Shannon Koch

Same service, different company

2011-06-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

Same service, different company! I have moved my business to work with Christi Reece of Bray Real Estate. Together, we are available to help with all of your real estate needs!

Shannon@ShannonKochHomes.com 970.433.3831 C

christi@brayandco.com 970.260.9108 C

Bray Real Estate. 1015 N. 7th St. Grand Junction, CO 81503

2011-06-19T16:09:00.001-07:00

Test to Blogger from phone: just had a fansastic mountain run in lake city !

Shorter Sales - homebuyers can catch a break as banks make nontraditional purchases more accessible

2011-06-07T11:57:00.000-07:00

June 2
By Eve Mitchell
--When it comes to short sales, the real estate transaction involving a mortgage that is worth more than the home it is tied to has long belied its name as a quick deal.

That is starting to slowly change, thanks to increased bank staffing, a Department of Treasury program that aims to speed up the transactions and more of a general acceptance of the deal.

Just ask first-time homeowners Michael and May Manlapeg, who were renting a house in Walnut Creek a few months ago. After signing a pending sales contract for a home in Pleasant Hill in late January, they thought it would take as much as six months for the deal to go through. Escrow ended up closing in slightly less than three months. Regular home sales typically take 30 to 60 days to close escrow after a pending sales contract is signed.

"I knew it could it could be a long, difficult process. It went faster than we expected," said Michael Manlapeg, 34, of the four-bedroom, three-bathroom property in Pleasant Hill they purchased in a short sale for $550,000.

The family moved to the Bay Area five years ago after Michael Manlapeg accepted a job as an information technology manager at an employee-benefits administration company in San Francisco.

The Manlapegs were looking for a home in the Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill area that could accommodate their four young children, but they found places that fit the bill were out of their price range. So, they turned to a short sale, which allows

for a home to be sold for less than what is owed on the mortgage -- provided the transaction is approved by the lender.

Unlike foreclosures, which can sell at substantial discounts, short sales tend to be priced closer to fair-market value. Still, some short-sale bargains can be struck by negotiating down the price based on work that needs to be done on a property.

The $550,000 price the Manlapegs paid reflected a $50,000 negotiated discount to offset needed roof work and minor repairs.

The couple financed the property with a 30-year, fixed-rate Federal Housing Administration loan with a 4.75 percent interest rate and a 3.5 percent down payment. Their new home features a pool and creekside deck area; it was once listed as a regular sale for $1.1 million in 2008. "We got a great price," Michael Manlapeg said.

Short sales are taking less time to do now than a year ago, said Kevin Kieffer, a real estate agent with the Danville office of Keller Williams Realty, who represented the Manlapegs in their purchase. "Banks have staffed up and put systems in place," he said.

Still, Kieffer said time challenges can pose a problem for short sales. "I generally tell (buyers) to be prepared to wait up the 120 days to close, and it could go longer. Those who are renting can be the ideal candidate."

In April, short-sale transactions accounted for 18.6 percent of existing Bay Area home sales, up from 17.6 percent in April 2010 and up from 12.9 percent two years ago, according to MDA DataQuick, a real estate tracking firm.

While some short sales are not taking as long as they used to, there is room for improvement, said Colleen Badagliacco, head of the California Association of Realtors' short sales task force and an agent with the San Jose office of Altera Real Estate.

A California Association of Realtors survey conducted during the last two weeks of 2010 found that fewer than three of every five short sales in the Golden State closed last year. Sixty-three percent of those surveyed said that it took more than 60 days for lenders to provide a written response that approved or rejected an offer from a buyer.

However, many large lenders have begun streamlining the process in response to changes made earlier this year to a voluntary Department of Treasury program that aims to speed up short sales, even though that program has seen less than 5,500 short sales completed since it began in April 2010.

Banks participating in the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program, or HAFA, are making progress in speeding up short sales, Badagliacco said.

"One of the key components (of HAFA) is that lenders will give a response to an offer within 45 days. ... Because of that, they have had to streamline their processes, which is helping them respond faster to loans that are not in the HAFA program. That certainly is a step forward," she said, adding that most smaller lenders have not done as much streamlining.

HAFA provides financial incentives to lenders and $3,000 in relocation assistance to sellers to encourage short sales. It is geared to homeowners who qualified for a trial loan modification through the Home Affordable Modification Program but were unable to obtain a permanent modification. Homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages can request to be evaluated for the HAFA program.

When HAFA was launched in April 2010, there was no time requirement for participating lenders to provide a yes-or-no answer to homeowners seeking approval for a short sale. That changed Feb. 1, when a new requirement required an answer in 30 calender days, which has since been increased to 45 days starting June 1. The 45-day deadline also applies to homeowners not in the program who already received an offer and want it to proceed as a HAFA short sale.

The program applies to loans that are not backed by mortgage giants Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. However, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rolled out their own short-sale programs in August. While some differences exist, a $3,000 incentive paid to sellers who close a short sale applies to all three programs.

Many homeowners who fell out of the Home Affordable Modification Program now are turning to short sales, said Anastasia Stephanopoulos, a real estate agent with the Walnut Creek office of J. Rockcliff Realtors, an East Bay brokerage. Most of the short sales her office is handling are not HAFA short sales, she said.

"The banks are becoming more automated with how they are approaching the process. (Short sales) are moving much more quickly," she said. "It's really more cost effective to accept a short sale than to let it go to foreclosure. ... I'm finding a lot more short sales and fewer foreclosures."

However, she noted, short sales can be complicated when there are two or more loans on the property.

Normally, when a loan amount is forgiven by the lender as a result of a foreclosure, loan modification, or short sale, of the amount is typically treated as taxable income. But a temporary change to the tax code revised that through tax year 2012, which means forgiven debt can be excluded from taxable income at the state and federal level if the loan was used to acquire, build or substantially improve the taxpayer's primary home. Consult a tax professional for more details.

The seller's credit score also may be affected, although not as much as it would be in a foreclosure, Stephanopoulos said.

Even though the seller may face some financial drawbacks from a short sale transaction, "They are able to sell their house and put some closure behind them. I think sellers are happy to put it behind them," she said.

emitchell@bayareanewsgroup.com

Reverse mortgages can be complicated

2011-06-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Reverse mortgage a tricky way to pull money from home

By AL HEAVENS

Reverse mortgages allow people 62 and older to borrow against their home equity. Like marriage, the experts say, these are arrangements not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly.

