Why to Buy Now in Steamboat Springs?
As you know, it is difficult to predict when interest rates will rise but what we are experiencing now are lower interest rates than in the last 30 years. From the early 80's to the early 90's rates gradually fell from the 13% mark to 7.39%. All through the 90's there was not much of a change. In 2002 there was a drop and also a drop in Steamboat housing prices. When Steamboat was at the height of selling properties, and the prices were unnaturally elevated due to speculation & supply and demand after Intrawest bought the ski mountain, the rates were still only in the mid 6 range. Now we see prices on property here as low as they have been in over 6 years and interest rates are lower than in 30 years. If you have the means there are two really good reason to purchase now - low prices (especially with all the short sales and foreclosures) and low interest rates. Best of luck to you...Michelle Diehl - Broker - Prudential Steamboat Realty - 970.846.1086
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Great Buys For Buyers!
It has been a fast selling summer here in Steamboat Springs. Some of the observations made are that first time homebuyers are scoring great buys on condos, townhomes, and single family residence. A first time homebuyer is anyone who has not owned property in the last three years. These folks are going to be credited $8,000.00 if they close on their homes before December 1st, 2009. Keep watching and lets see if the government extends this successful program. It’s like Cash for Clunkers for homebuyers. If you are or know someone paying rent in Steamboat call me and I can give you the name of a few great local lenders who can talk with you and determine if you should consider home ownership right now rather then throwing money into someone else’s mortgage.
In July my company Prudential Steamboat Realty had more showings of our listings then in any other month since we have documented showings. This plays well for the sellers out there. We are seeing more showings are required to get a buyer to write a contract and negotiation time seems to have increased, but none the less properties are selling and buyers are writing contracts. Last month is August we had over 70 floor calls A floor call is when someone calls our office inquiring about a property they saw. Although it is a buyer’s market because of the amount of inventory, sellers are receiving contracts on their homes. Keep watching you never know when we have hit bottom and we rise again. One thing we are certain of is that the market will come back one day and wouldn’t it be great for you to say I got in at the bottom? Four years ago you couldn't get a two bedroom condo anywhere near $200,000. I now represent a Fish Creek Falls two bedroom condo for $179,000.00; a Sierra View for $185,000; and a North Star complete remodel located on the mountain for only $225,000.00. There are a lot of opportunities for every level of buyer. It a great time to get into Steamboat! Call me for more information...
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Colorado with Buyer Representation, contact Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate with Prudentail Steamboat Realty. I am happy to help...
WEB: SteamboatDream.com
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL: (970)846-1086
In July my company Prudential Steamboat Realty had more showings of our listings then in any other month since we have documented showings. This plays well for the sellers out there. We are seeing more showings are required to get a buyer to write a contract and negotiation time seems to have increased, but none the less properties are selling and buyers are writing contracts. Last month is August we had over 70 floor calls A floor call is when someone calls our office inquiring about a property they saw. Although it is a buyer’s market because of the amount of inventory, sellers are receiving contracts on their homes. Keep watching you never know when we have hit bottom and we rise again. One thing we are certain of is that the market will come back one day and wouldn’t it be great for you to say I got in at the bottom? Four years ago you couldn't get a two bedroom condo anywhere near $200,000. I now represent a Fish Creek Falls two bedroom condo for $179,000.00; a Sierra View for $185,000; and a North Star complete remodel located on the mountain for only $225,000.00. There are a lot of opportunities for every level of buyer. It a great time to get into Steamboat! Call me for more information...
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Colorado with Buyer Representation, contact Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate with Prudentail Steamboat Realty. I am happy to help...
WEB: SteamboatDream.com
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL: (970)846-1086
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Where's the Money - in Steamboat Springs Colorado???
Where’s the Money?
