I just moved my blog from Wordpress.com to a self-hosted Wordpress installation on GoDaddy . . . and it has been SO easy! This is a move I've been considering and reading about for several months, dreading all of that setup that I had read about.  Well, GoDaddy and Wordpress.org made it a very painless process. So, here's the quick synopsis: Called GoDaddy and they setup Wordpress hosting on my desired domain name. About 24 hours later, the process (on their end) was complete and I was able to log-in to my "new" Wordpress.org Dashboard.  By the way, it is virtually identical to the Wordpress.com Dashboard so there was very little  "learning curve" there. After exporting my blog from the .com site, I them imported it to my new WP installation and it brought in everything:  posts, commen... 07/18/2010

Looking for Community, a Life of Leisure and plenty of Shopping Opportunties? One of the things that will strike you the moment you start looking at Castle Pines is the sheer number of recreational and relaxational opportunities available to you. Castle Pines properties are located in a luxurious and exclusive community on the south side of Denver. In addition to a wide variety of interesting and breathtaking architectural designs, the area is known for its two Nicklaus-designed golf courses. Even if golf isn’t your thing, you’ll still enjoy living in Castle Pines. The area features a fitness center, known as the Village Lake Fitness center. Here you’ll find plenty to do, from swimming to tennis to other sports. You can also enjoy some great hiking or biking trails, too. Castle Pines ho... 07/07/2010

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! It's great to be an American! It's a great day to remember the beginnings of our nation.  It's also a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by our military forces and their families throughout our proud history.  Please also take time today to appreciate those who are currently serving our country and to thank them for that service if you have the opportunity. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday.     07/04/2010

This ranch home is located in a cul-de-sac, has 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 3 car garage and 4655 total finished square footage!     Just beautiful and ready to move in! The virtual tour location: http://v1.obeo.com/Public/Viewer/Default.aspx?ID=612699 MUST see, and ready to move in! - Joan 06/23/2010

We sell a great deal of Castle Pines North Homes for Sale. We will watch this very closely. From the Denver Post:  HOA sues Castle Pines North over expanded development plan A homeowners association is taking the city of Castle Pines North to court over its recent approval of an urban-renewal area the group says will mean more homes and businesses than the developer originally agreed to build. The Happy Canyon Homeowners Association filed the complaint in Doug las County District Court against Castle Pines North after the city council declared blighted 3,300 acres for the Canyons development late last month. In the complaint, the HOA says a written agreement with the Canyons called for 1,533 homes and about 25 acres of commercial development for the project, east of Interstate 25 and so... 06/07/2010

The Douglas County Library is one of the best in Colorado and is known for it's great programing for all ages.  The calendar of activities includes things for every member of your household and are taking place at the library near you.  This is a series of articles featuring each of the libraries in Douglas County area. What is IT? Castle Pines Library Although the last two library elections failed, the Castle Pines precincts were always in favor of supporting a library in the area. Local residents and businesses donated funds to the undertaking, an agreement was made with property owners and a three year lease was negotiated.  This location is actually less expensive to run than was the previous bookmobile program. Photo's of the new library location can be seen here.   The features of... 03/09/2010

Google surprised us all with the roll out of Google Buzz a couple of weeks ago, but I like it! The reviews so far have been all across the board with some people loving it and others hating it.  I find it is extremely easy to use and seems to fill a niche between Facebook and Twitter. As a photographer, one of the things I really like about Buzz is how easy it is to insert photos, and also to view photos in other people's posts.  Google now owns Picasa, which is a free photo organizer/editor and integrates very nicely with the (also Free) Picasa Web Online.  Picasa works on both Windows and Macs.  If you have photos on Picasa Web Online, it is a snap to insert them into a Buzz post. I would sure like to have some of my ActiveRain friends on the "Buzz" with me, so send me your gmail addr... 02/23/2010

So, how's the real estate market doing here in Denver? “If you believe real estate is cyclical, then the facts show the market has hit bottom and is on the way back up.”  ~ Jack O'Connor Denver currently has the lowest inventory of residential and condo properties in the last 7 years.  We also have the most homes under contract (for Feb.) since 2006.  These low inventories should help 2010 continue to improve over what we've been experiencing the last few years. Another factor that should have a positive impact, at least for the next few months, is the Tax Credits that were expanded and extended to April 30th, 2010.  Remember: First time buyers may be eligible to receive a tax credit up to $8,000. Move-up homeowners may qualify for up to $6,500 in tax credits. To take advantage of these... 02/15/2010

