RE/MAX Alliance Launches A New Exclusive Consumer Driven Digital Magazine!
RE/MAX Alliance has launched their new exclusive online digital magazine, the Economic Outlook. The digital magazine was distributed to over 800 RE/MAX Alliance agents, managers and staff across the Front Range on Tuesday January 18th.
The digital magazine includes a monthly overview of what is taking place in the various real estate markets across the Front Range…from Castle Rock to Evergreen to the Boulder Valley to Northern Colorado. Included is also a wide-range of useful information tailored to provide consumers insights into the current state of the mortgage industry, how-to features, home tips, a kid’s page and more!
The magazine is similar to a traditional print magazine, but it is more flexible and environmentally conscious since it’s online and digital.
“Technology has become one of the key factors in maintaining and growing a company and organization in today’s business environment,” said Chad Ochsner, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Alliance. “At RE/MAX Alliance we’ve continued to upgrade and improve our technology oriented services. Providing our associates with a direct-online-client communication tool, we believe the Economic Outlook digital magazine is a step in the right direction.”
The Economic Outlook distributes monthly and is a FREE publication for consumers. To learn more about the RE/MAX Alliance digital magazine, please visit www.homesincolorado.com/economicoutlook. If you are interested in receiving January’s issue and future issues, you can do so by going to www.facebook.com/remaxalliance and click on the digital magazine tab to be included on the distribution list.
Colorado Mortgage Alliance President Offers Advice and Explains Why Now Is A Great Time to Buy Real Estate!
Ben McMahon, President of Colorado Mortgage Alliance, LLC for the past six years, shares his thoughts on the current state of interest rates and why now is the time to buy real estate. Colorado Mortgage Alliance, LLC is a joint venture between RE/MAX Alliance and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, the nation’s #1 residential mortgage lender.
“With the current rates still very close to historical lows, we are seeing strong interest in both homeowners wishing to refinance and many buyers exploring home ownership for the first time,” McMahon says. “With historically low rates, affordable inventories and motivated sellers in the market, it’s still an excellent time to consider buying a home.
“Right now there are many opportunities for qualified buyers to purchase a home. With the rate environment, many move-up buyers may want to consider a 15-year fixed rate mortgage and take advantage of the shorter term to pay less interest over the life of the loan.
“Some positive signs that buyers are taking advantage of the current interest rates are that there’s quite a bit of interest among prospective first-time buyers. We are finding that with the current rate environment and property choices, many are taking a serious look at the opportunities out there.
“Over the last few years, since the housing crisis and economic recession, the mortgage-lending industry has changed. As a result, lenders today have tightened their policies and guidelines with their underwriting. The main advice I’d offer homebuyers is to talk with a mortgage consultant very early in the home buying process. Nearly every loan program out there right now is going to ask for detailed documentation regarding income and expenses. This will include things like paystubs, income tax forms, and bank statements, just to name a few. Make sure you understand up front what you may need to provide, and don’t be surprised if during the approval process you’re asked to provide additional or supplemental information. Throughout the process, stay in contact with your mortgage consultant, and be responsive to requests for information.
“The most important thing that someone can do in today’s market is to work with an experienced Realtor and mortgage consultant who can lead them through the home buying process.”
Colorado Mortgage Alliance, LLC provides a wide range of programs and products to assist with various financing needs. Each RE/MAX Alliance office has a Home Mortgage Consultant on-site that is available to meet in a confidential and secure environment to provide feedback and determine appropriate programs. To learn more about Colorado Mortgage Alliance, LLC, visit www.coloradomortgagealliance.com.
RE/MAX Alliance Agent Greg Smith Shares His Thoughts on the Boulder Real Estate Market!
RE/MAX Alliance agent Greg Smith answers questions regarding the current real estate market and what’s happening specifically in the Boulder area. Greg has been in real estate with RE/MAX Alliance for over 12 years. He has been a Boulder resident for the past 24 years. Greg currently serves as a member of the BARA Governmental Affairs Committee. He has been awarded the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award and Hall of Fame Award.
What are today’s consumers most concerned with when it comes to buying and selling real estate? According to the recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) study, the most important reason buyers buy a home is home ownership. As a result buyers tend to look at the whole picture; neighborhood, location to conveniences, quality of schools, lifestyle and proximity to work.
What are some positive signs in the Boulder real estate market? Real Estate is based on jobs and supply and demand. The Boulder job market has been fairly resilient during the economic downturn and is showing strong opportunities for growth in the years ahead. The expansion of local companies and the large amount of entrepreneurial companies in both the Alternative Energy Space and Natural Products industries, in addition to the already strong employers such as the University, National Labs, Covidien, IBM, Amgen, Microsoft, Google, Oracle, etc., is a great testament to growth. The Boulder Real Estate market has limited new construction, so a very restricted supply which bodes well for future values.
What are the current market trends in Boulder? The lower end market in Boulder has been strong. Homes that are priced right are selling in 30 to 45 days with the possibility of multiple offers. The middle market $500,000 to $750,000 needs to be priced right, show well and if there are any material issues they will need to adjust accordingly to sell. The upper end has showed some recent strengthening, but is still a buyer’s market, with most recent sales being at tremendous values.
