Tender loving care to your cooling system

With the rapidly changing temperatures, you may not be prepared for that one warm day that pops up on us and you need to turn your air conditioning on. Before turning your air on for the first time be sure to change or clean your filter. Remember to change the filter every few months while it is in use.

If you have a central air conditioning unit there is a pipe that drips condensed moisture to the ground and it may become clogged, which would result in water backing up into the house. Clean this line by simply removing the cap and pouring a cup of bleach into it and let it drain to the ground.

If you have a window unit air conditioner check for the growth of algae and mold. If algae or mold is noticed pour two cups of bleach into the condensation drip pan.

Furnace Needs

As warmer weather approaches it is time to turn the furnace off for the season.  Check your furnace filter and change if it is dark and dirty. Consider calling a professional to perform an annual service on both your furnace and your air conditioner.

Vacuum Cleaner

May is a good month to take your vacuum cleaner outside and remove the bag to clean, that way you are not releasing any dust or allergens back into your home. Gently wipe down the parts of the inside of the vacuum cleaner with a warm soapy rag, and be sure to not get water in any electrical parts.

Refrigerator Maintenance

Remove the lower cover off the front of your refrigerator and with the wand attachment from your newly cleaned vacuum gently suck out any dust that has worked its way into the area underneath the fridge.

Windows

Take this month to clean all your windows inside and out, and wash any window coverings you may have.  Do not forget to clean the window trim too.  For the outside of the windows clean the glass and remove the residue with a high quality squeegee.

On a warm sunny day remove the window screens and lay them out. Hose off each screen and allow it to dry before putting them back on your windows.

Irrigation Systems

The freezing and thawing of winter can leave the ground around your home and even pipes and hoses outside your home with cracks.  If you have an irrigation system turn the water on to check and see how the water pressure is.  Take this time to look for any leaks, breaks, or water that may be pooled near sprinkler heads.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in the Denver area this summer?  Let the professionals at the Bandy Team help.  If buying a new Denver home, we would be delighted to show you some terrific property in Littleton, including homes in Stapleton, and real estate in Founder’s Village.

Until Next Time,

Marianne Bandy
The Bandy Team
RE/MAX Professionals - Denver, CO
"From Our Heart to Your Home"

303-746-7799 cell
www.BandyHomes.com

According to this report agents who work for RE/MAX are the most productive among national franchises in the United States. The report showed that RE/MAX agents averaged 17.1 transaction sides, where as competitors at other participating brokerages only averaged 7.9. When it comes to overall sales volume RE/MAX agents once again were ahead of competitors by 60% with $3.4 million in s average sales volume compared to the average of $2.1 million for other agents.

Other key points from the survey:

• When ranked by per-agent transaction sides-a top indicator of productivity-RE/MAX brokerages ranked in 40 spots out of the top 50 on the list.
• 118 of RE/MAX brokerages were in the top 500 spots of the survey. This is more than any other competitive brokerage out there.
• Already on the top RE/MAX agents continued to improve. On average, RE/MAX agents closed 13 percent more transaction sides in 2012 than in 2011.

Your home buying or selling experience should be complication free. Let me and my team at RE/MAX Professionals show you how easy and stress free buying or selling a home in Denver can be. We would love to show you some wonderful properties in one of our favorite Denver Metro Communities such as a new home in Franktown, terrific real estate in Larkspur, or the wonderful properties in Elizabeth.

Until Next Time,

Marianne Bandy
The Bandy Team
RE/MAX Professionals - Denver, CO
"From Our Heart to Your Home"

303-746-7799 cell
www.BandyHomes.com

In my past, I was a Property Claim Manager for large losses, e.g. house fires. I have seen lives devastated.  I feel a huge responsibility to make sure Denver home owners protect themselves before anything bad happens.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, home fires caused over 2,500 civilian deaths and almost $7.8 billion in damages last year. It may prove impossible to prevent all home fires but, there are several measures you can take to protect your family, home and valuables from going down in flames.

• Keep it clean. Remove leaves and debris from around your home and clean out gutters. It’s also important to trim back shrubs and tree limbs that are close to your house. Dry leaves and debris, as well as overgrown shrubs and trees, are all fire hazards.
• Make sure your home is fully insured. Consult with your Denver insurance agent to make sure your home and its contents are protected against fire loss and that you have loss-of-use coverage for your Denver home in case you’re not able to inhabit your home after an insurable event.
• Install fire extinguishers. Keep extinguishers near exits, in the kitchen and near the fire place, where most fires start. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ instructions on how to properly operate the device.
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test these devices monthly to make sure they are working properly and replace the batteries annually.
• Take a home inventory. Make a list of everything valuable in your home and document it with photos and video.
• Protect important documents. Keep a copy of your homeowner’s policy, home inventory, and other important documents, such as passports, legal documents and birth and marriage certificates in a fireproof lockbox or at an off-site location.
• Create a home escape plan. Draw a map of your house that includes all the doors and windows and discuss a fire escape plan with all family members. Practice the escape route at least once a year.

