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Why Interest Rates Are Rising: What You Need to Know
Why Interest Rates Are Rising? If you've been keeping an eye on financial news, you may have noticed that interest rates are still rising. But what does this mean for you and the economy? In this article, we'll explain why interest rates are going up and the...
Navigating Housing Affordability in Denver: Your Path to Homeownership
Today, we tackle an important topic: housing affordability in Denver, Colorado. With the city experiencing rapid growth, it's crucial to understand the challenges and opportunities for aspiring homeowners. Let's explore the factors influencing affordability and offer...
What is a 2-1 Mortgage Buydown?
How 2-1 buydowns can lower your mortgage payments? A 2-1 buydown is a type of mortgage in which the borrower pays an upfront fee to lower their interest rate for the first two years of the loan. This option can be especially helpful for those on a tight budget during...
Understanding Down Payment Assistance Programs in Colorado
As a first-time homebuyer in Colorado, coming up with the funds for a down payment can be a significant barrier to homeownership. Fortunately, there are several down payment assistance programs available to help make homeownership more affordable. In this post, we'll...
Why Choosing a Mortgage Broker is Better than a Retail Lender
As a mortgage broker with over 20 years of experience, I often get asked what sets my business apart from retail lenders. The truth is, there are many reasons why choosing a mortgage broker is a smart choice for anyone looking to purchase or refinance a home. Here are...
Welcome Home: Central Park
Image from Westword The votes are in: The neighborhood formerly known as St*pleton is now Central Park. A familiar moniker to residents and many Denverites, alike, Central Park is the name of the neighborhood’s largest park, commuter rail station, community recreation...
Then and Now: Origins of a Name
Neighborhoods, communities, housing developments, city streets, etc. are commonly named for adjacent landmarks, nearby places of cultural interest, historic figures, etc. But what happens when namely origins are controversial and in direct conflict with current...
Popular Denver Neighborhood to be Renamed Amid Cultural Shifts, Anti-Racism Uprisings
Image from Ken Tillis, CNN Nationwide demonstrations linked to an incident of deadly police brutality in Minnesota in May adds fuel to a years-long debate on whether to change the name of one of Denver’s most beloved neighborhoods, Stapleton. The thriving 7.5 square...
Choosing a Realtor? Here are some tips worth mentioning.
Thinking of buying a new home or selling the one you have? To find a real estate agent can be a tricky undertaking. Here are some suggestions to make the process as painless as possible. Do your research. We do everything else online, shop, chat, game. Setting out to...
Financing Your Down Payment
You’ve contemplated purchasing a home; you’ve even started looking at one in your price range and preferred location. What about the down payment? Where will it come from? Pulling such a large amount of cash out of your hat can seem impossible, but there are creative...
Boulder Creek Building Possibilities in Bluff Lake & Beeler Park
Boulder Creek homes are working to fill a niche in the Stapleton area. Homebuyers are asking more and more for ranch style homes, so they are building exquisite one-story patio homes with 2-4 bedrooms. These homes have high-quality exteriors and finished basements....
On the Fence? Should you buy or rent?
Renting gives you security and a roof over your head. You have no worries when the kitchen faucet needs to be replaced or the fridge goes out. You can also move a lot easier. Want to move into a new apartment complex? How about a new town? That’s easy, just wait until...
David Weekly Homes at Bluff Lake and Beeler Park Neighborhoods
David Weekly homes is a large home builder with offices all over the United States. They rank among “100 Best Companies to Work For” in FORTUNE Magazine. The ranking was based on the evaluation of the company’s policies and culture. In addition to being a great place...
6 Important Tips Before Buying a Home
Thinking of purchasing a home? Is the time right for you? Regardless of how ideal the market is, it’s a major milestone in your life and bears some thought before jumping in. Here is the list of six things you must do before purchasing your home: Hire a realtor Don’t...
Fannie Mae Relaxes Debt-to-Income Standards in July
Have you been waiting to apply for a mortgage until you’ve paid down more of your outstanding debts? Well, here is some good news for you: On July 29, 2017, Fannie Mae, the world’s largest source of mortgage funding, is lowering its debt-to-income (DTI) requirements....
Denver-area Housing Continues Trend Upward
The Denver Metro Association of Realtors has released their DMAR Real Estate Market Trends Report for June. And no surprise to those of us in the real estate field that housing prices are continuing their rise. What may be a bit surprising is that in May there...
4 Tips to Getting the Home You Want in Denver’s HOT Market
Ready to move? Great! Ready to move into an area with a sizzling hot housing market like Stapleton Denver? Even better! No, I’m not crazy. That is a great idea. You want to go where others are going. The housing marketing is moving for a reason. Certain positive...
The FHFA and High-Balance Loans – What You Should Know
It’s not your job to stay on top of all the new mortgage rules, rates and programs available. That is our job. However, we thought you might want to know about something called a high-balance mortgage. This is especially important if you are looking in one of the many...
The Mortgage Process – Insider Tips
Exciting and confusing! You’re buying your new home and it’s so exciting! And confusing? Professionals spitting out buzz words, rates, numbers, and rules all over the place. I guarantee you are hearing terms you have never heard before. And that’s OK. Here are some...
Get Outside Denver!
Denver, and the entire state of Colorado, is known for its outdoor lifestyle. There are tons of outdoor activities you can experience in and around Denver. The weather is amazing and getting better. So, it is time to get out there and enjoy! Here are a few cool...
5 Things You Need to Think About Before Buying a Home
No. 1 – Think about the costs of owning a home, not just buying it When you are a renter, repairs and fixes are covered by your landlord. When you own a home, these costs become your financial burden. What else goes into owning a home? Could you afford to replace the...