That's because reverse mortgages are actual loans that must be repaid in full - when you move, when you sell your house or upon your death, rather than in monthly installments.

But, said David Certner, AARP's legislative-policy director, it's something to consider "if you want to remain in your current home and don't have other options."

"If the one asset you have is your home, a reverse mortgage will let you turn it into a payment stream," Certner said. "Maybe you simply need a home-equity loan, or to sell the home and move to something smaller. For a lot of people who want to stay in their own homes, the reverse mortgage is one way to help accomplish that."

Though home values have dropped steeply since the real estate bubble burst in 2006, many older Americans have owned their houses for decades and have vast amounts of equity to tap into.

Yet of the millions of home loans originated between 1990 and 2010, just 660,000 were reverse mortgages, AARP says.

Why? Because reverse mortgages can be complicated, sometimes pricey affairs compared with the financial alternatives.

There are three kinds of reverse mortgages, but the lion's share - 95 percent - are Home Equity Conversion Mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

HECMs cost more than traditional mortgages. They have no income or medical requirements, and the cash can be used for any purpose, such as paying medical bills.

Currently, the national loan limit for a HECM is $625,500. How much you can borrow depends, among other factors, on your age, the appraised value of your home, and current interest rates.

The older you are, and the more equity you have in your house, the more you can borrow. Though 62 is the minimum age, many experts advise against reverse mortgages then - you may have a greater need to tap into your home equity later in life.

To qualify for HECMs, borrowers must own their properties outright or have small mortgage balances; occupy the properties as principal residences; and not be delinquent on any federal debts, such as income taxes.

Borrowers must participate in "consumer information sessions" provided by counselors approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (These typically cost $125, Certner said.)

During the course of the reverse mortgage, you must pay your homeowners' insurance and property taxes, plus keep the house in good repair. If you don't, the loan can become due.

Advantages to reverse mortgages include:

-How you get the money is your choice: in fixed monthly payments, a lump sum, a credit line or a combination of the three. You can change the option any time for $20.

-Even if you receive more in payments than your home is worth, you will never owe more than the home's value.

-Loan advances are not taxable and generally don't affect Social Security or Medicare benefits.

-You retain title to your home.

The reverse mortgage must be repaid in full when the last surviving borrower dies or sells the home, or when it is no longer the primary residence. An HECM lets a borrower live in a nursing home or other medical facility for up to 12 months before the loan comes due.

After the home is sold and the reverse mortgage and fees are repaid, the remaining equity belongs to the borrower or heirs.

Among the disadvantages:

-Lenders, who must be FHA-approved, may charge servicing fees during the loan's term.

-Loans may carry variable interest rates tied to short-term indexes, although AARP says more than 70 percent now have fixed interest rates.

-If interest rates are fixed, you must borrow the maximum amount against your home's equity.

-Refinancing your existing mortgage or taking out a home-equity loan or line of credit may be a less expensive alternative to a reverse mortgage, which can have substantial upfront fees.

For example, the standard HECM loan charges a 2 percent mortgage-insurance premium up front on the home's value, not the amount borrowed. If you own a $400,000 house, the upfront premium would be $8,000, regardless of the loan amount.

You also will pay an origination fee to compensate the lender for processing the reverse mortgage. That fee can be up to $2,500 if your house is valued at less than $125,000. If your house is valued higher, lenders can charge 2 percent of the first $200,000, plus 1 percent of the amount over $200,000, with a cap of $6,000.

The HECM Saver Loan, which made its debut in October, charges only 0.01 percent of a home's value up front. But this loan usually carries a higher interest rate, and you can't borrow as much as you can with a standard HECM.

Closing costs for a reverse mortgage include an appraisal, a title search, and insurance, surveys, inspections, recording fees, taxes, and credit checks. You can pay for most such HECM costs through the proceeds of the loan. Though that means no out-of-pocket payments, it reduces the net loan amount available.

A lender may charge a monthly servicing fee of no more than $30 if the loan has an annually adjusting interest rate, $35 if the interest rate adjusts monthly.

Reverse-mortgage foreclosures have been rare - until recently.

"Because the borrower is responsible for paying taxes, insurance and upkeep," Certner said, tough economic times have "put a lot of people in trouble, especially in hard-hit markets like Florida."

Real estate prospects bright in natural resource-rich region

2011-05-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

The two questions everyone asks this commercial real estate broker are, “What’s going on in the market? Are prices ready to start rising?” My answers are always, “It depends.”

The price of both commercial and residential real estate depends largely on the demand for that real estate. As the Western Slope economy softened in 2009, demand for industrial building leases and sales, office space and general commercial space also softened. Many building tenants looked for ways to mitigate their expenses in a climate of lower gross incomes for their businesses. It seemed the entire commercial and industrial tenant world was suddenly attempting to renegotiate leases, leases that were established in the high-flying days of “Get a building in which we can operate, I don’t care what it costs.”

When fiscal reality hits a real estate market, landlords, tenants and owners sometimes suffer the consequences. Demand can become so lethargic that asking rents and list prices drop significantly. This picture fairly accurately describes the commercial and industrial real estate market over the last 2 1/2 years.

So, you ask, “What’s going on in the local market for real estate?” I’m glad you asked.

The Western Slope of Colorado continues to employ thousands of people in the businesses of extracting resources — coal, natural gas, oil, uranium and even rare earth minerals. That’s not to mention all the service companies involved in the industry.

The region still employees thousands of people in industries that are only predicted to grow over the next 10 or more years. Add to that the tourism industry that’s thriving because of our local wineries, mountain biking, sightseeing and hiking, and you’ll find reasons for real estate demand to continue to strengthen.

Concerns persist the national economy could weaken as a result of structural issues surrounding national debt and a weak dollar. But there’s a good chance the inhabitants of Mesa as well as Delta, Garfield and Montrose counties will continue to grow our job base and prosper far more than our neighbors in other states because of the natural resources prevalent here.

My answers to questions regarding the local real estate market, then, still depend on the ability of the local population and state to continue to find ways to provide more materials and services to meet growing national and international demand. If we work together to reasonably share our national resources with the rest of the world and pull together as we westerners typically do, our real estate markets will strengthen as our job base continues to expand and prosperity grows.

Here’s looking forward to our jobs future!

Real estate prospects bright in natural resource-rich region
Article date: May 19 2011
The two questions everyone asks this commercial real estate broker are, “What’s going on in the market? Are prices ready to start rising?” My answers are always, “It depends.”