December   1, 2, 7, 8 & 9:   Holiday Carriage Rides - The Ridge at Castle Pines  5:00 pm to 9:00 pm 303.688.4575   December 3:    Holiday Open House - Village at Castle Pines 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm 303.663.2034   December 3:    Orchestra Concert - Rock Canyon High School 7:00 pm 303.387.3000   December 4:   Broadway Revue - American Academy 7:00 pm 720.292.5200   December 5:    Holly Jolly Breakfast - The Ridge at Castle Pines 8:00 am & 10:00 am 303.688.4301   December 5:    Christmas Tree Farm Family Day - Solid Life Christian Center Time TBA 303.799.3914   December 5:     Santa in the Pines - Village at Castle Pines 11:00 to 2:00 pm 303.663.2034   December 6:     Christmas Concert - Douglas County Event Center 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm 720.733.9227   December 6:   American Girl Mystery Program ... 12/02/2009

Homes for Sale in Castle Pines NorthAs of Nov 3nd, 2009 there are 134 Homes for sale in Castle Pines North. The listing prices range from $230,000 to $1,795,000. The price per square foot goes from $104 to $491 per square foot. 17 new listings came on the market in October 09. Castle Pines North is a large area with multiple subdivisions including Daniels Gate, Buffalo Ridge, Hidden Pointe and Romar West to name a few. Three homes are listed as lender owned (foreclosures).Searching homes for sale in Castle Pines.Castle Pines North is a city, however most homes are listed under city - Castle Rock. If you are searching for houses and select Castle Pines North as the city there will be only a handful of search results. Along with that if you search by a specific subdivision you may miss se... 11/03/2009

Homes for sale in Castle Pines North Colorado151 Residential Detached Homes are for sale in Castle Pines North, Colorado as of Aug 1st, 2009 5:30 pm. The average list price is $698,434. 42 of the homes for sale are listed for under one million dollars. The average listed price per square foot is $215/sq ft. The average days on the market of the homes for sale in 199, ranging from one day to 1082 days on the market. 21 new listings came on the market in July in Castle Pines North.  As of Aug 1st, 2009 JUL 09 Active Listings 151 New Listings 21 All Pending sales 30 New Pending 16 Lowest List Price $230,000 Highest List Price $1,899,000 Lowest Price/sq ft $113/sf Highest Price/sq ft $559/sf New indicates new for the category for the month specified. Castle Pines North is located South of D... 08/02/2009

Loan Considerations for Buy and Hold InvestorsAs far as investment loans, little or no money down loans are impossible.  However, lenders do permit the use of Home Equity Lines of Credit or second mortgages from other properties owned by the borrower as a source of down payment.  Or, self-employed borrowers are using funds from business lines of credit to fund down payments or renovations (please note: there are asset seasoning guidelines for doing so and the debt incurred by accessing other credit lines must be accounted for against the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio). Thus, we have clients leveraging themselves with other homes they own in order to get in with little or nothing down.  There are exceptions, but practically every lender requires Full Income Documentation on any investm... 12/10/2008

Loan Considerations for Fix & Flip / Short-Term InvestorsSecuring conventional financing on a fix & flip or short-term loan is not recommended.  Most conventional lenders sell off their mortgages to investors on the secondary market.  If the loan is paid off early (before six payments are made), the investor has not recovered their initial investment.  The investor will attempt to recover their loss from the lender, who will ultimately come after the loan originator.  The loan originator would then be obligated to pay back any premium paid out by the lender.  If such activity becomes habitual with the loan officer, the lender can cease doing business with them and their firm.Furthermore, conventional loans require conventional appraisals.  The lender will require that the home is a) hab... 12/10/2008

