303-859-7922
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Dunbar@DunbarHardy.com
DUNBAR HARDY

Category: (8)

Jan
28

IS A 30-YEAR MORTGAGE A FRANKENSTEIN?

As we are going into a new year and still climbing out of the financial stresses over the last few years largely due to the implosion of financial markets, it is worth asking the poignant question: "how do we financially move forward in successfully purchasing real estate?" Again, there are no clear and easy answers and everyone may have unique circumstances they are wrestling with in order to keep a roof over their heads. With national homeownership rates having dropped to 65.9% (end of 3rd Quarter of 2011) compared to 73.8% (end of 2000) and a 3% drop from the most recent high of 69.2% in 2004. This means that 1.1 million households & families within the US no longer own a home. (*Taken from National Mortgage News published 11/2/11.) With the hope of turning the corner and increasing rates of homeownership, the real question buyers may really be asking is "what type of loan should I get?" Brushing off our financial stresses & fears (many of which are valid), buyers need to remain nimble and flexible given the unknowns of the future and of so-called "job security." The myth of the 30-year fixed mortgage being the only true loan product may be crumbling. In a recently published book titled "All the Devils Are Here" by Bethany McClean she outlines how this specific loan product (30-year fixed) may have actually contributed to some of the financial situation we are still recovering from. With a "food-for-thought" conversation, listen to the attached podcast from Planet Money c/o NPR with a recent interview of Ms. McClean and co-author Joe Nocera to gain a little more insight into how we got where we are...   To Listen to NPR Podcast CLICK HERE.   To Read more on National Mortgage News Report CLICK HERE.   
Jan
26

2011 YEAR-END BOULDER COUNTY SALES STATISTICS (3 YEAR TRENDS)

Happy New Year! I hope the Holiday Season went well for you. With 2011 just ending, I have been able to gather all of the year-end data, conduct a 3-year comparison (2009 – 2011), and create a very good snapshot of current market conditions as we go into 2012.

In summary, Boulder County shows signs of being a relatively “stable” market over the last 3 years in terms of values/pricing largely holding even. This is encouraging as much of the national news is “doom & gloom” with tremendous loss of value. With the overall trend of Colorado and specifically Boulder County population growing, properties are indeed selling. Properties might be taking a little bit longer to sell over the last 3 years, but again, prices/values show a steady-flat trend line.

AVERAGE INVENTORY (2009 - 2011)

We have seen a downward trend in homes for sale (less inventory) in Boulder –specifically from 2009 – 2011. In Boulder-specifically, we have had a very comparable amount of inventory between houses for sale & condos/townhomes for sale. We are also seeing an overall general trend (from 2009 – 2011) of flat/even to slightly decreased inventory of properties for sale (both homes & condos/townhomes) in every Boulder County community.

 

Quantity of Homes Sold (2009 - 2011)

We have seen a similar amount of home sold in Boulder in 2011 vs. 2010, with less condos/townhomes sold in this same timeframe. Ultimately, more houses have sold vs. condos/townhomes in Boulder from 2010 – 2011. We have seen slight decreases in homes sold in Broomfield, Erie, Longmont, and Superior from 2009 – 2011, and slight increases in the quantity of homes sold in Lafayette, Louisville, in the Mountains, and Plains properties. While looking specifically at the condo/townhome market, we have seen a noticeable decrease in the properties sold in Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, and Superior from 2009 – 2011, with more or less stable condo markets in Broomfield, Erie and Lafayette.

 

Average Days to Contract (2009 - 2011)

We can see a noticeable increase in the number of days on market (DOM) for homes over 2009 – 2011 in Boulder (~85 DOM), Lafayette (~85 DOM), Louisville (~65 DOM), and Superior (~70 DOM). The condo/townhome market overall has a noticeable trend of longer days on market vs. houses-specifically. From 2009 – 2011 there is a dramatic increase in days on market for condos/townhomes in Boulder (~150 DOM), Broomfield (~135 DOM), Lafayette (~100 DOM), and Longmont (~105 DOM).

 

Median Sold Price (2009 - 2011)

There is a slight increase in the home prices that have sold in Boulder- specifically from 2009 – 2011 (~$550,000), with most other communities stabilizing/even over the 3-year trend. Worth noting is a slight decrease in median home prices in Superior and in the Mountains. The median sold prices of the condo/townhome market have seen some increases in Lafayette & Superior with stable prices overall in Boulder, Broomfield, Longmont, and Louisville.

Average Sold Price (2009 - 2011)

With the potential for greater discounting on higher-end & acreage properties, we have seen a slight increasing trend in the average sold prices of homes in Boulder (~$675,000) and on the Plains (~$625,000) from 2009 – 2011, whereas all other Boulder County communities are showing a stable/flat trend-line of average sold values. Minus a decrease in Erie condos/townhomes, we are seeing a relatively stable/flat trend-line of the average sold prices of condos/townhomes throughout Boulder County.