The Mortgage Brokers in Steamboat Springs have access to plenty! On Thursday, November 20TH, REALTORS® gathered at the Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors conference room to listen to a panel of local Mortgage Brokers talk about Credit Tips and several types of loans available to our Buyers. Thanks APC for hosting this much needed positive spin on the mortgage industry. The good news is there is money out there. Buyers don’t let the negativity of the media or the current economic conditions keep you from inquiring about a loan to purchase a home. All are welcome including poor – average credit (FICO scores), first time home buyers, and those with little down payment.
Ed Allbright from Columbine Mortgage gave many credit tips. Here are just four:
1. Don’t close old credit cards. 15% of credit scores are determined by the age of the credit file. People who have had credit for a longer period of time are thought to be less of a risk of defaulting. Use your old card once every three months or so then pay it off at the billing cycle to keep your credit scores high.
2. When you decide you would like to buy a home begin by checking your own credit score at www.annualcreditreport.com. Look for mistakes and correct them. Any item that says: “unknown, unsatisfied, not paid, or not released” should be changed to “paid, satisfied or released”. You can contact this company once per year at no charge and not receive an “inquiry deduction” on your FICO score. Your goal is to have at least three lines of credit established for two years in good standing to really improve your credit or FICO scores.
3. To help prevent Identity fraud, place a freeze on your credit reports. You can do this by contacting the three credit bureaus in writing by certified mail. Just state in the letter you want to place a freeze on your file. The bureau will not be allowed to release your credit report or any information in it without your special password. The three bureaus are: www.equifax.com, www.experian.com and www.transunion.com.
4. Eliminate junk mail by going to: www.optoutprescreen.com
If you may be unable to make several mortgage payments, look into a "Loan Modification" which is differenct then refianancing. There are numerous sites on line to help with this. One mentioned was Home Help which I found at http://www.homeforeclosurefighter.com
Carmen Ashbaugh from Vectra Bank says the current FHA Loans are the new 80/20 and are not like your dad’s FHA. 30% of the loans she does are now FHA and are ideal for 1st home buyers. The following criteria applies: Owner occupied; mortgages up to $675,000; as little as 3.5% down or can accept the down payment in the form of a gift or seller carry; full documentation of salary and assets; Co-signer allowed; OK with poor FICO scores especially if your scores have been improving over the last 12 months; no prepayment penalty; no income limits; manufactured homes OK, but no condos or condotels. She stated for developers to consider applying for an FHA approval to be the first condo development in Steamboat to qualify their buyers for FHA approved loans.
John McCollum from First National Bank of the Rockies talked about the criteria of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) Loans. He says the CHFA loan is available for a maximum purchase price of $350,000 and condos are allowed. It is designed for the 1st time home buyer or people who have not owned in the last three years; home buyer class is required that can be taken on-line; low FICO scores are accepted; as little as $1,000 down; three years of documentation are necessary; Mortgage Insurance required on loans above 80% of home value; higher interest rates then other loans; recapture tax if sold within 10 years and if income goes up significantly.
Kathryn Pedersen of Yampa Valley Bank described the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Loans that are only available to rural areas like Routt County. Must be a primary residence and can be a condo; 30 year fixed; 100% financing available; no monthly mortgage insurance premium; no reserves required; considers low FICO scores; and no maximum loan amount.
Loans are not guaranteed based on the information provided in this summary. Every day new information becomes available to the mortgage lenders that can change the loan requirements just like new properties come on the market and current active listings turn into pendings or solds on a daily basis. 85 % of home buyers begin their real estate research on-line, yet eventually secure the service of a qualified REALTOR®. As important as it is to have Buyer’s
Representation from a REALTOR®, you should also seek the advice early on of a reputable local lender. To access lender information go to www.SteamboatDream.com - Click on Steamboat Links - choose Lenders.
