I am a Realtor servicing Colorado Springs and the Front Range. I would love to help you buy a home or sell your current home. Look around on my blog & then visit my website: Springs LifeStyles Real Estate
Mortgage Settlement Money Available to some Colorado Borrowers
Colorado borrowers who lost their homes to foreclosures between Jan. 2, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2011 might be eligible for payment under the $25 billion national mortgage foreclosure settlement.
Attorney General John Suthers sent a letter this week for eligible borrowers to file claims, which must be returned no later than Jan. 18.
Eligible borrowers had mortgages serviced by Ally/GMAC, Bank of America, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers that agreed to the settlement with the federal government and attorneys general for 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Read more at The Colorado Springs Business Journal
Mortgage Rates Remain at All Time Low - But Getting Approved is Becoming Harder
But mortgage underwriting standards -- largely dictated by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration -- remain tight, and mortgages are difficult to obtain for those with less than sterling credit.
Rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.36 % for the week ending Oct. 4, down from 3.40% last week and 3.94% a year ago, Freddie Mac said in releasing the results of its latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey. That's a new low in Freddie Mac records dating to 1971.
Homeowners who refinance are frequently interested in a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage. Those rates averaged 2.69%, down from 2.73% last week and 3.26% a year ago. That's a new low in records dating to 1991.
Rates on five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) loans averaged 2.72%, up from 2.71% last week but down from 2.96% a year ago. Rates on five-year ARM loans hit a low in records dating to 2005 of 2.69% during the week ending July 19.
Full story from Inman News
Home Prices Continue to Grow
In August, we saw the biggest annual increase in national home prices since 2006. Nationally, home prices are up 4.6 percent from August of 2011 according to CoreLogic's home price index. Most U.S. states showed home price gains in August. The states that saw depreciation in home sales were Rhode Island, Illinois, New Jersey, Alabama, & Connecticut. The 5 states with the highest annual price appreciation were Arizona (18.2%), Idaho (10.4%), Nevada (9%), Utah (8.9%) and Hawaii (8%).
Another CoreLogic index that is based on Multiple Listing Service Data across the country predicts that September will prove to have a home price gain of approximately 6.3% over September of 2011.
Another CoreLogic index that is based on Multiple Listing Service Data across the country predicts that September will prove to have a home price gain of approximately 6.3% over September of 2011.
Crock Pot Recipe for Fall
If you live in or around Colorado Springs, you know that fall is a wonderful time of year. The mornings are cool, the days are pleasant to warm and the evenings are once again cool (or even downright cold!). Fall makes me think of soups and chilis and other crock pot recipes and I wanted to share a Chicken, Pasta & Bacon recipe with you that is delicious.
CHICKEN WITH PASTA and BACON
CHICKEN WITH PASTA and BACON
Ingredients:
- vegetable oil, about 2 tablespoons
- 4 to 6 chicken breast halves, or use 3 pounds chicken parts
- 6 slices of bacon
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni or small shells, cooked
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes, crumbled
Preparation:
Brown chicken, a few pieces at a time in oil and drain Fry bacon lightly in the same pan, remove, set aside and pour off all fat. Place chicken and bacon in slow cooker; add onion, salt, pepper and broth. Cover and cook on low 7 to 8 hours, high 3 to 4 hours, or until chicken is tender. Turn to high, add hot cooked macaroni and parsley flakes. Cook 15 minutes longer; taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Serves 4 to 6.
Serves 4 to 6.
Here are a few great Slow Cooker Recipe web sites that I enjoy:
The above recipe was taken from Southern Food.
Washers & Dryers: A Buyer's Guide
Today’s washers run the gamut. From conventional top-loading machines that have a center-post agitator, to high-efficiency top-loaders without the center post agitator, as well as front-loader washers. Consider the pros and cons of each type of washer when making a purchase decision.Top-loading washing machines
Once the only option in washing machines, top loaders come in two varieties. The standard washer with a center-post agitator produces the necessary friction to wash and rinse your clothing. Standard top-loaders tend to be your least expensive choice in washing machines, and they use more water and energy than front-loaders. Buy an energy-efficient ENERGY STAR top-loader model, however, and you can save water and electricity.
High efficiency top-loading washing machines don’t have the post agitator, but instead possess an impeller or rotating mechanism on the floor of the drum that circulates water for washing. This type of system is gentler on clothing and uses half the water of standard variety machines. High efficiency top-loaders also come in energy-efficient models.
Special features offered in top-loading machines are the various capacities, including king-size, and water sensor models that automatically fill the drum according to the amount of laundry you’ve added. Some models boast as many as 16 cycles and four temperature settings.
Front-loading washing machines
Reportedly cleaning the best and most efficiently of all washing machines, front-loading washers generally have an ENERGY STAR label from the U.S. Department of Energy, which indicates that the washer is highly energy efficient. A front-loading washer uses one-third the amount of water than a top loader. Such models are also gentler on clothing, and the spin cycle in such machines is very fast, extracting more moisture and making drying clothing less time-consuming.
Although front-loading machines are generally the most expensive option in washing machines, prices have dropped some in recent years, making these machines more in line with other types.
Special features found in front-loading machines include many types of settings that perform a wide variety of functions, from cleaning heavily soiled items to delicates. These machines are also so “intelligent” that you can simply set a machine according to fabric type and the washer will automatically set the run time, cycle type, spin speed, water-level setting and temperature. Some machines even possess their own water heaters and start delay timers.