The price of both commercial and residential real estate depends largely on the demand for that real estate. As the Western Slope economy softened in 2009, demand for industrial building leases and sales, office space and general commercial space also softened. Many building tenants looked for ways to mitigate their expenses in a climate of lower gross incomes for their businesses. It seemed the entire commercial and industrial tenant world was suddenly attempting to renegotiate leases, leases that were established in the high-flying days of “Get a building in which we can operate, I don’t care what it costs.”

When fiscal reality hits a real estate market, landlords, tenants and owners sometimes suffer the consequences. Demand can become so lethargic that asking rents and list prices drop significantly. This picture fairly accurately describes the commercial and industrial real estate market over the last 2 1/2 years.

So, you ask, “What’s going on in the local market for real estate?” I’m glad you asked.

The Western Slope of Colorado continues to employ thousands of people in the businesses of extracting resources — coal, natural gas, oil, uranium and even rare earth minerals. That’s not to mention all the service companies involved in the industry.

The region still employees thousands of people in industries that are only predicted to grow over the next 10 or more years. Add to that the tourism industry that’s thriving because of our local wineries, mountain biking, sightseeing and hiking, and you’ll find reasons for real estate demand to continue to strengthen.

Concerns persist the national economy could weaken as a result of structural issues surrounding national debt and a weak dollar. But there’s a good chance the inhabitants of Mesa as well as Delta, Garfield and Montrose counties will continue to grow our job base and prosper far more than our neighbors in other states because of the natural resources prevalent here.

My answers to questions regarding the local real estate market, then, still depend on the ability of the local population and state to continue to find ways to provide more materials and services to meet growing national and international demand. If we work together to reasonably share our national resources with the rest of the world and pull together as we westerners typically do, our real estate markets will strengthen as our job base continues to expand and prosperity grows.

Posted by Dale Beede on May 19 2011.

1.3 Acres of Monument Views!

2011-04-07T15:50:00.001-07:00

292 W Morrison Court

Grand Junction CO 81507

Home | Virtual Tour | Brochure | More Info | Contact

For Sale

Price:

$649,000

MLS#: 653786

Bedrooms:

Bathrooms: :

4.00

Square feet:

3885

Year Built:

1993

Property Description

Amazing Monument & 360 degree valley views, rests on 1.3 acres tucked at the base of the Monument & the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. Almost 4000 sq ft ranch with bonus room above garage, many living areas, 4 bedrooms + office, large laundry/mud room, newer granite in Cook's kitchen, oversized 3 car garage, tile roof, garden beds, private patio with sun & shade & outdoor eating area. One bedroom area could be guest/mother-in-law set up. You must see this spacious floor plan & low maintenance living under the red rocks! No HOA, no covenants, RV parking okay & room for toys.

Shannon Koch

Phone: 970.433.3831

Search the Realtor Database for Properties

All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change.

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Now is the time to buy AND sell real estate!

2011-04-07T14:49:00.000-07:00

Donald James of Donald James Group writes:
This is the best time, EVER, to buy a home. Right now, this month. And it may be the best time to sell in this market as well. We all know about the large number of homes on the market, low mortgage rates, and cheap prices. However, a big part of that is changing and soon.

FHA mortgage insurance is increasing next month from .9% to 1.1%, a 20% increase in mortgage insurance. And mortgages themselves will be changing. Mortgage requirements will become significantly tougher. This may mean higher down payments and higher credit scores. There is serious consideration in Washington of returning to the days when higher down payments were the norm. The Obama administration is interested in increasing Fannie and Freddie-backed loans to a 10% down payment minimum. Sheila Blair, chair of the FDIC, proposes 20% down payments. Many lenders in the conventional market are already there.

What about FHA? FHA funds come with caveats i.e. tax impounds, forced insurance, MIP fees paid in the beginning, and higher interest rates. So if a borrower puts down 20% or more on a non-government backed loan, the rates are usually lower, impounds are not required, and mortgage insurance is illegal. We are creating a new sub-prime market where buyers with less down must pay extra fees.

The Obama administration and Congress are looking at proposals to change the secondary mortgage market as well. What they decide to do could affect the availability and affordability of mortgages. If they do it correctly, fixed-rate financing at affordable prices will remain widely available. If they are not correct, and this is the government we are talking about here, affordable financing for middle-class households will be very difficult.

The bottom line: Now, right now, is the time to buy. Even if housing prices sag further increased fees and expenses in mortgages will wipe out those savings. And now is the time to sell. Buyers can easily obtain mortgages to buy your home TODAY!

Thank you to Donald James for your newsletter information

FHA Loans....new MIP, effective April 18th!

2011-04-07T14:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Kelly for keeping us up to date with Mortgage information! Here are new guidelines for FHA loans....

1. FHA is increasing the annual Mortgage Insurance Premium (Paid Monthly) for FHA Loans – Effective April 18, 2011

2. The customers/loan must be a REAL DEAL (with a valid property address and sales contract for purchase) for us to order a case number.

3. Example of impact to customer:

a. Today: Loan amount is $200,000.00 currently MIP is .90% = $1800.00 annual /divided by 12 months = $150.00 included in monthly payment for FHA loans.

b. After April 18: Loan amount is $200,000.00 MIP is 1.15% = $2300.00 annual / divided by 12 months =$191.67 $41.67 INCREASE in the customers payment on an FHA loan.

Here is here contact information:

Kelly Romatzke
Home Mortgage Consultant
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Direct: 970-263-2408
kelly.romatzke@wellsfargo.com

Foreclosures and Short Sales

2011-01-27T21:36:00.000-08:00

Are you behind in your mortgage payments, or concerned that you soon might be?

Have you received a preforeclosure letter from your lender?

First of all, don't be ashamed. Millions of homeowners are in your situation – many times through no fault of their own. A job loss, a serious illness or other circumstances can put you in danger of foreclosure.

The economic downturn has led to many homeowners being "under water" in their loans, meaning they owe more than their home is worth, making it impossible to refinance.

If you've become one of those millions, don't panic. Foreclosure, and its accompanying effect on your credit, is not inevitable. There are many options out there, and your circumstances may make one of those options feasible and desirable for you.

To keep your options alive, you need to communicate with your lender. Many homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure without ever contacting their lender.

Many lenders would rather not foreclose. They take a large financial hit on a foreclosure. So in many cases, they'll consider viable alternatives. Some of these alternatives may keep you in your home.

Loan Modification

While only certain homeowners will be able to take advantage of this alternative, it may be your best option because it keeps you in your home and typically results in the least damage to your credit.

