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10 mortgage and refi tips; Northern Colorado home prices and home building on the rise
A return of rising prices, home-building predicted for Northern Colorado
The past year has seen a revival in Northern Colorado’s residential and commercial real estate markets, and 2013 should bring even more good news to the sector. Across the region in 2012, the overarching trend saw a decrease in homes on the market as a result of lower foreclosure rates and increased consumer confidence that inspired home buying. Low vacancy rates that drove apartment rents to their highest point in years also contributed to an increase in home buying. In many cases, Northern Colorado residents found that interest rates below 4%, coupled with the low vacancy rate, made it cheaper to buy a home than to rent.
Read the full article – Northern Colorado Business Report
10 tips about mortgages and refinancing in 2013
This article shares 10 mortgage tips for 2013:
* Tip #1: Stop procrastinating and refinance – Rates are expected to remain low during the first few months of the year, but they should gradually increase.
* Tip #2: Buyers, get moving – This may be your last chance to take advantage of the market and own a home for less.
* Tip #3: Compare FHA vs. conventional loans – As the costs of FHA mortgages rise, some buyers may consider saving a little extra for a conventional loan.
* Tip #4: Get the rest of the tips in the full article – Yahoo! Finance
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Rebecca and Rod Fishkin are professional Real Estate agents in Northern Colorado with a special focus on Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley and the smaller towns in between. We serve buyers, sellers and investors, so whether you are a first-time home buyer, selling your current home, looking for your dream home, want to find the right investment property, or seek a great place to retire, you can rely on us.
Search homes for sale in Loveland Fort Collins Berthoud Windsor Greeley Evans Johnstown
Fun things to do in Northern Colorado (Dec 2012)
Get out and enjoy some fun activities with the whole family
You’ve got the family in town. Or they are coming, you are the social director and you need some fun activities planned. Maybe the kids want to get out of the house for a few hours. Or YOU need to get out of the house for a few hours. Whatever you’re looking for, wherever you live, there’s something fun going on in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Johnstown, Windsor, and Estes Park. While the typical Northern Colorado outings are great (Rocky Mountain National Park, a brewery tour, shopping at Centerra), your guests might have been there and done that. Check out this unique list of fun things to do in December for activities the whole family will enjoy.If you are looking for a complete calendar of events for Northern Colorado, we’ve got that too!
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Rebecca and Rod Fishkin are professional Real Estate agents in Northern Colorado with a special focus on Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley and the smaller towns in between. We serve buyers, sellers and investors, so whether you are a first-time home buyer, selling your current home, looking for your dream home, want to find the right investment property, or seek a great place to retire, you can rely on us.
Search homes for sale in Loveland Fort Collins Berthoud Windsor Greeley Evans Johnstown
Fun things to do in Northern Colorado- November 2012
| Fun Things To Do This Month! It’s happening in Northern Colorado! Visitors, residents and guests, here are a few fun things to do in November… | |||
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| 30th Annual Ski & Sports Swap ~ Loveland | |||
 Friday, November 2nd from 6:00 to 9:00pm Saturday, November 3rd from 8:30am to 2:00pm Location: Chilson Recreation CenterHere is your chance to purchase some great ski and sports equipment at a fraction of the cost! The swap presents an opportunity for businesses and individuals to buy and sell new and used equipment. Items at the event in past years include new and used children’s and adult’s snowboards, skis (downhill and cross-country), boots (snowboard, downhill and cross-country), poles, snowshoes, ski racks, ski hats, mittens, gloves, jackets, warm-ups, etc. Additional items such as children’s snow saucers, ice skates, hockey equipment, bicycles and any other winter gear are also acceptable. In addition to the ski items, other sports items are welcome including golf clubs, tennis and racquetball racquets, softball equipment, in-line skating equipment, camping equipment, etc. For details on what items to bring, call 970-962-2432. |
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| Elvis Returns! ~ Loveland | |||
| November 10, 2012 Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Location: Rialto Theater Center Cost: Tickets: $20 adult, $18 senior/student George Gray and the Elvis Experience Band bring back the memories and excitement of a legendary performer who thrilled audiences and touched the world with his music and spirit. You’ll feel like you went back in time as you enjoy the charisma, humor and passion of this incredible performance. |