Dryers
Dryers come in gas and electric models. If gas is available and your usage is high, it’s often best to choose such a dryer, because they tend to cost less to operate over the life of the dryer.
Since all dryers work the same by tumbling clothing in heated air, they tend to use similar amount of energy and are therefore not officially rated for energy efficiency, according to the California Energy Commission. Dryers come in several sizes, from compact to oversized, and vary in price according to capacity and features.
Special features in dryers include moisture sensors that cause the machine to shut off once the clothing is dry, saving your clothing and energy. Some dryers also possess a permanent-press cool-down period before shutting off and a wide variety of temperature controls from which to choose. Dryer racks also come with some models, allowing you to dry items like shoes and sweaters.
Now that you know the various options when it comes to washers and dryers, you can choose the best machines for keeping your laundry squeaky clean.
The original article can be found here.
Six Easy Home Repairs to Save you Money
1. Leaky faucets
Seemingly insignificant dripping faucets cost you higher water bills. According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Water Science School, one faucet that drips 20 drips per minute results in 694 wasted gallons of water per year. A leaky faucet is often caused by a worn down rubber seal or washer. Simply replace these items and the faucet stops dripping.
2. Leaking water heater
A leaking or faulty water heater can cause extensive damage to your home, both in the long term if it is a slow leak or over the short term if it is a major leak. Water damage can lead to dry rot, mold and mildew build-up. Fixing a leaking water heater can save you a substantial amount of money in repairs. Leaks involving valves or piping can generally be fixed at minimal cost, but if the leak is occurring because of corrosion of the tank itself, it’s necessary to replace the entire water heater.
3. Roof leaks
Small roof leaks often go undetected until they turn into larger problems. The best way to prevent a small problem from becoming a large one is to do a roof inspection. Get up on top of the roof or have a roofer do so to detect any torn or missing shingles or broken tiles. Minor repairs now will cost you very little compared to major repairs later.
4. Damaged windows and siding
Like a leaking roof, damaged siding and windows with worn out seals can lead to slow water leaks that become big leaks over time. Prevent the insidious and devastating effects of water damage by resealing windows every five years or so and fixing any cracked or warped siding as soon as you notice the problem.
5. Worn-out caulking
The caulk surrounding your bathtub walls, sinks and countertops wears down over time. Even minor cracks in caulk can let in moisture, which can lead to water damage and rot in your walls and surrounding areas. Re-caulk anywhere you have running water, including bathrooms and kitchens, every three to five years.
6. Peeling paint
Besides looking unsightly, peeling and flaking paint on the exterior of your home exposes wood to the elements, which can lead to rotting and splitting. Protecting the exterior surface of your home by painting at the first signs of wear and tear keeps your home protected and looking its best. If there are only a few areas that contain peeling paint and the rest of the paint appears to be intact, you can do some spot painting. If you no longer have the original paint or it has dried, take a one-inch-square piece of peeling paint to the paint or hardware store and have it matched so that you get a seamless look when you paint.
Performing these necessary home repairs does take some time, but the result of a well-protected and maintained house is well worth the effort.
Original article can be found here.
Local Home Services Company - House Cleaning, Yard Clean up, Holiday Lights, Gutters
Do you have some fall house cleaning that needs to be done? Maybe you want your windows washed or the leaves removed from your yard? Whether it's interior house cleaning or yard cleanup, I would recommend Spectrum Home Services of Colorado Springs. They have a Fall Cleanup Special ~ see the details below.
Local: 719.598.7080
Email: ddueber@spectrumhomeservices.
Web: www.spectrumcoloradosprings.
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
Local: 719.598.7080
Email: ddueber@spectrumhomeservices.
Web: www.spectrumcoloradosprings.
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
|
|
|
Some homeowners regain equity according to Zillow
Home price increases helped more homeowners regain some equity in their homes during the second quarter, according to an analysis by Zillow.
Zillow's Negative Equity Report estimates that 30.9 percent of homeowners with mortgages owed more than their homes were worth at the end of June, down from 31.4 percent at the end of March. That translates into 15.3 million underwater homes -- about 400,000 less than three months before.
The report -- which compares Zillow's automated home valuation "Zestimates" for individual homes with actual mortgage loan balance data from TransUnion -- showed all but one of the 30 largest markets tracked by Zillow saw a quarter-over-quarter improvement in their negative equity rate.
| Metro area | Q1 2012 negative equity rate (homes with mortgages) | Q2 2012 negative equity rate (homes with mortgages) | Difference in rate from Q1 to Q2 |
| United States | 31.40% | 30.90% | -0.50% |
| Phoenix | 55.50% | 51.60% | -3.90% |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | 46.40% | 43.70% | -2.70% |
| Las Vegas | 71.00% | 68.50% | -2.50% |
| Boston | 22.00% | 19.60% | -2.40% |
| San Jose | 22.70% | 20.30% | -2.40% |
| San Francisco | 30.70% | 28.50% | -2.20% |
| Riverside, Calif. | 53.40% | 51.20% | -2.20% |
| Orlando, Fla. | 53.90% | 51.90% | -2.00% |
| Sacramento, Calif. | 51.20% | 49.30% | -1.90% |
| Chicago | 41.10% | 39.20% | -1.90% |
| Denver | 29.00% | 27.10% | -1.90% |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)