Your lender may be willing to modify the terms of the loan, whether it's reducing the principal, lowering the interest rate or other creative strategies to make the loan affordable for you. As part of the stimulus package, the U.S. government has programs to provide incentives for banks that use this strategy as an alternative to foreclosure.

Mortgage and foreclosure terms defined.

Short Sales

This is the fastest-growing foreclosure alternative. Many lenders will allow a Short Sale, when the home sells for less than the amount of the loan. This is attractive for lenders because they lose less money than in a foreclosure. Also, Short Sales generally take less time than foreclosures, so the banks don't have to carry the properties on their books as liabilities.

And it's attractive for homeowners because the impact on their credit is far less than in a foreclosure. You may be able to buy another home in as little as two to three years after a Short Sale, compared with a typical seven-year wait after a foreclosure.

Short Sales are paperwork-intensive, and there are many, many details involved. If you're considering this option, it's critical to work with a trained real estate agent who knows all the steps required to successfully complete a Short Sale.

Keep in mind that no matter which option you choose, there may be tax and other financial consequences. You should consult with a tax advisor or legal expert.

Foreclosure (Cash for Keys)

One of the biggest problems in foreclosures is that homeowners sometimes physically damage the property, or even sell some of the fixtures, before leaving. Needless to say, this is not a good idea. It may expose the homeowners to financial and legal liability. It also makes the properties much more difficult to sell.

To prevent this, some lenders offer a program called "Cash for Keys." The homeowners receive a check for vacating the property within a certain time period and leaving it in good condition. If you have no alternative other than foreclosure, you should ask the bank about this option.

Tips From HUD

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has 10 tips for avoiding foreclosure:

Don't ignore the problem.

Contact your lender as soon as you realize you have a problem.

Open and respond to all mail from your lender.

Know your mortgage rights.

Understand foreclosure prevention options.

Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor.

Prioritize your spending.

Use your assets.

Avoid foreclosure prevention companies.

Don't lose your house to foreclosure recovery scams.

Questions and Answers About the Simplified Short Sale Process

What is a Short Sale?

In a Short Sale, a lender agrees to let a homeowner facing financial hardship sell a home for less than the amount of the mortgage owed. A Short Sale is an attractive alternative to foreclosure, and typically not pursued until after other efforts to keep the owner in the home have been exhausted. There are potential tax consequences that should be discussed with a tax professional. Read RE/MAX's tips on preventing foreclosure.

Why is a Short Sale better than foreclosure?

A Short Sale can be less damaging to the borrower's credit. The former owner can qualify for a mortgage backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to buy another home in as few as two to three years - far sooner than if there had been a foreclosure. Short Sales also help protect other property values in the community by keeping the home out of potential disrepair.

Why has the U.S. Treasury issued new Short Sale guidelines?

Because of the challenges many homeowners have faced in their attempts at Short Sales, RE/MAX has worked closely with major lenders, the U.S. Treasury and other federal agencies to streamline and standardize the process. The new guidelines are in response to this advocacy by RE/MAX and others in the industry. Short Sales are seen as a critical component in stemming the increasing number of foreclosures and stabilizing the housing market.

What's been improved in the Short Sale process?

Under the Treasury's Foreclosure Alternatives Program, mortgage servicers have 10 business days to respond to a Short Sale offer. In the past, a lack of timely response has been one of the main reasons for delayed or derailed Short Sales. Also, paperwork and documentation are now standardized. Previously, such procedures varied widely between lenders. Various deadlines in the Short Sale process also have been standardized.

What's improved for the homeowner?

Under the Treasury program, a successful Short Sale will release the borrower fully from the primary mortgage obligation. This lender may not pursue a deficiency judgment. Additionally, homeowners who complete Short Sales are eligible to receive $3,000 to offset the expense of moving from the home.

What's the incentive for a primary lender to approve a Short Sale?

Using program guidelines, lenders will determine a minimum acceptable offer for the property. Typically a lender's loss on a Short Sale is less than the loss it faces should the property go into foreclosure. Through the Treasury program, mortgage servicers receive $1,500 for every Short Sale successfully closed.

How does the program work?

If the owner of a principal residence does not qualify for refinancing and has exhausted Making Home Affordable loan-modification options - or if they make a direct Short Sale request to a lender in the program - the lender determines if a Short Sale is possible. If it is, the borrower is given at least 120 days (up to a year, depending on local market conditions) to sell the home using a real estate agent experienced in the local market. Meanwhile, the foreclosure process can move forward, but it cannot be finalized until after the marketing period has expired. During the marketing period, lenders must respond to a fully completed "request for approval of a Short Sale offer" within 10 business days.

What's the best way to find a real estate agent to handle a Short Sale?

If you do not already have a RE/MAX agent to work with, find a real estate agent here on remax.com.Identify your market area and then search for an agent with one of the following designations: Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Five Star Professional (FSP) or Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR). You can also consider agents with the residential sub-specialties of "Foreclosure Property" or "Short Sales."

Does the borrower continue to make primary loan payments during the Short Sale marketing period?

Yes, in some cases. The amount is determined by the loan servicer in accordance with terms of the Treasury guidelines. If there is a payment, it cannot exceed 31 percent of the borrower's gross monthly income.

What if there's a second mortgage, home equity line of credit or other junior lien?

The borrower is responsible for either paying off such debt or negotiating release from the debt and any potential for deficiency judgment. A RE/MAX real estate agent experienced with Short Sales can help you with this process. The Treasury program provides some financial incentive for junior lenders and investors who hold such loans to participate in the Short Sale and release the liens.

Are there restrictions on who can make a Short Sale offer?

Yes. Among the program's many restrictions are requirements that the property not be sold to a relative and not be occupied or repurchased by the former owner. The buyer may not receive any funds from the transaction and cannot sell the property for at least 90 days after closing.

Is a Short Sale the only alternative to imminent foreclosure?

If a Short Sale is not successful, the lender can opt to accept a "deed in lieu of foreclosure." In this process, the homeowner gives clear title to the property to the lender. Under terms of the Treasury program, the borrower is released from the remaining mortgage obligation and can still receive the $3,000 for relocation expenses. The borrower then has 30 days to vacate the property. In some cases, it's possible to pursue a "deed in lieu of foreclosure" without first pursuing a Short Sale.

Is there an expiration date for the Treasury program?

Borrowers have until Dec. 31, 2012, to enter into a Short Sale or deed-in-lieu agreement with their lender under terms of the Treasury program.