Let the professionals at the Bandy Team help you buy or sell your Denver home. If you’re thinking about buying a home in Denver, we can show you some terrific homes in Parker, properties in Greenwood Village or the charm of real estate in Franktown.

Until Next Time,

Marianne Bandy

The Bandy Team

RE/MAX Professionals - Denver, CO

"From Our Heart to Your Home"

720-870-0862

www.BandyHomes.com

Thanks for this article go to:

Roy Thomas, Insurance Coach
Exclusive Insurance Solutions
720-933-1762

Market Metrics:

The story continues to be a major lack of inventory!  In the second table below, look at how the average days on the market continues to fall, and more importantly, the Median Price has increased, in some cases more than 20%!

By the numbers, the inventory of available homes for sale is 6,682 homes as of March month end. 5,836 homes came onto the market, 5,976 homes were placed under contract, and 4,333 homes closed for a closed dollar volume of $1.28 Billion.  The prime home selling and home buying season is here and the most recent market recaps show the results.

Monthly Market Recap:  (See Charts at End of Article)

Single Family:                                                            Condos:
Active Inventory is 5,445 homes at month end          Active Inventory is 1,237 homes

Sold homes is 3,493                                                    Sold homes is 840

Average Days on Market is 68                                   Average Days on Market is 61

Median Sold Price is $268,200                                   Median Sold Price is $154,000

Average Sold Price is $319,366                                  Average Sold Price is $195,37

March Year-to-Date Market Recap (2013 versus 2012):

Single Family:                                                            Condos:

Active Inventory 5,445 versus 8,303 (↓34%)             Active Inventory 1,237 versus 2,022 (↓39%)

Sold Units 8,199 versus 6,746 (↑22%)                       Sold Units 2,054 versus 1,694 (↑21%)

Median Price $260,000 vs $225,000 (↑16%)              Median Price $148,050 vs $120,000 (↑23%)

Average Price $309,486 vs $276,702 (↑12%)            Average Price $182,180 vs $157,324(↑16%)

Sales Volume $2.5B versus $1.9B (↑36%)                 Sales Volume $374M versus $267M (↑37%)

Days on Market 75 versus 105 (↓29%)                       Days on Market 67 versus 101 (↓34%)

March Market Facts:

March was a great month for the Greater Denver resale home market.

For the ninth straight month, the inventory of homes available for sale declined.

Buyer demand continues and multiple offers are now the norm.

Overall, the Denver real estate  market has less than a two month supply of homes available for sale at the current sales rate.  Single Family Residential homes have a 1.69 month supply and Condos have a 1.56 month supply.

Real estate is local.  While the above is a representation of the Denver market as a whole, please contact me to better understand your specific real estate market.

Advice to Sellers:

The prime home selling season is here and overall Denver is experiencing a “sellers market” due to the low levels of homes available for sale, limited availability of new home construction, low interest rates, and high home buyer demand.

Let’s take a look at the question – “Is now the right time to sell my home?”

This is a very personal question that needs to be researched, reviewed, and thought through.

The Denver home market is experiencing historic low levels of homes available for sale.  Some of the reasons can be identified as seller hesitancy, some can be identified as a lack of understanding as to the homeowner’s equity position, and some can be noted as the belief that the future looks brighter than today.  Additionally, let’s consider the fact that prospective home seller’s know that more than likely they will sell their home quickly and they may not have someplace else to live.  Alternative living arrangements is an item that needs to be thought about prior to selling the home.

The overall advice to sellers is the same as to buyers.  Research your priorities, know your objectives, be prepared, and manage your expectations in this market.

While the Denver home market can be portrayed as a “seller’s market”, each and every home is unique which suggests the need for professional assistance in selling the home.  Real Estate is local, contact me to discuss the options available to you.

Advice to Buyers:

Know what you want in a home, where you want to live, and what price range you can afford.

Be prepared for the speed of the market due to low inventory and multiple offers.

Make sure you are pre-approved for a loan and have a lender letter ready to submit with offers.

Manage your expectations in order to timely participate in the home buying market.

