It's still very early in the year, but after 2 months, the real estate market in Northern Colorado is pretty disappointing. Nothing is fundamentally flawed about the state of housing, we are just in the middle of a period with very low energy after several years of nothing but optimism and action. There is nothing wrong with slow and steady, but when there are few homes on the market, it is tough to get excited. Within the next 2-3 weeks, we are likely to see the number of homes pop up as the spring selling season gets started. This could be a very exciting time as we test actual buyer demand.

The Colorado State legislature was busy in 2023 crafting, modifying and updating many of the landlord/tenant rights, roles and responsibilities that all landlords must incorporate into their business practices in 2024. Whether you are an accidental or intentional landlord, here are handful of the most recent updates. As always, consult a real estate attorney to make sure you're protected and working within the law.

The Northern Colorado real estate market is off to a bumpy start in the new year. The problem with digesting or predicting stats in the first year of the month is that the sample size is way to small to really make any kind of big prognostications - we have very little inventory, so every sale (or lack thereof) can skew the figures quite a bit. What we're left with after the first month of 2024 is a pretty wobbly region - Fort Collins outperforms, Greeley/Evans maintains and Loveland under performs. It won't be this way for the entire year.

WE DID IT! We made it through the most uncertain, difficult and stressful real estate years in the last decade. Let's also remember it was very difficult and uncertain in 2020. It was beyond stressful for homebuyers in 2020, 2021, and 2022. It was terrible for almost everyone in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Often times, we are so myopic when it comes to "tough", "stressful" and "unprecedented" markets, that we fail to remember that we all made it through something similar just a few years back, only this time the variables and players are a bit different. We can always count on a changing and evolving market. That's why I'm employed! I live through the good and the bad every day so that you can make sense of the market and trends when it is your time to buy or sell. And, for what...

As expected, the Northern Colorado real estate market had a pretty dreadful November, mainly the result of peak interest rates in the late September/October timeframe. It's a complicated time being a homebuyer, unless you take a leap of faith on the right home, and hope that the interest rates will begin to come back down. Some buyers are seeing this as an opportunity to pick up properties without ANY competition. Across the region, with waning demand, buyers are now seeing about a 3% reduction off of list price on average. If you're dipping your to into the market, understand this could be an amazing opportunity. Interest rates are already down 1% from their peak just 6 weeks ago, prices are off their highs and you have much, much less competition. The next 2-4 months might be the...

The homes that closed in October were the result of contracts written in mid August through September when interest rates were accelerating towards the peak of about 7.8%. Even with the highest rates since the year 2000, there was still a "reasonable" amount of activity in Northern Colorado given the climate and rates appear to be stalling and potentially dropping in the new year. Sales are still down between 20-30% even with a bit more inventory than typical, however, much of that inventory is has been picked over and is sitting. In a unique market like this, it can be both difficult to sell a home, while also difficult to buy a home. It takes deep market awareness, patience and strategy to put the pieces together on either side. Working with an experienced real estate...

The warm summer months are officially over as we head into fall. Typically, fall is a time where inventory begins to drop off and much of the buyer demand cools off since there are fewer homes to tour. The fall of 2023 is a bit of an anomaly, which is to be expected since the majority of the year has been an anomaly - with interest rates keeping buyer demand at bay. We are actually seeing an uptick in inventory when it typically declines - this is 100% a result of lingering listings that have been on the market for months. Something has got to give - either rates or prices and it doesn't appear that rates will be falling anytime soon.

The tide is definitely (and finally) shifting after higher and ever increasing interest rates keep pummeling the Northern Colorado real estate market. The action isn't some fast paced, furious back and forth, rather a slow and creeping standstill tug-o-war. Sellers are finally starting to feel the pain of fewer and fewer buyers in the market. It used to be you would put your home on the market and get a flood of buyers. Now that is reduced to a trickle. Not to be forgotten, buyers are feeling the pain too. Home prices are remaining generally steady (give or take a few percent here and there) while rates continue to increase, nearing 7.5% for exceptionally well qualified borrowers. Buyers have to commit to a high payment, with hopes that rates will recede once inflation is...

We have reached the midpoint of the Summer and typically, this is when the market is at it's maximum volume, but this year, things seem pretty muted and honestly, a bit disappointing. While rates seem to have peaked, they are still perceptibly "too high" for many cash strapped buyers. Affordability in Northern Colorado has been a major concern over the last decade, but it has only really hit home when the cost to borrow has increased exponentially within the last year. All things being equal, Northern Colorado has weathered the interest rate storm fairly well, as prices are still holding strong - at least in Larimer County.

School is out and folks are on the move in the late Spring in Northern Colorado. Northern Colorado has been long suffering from lack of available inventory, which was making it even more difficult on buyers. Higher rates, more competition and lack of quality, move in ready homes have put a damper on sales this spring. Although the amount of homes available have ticked up nicely in May, it is still not the perfect market for both buyers or sellers to do what they need to do, so many are deciding to do nothing. My advice: the market is what you make of it - it will never be perfect. The rewards come to those to are active rather than sitting on the sidelines. Work with a professional who can help educate you on the market and one who will navigate through the bumps and hurdles you...

This time of year is really the point in the real estate cycle where we begin to understand how things will play out for the remainder of the year. As it stands now, our inventory has jumped up quite a bit from March into April (a welcome sign for homebuyers) but there are no appreciable signs of any major improvements to the Northern Colorado real estate market at this stage in the game. Inventory is still struggling - sellers are still holding back, probably due to concerns on finding a replacement property while rates are in the mid 6% range, with no signs of improving, unfortunately. The economic pressure of higher rates has still not brought values down much in Northern Colorado, simply because inventory shortages are keeping buyers somewhat competitive, where houses are...

This is the exciting point in the real estate world. Once we pass spring break, things begin to thaw a bit - the weather and the real estate market. Buyers begin to come out looking to make a convenient move in the spring and summer, while homes show their best with greening grass and attractive curb appeal. We also get some great insight into what the market may look like through the spring and summer. Luckily, rates have recently come down a bit to make homes more affordable for all buyers. Inflation is seemingly tamed or at least being tamed, so we may have greener pastures ahead. Here's what's happening in the NoCo communities.

We are a couple months into 2023 and things are getting more difficult to navigate in Northern Colorado. High interest rates in the 6.25-6.5% for most well qualified buyers is putting a huge damper on sales. Conversely, while the early spring is when we should expect to see MORE inventory, we are continuing to see less. This does not necessarily mean that competition over few available homes is increasing home values, but it is keeping them generally in line with 2021 figures. Buyers are having a tough time navigating this environment: they are either forced to reduce their budget due to high rates, increase their monthly payment to get what they want and/or need, and there is not a large number of homes to choose from. Sellers, on the other hand, grapple with the thought of...

January is a month with a lot of energy. New year's resolutions, pent up energy after the holidays, and there's always the desire to get out and start the year strong. In the real estate world, stats from January are rarely indicative of much, it's a pretty quiet month overall. I want there to be a signal that begins a trend for the new year, but I think it's just too early to tell what's going to happen. As we saw in 2022, a lot can happen in a year, or even in 6 months. Markets can be strong, then weak. The good thing is that it seems like both price reductions and interest rates are stabilizing, and a more normal, stable market will return in the new year. See below for a more specific breakdown on the 3 major markets in Northern Colorado.

In my entire career, I don't think I've ever seen a "status quo" kind of year in Northern Colorado Real Estate. I've seen the lowest of the low, the highest of the high and everything in between. Typically, a year will have a constant theme. In 2022, the year was "rollercoaster" simply due to the incredible shift midway through the year in home prices, sales and interest rates. Both buyers and sellers in the market experienced different emotions based on what time of the year they were playing in the sandbox. Now, let's just hope for a more consistent and stable 2023 moving forward!

Real estate in Northern Colorado has gotten pretty sticky over the last 3-4 months, and as we head into the holiday season, it seems like buyers are taking the wait and see approach. As it stands now, most industry experts believe that interest rates still have some room to come down, and prices also have some room to come down. Right now, the fate of the market is in the buyers hands, for the first time in about a decade. Buyers can continue to wait through the holidays and into the new year for even better interest rates to help with affordability, partnered with a pattern of slowly decreasing prices across the region. Showings have nearly dried up, which has led to a decrease in sales between 24-42% in Loveland, Fort Collins and Greeley. It's going to be a long, cold winter for...

The Northern Colorado real estate market is in full slowdown mode as the “new normal” begins to pan out – higher interest rates keeping many buyers on the sidelines, while now sellers are competing for buyers who are brave enough to take on the 6-7% interest rate environment. There is plenty of pain on either side of the transaction at this point. Buyers have to bite the bullet and take a leap of faith that if they over extend themselves, they will be able to refinance with expected lower rates in the next year, hoping that prices don’t creep further down after purchasing. Also keeping their eyes on eroding home values are home sellers – who have to price their homes ultra competitively to lure buyers. Sellers are adding incentives to help buyers pay down interest rates and are up...

The real estate industry, and the consumers within, are often vulnerable to scams due to the nature of the complicated and costly transaction. Over a decade ago, it was predatory mortgage terms that swindled home buyers. More recently, it’s been hacked wiring instructions that led to home buyers sending hundreds of thousands of dollars to a scammer’s bank account. And now, it’s a handful of predatory real estate brokerages that are taking advantage of desperate or needy homeowners.

The full effects of interest rates well into the high 6% and even low 7% range is starting to be felt across Northern Colorado as inventory is beginning to inch up. While we were praying for additional inventory earlier in the year, so that buyers could have a bit more negotiating power, high interest rates have taken the wind out of buyer’s sails. There really is not a clear direction with the market currently. Inventory levels, while increasing, are still not appreciably larger. This means that home values are still not coming down, they are holding steady and even slightly increasing. Prices will only drop when there are so many homes on the market that sellers need to drop prices to find a buyer and that certainly isn’t the norm. Right now, the only homes dropping in value...

We’re finally starting to see the effects of the massive rate hike from late spring. All the contracts from late May through June that closed in July are giving us a real indication of the market slowing down for the first time in about a decade. But fear not, a slow down certainly doesn’t mean a decline in prices, just a tempering of appreciation that was out of control. Finally, buyers might have a little breathing room in terms of lesser competition and more options, but they still have the big hurdle of new interest rates eroding their buying power. The biggest shift is that no longer are houses going far up above list price as they were most of the last 2 years. Things are starting to balance out a bit, which helps to make the market much more stable and predicable for both...

One half of 2022 is in the books and it has been an adventure to say the least. At the beginning of the year it seemed as if it would be “business as usual” – fast paced market, huge gains and intense competition for very few homes, but inflationary concerns have led to almost a 2% increase in rates which might help the market cool down a bit for the rest of the year, however, there is still no cooldown in Northern Colorado real estate.

In a real estate market that is still full of surprises, one of the trends I’ve seen coming on lately is the return of adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). For nearly the last decade, ARMs fell out of style, simply because some were unsafe, unclear and sometimes unfair and predatory in the mid to late 2000’s, one of the big reasons the mortgage market melted down. Borrowers with unsafe ARMs and balloon payments weren’t left with many options when home prices too a shift south. Those types of loans and the borrowers who could only qualify for them, aren’t around any more. Today’s ARM’s are straightforward, safe, and in most cases carry a better rate than fixed mortgages which is why adjustable rate mortgages are making a comeback in today’s market.

We are deep into the selling season, home values and sales are remaining strong across Northern Colorado despite a bump in interest rates. Many of the closings in May represented contracts from the late March through April timeframe, before rates began to really increase, so June data will be much more telling. Either way, sales and prices generally remained strong with limited inventory, and buyers are still throwing everything at sellers to get offers accepted. Across Northern Colorado, buyers should expect to offer between 3-4% above list price to remain competitive on the best homes.

It doesn't seem like rising interest rates, monkey pox or recession fears have slowed down the real estate market yet, if anything, these pressures are pushing buyers to act now by hustling to get their purchase under contract, beating out the hoards of buyers descending upon Northern Colorado. It'll take a well crafted offer, solid financing, and perfect timing to see a home, write an offer and beat out multiple strong offers. My best and most biased advice is to be prepared, work closely with your Realtor and move quickly!

Finally, finally, finally – there are some more homes on the market. A small uptick between February and into March is adding to the momentum of the housing market this spring, however, the uptick is just that – very, very small, so homebuyers aren’t feeling much relief, if anything. And along with that distressing feeling, buyers are now having to adjust budgets and expectations as interest rates have finally popped up, to help stem inflation. So along with few homes to see and decreased buying power, what are buyers to do? My best advice is to be prepared. Before you even see a home, work with me to lay out your strategy, intentions and goals. Do not wait for the right house, it will be too late in most cases. Get prequalified immediately, develop your plan (this takes less...

Because of the competition in the market, I am seeing both homebuyers and home sellers jump in pretty unprepared, thinking that they have everything covered. In my experience, not being adequately prepared for a market in which you need to make quick decisions, can really put you behind. It can cause heartache, frustration and missed opportunities. On the flip side, the clients of mine who take my advice and guidance, craft a strategy well before they need to implement it and remain flexible along the way, remain the most successful in both their home sales and purchases. Today, I want to share a case study of some clients of mine who capitalized on some big opportunities simply by being ready and focused. Being prepared pays off big.

For buyers who expected (wished, hoped, or prayed) for any homes to purchase early in 2022, their expectations are not being met. Another month of bottom-of-the-barrel inventory is pushing home values across the region to new heights. Fort Collins is scraping the $600k mark, while Loveland/Berthoud is sitting pretty in the mid $500’s and Greeley/Evans is now in the mid $400’s. As we work into the meat of the market in the spring season, we can only hope that some sellers see the opportunity and capitalize on found equity. But, the only way this benefits the market as a whole is if that seller does not find a replacement property in Northern Colorado, or the inventory is a net-zero. Home values are already stunning in 2022, and unless sellers get off the fence, it’ll be a wild...

There are a lot of potential homebuyers out there, whether they are current homeowners or renters, weighing the decision to buy a new home now, or not. I have personally been dealing with dozens of buyers over the last decade who have been on the fence, waiting for a housing collapse, and I’ve seen the missed opportunities. While the majority of these buyers have “seen the light” once they further understood the market fundamentals causing the rising prices, it wasn’t without an unfortunate dose of reality like higher payments, smaller homes, or longer commutes to make up for the procrastination. Are you on the fence about buying a home? Here are a few questions that can help you jump off the fence and into a home, if it makes sense for you.

For weary buyers, seeing 2021 come to an end might have brought some hope – hope that more inventory would come on the market, hope that deep pocketed buyers from affluent areas would not compete during the winter, or just that prices would stop escalating at 10-20% in some neighborhoods. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but none of those wishes will come true for homebuyers in 2022. Inventory levels continue to drop and stay at beyond depressed levels, causing the highest spike of home values in history in Northern Colorado. What’s worse is that this spike seems to be sustaining and growing in intensity this year. 2022 is off to an impressive start with year over year price increases between 18-27% throughout the region. Homeowners are printing money just by staying put and...

It’s hard out there for buyers in the Northern Colorado real estate market. Dwindling supply and ever increasing competition from other buyers, cash buyers and investors have driven prices up, up, up. When competition is fierce, we have some tools in our toolbox to help you compete. It’s all about removing contingencies and providing comfort to the seller, as long as it doesn’t leave you further exposed to risk – talk to me about how we can include these these 5 clauses when writing your best offer.

As many of you are aware, the Marshall Fire destroyed nearly 1000 homes in Louisville and Superior. The community is strong and banding together, but the families who lost homes have potentially years of rebuilding. Some things can never be replaced.

I am close to two families who live in those communities and luckily their homes were spared. The following is a list of families who lost it all and need support. If you can find it in your heart to donate, it will provide a small amount of relief for those affected. All funds raised here goes directly to individuals, not large agencies. Thanks!

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Wow – What a year! 2021 started out pretty casually. Many experts weren’t exactly sure what to expect after a year of COVID made real estate extra interesting. Even my own predictions were low. I certainly wasn’t able to predict the huge demand and rising prices we saw. I expected 6-8% increases in real estate across the region, but when all was said and done, the entire region increased between 15-16% from 2020. It really began in January and February when the vaccines rolled out, making many feel much more comfortable with the future of the economy. Hoards of buyers who were able to permanently work from home decided Northern Colorado was where they wanted to land, and who could blame them? Prices really shot up and escalated throughout the early spring and throughout the...

As we near the end of the year when the market starts to relax a bit, sales and median home values must not have gotten the memo. All 3 sub-markets I cover saw massive increases in median value due to extremely low inventory, low interest rates boosting demand, and a constant flow of eager buyers, willing to do whatever it takes to get into a home this year. It’s truly astonishing how few homes are available and just how high prices are going as a result.

