Real Estate Information

1. Tax Credit - The Federal Homebuyer Tax Credits offer an incredible opportunity for buyers. Those who qualify can receive a credit of either $8,000 or $6,500 on their Federal Income Tax. This is an opportunity that many buyers find simply too good to pass up.

2. Interest Rates - Several economic factors lead experts to believe that the current low interest rates cannot be sustained. Some predict that rates could be 0.5% to 1/0% higher by the end of the year. The buying power of today's interest rates will create urgency and cause buyers to act.

3. Design - Frugal is becoming fashionable with energy effciency a priority. Smaller, greener homes will be popular. Built-in storage space and practical, more conservative features will be in demand.

4. Hot Properties - Properties with very unique locations continue to be in demand. Also properties that have been recently remodeled are attracting buyers.

The Group Real Estate Insider.Trends for 2010.Vol 34, No. 2

The national media's focus on sub-markets such as Las Vegas, Phoenix, Miami and Southern California, has created a perception that every real estate market in the country has been severely affected. The reality is that all markets are local and have local fundamentals that drive real estate activity. The research shows that the picture in Northern Colorado is much brighter compared to the nation as a whole.

One trait the aforementioned troubled markets have in common is that they all experienced unrealistic price appreciation during the latest boom. In Northern Colorado, meanwhile, values grew at a more modest rate. Subsequently, as prices are plunging dramatically in those once-overheated locales, prices here have been more resilient.

The main driver of real estate activity and property values in any market is jobs. Because of a diverse economy, our communities also outperform the nation in terms of employment. Nationally, the jobless rate is likely to hover this year between 10 percent and 10.5 percent. Locally, unemployment is expected to hold between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent.

While national economic conditions bear watching, it pays to recognize that local factors go a long way in shaping what's happening in each individual community. The fundamentals of our markets are strong and make Northern Colorado a sensible place to own real estate.

The Real Estate Insider. Think Naturally, buy real estate locally. Publication of The Group, Inc. Volume 34, Number 2.

The Federal Homebuyer Tax Credits Expire APRIL 30, 2010

*$8,000 Available to First-Time Buyers

*$6,500 Available to Repeat Buyers

For all your tax credit questions and to receive your HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT KIT filled with everything you need to know, talk to Tami!

Tami K. Spaulding was recognized at the 2009 Annual Colorado Association of Realtors in Colorado Springs on October 18th for being Realtor of the Year for  2009.

Congratulations!

Under Fort Collins city code, owners of rental dwelling units must have a certificate of occupancy before they can lease or offer to lease. If you don't have a CO for your rental property, the city is allowing time to come up to standards. Contact the city's Zoning Department (970) 416-2745 for information on how to apply.

The grace period for compliance runs until June 15, 2011. However, application fees grow more expensive as time passes.

Call me for information about the city's Rental Housing Standards and for a copy of the Unapproved Dwelling Unit Compliance Action Form.

The Group Real Estate Insider. November 2009. Fort Collins grants grace period to out-of-compliance landlords. Fort Collins, Colorado. Volume 33, No. 10

The NCEDC's prospect pipeline is not the only sign of economic strength for Northern Colorado. A recent report by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shed light on how the local economy has expanded since 2005.

According to the BEA, the Fort Collins-Loveland area saw its local GDP increase from $9.5 billion in 2005 to $11.04 billion by the end of 2008 - an expansion of 16.2 percent. In the same time frame, the Greeley area experienced 17.9 percent growth in GDP, from $6.089 billion to $7.18 billion. Overall, Fort Collins-Loveland is ranked No. 160 among 336 metropolitan statistical areas, and Greeley is No. 213. GDP, or gross domestic product, reflects the total value of goods and services generated in a local economy.

The following list compares shows GDP grew for Colorado's metropolitan areas between 2005 and 2008, the percentage growth in that time frame, and the national ranking for each city:

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR COLORADO'S METRO AREAS

City                  2005 GDP                   2008 GDP       3-Yr.Growth     U.S Rank

Boulder             $15.125                     $17.813           17.77%                        110

CO Springs       $21.206                       $24.062           13.46%                        86

Denver             $131.072                     $150.81           15.05%                        17

Grand Junction $3.737                         $5.227             39.87%                        260

Greeley            $6.089                         $7.185             17.99%                        213

FC/Loveland     $9.509                         $11.036           16.05%                        160

The Group Real Estate Insider. November 2009. Report shows local economic expanded from 2005-2008. Fort Collins, Colorado. Volume 33, No. 10

The Group, Inc. Real Estate has ushered in a new era of leadership with the arrival of Eric Thompson as President of the company. Thompson, previously Managing Broker at Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate in Summit County, joined The Group, Inc. in November. At Slifer Smith & Frampton, Eric led the company from No. 5 to No. 1 in local market share in four years.

