Monday, November 22, 2010

RE/MAX Alliance Agent Kevin Chambless Opens His Home to Clients During the Holidays!


A great way to stay connected with your client’s during the holiday season is to host a holiday party. That’s exactly what RE/MAX Alliance agent Kevin Chambless has been doing to promote his business, while spreading a little holiday cheer. Kevin has been with RE/MAX Alliance since he started selling real estate in July/2005.

"Each year, in early November, I invite past clients to my house and set-up a photography area for free portraits,” Kevin says. “In addition to serving food and drinks, we also have activities for the kids. After the party, we send out CDs of the digitalimages so people can make their own prints or photo gifts. It's a huge hit. We had close to 100 people this year. It costs less than $500 for the food, drinks and photography fee. I hire an amateur photographer to keep costs down.”

When the weather cooperates, Kevin provides a bounce castle for the kids. There truly is something for the whole family to enjoy. Many of his clients use the photos in holiday letters or as a Christmas card.

This was Kevin’s fourth year of hosting his holiday party. For him, it has become a way of saying “Thanks!” to his clients for the business they have provided him over the years.

How has this helped Kevin’s business? “The party is great because my business is built on relationships,” Kevin says. “This is a great way for me to connect with my database, which I consider friends. One thing everybody has in common that attends this event is ME!”

Kevin sees his holiday party as an economic investment that allows him to connect with clients while spreading holiday cheer and giving clients something of value at no cost to them.
(Kevin Chambless and Family)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

RE/MAX Alliance Agent Mike Papantonakis Shares His Thoughts on the Arvada Real Estate Market!

RE/MAX Alliance agent Mike Papantonakis answers questions regarding the current real estate market and what’s happening specifically in the Arvada, CO area. Mike has been in real estate with RE/MAX for over three years. He is a Jefferson County native and has lived in Arvada for 20 years. Mike currently serves as a VP on the Metro Denver Apartment Association Board of Directors.

What are today’s consumers most concerned with when it comes to buying and selling real estate? Buying at the right price! Over the past three years, buyers have heard that the value of homes have dropped, buyers are under the impression that if they offer full asking price or close to it, they are paying too much. Sellers are in a situation where now is a great time to move up to a nicer, more expensive home, however the value of their current home may not be what it was three or four years ago.

What are some positive signs in the Arvada real estate market? So far in 2010, we’ve seen the average sold price of homes grow from $245,000 in 2009 to $258,000 year-to-date. These numbers are based on statistics from Metrolist (MLS). Additionally, we’ve seen a drop in average days on the market from 87 days in 2009 to 76 days in 2010. These are both good signs that we have stabilized and expect that the near future holds similar results.

What are the current market trends in Arvada? The lower end, or homes up to $250,000 in Arvada have seen a decline in days on the market from 74 days in 2009 to 64 days in 2010. However, we’ve seen the trend move up in which properties are selling. In 2009, 80% of Arvada sales were at $250,000 and below. So far in 2010, that number has dropped to 65% of total sales. Conversely, in the homes priced from $351,000 to $700,000 we’ve seen an increase from 13% of total sales in 2009 to 16% in 2010. These are signs that more move up buyers are coming to Arvada to buy. New construction has slowed, most newer developments have some inventory left and are not currently adding new product.

Where are Arvada homebuyers coming from? The buyers we’re seeing in Arvada are largely local buyers either buying their first home or downsizing empty nesters. First time buyers are taking advantage of this market and the low interest rates. As baby boomers come of age, they tend to move away from the two story and tri-level homes to ranch style homes with small yards or patio homes with little maintenance.

Why is now a great time to buy a home? There is no question that now is absolutely a great time to buy a home. Today’s buyer actually will save more money than if they would have bought during the tax credit stimulus period. Today’s interest rates are at historic lows. A buyer who buys today may get a 4.25% interest rate. Around the first of the year, that rate was around 5.25% or higher, depending on the day. For a $250,000 loan, that means a difference of $150 per month in payment. Over ten years, that buyer would save $18,000 in interest, which is substantially more savings than the $8,000 tax credit. Prices of homes are now starting to rebound in most of the Metro Denver markets and there is plenty of affordable inventory for buyers to choose from.