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| Community Tree Lighting Ceremony ~ Loveland | |||
| November 25, 2012 Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: Loveland Museum/Gallery Kick off the holiday season with the tree lighting at the Museum. Join us for treats and caroling! |
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| Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony ~ Fort Collins | |||
 November 2, 2012 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: Oak Street PlazaThousands of strands of holiday lights will illuminate historic Downtown Fort Collins as Mayor Karen Weitkanut “flips the switch” at the annual Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony. The ceremony will be held at Oak Street Plaza located at Oak St. and College Ave. The evening begins at 6:00pm with music, cookies, and hot cocoa and cider. Then at 6:30pm Mayor Weitkanut will “throw the switch” to turn on all lights in downtown. People can enjoy the holiday lights from anywhere along College Avenue beginning at Laporte Avenue and continuing to Magnolia Street. |
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| The Fort Collins Foodie Walk ~ Fort Collins | |||
| November 16, 2012 Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Location: Old Town Website: http://downtownfortcollins.com/dba.php/foodiewalk/ Downtown Fort Collins offers a culinary adventure in a beautiful historic pedestrian area of the city. The Fort Collins Foodie Walk is a self-guided walk occurs each month and will feature new presentations, tasting opportunities, and themes each month. Who is a foodie? Foodies are people who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and recreation. Foodies wish to learn everything about food, the best and the ordinary, and take in the science, industry, history, and characters surrounding food. Culinary shops in Downtown Fort Collins focus on unique quality ingredients, locally sourced and organic produce in their shops. The Fort Collins Foodie Walk offers a way for people to explore and enjoy the world of food and spices! |
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| Garden of Lights 2012 ~ Fort Collins | |||
| November 30, 2012 Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Location: Gardens on Spring Creek Stroll through the whimsically decorated and twinkling Gardens lit by thousands of LED lights. See the flower beds and our favorite koi, Kobe, in his blue LED pond-all created entirely from holiday lights! Visit with Santa, listen to holiday music, see the Sugar Plum Hairies (canine fairies), and enjoy warm drinks and sweet treats. |
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| Treasure Island ~ Greeley | |||
 November 9, 2012Time: 6:30 PM Location: Union Colony Civic Center Sail aboard the HMS Hispaniola with young Jim Hawkins during his daring adventure to Treasure Island. Join Jim, the infamous Long John Silver and a colorful crew of buccaneers for this exciting musical adventure! SEASON TICKETS: $12 TICKETS: $5 |
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| Selma’s Store Holiday Sale ~ Greeley | |||
| November 23-December 23, 2012 Location: Centennial Village Museum Open Nov. 23 – Dec. 23 • Tuesdays – Saturdays, 11 am – 4 pm, and Sunday, Dec. 23 You’re invited to Selma’s Store for fun holiday shopping amid the smells, sounds and tastes of the season. Browse our charming store for unique, hand-crafted gifts and holiday décor. We have what you’re looking for: From Jewelry and books, to historic toys and kitchenware, you’ll find it at Selma’s Store Annual Christmas sale. While shopping, enjoy a sample of Arbuckle’s coffee, hot chocolate or apple cider. This year, stop by our rummage sale at the Shaw House on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for heavily discounted gifts, toys and books. |
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| Greeley Lights the Nights Parade & Lighting of the Trees ~ Greeley | |||
| November 24, 2012 Location: Downtown Greeley Kick off the day with the Holiday Open House planned for Saturday, November 24th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the Saturday after Thanksgiving). This coincides with the opening of the Festival of Trees, the Greeley Lights the Nights parade (at 5:30pm) followed by the lighting of the trees in Lincoln Park. A variety of participating downtown businesses will have a special Holiday activity for your shopping enjoyment, and each patron may pick up a “bingo card,” where participants will need to get at least 10 stamps from participating businesses to be eligible for the grand prize ($1400 to $1500 total in gift certificates or prizes). Patrons will also have the opportunity to catch a ride to various businesses on the Polar Express! Don’t miss this special event, as it is the perfect time to kick off your Holiday Season! |
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| Halloween Candy Buy Back For Our Military Troops! ~ Windsor | |||