Talk to me today about your lifestyle preferences, the benefits of home ownership, homes available for sale, buying a home in 2013, and home affordability.

Are you ready to buy or sell a home in the Denver area? Contact the Bandy Team to see what we can do for you! We would love to show you some terrific properties in Centennial, homes in Highlands Ranch, or real estate in Parker.

Until Next Time,

Marianne Bandy
The Bandy Team
RE/MAX Professionals - Denver, CO
"From Our Heart to Your Home"

303-746-7799 cell
www.BandyHomes.com

Patios represent a place of peace, freedom, and open space for many homeowners. When listing your Denver home for sale place simple but comfortable furniture on your patio. This is a great place for that prospective home buyer to sit and relax and contemplate the benefits of buying your home. If you have a side table this is a great place to add a few brochures on the home.

If your Denver home does not have a patio is it worth the cost of investing in one? The answer truly lies in what your financial situation is. A patio or deck provides you a perfect place to relax and enjoy the outdoors and is always a plus. If you choose to add a patio and have a fairly small yard you do not want to fill up a large space with a concrete patio. Install a patio that is proportionate in size to the yard. A buyer will many times consider a well-built patio or deck as an added bonus to a home.  A patio increases the homes appeal along with its value. Adding some greenery can go a long way in enhancing your backyard overall.

Are you ready to buy or sell a home in Denver? The Bandy Team is here to help with all your real estate needs. Contact the Bandy Team to see what we can do for you! We would love to show you some terrific real estate in Denver, including homes in Centennial,  property in Aurora, or some terrific homes in Littleton.

Until Next Time,

Marianne Bandy

The Bandy Team

RE/MAX Professionals - Denver, CO

"From Our Heart to Your Home"

720-870-0862

www.BandyHomes.com

Prune Trees- Late winter and early spring is the time of year you should be pruning any fruit trees that you may have. This will keep your trees healthy and will make it easier on you when it comes time to harvest. Be sure to do this before new growth occurs.

Get Rid of Winter Mulch-Prior to winter if you spread a layer of mulch down to prevent your plants from freezing now is the time to remove it.

Planting- The weather during spring is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. Be careful not to plant them too deep. Trees and shrubs can do a lot to add curb appeal to your Denver home.

Cool-Season Annuals- Now is the time to plant those cool-season annuals such as pansies and violas, nemesia, diascia, calendula, poppy, snapdragon, and sweet alyssum. These types of annuals can weather a little bit of frost.

Trim Ornamental Grass- Ornamental grass should be cut back during this period of time to about four inches tall. This is now a great time to divide ornamental grass if you choose to.

Early Vegetable Growth-There is plenty of vegetables that thrive and require warm weather like tomatoes and peppers. Now is a good time to plant carrots, radishes, spinach, and other cool-season vegetables.  It is also time to get potatoes in the ground. When planting potatoes on average you want them about 6 inches deep and 8-10 inches apart.

Mulch- When the soil has warmed and thawed out spread a two inch layer of mulch over the top of the soils surface to prevent weeds. Mulch also helps add moisture to your flower beds which will be very much needed when the heat of summer arrives.

The Bandy Team is here to help with all your real estate needs. We can help you buy or sell a home in Denver. Contact the Bandy Team to see what we can do for you! We can show you some terrific property in Denver, including homes in Englewood, property in Parker, or some terrific homes in Aurora.

Until Next Time,

Marianne Bandy

The Bandy Team

RE/MAX Professionals - Denver, CO

"From Our Heart to Your Home"

720-870-0862

www.BandyHomes.com

Claiming property taxes in the wrong year- Property taxes that you pay each year are tax deductible in the year in which they were paid. There are many taxing authorities who will work a year behind, which causes many taxpayers confusion. The year you actually pay the tax is the year you will claim it.

Do not let escrow accounts confuse you- Another common error that is seen is confusing the escrow amount with the actual amount of taxes paid. If your mortgage lender escrows funds to pay your yearly property taxes and insurance do not just assume you will deduct the amount that is escrowed. This amount tends to be a little more or a little less than what is actually paid out.

Points paid in refinancing- Many Denver homeowners are taking advantage of low mortgage rates and are refinancing. When you refinance your mortgage loans the points you pay to do so must be deducted over the life of the loan. For instance, if you paid $2,000 in points for a 20 year loan you would be able to deduct $100 a year for 20 years.

Home office deductions-Taking deductions for a home office can be complicated. Keep in mind if you turn a profit upon the sale of your home, the deduction have to be recaptured. Be sure to only claim this deduction if the positive outweighs the drawbacks.

