Real Estate Information

Own a 4 bedroom single family home just 14 miles from Breckenridge for just $500.00 a month! Here’s the scoop: The home is listed at $350,000.00 which was recently appraised at $380,000.00. It is located just south of Breckenridge north of Alma in Placer Valley. The home has four bedrooms, two full and two half baths (both Jack and Jill style). Two bedrooms upstairs, two bedrooms downstairs with a lock off door set up if desired to use. Both levels have a kitchen, fireplace, living room and dining area. Other bonuses are a hot tub, large deck with BBQ, lake views, mountain views, fishing lake adjacent to the home. Easy access year round.

To pay just $500/month the Buyer  would want to recruit 3 roomates. Mortgage and tax payments come to approximately $2000/month. Cheap living for all! Come check out how easy it is to own your own home. Build Equity and plan for your future while your roommates pay the mortgage. It does not get any better than this. Call or check out our website now: 970-368-7000, www.yoursummitrealestate.com

So everyone has a hard time baking at altitude, since I have lived here quite a number of years, I think I have perfected some recipes I would like to share with you. 

One of the first things I learned was to cut the sugar in half and increase the flour just a bit.  If your recipe calls for 2 cups of flour, add maybe another 1 /4 cup.  If your recipe calls for 1 cup, maybe just an extra tablespoons would do the trick.  I also use Fleischman's margarine in all my baking here at 9700 feet...and everyone raves about my baking.  

My families favorite cookie recipe is chocolate chip/oatmeal cookies so I thought I would start with this recipe:

1 cup Fleischman's margarine
1/2 cup both brown and white sugar
1.5 tsp baking soda
2 tsps vanilla
.5 tsp salt
2 eggs

Mix these 6 ingredients together until creamed, add

2.25 cups unbleached flour
2 cups chocolate chips or a 12 oz bag
2 cups oats, I usually use old fashioned but quick oats would do just fine too.

Mix together, preheat oven at altitude to 360 degrees and spoon onto cookie sheet and bake for 12-13 minutes...makes about 36 cookies. 

Please try the recipe and let me know what you think...thanks.

If looking for real estate in Summit County Colorado, please visit our website: www.GetYourSummitHomes.com or if looking to sell, please visit us at www.summitcountyrealestate.info.

How do you create scent appeal?

Pet odors, cooking odors—your realtor just called to set up a showing…

•  I recommend using lemon or citrus scented candles for showings and running a few lemon wedges through the garbage disposal.
• Covering up the smell is not the answer.  Sometimes it takes a thorough cleaning of carpets, drapes, and upholstery.  It also helps to open windows to get air flowing and to clean out air ducts.
• Cinnamon and vanilla are the best smells when trying to sell a home.  Have you ever walked into a home to be greeted by the fresh scent of cinnamon sticks on the stove or the smell of a burning vanilla candle?
• I use an odor eliminator called “Pure Ayre”…it smells like mint.  It is a natural scent that is not an odor mask like many air fresheners.
• Put a beer in the oven on low and it will smell like you are baking fresh bread.
• For the basement—try a dehumidifier.  It will help to eliminate the damp and musty odor.

I hope these simple ideas help you get your home sold quickly…or just make it a more pleasant home to live in!!!

Reverse Mortgages and Recent Changes

First, a reverse mortgage is a loan that lets homeowners (age 62 or older) convert the equity in their homes into cash. The equity can be paid to the homeowners in a lump sum, a stream of payments, or as a supplement to Social Security or other retirement funds.  No repayment is required until the borrower no longer uses the home as their principal residence. 

Here are the key changes to the laws involving reverse mortgages according to the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008:

• The loan limit has been increased from $362,790 (depending on home values in the region) to a nationwide limit of $417,000, and that can increase to as much as $625,500 in high-cost areas.
• Fees are now capped at 2 percent of the first $200,000 borrowed and 1 percent on the balance, with a maximum of $6,000.  To protect seniors from aggressive marketing tactics, the law prevents lenders from requiring borrowers to purchase insurance, annuities or other products as a condition for getting the mortgage.

While these changes have made the mortgages more attractive, they aren’t for everyone. You should do your homework and talk with a loan counselor.

March occupancy rates in the mountains leaped an amazing 9.6% year over year. A great sign that the mountain economies are in comback mode; this is the third month in a row showing year over year increases and should mean this ski season will be up overall from the 2008-2009 season. The Travel Price Index was up 0.6% in February meaning that people are willing to pay more for their vacations. Reservations through March for the May through August time period are up 20% over where they were in 2009.

An additional sign that things will continue to improve was The Consumer Confidence Index rose five points in April to its highest level in a year and a half. The index climbed from 52.3 in March to 57.9 in April - its highest mark since a reading of 61.4 in September 2008 (1985=100). The Present Situation Index increased to 28.6 from 25.2, while the Expectations Index improved to 77.4 from 70.4.