Are Short Sales still possible for borrowers and lenders not covered by the Making Home Affordable Program?

Yes. Short Sales remain possible for borrowers with mortgages not covered by the Treasury program's incentives and guidelines. RE/MAX agents with Short Sale expertise can help such homeowners pursue a Short Sale with their mortgage servicer or investigate other possible options.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have issued their own Short Sale guidelines, which are similar to the Treasury plan, but different in some respects.

source: http://www.remax.com/

Mesa County 2010 Real Estate Update

2011-01-22T13:32:00.000-08:00

Quick View of Mesa County Real Estate 2010 -
Foreclosures were up, prices were down, building permits were down, but buyers were/are out there and properties are still selling! They just have to be priced competitively with the competition!

New Absorption Rates Jan 2011

2011-01-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

With today's market inventory, this is how long you could expect your home to be on the market (months of inventory column)....unless it is the best priced and in the best condition!

Mortgage Rates as of 12-22-2010

2010-12-22T11:41:00.000-08:00

Mortgage Rates 12-22-2010, Wells Fargo Bank

New Price for this lovely Redlands Condo!

2010-11-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

Shannon Koch | RE/MAX 4000, inc | (970) 433-3831

373 Ridges Blvd #209, Grand Junction, CO

Redlands Condo within walking distance to Redlands Mesa Golf Course!

2BR/2BA Condo

offered at $127,000

Year Built	1981
Sq Footage	1,024
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	1 Covered spaces
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$250 per month

DESCRIPTION

End Unit, Main Floor, No Stais! Open living area wiht sunny deck and pool. Assigned carport and storage directly in front of unit. HOA pays everything but electricity. Walk to tennis, golf, bike, and hiking trails.

see additional photos below

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Covered parking	- Guest parking	- Storage space(s)
- Swimming pool(s)

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Swimming Pool on site!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Main exterior	open living room
spacious master bedroom	large master bath
pool	near open space and golf

Contact info:

Shannon Koch

RE/MAX 4000, inc

(970) 433-3831

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Nov 3, 2010, 2:46pm PDT

Try out my new QR-Code....

2010-11-03T14:21:00.000-07:00

Got to love technology! If you have a Smartphone and a QR reader app you can check QR-Code out... (links to my website)

2010-10-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

Mesa County Absorption Rates

2010-10-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

Absorption Rates RE/MAX 4000. Calculated by Joe Tripoli.

For Sale: 3BR/2BA Single Family House in Grand Junction, CO, $354,900

2010-09-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

For Sale: 3BR/2BA Single Family House in Grand Junction, CO, $354,900

459 White Tail Ln. Grand Junction CO 81507

2010-09-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

690 Country Meadows Drive Grand Junction CO 81507

2010-09-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

Shannon Koch Video Introduction

2010-08-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Shannon Koch Video.

Grand Junction Colorado

2010-08-11T17:42:00.000-07:00

Obama Administration to Provide $3 Billion in Housing Aid - CNBC

2010-08-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

Obama Administration to Provide $3 Billion in Housing Aid - CNBC

Aug 2009- Aug 2010 and last 6 month Absorption Rates.

2010-08-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

This data lets you know, statistically, how long your home may potentially be on the market.

UNLESS it's priced well and in premiere condition!

Data Provided by: Joe Tripoli, RE/MAX 4000

Mortgages: 15 yr rates slide below 4%

2010-08-10T11:03:00.000-07:00

MORTGAGES
15-year rates slide below 4%, hitting historic low

A plunge in mortgage rates is giving homeowners a rare opportunity to lock in a 15-year fixed-rate loan for less than 4 percent.

Rates haven't dipped this low in decades. For those who can qualify, it's the chance to pay off a home in half the time while saving tens of thousands of dollars - if not more.

But the lower rates on short-term loans are not likely to ignite the refinancing market. Most people can't afford the higher monthly payments required by a 15-year fixed mortgage compared with a more traditional 30-year loan.

"That's not what most people need right now. They need lower payments," said Leif Thomsen, CEO of Walpole, Mass., lender Mortgage Master Inc.

The average rate on the 15-year fixed loan dropped to 3.95 percent last week, according to mortgage company Freddie Mac. That's the lowest on records the company has kept since 1991.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan fell to 4.49 percent. Rates haven't been that low since the 1950s, when longer-term mortgages typically lasted 20 to 25 years.

Rates have fallen since spring as investors seek the safety of U.S. Treasury bonds. That has lowered the yield on Treasurys. Mortgage rates tend to track those yields.

Rates on five-year adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 3.63 percent, down from 3.76 percent a week earlier. Rates on one-year adjustable-rate mortgages fell to an average of 3.55 percent from 3.64 percent.

The rates do not include add-on fees known as points. One point is equal to 1 percent of the total loan amount.

The nationwide fee for loans in Freddie Mac's survey averaged 0.7 a point for all loans.

This article appeared on page H - 4 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/08/RE0F1EPHV4.DTL&type=realestate#ixzz0wE7pPDaW

New Listing

2010-07-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

Affordable 2 BR/2Bath Condo w/ pool in the Redlands: $141,000 Near golf, hiking, biking trails. 373 Ridges Blvd #209, Grand Junction, CO 81507

Virtual Tour Here

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit: The Basics for REALTORS, Homebuyers, and Home owners from the National Association of REALTORS.

2010-07-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit: The Basics for REALTORS, Homebuyers, and Home owners from the National Association of REALTORS.

2010-06-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Home for the Cure® program! I joined RE/MAX International, Inc., and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® to make a difference in our community. The Home for the Cure® allows RE/MAX offices and Associates to support Komen for the Cure and its vision of a world without breast cancer. RE/MAX Associates can make contributions to Susan G. Komen for the Cure with each closed transaction.

New listing: Adorable, Affordable, No maintenance! Walk to Mesa State College.

2010-06-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

Virtual Tour
833 Elm Ave.
$139,900
Cute downtown home, stucco, metal roof, no maintance yard, workshop, hardwood floors, adorable kitchen!
2 BR, + office. 1 Bath.
Walk to Mesa State College.
Take a look at 833 Elm Ave. This one won't last long!!!!!