As the weather begins to cool, the Northern Colorado real estate market remains on fire as the region’s prices continue upwards in the face of a prolonged supply shortage. These September sales are the result of contracts placed on homes in the late-July through mid-August timeframe when the market had taken a small breather, but it seems like everything is just as busy and fast-paced as usual heading into the fall and winter season. October is where we really begin to see inventory levels shrink as the buying season recedes. But, for those buyers still out hunting, expect high levels of competition still, on the few listings that remain.

If you’re nearing retirement, or working towards downsizing, there are strategies that you can use NOW to help save money, create wealth, and give you flexibility if your plans change. Let’s face it – real estate isn’t getting cheaper. Every month that passes, real estate prices continue their upward appreciation. Wouldn’t it to be nice to have your retirement home now? With a little extra forethought, you can pull off what smart and savvy retirees do. Here’s the plan: buy your downsize/retirement home now, rent it out until you are ready to make your move and make additional income, then when the time is right, you have a home to move to that adds flexibility and freedom for you. A true win-win.

In Northern Colorado, 1 in 20 homes are in foreclosure. Lending is tight and lending regulations don’t seem to be loosening up any time soon. That being said, with 30 year fixed rates below 4.5%, an abundance of inventory, and depressed home prices, I believe now is one of the greatest times in recent history to purchase real estate, that is, if you can qualify yourself to buy a home in Northern Colorado first.

Can you believe it? Another month with nearly 20% year over year increases across the board for home values in Northern Colorado. It's hard not to sound like a broken record with my monthly updates: low inventory, high buyer demand, waived contingencies, above list price offers - it goes on and on. Although we did see a slight uptick in the amount of homes for sale in June and July, it looks as if perhaps the seasonality of our market is beginning to show as, at least for the time-being, inventory begins to retreat into the Autumn and Winter months where we traditionally see the least amount of listings pop up. Either way, buyers are still very hungry, eager and willing to do whatever it takes to get in a home in Northern Colorado.

It's no secret that homeownership has its perks - stability, security, personalization and much more. By far the biggest perk of homeownership is the combination of both forced savings (by paying down your mortgage loan) and appreciation of home values. This one-two punch helps homeowners grow their net worth much faster and larger than renters. Net worth is defined as all your assets (real estate, retirement savings, traditional savings, cars, etc) minus your liabilities (mortgage loans, car loans, student loans, credit card debts, etc).

In the past year, I have dealt with more remote homebuyers than in my entire career combined. It used to be that if you were out of state, you could plan a visit over a weekend, see 10-20 homes in a marathon showing, pick one, negotiate, and go under contract in a matter of days. Because of a fast paced market and competitive atmosphere, things have changed entirely. Now, it doesn't make financial sense to pay for a plane ticket to show up with no appropriate homes to see, and you certainly wouldn't come every time there is a "maybe" that comes on the market. This is why it is so important to develop a trusting relationship with your real estate professional - not only to find the right homes, but make sure they are a good fit for your needs, now and in the future. Here are the...

It's rare that you see 20%+ jumps in median value across the entire region, but because of high, high demand and further constrained inventory, the huge price jumps are here to stay. The homes that closed in July were the result of contracts written in May and early June when abundant, eager homebuyers flooded the market and were met with only about 250 available homes to see across the entire Fort Collins, Loveland/Berthoud, and Greeley/Evans areas. Very slim pickin'. Those buyers who did win out and go under contract either brought large downpayments, waived most of (if not all) their contingencies, and went well above list price to get their home. We are still seeing escalation clauses, multiple offers and appraisal gap coverage, too.

Just because the low inventory market heavily favors sellers does not mean that selling your home is "easy". In fact, it's much harder to expertly prepare your house for a sale, especially when you might expect 20-30 showings and a dozen offers. If that's what you're expecting, then you need to be perfectly prepared and ready to take advantage of the demand. If not, you'll be overlooked for more favorable options, and you'll end up dealing with less desirable buyers. Here are the 5 p's of selling your home that I use to expertly prepare you for the fast paced market.

May 2021 was the month that prices really surged across the region in the most aggressive fashion I've seen in my decade plus of working in the Northern Colorado market. Word got out in March and April that inventory didn't seem to be moving up at all, which is rare for the spring selling season, and buyers flooded the depressed market and drove prices up, up, up. As those home sales closed, we can see the aftermath of price escalation, that is expected to continue as we head deeper and deeper into 2021. As home prices continue to gain momentum, we don't expect to see much relief in sight, especially with continued low inventory levels.

It's no secret that the real estate market along the front range is accelerating at a feverish pace. Depressed levels of inventory coupled with huge demand from both local and out of state buyers is driving prices up across the board, in all price points. 2021 is the hottest and most frustrating market for many buyers who could be competing with 10-20 offers.

While I've covered, in length, what you can do to help you offer stand out in a competitive market, I haven't given specific advice on how to know how much above list price to offer. In a traditional market, you use comparables of similar size, condition, location, and age to help justify your offer price. Now, it seems like every home is going for well over list price and once you've maxed out where your comparables say...

It's that time of year again! Bob Overbeck and his friends at the Larimer County Assessor's office have sent out their "reminders" that your assessment valuation is probably headed up. Although it's frustrating to see your monthly payment creep up every couple of years due to higher taxes, it's part of rising real estate prices, area growth, and the need for property taxes to help pay for expanding services like schools, first responders, open spaces, and libraries.

The valuation is very clear. The notice will give you a prior value from the last time it was assessed and the current value to which your property taxes will be based off of.

If you feel your property tax assessment valuation is much higher than your home value, they do allow the ability to protest. This is...

April 2021 is the month that we'll finally get to see some comparisions get pretty skewed due to the COVID shut down across Northern Colorado in March and April of 2020. Keep in mind, at this point last year, real estate professionals were unable to physically show homes until a home was under contract - this kept some buyers on the sidelines who couldn't take that kind of leap of faith. It also kept some sellers on the sidelines as they were hesitant to list their house when buyers couldn't easily show up. A year later, we are in the middle of the most intense, competitive and high-stress market that I've ever seen. Each month, we're seeing huge increases in home values across Northern Colorado. Here's a breakdown...

If you're like thousands of other homeowners in Northern Colorado, you're deciding to stay put and let your equity grow while home prices go up, up and up! If you're looking to add value or function to your home through renovations, upgrades or major projects - give me a call to help you get it planned! Here's how I can help...

When the time comes to make a move, in the right circumstances it may make sense to keep your previous house as a rental instead of selling. While every situation is different, if done thoughtfully, renting your home can help your family create long term, meaningful wealth. It does require extra work, some forethought, and a lot of number crunching. Here's the process I give my clients who might be considering renting out their old home instead of buying.

2021 is coming in like a lion across the Northern Colorado market with prices popping. I've been doing this a while, and although 2015 had a very similar feel to this year, 2021 is just something completely different. 2015 ended up having a few months, at least in the Fort Collins market, of 20%+ gains year over year because of a drastic decrease in the amount of homes for sale. In March 2015, there were 556 homes for sale in the Fort Collins area, a decrease of 25% from the previous year. In March 2021, there were only 248 homes for sale. So, although 2021 has the same feel as 2015, this supply constrained market is just so much more dire and pronounced.

We're lucky in Northern Colorado. We have hundreds of dedicated real estate professionals helping clients buy, sell and invest in real estate. In most cases, we all play nice in the sandbox. But with a deeply competitive market, often times respect, fairness and decency are thrown out the window in favor of greed and self serving pursuits. One core value I hold true: I will, at all times, respect my clients, other real estate professionals and my community. Here's how...

Because of the competition within the market for a limited number of homes, buyers and their agents are coming up with all kinds of unique and creative ways to make their offer stand up against other buyers. Late 2020 and early 2021 has been the most competitive market I've ever witnessed, and short of offering a first born child, there have been plenty of interesting contract provisions. Buyers are offering way over list price, waiving inspection items, paying for title insurance and guaranteeing a certain portion of the appraisal gap, if one comes up.

Simply put, an appraisal gap is the difference between contract/purchase price and the appraised price. Because a lender will not lend above the appraised amount, if there is an appraisal gap, it can put your contract to...

Two months into 2021 and it feels like we're already in the peak of the summer selling season. Within the last month, interest rates started to slowly creep up which put pressure on desperate buyers to hustle and submit offers on whatever inventory was available. The lack of inventory is unprecedented throughout the region as fewer and fewer homeowners are selling. I'd say now we're at a crisis level of low inventory. Let's see how it impacted each market segment:

The Northern Colorado real estate market is competitive, fast paced and fierce right now. By all accounts, we will continue to see limited supply of homes for sale, and continued upward pressure on prices. In this kind of market, it's important to work with a Realtor that you can count on to take you from beginning to end, minimizing the bumps and hurdles along the way. When you work with me, you can rest assured knowing that no detail is overlooked, that your questions or concerns are always addressed, and that your needs come first. If you're ready to make a move, whether you're a first-time buyer or seasoned pro, here's what you can expect from me.

In the Northern Colorado area, we've seen the inventory crunch for about 7-8 years now - more folks moving into town rather than leaving, less new construction coming on-line and people delaying their next move for a variety of reasons. Within the last year, the national market is feeling that squeeze, too. You'll likely hear more and more news about the looming inventory crunch.

There's a terrible cycle that is created in low inventory markets: prices are high due to low inventory so some sellers are hesitant to sell because whatever home they'll want to purchase will also be priced too high for them, they stay put. Some retired sellers on fixed incomes won't want to take on a new, big mortgage, so they stay put. Buyers are willing to bid up on whatever homes come on the...

2021 has started off sizzling with big time increases in median values across the region and BIG sales figures, too. January is typically a pretty calm and relaxed month. Sales that close throughout the month were those started in the "no-man's land" timeframe between Thanksgiving and Christmas where there aren't many sellers out there. In the COVID era, it doesn't appear that anything is going to follow the typical traditional path, so this January came out of the chute with some energy. In talking with other real estate professionals, the pace has been busy, much busier than normal. It feels more like May or June to me - not many listings available, and when the right one comes on, it's a blood bath. Luckily, with the right help and strategy, things are working out well for...

I've heard it before from clients, "I didn't know you sold here!" So, I want all of my faithful readers and followers to know, I've sold everywhere, man.

I haven't been around forever, but I've been around a long time and I've seen plenty. The front range is my bread and butter. I've sold from Red Feather Lakes to Evans. From Wellington to Littleton. Northern Colorado, Saint Vrain Valley, Denver metro and suburbs - I haven't just dipped my toe in these areas, I've seen plenty. I know the trends, the hot neighborhoods and the neighborhoods that are up and coming. I know the difference between a great house and a good house. I can tell when a house has major problems or when a house is a diamond in the rough. You can trust my experience and guidance.

The map below...

Spring selling season is right around the corner, so as a service to my loyal and strategic followers, I wanted to provide some guidance on selecting a contractor to do your projects, just in time to list your home for top dollar in the spring or summer. (Full disclosure: My wife and I carefully selected a contractor to remodel our guest bath, master bath and master bedroom in the 4th quarter of 2020, and we used this strategy to find our contractor, who we absolutely love. Fuller disclosure: my wife did 95% of the planning, researching and selecting and I need to give her all the credit.)

What a year, what a year. 2020 was certainly a rollercoaster for many reasons, and while most of the world was uncertain throughout the year, the world I know best (Northern Colorado real estate) was nothing but healthy and exciting. Demand was continually robust, buyers want to be here and will pay a premium to be here. While working with very low inventory throughout the year, smart and savvy buyers were able to find the right home by remaining flexible and persistent. Most buyers missed out on a home or were beat out on an offer, but the buyers who ultimately succeed were the ones who did not get discouraged along the way. Both buyers and sellers learned unique strategies to work through the pandemic, and it helped 2020 to be a great year for Northern Colorado Real Estate.

November was another strong "carry-over" month for real estate in Northern Colorado as strong demand for available homes coupled with low interest rates kept sales strong. Since March, April and most of May were stifled by the pandemic restrictions, we're seeing a lot of carry over as demand still stays quite strong through the cooler months of the selling season. Typically, we see a drop off in homes available and demand after Labor Day, but things are still surging ahead. It's a good problem to have.

October was far from the typical month in Northern Colorado, buoyed by low interest rates and continual, fierce demand for homes in the area. In general, October is a transitional month from the end of the "busy" market to the beginning of the "slow" season. When the weather turns, kids go back to school and holidays approach, we see a drop off in available inventory. The drop in inventory happened (as usual) but demand of any and all homes were strong, driving prices up around the region, while sales surged.

With the pandemic heading into its third wave, many homeowners have been spending much more time around their home throughout 2020. This added time at home, along with the added burdens of work and school at home, is forcing homeowners and homebuyers to take a second look at what they value in a home. With a cold, confined winter looming, homeowners and buyers are doing their best to make their home space as functional and practical as possible. While it is still up in the air as to how homes will look after the pandemic, the following trends are beginning to take shape.

September is usually a sleepier month in Northern Colorado real estate, but September 2020 was anything but. Maybe parents were busy hatching real estate dreams while their kids were still doing school from home. Maybe they have felt the squeeze while working from home themselves and needed a bigger space to accommodate new office needs. Whatever the case, across Northern Colorado, we saw the highest values on record as Fort Collins, Loveland/Berthoud and Greeley/Evans all posted above expectation gains last month.

Every year, I have handfuls of clients that come from all over the country - some from expensive markets like California, the Pacific Northwest or the East Coast, and some from less expensive markets in the South and the Midwest. No matter where you come from, our dynamic and unique real estate market can be challenging to jump into without the right help and without the right preparation and expectations. Whether homebuyers listen to the advice their real estate professional provides them, or they let the market forces educate them, homebuyers in Fort Collins will need to come to terms with some hard truths about the Fort Collins real estate market.

We had snow last week. Football is back. School is (kinda) in session. Pumpkin spice is in the air, along with forest fire smoke. Fall is just around the corner and winter is close behind it. Life comes at you fast this time of year and before you know it, CHRISTMAS is over. Because this time of year is busy and hectic, if you're looking to sell your house in the next 6 months, NOW is the time to get started. Below are my best tips to set you up for a fall or winter sale.

Another month post-COVID and the Northern Colorado real estate market continues to scream ahead posting record home prices in August in Fort Collins and Loveland. Not to be outdone, Greeley posted near record home prices in August as well. The big boost was record low interest rates for purchases, providing a little bit more buying potential for those buyers who have been struggling to get a home under contract due to fierce summer competition.

July was an absolutely stunning month for real estate sales in Northern Colorado. Across the board, the region saw incredible increases over July 2019 sales figures while continuing to hold steady (or slightly gain) on median values as well. The majority of the sales in July come from contracts that were executed late in May or through June, after all showing restrictions were removed. Once these restrictions were lifted, sellers felt confident in buyer demand and a surge in sales followed.

Hello fellow nerds. Ready for a deep dive? I'm sure you are...Let's go!

Instead of relying on the standard "days on market" number that is most commonly reported, I like to follow the "days til offer" (DTO) to truly understand how quickly our inventory is moving. The reason I like looking at DTO instead of DOM is because days on market can vary for so many different reasons. The closing timeframe can be shortened, like in the case of a cash offer with fewer contingencies, or lengthened to accomodate a home sale contingency, fixes to accomodate an inspection request, or many other variables. The DOM statistic, in theory, is nice to use as a benchmark just to understand how long you can expect to be tied up in a sale, from sign in to sign out. What I like about the DTO...

June sales data represents the beginning of the post-COVID real estate market in Northern Colorado. And good gracious, did real estate come back with force after the shelter at home restrictions were eased. Across the board, sales were up double digits, and prices even grew in most markets - these sales were the result of contracts written in the late April/Early May timeframe. As showing restricitons eased and confidence in the market remained, sellers opened their doors to eager buyers and were met with a flood of demand - no different than June in pre-COVID markets. Although we had increased sales in June, it doesn't quite make up for the 40% in sales across the region in May, but it is certainly a good sign that some inventory is back as sellers find more confidence in the...

May sales data was the hardest hit by the COVID pandemic as in-person showings were shut down or completely restricted from late March through April, when executed contracts would result in a May closing. As a result, May 2020 sales figures look like a horror flim, however, low sales didn't negatively affect prices in the slightest. Even through COVID, sellers weren't giving away properties, and the buyers who were in the market, were eager to pay fair prices.

In talking with contractors, landscapers and interior designers, they've all noted a huge uptick in work and activity. It seems that while most people were quarantined indoors through most of March and April, they decided to tackle all the projects they could during this unique "break" in work and life.

With nearly every buyer and seller I work with, I get the question: "What are the best upgrades that add value?" This is always a great opportunity for me to educate clients about what really is most appealing to future homebuyers. Additionally, realtor.com recently put together a...

We actually have a little bit of data to help us understand just how the market is reacting in the wake of the most strict COVID restrictions. I've had a handful of clients and friends reach out and ask, "Who's selling in the pandemic?" - Interestingly enough, quite a few people are, and some at surprising price points, too.