Want to Get into Affordable Housing in Stapleton? Why you must act NOW.
Denver Colorado is in the middle of a population boom with the city’s population approaching 700,000. The US Census bureau said that Denver alone added 13,028 people last year. In addition to people moving into Denver proper, there is wild growth in the outlying...
Is Affordable Housing a Myth in the Hot Denver Area Markets?
Have you heard of Stapleton Colorado? If you are looking to move to the Denver area, you probably have. Stapleton is a neighborhood that is growing dramatically. Home prices are on the rise. The economy is great and the market is white hot. So, how do you get into...
Great news for home buyers paying student loans – Fannie Mae has changed its policy
The new policy in place with Fannie Mae allows Colorado mortgage lenders and beyond to use the monthly student loan payment provided on the borrower’s credit report to calculate the debt to income ratio. This is great news if you are involved in an income-driven...
Customer Service and the Best Rate – You Deserve Both from Your Mortgage Lender
As a prospective borrower, you have a lot on your plate. There are a lot of documents and red tape involved in getting the perfect mortgage loan that works for you. And you want a good rate, but you also want great customer service. How do I know this? Ally Bank...
On Tap, in a Can, Growler, Bottle or Glass – The Infinite Monkey Theorem Winery Taproom is Now Open
The Infinite Monkey Theorem, or IMT as Ben Parsons, CEO, Winemaker calls it, is now open at the Stanley Marketplace in Stapleton. As busy as Ben is, he was kind enough to take a few moments out to answer questions about his newest location. Thanks Ben! I had to ask...
taco…. a better four letter word. Comida is a hit at the Stanley
Comida opened in the Stanley Marketplace in December, and we are very happy about that. That great little slogan “taco….a better four letter word” came right from Comida, and I agree. I had the opportunity to ask Rayne Rossello a few questions about her restaurant and...
Treat Yo Self at Base Coat opening in the Stanley Marketplace
“The name Base Coat was inspired by the philosophy of the business and brand: A beautiful set of nails starts with a healthy base coat. That is the foundation of our business and also the inspiration behind the two X’s in our logo: 10 fingers and 10 toes — XX.” ...
Mortgage rates – they are rising! And indicators point to more hikes in the future
The Federal Reserve announced its second interest rate increase since December. And all indicators point to more increases. This can have an impact on both your existing mortgage, if you are in an adjustable rate, and on future mortgage rates. The short story here is...
Yellowbelly Chicken serving up the good from scratch at The Stanley Marketplace
The idea for what became Yellowbelly was based on what three men felt was missing from their dining options. On their website, they explain further; “We wanted something delicious, quick, and affordable. We wanted natural ingredients and food that left us feeling...
Logan House Coffee Co. is serving real friendly coffee at Stanley Marketplace
You must meet these guys. I had the pleasure of speaking with Andre Janusz (pronounced like Janis the mutual fund - as he told me) and I learned about this cool and relaxed coffee house idea. I fell for them and I think you will too. I asked how they decided to open...
ANNETTE SCRATCH TO TABLE OPENS AT STANLEY MARKETPLACE WITH A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY
This brave Texan can’t imagine living in any other state, and I have a feeling we will be happy to have her in the marketplace. The story of why Caroline Glover opened Annette Scratch to Table is a rich as the foods she serves. Her story is on her website, so I will...
BOUNCE STAPLETON WANTS YOUR LITTLE WARRIOR TO THRIVE
I had the best time speaking with Robin Riley, Manager at Bounce Stapleton. She took time out of her vacation to tell me all about Bounce Stapleton. Bounce will be a kid’s gymnastics studio located at the Stanley Market Place. They will offer daily gymnastics, open...
A DECADES LONG BATTLE RESULTS IN BEAUTY AMID CONTROVERSY
The story of The Rocky Mountain Arsenal Natural Wildlife Refuge (or RMA for short) has been tumultuous to say the very least. This land has been embroiled in a battel between the US Military Complex, the State of Colorado, The Federal Government and the citizens of...
PERFECT PAPERIE DOES IT RIGHT . . . & BEAUTIFULLY
The Perfect Paperie has grown into a leading concierge business for those who want beauty in their lives. With all things gorgeous; interior design, personalized gifts, , catered events, and spectacular gift baskets, these sisters have you covered. One sister in...
IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BE A HOME SELLER IN METRO DENVER – WHAT IF YOU’RE A BUYER?
The Denver Metro Association of Realtors (DMAR) published their Denver Metro Real Estate Market Trends Report for February of 2017 and based on this report, things are going to get harder for home buyers. LET’S LOOK AT SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM MARKET INSIGHTS;...
IS THE 1% DOWN MORTGAGE RIGHT FOR YOU?
Is this 1% down program for you? Do you have good credit? Ready to buy, but short on cash? Want to conserve funds? This could be a great program for you! Is there a max loan amount with 1% down? Yes. With 1% down the max amount is $417k, which is the conventional loan...
Four reasons why being a ZERO is awesome
Have you heard of a Zero Energy Ready home? Well, you need to know about this. Zero Ready is a great term that means the home is so energy efficient it can offset most of its annual energy consumption. To be called “Zero Energy Ready,” the home has to meet the...
To New or Not to New
It’s time to take that step and buy a brand-new home. There are a lot of good reasons why you should consider buying new. Let’s break it down. Even the perfect used home is well…used. Just like buying a used car, it’s going to need some work. And we aren’t just...
The Cheluna Brewery Philosophy of Balance Results in One Amazing Business
Javi and Jennifer Pérez are on to something. And we are happy about it! The Cheluna story really begins when they met over 26 years ago, as New York City Outward Bound instructors. Over the years, they have come up with some great techniques to keep the relationship,...