U.S FORECLOSURE ACTIVITY DECREASES 3 PERCENT IN MAY

2010-06-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

RE/MAX Market Update – Foreclosure-related filings fell 3% in May while bank repossessions were up 1% and hit a record high of 93,777, up 44% from a year ago. “…Overall foreclosure activity (is) leveling off while lenders work through the backlog of distressed properties…,” said RealtyTrac’s CEO. Read the RealtyTrac release: http://bit.ly/JuneMarketdata
http://www.realtytrac.com/contentmanagement/pressrelease.aspx?channelid=9&itemid=9427

Gorgeous Redlands Listing....3.4 Acres at the base of the Colorado National Monument

2010-06-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

2230 Rimrock Road $609,000

3.4 Acres of Colorado National Monument Views

3000 sq. ft house, remodeled in 2009

Click here for Virtual Tour

Sheriff not giving up on Clifton, Fruitvale | GJSentinel.com

2010-03-29T17:11:00.000-07:00

Sheriff not giving up on Clifton, Fruitvale GJSentinel.com

CHFA: We provide fixed rate financing to homebuyers!

2010-03-29T17:06:00.000-07:00

http://www.chfainfo.com/

What is CHFA?

We are the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. We have been in existence since 1973 and our mission is to finance the places where people live and work throughout Colorado.

We provide fixed rate financing to homebuyers, small to medium sized businesses, and multifamily rental housing developers.

We also provide education and technical assistance about affordable housing and economic development.

We do all this through a network of partners such as banks, developers, and local governments.

We do these things to build strong communities throughout Colorado. We believe strong communities make strong economies and we are proud to play a role.

CHFA offers programs to both first time and non first time homebuyers.

CHFA offers down payment and closing cost assistance.

CHFA is the leader in affordable housing.

CHFA owns and rents affordable rental units.

We’ll help you on your road home, from understanding the basics of homeownership to finding a CHFA program or product that works for you.

Getting started is easy!
http://www.chfainfo.com/

Home sales climb in Grand Junction | GJFreePress.com

2010-03-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

Home sales climb in Grand Junction GJFreePress.com

New Listing: 513 Cone Court. Neat, Clean, Landscaped Newer Construction!

2010-03-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

Virtual Tour 513 Cone Court

If you look at ages and generations, the market makes sense.

2010-03-10T21:24:00.000-08:00

The Generational Storm
Each year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) publishes its annual Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers. A wealth of information is included in the publication, statistics which are dissected by the media but largely overlooked by the average real estate professional in business planning.
This information is based on the merging of these NAR statistics with Census data, primarily taking the buying and selling behaviors of consumers based on age and comparing it with the number of consumers found in each age group.
The statistics released by NAR indicate that as a person rises in age, the likelihood of them selling increases and likelihood of them buying decreases – which may not seem like new information, however, it becomes evident when the data is analyzed in this manner, 2006 presented the real estate market with the unique challenge of oversupply and under-demand. 2006 marked a year when the oldest Baby Boomers, born in 1946, first turned 60 years of age.
The largest generation we have ever known, with nearly 80% homeownership rates, had all become sellers, with the very oldest entering retirement planning. Which meant we needed to increase the number of first time buyers at the bottom of the market to absorb the rising inventory? However, by 2006 the average age of first time buyers had risen to 33, and births fell in 1973. The first time buyers we desperately needed in 2006 simply were not born.
In 2006, these two dynamics, the Baby boom entering their 60’s and the average age of first-time buyers 33 collided head-on. Census data shows that the birth rate dropped steeply beginning in 1973, and NAR statistics demonstrate that 91% of first time buyers are native born American, while consumers over age 60 are more likely to sell and not purchase again. The industry suddenly had a shortage of first-time buyers in 2006 just when we needed more of them.
The result was oversupply of inventory and lack of demand by first-time buyers simply because they were not born. The phenomenon went undiagnosed and largely unaddressed until the passage of the Housing & Economic Recovery Act in August, 2008 which created the original $7500 first-time buyer tax credit.
By that time, inventory had stockpiled for nearly three years. Compounding inventory issues we found that embedded in all the homes for sale, there were in fact persons in financial distress and incapable of competing for a sale in terms of price, incentives and market time. Foreclosures skyrocketed.
QUICK STATS

Age of first time buyers during the Baby Boom: 25
Baby Boom became first time buyers in 1971
Oldest of Baby Boom first turned 60 in 2006
Youngest of Baby Boom will turn 70 in 2034 – that’s just 24 years
Age of fist time buyers in 2006: 33
Births dropped from 1973 – 1979
Current age of first time buyers: 30
Births began to rise again in 1980
Most important stat to watch – first time buyer (Gen Y) share of market:

            2006 – 36%
            2007 – 39%
            2008 – 41%
            2009 – 49%

WHATS HAPPENING NOW?
First time buyers increasing in numbers, decreasing in absorption…….

First time buyers drive the entire market. Without a first time buyer, no one else moves. When a first time buyer buys a small home from a homeowner, that person can buy again, and someone else can either buy again – or build.
A first time buyer can cause 3 or 4 sales as they each create their own mini trade-up cycle in the market. In 2006 first time buyers represented 36% of the housing market, meaning the balance (64%) was trade up or new construction activity. In 2006 each of them represented nearly 3 sales per person. There just weren’t enough of them relative to inventory.
Today, the good news is that through this downturn the average age of first time buyers has fallen back down to 30. We are just beginning to tap into the next generation, Gen Y, which began in 1980 and which will deliver a rising number of financially mature young adults each year.
We saw record numbers of first time buyers in 2009, with preliminary data showing first time buyers represented 47% of the nationwide market and yearend numbers reported at 51%. The industry celebrated a dangerous statistic.
The trade-up market shrinks as the first time buyer share of market rises. At 51% of total activity, first time buyer absorption rate fell to 1.9 sales per person in 2009, much too low for required absorption, leaving us with a trade-up market that remains stagnant despite record numbers of first time buyers. Why?
A rising number of precious first time buyers are not getting on the trade-up ladder but instead buying vacant bank owned properties, and an opportunity for trade-up activity is missed.
2010 and BEYOND
A bright future
We are on the threshold of another boom that could potentially make the last one look boring.
The next boom will be driven by the first-time buyers in Gen Y, whose generation rivals the Baby Boom in size and numbers yet are only just beginning to reach financial maturity.
As these young adults begin to form households and desire a home of their own, they will enter the market and reintroduce demand. By virtue of the sheer size of this generation, they will generate home buying records. But we can’t be knocked off track as sales begin to rise by underestimating the Baby Boom retirement liquidation inventory.
For the first time in history, we will experience two enormous generations in real estate market simultaneously. It will be fun – and it will be the consummate Battle of the Booms: Gen Y demand vs. Baby Boom supply.
Those same record setting first-time buyers from 1971 are about to become record setting sellers. As the Baby Boom ages and moves through their retirement years over the next 24 years, we also stand to realize a record number of listings caused by retirement-driven liquidation of primary residences. The huge influx of listings currently can be attributed to Boomers liquidating sooner than initially planned out of fear that that market was on a free fall.
Until the absorption rate of first time buyers rises to the required rate necessary to absorb Baby Boom inventory, we could realistically see a record number of sales in terms of units, while still experiencing an oversupply of inventory, falling prices, foreclosures and short sales. The level of impact could even vary and be confusing based on local generational distribution.
~ content supplied by RE?MAX intl. and Toni Milyard.

