rock

B

32

5440 Nassau Circle East

Englewood

 

E

21

956 Berganot Trail

Castle Rock

C

2

1701 South Ivy Street

Denver

 

F

2

6565 Serengeti Circle

Littleton

C

11

63 South Fairfax Street

Denver

 

F

15

9156 Sugarstone Circle

Highlands Ranch

C

14

952 South Kittredge Way

Aurora

 

F

18

2558 Pemberly Avenue

Highlands Ranch

C

18

8803 East Dartmouth Ave.

Denver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please do not ask to enter any home on the tour.  Your cooperation is appreciated.  Thank you.

 

 

This year’s ticket sellers are:

·         Hudson Gardens – 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton

·         Arapahoe Acres Nursery & Garden Center – 9010 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton

·         Denver Botanic Gardens – 1005 York Street, Denver

·         Big Tool Box/Highlands Garden Center – 8080 South Holly Street, Littleton

·         True Pump & Equipment – 1429 South Broadway, Denver (pond and bus tickets available here)

·         Tagawa Garden Center & Florist – 7711 South Parker Road, Aurora

·         Nick’s Garden Center – 2001 South Chambers Road, Aurora

·         Paradise Ponds – 213 Washington Street, Monument

·         Timberline Gardens – 11700 West 58th Avenue, Arvada

·         Enery Water Gardens – 7601 Indiana Street, Arvada

 

Hudson Gardens and Denver Botanic Gardens are also selling tickets online.  Go to www.ColoradoParadeOfPonds.com and follow the links.

Hang on! There is some relief-Home Owners Relief Bill

This week offered some exciting news including oil prices per barrel dropping and a home owner’s relief bill that has passed in the house, and is being worked on in the senate and will be signed by the president. This 3.9 billion bill, would provide more affordable mortgages to troubled homeowners, give nearly $4 billion in grants to help communities fix up foreclosed properties, gives a $7,500 tax credit for first-time homebuyers (with certain qualifications), and gives people who don’t itemize their taxes to claim a $500-$1,000 deduction on their 2008 property taxes if they have paid off their homes and can’t claim a deduction for mortgage interest.

The bill also sets a cap of $625,000 on the loans that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may buy and the FHA may insure, lets them buy and back mortgages up to 15 percent above the median home price in certain areas, and gives the Treasury Department the power to extend the government-sponsored mortgage companies an unlimited line of credit and buy an unspecified amount of their stock, if necessary, to prop up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This is important in that these two companies back or own $5 trillion in U.S. mortgages — nearly half the nation’s total. (This information was from a July 23 article from Associated Press).

 

Although interest rates jumped up on a national average from 6.41% to 6.71% and lending requirements for buyers remains strict with buyers needing documentation on income, high credit scores and 5-20% down payments, Hopefully this will stimulate buyers, calm market conditions, and bring buyers back out to the market.

FAIR TIME DOUGCO AUG 2-10

Be sure to log onto www.douglas.co.us/eventscenter/index.html for the Douglas County Fair information and events. Hope to see you there!

FAIR TIME-LET’S ENJOY THE SUMMER!

Red, White & Moo, the Arapahoe County Fair wants you July 23-27

 

Littleton, Colo. — Red, White and Moo! The Arapahoe County Fair wants you … to enjoy the fun and excitement headed your way July 23 – 27.

The 2008 Arapahoe County Fair is filled with fun for the entire family and at a simple Pay ONE price admission too. Just $14 includes unlimited carnival rides, all concerts, activities and entertainment. This means you don’t pay extra to watch the rodeo, huge fireworks displays or to participate in the mutton bustin’, and you don’t fork over any cash for face painting, camel rides or the brand new demolition derby. Just pull out your wallet when you’re hungry, are tempted to play the midway games or ready to take a souvenir home. Otherwise, keep that cash in your pocket and enjoy!