Starting this month, April 2010, requires renovation and repair contractors to be EPA certified to work with lead based paint hazards if they are doing work on a residential property built before 1978. HUD estimates this could be as many as 35 million homes. The certified contractor must supply the occupants of the residence with a new information booklet and must follow lead-safe work practices.

There are some exceptions to the rule. Homeowner occupants or tenant occupants may do work without certification. If the area is less than 6 square feet indoors or 20 square feet outdoors the project is exempt. Due to the prevalence of lead paint on window frames, window replacement is not exempt under the square footage rule. You may also have the area tested for the presence of lead paint by a certified specialist; if no lead paint is found in the work area then the project is exempt.

The disclosure booklet should be provided by your contractor. If you don’t get one or want to research the regulations go to www.EPA.gov

New home sales improved in March at the fastest single-month rate in 47 years. New-home sales rose 26.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 411,000 last month, compared to an upwardly revised annual rate of 324,000 in February, the Census Bureau said. The gain snapped a four-month streak of declines. The March sales were the strongest since last July, and the percentage gain was the biggest on a month-over-month basis since a 31% gain in March 1963.

New-home sales spiked in every region of the United States. The South saw the biggest jump in new home sales, up 43.5%, while the Northeast region saw sales climb 35.7%. The West and Midwest regions both saw single-digit percentage growth, with the West up 6% and the Midwest up 4%.

The Census Bureau data followed a report from the National Association of Realtors on Thursday that showed existing home sales improved by nearly 7% in March, as new homebuyers raced to buy up. At the current sales rate, it would take 6.7 months to sell through that inventory, down sharply from an estimated 9.2 months of inventory in February.

The safety net is gone, the Fed will now gradually become a seller of their massive holdings of Mortgage Backed Securities and home loan rates have already moved higher and are very likely to continue to move higher still. Even though rates took a jump higher last week they remain at reasonably low levels. THIS MAKES NOW THE CRUCIAL TIME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PERFECT BUYING STORM~LOW RATES AND THE HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT! To take advantage of the generous credit, purchase contracts must be signed by the end of April. If you or someone you know has questions about this credit - please don't wait to get in touch with us. BTW; The National Association of Realtors reports its index of pending home sales rose 8.2 percent from January to February.

Foreclosures are finally hitting the high country with auctions now becoming a weekly routine. Short sales are also commonplace in a place that thought it was immune. Pressure on prices should be downward for the next six months or so as these work their way through the system. If you have been holding out waiting for the market to get to your level; it has arrived. The time is now before interest rates climb. Why? Good question; because a 1% rise in interest rates roughly offsets a 10% drop in prices. Predictions are interest rates will climb into early summer as the Federal Government stops supporting the system.

The National Association of Realtors predicts that the market for second homes will remain strong in the long term. About 40 million people are 50-59 and another 44.8 million are 40-49, these are the prime years for second home purchases. Behind that are another 40 million people aged 30-39 meaning we are looking at another 20 years of large numbers of buyers in their prime. The size of the market is huge; 48.5 million vacation and investment properties or 41% of the total home market, as of 2008. Indications are the mountain real estate market should begin to show signs of a turnaround and return to a growth state very soon. The market should soon resemble the late 90’s when everyone thought their stocks were a better investment than real estate. Our real estate prices resemble those of 2005 while the stock market looks more like 1998.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

David Roth

970.968.2318. ext. 38827

DaRoth@CopperColorado.com

Copper hosts 21^st annual USASA National Championships

Copper Mountain, CO…April 1, 2010…Copper is the host venue for the largest amateur snowboarding and freeski event on earth - the 2010 USASA Nationals, from April 3 - 10.  This year, nearly 1,500 of the top finishers from almost 35 different regions will attend the USASA Nationals to compete against some of the best male and female athletes from around the country in slopestyle, superpipe, boardercross, slalom and giant slalom in their quest to become national champions. www.usasa.org

Schedule of Events (subject to change):

Daily Schedule for Competition Start Times (detailed schedules are available at registration)

7:50 a.m.                       Halfpipe                                                Main Vein Superpipe

7:50 a.m.                       Slopestyle                                             Catalyst Terrain Park

7:50 a.m.                       Boardercross / Skiercross                      Vein Glory

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.              Daily Registration / Check-In                 Lower Level Conference Center

9 a.m.                          Slalom                                                  Copperopolis

9 a.m.                          Giant Slalom                                          Copperopolis

4 – 6 p.m.                     Awards Ceremony (Sun – Fri)               Burning Stones Plaza

5 p.m.                           Daily Captain’s Meetings                       Ptarmigan

Friday, April 2

Noon – Midnight           Registration open                                   Lower Level Conference Center

Saturday, April 3

8 a.m. – 8 p.m.              Registration                                           Lower Level Conference Center

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.              Practice - All Venues                            All venues

5 – 8 p.m.                     Opening Ceremonies                             Burning Stones Plaza

6 – 8 p.m.                     PG Family Movie (TBD)                       The Cage

7:15 – 7:45 p.m.             BMX Show                                           Burning Stones Plaza