 November 1-19, 2012 Location: Windsor Smiles OrthodonticsAll Candy collected will be donated to our military troops through operation gratitude. Let’s give our soldiers A Sweet Treat! Please bring your unopened candy to our office at 1218 W. Ash Street from 11/1-11/19/2012 and exchange it for a special surprise. For our current patients earn 5 points towards your patient rewards card for every pound of candy. For more information call 970-460-0791! |
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| Turkey Ball ~ Windsor | |||
| November 10, 2012 Location: Chimney Park Website: www.windsorgov.com Join the Town of Windsor Parks, Recreation & Culture Department for the 14th Annual “Turkey Ball” Mush Ball Tournament. Families, church groups, youth teams and summer and fall leagues are encouraged to play. Special rules of Turkey Ball include running bases in the opposite direction. Awards for the top three places and for top team and top individual fundraisers. Door prizes and other special prizes along with food will also be a part of the fun. Turkey Ball will be played rain, snow or shine. Teams are guaranteed three games. For more information call (970) 674-3500. |
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| Peanut Butter Party ~ Windsor | |||
| October 25, 2012 Time: 3:30 – 4:30 PM Location: Clearview Library November is Peanut Butter Lover’s Month, so come and immerse yourself in peanut butter! We will play games, make crafts, and eat fun peanut butter snacks! This program is for kids of all ages. |
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| History of Wine Smuggling with Bruce Nye ~ Johnstown | |||
 November 1, 2012Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Location: Glen A Jones MD Memorial Library We all love wine, come find out the adventurous history of this fun drink! |
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| Mame @ Candlelight Dinner Playhouse ~ Johnstown | |||
| November 8, 2012 – January 13, 2013 Location: Candlelight Dinner Playhouse Website: http://www.coloradocandlelight.com/mame.htm The musical revolves around the antics of Mame Dennis, a fun-loving, wealthy eccentric with a flair for life and a razor sharp wit. Her life is suddenly changed when she becomes the guardian of her late brother’s only child, Patrick. Her adventures take us from the speak-easies of the roaring 20’s to the depression following the great Stock Market crash. She is rescued by a wealthy Southern plantation owner, marries and is widowed suddenly, and through it all, manages to keep things under control. With some help from her dearest friend, Vera Charles, she helps keep things at 3 Beekman Place a rousing free-for-all. |
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| Thanksgiving Storytime ~ Johnstown | |||
| November 19-20, 2012 Location: Glen A Jones MD Memorial Library We have so much to be Thankful for at the library! Join us as we celebrate! |
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| Southern Comforts Play ~ Estes Park | |||
 November 2-4 & 9-11, 2012Location: YMCA of the Rockies Website: fineartsguild.org A romantic comedy of the golden years by Kathleen Clark This romantic comedy follows the enchanting romance between New Jersey widower Gus and Southern widow Amanda. While waiting out a thunderstorm, their opposite natures collide to create a sweet and intoxicating romance filled with perceptive humor and unpredictable tribulation, proving that it is never too late to find the love of your life. Advance tickets: Adults $12; under 18 $6. At the door, adults: $14; under 18: $8. |
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| Estes Park Tree Lighting Ceremony ~ Estes Park | |||
| November 17, 2012 Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Location: Riverside Plaza Enjoy sweet treats and hot chocolate, radio flyer wagon rides, stocking and ornament decorating and visits with Santa from 4:30 to 5:15 pm in preparation for the special occasion. There will be speeches, introductions and the tree lighting (promptly at 5:30 pm). Then, for the next hour enjoy community sing-alongs and all the fun activities from earlier in the late afternoon. |
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| Catch the Glow Parade and Activities ~ Estes Park | |||
| November 23, 2012 Time: Activities start at noon, Parade starts at 5:30 pm Location: Downtown Estes Park Estes Park celebrates the beginning of the holiday season. Beginning at noon children will be able to visit with Santa and enjoy hay rides and pony rides. Whimsical characters and festive carolers will entertain throughout the downtown area. At dusk, floats from the Catch the Glow Parade will feature thousands of tiny twinkling lights, storybook figures, angels, snowmen, marching bands, entertainers, wildlife characters and of course, Santa ends the parade! |
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Related articles
- Fun Things To Do With The Relatives In Denver (denver.cbslocal.com)
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Rebecca and Rod Fishkin are professional Real Estate agents in Northern Colorado with a special focus onLoveland, Fort Collins, Greeley and the smaller towns in between. We serve buyers, sellers and investors, so whether you are a first-time home buyer, selling your current home, looking for your dream home, want to find the right investment property, or seek a great place to retire, you can rely on us.
