BlogFun Facts March 15, 2019

Condo Cyclone

 

 

While the “Bomb Cyclone” closed roads and schools over the last two days, the “Condo Cyclone” is opening new opportunities for first-time buyers.

 

What’s the “Condo Cyclone” you ask. It’s the proliferation of multi-family inventory that has come on the market up and down the Front Range.

Compared to last year, multi-family inventory which includes town-homes and condominiums, has increased…

 

• 79% in Metro Denver
• 34% in Larimer County
• 45% in Weld County

 

This is terrific news for the market overall, as inventory has been unusually low for several months. It’s especially terrific news for first-time buyers who need this type of product as a stepping stone to home ownership.

 

What we notice is a $170,000 to $130,000 difference in average price between a single-family home and a multi-family home in Front Range markets.

 

Specifically, here’s the spread between multi-family and single-family average price:

• $349,801 vs. $512,312 in Metro Denver
• $312,493 vs. $469,294 in Larimer County
• $237,645 vs. $370,027 in Weld County

 

So as we dig out from the “Bomb Cyclone” we can be happy for the “Condo Cyclone” which brings more affordability and opportunity to our markets!

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Just Released (a new resource site just for you…)
• Want to see the latest market trends?
• Curious to see the process of buying or selling a home?
• Interested in what it takes to own investment property?
• Be sure to visit www.ColoradoLivingBlog.com

 

BlogFun FactsMarket News January 4, 2019

What Our Expert Thinks

Here’s what our Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, thinks about the 2019 U.S. Housing Market. He is regarded as one of the Country’s experts on real estate and is frequently quoted by leading industry publications.

 

• Existing Home Sales up 1.9% to 5.4 million units
• Home Prices up 4.4%
• New Home Sales up 6.9% to 695,000 (the highest since 2007)

 

If you want to see all of Matthew’s predictions including where interest rates are headed, get signed up for our annual Forecast. Click the link below!

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/windermere-real-estate-12011801121

BlogFun FactsHousing TrendsMarket NewsReal Estate Market Update November 9, 2018

83 Miles Per Hour

 

Pretend you have been driving on the Interstate at 100 miles per hour. 

Also, pretend you have been doing that for a long time.

Now pretend you slow down to 83 miles per hour.

How would that feel?

It would probably feel slow, right?

83 miles per hour is a 17% decrease from 100. It may feel slow, but it’s still pretty fast.

How does this relate to real estate?

Well, the market has been moving fast for a long time.

It’s been going 100 miles per hour for at least two years (some would argue even longer).

We’ve recently seen a 17% change in terms of number of transactions that are occurring.

There were 17% fewer sales in October 2018 versus October 2017 in Metro Denver.

It feels slow because we’ve been driving so fast for so long. But, our market is still moving.

For example, prices are still up. So, remember, that it’s all relative.

Loveland Real EstateVirtual Tours November 1, 2018

Beautifully Maintained Home in Loveland!

This beautifully maintained home at 5217 Georgetown Dr is welcoming the second you walk into the open main level w/modern tile fireplace, new plantation shutters, & many upgraded finishes. The lower level features another living area and fireplace, office, guest suite with barn doors. The upper level is a large master suite and 2 more bedrooms. The yard is amazing. The patio has sun shades, built-in grill – all next to a creek water feature & xeriscaping. RV parking with 8ft wide gate. This is a Windermere Certified Listing. Contact Meagan Griesel for your private showing at (970) 691-0056 for more information or click the link below for more details.

https://windermerenoco.com/listing/88131063

BlogBuyers & SellersFun FactsMarket News October 26, 2018

FUNdamentals

 

In times of change (like now), it’s valuable to look at the fundamentals of our market.

Let’s have some fun with fundamentals…

1.  Our economy is healthy – since 1990, the unemployment rate in Colorado has never been higher than the U.S. unemployment rate.  Ever.  Unemployment in Colorado sits at 2.7% today while the rate across the U.S. is 4.0%.

2.  People keep moving here – since 2005 our population has grown by just over a million people which is roughly 77,000 per year (about the size of Mile High Stadium).

3.  Our real estate outperforms other places – according the Federal Housing Finance Authority, Colorado is the #1 state for home price appreciation since 1990.

BlogEconomyMortgageReal Estate Market Update October 19, 2018

A History Lesson

One of the most common questions we hear from clients is “Where do you think interest rates are going?”

Virtually all of the experts we follow put rates above 5% going into next year and some see rates approaching 5.5% by the middle of 2019. What’s certain is that there are economic forces at work that are pushing rates higher.

So, how about a little history lesson? How do today’s 30- year mortgage rates compare to this same date in history going all the way back to 1990?

• Today = 4.85%
• 2017 = 3.94%
• 2015 = 3.82%
• 2010 = 4.27%
• 2005 = 5.98%
• 2000 = 7.84%
• 1995 = 7.75%
• 1990 = 10.22%

While today’s rates feel high only because they are higher than 2017, they are quite a bit lower than at many times in history.