The graph below shows the home values for both active and sold homes during the timeframe of March 25th to May 25th in the city of Fort Collins. If you're interested in another community or neighborhood, just drop me a line at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com

We're finally seeing impacts from COVID-19 in the Northern Colorado real estate market, since most of the homes that were closed in April were those that went under contract in March near the beginning of shelter in place. During that time, in person showings were only possible once the home was under contract, somewhat putting the cart before the horse. I am certain there were hundreds of sellers who were preparing for a spring sale who either didn't want potentially infected buyers to wander through their home, or sellers who just wanted to expose their home to a bigger market of buyers that just simply couldn't happen during shelter in place. So, April was really the first month that we saw huge reductions in inventory of available homes, only the very serious or very motivated...

Well, it's been a wild month since all of Colorado has essentially been sheltered in place. You would think that real estate in the area would have slowly ground to a halt, however, people still need to both buy and sell real estate. As an industry, we have been unallowed to physically show property unless there was a contract on a home. That had buyers making decisions based off of virtual tours and photos. They were only actually able to see the home in person once under contract. Talk about a leap of faith! Additionally, sellers were wary to accept sight unseen offers knowing that the buyers may back out soon after seeing the home in person. But, we have all done our best and as a whole, during the month of March, the market is faring pretty well and holding steady while it...

There is still plenty of fear and unknown in the Northern Colorado real estate market and we aren't entirely sure how things will play out in the region post-COVID. What we do know is that there has been a constant demand for Northern Colorado homes in the last decade and we don't expect that demand to slow. Every homebuyer has fears of buying at a financially unsettled time. The best we can do is use data and projections to help us determine where the safest real estate in Northern Colorado actually is. This will help buyers feel more at ease knowing that their investment is safe and protected. Higher equity, lower debt is the first place to start.

In 2008/2009, the most impacted real estate in Northern Colorado were areas in which job loss, coupled with either adjusting or...

By now, you're probably maxed out with COVID news, but I want to remind you a simpler time: February. Since we have a small lag in real estate reporting, due to data getting processed and uploaded to the masses, my statistics blogs always report the previous month. Now, deep into March, amid a stock market collapse, a worldwide pandemic and social distancing, we can see what real estate in Northern Colorado looked like before COVID-19 hit.

The new buzzword this week is "social distancing" as a state of emergency was declared nationwide to combat the spread of the COVID19 pandemic. Most schools are taking an extended spring break, some workers are being told to work remotely, all sports have been suspended and social gatherings of 250 or more people are frowned upon. Chances are, you're avoiding most social engagements, staying in more and riding it out. You've got a lot of extra time on your hands. But how can you be effective with your extra hours to come out on the other side in a better place? Take a look at my downtime hacks for a better future.

The Corona Virus continues to dominate the headlines as fears of an all-out global pandemic have begun to impact worldwide economics and the stock market. With any abrupt change like this, it can have an eventual affect on the real estate market. Although the effect of the virus’ long lasting impact on the market is yet to be seen, here’s how it can change how (and when) real estate is bought and sold.

Whenever people are fearful, they seek certainty. Instead of leaving money in a volatile stock market, consumers move to safe and reliable treasury bonds. This gives them certainty. And when the bond market is performing well, interest rates drop. Lower interest rates let buyers afford more home for their dollar, or, allow some buyers to get into their first home that they may not...

Two of the three markets I cover started off at a much better clip than 2019, while one (Loveland) kept an equal pace with sales from the previous year. January, traditionally a pretty slow month, was just the opposite in Fort Collins and Greeley. It's usually a slower month because the closings we see in January are a result of homes going under contract between Thanksgiving and Christmas, a time where few homeowners put their homes on the market just due to the hectic nature of the holidays. But, there were deal hunters out and about, who snagged some "off season" deals. Another reminder of one of my favorite phrases "there's never a bad time to sell your home".

According to the National Association of Realtors, most homeowners are sticking in their current home longer than ever before. In fact, nationwide we have seen homeowner tenure increases of 3 years since 2008. With the most recent national data available, in 2018, homeowner tenure reached a median value of 13 years. 13 years without a move sounds like an incredibly long time without a move, but everybody has a reason.

There is a Realtor rule of thumb that most homeowners move every 5-7 years, and this 13 year median tenure is double that. What's the reason? Well, it's hard to nail down the motivations of current homeowners, but if you look back about 13 years, we saw the start of the great recession where millions of homeowners saw big losses in equity. In some locations,...

In case you missed last month's Fort Collins State of the City address from both Mayor Wade Troxell and City Manager Darin Atteberry, you missed a very informative and meaningful look at our city. Held in the first few weeks of the year, the state of the city address gives local leadership an opportunity to showcase the improvements the city has made over the past year along with providing a vision for years to come.

Fort Collins certainly had plenty to brag about with achievements like best bike city in America, best tasting water in the region, one of the best places to raise a family, and a Malcolm Baldridge National Quality award.

A big focus of improvement over the next several years continues to be a push for inclusion, empathy and equity for all residents - with...

In a hugely connected world full of gurus, Chip and JoJo’s, multi-level marketing businesses and social media influencers, there are plenty of people that have the appearance of getting rich quickly. Every generation has had their different schemes and fads in gaining wealth. Truth be told, there are plenty of people who work very hard, do the right things, and make it to the top. But the stories of those who succeed are rare compared to those who just don’t quite put it all together.

Real estate investing is no different. Often, late night infomercials tout the ease and simplicity of getting rich in real estate. Buying short sales and foreclosures, using “other people’s money”, investing in tax liens and “fix ‘n flip” programs make it seem like anyone can passively get rich. To...

As any parent can remember, the first few months of your child's life is difficult. Constant attention, sleepless nights, diapers, feedings, spit up - the list goes on and on. I know it well because I'm right in the middle of it with my 4 month old daughter, Isla. The days are long and it's tough knowing that when you call it a night, it starts all over the next day. The days and nights are long. But then, all of the sudden, magic happens: a smile.

Going through all of this recently made me realize that the only true currency we have in this world is our smile and willingness to be kind to each other. For parents, that first smile can wipe away any stress, lack of sleep or frustration you're going through. Seeing a little one smile is about as close to heaven as you can...

Real estate 2019 finished strong in Northern Colorado, and while it is still considered a record breaking year, 2019 was finally the year we saw an end to the 6/7/8% gains in median value. Anecdotally, the market as a whole throughout Northern Colorado seemed to be as busy as ever, but prices just didn't creep up as fast as they have in the last 4 years. Sales held steady throughout the region - with limited inventory, nearly every home that came on the market eventually found its buyer, but after all was said and done, 2019 was much like 2018, statistically speaking. Take a look below at the Northern Colorado 2019 real estate wrap up.

Sometimes life gets in the way of even simple home maintenance tasks - you might skip a few projects and then get overwhelmed by the mountain of items that need to get checked off your honey-do list. In 2020, resolve to stay on top of those tasks that protect your home and provide most value and put your house on maintenance cruise control.

You’re starting a new decade and like most people out there, you’re likely coming up with goals to help you get to where you want to be in life. Some goals are near term and some goals are long term. If your goals are too easy to attain, you’re not setting your sights high enough. Motivation can be tough and there are always plenty of obstacles that stand in your way. I want to help!

Are you trying to start a business? Lose weight? Save more? Get over a crushing loss? Find balance? Improve your relationships? Be a better you?

Trust me, I know none of this is easy. I’ve been through everything mentioned above (and much, much more...) and although I don’t have all the answers, I’ve found it’s always better to tackle an issue or reach a goal with a partner and friend. Find...

Coming off of another very hot summer, sales across the Northern Colorado region (including the Fort Collins area, Loveland/Berthoud area and Greeley/Evans area) have largely remained consistent with the strong numbers hit in August of 2018. Just like we are often wading into the unknown in February and March, unsure how strong or weak the spring and summer season will be, in August and September, there is often a "breather" that we experience, where the fate of the remainder of the year and early next year is up for grabs.

This week, the great game of baseball played their annual mid-summer all star game showcasing some of the game's most talented athletes. There were big hitters, crafty pitchers, and accomplished defensive stars. I love baseball. I've been playing it as long as I can remember. I know there are plenty of folks out there that see it as a boring, long-winded hobby, but for those of you who truly understand the sport, you know that baseball can teach you a lot about life.

One particularly simple, yet very understated, detail in the great game is running out a groundball. For those of you not familiar with the sport, grounders are a pretty typical and mundane occurrence. The batter, in his attempt to get a hit, puts the ball on the ground. In most cases, a defensive player will...

We're at the peak of the selling season and it's certainly a busy one. The homes closing in June and early July are the result of contracts written in May when the market begins to really cook. Typically, after school lets out, we see a fury of buy/sell activity and this year is no different. Every month, at least one area of the regions is hitting a new record value (Loveland/Berthoud & Greeley/Evans last month) - thanks in large part to continued demand, low interest rates and lack of quality, available inventory. Across the board, sales were down about 15% in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley/Evans, which was somewhat surprising to see during one of our busiest months. See what's shaking up your individual market, below:

School is out, pools are open and summer is heating up! I cannot believe we are already into the meat of the selling season in Northern Colorado. In late 2018, several forecasters were predicting a bit of a slower season, but all signs are pointing to continued gains in appreciation as we head into the second half of the year. Buoyed by strong demand and continually declining interest rates, buyers are getting a bit more buying power and are coming out in force to get their hands on any available inventory as prices keep creeping up.

If you've been in the Northern Colorado real estate market in the last 5 years, you know just how tough it is and how much competition you're up against. There's not much for sale, and then when you're finally able to get a showing scheduled, you have to make a quick decision, and you're likely competing against multiple bidders, all above list price, waiving all kinds of contingencies, too. It's tough. And I hate to say it, but you're bound to miss out on a home you love. A lot of people might walk away from a home they love after they're outbid, but, I have another strategy that just might work in your favor: a backup offer.

It's been the same story for the last several months: increased competition, lack of available inventory, and continued low interest rates. It's always interesting to see how the spring selling season will start, with a whimper or a bang. This year, it's a bit in between the two. So far through April, it's a bit of a mixed bag in the three markets I analyze. In the more affordable markets, sales have been increasing, partially due to more inventory, but also because these areas offer more home for your money. Don't be fooled though, higher end markets are still seeing strong activity, with multiple offers and above list bids. All of these factors are leading to a steady gain in home prices across Northern Colorado.

Last month, I painted a pretty dire picture of what 2019 could look like if buyers continued to sit on the sidelines, waiting out the lowest of the low inventory. And just like that, buyers are back in full force, home sale figures are (generally) up, and inventory levels are up, too. Another added bonus, interest rates are down from the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2018, making the springtime a very advantageous time to be house hunting, before the competition really heats up.

In what can only be described as a very surprising and unanticipated departure from my sexy, stimulating real estate market updates, I'm going to put on my woo-woo pants and talk a little bit about feelings and personal mindset.

Yes, this robot has feelings. Many more have come to the surface as a dad, but yes, I've got feelings.

In an industry and world where I am often told no, I have to work my ass off to develop the right frame of mind to remain continuously and staunchly optimistic. The world of optimism, love and abundance is my choice.

It's not always easy. I have not been around for long but I have learned a thing or two. One thing I've learned is that as humans, we tend to feel the negative much more than the positive. I guess I should say - we tend to...

It looks as if both home buyers and home sellers decided to really take some time off over the holidays - near record low sales in January were the result of very few purchase contracts written in the Thanksgiving through Christmas time frame. Traditionally, January is the month with the fewest sales and 2019 kept right on trend.

Much of the lower sales numbers can also be attributed the fact that there are fewer and fewer homes available in Northern Colorado, and many of those homes still active beyond the holidays could be overpriced, in poor condition, or were just not the right fit. To put a long story short - there aren't enough homes, and of all the homes left, they aren't all that exciting.

Another year has come and gone. If you were in the Northern Colorado real estate market, or even if you were just on the sidelines, you knew just how dynamic the market was in 2018. 2018 was another year of records, and a few outlier months that left us scratching our heads. Every year is different and 2019 is shaping up to be another interesting year in real estate. Let’s see how we finished up:

Now that we're past October and nearing the home stretch in 2018, Northern Colorado real estate is really a tale of two markets. Furthermore, these markets are not necessarily easy to interpret. The two separate markets are the "affordably priced" and the "not-so-affordably priced" homes. Greeley/Evans is still affordable, whereas Fort Collins and the Loveland/Berthoud markets are still on the high end of buyer's price points. Each of these markets are behaving differently. See the stats below to get some insight into what's happening.

While the headline "prices reverse course" can seem ominous, we need to put it in the right perspective. First, as indicated below, all median values are up nearly between 9.6% and 12.11% as compared to 2017 values. 10%+ value increases are nothing to sneeze at - it is generally a $40,000+ appreciation in a median home in just one year. Your house has a reasonable full time job! Additionally, 10% value increases are not healthy or sustainable either. It could be possible that buyers are taking a breather from the intense competition seen in May, June and July or it could be that rising interest rates are really starting to cut into buying power. The jury is still out, and in the winter months, it is difficult to sense a pattern or trend, simply because our sample sizes of sales...

When you’re a first-time homebuyer, it can be hard not to feel inundated with all the possible options you could pursue. When you’re looking at houses for sale, though, it’s important to determine what type of floor plan will work best for you. By doing this, you can save time — and save yourself from becoming overwhelmed. Reach out to Jared Reimer today for help buying a house in Fort Collins, and read our blog about questions to ask yourself and things to remember as your touring houses for sale.

As you work your way through the home-buying process, you want to save money wherever you can — after all, there’s a mortgage on the way and surprise bills almost everywhere you look. Instead of skipping the home inspection to avoid writing another check though, it’s vital you have a professional properly inspect the home you’re considering buying.

Jared is committed to helping our customers enjoy their new home for years to come — and skipping the home inspection could put that at risk. Learn four reasons why you should have a professional home inspection, and work with our real estate agents in Fort Collins to find...

The chill is finally in the morning air as we head towards fall. Where we're seeing no chill is with the Northern Colorado real estate market where we're seeing August home prices shoot up as sales drop across the region. I know it may seem like a broken record, but the reality of the situation is that with demand remaining strong throughout the year, and inventory remaining low, we're really not going to see any letting up in appreciation.

You’re buying a house in Fort Collins — congratulations! Whether you already bought the home or you’re still browsing houses for sale, it’s normal to worry that something could go wrong, no matter if you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’ve done this before. Jared aims to help you with the home-buying process and everything in between — including providing information on home warranties. Instead of missing a mortgage payment because of an unexpected expense like fixing the fridge, plumbing, or more, invest in a home warranty that best meets your needs.

First things first: a home warranty is a service contract that will cover the repair or replacement of major home components and appliances that tend to...

The prospect of buying a house and handing over your final rent check is exciting, to say the least. Along with that, selling a house your family has called home for years and years can be a difficult process. Whether you’re buying or selling a house, it’s a huge decision and by no means should you rush the process. The first step toward your next move begins with the selection of a real estate agent, no matter whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’re selling your house.

Here in Northern Colorado, Jared Reimer can guide you every step of the way. He's experienced, savvy, and focused on delivering the results you need. Jared knows the Fort Collins area and surrounding communities well — this is where he consistently sells homes. He'd love to help you with your next move....

Are you browsing the market constantly, convinced that your dream home is going to pop up on your screen next time you check new listings? If this is you and you still haven’t found the right real estate opportunity, then perhaps it’s time to look to a high-end custom home in Fort Collins. You’ve been looking and looking and know what you want, so why not build it yourself?

Chances are high that you’ve heard of custom, manufactured, and modular homes while you’ve been house hunting. Today’s blog will explain some differences and similarities between the three home types.

Jared Reimer, The Craft Broker, is eager to help you love the space where you spend so much of your time. Contact us for...

Can you believe it's already back to school time in Northern Colorado? This is the time of year we all take a collective (yet short) pause to catch our breath and gear up for the action between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Speaking of action, Greeley had a HUGE jump in sales in July, which single-handedly put sales in the area into positive territory as compared to 2017.

When you’re choosing a new home, it’s not just for you and your children. Your new home will impact your furry friend as well! Read on to learn about some of the best dog parks in Fort Collins. When you choose a home with Jared Reimer, he wants to help with every part of your home-buying experience. We’re with you for every last detail, including where the nearest dog park is to your new home. Read on to learn where they are, and then contact Jared to help you meet your needs (puppy’s needs included).

We're past the halfway point of the year and with the weather, home prices are heating up. Granted, home prices have been heating up in the middle of the winter too, however, we've reached some really astounding milestones in all three markets.

Real estate in Northern Colorado is a very hot topic - at dinner parties, kids sporting events, and neighborhood gatherings, everybody talks about what's on the market. They share anecdotal remarks about price per square footage, multiple offers, Realtors and crazy facts. I wanted to bring a few of these interesting facts to light in my newest series: Did You Know?

We have all heard that Northern Colorado Real Estate has become more and more un-affordable, but I wanted to just gauge what that un-affordability actually looks like.

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you’ll likely fall into one of two categories: either you ignore that one thing that isn’t ideal because everything else in the house is perfect, or you look into everything too much and can’t decide because it’s not exactly right.

