Who owns the residential properties currently listed in our local MLS (primarily Mesa County with some regional listings as well)? Today there are 801 active residential listings (not under contract). Of those listings, 71 (or about 9%) are Short Sale Listings (owner or investor-occupant) and 73 (about 9%) are Bank-Owned/Foreclosures/REO.
Hello! Grand Junction’s Northeast Area (GJ3) includes the land and properties located North and West of the I-70 Business Loop, South of I-70, and East of 28 1/2 Road (north of Patterson) and East of 29 Road (south of Patterson), between 24 and 28 1/2 Roads and those properties located North of Patterson Road. This area is roughly 12 square miles.
According to Real Data, LLC’s October 18, 2011 edition reporting the County’s Real Estate Trends for Q3 2011, as a whole, Mesa County’s Real Estate Market showed signs of stabilization during Q3 2011. The Northeast Area experienced an increase in sales overall, but a decrease in median price. The median price of sales in Q3 2011 was 6.5% lower than sales in Q3 2010 with the average price being $156,000.
It’s a great time to buy! Rates are at historic lows and there is a healthy inventory of homes on the market!
Contact an energetic member of the Heath & Co Realty Team – 970-243-3376!
Details about The Grand Junction City Real Estate Area
Greetings! The City Area includes properties located in Mesa County, Colorado between 23 Road on the West and 29 Road on the East, Patterson (F Road) Road on the North and the Colorado River on the South. The area is roughly 18 square miles in size.
Mesa County Valley School District 51 Schools located within this area include:
-Elementary: Chipeta, Nisley, Orchard Ave, Tope, Pomona and Appleton Elementaries.
-Middle: Fruita Middle, Fruita 8/9, West Middle, East Middle and Bookcliff Middle Schools.
-High Schools: Grand Junction High School and Central High School.
-Post-Secondary: Colorado Mesa University
Medical Facilities: The main campuses for both St Mary’s and for Community Hospital are located within this area, along with the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital.
Shopping: The Downtown Core shopping district is located in this area (www.DowntownGJ.org), as well as Mesa Mall, numerous strip malls, and various grocery and speciality food and gift stores.
Better-Known Subdivisions: Grand Junction City Subdivision, The Falls, Garden Grove, Keith’s Addition, Palace Estates, Mantey Heights, The Legends.
Government Services: County and City Law Enforcement Agencies are based in this Area; Federal and State Services can be found here as well, ranging from the CO Department of Motor Vehicles to the Federal Court House.
Recent Real Estate Activity: According to Real Data, LLC’s 10/18/11 issue, Quarter Three 2011 Sales in the City were 20% higher than in Q3 2010. However, median sales prices fell 14% to $119,900 from the same period last year. As evidenced by the median sale price, the majority (about 75%) of the sales were priced below $150,000. County-wide, foreclosure filings were down in Q3 2011 and listed residential inventory dropped.
As always, contact one of the members of the Heath Realtor Team to learn more about the Grand Junction City Real Estate Area, about other Real Estate Areas or to assist you with your buying and selling questions and needs!
The AP published an article on October 6th that we discussed at our office Marketing Meeting today. A summary:
“The average rate on a 30-yar fixed mortgage has fallen below 4 percent for the first time in history.”
“On Thursday, Freddie Mac said the rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 3.94% from 4.01% last week, the previous low. The average rate on a 15-year fixed loan, a popular refinancing option, dipped to 3.26%, also a record”
“Mortgage rates are now lower than they were in the early 1950s. The average rate reached 4.08% for a few months back then, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.”
All-in-all, if you’re in the search for a home, call our office and let us help you out! If your rate is higher than 5%, might be a good time to call your banker to see if refinancing makes sense.
To review the full article, here is the link: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MORTGAGE_RATES?SITE=CACHI&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Contact one of our experienced agents to help you through the home-buyer or selling process! Learn more about us and “Like” us on facebook too!
I receive periodic updates via email from Xcel Energy. Information received last week related to checking a home’s efficiency for cold weather. This info was very timely as my husband and I were just talking about how turning off our air conditioner was expected to cause a large drop in our utility bill – not the case!
One of the articles related to obtaining a Power Meter from the local library – a gadget that you plug your appliances in to and it gauges the energy usage in watts, amps and in cost. I have picked up the meter (there were probably 10 of them available at our local library), just haven’t made the time to check our appliances yet.
If it is a way to save money while conserving energy, I’m all for it! Let’s see how much energy and money our household can save by better preparing for the cold months ahead.
On a related note, a home energy audit can be completed by Xcel Energy. The audits range in cost from $60 to $120 and include the evaluation of your home and systems from visual checks to infrared readings. If you think your home could be more efficient, maybe an energy audit through Xcel (or another local reputable company) is worth a try – based on the cost, the cost outlay for the audit may be recuperated rather quickly if quick, easy and low-cost fixes are found to make to your home more efficient.
Stay warm out there! Do you have quick, simple or low-cost ideas for keeping your home energy efficient? If so, please comment and share your ideas!
