There are numerous programs available for low to moderate income home buyers sponsored by the state, several counties, and even the Feds.The Colorado Housing Assistance Corporation offers (among other things) Mortgage Assistance Loans that you can use in conjunction with a Conventional or FHA loan. You can use this loan to help you with down payment costs or closing costs. This obviously means that you'll have to qualify for a primary mortgage but remember that FHA loans are not credit score based.They also offer classes on how to make the most of your home ownership.The Adams County Housing Authority offers one on one counseling to help potential home buyers with credit issues, money management, and budgeting to help you buy a home.Brother's Redevelopment, Inc. is a local non-profit ... 07/19/2007

The City of Broomfield is reporting that this year may be a tough year for West Nile Virus (well okay, tough for those of us getting bit, may be a party of sorts for the mosquitoes...). While it appears that a fairly healthy individual probably won't have too many problems fending off West Nile Virus, the older and younger among us may be at the most risk.I have seen the mosquito patrol truck thingy out a number of times this year. One of the pond sections by the Dry Creek walking path has what appears to be a mosquito catching contraption which apparently they're using to evaluate mosquitoes for disease. If it gets worse they may initiate blanket spraying citywide.It may be just me but I seem to be getting bit more than usual this year and the bites seem bigger, redder and itch way lon... 07/15/2007

It's not uncommon for home sellers, especially sellers looking to move up, to ponder whether or not they'd rather just sell their current home or turn it into an investment that they rent out to someone else.Some benefits of becoming a landlordYour home goes from being a roof over your head to an investment, which if handled properly, can provide some nice coin for you throughout the life of the investment.You don't have to go through the time, cost and hassle of selling your current home. (Yes even as a real estate agent I'll be the first to tell you selling your home is NOT cheap, easy or stress free - I like to think that I do whatever I can to minimize these costs but I know first hand what a pain in the rear it is to have your home on the market.)If you're concerned about a soft ma... 07/14/2007

I decided to sneak in a viewing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix before the latest book Deathly Hallows comes out next Friday.I've never liked the movies nearly as much as the books because I don't think it's possible to convey the bonds of friendship, in 2 hours, that run so rich throughout the book. I did thoroughly enjoy the Order of the Phoenix movie though, I think in part because the kids are getting older and the plots darker.I do prefer the movie's treatment of Sirius and Harry's relationship to the book big time. Their relationship in the book was rather disappointing to me. I was always hoping for something a little more "glorious" for lack of a better word and the movie definitely comes through.Unfortunately, Ron doesn't get his day in the movie as a Prefect and h... 07/13/2007

I, along with many others, had a piece of paper taped to my door in Broomfield a couple of days ago.It claimed that a sex offender had moved into "this" area and that everyone needed to "become aware." Then it said I should "Fined [sic] out who they are and what their address is!"It also listed a website address which I won't even bother to include in this blog.I went to that address not so much because I believed it, but because my bullshit meter sensed this was going to be ripe for blogging. Not only was it ripe for a little ol' Broomfield Real Estate blog, it was featured on 9 News and in the Rocky Mountain News within hours.After visiting this anonymous (yes, the first thing I did was look up the domain registration) website I notice that I'm required to enter my email address - fur... 07/12/2007

Admit it, you've been a victim, pretty much anyone who sends email has been a victim, hopefully only once though. What is this I write of you ask? Spoofs, hoaxes, and urban legends!Sure, you meant well, you got that email with all the caps and bolded letters and exclamation points and honest to Pete those AIDS infested needles sticking out of all those theater seats could be dangerous! You felt it your duty to warn every single person in your email list to check extra carefully before they sit down to watch the latest Harry Potter installment. After all, if it saves just one person right?Now if you have polite friends they may just ignore you. But if you have a friend like me, who feels compelled to point out the error of your ways, they may scoff at you and send you the actual link on ... 07/10/2007

