“The outlook for investors in 2011 is as positive as we have seen in years,” according to Joseph R. Dancy, Adjunct Professor of Law at Southern Methodist University.

The Bull: Chiara Marra

Mr. Dancy has identifiedseven major trends it expects in 2011 that will bode well for investors nationwide:

●     Higher energy prices (coal, oil, natural gas)

●     Higher agricultural prices and food riots in developing countries

●     Russell 2000 small cap index reaches record levels

●     Stock selection and active portfolio management add substantial excess returns (versus passive investments in tracking ETF’s)

●     Real estate prices remain depressed

●     Investors slowly begin to return to the US stock market

●     Unemployment stays elevated and food stamp use reaches record levels

“Smaller companies are substantially outperforming the market. As the global economy continues to recover many of these companies represent some of the best investment opportunities we have seen in years,” concluded Dancy.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

What are the advantages of getting pre-approval for a loan to buy a home and why is it so important to get pre-approved for a loan? Typically a first time home buyer will get the itch to buy a home.  Perhaps they’ve been considering and planning this for a long time.  They call a Realtor to go look at a home they’ve found on the internet and the first thing they ask is, “have you been pre-approved for a loan?”  Whoops! Roadblock! So, why is this step in the home buying process so important and what are the advantages?

Save Time by Looking at the Right Homes

If you’ve been searching for homes on the internet or you’ve been setup by your favorite Realtor to receive automatic e-mail listings of available homes, you can ask him/her to change your search criteria to match the selection of homes in the price range that you’ve been pre-approved for. This way you can save your time by checking out homes that you can actually afford to buy.

Focus Your Time Examining the Right Homes

By decreasing the inventory of homes to those that fit your criteria and price range, you can spend your time thinking about the little nuances each home has to offer. Instead of spending your time looking at homes that are out of your price range, you can focus on the details that matter to you in choosing a home.  Are the bedrooms large enough? Will my car fit in the garage?

Gain Negotiating Power

Now when you find that perfect home and you want to put an offer in to purchase, no one can take that away from you by saying you can’t qualify. When your Realtor presents the offer to the seller or the seller’s agent, they will also present your pre-approval letter from your lender. That is one more powerful advantage your offer may have over a competing offer.  You’re giving the seller peace of mind that if they accept your offer, this deal will more than likely close vs. falling apart because the buyer can’t get a loan.

Gain Confidence and Avoid Disappointment

Let’s face it, buying a home can be a very stressful process.  You can minimize your anxiety by getting pre-approved. You can have the confidence that when you find that perfect home, you will be able to qualify for the loan. You can sleep better a night, because there shouldn’t be any last minute surprises.

Enjoy a Faster Closing Period

Because you’ve already met with your lender and submitted all of your paperwork, the entire process can go a lot faster. The lender can order the appraisal right away. The lender will make your deal a priority because they’ve already completed most of the hard work. It’s possible to close the transaction in 2-3 weeks vs. the typical 30 days that it takes to close a transaction.

Typically obtaining loan approval is the longest contingency in your purchase contract. So, by getting pre-approved for your loan, your process will go a lot faster and smoother.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a home and would like to speak with one of the lenders that we work with, get in touch and we’ll hook you up with a reputable lender.

The Colorado Association for Manufacturing and Technology will be working with site selection experts in Denver to find a location for a proposed 200-acre manufacturing and research park.

The park could reportedly house up to 100 businesses and create 10,000 jobs, according to CAMT. The idea is that companies would share facilities for research and manufacturing. NASA has apparently developed technology that could be turned into products with commercial uses in clean energy industries to be manufactured at the facility.

Estimates by CAMT indicated that the proposed “Aerospace and Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Park” could create as much as $7 Billion per year in economic output for Colorado. Representing a welcome addition to community coffers and job-seekers alike.