BlogEconomy October 18, 2018

Are We Heading Towards A Bubble?

The US housing market has been going gangbusters in recent years. Record-setting sales, record-setting home prices, and a market that has largely favored sellers, while forcing fierce competition among buyers. All of this has led some to worry that we are heading towards another housing bubble. So, are we? On Tuesday, September 25, at 11 AM PST, Windermere Real Estate is hosting a Facebook Live event where our Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, will discuss this and the latest Case-Shiller housing report. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, homeowner, or just a real estate junky, tune in to see what Matthew has to say; he’ll also be taking questions from the audience. This is the first in a series of Facebook Live events with Matthew, which will take place on the last Tuesday of each month.

You can learn more and offer suggestions for future discussions by following the link to the event here

Fun Facts March 17, 2017

Interest Rates Rise… So What?

The Federal Reserve raised their benchmark interest rate 0.25% this week.

So what does this mean for real estate?

Some perspective is in order…

First, mortgage rates are not directly tied to the Fed Funds rate. They are, however, closely tied to the 10-year Treasury.

While the Fed was raising their rates this week, mortgage rates actually dipped lower (although slightly).

Mortgage rates today on a 30-year loan are essentially 4.25%.

The long term average for mortage rates, going all the way back to 1970 is 7.5%

For every 1% rise in rates, there is a corresponding 10% impact to the monthly payment.

Mortgage rates have increased about 0.75% since the election.

Most economists expect rates to increase another 0.5% by year-end.

Click HERE to read a great article that goes a little more into depth about what this means for homeowners.

We are watching mortgage rates closely and will continue to keep our customers updated as to where the experts think they are heading. Contact us directly if you have any questions. (970) 460-3033.

Press Release February 15, 2017

Prices Continue to Pop in 2017

 

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Prices Continue to Pop in 2017

Real Estate Prices in Larimer and Weld Counties Are Up Double-Digits

 Fort Collins, Colo. (Feb. 15, 2017) – Continuing a trend that started four years ago, average residential real estate prices in January 2017 increased by double-digits compared to one year ago.  Larimer County’s prices are 10.5% higher than last January and Weld County’s are up even more at 12.8%.

The average price of a property in Larimer County so far this year is $378,253 and in Weld County it is $310,948.  Both Counties have seen their residential average prices go up by almost $100,000 in just three years.

“For three years now we have had the perfect storm to cause prices to increase at a rate that is double the long-term average.  Northern Colorado is in the top-10 nationally for fastest growing communities, we have an incredibly healthy economy with high employment, interest rates that are roughly half of the long term average, and very few homes to pick from,” said Eric Thompson president of Windermere Real Estate in Colorado.

“The inventory of listings is especially low in the lower price points.  For example, if someone wanted to buy a single-family home in Fort Collins under $300,000 they would have five listings to choose from today.  Greeley has 33 homes at that price point,” Thompson said.  “These dynamics create a unique opportunity for move up buyers to capture the appreciation in their home and leverage the low interest rates to buy the home of their dreams.”

Even though the number of homes available for sale across Larimer and Weld Counties may be down, Windermere Real Estate in Northern Colorado saw their January closed transactions increased 48% compared to last year.  Their new written contracts are up even more at 110% compared to 2016.

About Windermere Colorado:

Since its inception in 1972, Windermere Real Estate has grown to be a network of 300 offices with more than 7,000 agents by focusing on three basic principles: hire the best people, give them the best tools and create thriving communities. Windermere’s growth has allowed them to expand into the Colorado market led by Eric Thompson, President of Windermere Colorado. For more information, visit www.windermerecolorado.com.

 About Windermere Real Estate

Windermere Real Estate is ranked the largest regional real estate company in the Western U.S. serving communities in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Mexico. The Windermere family has a proud heritage of serving our neighbors via the Windermere Foundation, which funds services for low-income and homeless families. Since 1989, the Windermere Foundation has contributed more than 28 million dollars towards improving lives in the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit www.windermere.com.

Blog February 13, 2017

Love Loveland

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and Loveland Colorado is the place to be.

Loveland has certainly been a hot place to own real estate over the last 5 years. The median price was $192,500 in 2012 and today it is $315,000. That’s a $122,500 increase. We love it!

It also looks like it will be the place to be in the future. One of the many exciting developments on the horizon in Loveland is The Foundry.

The Foundry will revitalize Loveland’s historic downtown. Three empty city blocks will soon transform into a movie theater, apartments, offices, retailers and parking to support the increased traffic coming to the new epicenter of entertainment in downtown Loveland. Exciting stuff!

Loveland and Northern Colorado is one of the Front Range markets featured in our latest real estate report. It is written by our Chief Economist Matthew Gardner and you can get it by clicking here: The Gardner Report