Metro List has released their sales figures for June 2007 residential sales in the Broomfield area:Active listings increased to 441 (from 418 in May).Average list price decreased to $444,678 (from $449,196 in May). Homes under contract decreased to 101 (from 125 in May). But here's the kicker and ultimately the most important part - esp. if you're a seller - the number of homes SOLD leapt to 102, up from 70 in May, 53 in April, 57 in March, 51 in February, and 62 in January. Average Days On Market increased to 131 from 102 in May. Average sold price hopped to $340,735 from $322,374 in May. How does this compare to June 2006 you ask? In the Broomfield area the average sold price was $328,328, average Days On Market was 100 and 92 homes were sold. Broomfield has numerous subdivisions with... 07/08/2007

It's that age-old dilemma between buyers and sellers - you the buyer don't know exactly how low the sellers are willing to go and they the sellers don't know exactly how high you the buyer are willing to go.When you're trying to decide what to offer on a home first things are first - figure out how much you can afford to offer. In the past, the typical lender figured roughly 29% of your gross income was an ideal loan amount. Things changed and lenders began to be much more liberal with these figures and allowed up to 40% of a borrower's gross income for a loan. Things are changing again however and the rules are tightening in some areas. In the end the mortgage is your responsibility, not the lenders, so decide what you can comfortably afford to pay on a long-term basis.You're likely to... 07/06/2007

Summer is a great time to add color to your home, but where do you start?If you like the look of crown molding but aren't up to the challenge of actually installing it yourself, you can improvise with paint. Paint a wide or narrow strip along the wall where it meets the ceiling. Use a laser-leveling device to make sure it's straight. Add stenciling for a truly unique look. When done properly, this can make a room appear larger because your eye is drawn to the ceiling. Get stencils at any craft store or online.If you're looking to sell your house in the near future be careful about being too "unique." While you may truly enjoy your dancing purple unicorns (and I'm sure they're just lovely) it may be tough to find a wide audience of buyers for them. (Home Selling Tip: When you decide to p... 07/05/2007

Enjoy family activities in Broomfield at the Broomfield County Commons Park east of 13th & Sheridan. Bring your own picnic (no grills though) or purchase a hot dog at the park.Beginning at 5 p.m. the park will have children's activities ranging from $0 - $5.At 6:30 Broomfield City Council will pass out popsicles.Don't miss the Kory Brunson Band starting at 7 p.m. They'll present a family-friendly concert featuring country, rock and patriotic music. Broomfield's fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. You can park at the Broomfield County Commons, or at Legacy High School and ride the shuttle.  (photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net)  06/24/2007

For you lead-footers (as my dad has called my mother for as long as I can remember) the City of Broomfield is actually increasing the speed limit in some areas of the city.Some of these areas include:Midway Blvd. (128th) between Lowell and Zuni will increase from 35 - 40. Not surprisingly, many folks already drive along here like their hair is on fire but the Broomfield Police Dept. does set up speed traps on Willow Run Pkwy and at Sonic fairly often.136th from Main Street to Lowell Blvd. will increase from 35 to 40.Kohl St. from Miramonte to Main St. will increase from 25 to 30.You can find a comprehensive list of speed limit and stop sign changes here at the City of Broomfield website. 06/20/2007

The Brunner Farmhouse, Broomfield's own historic farmhouse, is featuring a program called Summer Sundays this year. Throughout the summer the farmhouse will host painting demonstrations, music and other cultural events.They want it to feel like a leisurely summer afternoon spent on Grandma's front porch. Except you'll need to bring your own lawn chair. (Let's face it, even Granny's porch was only so big.)This week they'll have painting demonstrations and a Disney-themed singing show.The events take place every Sunday from 12-4 p.m. at the Brunner Farmhouse, 640 Main St. in Broomfield and are free of charge. 06/16/2007

Thinking about updating your house but want to know which improvements will pay off the most?It might help to put yourself in the buyer's shoes. What would you like to see in a new home the most?A key rule to keep in mind is not to invest in improvements that would place the house above market value.New paint - both inside and out. To get the best results however, it should be done within roughly a year of placing your home on the market.Updating the kitchen with new paint (or wallpaper), freshly painted cabinets, and updated flooring. Repaint the cabinets and add new doorknobs for high impact. Replace the faucet and the sink for another attention getter.Add an extra bathroom. If your basement, for example, is finished, or at least partially finished a new bathroom could help greatly.Ne... 06/10/2007