If a new roof is needed over your head to help you stay a little warmer, contact Heath & Co. Realtors – let’s talk about your needs for a new happy and warm home! Feel free to contact Heath & Company Realtors for your buying and selling needs! 970.243.3376 or www.HeathRealtors.com. Like us on Facebook too!
POSTED: 8:20 am MDT May 24, 2011 UPDATED: 8:26 am MDT May 24, 2011
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — New-home sales rose for a second straight month in April, but sales remain near the lowest levels on record, the government reported Tuesday.
The Census Bureau reported an annual sales rate of 323,000 new homes last month. That was up 7.3% from a revised rate of 301,000 in March.
Economists had forecast a sales rate of 300,000, according to consensus estimates from Briefing.com.
While sales were up versus the month before, the April rate was down 23.1% compared with the same month in 2010.
In February, new-home sales fell to a revised 278,000, marking the lowest level since the government began tracking the data in 1963.
So, I want to start looking for a house . . . I’ve checked the Internet and there are a few nice ones out there – I’ve heard it’s a buyers market. How much can I afford?
That is a great first question – how much can I afford? Your best move is to talk to a reputable bank or mortgage company to discuss your financial situation and determine comfortable monthly payments. If you’ve purchased a home in the past and received good service from your mortgage broker or banker, give them a call. If not, talk to your friends to see if they have any suggestions. Do you have a relationship with a bank? The bank probably includes a mortgage office or they can suggestion a mortgage company to visit.
The person with whom you visit will request a number of items from you, which may include past tax returns, bank statements and pay stubs. In return, they’ll provide you a Good Faith Estimate (GFE). A GFE provides an estimate of your settlement charges and loan terms for the loan you’ve discussed. The settlement statement you’ll receive at closing should include costs that are very similar to those quoted on the GFE.
Of course, you’ll need a great real estate agent to help you find your home! Let the Heath and Company Team of Realtors assist you! We also know some good mortgage brokers who can provide sound advice. Contact us at 970.243.3376 or www.HeathRealtors.com.
As always, consult a Tax Expert for answers to questions specific to your situation!
In Mesa County, property taxes paid in 2011 (we pay property taxes in arrears, so property taxes for 2010 are paid in the Spring of 2011) were assessed during the recent peak in real estate values – January 2007 through June 2008. According to Bret Goff, Mesa County’s Deputy Assessor, the Grand Valley was among the top ten accelerating real estate markets for 2007. What does that mean regarding today’s tax bill? Property is assessed at a higher value than for what most property owners could sell their property today.
Property in Mesa County is assessed every two years with the last assessment period ending in June 2010. The new valuations will be available later this Spring. The assessment is made-up of an evaluation of comparable properties that sold in the 18-month “look back” or collection time period.
Those who don’t agree with the valuation of their property can appeal the valuation, but be prepared to provide a recent appraisal or the list price if currently/recently listed and if the property sold.
Paying Uncle Sam – Real Estate Taxes are deductible if itemized. There may be different tax implications for investment properties; if a homeowner is considering making their primary home into an investment property (renting it out) be sure to visit a tax professional to learn the specifics of capital gains taxes on primary residences and the taxes payable on rentals.
This info was obtained through The Daily Sentinel’s Real Estate Weekly, dated March 13, 2011, “Ask the Experts: Tax Season Questions about Real Estate”. To review the full article, see http://grandjunctiondailysentinel.co.ussrv15.newsmemory.com/default.php?pSetup=grandjunctiondailysentinel_realestate
Again, visit with a tax professional to fully understand the tax implications to which you may be subject. In the meantime, feel free to contact Heath & Company Realtors for your buying and selling needs! 970.243.3376 or www.HeathRealtors.com
Why Use a Realtor? Here is another of a dozen reasons:
Your realtor has many resources available to assist you in your home search. With the technology available today, buyers and sellers can research property to find ones of interest for their own purchase or to evaluate how their home stacks up in the market. However, realtors have quick access to many details about homes that are not always instantly available through general internet searches. Let your realtor help find the information most important to you to assist you in your evaluation of homes.
Find out how Heath and Company Realtors can assist you in your buying and/or selling needs! 970.243.3376 / www.HeathRealtors.com
Of course, we all like to see a return on our investments . . . hopefully a healthy return! Your home, haven, haus, casa . . . more than just an investment. People have the right to own a house they LIKE. A House that FEELS GOOD. A HOME!
Chances are, if you like your home, others will too; something to keep in mind if you’re trying to sell your home. What do you like the best about your home? When listing your home, try to accentuate those comfy, homey aspects that you enjoy. Is your home welcoming to those visiting - those potential buyers?
Looking for a home? How do you FEEL about the home when you enter the front door? Is it comfortable? Something to keep in mind for re-sale – if you like your home, chances are others will too.
Find out how Heath and Company Realtors can assist you in your buying and/or selling needs! 970.243.3376 / www.HeathRealtors.com