First -time home buyer tax credit- If you took advantage of the first-time home buyer tax credit that was originally offered in 2008 you are required to repay 1/15th of it over a 15 year span.  If you need to determine how much you should deduct, the IRS has a wonderful tool to help.

Home-related expenses-Saving all receipts for any home office and home maintenance and repair costs is essential. If you are taking advantage of any energy tax credits it is necessary that you save all manufacturers’ certification statements.

Do not forget to track capital gains-If you sold your home last year do not forget to claim capital gains tax on any profit you made. You are eligible to exclude up to $250,000 (or $500,000 if you’re a married couple) from your taxes.

Mortgage interest deduction- Interest paid on your mortgage yearly is deductible up to $1 million of mortgage debt. If you pay more than $1 million the excess above $1 million cannot be claimed.

The Bandy Team is here to help with all your real estate needs. We can help you buy or sell a home in Denver. Contact the Bandy Team to see what we can do for you! If you’re thinking about buying a home in Denver, we can show you some terrific homes in Stapleton, property in Cherry Creek or the wide array of real estate in Lowry.

Until Next Time,

Marianne Bandy
The Bandy Team
RE/MAX Professionals - Denver, CO
"From Our Heart to Your Home"

720-870-0862
www.BandyHomes.com

Overview

The Denver Real Estate Market is going into new territory with data we haven’t seen since 1985!  As you may know, we seem to be in a full Seller’s Market in most price ranges as inventory has continued to shrink.  Two reasons for the inventory issue: First, many sellers are still waiting for prices to get to a point where they have enough equity to consider selling again and can afford to buy another home.  Second, we have a unique time in the market where more homes went under contract in February than were newly listed!  Thus, our single family home inventory went down again to approximately 5,500 homes.  Incredibly low!

We should see an increase of new listings over the next 3-4 months, but if the trend continues Buyers will gobble those up as fast as they come on. We are seeing prices go up in some price ranges that were unimaginable a few months ago! If you’ve been thinking of putting your home on the market, now’s the perfect time. There are plenty of buyers now and you’ll avoid competition from other sellers.

Market Metrics: (See Graphs at end of the article)

By the numbers, the inventory of available homes for sale is 6,786 homes at February month end, 4,675 homes came onto the market, 5,033 homes were placed under contract, and 2,967 homes closed for a closed dollar volume of $820 Million.  The spring home selling market started early this year with the lowest month end inventory recorded for February month end.

Monthly Market Recap:

Single Family:                                                            Condos:
Active Inventory is 5,541 homes at month end          Active Inventory is 1,245 homes

Sold homes is 2,363                                                    Sold homes is 604

Average Days on Market is 81                                   Average Days on Market is 73

Median Sold Price is $255,000                                   Median Sold Price is $143,750

Average Sold Price is $302,475                                  Average Sold Price is $175,351

February Year-to-Date Market Recap (2013 versus 2012):

Single Family:                                                            Condos:

Active Inventory 5,541 versus 8,082 (↓31%)             Active Inventory 1,245 versus 2,004 (↓38%)

Sold Units 4,706 versus 3,971 (↑19%)                       Sold Units 1,214 versus 994 (↑22%)

Median Price $252,500 vs $219,900 (↑15%)             Median Price $141,750 vs $118,000 (↑20%)

Average Price $302,152 vs $271,577 (↑11%)            Average Price $173,049 vs $154,137(↑12%)

Sales Volume $1.4B versus $1.1B (↑32%)                 Sales Volume $210M versus $143M (↑37%)

Days on Market 81 versus 105 (↓23%)                       Days on Market 72 versus 104 (↓31%)

February Market Facts:

At February month end, the inventory of homes available on the market @ 6,786 homes reached another new low since January 1985.  With this in mind, the Month’s Supply of Inventory is 1.75 months for Single Family and 1.60 months for Condos.  Month’s Supply of Inventory is calculated by taking the last twelve months homes sold numbers and calculating an average.  This number is then divided into the month end inventory to produce the Month’s Supply of Inventory.

Real estate is local.  While the above is a representation of the Denver market as a whole, please contact me to better understand your specific real estate market.

Advice to Sellers:

The Denver market is in the midst of the spring home selling market and overall, Denver is experiencing a seller’s market.

Looking to sell your home now?  What do you need to know?  Well, let’s begin with the basics.

Below are some questions that you need to ask yourself:

What is my home worth?

How does my home compare to the competition?

Do I have enough equity in my home to sell it today?