Neither one of these categories is good! For example, if you ignore the fact that the kitchen is too small because everything else is perfect, then you’ll be unhappy later on. If you don’t buy a house because the carpet is bad, even though everything else is fine, you’re also missing out. Read our post today to learn four inconsequential things in real estate when you’re buying a house.

With so many home buyers in Northern Colorado, it might seem like an open house is something that you don’t need to put much effort into. But even when you have a home that is in a great location, is priced right, and has all of the most-wanted features, you need to make sure that the house is looking at its best. If you want to sell your home fast, work with an experienced real estate agent who will help you with these tips. Get in touch with Jared Reimer today to get started selling your house.

After you make the initial decision to buy a house, it’s not uncommon to want to go straight into visiting open houses and spending hours clicking through online listings. But slow down and hold onto your craft beer for a minute to think about everything that goes into the process. Before you can even open up your Internet browser to look for homes for sale, there are a few, potentially long-term, steps that you should complete. Read more and contact an experienced real estate agent in Fort Collins.

We are in the heat of the summer and the Northern Colorado real estate market is on fire, but whether that is good or bad depends on which side of the deal you're on. Both sides can agree that home values are soaring in Northern Colorado. Take a look below to see what's happening in your sub-market:

When you’re building the home of your dreams, why wouldn’t you implement all the latest smart-home features technology can offer? Pretty much everything you can imagine comes in a “smart form.” This ranges from clocks to appliances to speakers to even cooking utensils. We know that the custom home buyer has typically owned at least one home in their life, and therefore understands the home-buying process and what they’re looking for (regarding everything from location to construction materials to layout).

Our blog today discusses some smart home features you may or may not have thought of, but that you’ll definitely want to consider when building and furnishing your new home. Reach out to our Jared Reimer today to make your (smart home) dreams come true.

I understand that we operate in a competitive and crowded marketplace. Every agent is a little different, every brokerage and real estate office is different - that's what makes our industry strong: diversity! If you're seeking out an agent or a company to do business with, it can be hard to compare and it can be difficult to really find what makes a company unique. In our "The Craft Broker Difference" series, I aim to breakdown just what makes me different and better than the average broker. If you are interested working with me, start a conversation today. Call or text at 970.222.1049 or email him at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com.

With a headline that can nearly be repeated every month, "Home Prices Hit New Highs in Fort Collins", the upward trajectory of the real estate market is holding steady and continues to push new limits. Not to be outdone, although not at record highs, the Loveland/Berthoud and Greeley/Evans markets are just off all-time highs and like Fort Collins, they will be moving onward and upward as the season heats up.

You’re finally building your dream house, which means you’ll have an extra guest room (or two) for friends and family! And, better yet, you’ll actually want them to come so you can show off your new home! Now that your home and guest room are built, how to decorate? Here are six must-haves for your guest room that will ensure your guest’s comfort.

Reach out to Jared Reimer today for help with creating your high end custom home in the Fort Collins area. Read on to learn what your guest room can’t be without!

#ICYMI - Give my Parkwood neighborhood spotlight a little love! Take a peek at what makes this neighborhood so special and unique. Check out my video to learn more or read the blog post! Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@theCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

If you’re looking into selling your house in Northern Colorado, you’ll probably have to do more than a quick vacuum before it’s ready to list. As a homeowner, you’ve worked hard to have your home represent you. When it’s time for moving boxes and trucks, though, you’ll need to make your home appeal to a wide range of buyers. Read our blog today to know what things you can’t afford not to do when you’re trying to sell a house.

I understand that we operate in a competitive and crowded marketplace. Every agent is a little different, every brokerage and real estate office is different - that's what makes our industry strong: diversity! If you're seeking out an agent or a company to do business with, it can be hard to compare and it can be difficult to really find what makes a company unique. In our "The Craft Broker" series, I aim to breakdown just what makes me different and better than the average broker. If you are interested working with me, start a conversation today. Call or text me at 970.222.1049 or email at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com.

My new neighborhood spotlight feature is dedicated to showcasing Northern Colorado's new construction communities. Whether they're affordable, production level, semi-custom, or fully custom homes, you'll enjoy this deep dive into each neighborhood. If you'd like a new project featured, just contact me - I'm happy to showcase your special spot. And if you're interested in potentially buying or selling a home in any of our featured neighborhoods, drop me a line to start the process. Enjoy!

2017 has come and gone and as we're looking ahead in 2018, it's helpful to reflect on what happened in Northern Colorado's real estate market this past year. With the effects of strained inventory, increased unaffordability, construction defects legislation and, to top it all off, a new tax plan impacting buyers, sellers, and investors alike, 2017 was an interesting year. Let's check out the numbers:

I understand that we operate in a competitive and crowded marketplace. Every agent is a little different, every brokerage and real estate office is different - that's what makes our industry strong: diversity! If you're seeking out an agent or a company to do business with, it can be hard to compare and it can be difficult to really find what makes a company unique. In my "The Craft Broker Difference" series, I aim to breakdown just what makes me different and better than the average broker. If you are interested working with me, start a conversation today. Call or text me at 970.222.1049 or email at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com.

What seems to be a very short lived "correction" may be just that, short lived. The late summer surge of inventory helped to keep median prices lower than they had been in over a year, but that trend seems to have reversed in October, as the last gasp of sales plays out in 2017. Prices in Fort Collins returned to the $375,000+ mark as homes in the Loveland/Berthoud area saw a new record median value of $390,000. Not to be outdone, values in Greeley and Evans are just below record highs at $280,000.

After the financial crisis in the earlier part of this decade, tons of savings and retirement accounts were hit hard. Baby boomers considering retirement likely put those plans on hold, whether they wanted to or not, until the market returned and their nest egg was healthy and stable again. Since I've been in the business, I've started seeing how savvy retirees are utilizing the new sharing economy, and booming housing market to their benefit - either providing greater freedom, better quality of life or supplemental income in their retirement years. Here are my best tips on utilizing house hacks for a happy retirement.

The momentum of the hot summer sales season has officially waned and prices in the least affordable markets are showing signs of cooling down as buyers are favoring more affordable options. Prices in Fort Collins that were once nearing the $400,000 mark just 3 months ago, have certainly reversed course - posting a median value of $359,730. This is the first year over year decline in median value in Fort Collins since June 2014. September median prices in Loveland, although still positive year over year, have declined from $383,250 to $347,000 in just one month. Always an affordable option, Greeley/Evans home values are up 18% from September 2016 to $280,000.

Happy Halloween! If you’re buying or selling in the near future, get prepared with my hot takes and guidance on my blog and enewsletter. Don’t get spooked by this market! I will not monkey around when it comes to getting the results you need...contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Temps are cooling, leaves are falling, football in on - it's that time of year. Fall is in full force and Winter is right around the corner. That means that both buyers and sellers are taking advantage of Northern Colorado real estate's last gasp - that very short window that one can purchase or sell a home before the end of the year. This time period is great for catching last minute opportunities, while avoiding the chaos of a fast paced summer market.

#ICYMI - Take another look at my blog on Northern Colorado real estate’s last gasp - and if you need to make a move quick contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@AscentREProfessionals.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

The Craft Broker's neighborhood spotlight feature is dedicated to showcasing Northern Colorado's unique neighborhoods. Whether they're high end, in-demand, luxury, custom, or just all-around interesting, you'll enjoy this deep dive into each neighborhood. If you'd like your neighborhood featured, just contact me - I'm happy to showcase your special spot. And if you're interested in potentially buying or selling a home in any of our featured neighborhoods, drop me a line to start the process. Enjoy!

The Craft Broker's new neighborhood spotlight feature is dedicated to showcasing Northern Colorado's new construction communities. Whether they're affordable, production level, semi-custom, or fully custom homes, you'll enjoy this deep dive into each neighborhood. If you'd like a new project featured, just contact me - I'm happy to showcase your special spot. And if you're interested in potentially buying or selling a home in any of our featured neighborhoods, drop me a line to start the process. Enjoy!

Heads up! My latest issue of my enewsletter is out and packed full of information for you. If you'd like to get on the list - just email or text me. Check out my video to learn more! Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

In my opinion, early fall is your best opportunity to get some exterior pics taken if you plan on listing our home in the winter. Get it done before the leaves fall and snow piles up. You’ll have some great curb appeal with those fall colors! And don’t forget to text or call me at 970.222.1049 if you plan on listing your home soon, I’ll get to work immediately. Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

I understand that we operate in a competitive and crowded marketplace. Every agent is a little different, every brokerage and real estate office is different - that's what makes our industry strong: diversity! If you're seeking out an agent or a company to do business with, it can be hard to compare and it can be difficult to really find what makes a company unique. In my "Craft Broker Difference" series, I aim to breakdown just what makes me different and better than the average broker. If you are interested working with me, start a conversation today. Call or text me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com.

Big news! My friends over at Yoga Pod Fort Collins are opening this week and I cannot wait to get in there! If you're looking to get fit, flexible and plugged into the community, give Yoga Pod a look - they've got tons of teachers, plenty of classes and lots of opportunities to reach your goals. AND they're just good people! Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Did you know Northern Colorado is in the midst of an appraiser shortage? Since the market got heated we've been dealing with several different appraisal issues - here's how they can affect you! I do everything I can to help mitigate issues before they become a problem - so chat with me if you're concerned about an potential appraisal issue. Give me a call or text today at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

There's plenty of talk out there: "It's slowing down", "Is the crash here?" etc. I've gotten questions at the dentist, the post office, and a brewery. Real estate is always the talk of the town, which is exactly how I like it. What I also like is providing numbers so that those seeking good info can have it to share at their next dinner party. It's what I do.

The market seems to be finding a bit more stable and sustainable normal - people forget that 10%+ gains in median value year over year is not normal or sustainable. We're not deep enough into any kind of slow down for anyone to jump to conclusions. Prices are still up compared to last year, substantially in some areas. Take a look:

The easiest way to keep up with the market is to follow me on Instagram or Facebook - I'll link every blog I post I create (like the Statistics blog I wrote yesterday...) - You'll always have a quick and easy read to stay on top of the Northern Colorado Real Estate market! Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@AscentREProfessionals.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Hey football fans! Hudson and I want to remind you that we've got some Broncos schedules ready to go - don't miss a game this year! Comment if you'd like one sent your way. I've also heard that having my picture on your fridge increases your home's value. Can't hurt, right? Check out my video to learn more! Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Are you looking for a great cleaner who is responsive, prompt and goes above and beyond? Look no further than A Better Day Cleaning and Concierge! If you need scheduled cleaning, move in/move out help or a big, dirty job - get in touch - I highly recommend them! 970.397.7932 - Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Heads up! My latest issue of my enewsletter is out and packed full of information for you. If you'd like to get on the list - just email or text me. Check out my video to learn more! Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Shout out to Full House Carpet Cleaning! They have done an EXCELLENT job cleaning carpets in my rentals - extending the life of our flooring and increasing our bottom line. they are affordable, quick and easy to work with. Give them a call at 970.481.6596 or find them online at FortCollinsCleanCarpet.com. Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Jared's new neighborhood spotlight feature is dedicated to showcasing Northern Colorado's new construction communities. Whether they're affordable, production level, semi-custom, or fully custom homes, you'll enjoy this deep dive into each neighborhood. If you'd like a new project featured, just contact me - I'm happy to showcase your special spot. And if you're interested in potentially buying or selling a home in any of our featured neighborhoods, drop me a line to start the process. Enjoy!

What does a top agent do all day, really? Whatever your perception of a real estate professional is, an exceptional, full-time agent is a master of multi-tasking, often times juggling dozens of different clients and responsibilities to make sure everyone is properly and professionally taken care of, meeting all the dates and deadlines spelled out in the contract, while needing to be dynamic and nimble when something goes south, or when plans change. A top agent makes the difficult seem flawless and is often doing plenty of tasks for you behind the scenes. So, what does a top agent do all day?

Need an additional strategy to help your offer get selected this spring? In my video I talk about how waiving your inspection objection might be a risk free way to help your offer stand out above the crowd - especially when all other terms are equal. Let's see how it works! Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Our builder spotlight feature is dedicated to showcasing quality and thoughtful builders throughout Northern Colorado who really respect the process of the new home-building experience. These builders dedicate themselves to providing unique and individualized spaces while ensuring their clients are involved, informed and engaged from beginning to end. If you are interested in building a new home anywhere in Northern Colorado, please contact me to understand the process and start your adventure!

As 2017 unfolds, we are starting to see a really interesting development in Northern Colorado. As building remains tight, inventory of new construction homes and resale homes, for that matter, are hard to find throughout the region. I'm keeping my eye on the Loveland/Berthoud market, one of the areas where building is relatively strong, especially in the low to mid range markets. This is keeping appreciation at bay, good news for buyers, but not necessarily the best news for sellers. If you're interested in what's happening in your neck of the woods, please get in touch with me for a deep dive into trends, strategy and crystal ball gazing. It's all below in our June 2017 NoCo real estate market update.

As we saw in...

Do you have a short term rental home? The city of Fort Collins may not like the way you operate and will likely not allow you to continue business if you are a non-primary short term rental owner. Contact Jared@TheCraftBroker.com to get involved. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

In the middle of the year as summer heats up, the Northern Colorado real estate market follows suit. Every June and July, we expect increased activity - more homes for sale and more sales as a result. In 2017, however; what we saw in June was pretty important. In Fort Collins we saw a 35% increase in active listings over 2016 figures. In fact, this is the highest number of homes for sale in June since 2013. Loveland saw a 49% increase in active listings in June, which is the highest active listings in June since 2011. Sellers are selling again! To prove just how different the segments of our broader market can be, Greeley/Evans saw an 11% decrease in active listings from 2016 with just 328 homes for sale in June. So the big question is, is inventory returning?

While it may...

Our builder spotlight feature is dedicated to showcasing quality and thoughtful builders throughout Northern Colorado who really respect the process of the custom home-building experience. These builders dedicate themselves to providing unique and individualized spaces while ensuring their clients are involved, informed and engaged from beginning to end. If you are interested in building a custom home anywhere in Northern Colorado, please contact me to understand the process and start your adventure!

I understand that we operate in a competitive and crowded marketplace. Every agent is a little different, every brokerage and real estate office is different - that's what makes our industry strong: diversity! If you're seeking out an agent or a company to do business with, it can be hard to compare and it can be difficult to really find what makes a company unique. In my "Craft Broker Difference" series, I aim to breakdown just what makes me different and better than the average broker. If you are interested working with me, start a conversation today. Call or text me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com.

Do you want to be a leader in the community? Check out Leadership Northern Colorado where managing broker Jared Reimer is a past graduate and currently sits on the steering committee. Contact Jared@TheCraftBroker.com to get involved. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

It's a unique market out there. In Fort Collins, the average home price sits at $400,000. Median prices have increased over 8% year over year since 2013, which means if you owned an median home in 2013, you now have an additional $95,857.33 in equity IN JUST THREE YEARS. Times are great for NOCO home sellers, right? Well, it really depends on how you look at it. There is a huge paradox for two different types of NOCO home sellers out there - the move-up sellers and the downsizing sellers. Let's take a look!

Jared's new neighborhood spotlight feature is dedicated to showcasing Northern Colorado's new construction communities. Whether they're affordable, production level, semi-custom, or fully custom homes, you'll enjoy this deep dive into each neighborhood. If you'd like a new project featured, just contact me - I'm happy to showcase your special spot. And if you're interested in potentially buying or selling a home in any of our featured neighborhoods, drop me a line to start the process. Enjoy!

Another month is in the books and interestingly enough, we might be starting to see a little bit of a shift in the market - now, whether that kind of shift will continue is yet to be seen - with the biggest and best real estate months coming up, we hope to be able to track any potential issues along the way. Keep in mind, individual Northern Colorado real estate markets can and will ebb and flow for different reasons. It's important to understand that each market is different, our goal is to help you find opportunities to capitalize on.

Prices in April popped up in Fort Collins, nearly $390,000, which is a 12% increase over 2016 numbers. The culprit? Of course, still a lack of entry level, single family homes - both of the new construction and resale variety. Interestingly...

With a quarter plus under our belt, 2017 is shaping up to be a very interesting year in Northern Colorado real estate. With continued lack in inventory, prices continue to increase sharply, even over record numbers from 2016. It was once thought sales could not creep any lower because the amount of homes on the market was critically low. This past month, sales seem to have held steady or increased, atleast in Loveland and Fort Collins. Greeley continues to struggle to increase sales.

Because of Greeley's lack of homes for sale, prices continue escalating, up nearly 10% from this point last year. A 10% increase in homes will double a home's value in just 7.5 years. Certainly this level of price increase is not sustainable, but until demand declines or supply increases, these...