For all your real estate needs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado call me…
Michelle Diehl, GRI
Broker Associate
Prudential Steamboat Realty
970.846.1086
The Mortgage Brokers in Steamboat Springs have access to plenty! On Thursday, November 20TH, REALTORS® gathered at the Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors conference room to listen to a panel of local Mortgage Brokers talk about Credit Tips and several types of loans available to our Buyers. Thanks APC for hosting this much needed positive spin on the mortgage industry. The good news is there is money out there. Buyers don’t let the negativity of the media or the current economic conditions keep you from inquiring about a loan to purchase a home. All are welcome including poor – average credit (FICO scores), first time home buyers, and those with little down payment.
Ed Allbright from Columbine Mortgage gave many credit tips. Here are just four:
1. Don’t close old credit cards. 15% of credit scores are determined by the age of the credit file. People who have had credit for a longer period of time are thought to be less of a risk of defaulting. Use your old card once every three months or so then pay it off at the billing cycle to keep your credit scores high.
2. When you decide you would like to buy a home begin by checking your own credit score at www.annualcreditreport.com. Look for mistakes and correct them. Any item that says: “unknown, unsatisfied, not paid, or not released” should be changed to “paid, satisfied or released”. You can contact this company once per year at no charge and not receive an “inquiry deduction” on your FICO score. Your goal is to have at least three lines of credit established for two years in good standing to really improve your credit or FICO scores.
3. To help prevent Identity fraud, place a freeze on your credit reports. You can do this by contacting the three credit bureaus in writing by certified mail. Just state in the letter you want to place a freeze on your file. The bureau will not be allowed to release your credit report or any information in it without your special password. The three bureaus are: www.equifax.com, www.experian.com and www.transunion.com.
4. Eliminate junk mail by going to: www.optoutprescreen.com
If you may be unable to make several mortgage payments, look into a "Loan Modification" which is differenct then refianancing. There are numerous sites on line to help with this. One mentioned was Home Help which I found at http://www.homeforeclosurefighter.com
Carmen Ashbaugh from Vectra Bank says the current FHA Loans are the new 80/20 and are not like your dad’s FHA. 30% of the loans she does are now FHA and are ideal for 1st home buyers. The following criteria applies: Owner occupied; mortgages up to $675,000; as little as 3.5% down or can accept the down payment in the form of a gift or seller carry; full documentation of salary and assets; Co-signer allowed; OK with poor FICO scores especially if your scores have been improving over the last 12 months; no prepayment penalty; no income limits; manufactured homes OK, but no condos or condotels. She stated for developers to consider applying for an FHA approval to be the first condo development in Steamboat to qualify their buyers for FHA approved loans.
John McCollum from First National Bank of the Rockies talked about the criteria of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) Loans. He says the CHFA loan is available for a maximum purchase price of $350,000 and condos are allowed. It is designed for the 1st time home buyer or people who have not owned in the last three years; home buyer class is required that can be taken on-line; low FICO scores are accepted; as little as $1,000 down; three years of documentation are necessary; Mortgage Insurance required on loans above 80% of home value; higher interest rates then other loans; recapture tax if sold within 10 years and if income goes up significantly.
Kathryn Pedersen of Yampa Valley Bank described the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Loans that are only available to rural areas like Routt County. Must be a primary residence and can be a condo; 30 year fixed; 100% financing available; no monthly mortgage insurance premium; no reserves required; considers low FICO scores; and no maximum loan amount.
Loans are not guaranteed based on the information provided in this summary. Every day new information becomes available to the mortgage lenders that can change the loan requirements just like new properties come on the market and current active listings turn into pendings or solds on a daily basis. 85 % of home buyers begin their real estate research on-line, yet eventually secure the service of a qualified REALTOR®. As important as it is to have Buyer’s
Representation from a REALTOR®, you should also seek the advice early on of a reputable local lender. To access lender information go to www.SteamboatDream.com - Click on Steamboat Links - choose Lenders.
For all your real estate needs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado call me…
Michelle Diehl, GRI
Broker Associate
Prudential Steamboat Realty
970.846.1086
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