Save an extra bit of dough and come on one of our special ½ price days: Enjoy the Hannah Montana Sing Along and Look-a-like contests on Radio Disney Night July 23 where kids 17 and under get in for just $7. Support a fundraiser for fallen heroes during KEZW American Heroes’ Night on Thursday where we salute America’ s military, fire and police with ½ price admission ($7) with valid ID. Or join in Senior Citizens’ Day July 25 where those 60+ and older get in for just $7.

“The Fair is a great way for kids to enjoy some old fashioned fun with a carnival, farm animals and exhibits,” said Arapahoe County Commissioner Chair Susan Beckman . “It’s an added bonus that they learn about our farming heritage and the County’s history. At the Fair, youth in 4-H display their projects from cakes and art to steer and rabbits. It is an incredibly valuable segment of the Fair that shouldn’t be missed.”

Residents are invited to be part of the fun by competing in the open class competitions: Try your hand at the baking, painting, quilting, photography, knitting or gardening categories and win bragging rights that last a year.

Don’t forget to cast your vote for Mayor of the Arapahoe County Fair. Visit www.arapahoecountyfair.com. While you’re there check out all the incredible entertainment and activities and try your luck in an Open Class competition or two.

The Arapahoe County Fair is sponsored by Radio Disney, Wolf 92.5 FM, 105.5 Jack FM, KEZW 1430 AM Waste Management, South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, City of Aurora , City of Littleton , E-470, Aurora Sentinel, Villager Newspapers, Potestio Brothers, Go Toyota Scion Arapahoe, Tagawa Gardens and Action Care Ambulance.

Volunteers are needed to help with the Fair, visit www.arapahoecountyfair.com to learn more.

* * *

To download photos click on the following link: ftp://www.co.arapahoe.co.us/Pub/CA/

Photo captions: Trio_2008: Vote for Henry Horse, Connie Cow or Parker Pig as Mayor of the Arapahoe County Fair, July 23 -27, 2008.

Mutton Bustin’: 80 percent of kids in the Mutton Bustin’ competition live in the city. It’s a great opportunity for all kinds of kids to just show up and ride a mutton.

Kids enjoy the camel rides.

Check out the muscle of the modified tractor pull.

Watch the bull riding at the Rodeo on Friday and Sat. July 26 & 27.

Pet and feed the animals at the petting zoo.

Enjoy unlimited carnival rides with $14 daily admission.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions due to our hot, dry summer

Didn’t you enjoy the smell of rain yesterday afternoon? It has been so long since we had a long soaking! But, Dougco has put into place Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, which prohibits: Open burning and use and sale of fireworks.  Violations are punishable by up to a $600.00 fine and a $10.00 surcharge. But, they are also reminding us about correctly disposing of lighted materials, such as cigarettes, and any other activities that involve the use of fire and sparks.

So, just be careful!

CEPP-Colorado Emergency ALERTS to the Public!

What a great idea!

I believe this is a free alert emergency system to the public during the Democratic National Convention, but it also looks like a permanent method of texting or emailing the public for any sort of emergency. I have signed up and will let you know if I get any important notifications. Below is the information I received from a media release:

A free alert notification service to the public. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s media release, anyone can sign up for text messages or email alerts directly from the Denver Emergency Operation Center during the Democratic National Covention, which can include anything from regual updates to issues that could affect the public, from which Douglas County will be contributing. Citizens may visit www.thecepp.orgto sign up for this free service, CEPP Alert.

What is a Short Sale? And, should I buy one?

Lately, several of my buyers have considered purchasing a home that is in a “Short sale” situation and I’ve determined it’s important for them to know the upside and downside of this particular situation, before they write an offer. I’ve outlined several important items below:

What is a “Short sale”?- Here in Colorado, and in my experience, a short sale starts with a property that is currently owned by the homeowner/seller, who is behind in his/her mortgage payments, and who owes more on the property than for what it can be sold. The Seller and/or Realtor, tries to negotiate with the Seller’s lender, to have the lender accept an offer from a buyer that is at fair market value, but is lower than all the loans and closing costs.  This allows the Seller to walk away from the closing without having to bring cash to closing.  

