Springtime has arrived and people are thinking about major renovations, repairs, or restorations on their home or even purchasing a home for fix-and-flip. Springtime has arrived and people are thinking about major renovations, repairs, or restorations on their home – or even purchasing a home for fix-and-flip. Here are a few options to consider […]
Duane's Timely Topics
Duane's compilation of the most relevant topics to real estate today in Boulder.
Relocating? Check the Housing Affordability Index
Pondering the thought of moving? You will undoubtedly want to compare housing affordability in the area you would like to relocate to. (Photo: Sabel Blanco/Pexels). Pondering the thought of moving? You will undoubtedly want to compare housing affordability in the area you would like to relocate to. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) has a […]
Property assessments are coming
On May 1, every property owner in Boulder County can expect to receive a notice for the newly assessed value of their property. (Photo: Pexels). On May 1, every property owner in Boulder County can expect to receive a notice for the newly assessed value of their property. State statute requires that every property in […]
Get a CLUE when buying a home
Most Americans have never heard of the CLUE database, but if you are a home buyer or home seller, it’s probably a good idea to get a CLUE! If you don’t have a CLUE, don’t be embarrassed! Most Americans are CLUE-less and have never heard of the CLUE database, but if you are a home […]
Rising mortgage rates: Lock or not?
To lock or not to lock, that is the home buyer’s choice. Over the last several years we have enjoyed record-low mortgage rates that have, for the most part, been stable. The most recent peak in interest rates was November 2018 with an average reported rate of 4.81% for 30-year loans. Afterwards, the trend moved […]
Why is there such a shortage of homes to buy? – Part 2
In Part 2 of this two-part series, I discuss the variety of reasons why housing inventory has dropped to such low levels in Boulder County. Work from home Now that people can work remotely, many urban dwellers are choosing to move out of larger cities to suburban areas where they can enjoy more space, high […]
Last year set the stage for April’s Fair Housing Month
The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) continues to be an industry leader in fair housing. Last year set the stage for a progressive movement in the fair housing world to support equal opportunity and ensure that people are not discriminated against with regard to housing. In fact, the leadership of the National Association of Realtors […]
Removing Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) from your mortgage
PMI is usually required on conventional home loans for which the down payment is less than 20 percent. When one thinks of “mortgage insurance” some will think of a type of life insurance that if you die, the mortgage on your house is paid off for the benefit of the survivors. Private Mortgage Insurance, known […]
Why is there such a shortage of homes to buy?, Part 1
According to RE/MAX of Boulder Managing Broker Todd Gullette, 2021 is starting off with a record-low number of homes available to buy. As of January 2021, there are only a total of 334 single family homes showing as available in the IRES Multiple Listing System (MLS) in all of Boulder County. For many home buyers, […]
Investing in real estate using retirement plan funds, Part 2
Anyone can use their retirement plan to invest in real estate you just need to have the proper plan in place. (Photo: Pexels). Retirement plans such as IRAs, SEPs, and 401ks are often thought of as limited to investments in stocks or mutual funds. However, if you open a self-directed IRA account (SDIRA), your […]