September 19, 2011


HARRY’S WEEKLY UPDATE

A CURRENT LOOK AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS RESIDENTIAL real estate MARKET

CONSIDERING RELOCATING FOR A BETTER JOB? …HERE ARE 5 GOOD REASONS YOU SHOULD CONSULT A relocation EXPERT.

The Kelly Workforce Global Index released earlier this year found that more than three quarters of the people surveyed said they would be willing to move for the right job. At the same time, however, the Society of Human Resources Management reports that many employers are reducing or freezing their company-paid relocation programs.

One individual who recently moved to Colorado Springs reported to us that the move cost him almost $10,000 for which he received no compensation from his employer.

So, if you are offered the opportunity of taking a promotion that would require you to assume some of the costs of relocating, you should consider the following five questions, as you make your decision.

1. Can I afford it? There are a number of moving calculators available online, but according to Worldwide ERC, a workforce mobility association of which we are members, the average cost of shipping household goods for a domestic relocation was over $12,000 in 2010.

Also consider the cost of breaking a lease or selling your home (assuming you can find a buyer) and traveling back and forth between your old and new locations.

Because of the shaky market, you may have trouble selling your present home and may have to rent in your new location, until your present home sells.

Keep in mind that, under certain circumstances, the IRS allows you to deduct reasonable moving expenses, but tax deductions are not as valuable as tax credits and are only applicable if you itemize. Expenses for breaking a lease or buying and selling your home are not deductible. Call us to discuss this deduction.

We are very experienced in relocations and can assist you on both ends of the relocation process. We can help you sell your present home and buy your new home, regardless of where you live.


2. What's the local cost of living? Determine whether your new salary will cover living expenses in your new home by looking at cost-of-living calculators and talking to people in the area.

Food costs, utility (air conditioning and heating) costs, etc. vary depending upon what part of the country you are moving to. We can provide you with living-cost statistics for all areas in the U.S.

3. Is the company (and the local industry) stable? If a company is paying for all or part of your relocation costs, they are investing in you over the long term. But there's always the risk that you'll uproot yourself and your family for an opportunity that fizzles out. It can happen that, if the company goes under, you could find yourself without friends or a support system in an unfamiliar community. That’s especially risky if you're expected to turn things around at a troubled company.

Therefore, you should consider what other opportunities are available in the area, should you find yourself without a job. Talking to your relocation expert can help you do your research in this area.

4. Who else would need to relocate? It's much easier (and cheaper) for an individual to relocate than it is for an entire family, especially one with children and two working spouses. You should consider your spouse's career goals, your kid's ages, and how invested your family is in the local community.

5. Is telecommuting a possibility? Before relocating yourself and your family, consider whether you or your spouse might telecommute instead of physically reporting to an office. Often, that depends on the culture of the organization. Within some companies, telecommuting is a way of life. People are all over the country because their clients are all over the country, so it really doesn't matter where you're living. That said, your spouse might be able to telecommute to his or her current job instead of searching for a new one, which could help ease the transition financially.


Using the services of a relocation expert will help you address these questions and the myriad of other topics that can complicate the relocation process. Salzman real estate Services is a long-time member of Worldwide ERC, an organization that specializes in assisting their clients relocate all over the world.

If you are considering moving in or out of the Pikes Peak area, we can help make it a problem-free process.


Call us at 800-667-6683, or, 719 598-3200. We would be happy to discuss your relocation needs.

 

JUST WHAT IS IT THAT A REALTOR DOES??


Many people think that all a Realtor does is put a “FOR SALE” sign in the front yard and wait for someone to come along and make an offer. But a good Realtor does much more than that.


We recently participated in the sale of a local residence that illustrates how an experienced Realtor can help both the Buyer and the Seller to achieve their goals in a “Win-Win” home-sale transaction.


We were asked to list a local home that was part of an estate sale. The three heirs of the estate lived in different states and wanted to dispose of their deceased father’s home.


Our inspection of the home and our analysis of the neighborhood comparables led us to recommend to the Sellers that some renovating on the inside of the home would be necessary to bring the property up to a competitive level. We also recommended a competitive, fair listing price.


The Sellers went along with our recommendations and we listed the home for sale.


Rather than sitting around waiting for someone to knock on our door with an offer, we contacted several prospective Buyers ….people who had spoken with us in the past about their interest in that particular neighborhood.


One of these prospective Buyers had always been a Renter, and was hesitant to take on the responsibilities of homeownership, but, after we explained to her that present market prices were lower than we would ever see again, that mortgage rates were historically low, and that her monthly payment for the house would be approximately 30% lower than she was currently paying for rent, she decided to take the plunge into homeownership.


Within one week after listing, both the Seller and the Buyer got exactly what they were looking for …a quick sale at a fair price.


That’s the kind of involvement that a good Realtor can bring to a transaction and the kind of commitment to the welfare of both parties that Buyers and Sellers have a right to expect from their Realtor.


Call us at 800-667-6683, or, 719 598-3200, to discuss your specific housing wants and needs. Let us help you achieve your real estate and/or investment goals.

 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR THE 15th Annual Southern Colorado Economic Forum


On October 14, 2011, The Southern Colorado Economic Forum will bring together local experts from the public, private, and academic sectors to report on our economy. Thought of by many as our region’s economic “State of the Union,” the Forum offers the community an annual snapshot of local economic activity and provides forecasts to help businesses plan for the upcoming year.


This valuable research about where our community has been and where we are headed is made possible through a cooperative effort between UCCS and local business sponsors. This long-standing partnership between the academic and business communities has produced timely, accurate, and objective economic data to guide local businesses for nearly a decade.


This year’s Forum wiill be held in the Heritage Ballroom of the Antlers Hilton.


To register for this very informative meeting, Please click here.


And, please remember, I would be honored to serve as your Broker for all of your residential real estate needs. I want to help you, my reader, make the most prudent and accurate Real Estate business decision.


Also if you know of anyone who desires to buy or sell local real estate, or, who is moving in or out of the Pikes Peak region, remember that, with over 39 years of providing relocation and Real Estate services to clients throughout the country, I am uniquely qualified to assist them with the relocation process, including buying and/or selling their homes on both ends of their move. Please allow me to implement my negotiating skills on your behalf.


And, if you would like to learn more about our Job Loss Protection Program, please contact us.


And please take note, you can click on the icon at the top of this email to listen to my latest podcast. ….

 

LATEST STATISTICS


Click here for the latest Sales and Listing statistics for the Pikes Peak area


JOKE OF THE WEEK


Two deputies in the Sheriff's Office, one who had been in town for ten years and the other who had just transferred, answered an emergency call. When they walked into the house, they found the nude bodies of a man and a woman in the bedroom. They had been shot to death.


When they went to the living room, they found the body of a man with a gun at his side.


"No doubt about it," the new deputy said, "This was a double murder and suicide. This guy came home and found his wife in bed with somebody else and shot them both. Then he shot himself."


"You're right," the experienced deputy replied. "But I'll bet you when the sheriff gets here he's going to say, 'It could have been worse'."


"No way. You're on."


The old sheriff arrived at the scene. "No doubt about it," the sheriff said, shaking his head. "It was a double murder and suicide." After hesitating for a moment, the old sheriff looked his deputies in the eyes. "But, you know," he said, "it could have been worse."


The deputy who had lost the bet jumped up and shouted, "Sheriff, how could it have been worse? There are three people in this house, and all three of them are dead. It couldn't have been worse."


"Yes, it could," the sheriff retorted. "You see that guy there on the floor? If he had come home yesterday, that would be me!"