In addition, a surprising rush of interest by many of the proposed backers may force a quicker move than most had anticipated. CAMT executive director Elaine Thorndike said more than a dozen out-of-state companies have inquired about locating to the park. In response, they have opened up from working exclusively with one developer to now working with many site selection experts because they “had more options and much greater interest than they had anticipated”.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

2011 A Better Year for Metro-Denver Home-Sale Prices

According to the January 21-24, 2011 Denver Business Journal, in all of metro Denver last year, house resales were down 7% to 30,77 units but the average sold price was up 6.5% to $282,080 according to Metrolist.  Below is a list of the 10 highest average selling price areas and 10 lowest.

Highest average selling prices

1.   Boulder Cty, north, east & south of Boulder: $627,472, up 10.8% from 2009
2.   Boulder: $596,417, down 6.8%
3.   Cherry Hills/Foxfield area: $498,702, up 1.6%
4.   Southeast Denver: $440,229 up 1%
5.   Superior: $473,474, up 1.9%
6.   Louisville: $429,451, up 7.8%
7.   Louviers/Castle Rock Area: $362,531, up 1.8%
8.   Golden area: $390,195, up 4%
9.   Highlands Ranch area: $362,531, up 1.1%
10. Lafayette: $351,814, up 6.7%

Lowest average selling prices

1.   North Aurora: $112,997, up 10.2% from 2009
2.   Southwest Denver: $151,674, up 8.6%
3.   Commerce City area: $164,725, up 3.8%
4.   Brighton/Ft. Lupton area: $183,775, up 9.6%
5.   Thornton/Northglenn area: $189,648, up 4.9%
6.   South Aurora: $196,037, up 1.7%
7.   Federal Heights area: $203,680, up 3.4%
8.   Northeast Denver: $211,972 up 11.8%
9.   Westminster area: $216,219 up 2.6%
10. Wheat Ridge area: $224,540, up 5.8%

Give me a call for more specific information on your neighborhood or to find out what neighborhoods are showing the best appreciation.

Sincerely,

Chris Drohosky

Realtor / Investment Consultant

Dunn & Company, LLC

303-525-3027

Buying your first home in Denver, Colorado can seem like daunting process. In many cases buying a home represents the single largest purchase most people make in their lifetime.  With that being said, it is important that you take the right steps and make sure you are making the right financial decision, which more than likely is a decision that you will live with for a long time. Follow these 5 Steps to Buying Your First Home in Denver, Colorado and you will be well on your way to achieving your dream of home ownership.

Step 1:  Begin with a self analysis. Determine the area that you want to live in. Does it need to be close to your work? Close to schools? Shopping? Think about your lifestyle. Do you spend a lot of time at home? How many bedrooms and baths do you need? Do you need or want a yard? Or do you want maintenance free living such as a condo or townhome?  The answers to these questions will help narrow your search and focus on what your real requirements are.  Many times when I work with first time home buyers in Denver, they have big dreams and they haven’t spent enough time to really analyze their needs.

Step 2:  Find a real estate broker that you are compatible with and will represent your interest. All brokers are not made the same. Spend some time upfront interviewing real estate brokers. Find one that has experience in the type of property that you are looking for and in the area that you want to live. How do you do this? Ask friends and relatives if they’ve worked with a Realtor recently. Stop in at open houses and you can get a pretty good feel right away if the Realtor holding the open house is professional. Talk with them and ask them questions about the market, about financing and about the different types of agency representation.

Step 3: Find a lender and get prequalified. There are hundreds of lenders to choose from in the Denver market. How to choose the best to work with? Ask your Realtor. If you have chosen the right real estate broker, they should be willing and able to refer you to a lender that will provide outstanding service. I tell buyers all the time, “finding a lender that has the lowest interest rate is not the most important thing, finding a lender that will do what they say they will do and will return your calls and provide you with excellent service is the most important consideration.”  I think everyone will agree, there’s a lot of people and businesses out there, and not only lenders but every type of business, that will make you a lot of promises but do not deliver as promised.  Why is it important to get pre-qualified? The most important reason in my opinion is, if you find a property that you want to buy and you’re ready to put an offer in, your real estate broker will want to submit your pre-qualification letter from your lender with the offer.  When a seller is reviewing your offer, the pre-qualification letter is evidence that if they accept your offer, then the potential for closing is much greater than accepting an offer that does not have a pre-qualification letter.  In addition, the pre-qualification process gives you and your broker a limit or range of price and what you can actually afford.

