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Check out the video: http://www.9news.com/rss/story.aspx?storyid=242621

More than 300 days of sunshine a year, a low cost of living and the great outdoors - just a few of the reasons people are moving to Colorado from other states.

The Denver Post reports that last year more than 31,000 people relocated to the state. That puts Colorado in fifth place for net domestic migration, after Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Washington.

Among people between the ages of 25 and 44, census estimates show Colorado was the number one spot for relocating.

And don't forget about Boulder!

Recently rated the #1 Sports Town in America by Outside Magazine, Boulder has plenty of outdoor activities to test the limits of your adventurous side. Nestled at the foot of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, Boulder boasts hiking, climbing and biking trails that will satisfy your need for a casual day trip or a rigorous adventure.

Enjoy an incredible variety of fun things to do in downtown Boulder. Music festivals, art shows, and community events throughout the year make historic Boulder a fun and exciting place to be. Savor the energy of the city after dark with nightlife you won't find anywhere else.

Come see why Boulder, Colorado is an amazing vacation destination that offers something for every traveler and person looking to relocate!

Common Interest Community (CIC) documents are now called "Association Documents" in the new 2012 real estate contract.  The seller is required to provide these documents to the buyer, per the contract, and it is the seller's responsibility to be certain they are providing all of the information required, and the most updated information.

As soon as the property is under contract, these documents should be ordered  to adhere to the deadline specified in the contract.  These forms provide the buyer with information such as the financial status of the HOA, meeting notes, declarations, bylaws, rules and regulations, etc., from the homeowner's association.  Some associations charge a fee to the seller.

What you need to know about the HOA Status Letter:

The status letter is ordered by the closer a week or two before closing and gives the closer a written status of how much the dues are for the property, when they are charged, how current have they been paid, and the balance of any outstanding amounts the title company needs to collect at closing.  This letter typically contains a transfer fee or a status letter fee.  It is designated in the contract who pays these fees - seller, buyer, or split.

New and Important Changes Regarding Fees:

More and more management companies are requiring payment of this transfer fee or status letter fee up front.  They will not issue the title company the status letter until they have received their fee.  The real estate agent should be prepared to call their client, depending on who is paying.  The title company then either needs to have the party provide a credit card for this payment or provide a check up front, depending on what is required by the management company.

These charges used to be paid at closing, but now these companies are requiring payment up front. 

This information was provided by Land Title who also have a full service HOA department and will provide association documents for a fee.

Housing experts’ predictions for the new year tend to center around a market stabilizing before entering a gradual, albeit very slow, recovery. However, the tone is more upbeat than it has been in years for the housing market.

Here are a few of the signs that are showing the market moving in a more positive direction:

Home sales: Existing home sales are expected to increase 12 percent this year, following a 2 percent jump last year, Moody’s Analytics predicts. The signs are already showing: In November, pending home sales — a gauge for future home buying — reached its highest level in 19 months, the National Association of REALTORS® reported.

New-home market: Coming off of what could be considered the worst year for new-home building ever recorded, the sector is expected to bounce back this year. New-home sales and starts were already showing a rebound in the last few months of 2011. Moody’s is predicting that single-family housing starts will increase 37 percent this year, and new-home sales will soar 74 percent.

Housing stocks: Investors are starting to get optimistic about the possibility of a rebound too, and are turning to home builder stocks. These equities have recently outperformed the broader stock market and the S&P 1500 homebuilding index has increased 38 percent since mid-October,USA Today reports.

Consumer confidence: With mortgage rates at record lows and housing affordability high, about 71 percent of Americans say now is a good time to purchase a home. Also, more Americans are optimistic that home prices will rise over the next year — about 26 percent say prices will rise in 2012, an increase of 4 percent over the last survey, according to Fannie Mae’s December National.

With all of this good news, now is the time to buy and/or sell.  Let Bodin Realty help!

Bodin Realty has had a lot of activity this January.  Another great listing that Nancy Denison just put on the market is "The Post Office Building" in Eldorado Springs.  This is a unique property in a unique community. 

Presently, 3 of the 4 units are leased.  The US Postal Service has leased one of the units through 2017.  New zoning is being considered by Boulder County for Eldorado Springs and this building is proposed for business/residential mixed use.

Total number of units: 4

Total SqFt: 4248

Parking Spaces: 8

Built: 1973

Potential Rental Income: $53,600

Property Taxes: $8,429

Building Insurance: $1,202

Common Area Maintenance: $589

Total Operating Expense: $18,651

Net Operating Expense: $34,949

More about Eldorado Springs

According to People For Eldorado Canyon, the mountain was formed about 65 million years ago, Eldorado Mountain is the southern anchor of the spectacular Front Range backdrop known as the Flatirons. This area is easily recognized for its dramatic, uplifted rock formations. They exist in a seven mile-long stretch between Gregory Canyon to the north and Eldorado Mountain to the south, and they comprise one of the most beautiful settings to be found in the Rocky Mountain West.

