Buy now! Sell now! Interest rates are at all-time lows, there is no better time to buy or sell a home!  It's a great time to add investment property to your portfolio, as well!

Metro Broker Virginia Clair can help you navigate the real estate process. Call her at Urban Mountain Associates at 303-229-2450 or get more information online at www.VirginiaClair.com.

Interviewer:  Welcome to Metro Brokers TV.  Today in the studio I have Virginia Clair with Urban Mountain Associates.  Welcome Virginia.

Virginia Clair:  Thanks, Kari.

Interviewer:  So what makes you different from other realtors?

Virginia Clair:  Well, let me tell you - it's really the breath and depth of my experience, I've been licensed for over 21 years now and that was after a very successful career as a diamond broker, so I've been brokering for a while.  And my early experience was quite diverse.  I started at a time when we were working through the savings and loan fiasco, so a lot of my projects were fairly varied in that I did a shopping center in Colorado Springs, a ranch in Larkspur, I actually had a golf course in La Veta, Colorado as well as several executive homes that were a result of that whole fiasco.

So my business now is really in and around residential as well as short sales.  I have a tendency to really want to be available to people in their time of need, especially when it does come to properties that are a little bit complicated and need a little extra help.

Interviewer:  Wonderful.  Now you're very involved in the real estate community, correct?

Virginia Clair:  I am.

Interviewer:  Tell me a little bit about that.

Virginia Clair:  Well I happen to be the current president of the local chapter of the Mile High Women's Council of Realtors and incoming president for the state.  And this is an organization that's part of the National Association of Realtors, so we're very much in tune with consumer issues and lobbying and making sure that our members are empowered in their leadership and their education.

Interviewer:  What advice can you offer to buyers and sellers and investors?

Virginia Clair:  Buy now, sell now.  It's a perfect storm.

Interviewer:  Really!

Virginia Clair:  Yeah.  The interest rates are low, historically low.  Our inventory is short, so for sellers that have been sitting wondering whether they should make a move or not, now is the time.

Interviewer:  That's great to hear.  Where can people learn more about you?

Virginia Clair:  Give me a call directly at (303) 229-2450 or on my website which is www.VirginiaClair.com.

Interviewer:  Great, Virginia.  Thank you so much for taking the time to come and talk to me today.

Virginia Clair:  It was my pleasure.  Thanks for having me.

Interviewer:  Again that was Virginia Clair with Urban Mountain Associates.  Thank you for watching Metro Brokers TV.

Posted in Marketing, Buyer Resources, Seller Resources

Non-current mortgages, that are in foreclosure or are over 90 days delinquent, are down 18.1 percent in February compared to the same period last year, according to Ryan McMaken, chief economist at the Colorado Division of Housing (CDOH).  Colorado was ranked sixth in the nation for lowest number of non-current loans, having only 5.2 percent during February 2013.

Non-current mortgages were down nationwide, as well.  Only 10.2 percent of mortgage loans during February were non-current.  "The states with the highest rates of non-current loans were Florida, New Jersey, and Mississippi with non-current rates of 18.5 percent, 16.3 percent and 16.0 percent, respectively."

Read more at CDOH.

photo credit: elycefeliz

Posted in Join Metro Brokers, Marketing, Headlines

In estate planning, there are three important documents that everyone needs to have in place before a sudden life changing event occurs.  Poor estate planning can significantly reduce the amount that eventually goes to your loved ones and can even break a family apart, says George Lambert, a certified financial planner.

 Everyone should have a durable power of attorney, a medical power of attorney and a living will. "Estate planning is not only about making arrangements for your assets after you die." says Lambert. "Unexpected things can happen resulting in your loved ones needing to make decisions on your behalf. Make sure you give them the legal power to do this, saving them from both emotional and financial battles."

A Power of Attorney assigns a person of your choosing to manage your finances if you cannot.  A Medical Power of Attorney assigns a person to make medical decisions on your behalf.  A Living Will gives family and doctors exact instructions regarding continuing your life by heroic or artificial measures.  These documents can take effect whenever you want them to. You can specify how and when they are to take effect.

Lambert offers these steps to ensure your wishes will be followed:

• 1. Review your current documents with your attorney since laws can occasionally change. Also, new case law periodically offers new precedents, possibly making forms you have used obsolete.
  2. Name the same person as your representative in every state's (or nation's) documents.
  3. Execute separate documents for each state (country) where you frequently spend time.
  4. After you have done this, have every family member over the age of 18 do the same.

Avoid putting your loved ones in a tough situation of having to guess what you would have wanted if you can no longer make those decisions. 

Read more about estate planning.

photo credit: SalFalko

Posted in Marketing

Rates on 30-year fixed rate mortgages averaged 3.54 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending April 4^th, reports Inman news.  This is a drop from last week's rate of 3.57 percent and last year's rate of 3.98 percent. 

15-year fixed rate mortgages averaged 2.74 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from 2.76 percent last week and 3.21 percent last year.

Analysts say that the decline is caused by a four month high in jobless claims. "As the economy trudges towards a recovery, investors continue to keep a close eye on the Federal Reserve's monthly purchases of $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities and $45 billion in long-term Treasuries." reports Inman News. "The purchases are part of a stimulus program called QE3 (the third round of "quantitative easing") that is designed to keep rates low and encourage borrowing."  The Fed is predicted to wind down QE3 by this summer and possibly end it before next year.

Read the full story at Inman News.

Posted in Marketing

Whether you are a buyer or a seller, learn what options you have from Bev West with MetroBrokers West Realty, an experienced real estate agent. Call Bev at (970) 631-7111 or visit BevWestInGreeley.com.

Read more »

Posted in Marketing, Buyer Resources, Seller Resources