Search homes for sale in Loveland Fort Collins Berthoud Windsor Greeley Evans Johnstown
10 Must-Have Tools for New Home Owners
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K, you’ve decided to buy a house, and now realize that you will be responsible for small repairs and some maintenance. Don’t have a phillips or a flat head, or a needlenose or slip joint? No problem. The guide below will start you in the right direction. These are general purpose tools that everyone should have around the house for minor fixes, small projects and other tasks that come with the territory for home owners.
Invest in these, and get the best quality tools you can afford. They will last a long time (some last a lifetime) and will work well every time you use them. Some of the tools I own are at least 50 years old, work great, and were given to me by my father and older cousins. Cheap tools are frustrating to use, don’t get the job done as easily, and will quickly wear down, break or (worse) can cause injury. If you need a powertool, call or email me. I probably have it and you can borrow it!
Top-10 Tools for the First-Time Home Owner
By: Courtney Craig / Published: August 31, 2012 / Houselogic.com
Making the transition from renter to home owner means you can’t call a landlord to fix things anymore. Here’s how to get your must-have toolbox started.
When I bought my first house in May, my heart was full but my wallet was empty. The crush of a down payment left me with little extra cash to spend on tools for my new home — some of which I needed immediately.
I borrowed tools from friends and family until I caught my breath financially and could buy things for myself. Four months into life at my new home, I can tell you these are the 10 essential tools you’ll want.
1. Ladder. There’s no way around it — for cleaning gutters, hanging crown moulding, or painting tall walls, a ladder is a must-have. Prices range depending on the height and material, but expect to pay anywhere from $75 to $400 for an extension ladder.
2. Circular saw. My first big project as a new home owner was to screen in a back porch and install new railings. When it came time to buy 2x4s, I needed something to cut them with, and hand saws are just too slow. I borrowed a saw from family members before buying my own, but now that I have, my circular saw has come in handy for building shelves inside closets, too. You can spend $40 for a 7.25-inch model, all the way up to $900 for a 12-inch diamond saw.
3. Cordless drill. This is another power tool I borrowed from a friend before buying my own, but now that I have a cordless drill, I can’t imagine owning a home without one. A battery-powered drill will be your best friend for many DIY projects, and you won’t have to bother with extension cords. Expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $300.
4. Hammer. No toolbox is complete without one. You’ll spend anywhere from $5 for a basic hammer to $200 for a titanium-head, curved-handle model.
5. Garden hose. Get started on that curb appeal by watering your plants! Depending on the length, material, and durability, a hose will cost you anywhere from $8 to $100. You’ll also want a nozzle ($2-$30) and a reel for storage ($5-$150). Don’t forget to bring it inside in winter so it doesn’t crack or split.
6. Tape measure. Useful in measuring for furniture placement and many other around-the-home tasks, you can buy a 25-foot tape measure for as little as $4.
7. Level. For hanging pictures or installing shelves, a level is essential. A 4-foot level costs anywhere from $10 for a basic model to $175 for a digital level with LCD screen.
8. Screwdrivers. You’ll need both flathead and Phillips head varieties. A 4-in-1 screwdriver set with both heads in different sizes costs as little as $4.
9. Pliers. A five-piece pliers set should cover just about every small object you’ll need to grip, pull, or cut. I’ve used them to pull errant nails out of small spaces and cut jagged edges protruding from things, and I watched an electrician strip wires with them when he was installing a ceiling fan on my new porch. A five-piece set includes an adjustable wrench, slip joint, long-nose, diagonal, and groove joint pliers, and costs as little as $11.
10. Stud finder. One of the best parts of setting up a home is hanging art — it’s what really makes your new house feel like home. The stud finder will come in handy for future DIY projects as well. You’ll pay about $3.50 for a magnetic stud finder, up to about $80 for a digital one.
A few more thoughts about acquiring tools
- If your neighborhood has a tool sharing program or bartering co-op, make use of it.
- When it’s time to buy, hit some local yard sales or estate sales for bargains. Thrift stores are also a good bet. If you have friends or family who are downsizing or decluttering, even better — you’ll be helping them while helping yourself.