Breathtaking in its scenic beauty, Eldorado is one of the most highly-visible mountains in the region. It is not only part of the daily panorama for nearby residents; it figures prominently into the view corridor for much of the surrounding metropolitan area. Eldorado Mountain's abrupt rise above the plains is seen - and appreciated - from vantage points near and far.

The recognition of the general area for scenic beauty and recreational opportunities has always taken precedence over development. Accordingly, much of the seven-mile corridor has been preserved in perpetuity by city, county, and state land agencies.

Hiking in Eldorado Springs

Since its establishment in 1971, the Colorado State Recreational Trails Program has actively encouraged the development of a variety of trails. Get ready for adventure and fun with links to trail information that covers the entire state.

Click here for trail information.

Check out our great new listing at 590 S. Carr in Lafayette Colorado.  Listed by Suzy Curtin, this 5 bedroom/4 bath Ranch Style home, has a 75% finished basement.

Large Ranch, Big Basement, Spacious Floor Plan, Living Room Fireplace & Hardwood Floors.  Big Separate dining Room.  Large Fenced Yard w/ 2 Storage Sheds, Big Trees & Patio.  Oversized 2 Car Garage.  Convenient location, Large Corner Lot.  One Bedroom is non-conforming; needs closet.  Approx. 75% Finished Basement.  Home needs a little TLC but it has a lot of good livable space.

Property Type:	Residential
Annual Taxes:	1608
Style:	1 story ranch, contemporary/modern
Exterior:	brick/brick veneer
Roof:	composition
Level(s):	1
Floors:	wood, carpet, laminate, vinyl
Living Areas:	1
Dining Areas:	1
Basement:	75% Finished Basement
Garage:	2 car attached
Parking:	driveway, street
Fireplace(s):	1
Heating:	Hot Water, Baseboard Heat
Cooling:	Ceiling Fan
Appliances:	Gas Range/Oven, Self-Cleaning Oven, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Washer, Dryer, Microwave
Fence:	yes
Zoning:	Res
Listing Area:	Lafayette
School District:	Bldr Valley Dist Re2
Elementary School:	Lafayette
Jr High School:	Angevine
High School:	Centaurus

Hot Water Heat, Baseboard Heat, Ceiling Fan, Gas Range/Oven, Self-Cleaning Oven, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Washer, Dryer, Microwave, Boulder Valley District.

County:	Boulder
Lot Size:	10000
Garage:	2
Total Rooms:	9
Bedrooms:	5
Full Baths:	2
1/2 Baths:	1
3/4 Baths:	1
Sq. Ft.:	2800 *MOL
Built:	1964
MLS:	671637

According to top predictors such as Bankrate.com and Freddie Mac, mortgage rates will remain low in 2012.  Rates may even fall to new lows early this year, especially once the European debt crisis hits a peak from a gradual increase.  Great news for homebuyers and the economy! 

"We may even spend the entire year below 5%,” said Greg McBride, senior financial analyst for Bankrate.com, referring to the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Where have you been if you haven't heard......rates are sitting at record lows!  The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.91% for the week ending Jan. 5, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of conforming mortgage rates. That ties the record for the lowest rates that have been in the history of the survey.

By the way, did you know....the highest average was 18.63% set in 1981, according to Freddie Mac.

What does all this mean to the home buyer and/or seller?  The low-rate environment means that even people who have been improving their credit quality for the past five years may have a shot at scoring some of the lowest mortgage rates in history — and they may add sales to the housing market in the process

When will rates rise?  In general, the financial troubles in Europe, combined with the Federal Reserve’s pledge to keep short-term rates on hold at least through 2013, will keep mortgage rates from rising significantly.  But whereas rates fell in the second half of 2011, they are expected to rise at least somewhat during the second half of 2012.

“Operation Twist is scheduled to remain in effect until June,” Nothaft said. The intent of Operation Twist, or the Federal Reserve’s Maturity Extension Program, is to push — and keep — long-term interest rates low, which means rates should stay low for the first half of the year, he said. The Fed plan, announced in September, involves buying long-term securities and selling $400 billion in short-term debt.

Let's talk more about mortgage rates, buying, and selling real estate.  Call a Bodin Realtor today!

The dead of winter is the time for the greatest vigilance in your home-maintenance routine. The most important job this month is to head off damage to your home from water and dampness from a number of sources:

• Groundwater and rain seeping into your home.

• Leaky pipes inside the walls.

• Pipes bursting from freezing and thawing.

Take a tour
After a winter storm (especially with this Boulder wind), get outside as soon as you can. Walk around the house, checking for damage from wind and broken tree limbs. User binoculars if you can't see your entire roof. Scan for loose or missing shingles.