Step 4:  Find a property and make an offer. In the process of searching for your first home in the Denver, Colorado market, you will want to become very educated with values. You will more than likely be searching for homes on the internet and looking at homes with your real estate broker.  Once you’ve found a home that fits your needs, you’ll make a written offer, which of course your real estate broker will write up for you. Once the offer is accepted, the lender will get a copy and you’ll start the process. It’s important to get home inspection. It’s also important to understand and adhere to the dates and deadlines in your contract.

Step 5:  Closing of your loan and moving in. The last step in buying your first home in Denver, Colorado is signing all of the paperwork and making it officially your home. Your real estate broker will setup the closing time with the title company and you’ll sign a lot of papers. So, make sure your signing hand and fingers are all loosened up.  Once everything is signed, the home becomes officially yours and you’re ready to move in.

Congratulations! You’ve just purchased your first home.

Trulia.com, one of the most prolific online real estate search engines, has decided to open offices in Centennial, a close suburb of Denver, next month.

The Denver Post quotes Dallas-based real estate consultant Jeff Pappas as pointing to the well-educated workforce and ease of doing business here as principle reasons for the choice. “They met with Arapahoe Community College, University of Colorado at Denver and workforce-center representatives. They’ve had a really nice introduction to the overall community.” he said.

Trulia.com is focused on giving buyers, renters, and sellers online search tools to help them find or sell a home. In addition, they help professionals like Dunn & Company get the best homes in front of potential buyers. The site provides property listings and market analytics.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Buy HUD Homes for 50% of List Price

HUD has a great program called the Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program where law enforcement officers, pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers and firefighters/emergency medical technicians can contribute to community revitalization while becoming homeowners through this HUD Program. HUD offers a substantial incentive in the form of a discount of 50% from the list price of the home. In return you must commit to live in the property for 36 months as your sole residence…[Read More]

Free Buy + Hold Investor Webinar Find and Close Profitable Deals Now
Wednesday — January 19, 2011 — 5:00pm MST

Are you skeptical about the market and want detailed information on where the economy and Denver market is headed? Are you tired of sitting on the sidelines during the foreclosure boom while others are getting rich? Are you interested to find out what your money can buy and the return you can expect to receive?

Are you wondering how you can make profits purchasing Buy + Hold properties, even with such a downfall in home prices? This Free Live Webinar is what you need to know about why now is the Perfect time for Buy + Hold investors. Don’t let this chance slip away.

This is your chance to get inside information and advice from Dunn & Co’s team of professionals with a combined 35+ years of experience. They will discuss why the economy may have slipped away from fix and flipping properties, but is a thriving environment for Buy + Hold investments. John Dunn and his team will discuss where the economy has been, where it is headed and WHY YOU SHOULD INVEST NOW in this 60 minute Live webinar.

Here’s Why You Can’t Afford To Miss This Live Webinar

This is your chance to Get Inside Information from an Industry and Investor Veteran.

· Discover the changes in the housing markets, and the new plan to find great insider deals right now

· Find Out what is happening in the Denver market and where the BEST areas to purchase are

· Understand what type of financing options are available and what this can mean for your investment potential

· Learn about real deals that are out in the market today and the substantial return you can expect to receive

· Hear first-hand from actual investors and learn their successes in working this Buy & Hold market

· Determine how you can get started investing today

*Learn why NOW is a thriving time for Real Estate Investing and Sign-up Today!

