October 2009

October 2009

New laws concerning carbon monoxide detectors passed

Hot Listings

2349 Hampstead Drive
Loveland
$249,000 | MLS 610640

This peaceful and private 4 BR/ 4BA home has the ideal location. Overlooking Boyd Lake, the large deck and finished walk-out basement boasts specatular views!

Recent legislation passed by the Colorado State government now requires all single-family and multi-family homes for sale or rent after July 1, 2009 to be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors. Gov. Bill Ritter signed House Bill 1091 into law earlier this summer as a result of two recent local tragedies involving carbon monoxide poisoning.

The new law requires all homes for sale or rent that are equipped with a fireplace, fuel-fired heater, or attached garage have functional carbon monoxide detectors installed. Each detector needs to be within 15 feet of the entrance to all bedrooms within the home. The alarm can be battery-operated, hard-wired, or a plug-in detector. The law also stipulates that combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors are allowed.

Carbon monoxide detectors are available at many home retail stores, such as Home Depot, Lowe’s or Wal-mart and cost $20-$60. Most stores will also carry combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), carbon monoxide is an colorless, odorless gas that can be emitted into the home by fumes from cars, gas engines, stoves, gas ranges, or heating systems. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when the CO gases from these common home sources are built-up in enclosed spaces within the home. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion, and vomiting. If not treated, it can lead to unconsciousness or even death.

Some easy ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home are to keep all gas-burning appliances in the home constantly maintained, refrain from using portable flameless chemical heaters, and to keep carbon monoxide detectors functional. The CDC recommends you should always have any gas-burning appliances tested once a year by a nationally certified technician. You should also test carbon monoxide detectors regularly, and replace the batteries once a year.

Hot Listings

2109 Redhead Drive
Johnstown
$205,000 | MLS 605839

Charming 3 BR/ 3 BA home with private cul-de-sac location and great mountain views from master bedroom. No backyard neighbors!

Future looking up for Fort Collins and Loveland housing markets

The Fort Collins-Loveland real estate market has a bright future, according to U.S. News & World Report. The publication named the Fort Collins-Loveland area as one of the “10 Best Housing Markets for the Next 10 Years.” This market was ranked third across the nation, falling only behind the Bremerton-Silverdale, Wash. and Glen Falls, NY markets.

U.S. News made its list using data crunched by Moody’s Economy.com, including employment and population data, and geographic and industry trends analysis. The data was used to generate 10-year home price projections for the nation’s 384 metropolitan statistical areas.

The U.S. News article points to the emergence of traditional and renewable energy sectors in northern Colorado, supported by university research, local encouragement and private investment. The Moody’s data predicts home prices in the Fort Collins-Loveland area will increase an average of 4.1 percent annually for the next 10 years.

In addition to ranking on the 10 best housing markets list, Loveland also made the cut for U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Cities to Live in 2009,” ranking seventh across the nation.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has also reported some promising news for the Colorado housing market. The FHFA has named Colorado as the 11th state across the nation for year-over-year home price appreciation, which is the leader among all other mountain west states. The projected appreciation rate for the next year comes in at -1.06 percent. However, looking toward the future, the projected appreciation rate of homes for Colorado will drastically increase to 7.62 percent after five years.

Within Colorado, the Fort Collins-Loveland area is ranked second among other metro areas, falling only behind the Denver Metro market. The year-over-year home price appreciation rate for the next year for Fort Collins-Loveland is projected at -0.38 percent, while the five-year projection rolls in at 5.77 percent appreciated value.

To read the full report from the FHFA, click here.

The answer to last issue’s trivia question is: 1858

October’s Trivia Question: Which step on the State Capitol Building in Denver sits exactly 1 mile above sea level?
Check next month’s issue for the answer!

Hot Listings

1596 Daily Drive
Erie
$309,000 | MLS 610118

Beautiful, spacious 4 BR/ 4 BA home in Canyon Creek features an open floor plan and finished basement. The luxurious master suite includes 5-piece bath, fireplace, large walk-in closet and private deck!

Hot Listings

700 Mill Iron Road
Milliken
$465,000 | MLS 599748

Custom 2-story 4 BR/4 BA offers exquisite finishes on 2 acres of land. Oak hardwood floors, cherry cabinets, and granite composite slab counter tops in kitchen. Two full master suites!

Hot Listings

4820 Prairie Vista Drive
Fort Collins
$417,730 | MLS 608181

Beautiful custom home by Stoner and John Dengler in Harmony Ridge.

Monthly Home Mortgage Update

Right now is the perfect time to take advantage of the dynamically low interest rates that are being offered in this trying market. Whether you’re still shopping for your dream house, or you’ve already found it, you should know that Mike and Dave at Bank of America can make the process of home ownership fast and easy.

Currently, conventional and government rates are under 5 percent; however, because just as no two homes are exactly the same, no two home buyers are exactly alike either. That’s why Mike and Dave offer one of the widest, most innovative lineups of flexible home loan programs in the industry.

Dave is a 13-year veteran in the mortgageindustry and is currently a home loan manager for Bank ofAmerica Home Loans. Mike has worked in the mortgage industry for 14 years, having founded and operated a multi-office mortgage company before joining Bank of America in 2008.
Call or e-mail Dave or Mike today to start the process of financing your dream home. Click here to pre-qualify online now.

Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Feng shui basics: the five elements

In this installment of our feng shui series, we are going to delve further into the importance of the five elements of feng shui: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Each element represents various colors, shapes, and energy pulls within the home. Various arrangements and décor will help you bring out each of the five elements for greater balance within the home. Use the following table to help you idenify the five elements.