Rates!

2010-03-02T11:24:00.001-08:00

Rates are at an incredible low!!!
4 7/8 for a 30 year conventional!
http://www.bankrate.com/

Feb 2010 Absorption Rates: How long will a property expect to sit on the market?

2010-02-23T20:43:00.000-08:00

Loan Modification Program. 1-888-995-HOPE

2010-02-23T19:44:00.000-08:00

Request a Home Affordable Modification. Click HERE.

Need urgent help? Contact the Homeowner’s HOPE™ Hotline: (888) 995-HOPE

As a buyer, you must be under contract by April 30.........

2010-02-23T19:07:00.000-08:00

The expanded tax credit for U.S. homebuyers, which extends the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Credit and creates a new $6,500 credit for most repeat buyers, expires on July 1, 2010. As a buyer, you must be under contract by April 30 to make the deadline. This doesn't leave much time to start the buying process. Call me today to find out how to get started!
Shannon Koch (970) 433-3831
Shannon@gjproperties.com

Thank you RE/MAX 4000 for the Rookie of the Year award!

2010-02-23T11:01:00.001-08:00

It's going to be a great year.

Ride The Rockies to start in Grand Junction, CO

2010-02-10T15:55:00.000-08:00

COURTESY OF THE DENVER POSTThe Denver Post Ride The Rockies is to begin June 13 in Grand Junction with a 46-mile loop that includes a trip up to the Colorado National Monument.
For more information visit www.ridetherockies.com

Homebuyer Tax Credit Info:

2010-02-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

$6500 Homebuyer tax credit for existing homeowners....

For any home purchase where a sales contract is signed by April 30th, 2010 and closes by June 30th, 2010.

Learn More:

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

How to use your Cell Phone as an emergency tool

2010-02-08T14:40:00.001-08:00

http://www.ehow.com/how_2319595_use-cell-phone-as-emergency.html

Grand Valley Fog

2010-02-04T14:27:00.000-08:00

Independence Monument in the Colorado National Monument stands out from the fog-filled Grand Valley this morning.

Don't be embarrassed to ask for help!

2010-01-29T07:22:00.000-08:00

There are downsides to walking away from your home!!! Your credit, your neighborhood values, your responsibility to the bank.... Don't be embarrassed to ask for help! There are so many programs available to help right now. Tell your family and friends ~ I will even sit next to them while they make the call to the bank. It's time to stay in our homes, not lose them!

http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/

Shannon Koch RE/MAX 4000

In hard-hit markets, some see signs of bottom

2010-01-29T06:53:00.000-08:00

Home sales activity improves in Western cities, with big government boost
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35129970/ns/business-real_estate/

Land prices are low, labor costs are low, it's a great time to build, buy, or bring a business here!

2010-01-28T12:27:00.000-08:00

I just attended a great meeting with speakers from Western Colorado Building Association and also the Grand Junction Economic Partnership.

The bottom line is....Land/lot prices are low, labor costs are low, it's a great time to build, buy, or bring a business here! Business employees are available at a resaonable rate as well.

Colorado is projected to see it's 65+ population grow by 100% by 2020! To prepare and sustain our communities we need to think about liveable/walkable developments, smaller and more energy efficient homes, sensible transportation, and universal design.

Obama announces initiatives for middle class

2010-01-25T11:04:00.000-08:00

White House Politics

Rates are still incredible right now.

2010-01-12T18:38:00.000-08:00

15-Year Fixed @ 4.375%
30-Year Fixed @ 5.125%
source: Wellsfargo.com

Mesa County Absorption Rates - Price War and Beauty Contest

2010-01-12T10:01:00.000-08:00

Right now, to sell your house you have to know 2 simple things:
1. It's a Price War
2. It's a Beauty Contest

Here are the latest Mesa County Absorption Rates:
The first set is for the last year, the second set is for the last six months.
What does this tell you? Theoretically, it tells you how long your house will sit on the market in a certain price range (months of inventors), unless you win the Price War and Beauty Contest!!!
Sincerely,
Shannon

RE/MAX 4000

November home sales jump in Grand Junction market

2010-01-06T19:40:00.000-08:00

A federal tax credit for first-time buyers likely played a key role in boosting single-family home sales for November in the Grand Junction market.

The Colorado Association of Realtors reported Tuesday that home sales climbed about 20 percent to 155 in November from 129 in November 2008.

“Some of that can be attributed to the tax credit,” said Erika Doyle of Doyle & Associates and chairwoman of the Grand Junction Area Realtor Association.

The tax break, which was to sunset in November, offers qualified first-time homebuyers a maximum credit of $8,000 on their housing purchase.

The credit was extended by President Barack Obama as part of an economic stimulus bill he signed in November. The credit is available through June, as long as a first-time buyer signs a binding sales contract by April 30.

Qualified existing homebuyers can receive a credit of $6,500.

The Grand Junction housing market is on track to record its strongest fourth-quarter sales period since 2007 when a total of 746 units were sold in the period. A total of 285 single-family homes were sold in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to data compiled by the Colorado Association Realtors.

The first two months of the fourth quarter of 2009 produced 341 single-family home sales, with 186 occurring in October.

Statewide, a total of 13,837 single-family home sales were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008. The state housing market appears poised to surpass that number in 2009, given that home sales through the first two months of the quarter were about 9 percent higher than the same period of 2008.

On the downside, the median price of a home in the Grand Junction market dropped to $200,658 in November from $223,571 in November 2008.

As deep as the price decline was in the period it was still higher than the median price recorded in October, which was $196,129.

Doyle said home prices have come down but that was to be expected given the state of the economy.

“We are certainly not bulletproof,” she said.

Statewide, the decrease in the median price of a single-family home was steeper, as it tumbled to $188,372 in November from $220,119 in November 2008.