Do you think that once a home is "under contract" it's gone forever? Not so fast! Backup offers can be effective for buyers who just missed out on a winning bid. Things can fall through - financing, inspection, appraisal, or buyer's remorse! Just another opportunity for you. Check out my video to learn more! Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

After a meeting with NOCO Housing Now, a group tasked with identifying problems and providing solutions for our affordability crisis, Jared Reimer provides some insight on items where compromises can be found so we can have some construction defects progress. To join the conversation and help with our affordability and advocacy efforts, contact Jared Reimer at 970.222.1049 or Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

With all the buzz surrounding finding more affordable and attainable solutions in this market, I thought I would hop to the other end of the market - Northern Colorado high end homes. Now, the term "high-end" can mean different things to different people. For the purposes of this breakdown, I took a look at the top 10% of homes in Fort Collins, Windsor, and Timnath during the 1st quarter of 2017 and defined that as the 'high-end' market. While there are high end homes in every community (Loveland and Berthoud included) I wanted to focus on just the Fort Collins, Windsor, and Timnath markets.

It's that time of year where most of us have made resolutions. Some of us have stuck with them so far, while others got derailed, delayed or just plain gave up. While I made my New Year's resolutions, I also contemplated what I could do to help others feel more empowered in their real estate choices and decisions. So many of us don't realize just how important the right home is. It's where you start every morning. It's where you raise your family. It's where you spend two-thirds of your day. If you just can't seem to find your groove, maybe you're home is partially to blame. This year, I challenge you to improve your life using real estate.

Another predictable month in Northern Colorado real estate as February reports fewer sales region wide and increased median values. It's starting to sound like a broken record. The amount of homes for sale in Fort Collins, Loveland/Berthoud and Greeley/Evans is down double digits, 10%, 22.73% and 19.23% respectively. With such low inventory, we'll look for the next several months to surge in median value as buyers hustle to compete for scraps.

If you're interviewing a listing agent before selling your home, make sure you ask these questions! You've got to be sure your expectations are met, and that you've got the right fit - start here then message me for an interview. Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

If you missed my builder spotlight on Hartford Homes, give it a look - see what makes them unique in Northern Colorado new construction. Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Vote vote vote! Official city council ballots are out and ready for you! Please take the time to learn about the candidates in district 1, 3, and 5 - our housing future depends on it. The Coloradoan has a great breakdown of the candidates and issues, check it out. Drop me a note if you want input on those candidates who will most impact housing affordability. Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

We're doing big things...very big things! The Future of Housing Community Foundation is a newly formed 501c3 that provides grants, funding and support for housing related issues throughout Fort Collins and I help to steer the ship as we budget and plan. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Have you recently completed a renovation or addition? Was your assessed value from the county higher than you expected and you want to contest? Are you looking to sell within the next year? All of these are great reasons to get in touch with me about my free and easy home valuation. It's better than Zillow or those other estimators - I guarantee accuracy. Give me a call or text today at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

I recently read that 9 out of 10 new home buyers didn't realize there were down payment options that offered less than 10% down. I've got the low down on some options between 0% and 10% that might work for your unique financial situation. It pays to participate in this market - so do it smartly! As always, get in touch with me and I can help you get it all sorted before we hit crunch time! 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

I had the opportunity to view the Fort Collins State of the City Address - it was a great opportunity to learn about the priorities in the city, along with how the city is addressing challenges in homelessness, transportation and affordable housing. If you want a roadmap to what 2017 (and beyond) will look like in Fort Collins - take a peek at my recap or view the entire presentation here. Give me a call or text today at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Do you know most homes in Fort Collins are at risk for Radon? What is it? How does it affect your health? How much does it cost to test and mitigate - I answer all your questions so you can know your radon risk. Give me a call or text today at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

2017 is starting off strong, just like 2016 ended - higher median prices and fewer sales across the Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley. Over the course of 2016 home prices in the Greeley/Evans area jumped 13.6% and this January has not bucked the trend, up nearly 22% from January 2016. Very impressive, however this is entirely unsustainable and unpredictable. Alternatively, Fort Collins continued its very consistent, stable increase of 9.51% from January 2016. This is in line with median gains it saw from 2016 - unsustainable, however - very predictable and consistent. Loveland/Berthoud saw 'modest' gains of 5% from last year - due to the fact that the area had MORE sales in January 2017 than 2016. The slightest increase in inventory and home sales can have a big impact on median...

With high prices in Fort Collins, surely all the real estate investment opportunities have dried up, right? Not so fast! What's great about our market is that there are always opportunities - especially if you know where to look. Learn what makes Fort Collins such a unique place to invest in real estate and give me a call to discuss your dreams today - 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Big things are happening at Crossroads and I25 with the $500M "Brands at the Ranch" project. Learn what attractions you can expect as Jared Reimer breaks it down for you. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

2016 has come and gone - what a wild ride it was! The story of the year was stifled inventory which has led to an increasing affordability crisis. Affordability is no longer just an 'issue' but is now a full blown crisis. With regulatory costs for new construction, along with increased costs in labor, construction materials, liability insurance, land and water fees, new homes are becoming increasingly more and more difficult to build and deliver affordably. A new year is here, and with it, more opportunities to solve our region's housing challenges. Here's our 2016 Northern Colorado real estate wrap up: can have a big impact on median value.

Can you catch the outlier in the home sales data? That would be Loveland/Berthoud, coming in hot with a 20% increase in sales over...

In our November 2016 Market update, craft broker Jared Reimer shares median values for Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, along with some good news coming for Fort Collins condos and townhomes. Contact us for more information if you're wanting to make a move, we're glad to help. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

This month, just under half of the United States' voters got their man, Donald Trump, elected president. My impression is that nearly 100% of the citizens were surprised at the results. Although President-Elect Trump will not take office until late January, many are wondering which campaign promises and platforms will begin to flesh out in the first few months of his presidency. While there are plenty of us concerned about social issues and international affairs, I want to take a deeper look into how Trump impacts housing.

Our builder spotlight feature is dedicated to showcasing quality and thoughtful builders throughout Northern Colorado who really respect the process of the custom home-building experience. These builders dedicate themselves to providing unique and individualized spaces while ensuring their clients are involved, informed and engaged from beginning to end. If you are interested in building a custom home anywhere in Northern Colorado, please contact me to understand the process and start your adventure!

Are you striving to buy your first home? I've got a new listing coming up in Thompson river Ranch - Ideally located and perfect for some looking to break into the market. Colorado is among the worst states for time home buyers (43rd out of 50) but my new listing won't disappoint. If you're wanting to get started - I'll connect you with a lender and get started right away - 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

A strong yet constrained real estate market is keeping the Northern Colorado region hovering near record highs. Regional median home values are creeping up above the $317,000 mark, as we end into the last gasp during the holidays. Through the end of October, a total of 9169 homes have sold in the Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley/Weld area, up 3.96% from the same timeframe in 2015, with a good portion of that increase due to the Greeley/Weld market. Low inventory is keeping sales level with 2015, however median values are up nearly 10% across the board.

My neighborhood spotlight feature is dedicated to showcasing Northern Colorado's unique neighborhoods. Whether they're high end, in-demand, luxury, custom, or just all-around interesting, you'll enjoy this deep dive into each neighborhood. If you'd like your neighborhood featured, just contact me - I'm happy to showcase your special spot. And if you're interested in potentially buying or selling a home in any of our featured neighborhoods, drop me a line to start the process. Enjoy!

Median values are up across Northern Colorado in September, as compared to 2015. Home prices are creeping up above the $317,000 mark, still at record highs, and there is no slowing in sight, although the colder months are always a little bit of a wild card. Through the end of September, a total of 8349 homes have sold in the Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley/Weld area, up 5.14% from the same timeframe in 2015, with a good portion of that increase due to the Greeley/Weld market. Low inventory is still gripping the region, very few homes are being listed, however, a potential bright spot is that with inventory so low, there is not much of a chance it could get any lower. Active listings have been leveling out (aka stagnating) for about the past 12-14 months across the region.

In our September 2016 Market update, managing broker Jared Reimer shares median values for Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, along with some insight on how Realtors are advocates for you, achievable housing and property rights. Contact us for more information if you're wanting to make a move, we're glad to help. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Buying a home can be complicated, especially when you might only get the opportunity to do it every five to seven years. Buying a home involves a lot of moving parts, dozens of details, strict terms and deadlines and a lot of money. While you can bounce back from a few bumps in the road, here are my top 5 home buying mistakes:

Real estate is very regional in Northern Colorado. Things could be booming in Greeley, flat in Loveland and creeping upwards in Fort Collins, all within the same month. If you follow the news, it could be hard to tell what's happening in your neck of the woods. Even in Fort Collins, for example, different neighborhoods and areas are becoming more attractive or more in demand for one reason or another - be it schools, new amenities, crime or employment. To give you a specific and in depth look at what is specifically happening across the region, here are Northern Colorado's hottest zip codes.

In our August 2016 Market update, managing broker Jared Reimer shares median values for Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, along with some insight on what we can expect over the 'colder months'. Contact us for more information if you're wanting to make a move, we're glad to help. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

You really can't beat a great day out on the links. With abundant sunshine, few rainy days and scenic vistas, you owe it to yourself to experience the numerous Northern Colorado golf communities. From relaxed and comfortable clubhouses, pools and reception halls to state of the art practice and training facilities, you're likely to find a great fit in any of the golf communities. Here's a fun fact: Northern Colorado golf communities have median values 30-40% higher than the surrounding region. Usually associated with a comfortable lifestyle, purchasing a home within a golf community will definitely fit your needs. See what's available below:

Median values across Northern Colorado in August were robust again, as compared to 2015. The median values throughout the region soared up to $317,000, the highest we've ever seen, and there is no slowing in sight. Through the end of August, a total of 7456 homes have sold in the Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley/Weld area, up 9.12% from the same timeframe in 2015, with a good portion of that increase due to the Greeley/Weld market. As we settle into Autumn, the only things falling will be the temperatures and the leaves, low inventory will keep pushing NoCo median values up through the end of the year - count on it.

The world of virtual tours is evolving as new graphic interfaces make tours easier to capture and computing power increases platform capabilities. Gone are the days of stitched together pictures pawned off as a virtual tour, or worse yet, the slide show of the listing pictures. Our favorite new technology, used in all of our listings, is the Matterport 3D virtual tour.

No more clunky tours with Matterport. This high-tech tour is captured via a special camera that utilizes special software and hardware to perfectly capture spatial components to create the best virtual tour on the market. It is easily viewed on your laptop, tablet or phone and is absolutely seamless.

In our July 2016 Market update, managing broker Jared Reimer shares median values for Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, along with some thoughts on how long this market will continue upwards and what could be done to help increase affordable options. Contact us for more information if you're wanting to make a move, we're glad to help. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

July was another very strong month for median value increases while sales remained stable over the Northern Colorado region. YTD July median values have reached new highs in the region, up to $315,000. Through the end of July, a total of 6473 homes have sold in the Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley/Weld area, up nearly 8.4% from the same timeframe in 2015. One needs to remember that both of these increases, in sales and median values, are above and beyond very strong and robust increases in 2015 - we're building upon increasing success and outpacing already record numbers on a monthly basis. It's a great time to be participating in this market.

This weekend, I hosted an open house and had quite a bit of fun meeting everyone who came through. I did notice plenty of unrepresented buyers pass through and it made me think, "there's gotta be a better way"! The first two things new buyers should do is get prequalified and get a buyer's agent to make the process more organized and professional. If you're starting the homebuying process - give me a call for a zero obligation meet up - we'll talk about why it's a no-brainer to have a professional advocate for you in this hot market! Contact me at 970.222.1049 or email me at Jared@TheCraftBroker.com. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Making the turn into the back half of 2016, YTD June sales and median values are keeping pace with the first half of the year, with prices at all time highs once again. Through the end of June, a total of 4931 homes have sold in the Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley/Weld area, up nearly 10% from the same timeframe in 2015. The region's median home values have soared again to $312,500, an 8.51% increase from YTD 2015. Over the course of 2016, we've seen a gradual increase in regional median value on average of $3,500 per month, and it doesn't look like that'll slow down. Right now, we're seeing levels of incredible equity in Northern Colorado homes.

In our June 2016 Market update, managing broker Jared Reimer shares median values for Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, along with some ideas on how buyers can be flexible with items besides just price - terms, location, timeframe and more. There are tons of additional ways to get your offer accepted, so long as you're flexible and optimistic. Contact us for more information if you're wanting to make a move, we're glad to help. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

In this very dynamic real estate market, where inventory is tight and multiple offers are the new norm, the best way to attract the most buyers to your home and get competitive offers is to consider your target market when selling your home. You may even think about your ideal target market when selecting an offer if you're lucky enough to have a handful to pick from, just so you can feel even more secure in getting a buyer who will ultimately close. If you consider your target market when selling, you'll have a much better idea of what kind of buyer you can expect.

Currently, there are 3 main market segments in Northern Colorado: entry level ($250,000 - $400,000), move-up ($400,000 - $700,000), high-end ($700,000+). Every market segment is going to have a different buyer...

My neighborhood spotlight feature is dedicated to showcasing Northern Colorado's unique neighborhoods. Whether they're high end, in-demand, luxury, custom, or just all-around interesting, you'll enjoy this deep dive into each neighborhood. If you'd like your neighborhood featured, just contact me - I'm happy to showcase your special spot. And if you're interested in potentially buying or selling a home in any of our featured neighborhoods, drop me a line to start the process. Enjoy!

Maybe you've just decided to make a move, whether it is cross-town or cross country, one of the first steps is scouting a neighborhood. In decades past, you used to have to rely on outdated maps, word of mouth, or local magazines to learn anything about a neighborhood. These days, if you're scouting a neighborhood, there are hundreds, if not thousands of resources available to you. Above all, determine your needs first - what kind of neighborhood will fit you best? Do you need a hip, urban setting, or a quiet, serene spot to relax? Take the time to consider the following items when scouting a neighborhood:

With half of 2016 in the bag, we're in the peak of the sales season in Northern Colorado and we're seeing prices at an all time high. Through the end of May, a total of 4290 homes have sold in the Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley/Weld area, up 13% from the same timeframe in 2015. Again, Greeley/Weld is leading the way with a 22% increase in sales, although Fort Collins is making up some lost ground from earlier this year to put their sales increase into positive territory over 2015. Median prices continue their upward trend again, up to $310,000 YTD, an all time high. School is out, summer is officially upon us and things are definitely heating up!

In our May 2016 Market update, managing broker Jared Reimer shares median values for Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, along with some insight on the question "are we experiencing a good real estate market?". Look before you leap - make sure you understand the entire process before your look to buy or sell. In this fast paced real estate market, it's easy to overlook or miss an important detail, so make sure to listen to your Realtor and make the best decision possible. Contact us for more information if you're wanting to make a move, we're glad to help. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Welcome to 4883 Valley Oak Drive in Loveland. This 5 bedroom, 3 bath custom lakefront home is sure to please even the most discerning buyer. Take a peek at the video tour, 3D room by room virtual tour and the listing information and call, text or email Jared Reimer to schedule a private tour today!

Click the video below to see this incredible home with abundant custom features!

In our April 2016 Market update, managing broker Jared Reimer shares median values for Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, along with some impressive stats for the condo and townhome market. Look before you leap - make sure you understand the entire process before your look to buy or sell. In this fast paced real estate market, it's easy to overlook or miss an important detail, so make sure to listen to your Realtor and make the best decision possible. Contact us for more information if you're wanting to make a move, we're glad to help. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

While all of us in the real estate world are gearing up for a very hectic and fast paced selling season, those of you who have not participated in the market in many years may not understand exactly what's impacting our real estate market:

• Historically low levels of available inventory
• Double digit year over year median price increases region wide
• Nearly 20% of contracts failing
• Multiple offers on almost any home at or below median value
• Few entry level options available to first-time buyers

With intense timelines for both buyers and sellers, the thought many might have is "why bother"? Many sellers would consider moving to capitalize on their home equity to move up, but not knowing how to logistically coordinate their sale and...

2016 is moving right along with another strong and competitive month in Northern Colorado real estate. A total of 3135 year to date home sales represent about a 10% increase over 2015 YTD sales. With stifled inventory, median home prices region-wide continue their upward trend to $305,000, with Fort Collins leading the way. Northern Colorado home values are exploding! With the selling season upon us, we're likely (and hoping) to see more inventory hit the market as soon as school is out.

We all know that “cash is king” or “money talks” but when it comes to the high stakes game of buying in the NoCo real estate market, when you put your money where your mouth is, you’ll likely come out on top. Never before have we seen a real estate market this constrained by low inventory. If you’ve participated in the market over the past two years, you’re familiar with multiple offers, waived contingencies and escalation clauses. All signs are pointing towards consistently higher sales prices for the foreseeable future. IRES, the MLS covering Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer and Weld Counties, reported that the regional median home value for the 1st quarter of 2015 was $310,000. After closing out the 1st quarter of 2016, we’ve already gained 7.8% to $334,250. Buyer demand has never...

