Fall 2008, Roller Coaster Economics & Good News for the Colorado Front Range Rockies!!

Boy are you as frustrated and nervous about the news of our recent national and global economies?  There is no doubt that we are currently experiencing anxious and confusing economic & political times.  Have you wondered how 2008 get almost over?  Time sure seems to fly, in fact we are about to have another time change.  Where does our time go?  It seems to fly just like our many resolutions, goals and plans do.  Did you keep your New Year's resolutions?  Even in these trying times we can assist you in obtaining some new ones for your family.  Winter, Spring, and Summer have already moved on and one can certainly feel and see that Fall is here.  Last Winter our ski resorts had some incredible record snowfalls and maybe we are headed for more of the same this coming season.  We hope you were able to find and spend some quality time with your family, loved ones, and friends this past summer.  Our personal 2008 roller coaster began last December.   Our holidays were interrupted when our male beagle "Jester" was attacked by a mountain lion right outside our mountain home.  Liz confronted and successfully scared off the lion before the cat completed its deadly task.  Jester had been scheduled to compete in the Beagle Specialty in Phoenix, AZ, but those plans were scrapped.  Our primary attention this past year has been focusing on his full recuperation.  Did you know that last year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show winner "Uno" is actually a beagle that is a half brother to our "Jester"?  The news media decided we were a worthwhile public interest story.  A couple of our local television networks aired stories about him and the mountain lion incident as well as his relation to "Uno".  Not to be outdone, our local newspaper (Boulder Daily camera) picked up the story for the front page.  If you are interested just Goggle "Jester the Beagle" and you might still get a chance to see some of the numerous responses.  Just this October we had the Rocky Mountain Regional and National Beagle competition right here in Estes Park, CO.  It is thrilling to report that Jester is certainly the "comeback kid"; he successfully competed and ended up in the final cut in both of his competitions.  For more information try checking out our personal beagle web site at www.alpenglowbeagles.com .  Follow his amazing progress.  We call him our $10 million dollar dog with all of the vet bills. Yikes!  we are graced to have his return to health.  The incredible number of kind comments both supportive and teasing have been enjoyable.  Yes the news media again picked up and did a follow up on his story recently. 

Enough about us; how has your year treated you so far?  The financial, stock, and banking markets seem fractured.  It makes soap operas seem tame.  The media seems to thrive on it.  How does it impact our local real estate?  Prices appear to be bottoming.  Activity continues as buyers are still looking and buying, and of course there are numerous sellers.  Choices abound, are you considering any changes?  Are you currently living in that home and neighborhood that you have wanted to live in?  If not, why not?  Maybe we can help show you how.  We have so much that makes our area so incredibly unique and special.  Check out  www.come2boulderco.com and see why even in tough times, properties sell and Colorado and especially Boulder County is doing so very well in the current economy.  Many folks will probably miss the boat in catching this real estate opportunity.   Are you still waiting for the bottom?  Well here's a surprise; we have goods news, this is indeed one of those fabulous times to buy and sell.  Call us and we can personally get you your correct data, and why we feel so strongly about this.  Of course if you wish to listen to all of the ongoing media talk about the credit crunches; you might miss how our rates and inventories.  Many buyers are currently discovering some of those opportunities out there.  Our local inventories are actually down and recent sales of homes are looking up again.  As usual, the media has instilled a lot of fear in the country.  However, the sky is not falling.  Don't you feel a bit of manipulation, as well as like sheep being lead to a slaughter?  They like to keep us confused and in doubt of that the tide will ever turn.  If we could pull the plug on the immense amount of inaccurate information in the media, maybe that would help.  It certainly does seem like they are more interested in entertaining rather than really reporting the facts and solutions.  Sadly, we believe they are trying to sell all of us some kind of a horror show.  Embarrassing isn't it?  

What we do know is that, Boulder County continues as a key player in our state's economy.  In 2007 Boulder County's rate of job growth was 3%, which out paced the state's 2.4%, and the nations 1.3% growth rates.  Colorado in 2006 proved to be the fastest growing state with 4.3 million in population; the overheated growth cooled in 2007.  National and state economies were expected to plod along during 2008, but already Boulder County shows strength.  We are thrilled to report that, RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc. finished 2007 in first place locally, with 32% of the total residential sales in both Boulder and Broomfield counties.  With 3100 Realtors in Boulder, Broomfield, and Longmont and we are just 3% of that total and yet our office participated in 1 out of every 6 transactions.  Recently REMAX International tallied their company wide figures and RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc. was the #1 single office in the United States for 2007.  It has been mentioned that it might be the highest in the world, but no one has any interest in taking the time to convert all of the various world currencies.   