7:50 p.m.                       Torchlight Parade                                  On Mountain - Main Vein

8 p.m.                           USASA Nationals Fireworks Display     Burning Stones Plaza

Sunday, April 4 (Easter Sunday)

8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.         Big Kids (13+) Easter Egg Hunt             On Mountain

8:30 a.m.                       Community Church Service                    Copper Chapel

11 a.m.                         Easter Egg Hunt (6-12 years)                 The Village at Copper

Noon                            Easter Egg Hunt (5-and-under)              The Village at Copper

12:30 p.m.                     Mountain Top Church Service                Top of American Eagle Lift

4 – 6 p.m.                     USASA Awards Ceremony                   Burning Stones Plaza

6 – 8 p.m.                     PG Family Movie (TBD)                       The Cage

Monday, April 5

4 – 6 p.m.                     USASA Awards Ceremony                   Burning Stones Plaza

6:30 – 8 p.m.                 Woodward at Copper Ping-Pong Tourney - The Cage

6:30 – 8 p.m.                 Woodward at Copper Game of Skate     The Barn

Tuesday, April 6

4 – 6 p.m.                     USASA Awards Ceremony                   Burning Stones Plaza

6:30 – 8 p.m.                 Woodward at Copper Guitar Hero Tourney - The Cage

6:30 – 8 p.m.                 Woodward at Copper Mini Ramp Jam    The Barn

Wednesday, April 7

3:30 – 5:30 p.m.             USASA Awards Ceremony                   Burning Stones Plaza

4 – 6 p.m.                     Monster Mashup Pro Superpipe Event    Main Vein Superpipe

7 – 11 p.m.                   USASA Nat’ls Windell's Dance Party    Jack’s Bar

Thursday, April 8

4 – 6 p.m.                     USASA Awards Ceremony                   Burning Stones Plaza

6:30 – 8 p.m.                 Woodward at Copper Foosball Tourney  The Cage

6:30 – 8 p.m.                 Woodward at Copper Bowl Jam             The Barn

7:30 - 8:30 p.m.             Transworld Movie - “GET REAL”         Burning Stones Plaza

Friday, April 9

4 – 6 p.m.                     USASA Awards Ceremony                   Burning Stones Plaza

Saturday, April 10

Weather day

TERRAIN CLOSURES: Due to the USASA National Championships April 3 - 10, Catalyst Terrain Park, Main Vein Superpipe, Vein Glory, Copperopolis and the NASTAR course will be closed to the public at varying times Friday, April 2 - Saturday, April 10 (terrain openings and closures are subject to change).  Copper apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause; guests are invited to enjoy the event during this time.  Freeride locations open to the public include Eagle Jib Park, High Point Park, Jibberish Park and the Kidz Terrain Park.  Guests can inquire at the Ticket Windows or Guest Services locations for information regarding spectator access, foot passenger lift access or other details regarding the USASA National Championships.

On Easter Sunday, April 4, make sure to bring the kids (young and old alike) to Colorado’s Largest Easter Egg Hunt. 50,000 Easter Eggs will fill the Village and Mountain this Easter Sunday at Copper. There will be an all-ages hunt on the mountain and two kid’s hunts in the village. Plus there will be special “Copper Eggs” in each of the hunts that can be redeemed for great prizes, including cash, season passes, and much more! 

Woodward at Copper is the first of its kind indoor/outdoor ski and snowboard camp on the planet, with a focus on terrain park and pipe progression. The 20,000 sq ft Woodward at Copper Barn gives campers access to Snowflex^® jumps, foam pits, a spring floor, fly-bed trampolines and indoor skateboard features. During USASA Nationals, participants will receive discounts on most sessions, including up to 50% off One Hit Wonder Sessions and up to 25% off Drop-In Sessions, USASA participant only exclusive access, as well as USASA participant’s Friends and Family receiving discounts. Restrictions may apply. For a virtual tour of The Barn, program details, videos, pictures and much more, visit www.WoodwardatCopper.com.

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About Copper

Copper Mountain knows there are skiers and riders out there who have never felt the thrill of waking up and hearing on the radio that school was cancelled. There are people who have never spent a whole day in the snow doing anything their heart desired. No joke. These people, and those who understand snow day bliss, are the reason we do what we do. So come to Copper to take a day, or two or seven and experience the mountain. Welcome everybody, to the home of the snow day. For up-to-date weather, photos and more visit www.coppercolorado.com.  New this year is the first ever indoor/outdoor ski and snowboard camp on the planet, Woodward at Copper, www.woodwardatcopper.com.

About USASA

The USASA is a grassroots snowboard organization with over 5,000 members who compete in more than 500 events in 33 regional series across the U.S. Competitors range in age from 7 - 70 and represent a group of riders passionate about the sport of snowboarding. The USASA National Championships have been the final event of the season for these riders for close to 20 years.  This year will mark the 21^st annual USASA Nationals and promises to be the biggest and best yet.  For more info including detailed schedules, competition groups and more, visit www.usasa.org. 

From Senator Udall's office;