What do you think is a realistic outcome for 2011? Signs and trends lead us to believe that we will continue to see slow and somewhat steady growth in home values. So much is dependant on how much government involvement there is. If the markets are allowed to regain their footing and do what they do naturally, we’ll see this growth, slow as it may be, and values will improve.

“We’re very fortunate to be living in Colorado and specifically, Arvada. This is such a desirable area in which to live that even when real estate markets are still struggling to stop their free-fall in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Miami and other areas, we took a relatively small hit and are already rebounding,” said Papantonakis. “It’s amazing to see how many people who grow up in Arvada and the surrounding communities stay here. We just never want to move out!”

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

RE/MAX Alliance Agent Shelly Slocum Shares Her Thoughts on the Parker Real Estate Market!

RE/MAX Alliance agent Shelly Slocum answers questions regarding the current real estate market and what’s happening specifically in the Parker, CO area. Shelly has been in real estate with RE/MAX for over nine years. She is a Denver native and has lived in Parker for 15 years. She was recently recognized as a “5 Star Real Estate Agent” by 5280 Magazine.

What are today’s consumers most concerned with when it comes to buying and selling real estate? Timing is on everyone’s mind. Is this the right time to buy or sell? Has the market hit bottom? Buyers want to feel like they are making a “smart” investment and sellers want to minimize their loss.

What are some positive signs in the Parker real estate market? The Parker real estate market was up in sales activity at the end of September/2010 as compared to the end of September/2009 by approximately 1%. While not a significant increase, it is a positive increase nonetheless which is good news!

What are the current market trends in Parker? The lower end value (below $250,000) to mid range value ($250,000-$500,000) both saw a decrease in sales in the 3rd quarter largely due to the Homebuyer Tax Credit ending. It will be interesting to see how the 4th quarter ends up in those price ranges! The higher end values ($500,000-$1,000,000 and over $1,000,000) have seen a very small increase. Sales have been up each quarter (1st qtr - 27 solds, 2nd qtr - 32 solds and 3rd qtr - 38 solds), which is a positive trend!

Where are Parker homebuyers coming from? Parker is currently seeing some move up buyers, however, many of the buyers I am working with now are moving in from out of state – some empty nesters moving to be closer to family but most are following jobs here, which is great news for Colorado!

Why is now a great time to buy a home? All of the market factors are aligned to make this the perfect time to buy! Interest rates are at record lows, inventory is high so there is a large selection, and home prices are down from where they were a couple of years ago. I can’t imagine a better combination of reasons to buy real estate. Many people took advantage of the Homebuyer Tax Credit, but what many don’t understand is that with the extremely low interest rates, buyers will save far more over the life of the loan than the tax credit offered! Interest rates and prices will inevitably go up so, truly, now is the time to buy!

What do you think is a realistic outcome for 2011? I believe our market will see a slow yet positive improvement this coming year.

“Colorado has been and will continue to be a wonderful place to live and work. I encourage people, if they are thinking about buying/selling or investing in real estate; there is no better time than the present,” said Slocum. “I don’t want people to look back and wish they had taken advantage of these great rates and prices!”

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Congratulations Pumpkin Carving Winners

Thank you to everyone who participated in the First Annual RE/MAX Alliance Pumpkin Carving Contest. We had some awesome carvings this year, you all did a fantastic job. There were over 25 pumpkins entered and over 40 of you voted.

And the winners are (silent drumroll) ...

1ST PLACE: 18 VOTES
Haunted Mansion
Kyle Eitel
Thornton, CO

2ND PLACE: 8 Votes
Sponge Bob
Sam Conry
Centennial, CO

3RD PLACE: 7 VOTES
RE/MAX Alliance
Kayleigh LeVeck, Kim Pitcock, and Kelly Chapple
Parker, CO