In a hot sellers' market, you're probably pumped to get your home on the market. You know that buyers will just be racing to put a contract in on your home. You're thinking, "What if we get multiple offers? How far will they run the price up?" You're excited so you price your home above market value to get the most out of the sale. Can't hurt, right? And then - nothing happens. Sparse showings. Zero online engagement. You give it a couple weeks, certainly time will help. And then you wait. Still no offers. When do you consider a price reduction?

With one quarter in the books for 2016, Northern Colorado real estate continues its unprecedented and historic pace. Year-to-date sales increased regionally in large part due to the nearly 25 percent gain in the Greeley/Evans area. A total of 2150 home sales represented about a 12% increase over 2015 YTD sales. As expected, home prices region-wide broke the $300,000 mark, with nearly double digit gains in our 3 major markets. The Northern Colorado real estate market is on fire heading into the warmer months, and with competition at its fiercest, expect higher prices - the new reality of an accelerated market.

In our March 2016 Market update, managing broker Jared Reimer shares median values for Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, along with some resources you can use if you're a move-up buyer concerned about the logistics of making a sale and a purchase in swift and tight market. Call us for more information if you're wanting to make a move, we're glad to help. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube!

Second verse, same as the first! Northern Colorado home prices continue upward through February with a robust report from the Greeley/Evans area. A total of 1221 sales represented just over a 13 percent increase from the YTD 2015 sales along with a very strong regional increase in median value, up 6.61% to $298,500. If momentum continues, we will see a regional median value above $300,000 for the first time in history.

In this month's update, managing broker Jared Reimer shares median values for Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, along with some troubling inventory data. Big updates: Ascent is growing with the addition of Robin Curtis and our website has been fully loaded and redesigned for you! Check it out at www.TheCraftBroker.com

My new neighborhood spotlight feature is dedicated to showcasing Northern Colorado's new construction communities. Whether they're affordable, production level, semi-custom, or fully custom homes, you'll enjoy this deep dive into each neighborhood. If you'd like a new project featured, just contact me - I'm happy to showcase your special spot. And if you're interested in potentially buying or selling a home in any of our featured neighborhoods, drop me a line to start the process. Enjoy!

Of course you love reality real estate shows. Who doesn't like watching a couple young buyers get their first home before baby comes, or that well-to-do family finding the perfect getaway villa, or the savvy investor who makes $65k on his flip. Shows like Property Brothers, Rehab Addict, House Hunters and Flip or Flop are all big ratings hits and influence a lot of homebuyers and sellers. And let's not forget about HGTV's gem, Fixer Upper. Who wouldn't love the Gaines family - a wholesome and goofy central-Texas...

January home sales in the Northern Colorado region are off to their best start in history bolstered by strong sales in the Greeley/Weld Area. 560 total sales represented just over an 11 percent increase from January 2015 along with a very robust regional increase in median value, up 10.19% to $292,000 in the same period.

Let's face it, affordable homes are tough to find in Fort Collins. The shortage of quality inventory has pushed a lot of first time buyers out of the city but for those who are lucky enough to afford to be in Fort Collins, competition is fierce and prices have been consistently rising for the better part of the last 3-4 years. First time buyers, or move up buyers from condos and townhomes, need a good amount space along with proximity to amenities, schools, and work - but can it still be found? You better believe it! Our list of the top 4 entry level neighborhoods in Fort Collins proves there are still some great homes out there - you just have to know where to look.

Because home value is entirely relative, we define an "entry level neighborhood" as an area whose median home...

I'm always trying to be on the cutting edge, creating new ideas, challenging the norm and building a business that exemplifies the needs today's real estate consumer. Buyers and sellers are looking for intelligent, motivated, committed and mobile agents to not only help them buy or sell, but also to be a trusted advisor and advocate for all their real estate needs, now and in the future. My business is designed to meet and exceed those expectations. I don't fall in line with the big franchises. I don't follow the traditional path. I'm just a small, boutique, independent broker - I'm a craft broker.

In this month's market update, managing broker Jared Reimer breaks down price gains for 2015 and what we can expect in 2016 in the Northern Colorado Real Estate Market. Contact him to get started: www.TheCraftBroker.com

The Ascent family was dealt a massive blow in December with the passing of our partner and co-founder, Dave Pettigrew. Dave's health had been deteriorating for the better part of the past year while he bravely battled esophageal cancer. In mid-December an unanticipated stroke and the complications associated with it, took him from us. He was 73 years old.

This month, managing broker Jared Reimer breaks down median price trends and shares an interesting inventory breakdown as well. Are you interested in a winter purchase or sale? Contact him to get started: www.theCraftBroker.com

Step right up! Come one, come all! You won't believe your eyes. Come witness the incredible disappearing house!

Ok, it's not quite a sideshow act, but the incredible disappearing house is a real thing. We're not talking about houses vanishing into thin air, we're talking about houses that you may never see again. We're talking about the $300,000 home.

A little research on the Fort Collins real estate market, the trend setting market in the region, reveals some startling news. The number of homes priced below $300,000 are disappearing at an increasingly alarming rate.

This month, managing broker Jared Reimer breaks down median price trends and shares an interesting inventory breakdown as well. Are you interested in a winter purchase or sale? Contact him to get started: www.theCraftBroker.com

Prices are holding steady with a slight uptick in of sales over 2014 figures. Managing broker Jared Reimer provides insight and guidance on prepping for your fall or winter sale. Contact Jared to get started: www.theCraftBroker.com

September 2015 home sales in the four-county region continue the robust pace with 1,816 closed sales representing an 13.0 percent increase from September last year and the median price was up 14.9 percent to $300,000.

It is interesting to note that Weld County, the area with the lowest median selling price, also is the area with the highest increase in sales, while Larimer County, the area with the highest increase in selling price, also is the area with the lowest increase in sales. This would seem to be textbook economics. And we still find it amazing that with the low inventory – a current 2.6 month supply – and the double-digit increase in the median selling price, that there was enough demand to push up sales by 13 percent.

It's that time of year. Some parents jump for joy, others shed a few tears - change is in the air. After a long, hot, busy summer, parents and children alike are ready for a change of pace, getting back into the routine of homework and projects. It's back to school time!

Real estate and back to school might seem completely unrelated, but at this time of year, we are always reminding clients about the abundant opportunities the real estate investment market provides.

With all the information available to homebuyers these days through the web, apps, and other outlets, the entire process of purchasing a home should be much less complicated than ever before, right? We've found that isn't always the case. Buyers have information overload, inaccurate or misleading information abounds, and the struggle with analysis paralysis is ever present. That's where professionals step in and take the control of the process, eliminate concern, question or worry and get results. It doesn't have to be difficult or time consuming if you're working with the right professionals. When you're ready to make a move, here's how you can buy a home in seven days or less.

Local residential home sales in the Northern Colorado area held steady in August recording a 5% increase over last year with a total of 2,002 homes sold. This compares to sales of 2,157 in July. For the year to date, sales are up 6.6% to a total of 13,845 homes sold.

Let's be upfront - Fort Collins is an absolutely amazing place to live. The opportunities afforded to its residents are second to none: outdoor adventures, abundant festivals and events, fantastic dining and entertainment, top-notch schools, a stable and diverse economy and workforce, sunshine, BEER, and an amazing sense of community. Along with a vibrant and growing community, comes incredible tipping points and growing pains. Right now, we're in the middle of a major growing pain: housing affordability.

After several months of double digit increases in monthly residential sales, things slowed "a bit" in July with a total of 2,064 homes sold in the four county area including Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer and Weld. This represented a 3.6% drop in sales compared to a year earlier and is the first decrease this year. The median selling price is another story as it reached $302,675 in July, the highest monthly figure ever and a 12.6% increase from a year ago. We also recorded the first month when the median selling price was actually more than the median asking price for all the homes sold.

Big changes are ahead for the real estate and lending world. In this short video, Owner and Managing Broker Jared Reimer discusses rising median home values in the region and outlines the new CFPB requirements and how it can impact your closing timeline. Contact Jared to get started: www.theCraftBroker.com

This month, our managing broker Jared Reimer provides insight on the real winners in this market - the move-up buyer and the savvy real estate investors. Do you have a winning opportunity to take advantage of? There are abundant opportunities if you know where to look. Get in contact with us - call, text or email your questions to us and we'll gladly provide you with a winning strategy.

Local home prices in the Northern Colorado area are continuing a strong upward trend. Below, the graph shows the change in the average selling price of a single family detached home in Larimer County over the last four years. At the end of June 2011 the average home value was $264,510 and at the end of June 2015 it is now $351,776, an increase of 33%. Most of the escalation has come in the last two years as the average stood at $279,816 in June of 2013 and has increased 25.7% since then.

There has been a lot of publicity given to the residential real estate market recently, headlined by rising prices, which in the Denver Metro area are at the top of the list nationwide. According to recent reports, Case Shiller says year over year prices are up 10%, REColorado reports 11.3% and CoreLogic comes in at 9.8%. We thought we would take a look at the price gains in the Bizwest four county area (Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer and Weld) by way of comparison.

For single family detached homes, the median price the first six months of this year is $315,500 compared to $277,500 for the same period last year. This is an increase of 13.7% which puts this area ahead of the Metro Denver figures and perhaps at the top of the charts nationwide. Northern Colorado real estate is white...

Residential home sales in the four county Northern Colorado area continue on a record breaking pace. The 2,215 homes sold in June represented a 10% increase over last year and the median price broke $300,000 for the first time, hitting $305,000, an increase of 14.2% from June last year. For the first six months of the current year home sales are up 8.3% and the median price is up 14.9% to $298,725.

By area, Weld County leads the way with a 15.2% increase in sales and Larimer County has the highest price increase; up 18.8% to $300,000. Boulder County has the highest priced homes with the median price up 10.7% to $387,500.

Condo and townhome prices are soaring in Fort Collins. After nearly six years of fairly modest or even level price appreciation, the past two years have been incredible, and the trend hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. Condo and townhome data is often segregated from single family, detached homes when report sales data and as a result, condo and townhome prices are sometimes overlooked in favor of the more sought after single family info. We decided to take a look at condo and townhome prices just to understand what is happening in the entry level market, and the results were staggering. Here's why:

Real estate is a big deal. Each purchase or sale involves several different entities, tons of paperwork and a boatload of money. Because of the large amounts of money involved, there are predators lurking in the shadows ready to catch you at a weak point - either confusing you, misleading you or swindling you. Here are the top 5 real estate scams you should know about:

In this month's video market update, managing broker Jared Reimer breaks down the regional price gains and what we can expect during the next few months. Prices continue up, up, up at a remarkable pace in Fort Collins, Greeley, and Loveland/Berthoud. To really understand how your neighborhood is being affected by rising prices, give us a call, text or email and we'll be happy to provide a complimentary market analysis.

Spring is in full force and summer is right around the corner. You don't need to be selling your home to spruce up the curb appeal. Having a great looking home reflects well on the homeowner and encourages your neighbors to step up! Curb appeal doesn't have to be expensive either - a little elbow grease leads to some serious sweat equity. Curb appeal is your home's first impression - either for a guest, neighbor or potential buyer. Follow these curb appeal tips and you'll have a home that you can be proud of.

Home selling prices in the four county Bizwest region (Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer and Weld) continue in uncharted territory with double digit increases in both home sales and median selling price. The rate of increase actually slowed a bit in April with a 12.3% increase in median price but the number actually hit $300,000 for the first time boosting the year to date median price to $294,000.

By areas, the price increase parade is headed by Larimer County which shows a 21.1% increase in the median price for the year to date. This would certainly seem to be an unsustainable rate of increase, particularly when compared to a 7.5% increase for all of 2014. All of the price increases are due to a rising demand for homes and a limited supply of homes for sale. The net active inventory...

Low inventory is still driving up Fort Collins real estate prices. Median home values are up 28.2% to $328,000 from just 12 months ago. On average, that's $72,000 in equity per homeowner. In this month's video market update, managing broker Jared Reimer gives homeowners different options as to how they can best utilize and leverage that equity.

We all know the phrase, "cash is king" or "money talks". Well, in Fort Collins real estate, cash cannot be beaten. Having cash really does allow you to do more, negotiate better, and ultimately win the real estate game. We took a look back at the past 5 years, on a quarterly basis to really understand how money works in Fort Collins real estate, the results were surprising.

There has been some recent publicity about the unprecedented real estate market with Core Logic reporting that Colorado showed the highest price increase in the country with prices in February up 9.8% compared to February 2014. The Denver metro area also had the highest metro area price increase in the country, up 11.1% compared to a year earlier. By way of comparison, the national average was up 5.6%. They predict that the national home price will increase a further 5.1% by February 2016. RE Colorado reports that metro Denver had a 15.4% increase in the median selling price for February and a 17.7% increase in March, with the median price in hitting $312,000, the first time ever over $300,000.

It's that time of year again, March Madness is upon us! While many of you are playing hookie from work, or streaming hoops at your desk, the real estate market is really heating up. If you want to talk about the real March Madness, look no further than entry level real estate in Northern Colorado.

We've gone from logical and reasonably fair market conditions to a highly illogical (RIP Mr. Spock!) and downright mad market, especially in the lower third of the Northern Colorado real estate market.

Buyer competition is getting more and more fierce. Multiple offers, above list price offers, escalation clauses - what does a smart buyer need to do to win in this market? Take a minute to gain some valuable insight from Jared Reimer in our February 2015 Market Update Video. To see all of our videos and market updates, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe.

A normal, balanced residential real estate market is considered to be a six month supply of homes for sale. During the last year the market struggled with a supply in the range of two to three months, less than half the amount required. And we are starting off 2015 with a record low inventory measured in weeks rather than months. More than ever before, buyers are hurting for homes.

When things get good in the real estate market, people tend to get fearful quickly and automatically predict a collapse. The last downturn really put a strain on thousands of families in Northern Colorado via job-loss, foreclosure or bankruptcy. The memory of the most recent recession looms very heavily even in the hottest real estate market in the country. People are afraid of being burned. People are afraid of losing again. What if you weren't afraid? What if you could purchase or sell without fear of a downturn? Here's why the next downturn won't be like the last.

Managing Broker Jared Reimer provides guidance on the market as we enter 2015.

While watching the Super Bowl in February, one commercial in particular caught my eye. Budweiser's ad "Brewed the Hard Way" took a shot at the craft brewing industry telling craft beer drinkers to 'sip their pumpkin peach ales' while touting that Bud is macro-brewed, brewed for drinking not dissecting.

Because I live, work and thrive in the world's undisputed craft brewing mecca, Fort Collins, Colorado, I knew these ads would ruffle a few feathers. Immediately, I began to see my twitter and facebook feeds blow up with local and regional brewers' reactions. What I loved is that none of the craft brewers felt threatened, they were empowered and energized knowing that Bud had just spent millions of dollars in defense...

The Fort Collins and Loveland real estate market continued with it's record breaking pace in 2014 and with price increases continuing into the foreseeable future, 2015 is likely to be on the same course. We are very excited for the progress that was made in the Northern Colorado real estate market since the great recession, and we are eager to participate in and help develop this market in 2015 - it should be very exciting!

Smashed isn’t exactly the word for a modest 2.4% increase but considering it is on top of a 15.7% record setting increase in 2013 sales, this further 2.4% increase to 19,154 home sales in 2014 is unprecedented in the four county area. Coupled with a 6.4% increase in the median home price the total volume for 2014 was $6.23 billion; the first time sales have broken $6 billion mark and is an 8.2% increase from 2013.

The real estate world is buzzing with the emergence of the Millennial Homebuyer playing a big part in the overall real estate picture over the next few years. Millennials, also known as 'Generation Y', are typically defined as the demographic group born between the early 1980's and mid to late 1990's. For a rough estimate, a millennial homebuyer could be anywhere between 20 and 35 years old. According to the National Association of Realtors, this group represents 31% of future homebuyers.

Northern Colorado home sales in October set a record for the month with a 20.2% increase over last year, coupled with an 8.6% increase in the average selling price. Both areas of Larimer County had similar results in both the number of homes sold and the average selling price.

This brought the year to date sales almost even with last year, a small decrease of 48 homes sold is the difference between 2013 and 2014. The average selling price continues the upward trend on its way to $300,000. Last year finished at $276,256 and this year started at $284,387 so the average price has increased $11,000 since January and now stands at $295,393.

Northern Colorado real estate sales continue strong posting a 10% gain in September coupled with a 7% increase in the median price.

For the first nine months of the year home sales are exactly even with last year and the median price is up 4.8%. The big difference is between Boulder County where sales are down 7.8% and Weld County where sales are up 13.1%. All markets are showing increases in the median selling price, ranging from 11.3% in Weld County to 6% in Larimer County.

The momentum continues for real estate in Loveland and Fort Collins, and although the number of Northern Colorado home sales were down slightly from a year ago, the average selling price was over $300,000, an increase of 9% from last year. The County is divided into two areas for reporting purposes and both the Loveland (south Larimer County) and Fort Collins (north Larimer County) areas reported very similar results with a small decrease in sales and a 9.6% and 8.5% price increase.