For instance, Sam Seller has a $300,000 loan and thinks there will be approximately $20,000 in closing costs. Sam would need to sell the property for $320,000 to break even on the transaction. But if other similar homes in the neighborhood are selling for $275,000, Sam is in an upside-down position, and will need to bring approximately $45,000 dollars to closing. Sam doesn’t have $45,000 cash, and is also two months behind in his mortgage payments. Sam calls the lender and asks if the lender is willing to accept a short sale on his property, and allow him to sell the property for $275,000.  If the lender agrees, and Sam can get a buyer to buy the property, then Sam won’t have to bring money to the closing table. (However, the Seller may still be financially responsible for the difference, so check with your CPA for financial consequences).

Sounds pretty easy doesn’t it? In fact, it is one of the most difficult transactions currently out there and here are some reasons why: The real lender may be hidden-a loan can be sold several times and may ending up being owned as part of a whole group other loans, by an investment fund. It can take, and often does, months to track down the real lender, what terms they would be willing to accept, and who will sign the closing documents. In the meantime, a buyer, or several buyers have written offers,  at, or even over full price, and the listing broker can not get any response from the lender for any of the offers. In the meantime, the seller is losing interest in the property, has stopped doing repairs, and is letting the quality of property drift in a downward spiral.   

The buyer, who might have gotten his offer in first, had his earnest money deposited, and is abiding by the contract dates and pays for inspections, appraisal fees, etc., and is often told that the lender is looking at accepting the offer, but must get everything ok’d from their legal & closing departments, might find out that there are several offers and he is in a competing situation.  Months go by, and if lucky, the buyer may get his offer accepted in writing, may get all the financial debts of the seller released and paid for, including past HOA dues, property taxes, and any number of odd items filed against the property, may get to the closing table and may get the lender to sign all the closing documents. But, many times, the Buyer gets horribly frustrated and in the end, just gives up. 

So, headaches for the buyer can be long and arduous. But, if the property is being offered at a great price, and if the buyer can wait out the lender, and if the buyer understands there may be issues with the closing/title docs after closing, then, it might be a great opportunity.

Housing Statistics for May 2008

Housing Statistics for May 2008

 

There are a couple of items of interest in the following table for the Denver Metro area housing statistics for the month of May.

 1. There is a distantly higher list price over the sold price. I believe that it appears that homes that are in the lower price ranges are closing; homes that are priced higher are not selling as quickly.

2. There is a distinct difference in percentage of the sold value to the original list price. To put this in perspective, a home originally listed for $300,000, Douglas/Elbert/Parker sold eventually for $267,000.

3. Homes are on the market for a longer time period of time.  

 

                                    Housing Statistics for May 2008

 

Area

Aver List Price

Aver Sold Price

% Sold to List Price

% of Original Price

Days on the Market

Douglas/Elbert/Parker

$ 618,138

$ 376,259

97%

89%

104

Aurora South

$242,944

$193,412

98%

94%

90

Douglas County West

$765,719

$387,334

98%

93%

126

Douglas Highlands Ranch

$488,441

$374,808

97%

94%

69

Denver Co Southeast

$758,548

$418,832

95%

85%

98

Denver Co Southwest

$180,224

$119,406

97%

87%

93

Jefferson Co South

$477,552

$319,186

97%

95%

93

South Suburban Central

$575,165

$347,004

97%

94%

93

South Suburban East

$997,882

$558,516

95%

93%

116

 

The information in the table was provided by the Denver Metro MLS.

Mountain Lion Sighted at Flintwood & Duffy (Bannockburn)

John Edwards called and said his wife, Tammy, saw a full size mountain lion this morning running across Flintwood chasing a house cat at 9:00 a.m. She lost sight of him at about the intersection of Duffy and Holden Circle at a neighbor’s driveway.

Keep your small pets safe!

Best wishes,
Amy