One of the largest price depreciation was the 38.5 percent decline in Delta County to $102,500 in November from $166,667 in November 2008.

Reach Wyatt Haupt Jr. at whaupt@gjfreepress.com.

Make it a SAFE start in 2010! Identity Theft: Action and Prevention for Consumers

2009-12-31T09:18:00.000-08:00

Consumers targeted by identity thieves usually do not know that they have been victims until the hijackers fail to pay the bills or repay the loans, and collection agencies begin dunning the consumers for payment of accounts they didn't even know they had. -- The Federal Trade Commission
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve has described identity theft as "one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States."

What to do if it happens to you:
If you have been a victim of identity theft, there are government and nonprofit resources to help you.
Federal Trade Commission toll-free consumer identity theft hotline 877-IDTHEFT or (877) 438-4338; http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft (online consumer complaint form).

Comprehensive consumer brochures for ID theft prevention and for victims of identity theft:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheftmini.htm, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse step by step information for identity theft victims http://www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm; http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17-it.htm.
For information in Spanish for victims of identity theft, http://www.privacyrights.org/spanish/fs17(a)sp.htm

Para informacíon en español para victimas del robo de identidad; http://www.privacyrights.org/spanish/fs17(a)sp.htm.

Reduce your chances of becoming a future victim of identity theft:

To reduce your chances of becoming an identity theft victim, safeguard your personal information such as your Social Security number and your drivers license number. Don't print your drivers license number on your checks or carry your Social Security number in your wallet. Shred mail you receive that contains your Social Security number, credit account numbers, or other personal information. Don't respond to email asking you to use a link to go to a site and give bank account, credit card account, or password information. Order copies of your credit report every year, and report in writing any errors you find. Cancel credit cards that you don't use regularly, don't carry more cards than necessary, never write your PIN on your card or carry it in your wallet or purse, get off junk mailing lists, opt out of prescreened credit card offers and use a locked mail box. Don't give out personal information unless you are sure who you are dealing with, and then only if necessary. Ask your employer how it safeguards the personal information in your employee records.

For more information about identity theft, see http://www.consumerreports.org/main/content/display_report.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=348199&bmUID=1089676496514.

For a more complete list of things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft, see:

http://www.idtheftcenter.com/preventiontips.shtml, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm, and http://www.bos.frb.org/consumer/identity/idtheft.pdf
What your legislators can do to slow down identity theft:
For a list of things lawmakers can do to see
http://www.consumersunion.org/finance/prevent_idtheft.htm.
Other resources:
Comprehensive consumer brochure:
Identity Theft: When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name
Information on your right to dispute a charge on your credit card:
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/recovering_idt.html#21

To stop prescreened credit card offers, call toll free: 888-567-8688
To contact the credit reporting agencies to report a fraud or order a copy of your credit report click here.
To get off many lists for marketing mail, calls and email:
http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglistdave
http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offtelephonedave
http://www.dmaconsumers.org/consumers/optoutform_emps.shtml

Mailing address to get off the lists for mail and calls: click here.
For information on the federal "Do Not Call" list to avoid telemarketer calls, see: https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx
http://www.consumersunion.org/finance/id-theft03.htm
Consumers Union
http://www.consumersunion.org/finance/id-theft03.htm

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T07:38:00.001-08:00

Make the best of a fresh start..
Happy New Year from Shannon Koch Homes!!!
Sincerely,
Shannon

2009/2010

2009-12-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

Well guys for most of 2009 the housing market has been on government life support. What will be interesting in 2010 is what happens when the resuscitator is unplugged. Most economists predict the Fed having to raise interests rates come summer. That won't be the biggest test though. This spring the Fed will stop purchasing mortgage backed securities, pulling away the safety net banks have enjoyed for the past year.

A big plus for 2010 is another influx of foreclosures. This is not good news for home owners that purchased their homes after 2004 but great news for homebuyers who are looking for good deals. Depending on what part of the country you live in, 2010 will be remembered for some of the best housing deals ever! Banks can't wait to get these properties off the books. (Of course out in the field it doesn't feel that way does it?) Home owners may be willing to take a hit on selling their homes in 2010 to take advantage of some spectacular pricing in 2010.

This much you can expect: 1. Prices in most areas of the country are coming down at least another 10 percent. 2. 2010 will be even a better year than 2009 for investors 3. Banks will tighten credit come spring/summer.

Info: Rich Castro

Giving Tree....

2009-12-17T14:47:00.001-08:00

Just a reminder, if you wanted to participate in the Salvation Army giving Tree, it's in our RE/MAX 4000 lobby. There are many names still on the tree with some "wishes" but what you provide is up to you. I can pull a name, shop for you, deliver, or pick up if you would like. Just call me if you are interested. They would like the unwrapped gifts here by tomorrow eve. Even the littlest item is a gift. Thank you, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! 433-3831

Are you behind in your mortgage payments, or concerned that you soon might be?

2009-12-17T14:43:00.000-08:00

http://www.remax.com/learningcenter/realestateforeclosures.aspx

2009-11-17T22:25:00.000-08:00

Tax Credit Information

How to Get the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit

2009-11-17T22:15:00.000-08:00

How to Get the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Pending Home Sales Continue to Rise

2009-11-10T23:36:00.000-08:00

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Pending Home Sales Continue to Rise

Shannon Koch
RE/MAX 4000
Grand Junction, Colorado

RE/MAX 4000

2009-11-10T10:50:00.000-08:00

We have the premiere market place in Grand Junction, Colorado Real Estate!
Shannon Koch
RE/MAX 4000
Grand Junction, Colorado

Vetran's Day is Wed, Nov 11th

2009-11-10T10:23:00.000-08:00

Regardless of your political views; please remember our where are troops are and those who have served! Thank you.
Shannon Koch
RE/MAX 4000
Grand Junction, Colorado

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Senate Approves Tax Credit Extension, Expansion

2009-11-05T10:24:00.000-08:00

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Senate Approves Tax Credit Extension, Expansion

Shannon Koch Homes

2009-11-05T10:20:00.001-08:00

Shannon Koch Homes new website design:
www.ShannonKochHomes.com

Grand Junction Real Estate Shannon Koch RE/MAX 4000

2009-02-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

My blog has moved. Please visit me at my most complete blog at www.ShannonKochHomes.com for the latest in Grand Junction, Colorado Real Estate!
Thank you!
Shannon Koch, Broker Associate with RE/MAX 4000