Please contact me if you you like more specific neighborhood/location statistics, as I would be glad to support you however I can! 
 
Jan
12

OPEN HOUSE – 4973 NOBLE PARK PLACE, BOULDER

Pleased to announce a weekend open house at 4973 Noble Park Place in the Noble Neighborhood of Boulder. This 3bd/3ba town home will be held open Sunday, January 15th 12-3pm. Come on by!! For additional property information CLICK HERE.
Jan
12

NEW LISTING – 3167 BROADWAY, BOULDER

I am pleased to announce this Mid-Century Bungalow has just gone onto the market for sale in the Newlands Neighborhood of North Boulder.  3bd/2ba 1,1718 Sq ft on a 6,247 sq ft lot. This property features a lower level Mother-in-Law Suite w/Gas Fireplace & Very Nicely Updated Kitchen. Features include - Paved Alley Access & Huge Detached 2 Car Garage, Hardwood Floors throughout on Main Level, Living Room Fireplace, Archways, Forced Air Furnace & Central AC. Directly Across from North Boulder Rec. Center w/Bus Stop out Front and Nearby Amenities (Ideal Market, Vic's, & North Boulder Park). Could make for a very good investment property! List Price - $484,000. For more information CLICK HERE. 
Jan
03

Walnut Realty & ReMax Alliance Merger!

Happy New Year!! I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the holiday season.  I have some exciting news to share with you!  After almost a year of diligence and careful consideration, we (Walnut Realty, Inc) have decided to combine resources with Re/Max Alliance to form a strategic merger that will result in a new company called Re/Max Alliance on Walnut. This merger will represent the largest and most relevant of its kind in Boulder and I wanted you to learn about this from me before reading about it in the paper.  Re/Max Alliance on Walnut will be a boutique firm with international reach, delivering a brand of service based on integrity, informed by expertise, and practiced in efficiency. We have conducted business alongside Re/Max Alliance (also locally-owned) for decades and have always been impressed with the level of customer care and integrity we have experienced.  We more recently learned that not only is their consumer-centric approach consistent with ours, but their vision for the future is also well aligned with our goals of excellence.  Combining our resources will allow us to become the most powerful real estate brand in Boulder County.  This merger will create a perfect blend of a local boutique firm backed by the most powerful set of tools and global marketing resources currently available in the real estate industry. Specifically, I will still reside in the same Downtown Boulder office that Walnut Realty has occupied since 1975.  All of my contact numbers will remain the same (cell phone, work phone, work address, and even same desk, ha!) as will my approach and commitment to you.  The only changes that will occur are that I will have access to additional cutting-edge tools and a team of support personnel that will allow me to better serve you. I am very excited to be a part of this new company, and am certain Re/Max Alliance on Walnut will offer me incredible opportunities for increased success. If you have any questions or concerns, I welcome the opportunity to connect with you and have a conversation about this exciting endeavor.  
I am sincerely grateful of your support and our communication. I look forward to being able to greater support your Boulder County real estate needs in the New Year! Take care and I am here for you.   Sincerely,
Dunbar Hardy Broker Associate EcoBroker, GREEN, GRI, ABR ReMax Alliance on Walnut 1911 11th Street, Suite 107 Boulder, Co 80302 w - 303-442-3180 c - 303-859-7922 f - 303-442-6765 Dunbar@DunbarHardy.com
Jan
03

NEW LISTING – 4973 NOBLE PARK PLACE, BOULDER

I am proud  to announce a new property for sale at 4973 Noble Park Place located in the Noble Park/King's Ridge Neighborhood of Boulder. This south-facing sun-filled 3bd/2.5ba ~1,300 sq ft townhome w/oversized 1-car garage carport is listed for $324,000. This move-in ready property built in 1998 features Flatirons views, brand new bamboo hardwood floors on main level, gas fireplace in living room, gas range in kitchen, forced air furnace, Central AC, and a south-facing master suite w/walk-thru closet & 3/4 bath. This property is located with Christensen Park literally in the backyard and Valmont Dog & Bike Park with trails just down the block.  For additional property information CLICK HERE.
Jan
03

SOLD – 2303 KEYSTONE COURT, BOULDER!

I am pleased to announce the sale of one more property to end 2011. I was the buyer's agent in the successful transaction of town home at 2303 Keystone Court located in the Parkside Neighborhood of North Boulder. This 3bd/2ba ~1,500 sq ft 2-car attached garage and fully fenced yard sold for $350,000 at 93% of its list price. This is the 2nd property I sold this year in the Parkside Neighborhood, and this is a pocket neighborhood of good-valued properties needing a little updating, but in a great North Boulder area.  So with this transaction closing out 2011, bring on 2012!