Is now the right time to sell my home?

What are Buyers looking for?

What does first impression mean?

What do I need to do to make my home marketable?

Should I invest in remodeling?

Will my home sell?

If my home sells, what are my next steps?

Buyer demand continues very strong and the inventory of homes available for sale is at an all time low for this time of year.  While this can be portrayed as a “seller’s market”, each and every home is unique which suggests professional assistance in selling the home.

Real Estate is local, contact me to discuss the options available to you.

Advice to Buyers:

Be an informed buyer.  Know what you need versus what you want.  Get pre-qualified for your loan so you can act quickly when you find the right home. Be prepared to compete with other buyers.  We can counsel you on the best strategies in preparing your offer. In this sellers’ market, there can be stiff competition for homes that show well and are well priced, which suggests professional assistance in buying a home.

Talk to me today about your Lifestyle preferences, the benefits of home ownership, homes available for sale, buying a home in 2013, and home affordability.

Take advantage of home affordability this fall. Let the professionals at the Bandy Team help you buy or sell your Denver home. If you’re thinking about buying a home in Denver, we can show you some terrific homes in Stapleton, properties in Cherry Creek or the charm of real estate in Lowry

Until Next Time,

Marianne Bandy
The Bandy Team
RE/MAX Professionals - Denver, CO
"From Our Heart to Your Home"

303-746-7799 cell
www.BandyHomes.com

Many programs similar to this require home buyers to be first-time owners, but this program does not require that.  There is also no set time limit that has to have passed sense the last time the home buyer owned a home. The program also does not have a maximum home purchase price. Both existing and new construction homes can be purchased thru this program as long as the home remains the buyer’s primary residence.

To qualify each home buyer would need to complete a free home buyer counseling session, and need to meet standard loan guidelines.  A minimum credit score of 640 is required along with income limits of not more than $91,000 for a household consisting of two or fewer people.  For households of three or more an income of no more than $103,000 is required.  Contact us for more on these programs.

Let the professionals at the Bandy Team help you buy or sell a Denver home, contact us for a no-obligation consultation.  We are happy to answer any questions you may have about real estate in Denver or homes in Littleton.  You may also be interested in property in Stonegate, homes in Englewood, or real estate in Castle Rock.

Until Next Time,

Marianne Bandy
The Bandy Team
RE/MAX Professionals - Denver, CO
"From Our Heart to Your Home"

303-746-7799 cell
www.BandyHomes.com

When it comes to securing a scholarship you want to start the application process early and make sure to give yourself plenty of time to find that one that best fits your skills. Many times an application will require an essay and a letter of recommendation to accompany it. Start the process early and this will give you ample time to get all the needed things together for the applications deadline.  Be involved in your community and volunteer your time, as this plays a big part when it comes to winning today’s scholarships.  If you are interested in finding ways to volunteer in your community start by searching at www.volunteermatch.org.

Here are a few tips to give you the best advantage of securing the right scholarship for you.

• Attention to detail is a must. Follow all directions very carefully.  Provide all the required information and do not add in things that are not asked of you.
• Double check the application to be sure that it is filled out completely. Do not leave any question blank. If the question does not apply to you then make sure to note that on the application.
• Be watchful of deadlines.  You do not want to miss out on a scholarship because you missed the deadline.  Put all deadlines for applications you will be submitting on your calendar and stick to it.
• Double check your work.  Typos and poor grammar will substantially impact your chances of winning. Have a teacher or a parent look over your application for any errors.

Tips for writing that perfect letter or essay that many scholarships require.

• Take this opportunity to let scholarship providers know who you really are. Make yourself shine and let them know why they should award you the scholarship. Include details in your letter or essay that allows scholarship officials to get to know you.
• Honesty is important. Do not lie about your skills, the experience you have, or the grades you have gotten. If there comes a time in the application process that you feel you need to be untruthful it more than likely means you are applying for a scholarship that is not right for you.
• Be yourself. Let scholarship officials know who you are by letting your personality shine in your letter or essay. Include  details that reveal the real you.

Are you looking to call Denver home? The Bandy Team is here for all of your real estate needs. We can help you buy or sell a Denver home.  If you are thinking about buying a Denver home, we can show you some wonderful properties in Washington Park (also known as Wash Park). You may also be interested in real estate in Parker, or homes in Stapleton, and there are some terrific properties in Denver Highlands.

Until Next Time,

Marianne Bandy
The Bandy Team
RE/MAX Professionals - Denver, CO
"From Our Heart to Your Home"

303-746-7799 cell
www.BandyHomes.com