While we are all enjoying the current warm sunny fall weather we are reminded that Thanksgiving is just a month away, followed by winter and the annual holiday shopping and partying season. Combined with the popularity of winter vacations, the lure of the ski slopes and the prospects of cold and snow, many home sellers think that the next few months are not a good time to be selling a home. In fact, there is no “bad” time to sell your home; the real estate market is active all year round. Naturally there are some peaks and valleys, but homes are bought and sold virtually every day of the year. We want you to contact us if you want to sell your home over the next few months.

You probably won't believe it when you see it. Northern Colorado's most expensive zip code probably isn't where you think it is. When we think of high dollar homes, we probably think of the supremely located Old Town Fort Collins homes along Mountain Avenue, or the golf course homes in at Highland Meadows, Southridge or Mariana Butte. Northern Colorado's most expensive zip code is fast becoming a destination for the area's well-to-do, and it has achieved this status almost overnight.

Welcome to zip code 80547 - Timnath, Colorado to be exact. With just 97 detached home sales to date, 80547 is currently Northern Colorado's most expensive zip code with a median value of $409,417. Over the past five years, and with the return of new construction in Northern Colorado, little...

South College Heights is a mid-town gem that many Fort Collins locals have called home at one time or another. There's absolutely nothing negative one can say about this charming, post-war neighborhood - centrally located in Fort Collins with sprawling lots, mature landscaping and plenty of friendly and kind neighbors.

Once again, Northern Colorado real estate sales are strengthening. All things considered, 2014 has been a very strong year throughout the region, but especially in the Greeley/Evans area. In Larimer and Weld County, year-to-date sales are down, but only by 2.4%, while total sales volume is up to $691,983,571 which represents a 5.7% gain region wide. What that means is that Northern Colorado real estate prices are rising, sometimes sharply depending on the area.

If you're getting ready to make a move, whether buying or selling, chances are you're also in the market for a Realtor who can help you wade through the waters of a complex real estate transaction in a fast moving market. You may be familiar or friendly with the Realtor you'd like to enlist, or you may be starting from scratch, hunting on the internet or asking for recommendations from your friends or family. Whatever the case may be, it's important to fully understand the person you're going to saddle up with for this wild ride. It's important that you're armed with a few important questions to ask a potential Realtor, since they will will be your go-to advocate from beginning to end and beyond. It's imperative that you find a good fit, both personally and professionally, so that...

If you're buying or selling a home in Northern Colorado, it is essential that your Realtor provide you with an in depth real estate market analysis during the process. As a seller, a market analysis will help you understand the trends in your neighborhood and give you a strong foundation when selecting a list price. As a buyer, a strong market analysis from your Realtor can help you understand which neighborhoods are 'hot' or declining. On top of that, when it comes time to make an offer, a strong market analysis will be your number one tool in setting an offer price and negotiating your contract. Don't rely on feeling - get a strong real estate market analysis based on facts. Here are the essentials of a great analysis:

As the temperatures begin to rise, so too does the real estate market begin to heat up. With 60% of the annual home sales occurring over the next six months, we are extremely short of available homes for purchase. Although we are seeing more homes for sale in Fort Collins, inventory levels are nowhere near seasonally adjusted averages. The inventory varies considerably by price range as reviewed in the chart below:

Northern Colorado real estate sales, especially in Weld County, are booming with a 22.3% increase for the first two months of this year on top of a 20% increase last year. This compares to sales in the Loveland and Fort Collins area which are down 8.5% and 7.5% respectively after recording 17.1% and 14.7% increases last year. Weld County sales have typically accounted for 40% of the total area but are currently nearing 50%. New home sales are keeping pace with an increase of 61% and new construction in Weld County now accounts for over 50% of the total new construction in the region.

What a strange turnaround from just a few years ago! Currently, there are just 3 detached homes for sale in Fort Collins under $200k: T-H-R-E-E! Now, there are some homes on the fringe of town, homes in 55+ gated communities, manufactured homes, and of course, condos and townhomes for less than $200k, but if you're looking for anything that is somewhat private, detached, and all yours - these are your options:

For us locals, we already know why living in Fort Collins just can't be beat. The sunshine, the beer, the food, and the fun make this a great place to be. And we're starting to get plenty of national recognition too.

In the past week, Fort Collins has seen several new accolades, accomplishments and all around pat-on-the-backs from varying organizations who praise the greatness of Fort Collins

Homebuyers in Fort Collins are up against some pretty stiff competition. Prices have been rising, interest rates are gradually increasing, and the amount of homes for sale are at the lowest levels we've seen in a decade. Sometimes it might feel as if the planets need to align for you to get the home that you want. To be able to compete, you can't be a casual buyer. You need to be proactive, aggressive and decisive - that's what it takes for homebuyers in Fort Collins to win. To understand what it takes to get serious about buying a home, take a look at the following steps:

Northern Colorado real estate sales in January were certainly all over the map ranging from a 34.4% increase in Weld County to a 24.8% decrease in the Loveland area. The average selling price increased in each area but ranged from a 2.7% increase in the Fort Collins area to a whopping 20% increase in the Loveland area. Overall a slim 2.6% increase in home sales compared to January last year and an average price of $253,176, a 5.9% increase.

Please understand before you read this that we are not a financial advisors or accountants. Consult with tax and financial professionals before making any moves within your retirement account. These professionals will further educate you on the risks and rewards to funding a down payment with your retirement account. Contrary to popular belief, there are some unique ways to utilize your retirement accounts for things other than retirement. Keep in mind, there are penalties and guidelines to follow, so make sure any of your advisers are hip to your scheming early on. They can provide tips and tricks to make sure you're doing it right from the beginning. Because every type of retirement account is different, and each person has an individual situation, we'll try to break down...

Active Rain, an online real estate information community, recently polled 1000 agents nationwide trying to discover the biggest home selling mistakes. Now, there are a variety of issues that can cause a home not to sell but when it really comes down to it, there are just a few major home selling mistakes to avoid.

Shopping for a mortgage is a big deal. Nobody is particularly well versed in the ins and outs of points, lender fees and closing costs simply because the industry is dynamic and most folks are only shopping for a mortgage once every five to seven years. It's hard to stay on top of the changes in the industry and it's hard to have enough repetition to really understand exactly what needs to be done. On top of that, being unfamiliar with the entire lending process could leave you in the precarious position of paying a little too much up front, or worse, paying too much over the course of your mortgage. That's why it's so important to shop for and develop a great relationship with a mortgage professional. I asked one of my expert preferred lenders, Chris Coates, for a list of 'must...

It seems like homeowners have finally gotten word that the market is hot and it's a great time to sell and move up. Along with a moderate level of new home construction, primarily in Loveland, Berthoud, Timnath and Greeley, a flood of resale homes have hit the market this selling season. Inventory is back for now. I'll say 'for now' because although active and available homes are popping up at rates not seen since 2011 or 2012, to declare that this market is "cooling down", we'll need several more months of sustained inventory to be certain. What is certain is that a few lucky buyers have gotten into homes with less competition, which has kept prices from escalating. It's nice to know that some inventory is back.

After several years in the doldrums, 2013 residential home sales in Northern Colorado broke out in a big way setting all time record levels for homes sold, average price and total volume. The table compares 2013 sales with 2012. The 10,923 closed sales were a 17.4% increase over the previous year, the average selling price of $254,509 was a 7.1% increase and the total volume of $2.78 billion is a huge 25.8% increase.

All three areas were fairly close with double digit sales increases and it is good to note that this was done without a double digit increase in home prices that was the result of sharply increased sales in many other areas of the country.

2013 was a breakout year for real estate in Northern Colorado. On average, sales were up 17.4% in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, while prices were up on average over 7.1%. Although nobody has a crystal ball, we're experienced and bold enough to make some 2014 real estate predictions for Northern Colorado.

Plenty of buyers think that prequalifying for a home is just another speed bump on the path to home ownership. Although the entire lending process might seem like a bit of a headache, the act of simply picking up the phone (or even just writing an email) and speaking with your lender about prequalifying for a home is one of the simplest of steps that can save you months of stress and annoyance.

Prequalifying for a home can take as little as 15 minutes. It doesn't guarantee that you will be approved for a loan, nor are you formally applying for one - it simply gives you a current snapshot of your qualifying potential. Here are the top 4 reasons you should prequalify:

It’s going to be close! After eleven months, total Northern Colorado home sales have broken the 10,000 barrier for the first time since 2005 and we are within sight of the record of 10,845 sales set in 2004. We need 749 closed sales in December to break this record and we should come close. It would have been easier with a better November which was a little disappointing with just 761 sales, a very slight improvement over the 743 sales from November last year. Typically December sales are lower than November so the 749 figure is going to take some work but we are assured of a substantial increase over last year and we will be close to the all time record.

The average selling price is up 7.1% for the year and the total volume of $2.56 billion is up a staggering 25.3% from last...

Residential Northern Colorado home sales in Larimer and Weld counties continued the record setting pace in October with another double digit increase in sales and a 7.2% increase in the average selling price. The year to date sales are up 18.2% and the average price is up 7.5% to $254,561. This ten month result puts us on track to close to 11,000 homes this year which would exceed the previous record of 10,845 home sales set in 2004. Coupled with the substantial increase in average sales price, the total volume could reach $2.8 billion, well ahead of the $2.5 billion achieved in 2005.

The Northern Colorado real estate market (Larimer & Weld Counties) continued the upward trend as September sales totaled 893 homes, an increase of 14% from last year and the average selling price of $256,935 was up 2.4% from last year. The slower increase in selling prices is welcome news in a market that was getting super heated with price increases approaching double digits.

Last year Jared Reimer was selected for the prestigious ‘Young Professional of the Year Award’ presented by the Fort Collins Board of Realtors. This year he has doubled down with his recognition as one of the 40 Under Forty as selected by the Northern Colorado Business Report. This award recognizes forty outstanding young professionals who work hard to excel within their company and their profession and are involved in making a difference in their community.

For those of you who don’t know Jared, he is definitely making a difference. In 2012 he graduated from the Leadership Northern Colorado Program, he is the President Elect of the Fort Collins Kiwanis Club, volunteers with the Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope, Walk for Alzheimer’s, Special Olympics and...

Fort Collins home sales have slowed in the last couple of months with October sales up 6.9% from last year and the average price of $279,900 up 4.7%. For the year to date, sales are up 14.7% and the average selling price is up 7.0%. The slowing increases, particularly on pricing are good news for the market because the pace set in July with an 11.6% price increase was probably pushing the market into an unsustainable ‘bubble’ position.

The Northern Colorado real estate market (Larimer & Weld counties) continued the record setting pace in August with the total volume of sales up 23% over last year. There were 1,110 closed sales compared to 979 last year, an increase of 13.4% and the average selling price increased 8.5% to $256,937.

For the year to date, home sales are up 18.8%, the average selling price is up 8.7% and the total volume is up 29% to $1.9 billion. This puts us on a pace to exceed 10,000 home sales and $2.5 billion in volume. To put this into perspective, the highest year ever for home sales was back in 2004 with 8,726 closed sales and the highest volume was recorded in 2005 with $2.0 billion so we are definitely in uncharted territory.

Northern Colorado just got its first blanket of new snow! As temperatures turn colder and we move into the the winter months, we want to remind you that the real estate world will not be slowing down any time soon. There is a perception that winter months bring a weaker market - that is one of many real estate myths. Although Northern Colorado does see some pretty wild winter weather from time to time, the sunny and cool winter months can be some of the best months to search for a new home, or sell your current home and move up.

We're always trying to combat real estate myths with solid, tangible facts about the market to educate our clients. A surprising fact is that across the region, a consistent 40% of home sales occur during the 6 month period from October through...

Believe it or not, an entire generation of homeowners is just around the corner. According to USA Today, Generation Y or "Millennials" comprise the nations largest demographic - over 90 million - much larger than even the Baby Boomers. Gen Y consists of Americans born between 1982 and 2001. Not to make you feel any older, but the oldest of the Generation Y constituents are now in their early 30's and are wanting to buy homes - lots of them. Just like 'the me generation' of the 1980's differed from their conservative parents, Generation Y real estate trends are also diverting from the tried and true 'norm' of the past couple decades.

Northern Colorado home sales in July were the best month on record with 1,208 homes sold at an average price of $261,779 for a total volume of $316 million, a 37.9% increase over last year. The year to date volume of $1.6 billion is an amazing 29.2% increase over the same period last year and again, the highest on record. The Loveland and south Larimer County area is leading with a 26.4% increase in the number of homes sold while Greeley and Weld County have recorded the highest price increase at 12.2% and the Fort Collins and northern Larimer County have the highest average selling price at $273,663.

Home sales in Northern Colorado have been on a record setting pace but slowed in June with 1,091 sales this year compared to 1,016 in June of last year. This increase of 7.4% is way off the pace of the first five months when the increase was 20.7%. The year to date sales still show a strong 17.6% gain but the lack of inventory and the higher mortgage interest rates are having an effect.

For the first time ever, Northern Colorado home sales totaled one billion dollars in the first five months of the year. From January to May, 2013 there were 4,055 homes sold at an average price of $247,472 for a total of $1,003,500,000. This is an increase of 29.7% from last year when the first five month sales totaled 3,360 homes at an average price of $230,327 for a total of $773.9M. The previous record goes all the way back to 2005 when there were 4,108 homes sold at an average price of $230,039 for a total of $945M.

In the past decade, searching for real estate has changed dramatically. Did you know, just 20 years ago a buyer would need to meet with a Realtor, look through a book of listings and then go house hunting? Or, worse yet, they would have to pick up an actual newspaper to look for new listings. Today, we live in a world of instant information - listings at your fingertips. But from what I've come across, buyers are frustrated with their information - there's too much, it's misleading or inaccurate, and it's hard to make heads or tails of what's actually on the market and available. Here's my commentary on how to maximize your real estate search.

Northern Colorado residential home sales for the first four months of the year are on a roll with a 21.5% increase over the same period of 2012. The 2,911 homes sold this year are the best start to a year since 2005 when there were 3,007 closed sales in the first four months. It is interesting that this large increase in sold homes has been accomplished without a corresponding large increase in the average selling price. The 6.8% increase to $246,040 is a reasonable, sustainable figure and given the low mortgage interest rates, home affordability remains at an all time high. Needless to say the NoCo real estate market is off to a great start in 2013

Last week, a few select leaders from Fort Collins and the Northern Colorado region were invited to a special open house, hosted by Alberta Development Partners' Principal, Bryan McFarland. The open house was designed to showcase the design and vision of the new Fort Collins Foothills Mall, scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014. Among the select group from the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Collins Board of Realtors was Ascent's very own, Jared Reimer.

We're back! The Fort Collins real estate market has set a new record for total dollar volume in the first quarter. Talk about fantastic news! In 2005, when the previous record was set, total volume reached $177 million. We have come back with a fury in 2013, closing 731 sales for a total volume of $196 million. The $196 million total volume represented a 28% improvement over 2012's first quarter, and the average sales price of $268,406 was up 6.7% over the same period. In 2013, Fort Collins real estate is moving along steadily.

If you're a Larimer County home or property owner, chances are you received a note from the Assessors office with information onyour Larimer County Notice of Value. This NOV is the Larimer County Assessors estimate of value in which your 2013 property taxes will be based. The notice you receive will be very basic information so that the county can save on printing and postage charges. You can find more information available in a pdf format at www.larimer.org/assessor. All the real estate and real property in Larimer County is re-appraised every two years. Previously, the assessor has used an eighteen month period to compare market data from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2012. Steve Miller, the Larimer County...

Spring is the time of year most folks think about selling their home and getting into something that will fit their needs a bit better. We cannot stress enough the importance of taking advantage of the market activity today! There is no metric or tool to empirically track showing information or exactly when homes go under contract, we do have monthly sales figures for closed sales. Using past closed sales data and backing off the usual six weeks to close on a home, making the assumption that buyers spend about a month looking before buying a home, we can create a 'Showing Activity' graph. If you're thinking about selling your home in Fort Collins, take a look at when showing activity is at it's peak:

As Fort Collins home prices improve, we can't help but feel they might be moving up just a little too quickly. In January 2013, the average sales price was a record breaking $272,370, a 13% increase compared to January 2012. This figure is also over 5.5% over the average sales price in 2012. Already, 2013 is off to a great start with a nearly 32% increase on closed sales compared to January 2012. These volume and price improvements put us on track for pre-recession levels, similar to January of 2005 where 201 homes were sold in January.

Nationally, all forms of residential real estate has made a dramatic and unexpected recovery. Across the US, existing home sales were up 9.2% from the previous 2012 and posted the highest volume since 2007. The median price increased 6.3% to $176,600, the best we've seen since 2005. New home sales for the year are estimated at 367,000 up 19.9% from 2011. In the Denver metro region sales were up 18% and the average selling price increased 9%. In the Northern Colorado area (Consisting of Larimer and Weld Counties) sales increased 17.5% to 9,276 homes and the average selling price was $237,668 an increase of 7.2%. In the Fort Collins area home sales totaled 3,491, an increase of 20.5 % from 2011 and the average selling price was the highest ever at $258,056, up 3.5%. Although Realtors...

