The Year of the Dragon for Housing?

With it being Chinese New Year this week, I couldn’t help but notice all the coverage about 2012, the year of the dragon, being the year of good luck. Fortunately housing economists seem to think so. CoreLogic’s chief economist Mark Fleming said, “The time is right in 2012 for prices to begin growing again and housing affordability will put a floor under any further significant declines.”

Recent data shows housing affordability rising dramatically due to a combination of home price deflation and rock-bottom mortgage rates; plus, both existing-home sales and single-family housing starts are up. And since consumer sentiment posted a six-month high in December, confidence is strengthening in the economy in general.

While it will be some time before home prices completely rebound from their peak, Boulder County included, a step in the right direction is all we need to keep confidence up and spur growth. Time will tell if 2012 becomes housing’s lucky year! 

Loads of Space for the Money

It’s not often that an immaculate, move-in ready home goes on the market with so much square footage for the money. With vaulted ceilings, main level laundry, 5 bedrooms (4 are upstairs), 4 bathrooms, and 2,776 finished square feet, 946 Shavano Peak Drive, Superior, CO is a great buy at $359,900. What’s so nice is that it’s nestled on a quiet street just blocks to both BVSD’s highly-rated Eldorado K-8 school and Superior’s South Pool. The master suite has a 5-piece bath and walk-in closet and the basement has been nicely finished with a 5th bedroom, ¾ bath and study/rec room. What makes this opportunity even more unique is the assumable FHA loan (save mortgage insurance)!  Call me today at 303-442-5001 to view this home.

Walk to School & Pool? Look No Further!

If you’re in the market for a home that has the benefits of being close to highly-rated Eldorado K-8 school and the pool, yet is located on a quiet street, 3547 Blanca Peak Drive, Superior, CO has so much to offer. For just $329,900, enjoy four bedrooms upstairs including the master suite with 5-piece bath and custom closet system. The unfinished basement offers extra storage, and the laundry is on the main level! What I especially like about this home for the area is the spacious, level backyard and deck. This home has a bright and sunny open floor plan, and with neutral décor throughout it is move-in ready.  

Sellers, Where Are You?

The holidays didn’t seem to have much of an effect on buyers looking for a home this season.  I stayed busy with showings but my buyer clients who don’t need to buy a home immediately are still looking simply because they haven’t found what they want yet.

While buyers are always looking for a great value, most of the homebuyers I’ve been working with lately want a move-in ready home, not necessarily fully remodeled but updated enough to not have a long list of “to dos” come closing.  

The Boulder Area Realtors Association is reporting the lowest inventory in Boulder County in several years. Many sellers are just postponing listing their home, often with the mindset that buyers don’t come out of the woodwork until the spring equinox. If this were true, I wouldn’t be seeing buyers get frustrated that there’s not much on the market meeting their criteria.

If you’ve been on the fence about listing your home, there’s no better time than the present. Call me today at 303-442-5001 if you’re looking for an effective, top-ranked realtor…I may already have a buyer for you!