What were your first projects as a new home owner? What tools did you need?
Rebecca and Rod Fishkin are professional Real Estate agents in Northern Colorado with a special focus onLoveland, Fort Collins, Greeley and the smaller towns in between. We serve buyers, sellers and investors, so whether you are a first-time home buyer, selling your current home, looking for your dream home, want to find the right investment property, or seek a great place to retire, you can rely on us.
Search homes for sale in Loveland Fort Collins Berthoud Windsor Greeley Evans Johnstown
Your house is nice but just not selling. This might be why.
You decided to sell, hired an agent, agreed on a listing price, then cleaned and decluttered (you did that much, right?). There’s a sign in your yard, and your house is in the Multiple Listing Service. You’ve had some showings, but no offers. Why not?
One critical step many homeowners overlook is staging. Professional home stagers can make your home more appealing to buyers. Appealing means they feel good about it, and buyers make decisions based on emotions. Make your home look, smell and feel good, and you’ll be more likely to get good offers. I know that might sound like wishy-washy mush-mush, but it’s true. When you bought your house you probably walked in and had a gut feeling about it. You knew this was “the one”. The next buyer will do the same thing, so help them feel good about your house and make it stand out from the competition.
Don’t just take my word for it. Check out these before and after pictures Read the rest of this entry
Front range oil could generate $50M per year in tax revenue
Front Range worth $50M in tax revenue per year
A dramatic increase in estimated oil in Colorado’s northern Front Range is likely to produce at least $50 million a year in new severance taxes for budget-strapped state and local governments.
And while direct employment from new drilling won’t be staggering, spinoff job creation will produce millions more in economic impact.
Anadarko Petroleum’s revised estimate of huge amounts of oil in the Wattenberg Field has set the industry abuzz with projections of a new petroleum boom.
Production of the oil by Anadarko and other energy firms will add hundreds of new jobs in Colorado and bolster oil severance taxes to record levels, analysts say.
Potential output of 55 million barrels a year from Anadarko’s 350,000 acres in the Wattenberg Field would almost triple the current production of oil in Colorado.
“This could profoundly impact Colorado, not only in jobs but in tax revenue for public finance, which has been severely strained,” said Brian Lewandowski, a research associate at the University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business. “It’s a way that the ill effects of the economic slowdown can be buffered.”
The estimated increase of at least $50 million a year in severance taxes, based on current oil prices, would be distributed among state and local governments. Millions more in property and sales taxes could be generated from the oil production.
While direct employment from drilling new wells would be relatively minimal — fewer than 100 new Anadarko wellhead jobs through the end of 2012 — economic spinoffs would boost that total.
Lewandowski’s economic models show that for every primary drilling job, 3.3 additional jobs are generated in related industries such as trucking and pipeline construction.
“This could profoundly impact Colorado, not only in jobs but in tax revenue for public finance, which has been severely strained.”
Oil and gas jobs in Colorado — from roughnecks to CEOs — pay an average wage and benefit package of $103,000.
Houston-based Anadarko plans to drill 1,200 to 2,700 new wells to develop the field. While environmentalists have expressed concerns about the impact, industry officials said Anadarko’s horizontal drilling techniques minimize disruptions.
“It increases the resource recovery with less surface impact,” said David Neslin, director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which regulates drilling. “That makes it a win for both the industry and the environmental community.”
Anadarko’s initial production from horizontal wells suggests that its acreage in the Wattenberg Field could ultimately yield oil and natural gas equivalent to 1 billion to 2 billion barrels of oil — 70 percent from oil and 30 percent from natural gas.
At the top end of the estimate, produced oil over the life of Anadarko’s wells would be worth about $140 billion based on current prices.
An Anadarko spokesman noted that the resource projections are estimates that may not eventually be realized from the field.
Related articles
- Anadarko boosts output from Colorado oil shale (marketwatch.com)
- Colorado Test Wells Reveal More Than 1 Billion Barrels Of Oil For Anadarko (huffingtonpost.com)
- Anadarko Discovery and American Energy Independence (247wallst.com)
- Anadarko touts results from Colo. test wells (seattlepi.com)
- Anadarko Discloses Major Oil Find (online.wsj.com)
Northern Colorado Homes & Real Estate 