It's a typical conundrum. You want to buy a new home, but you've got a home to sell. What if you've found the perfect home, but can't afford to make the down payment without using the proceeds from the closing on your old home. Chances are you'll need to use a contingent sale offer. This simply means that to be able to buy this new home, you need to sell your old home. It can be a complicated and frustrating situation for both sellers and buyers. Sellers fear that the buyer's old home won't sell, is over-priced, or will take too long to sell. On top of that, the sellers may have a new home or different scenario that relies on a specific time table, or even their home selling too! Buyers making offers contingent on the sale of their home are hesitant simply because it...

Just a couple years ago, if you wanted to buy a home, you could do it easily. Because times were so tough, there were hundreds and hundreds of sellers trying to offload their home, availability was abundant and prices were fantastic for buyers. If you could qualify for a loan, chances are you'd get a killer deal and time was on your side. If you were investing in real estate at the time, the world was your oyster. Short sales, foreclosures and other distressed properties ruled the land, and you had abundant inventory, time and money. Times have changed and they certainly changed quickly, with very little warning. Now, buyers would love to have similar purchase conditions. For those buyers who sat on the sidelines, the tides have shifted, and finding great deals have become...

It's an exciting time in the Fort Collins real estate recovery. We have come such a long way from hitting bottom in 2010, and luckily for us, our hole to dig out of is certainly not as deep as some truly depressed national real estate markets. A lot has been made nationally about prices of real estate still being at depressed levels. The return of price increases, multiple offers and increased demand is a welcome sight, however, filling that demand with some new construction and increased resale homes will need to happen sooner than later.

If you're 'experienced' enough to remember Frank Sinatra's hit 'It Was a Very Good Year', you might be able to apply the title to Fort Collins real estate in 2012. It certainly was a very good year! In Fort Collins, residential home sales blew away any and all expectations, with a 20.5% increase in amount of homes sold, along with a comfortable 3.5% gain in average selling price.

2013 is upon us and real estate in Fort Collins is moving at a furious pace! In 2012, we saw the return of the buyer and the re-emergence of the home builder. Although 2012 started off with uncertainty, it certainly ended with a very positive outlook. Fort Collins ended the year up over 20% in volume and sales. If the trend continues, which we expect, here are a few predictions for Fort Collins Real Estate in 2013:

As we near the end of 2012, Northern Colorado home values continue up. In October, we've surpassed the entire amount of sales recorded in 2011, and still have plenty of time to go. Buyers purchasing before the winter weather approached help boost Fort Collins sales up 28.4% over 2011, the biggest month to month gain this year. If the rest of the year follows suit, we're on track for well over 3,500 homes sold.

This blog is normally designed to provide insight and information on local, state and national real estate issues along with information affecting the real estate market, buying, selling, investing and financing. We appreciate your comments, suggestions, questions and criticisms. We want to be the your most reliable source of information, news and market insight. Grow and learn with our weekly and monthly posts, and feel free to comment or contact us for more information. This week, we'll take a slight detour from our normal market update, just to further educate you, the consumer, about the business of real estate in Fort Collins.

Real estate investing, when done appropriately, can create long term wealth and financial security. Too many folks jump into the real estate investing world, spurred on by a new book promising riches, or an info-mercial that touts low risk but in reality there are risks. Trust us, it's not as easy as those salesmen make it seem, but it doesn't have to be risky. Fort Collins real estate investments are actually much safer than real estate investments in different areas of the country.

As we move on past another month and into another quarter, the numbers keep looking better and better in this real estate market. Home sales were up 27% in September 2012 and 24.5% for the third quarter. We are currently seeing a 20% gain year to date compared to 2011. In spite of increased demand, we are seeing marginal price increases, just up .3% in August, 2.6% for the quarter,and 3.5% year to date. Truly, everyone wins in this real estate market.

If you've got a child getting out of the dorms at CSU and looking for affordable rental housing, chances are pickings are super slim right now. Vacancy rates are less than 2% and affordable housing is in very low supply. The good news is there is a great opportunity for you to own investment property in Fort Collins.. The option of buying a home for your college student (and their friends) makes good financial sense right now and could be a very practical opportunity for you and your student. If you want to own investment property in Fort Collins for your student to live in and enjoy, take advantage of these strategies:

Recent activity suggests that buyers are having a very difficult time with low Fort Collins real estate inventory, especially price ranges of $225,000 and below. Low inventory is forcing buyers to act quickly when competing for available listings.

Currently there are nearly 1,500 homes currently "active" in Fort Collins. Year to date, we have just over 2,000 sold listings. This means that there have been nearly 300 homes sold per month over the last seven months, which is the equivalent of a 5 month supply of active homes - the lowest we've seen. To compare to 2011, at this time last year, there was a 6.8 month supply. Keep in mind a healthy supply is around 6 months of inventory.

Another month and even more good news in the Fort Collins real estate recovery. In August, Fort Collins recorded an astounding 21.8% gain on closed sales and a 7% price increase from August 2011. At the end of August, over 2400 homes have been sold this year, which puts us at pre-recession levels - on track for more than 3,300 sales. The average sales price across Fort Collins is the highest on record at $255,940, slightly above the highest mark achieved in 2007 at $253,406. In Fort Collins, we have about 200 fewer homes (17%) available compared to August 2011, when demand was much lower.

Each investment property owner has a decision to make as soon as they own the property - whether or not to hire a property manager. Northern Colorado is becoming flooded with new investors who are taking advantage of low interest rates, and high affordability. Is it worth it to consider property managers in Northern Colorado? Take a look at the following services and see if it will save you time, money and the headache of owning your investment property.

2012 has already been a great year for the Northern Colorado real estate market. We're shaking off the recession and are really showing signs of full recovery. Although it doesn't quite look like a full blown seller's market, we're already seeing reduced inventories and more buyer competition..

Sales in 2012 are well above the levels from 2010 and 2011 in Northern Colorado. Even comparing the data from an artificially enhanced market (due to the home buyer tax credit in 2010) we're in great shape. Buyer confidence, low interest rates, high affordability and lower inventory is causing all the increased sales.

The tables have turned in Fort Collins. No longer are buyers in control, taking their time to make decisions and offers. Interest rates are at their lowest point in decades, and inventory levels are shrinking. This is creating a perfect storm of buyer competition where sellers have the upper hand.

When real estate is moving at at furious pace, it helps to be prepared and able to make quick informed decisions. Education and information is key to making those quick decisions. It could mean the difference of getting the home you want at the right price, or losing it in a multiple offer situation. You want as many advantages as you can get, and in this fast paced Fort Collins real estate market, this is where you begin.

If you were to make a list of why you should move to Fort Collins, you'd likely find yourself running out of paper before too long. The Fort Collins area has earned such accolades over the past ten years as ‘Best Place to Live in America’; ‘Best Place to Raise a Family’ and a ‘Top Retirement Destination’. On top of those awards and distinctions, Fort Collins boasts unrivaled recreational opportunities, a bright and sunny four season climate, top ranked education and healthcare systems, and one of the most attractive college town atmospheres in the nation. All of these items make Fort Collins a great place to live, but why should you move to Fort Collins? A stable, and diverse real estate market is our answer.

Unless you haven't paid attention to local news or have avoided friends and neighbors, you've probably realized how competitive the Fort Collins real estate market has gotten. Although the "wait and see" approach to entering the market never hurt anyone, there is certainly a lot to be gained when selling.

As a buyer, you've got a new opponent. No longer is the seller your only foe, you've got to deal with hungry buyers, who want the home you want and are willing to do whatever's necessary to do it. If you want to win in this competitive Fort Collins real estate market, start here:

It's been said that in Fort Collins or Loveland, you can throw a beer can out of a window and hit a Realtor. It could be your hair dresser's husband, your old high school buddy, or a distant relative - most people know at least one Realtor in Loveland or Fort Collins. Realtors are an active part of the community and are typically people and relationship focused individuals. We connect people, whether it's personally or professionally. We want to be "top of mind" whenever you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling a home. We're all different, yet some folks who have had bad experiences spread misconceptions and generalizatinos that hurt the industry as a whole. Life as a Realtor is much different than what you might expect, or what you might see on TV. Like any...

Paralysis by analysis can be a common problem for buyers in Windsor because of the abundance of choices one can make while buying a home. When it comes time to make an offer, some buyers could be fearful of making the wrong decision and getting stuck. Buyer's remorse is common among buyers who lack clear direction and education. Only after going through a simple, three step process can you avoid the buyer's remorse and find your perfect Windsor home.

Ok, you've made the decision that you need to make a move, but where do you start? Getting your home sold in Northern Colorado is much more complicated than putting a sign in your front yard and expecting the contract to write itself. Doing the legwork early on will not only increase your home's selling potential, it could even increase the price. Get your ducks in a row with these 5 things to do before you sell your home in Northern Colorado.

In Northern Colorado, there has been a shift in the real estate market. In some neighborhoods, it's tough to tell if it's a buyer's market, seller's market, or somewhere in between. To make your best real estate offer, you really need to understand what kind of market you're dealing with, so you can craft your offer accordingly. In a seller's market, low-ball offers will be rejected. If you really want a home, make an offer in line with your intentions.

Having an Ascent Real Estate Professional represent you and your best interests when buying a home will pay off huge at offer time. We have the experience, knowledge and tools that can't be beat by an online estimate or tax assessment.

Making your best real estate offer doesn't have to be long and drawn out. It can...

If you're a buyer or seller in Fort Collins, you want to simple, painless real estate transaction. If you've gone through a particularly painful purchase or sale, you know how agonizing and upsetting it can be. Each real estate transaction is different, but in reality, they aren't overly complicated or complex. We feel we go above and beyond the services and expertise of an average realtor. We will tell you what to expect and handle the entire transaction while making it look easy. Working with an us is a great first step, but after that, you need to make sure you're able to hold up your side of the bargain. There is likely to be a lot of interaction between us, so trust will need to be developed. By learning the traits of extraordinary Fort Collins real estate buyers and...

In the media today there is a lot of heated debate as to whether home ownership is still part of the American Dream. Real estate and mortgage professionals are quick to explain the benefits of home ownership, but overall fear and lack of confidence in the market have left potential home buyers wondering if buying a home is right for them. Over the past few years, home ownership has come under fire by economists and politicians. Foreclosures and short sales dominate the news reports, still. What is interesting is a recent poll by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) finding that 95% of homeowners and a surprising 72% of renters say that owning a home for a period of several years is a far better financial decision than renting. 77% of homeowners also mentioned that simply...

We liken real estate in Fort Collins to the wild, wild west. Sometimes, anything goes. In this market, you may need to help a buyer get off the fence and select your home, especially if you've been on the market for a few months. An incentive is an incitement to take action. If you've ended up reducing your price as much as possible, you may have a few more options that might not cost you much money in the long run, and if it gets you a buyer, then it's well worth it. If you're up against a wall, there are some incentives or perks to offer your buyers to make your home stand out from all the others. Here's a look at a few incentives that will sell your home in Fort Collins:

There are three distinct, major real estate markets in Northern Colorado: Loveland & Berthoud, Greeley & Evans and Fort Collins. Uniquely enough, the town of Windsor is divided across all 3 of these markets. Beyond the major markets, we can view new construction, resale, detached single family homes and attached condo/townhomes. On the whole, the three areas that make up the Northern Colorado real estate market generally have the same trends.

As Realtors in Fort Collins, we're always looking for ways to save our current and past clients some money. This is one of those opportunities so follow along carefully. We're talking big money! Depending on the value of your home, you could see some HUGE savings with very little effort or stress on your part. In some cases, saving tons of money doesn't even cause you any extra effort or force you to sacrifice at all in the short term, for long term benefits. If you're looking to have a little more money in the long term, here are 3 ways to pay off your mortgage sooner in Fort Collins.

The world of real estate can be simple and complex. Each transaction is different and there are a myriad of things that can derail any home purchase. Any broker in Fort Collins could tell you crazy stories as to why some of their home buyers had deals fall through. Most problems can be solved with cooperation and negotiation from both sides, but what are the biggest home buying deal breakers in Fort Collins? Continue on.

Don't let anyone tell you that you need to put 20% down on a house. There are tons of misconceptions and false information saying that's the only way to get a home these days. Plus, it's not exactly easy to drum up $50k to put down on a $250,000 home. In all actuality, putting that much money down on a home will make your mortgage payments less expensive, but could you possibly use that money more aggressively elsewhere rather than trapping it in your home's equity? Don't believe the 20% down payment myth, you've certainly got other options.

If you want to avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), putting 20% down will be your best option. PMI is an insurance policy that you pay for until you loan to value (LTV) ration reaches 80%, but, it might not be possible for you to own...

Some people literally stay in homes for much longer than they have to because they cannot simply fathom the headache and logistical nightmare of trying to buy a home while selling their home. In the real estate world, these folks are commonly known as "move up buyers" when in reality, they might be moving up, down or sideways. This type of transaction involves several moving parts that either need to happen concurrently or in succession, and keeping it together can be difficult. If you get the right people on your team, they'll make it easier to buy a home while selling your existing home in Fort Collins.

It had to happen sooner or later. As more and more people are forced out of their homes either through a short sale or foreclosure, rental units have become more and more in demand. The rental market in Northern Colorado (Fort Collins, Windsor, Greeley, Loveland) has been becoming tighter and tighter with little end in sight. Rents are on the rise and as investors flood the market, you can understand why the rental market in Northern Colorado is so hot.

If you're looking to buy or invest, you're in a good place. There are plenty of homes available (although I expect available listings to diminish over the next 2-3 years) and affordability is...

When you don't understand how the game is played, it's tough to know how to win. In the Fort Collins real estate market, we've seen people get frustrated trying to go alone into their own real estate transaction, only to be left jaded, feeling cheated because a seller's agent didn't really help them through the transaction. Most times, that's when peoples negative perceptions of Realtors get formed, when they have a bad experience when they're un-represented. Being represented by a buyer's agent will no only help you have a better experience, it also helps protect your best interest. Here's why you should use the an Ascent Real...

The real estate market in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado is tough right now. There's an abundance of distressed properties (Short Sales, Foreclosures, REO's) and you think you can get a great home at a great price. Although you want a deal, low ball offers may not get you the home you want. Getting the home you really want at a great price takes strategy, skill and a knowledge of the local market that goes deeper than most. Follow the tips below and you'll be certain you're making your best offer when buying a home in Fort Collins.

Establishing your team built around an experienced Realtor should be your first move. As mentioned...

With tax season looming, you really should be considering the tax benefits and impacts of home ownership. If you're utilizing a CPA, make sure they're up to speed on your real estate status, as it can typically save you a lot of money at tax time. If you handle taxes on your own, just make sure you don't miss the following tax tips for Fort Collins Home Owners.

If you're over having a room-mate, and throwing away your hard earned money to pay off someone else's mortgage, you're probably wanting a place of your very own. It's time. This can be one of the most exciting parts of your life, but also one of the most confusing and nerve-wracking times as well. With all sorts of information out there for first time home buyers in Fort Collins, or Northern Colorado for that matter, where do you get started?

Over the past couple months, we've been asked by several clients from Fort Collins to Greeley and everywhere in between, "Should I re-finance?" With those 5, 6, and 7+% rates, more and more NoCo locals are considering it. But how do you know if refinancing your loan in Northern Colorado is the right decision? Done correctly, refinancing can save you money, both in the long and short term, but you've got to correctly refinance. Here are a few things to consider when you're thinking of refinancing in Northern Colorado.

Nobody ever wants to learn about foreclosures and short sales. Unfortunately, some folks are forced to get deep into the distressed property world - whether that's through divorce, job loss, or other hardship. With the economic downturn, more and more people are learning about foreclosures; you get behind on your mortgage payments and the bank tries to reclaim your home. The bank never wants to foreclose on your home - it involves lawyers, hefty fees, and hurts a lot of people in the process. But it is the only way to regain a home where borrowers have stopped paying. One way to avoid foreclosure in Fort Collins is to negotiate a short sale.

Short sales are negotiated between the lender or bank and the borrower (homeowner) with help from a Realtor...

It's a fact of life, either you love real estate statistics, or you're indifferent. We happen to love real estate news and numbers. It's the lifeblood of our business and there is so much to be learned by analyzing and interpreting data in Fort Collins. If you're looking through our statistics page, we want to be able to help you understand what to look for and how to interpret the data in Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud and Greeley. Fort Collins real estate statistics are a major indicator of the Northern Colorado economy as a whole.

In Northern Colorado, 1 in 20 homes are in foreclosure. Lending is tight and lending regulations don't seem to be loosening up any time soon. That being said, with 30 year fixed rates below 4.5%, an abundance of inventory, and depressed home prices, I believe now is one of the greatest times in recent history to purchase real estate, that is, if you can qualify yourself to buy a home in Northern Colorado first.