My New Blog

My morning routine is the same every morning. I wake up, go downstairs to a hug from my husband Kelton. He delivers me the best Cuban coffee in the world. (Cafe con Leche made with Bustello). Then I read the paper. Lately the news has been encouraging. The National Real Estate picture has been positive. Housing sales have been up 3 months in a row and foreclosure inventory is shrinking. But todays paper confirmed what our office has been experiencing the last month.... an increase in real estate activity. We have had closings,sales and lots of showings on our listings.The Daily Sentinel headlines today read. "GJ HOMES PRICES,SALES ON THE RISE" Below is the link to the article. Http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2009/07/30/073109_1a_Housing_prices.html

Great news. The real estate market is what drives the economy. The economy is showing signs of recovery. The bad news is that interest rates are creeping up on the good news. So get going and buy now before we have another pop in real estate values and mortgage rate increases.

The summer is the time of year I like to be outdoors. There is so much to do in the yard. This year we put in our first garden. It has not been a total success! My lettuce bolted before it was big enough to eat and my squash is being eaten by hungry insects. My crowning glory is broccoli, a plant that every one says in impossible to grow here. Go figure!

The good news is there is a farmers market every Sunday two blocks down the street. There is music, lots of craft vendors, lots of good things to eat: Joe's famous hot dogs and John Barbier of Moulon Rouge making crepes. The Red Rose is open for breakfast,lunch and dinner and so is Mumsel's. The best thing for me is there are fresh vegetables galore and all local. Z's Orchard is there with huge tomatoes, peaches, squash etc. There are organic vegetables as well. Lots of variation!

Trying to raise my own food has given me a real appreciation for the hard work and frustration that goes into producing food. Being in a farming community is great and I am glad I have the pros to fall back on. I would starve if I had to rely on me to grow my own food.

I love being in the Grand Valley! Palisade is like my other home... Key West. Small yet culturally rich, walking distance to all amenities and full of friendly people. I do not miss however the huge throngs of tourists. Please don't tell anyone what a great place this is, I want to keep it quiet and peaceful.

The economy has effected all of us. The newspaper business and real estate brokers have really been hurt. But give the public a break. What does pdwr rm off grmt kit hi ceil, hwf in upr flr on pvt cul nr bst schls mean? Owr fi with in law potent was a fisbo.This house also has FDR,FP,Gar,gard and dk plus vus from fab petrm!  For a few extra dollars they could say "Powder room off Gourmet kitchen with high ceilings hard wood floors in upper floor on a private cul du sac near the best schools. Owner Finincing has potential of an extra living space was a for sale by owner. This house also has Formal Dining rooms, fireplace, garage and garden and deck plus views from a fabulous pentroom. What is a pentroom anyway?

Call me if you want your home advertised properly.... we go the extra mile and spend the extra dime.

Are you serious about finding a home? Are you tired of reading the paper, going to open houses, driving around trying to find a house fore sale? Finding a home in today’s market is time consuming and frustrating. Are you tired of spending your days off and gas money looking street by street for a home to buy? How many homes have you been to that are not appropriate for your needs or in your price range? Do you feel you can negotiate the largest purchase of your life on your own? Are you tired of Realtors calling and calling you after a brief encounter of the worst kind? Are you unsure if you can get a mortgage? Do you know what a contract to purchase real estate entails? Are you ready for help?

If you have answered "Yes" to any of these questions, sign up to have a search tailored to your needs.

The information you will receive is targeted to your personal needs. I will send you property listings, answer any questions you might have, show you property, and help you find a mortgage. If you are wary of being "bugged" by me...have no fear. I feel that my job is to let you alone until you need me.

I am an experience Realtor with lots of years in the biz. I sell all sorts of real estate to all types of buyers. When working as a buyers agent I work for you...not the transaction...not the seller...for you. I  get you the best possible price and the most suitable property for your needs. I have infinite patience. I have people who have been searching for years. As a buyer’s agent I work very hard for “You" your priorities are my priorities.

To help me, help you, I need lots of information! Doing a search on the MLS is like any computer program, the better the criteria the better the results. Sometimes ones wants and needs are not in the criteria menu; this is when a human on your side is invaluable. The perfect house does not exist! A house that meets most of your criteria does.

Doesn’t it make sense to have help with the largest purchase of your life?

The information you will receive is arranged by price range. You will receive listing information with your particular wants and needs. The first group of listings will include ALL the listings with your criteria. It will be a lot of information! This will get you up to speed on what is on the market. After going over these listings, you will get an idea of what your money will buy and where the property is located. When new listings come up you will be emailed the new information. Well-priced properties go quickly in any market. Having the first shot gives you an advantage. If you have any questions or want to see a listing, call me. 970 464 1000. Calling me will be the fastest and most reliable way of getting in touch. Email is fine for non-urgent communication. I am not always on the computer. If you get voicemail, I am either on the other line or out of range. Leave a message! I will get back to you.

Please be assured that I will not abuse your email or phone information. I myself go ballistic with robo calls and sales solicitation.

I am looking forward to helping you in your home search!

Warmest Regards

Elizabeth

Oh Happy Day! Mortgage rates just got even better!

As of July 6th 2009

Conforming rates (up to $417,000.00)     Rate       APR        P&I

30 year fixed,No points,No MI                5.125%   5.148%   $1361.22

15 year fixed,No Points, No MI               4.625%    4.663%   $1928.49

FHA

30 Year Fixed, No Points, with MI            5.%        %.545%   $1365.54

Loans subject to credit approval. Annual Rate/APR based on Homeowners credit, down payment, occupancy and document type. The above conforming loans assumes a full document loan, owner occupied. 20% down. $250,000.00 loan amount and $1,254.00 in prepaid finance charge fees. The FHA loan assumes full documentation, owner occupied 3.5% down on a $250,000.00 loan amount and $5,448 of pre paid finance charge fees, including up front mortgage insurance.

That is a very good deal.

The figures were provided by Elaine Harris of Vectra Bank 970 243 0140

Palisade High School is a popular school due to the International Baccalaureate Program. Palisade High is District 51's only authorized high school to offer the program. The IB program offers the equivalent of the best private education money can buy.

Students are challenged to achieve excellence in 6 core subjects. Foreign Language, English, Science, Social Studies, Math, and Fine Arts. Students participate in a Theory of Knowledge class that develops analytical thinking. Homework load runs 2 to 3 hours per night. Students are encouraged to participate in sports and be active productive citizens of their community. More information is available at Http://www.RealtyinGrandJunction.com under the Schools tab.  

Activity in the Grand Junction and Palisade area has picked up. Mortgage rates are still low and sellers are reasonable.

Families wanting to move up are on the hunt, they can afford more home with interest rates low. Schools seem to be a big factor in home searches. I have clients that want to be only in the areas with the best schools. Those areas have held their value and appreciate at a faster rate. Take advantage of the market now.