Who knew there were so many great "free" (didn't your mother ever teach you there's no such thing as a free lunch?) things to do in Broomfield?This Tuesday at 6 p.m. is the Broomfield City Council meeting at One DesCombes Dr. You can download their agenda here. (Okay so this isn't one of the most fun activities you can do but it's good to see how these folks are spending your tax dollars - on all these freebies! LOL! - plus you'll be the first on your block to know what's going on in Broomfield AND it's a chance to give your 2 cents to your local elected officials.)On to the truly fun stuff:Check out the Wonderful Wednesdays program at the Broomfield Auditorium. It's open to elementary aged school kids 6 and up from June 13 - August 1, 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. It features arts, cultural and ... 06/10/2007

1. Get a copy of your credit report.FREE at http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ or call 1.877.322.8228OR$19.95 for all 3 credit bureau reports (immediately) at Equifax $34.95 for all 3 credit bureau reports AND analysis on how to change your credit score at Experian$29.95 for all 3 credit bureau reports AND analysis on why your credit score is what it is and how lenders view you as a potential buyerThe reason you need a credit report is to determine where you stand and what can be done about it. A very high percentage of credit reports contain mistakes. You can often increase your credit score simply by correcting these mistakes.2. You'll increase your credit score faster by paying down high interest credit card debt than you will by paying down your mortgage, car or student loans. Try t... 06/09/2007

Having the kids home for the summer can drive even the sanest people crazy. You need stuff to do but a lot of activities are expensive. Here are some fun freebies though which may even foster a love of books in your child.Story time at the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library (Broomfield) runs every Tuesday through July 31 from either 10-10:30 a.m. or 10:45-11:15 a.m. Space is limited!And while you're at the library encourage your kids to sign up for the 2007 Children's Library Summer Reading Program. They read all summer, keep track of what they've read and can even win prizes!The library is also sponsoring a teen reading program called the Mythic Summer. Teens need to read for 6 total hours to complete a level and they get rewards for completing each level. There is also a weekly draw... 06/08/2007

Just in case you were sitting there today wondering about the population of Broomfield:the Broomfield Planning Department estimates that the current population for Broomfield is 45,000.The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment estimates that 24,000 people work in Broomfield and the unemployment rate is 4%. Buy or sell a home with your Broomfield real estate expert! 06/04/2007

If your hairdo is looking a little scraggly these days wait until June 24 and then show up at Hairline & Co. at 1006 Depot Hill between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to get your locks sheared to support the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. CASA "trains community volunteers to be the voice of abused and neglected children as they move through the court system...from foster care until they are placed in permanent homes."Proceeds from the haircuts will be donated to CASA. Prices are $20 for adults, $15 for kids from 10-18 years old and $1 per year for kids under 10. (And let me add that $20 for a hair cut is CHEAP! CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP! It's a good deal so go do it!!) (photo courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/) 06/02/2007

The Broomfield Veterans Museum put on a great picnic today and here is a short video from that picnic. 05/28/2007

Come live in Willow Run in Broomfield, Colorado! Home prices range in the mid to upper $200’s although there are definitely some available in the low $200’s as well. 2 separate playgrounds, bordered by 128th, the brand new Crofton Park subdivision and Westminster Dry Creek open space. There are no HOA’s or covenants however, residents must still abide by Broomfield City Code i.e. no cars with expired tags on the street or driveways, no trailers or campers on the street, etc. Schools for this subdivision are: Adams County District 12 – Mountain View Elementary, Westlake Middle School, Legacy High School. A Safeway, liquor store, used book store, Blockbuster, and Sonic are all within a 5 minute drive (or even walk) (when someone decides to put in a Taco Bell all will be complete). In the ... 05/28/2007