The BIG Question is HAVE WE HIT BOTTOM?  Former Fed chairman Allen Greenspan just said he sees the housing market turn around beginning in the first half of 2009.  In the Boulder County area, many seem to think we are already there.  We again are seeing multiple offers on some of our listings recently.  With all of the recent closings (i.e. Washington Mutual, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, etc.) no one can be totally sure what is going on nationally.  yet, just this summer the Denver Post (June 25, 2008) reported that Denver seems to be bucking the apparent national trend (this comparison was against some 20 major cities) in the national decline of housing prices; their article located can be found on their web site at ( http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_9686382 ) for specific details.  With daily talk of panic concerns in the media regarding the bailout and suggestions that the sub-prime mortgage lending was the cause.  Our problems are still based in trust.  Wild fluctuations in the stock market, are a daily source of concern and yet cycles have always come and gone.  Is this merely another one?  Remember this is the stuff that sells the news.  Enough is enough, no more whining is necessary.  Stop and notice all of the numerous local feelings of stability and exuberance in the weeks and months ahead.  Lets spend our time and energies on something we can actually take action on.  There are lots of real life positives and potentials; rather than viewpoints the sell the news.  Lots of opportunities remain.  After all Fall is the introduction of new changes ahead.  Colorado has been spared any fearsome forest fires this past summer.  Our local athletes are cycling and mountain climbing and many are already preparing for the ski resorts opening.  Will we again have record snow falls for them?  We just wish there was a large lake where we could save all of this beautiful moisture.  Daily you can still enjoy that special Alpenglow of the mountains which continues to call and invigorate us.

BOULDER continues no matter what the year to be one of the most highly reviewed, acknowledged, and written about communities.  Which may be one of the reasons some folks say "Welcome to the Emerald City".  There are lists of accolades in numerous areas (smartest, health, recreation, culture, education, environment, and business).  Now we have even been chosen as the very 1st Smart Grid City in the US, to find out more of what that means try the following web site http://www.xcelenergy.com/XLWEB/CDA/0,3080,1-1-1_15531_51065-39884-2_68_132-0,00.html .  Also, Money magazine just chose in their "Best Places to Live" under small cities Boulder is now the 8th in highest percentage of singles (what a surprise in a university town), and Boulder County the 5th Skinniest county the country (also no surprise with how active and healthy the residents are).   Even Fort Collins just up the road was chosen this year as their number 2 best city to live in.  No matter what the season or year we seem to rise above it all.  Even with our varying weather periods, Fall feels to be in full swing.  We already have two ski resorts open.  With 300+ days of sunshine our weather seems fabulous.  Don't forget your skin protection; cool crisp clean air does not mean that you won't burn.  Definitely get out and discover some new challenges.  Uncover new possibilities for you and your family.  Reaching your dreams might just be easier than you ever imagined.   In real estate you might want a dream home or a new investment property, something for your childrens'' college or your retirement?  It seems a lot more stable investment than the financial markets these days, doesn't it?  You have come to the right place.  Our local real estate markets can act like the ever changing Colorado weather so be prepared for changes.  By being alert and paying attention you will discover an abundance of clues.  May we assist you in putting your pieces of your puzzle together?  Get the facts and data so that you can make the best choices for you.  None of us wants to spend time being sold a lot of old empty promises, and being treated like just another number.  Let's get together and find you some new alternatives.  Isn't it time to make your real estate challenges work for you?  The internet has made an incredible amount of information available to all of us.  You have many choices and options for getting answers to your real estate questions and concerns.  Yet, are you getting that personal attention?  Are you interested in seeing and enjoying the kind of strong results that you expect?  Come get to know us and discover our real difference.  We're concerned for your interests and your personal circumstances.  Let's address your specific needs and concerns.  Lets get your housing dreams on an active mission, and on the road to accomplishment.

What questions do you have about our current Colorado Front Range real estate market?  Maybe you have concerns about what is going on the lending world?  Are there good lenders to work with?  Does it really make a difference? What about opportunities with the high number of foreclosures and short sales?  Is now a good time to sell, with all of those homes on the market?  These are great questions, but the answers are not simple.  Ours markets are dynamic.  The answers are always changing.  Have you noticed how rapidly changes seem to happening in your own lives?  Can it really be that it is almost 2009?

Barry "Bear" and Liz Friedlander have a long standing reputation for getting the job done.  What is it that makes them truly unique?  The most often heard comment is their personal touch.  They don't use a factory or a team approach with numerous assistants that are not agents nor know your particular needs or requirements.  Besides their extensive experience they come from the heart.  What better situation can you have than two for the price of one?  Can you imagine a husband and wife team that actually like working together?  They are excited to assist you with your unique real estate needs.  Theirs is a unique passion for the business.  Sharing a fulltime commitment for their clients.  Discover their wonderful balance and how well they work together.  With an extensive proven record of local experience, they are unlike the numerous, Johnny-Come-Latelys.  Discover their personal, step-by-step approaches, with their one-on-one attention and dynamic web and email resources, that provide 24/7 market coverage for their clients.  Contact them so that they can help you discover your dreams and goals.  Your actions along with the proper guidance, and tools can make all of the difference.

Lets get together to talk about your home buying and/or selling plans. Call them at their office (303.441.5614 "Bear") or (303.415.3596 Liz). Alternately,  send them a personal email (LizF@BoulderCO.com), we'll setup a time to meet that is easy and convenient for you.

"We look forward to discussing your dreams and making a plan while working with you!"

- Barry "Bear" & Liz Friedlander
3034415614 "Bear"
BearandLiz@BoulderCO.com