Real Estate Investing in Denver, CO

Are you a seasoned Real Estate Investor? Maybe you live out of the state or even the country and you have made a career through investing in Real Estate. perhaps even Real Estate Investing in Denver, Co. Or, are the you newby who is possibly a young professional, with a lot or even just a little cash in the bank and want to get started on a new venture to create wealth?

Look no further, in this FREE One Hour Webinar, all things Real Estate will be discussed. You will learn firsthand from experienced Denver Real Estate Investors and Brokers, Why NOW is such a great time for Real Estate Investing in Denver, CO. You will learn past trends of the market and what the economy can expect to see in the future. You will learn why Fix + Flip deals are becoming few and far between and Buy + Hold Investing is the way of the future. Learn the present vacancy rates in surrounding Denver areas and what this can mean for your wallet as a Real Estate Investor in Denver, CO.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, January 19 @ 5pm MST and Sign-up TODAY!

We look forward to meeting with you!

Where to Buy Christmas Trees in Denver, CO

Have you already purchased your Christmas Tree for this holiday season or are you curious Where to buy Christmas Trees in Denver, CO?  If you have been too busy and haven’t had time to purchase this year’s Christmas tree or can be lumped into the holiday procrastinator group, then look no further. There are many Christmas tree lots as well as retail stores that can provide you your lush, green holiday tree this season.

Where to Buy Christmas Trees in Denver, CO

 Denver County

 # 1 – Christmas Tree Lot

Location: I-225 & Colfax / 6^th Ave. & Peoria – {Precut Christmas Trees}

Hours: 9am – 9pm Daily

Information: A wonderful assortment of fresh trees from Oregon. If you are in the Aurora, Co area, come buy and pick up your tree today! This tree lot is where to buy Christmas Trees in Denver, CO this holiday season.

#2 – Columbine Christmas Trees  – {Precut Christmas Trees}
Location: Intersection of Leetsdale and S. Dahlia., Columbine, CO.

Hours: 9 am to 9 pm, daily.

# 3 – Danny’s Christmas Tree Lot – {Precut Christmas Trees}
Location: 2 miles south of Lincoln Street on Parker Road, near the Parker Building Center.

Hours: Everyday 9am – 7 pm

Tree Varieties: Trees up to 15 feet – Pinion pine & White Fir Christmas Trees.

Where to Buy Christmas Trees in Denver, Co

#4 –Johnsons Christmas Trees – {Precut Christmas Trees}
Location: 3024 Speer Blvd, Denver, CO. Phone: 530-604-9042

Hours: Daily 9 am to 9 pm
 

#5 – The Neighborhood Christmas Tree Co. – {Precut Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths}

Location: 2001 Sheridan Blvd. Edgewater, CO 80214

Tree Varieties: Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Scotch Pine.
Hours: Every Day from 9am to 9pm

Tree Varieties: Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Scotch Pine.

Info: This is Where To Buy Christmas Trees in Denver, CO if you live near the Edgewater, Sloan’s Lake $ Highlands neighborhoods. You will find Christmas boughs, garlands, mistletoe, trees bagged, trees tied, tree shaking provided, trees baled, free tree trimmings, snacks and refreshment stand, and restrooms. All the Christmas trees are cut the day before they are shipped, and will last through December; this tree lot has amazing views of Denver Skyline.

#6 – Tree land Christmas Trees – {Precut Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths}
Location: 7777 East Hampden, Denver, CO 80231. Phone: 7203292946.

Hours: Everyday 9am to 9pm, 11/23 through 12/24.

Location: Tamarac Square parking lot by theaters and Bank of the West.

Information: Tree Land is where to buy Christmas Trees in Denver, CO as they are Colorado’s largest retail Christmas tree lot, carrying 3,000+ trees. These trees are cut months after large retail stores, allowing the ultimate freshness so your tree will last until Christmas.
Christmas Tree varieties: Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Grand Fir, Noble Fir.

Happy Holidays!