Campgrounds Are Now Open!

Many campgrounds that had been closed since March 26 due to the coronavirus pandemic opened in late May, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, including the
following locations:
Chatfield, Cherry Creek, North Sterling, Boyd Lake, St. Vrain, Lake Pueblo, and Lory.

Park officials said cabins, yurts, tipis, group facilities and other reservable day-use facilities remain closed until further notice.

Fishing, hiking and biking continue to be allowed at state parks not open to camping.

Visit www.cpwshop.com for the most up-to-date information regarding camping availability at each park, and further restrictions. Larimer County Natural Resources opened camping May 1 to those with existing reservations and self-contained hard-sided units with restrooms. No tent camping is allowed. All restrooms, shower rooms, cabins, tipis, group picnic sites and pavilions remain closed.

For more information, visit https://www.larimercamping.com/

Rocky Mountain National Park was scheduled to open in late May after closing March 20 to all activities, including driving through the park

Portions of Moraine Park and Glacier Basin campgrounds will open in early June. For information, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm.

Source: Miles Blumhardt, Coloradoan

Things To Do While You’re Stuck Inside

Things To Do While You’re Stuck Inside

• Go for a hike (https://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/parks)
• Go to a park (if not crowded)
• Go for a drive
• Catch up with friends, on the phone or on social media
• Read a book
• Piece together a puzzle
• Try a new recipe
• Play a board game
• Draw
• Do a craft
• Organize your home
• Take a virtual tour of museums around the world (www.artsandculture.google.com)
• Find an on-line workout
• Have a picnic in your living room or at a park
• Try a new recipe
• Catch up on podcasts
• Find an online learning class
• Find live events on Facebook
• Declutter a room and prepare a box to donate at a future time
• Start inside seed boxes for springtime planting
• Start a journal or blog
• Watch a long movie that you haven’t had time to watch
• Learn a foreign language online
• Finish your taxes if they’re not already done
• Write notes and letters to family and friends
• Write birthday cards ahead of time
• Read the magazines piled up on your desk
• Do coloring books
• Do easy home repairs
• Clear out your camera roll
• Buy gift cards from your favorite restaurants and coffee shops
• Have a Scrabble tournament
• Rearrange your furniture
• Update your will
• Donate money to food banks
• Get lots of sleep

Housing Forecast:
What’s Ahead in 2020?

2020 National Housing Market Overview
• Home price appreciation will flatten, with a forecasted increase of 0.8 percent
• Inventory will remain constrained, especially at entry-level prices
• Mortgage rates are likely to bump up to 3.88 percent by the end of the year
• Tight inventory and rising mortgage rates will lead to decreasing sales
• Buyers will continue to seek affordable housing

Supply and Demand
At the start of 2019, 2-out-of-3 national markets were seeing inventory growth. At year’s end, only 1-in-10 were seeing growth. In 2020, the market will continue to struggle with an inadequate supply of homes to meet buyer demand, and this inventory shortage has the potential to reach a historic low level. Nationally, the luxury market is cooling and builders are expected to shift to midlevel pricing. According to Matthew Gardner, economist, builders aren’t keeping up with demand for new housing stock because costs associated with land, labor, materials, and governmental regulation, are all increasing. “Twenty-five cents of every dollar spent on home construction is regulatory costs,” says Gardner. Overall buyer demand will remain very robust, particularly at the entry level. As a group, Millennials (born 1981-1997) will account for more than half of all mortgage originations in 2020.

Home Prices
At the national level, prices are estimated to tick up only 0.8 percent. In northern Colorado, analysts predict an annual average price growth close to the historic average of 5.5 percent due to continued in-migration and job growth exceeding many areas of the nation.

Housing Affordability
Over the past decade, demand for downtown living increased, driven by the
desire of Millennials for proximity and lifestyle amenities. As Millennials mature and start families, they are making a noticeable move toward affordable housing. The desire for affordability will continue in 2020, fueled also by Baby Boomers retiring and seeking sunnier weather, lower taxes and a lower cost of living.

Buyers
Compared to recent years, Buyers have less competition and more leverage. First-time buyers will continue to struggle with affordability, even with favorable mortgage rates, as entry-level inventory remains constrained.
Economist Matthew Gardner says 36.8 percent of homeowners in Larimer County and 29.5 percent of homeowners in Weld County have equity in excess of 50 percent of their home values. When these homeowners become move-up buyers, they acquire homes with more of the features they want without increasing their mortgage payment, and add inventory to the market with their home sale. First-time investors will use home equity or savings to buy rental
properties.