"Eric's value and beliefs are in perfect alignment with the culture of The Group," said Chuck McNeal, Chairman and CEO of The Group. McNeal praised Thompson's vision for the future of our company as well as the broad experience he brings. "We are very excited to have someone of this caliber as president of The Group, and I am confident he will become an important part of the Northern Colorado real estate and business community."

Thompson, 39, wife Julie, and 11-month-old daughter Noelle are "thrilled" for the opportunity to live in Northern Colorado. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Colorado and has extensive experience in all aspects of real estate brokerage. McNeal said his construction and development background will be crucial in his new role, since typically between 20 percent and 30 percent of The Group's business is in that arena.

With more than 300 people in six real estate offices in Fort Collins, Greeley, and Loveland, McNeal noted it is a high-profile position that requires someone capable of stepping up to such a managerial and leadership role. During the nationwide search, it became clear that finding the right person to be a fit for the company would be difficult because "The Group is a very different kind of company, both because of our unique employee-owned culture, and our high productivity."

"The Group's culture is actually very similar to Slifer Smith & Frampton's," McNeal said. "We've always had a great relationship with that company." Thompson became acquainted with The Group several years ago through one of its founders, Larry Kendall. He was impressed. "The company is known as a leader in Real Estate not just in Northern Colorado but all across the country," Thompson said. "They are known for their outstanding customer service, training programs, and high productivity. I'm honored to be taking the helm."

The Group Real Estate Insider. November 2009. New President over the helm at The Group, Inc.. Fort Collins, Colorado. Volume 33, No. 10

* $3 million - The price that Highpoint Management Inc. of Dallas, Texas, paid for the Carmike Cinemas theater building, 3636 Manhattan Ave., Fort Collins. The 10-screen facility was sold by Spirit Finance LLC of Scottsdale, Ariz.

* $6 billion - The estimated cost to build a high speed rail system along the I-25 corridor between Fort Collins and Pueblo. A similar system between Denver and Vail would cost $16 billion.

* $600,000 - The value of a grant recieved by Fort Collins-based Inviragen Inc. to conduct research on a new vaccine for the Dengue fever. The grant was issued by the National Institutes of Health.

* $2.5 million - Colorado State University's funding from a National Science Foundation grant for the study of chronic wasting disease.

The Group Real Estate Insider. October 2009. Real Estate by the numbers. Fort Collins, Colorado. Volume 33, No. 8

* No. 9 - Fort Collins' ranking among the top small college cities in the United States, according to the American Institute of Economic Research. In its "College Destinations Index 2009-2010," the AIER evaluated categories such as academic environment, quality of life and professional opportunities. Boulder was No. 1 among small cities. Denver ranked No. 5 among mid-sized cities.

* $8.9 million - The amount paid by unknown investors to acquire a 250,000 square foot warehouse near the northwest corner of I-25 and Colorado Highway 14. The building was sold by Minnesota resident Karl Bohn. Currently, New Belgium Brewing Co. leases 99,000 square feet in the warehouse.

* $118.7 million - The total value of contracts recently awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Greeley-based Hensel Phelps Construction Co. Hensel Phelps will build two barracks totaling 558,000 square feet to house 1,800 soldiers at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.

The Group Real Estate Insider. October 2009. Real Estate by the numbers. Fort Collins, Colorado. Volume 33, No. 8

Program Highlights:

*Pays mortgage payments up to $1,800 per month for six months for the first 24 months from closing;

*Many properties listed for sale by The Group, Inc. Real Estate are eligible for this program, through a seller may elect not to participate;

*Cost of the program by the seller at closing if the buyer qualifies for the program.

To learn more about how the Job Loss Protection program could be valuable to you, please give me a call.

The Group Real Estate Insider. September 2009. Job Loss Protection. Fort Collins, Colorado. Volume 33, No. 7.