Where are Boulder homebuyers coming from? We are seeing a combination of out-of-state, in state move-up buyers and empty nesters. There has been an uptick in relocation buyers, particularly lifestyle buyers who can live anywhere in the country and are choosing Boulder as the place to hang their hat.
Why is now a great time to buy a home? We are at a unique crossroads in the home buying world where there is a fairly good inventory and interest rates are at an all time low. In many instances, with current rates and a buyer’s ability to negotiate, today’s buyer is saving more money than just a few months ago when the Tax Credits were in place.
What do you think is a realistic outcome for 2011? We will continue to see flat to moderate growth in 2011. I don’t expect to see a strong growth until 2012.
“Real Estate is local, but is influenced on a national basis,” Smith said. “The Boulder market will truly recover when we see an increase in home liquidity across the country.”
RE/MAX Alliance Agents Recognized for Career Awards and Elected as Board of Directors!
RE/MAX Alliance is proud to announce the recognition of two of their agents who have been presented with a 2010 Career Award by RE/MAX International. Sabina Kier and Nadine Kirk, from the Castle Rock office, have been awarded the Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement awards. Also, Deb Schmidt and Janice Nelson have been elected to the Douglas Elbert REALTOR Association Board of Directors.
Each year, RE/MAX International recognizes the efforts of RE/MAX and RE/MAX affiliate agents worldwide. Agents awarded these honors are acknowledged for their outstanding professional achievements.
Sabina Kier, an agent with RE/MAX Alliance for the past six years, was awarded the Hall of Fame award, which was established to recognize an exclusive group of individuals who have achieved more than $1 million in gross commission earnings during their career as a RE/MAX agent. This group of top producers is recognized each year at the annual RE/MAX International Convention.
“I am very honored to have received the RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award and follow in the footsteps of many great RE/MAX Realtors,” stated Sabina Kier. “To me this award serves as recognition of the hard work and experience that is required to truly be a successful and accomplished Realtor.”
The Lifetime Achievement award, which has been awarded to Nadine Kirk, recognizes individuals who have over seven years of service within the RE/MAX organization and have grossed $7 million in commissions. This group of elite producers are all previous Hall of Fame award winners.
As newly appointed Douglas Elbert REALTOR Association Board of Directors, Deb Schmidt and Janice Nelson will work to promote and maintain the high quality standards of the Colorado Association of REALTORS and the National Association of REALTORS.
For more information on specific offices, sales associates, or career opportunities with RE/MAX Alliance, please contact Kim Hawkins at 303-759-6636 or via email at kimhawkins@remax.net. Additional information is available online at www.HomesInColorado.com. Follow RE/MAX Alliance on Facebook and Twitter.
RE/MAX Alliance Goes GREEN With Solar Power!
RE/MAX Alliance is making a conscious effort to go green by utilizing alternative energy sources. Last winter RE/MAX Alliance installed 20 kilowatts of solar Photovoltaic panels on two of their buildings to provide electric energy throughout the offices. The panels are divided into two 10-kilowatt systems each on the Arvada and Evergreen offices.
RE/MAX Alliance is taking advantage of Colorado’s sunshine. On average, Colorado gets approximately 300 sunny days throughout the year, and with the altitude levels, Colorado is one of the best places in the country for Photovoltaic panels.
Photovoltaic panels create electric power when the sun strikes each panel’s surface. As the sun strikes each panel’s wafer (a typical panel has anywhere from one dozen to hundreds of these wafers, which are connected by aluminum frames), electrons are collected and produce electric power. The Photovoltaic panels have no moving parts that allows for minimal maintenance, durability, and a very long life span.
“We have always been committed to our agents and customers alike,” said Chad Ochsner, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Alliance. “We feel that by investing in solar energy, RE/MAX Alliance as a company is giving back to the community by helping the environment. We all want a better future for the next generation and beyond, and conserving energy is a very important endeavor.”
RE/MAX Alliance is excited and proud about the opportunity to be more eco-friendly and utilize alternative energy sources. With the recent installations, RE/MAX Alliance is open to implementing alternative energy sources like Photovoltaic panels into more of the 21 RE/MAX Allianceoffices across the Front Range.
RE/MAX Alliance Broker appointed to the Stapleton Development Corporation’s Board of Directors!
RE/MAX Alliance broker Michael Kearns has been recognized and honored by John W. Hickenlooper, Mayor of the City and County of Denver, to serve as a member of the Stapleton Development Corporation Board of Directors.
Effective immediately as an active board member, Mr. Kearns will participate in the decision-making process and policy-influencing efforts that will help shape Denver for future generations.
The Stapleton Development Corporation (SDC) is a private non-profit organization, established in 1995 by Mayor Wellington E. Webb and the Denver City Council. The SDC is made up of a board of distinguished citizens that includes elected officials, business, and civic leaders. The SDC is responsible for overseeing the disposition of the former Stapleton International Airport along with implementing a community based vision focusing on economic development, job growth, housing, and open space preservation. To learn more about the Stapleton Development Corporation please visit www.stapletoncorp.com.