Sellers
Flattening price growth and slowing activity will require patience and thoughtful pricing on the part of sellers. Nationally, sellers of homes priced for entry-level buyers can expect the market to remain competitive and prices to stay firm. At the upper end of the price range, properties will take longer to sell, and incentives will become more common. Overall, homes that are prepared for the market and priced correctly will reap the benefits.
How can this year’s market opportunities support your real estate
goals? Give me a call and let’s discuss your options!

Source: Loveland Reporter Herald, REALTOR.com

Why Sell Your Home in the Winter?

Nobody buys or sells a home in the winter. Right? Wrong!

According to Dave Ramsey, about 19% of all homes sold between September 2018 and August 2019 closed between December 2018 and February 2019.

Here are some reasons to sell when the air gets chilly:
The Internet Has No Seasons – It’s estimated that 93% of buyers use the
internet during their home search. Instant access to property listings has had an impact on the typical seasons buyers look for homes. While spring is still the hottest home-buying season, serious home buyers are always on the lookout.
Fewer Sellers – Come spring, more sellers will enter the market. During the winter, the number of sellers on the market is limited. Based on 2018 statistics, Dave Ramsey estimates there’s 12% fewer listings during the winter months which means less competition for sellers!
Winter Buyers Mean Business – Buyers trudging around in freezing weather or breaking away from their holiday schedule to look at your home are likely serious. Winter buyers often have a deadline, whether it’s an expiring lease, or a contract on their current home.
Time Off – While the holiday schedule can be hectic, many people also have more time off during the holidays. That means more time for browsing their favorite home apps, and scheduling home showings.
Getting Tax Breaks Before Year-End – Some winter home buyers are motivated to capture the tax benefits of buying a home before year-end. This may include tax deductions such as mortgage interest, private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums, and real estate taxes. Investors may be motivated to close before the end of the year to replace a property that recently sold.
Tips for Selling in the Winter:
• Keep it simple. If you’re selling around a holiday and have decorations up, make sure they accent – not overpower – a room. Less is more.
• Crank up the cozy. Light a fire in the hearth, play soft holiday music in the background, and prepare fresh-baked goods or mulled cider for guests.
• Shine a light outside. Winter days get dark early. Brighten your home’s exterior with outdoor spotlights, including the area where agents and buyers are accessing the lock box and entry door.
• Avoid a winter wonderland. Buyers want to see details of the house, not a blanket of snow. Make sure you have clear-weather photos of your home.

Call me to talk about the reasons to sell your home this winter!
www.daveramsey.com

5 Reasons to Sell This Fall

1. Demand Is Strong
The latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National
Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand
remains strong throughout the vast majority of the country.
These buyers are ready, willing, and able to purchase…and
are in the market right now.

2. There Is Less Competition Now
Housing inventory is still below the 6-month supply that
indicates a normal market. In some cases, homeowners have
been reluctant to list their homes during the last few years,
fearing they would not find a replacement home. For now,
there are not enough homes to satisfy the number of buyers,
and buyers are competing for available homes.
As home values continue to appreciate, more homeowners
are seeing their home equity increase, and gaining confidence
to make a move. When these homeowners decide to sell, the
inventory of available homes will increase. Buyers will have a
larger selection of homes from which to choose and sellers
will be competing for these buyers.

3. The Process Will Be Quicker
Today’s competitive environment has forced buyers to
strengthen their negotiating position by obtaining preapproval
for their mortgage financing. Buyers know what
they can afford before shopping for a home. According to
Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Insights Report, the average
time needed to close a loan is 43 days.

4. It’s a Good Time to Move Up
There are buyers looking for their starter home, just as you
may be considering a move up. If you’re considering a larger
or upgraded home purchase, you will find increased
inventory for sale at higher price ranges. As prices continue
to escalate, delaying the purchase of your next home may
require a larger down payment and higher mortgage.

5. It’s Time to Move on with Your Life
Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place. Is it
worth waiting for more money or is it more important to
have the freedom to go on with your life? Only you know the
answers to these questions. Perhaps the time has come for
you and your family to move on and start living the life you
desire.