Give special attention to vulnerable pipes — indoors and out — that are exposed to the cold, including hose bibs, pipes in outside walls, garden sprinkler lines, swimming pool pipes and pipes in unheated attics, basements and garages. A frozen pipe needs only a one-eighth-inch crack to leak as much as 250 gallons a day, according to this State Farm Insurance video, which demonstrates how to shut off your water and insulate pipes.

1. If practical, insulate any pipes exposed to the cold. Ask hardware-store personnel for the best materials for the job.
2. Seal any leaks that are letting cold air in, especially around dryer vents and pipes and where electrical wiring enters the house.
3. Search for uninsulated water supply lines in the attic, garage, basement and crawl spaces and in bathroom and kitchen cabinets adjacent to outside walls. During a cold spell, open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathroom so the home's heat can reach them. (Reminder: Put harmful household cleaners out of the reach of children.) Keep doors shut tight in the garage and outside closets and cupboards during freezing weather.
4. When temperatures drop below zero, open both hot and cold faucets a trickle to relieve pressure in the pipes.
5. Locate your home's water shut-off valve; learn how to turn off the water quickly in case a pipe bursts.
6. If you'll be gone in freezing weather, even overnight, ask a friend or neighbor to check on your house for broken or leaking pipes. Show him or her how to shut off the water.
7. Keep temperatures inside the house at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above, night and day, even when you're gone.
8. Promise yourself that when the weather improves you will add to the installation in the basement or crawl space and attic.

Leak prevention

• Install small, battery-powered individual leak alarms, also called flood alarms, under the refrigerator, kitchen and bathroom drain pipes, dishwasher and laundry appliances and behind toilets. Cost: around $10-$15 each.
• Check to make sure your sump pump is operating properly. If it has a battery backup, unplug the pump from the wall and test it.

Look for pests seeking shelter
Cold weather drives mice and insects into the walls of your home. Even unheated parts of the house invite these pests. Insects need only a crack to enter, and mice can get in through a dime-sized hole. Houseflies, particularly, pose a health risk because they can transmit disease.

• Seal any cracks where pests enter.
• Empty compost and garbage frequently.
• Keep food covered and put away; keep counters clean.
• Fix leaky pipes quickly.
• Pour boiling water down bathroom and kitchen drains monthly, preventing the buildup of bacteria-laden sludge; scrub removable drain covers weekly.
• Check basement, attic, crawl spaces and the back of cupboards and cabinets for mice droppings or holes. If you find evidence, install traps immediately or call a pest-control service.
• Pick up and dispose of outdoor pet waste promptly; turn compost piles frequently.

An inventory is a record of your home's features, conditions, furnishings and valuable possessions. If your home is damaged or destroyed by fire, flood, mudslide or other disaster, you can use the inventory to substantiate your insurance claim to get the maximum replacement value for what was lost.

Your inventory doesn't have to be fancy. You can get started and add to it later. Supplement your record with photos or video. The Insurance Information Institute has free software for making a room-by-room home inventory. Download it here and watch an instructional video here.

Tips:

• Save receipts for valuable home purchases and for work you have done to upgrade the interior or exterior of your home.
• Keep a copy of your inventory in a bank safe-deposit box or on a hosted server online, so you can get it even if your computer is destroyed.

Also …
Here are a few more winter tasks:

1. Check the labels on the switches in your electrical circuit-breaker panel and make new labels if necessary.
2. Check your furnace filter monthly in the winter to see if it needs replacing.
3. Use a vacuum-cleaner tool or a long-handled brush to clean under and behind the refrigerator, including the coils.
4. Clean lint from under laundry appliances, especially the dryer, carefully work the cleaning tool down into the lint filter; outdoors, clean the dryer vent outlet, reaching as far as possible into the pipe.
5. Gather product documents and warranties into a folder. Go through the contents and discard outdated materials.
6. Walk around inside the house with a screwdriver, pencil and paper. Tighten any loose knobs and attachments and list repairs to tackle later.
7. Examine the ducts of your forced-air furnace and seal any leaks with duct tape.

Great, new listing in a spacious, light-filled home in desirable Forest Glen Subdivision.

Located West of Broadway, just off Poplar with 4 beds, 4 baths and 3482 finished square feet.

New interior and exterior paint in the last year and new wood floors on the main level. Remodeled in 2000.

 Beautiful kitchen, stainless steel appliances, cherry cabinets, slab granite, large island, and a sliding door to deck.

Vaulted, tongue and groove ceilings in family room, slate fireplace, loft/study with skylights, lots of windows, and foothill views.

Great finished basement with private guest bedroom. 1 block to trails.  Call Bodin Realty to obtain more information.  We'd love to hear from you.  Listor: Nancy Denison.