RE/MAX Alliance Joins Forces With Automatedhomefinder.com!
RE/MAX Alliance is proud to announce they have partnered with Automatedhomefinder.com, providing Realtor and consumer access to available properties across Colorado. Consumer’s can search for the most current MLS listings, bank foreclosures, REO’s, new construction, horse property, and many exclusive listings not available elsewhere. This is a FREE service and there is no obligation when accessing the site.
When a consumer has a question about a specific property or geographic area, a highly trained customer care department is available to match the consumer to an experienced RE/MAX Alliance agent that can assist with their home purchase or sale.
Automatedhomefinder.com has been one of the top Internet sites for searching properties in Colorado for the past ten years. In addition to Colorado, Automatedhomefinder.com provides access to property listings in Montana, Arizona, Texas, Virginia, and Florida.
Information on all available listings in the Denver Metro and Northern Colorado market areas can be found at RE/MAX Alliance’s website www.homesincolorado.com.
For more information on specific offices, sales associates, or career opportunities, contact Kim Hawkins, at 303-759-6636 or via email at kimhawkins@remax.net. Additional information is available online at www.HomesInColorado.com.
RE/MAX Alliance – A Proud Sponsor of CARHOF!
RE/MAX Alliance, a name readily recognized and respected throughout Colorado and nationally, is proud to announce being one of the sponsors of the CARHOF 20th Anniversary Luncheon on Tuesday, August 10th from noon to 1:30 pm at the Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale, CO.
CARHOF is a charitable foundation created in 1990 to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for all in Colorado. CARHOF collects interest on real estate escrow accounts and donates the money to nonprofit and public agencies that assist low to moderate income families with their housing needs.
Under a 2010 Workforce Housing Initiative, CARHOF will consider proposals requesting funding which will enable renter households to move to home ownership. Eligible households will need to meet certain criteria i.e. the buyer being employed a minimum of 30 hours per week in the target area and demonstrating an on-going financial and operational capacity to continue the program. Information is available at: http://coloradorealtors.com/car_carhof_main.asp
RE/MAX Alliance has participated for a number of years in providing funds to CARHOF through their corporate and office escrow accounts.
For more information on specific offices, sales associates, or career opportunities, contact Kim Hawkins, at 303-759-6636 or via email at kimhawkins@remax.net. Additional information is available online at www.HomesInColorado.com.
RE/MAX Alliance Broker Recognized For Exceptional Service!
RE/MAX Alliance, the 19th largest real estate organization in the world, is proud to announce that Carolyn Anders, a Broker Associate in their Louisville office, has been named a FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent for 2010 by 5280 Denver’s Magazine.
5280 magazine contracted with Crescendo Business Services, an independent market research company, to identify exceptional real estate agents in the Denver area. More than 92,200 recent home buyers, readers of 5280 magazine, mortgage lenders and title companies were asked to submit an evaluation. Following review of the information by a panel of local real estate experts, fewer than seven percent of all licensed real estate agents in the Denver area were chosen to be recognized as a FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent for 2010.
Those agents selected for 2010 will be featured in the September issue of 5280 magazine. This section will be seen by more than 347,300 readers of 5280 magazine (Source: The Media Audit, April-May 2009). Potential home buyers and sellers use this issue of the magazine as a resource throughout the year.
RE/MAX Alliance, the third largest RE/MAX organization in the world, is a name readily recognized and respected throughout Colorado and nationally.
For more information on specific offices, sales associates, or career opportunities, contact Kim Hawkins, at 303-759-6636 or via email at kimhawkins@remax.net. Additional information is available online at www.HomesInColorado.com.
RE/MAX Alliance Well-Positioned For Denver’s Economic Growth!
RE/MAX Alliance, Colorado’s largest locally owned real estate organization, with 21 offices and over 800 sales associates across the Front Range, is well-positioned for Denver’s improved economic climate.
According to the Policom Corporation, a Florida based economic research firm, Denver has the nation’s third-strongest economy out of 366 metro areas analyzed across the country. Their report is based on two decades’ worth of jobs and income data. This is the highest ranking ever for Denver in Policom’s annual report, having moved-up from seventh place last year.
Policom’s report is based on 23 different economic factors from 1989 to 2008. Factors include wages and income broken down in a variety of ways, plus jobs in key sectors.
Among other Colorado cities, Policom’s report ranked Boulder 87th (up from 102nd last year); Greeley 88th (up from 150th last year); and Fort Collins/Loveland 103rd (up from 114th last year).
RE/MAX Alliance, the third largest RE/MAX organization in the world, is a name readily recognized and respected throughout Colorado and nationally.
For more information on specific offices, sales associates, or career opportunities, contact Kim Hawkins, at 303-759-6636 or via email at kimhawkins@remax.net. Additional information is available online at www.HomesInColorado.com.