Loan Considerations for Jumbo MortgagesFor the Greater Metro Denver area, any loan amount greater than $417,000 is considered a jumbo loan.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac assign different thresholds for various regions across the country.  For instance, $417,000 is not considered a jumbo loan in a high cost city like San Francisco, yet there will still be higher rates for going above $417K.  Due to the size of jumbo loans, they are considered greater risk for lenders, resulting in higher rates.  Rates have fluctuated greatly over the past few years on jumbos.  As of today, a 30 year fixed could range from 7% - 8%; a full point higher than the prime rate below a loan amount of $417,000.  Five year ARMs are popular on jumbo loans, as they typically price out a half point lower than fixed pro... 12/10/2008

Loan Considerations for Loan Amounts Between $200K - $417KWith all the doom and gloom publications that are mostly exaggerated, many potential borrowers believe that home mortgage lending options have dried up.  While underwriters and investors are scrutinizing files more closely, attractive rates and terms still exist for owner occupied purchasers seeking a conforming loan limit (under $417,000).  FHA and VA can still lend up to 100% LTV and conventional permits up to 97% LTV.  There are certain guidelines to meet when going to these high LTVs, but they are not impossible to surmount.Every home buyer should first ask themselves what payment they feel comfortable in committing to on a monthly basis.  Too many buyers over-extended themselves in recent years on homes they simply could not... 12/10/2008

FHA First-Time Buyer Tax CreditIn an effort to boost the sagging real estate market and overall economy, first-time home buyers are being offered a limited time tax credit when purchasing a primary residence.  The highlights of the tax credit are:•    The tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only. •    The maximum credit amount is $7,500. •    The credit is available for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and beforeJuly 1, 2009. •    Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit. •    The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must be repaid over a 15-year period. Due to the volume of questions that can be generated with the above, I would recommend clicking on the below link for ... 12/10/2008

Loan considerations for a first time buyerLending guidelines are changing on a daily basis for every type of loan: conventional, FHA, VA & commercial.  Nevertheless, there are still very attractive first-time home buyer options available.   If you are or will be a first-time buyer, it is critical to speak with a loan officer before looking at homes.  It is a crushing feeling to view a home, picture making it your own and then find out that you cannot qualify to purchase it.  A loan officer will pull credit, analyze debt-to-income ratios, review assets and income and determine what you can afford.  Presuming a pre-qualification occurs, the loan officer will then be able to provide an array of loan options.  Presently, FHA loans are the predominant loan for first-time home buyers as they ... 12/10/2008

How can you improve your FICO score?To improve one’s credit score, it’s critical to understand the factors influencing a credit score.  The factors that contribute to a FICO score and the weighted percentages for each are as follows:•    35% — timeliness of payments •    30% — the ratio of used debt to allowable debt for consumer credit •    15% — length of credit history (the more credit history and showing proof of consistent timely payment, the better the score) •    10% — types of credit used  •    10% — recent credit inquiries and recent new credit The greatest driver behind a score is making timely payments on all accounts.  Scores will be adversely affected for any payment that is 30 days late or more.  Being late on a mortgage payment will not only crush one’s score, but will al... 12/10/2008

How does your FICO score impact your interest rate on your loan?Low credit scores are deemed greater risk for lenders since the likelihood for defaulting on the loan increases.  As such, lower FICO scores translate into higher interest rates.  Mortgage lenders will group credit scores in a range, usually in 20 or 40 point increments, with interest rates progressively getting better for each higher interval.  For example, a borrower with a middle credit score between 660 – 680 will have a higher interest rate (presuming all other variables being equal) compared to one with a 680 – 700 score.  Typically, when a borrower has a 750+ credit, they will be able to secure the best possible rate, assuming their income, assets, collateral and down payment are acceptable.For qualifying, underwrite... 12/10/2008

What is a FICO score? FICO stands for Fair Isaac Corporation, a company that created the most used credit scoring model in the United States.  An individual’s credit score is calculated through a statistical algorithm and is used as a factor in determining the likelihood of a borrower defaulting on a loan.  FICO scores are generally used for obtaining mortgages, car loans or consumer credit.  The scores are provided from the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and Transunion.  Typically, there is a variance amongst the scores since each agency has a slightly different scoring formula.  FICO scores range from 300 – 850, with higher scores being considered less risky.  For mortgage lending purposes, any score over a 680 is considered good and above a 750 is considered... 12/10/2008