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HARRY'S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE 11.7.16

Monday, November 7, 2016

by Harry Salzman

November 7, 2016

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my Personal Service, it is my desire to share current real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable buyer or seller.

JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER….

Tomorrow is Election Day 2016 and it’s up to all of us to cast our vote for the candidates and issues of our choosing. It’s one of the privileges afforded to us by the Constitution and one that should not be taken lightly. I realize this election year has been a rather contentious one, but there are many local candidates and U.S. Congressmen and Senators, as well as local issues, that need our support. If you haven’t already voted via mail-in-ballot, please take the time to do your civic duty. Our future depends on it.

AND THE GOOD NEWS IN THE LOCAL housing market CONTINUES

October PPAR statistics show the Pikes Peak housing market performing extraordinarily well and now we have 27 consequent months of year-over-year increased local Residential real estate sales.

Homes are selling at 99.2% of listing price with the average days on the market at 37. This is fabulous news for both buyers and sellers.

As you will see in the Cumulative Year to Date Summary, total sales numbers in Single Family/Patio Homes are up 13.7% year-to-date and Condo/Townhome sales are also up 13.7% over the same time period.

The Monthly Summary shows that total active listings are down 24.1% for Single Family/Patio Homes and 20.9% for Condo/Townhomes compared to a year ago. This downward trend is continuing to be great for sellers. While new listings are slightly up for Single Family/Patio Homes, they are down 10.6% for Condo/Townhomes and it continues to be more difficult, but certainly not impossible, for current buyers to find a new home.

If you have been thinking of listing your home, now is the time. However, be prepared for a quick sale, which means you need to have an idea of what and where your next home might be located.

Median Sales Prices are up year-over-year 8.8% and 11.6% respectively for Single Family/Patio Homes and Condo/Townhomes—more good news for both buyers and sellers.

As in recent times, we are still experiencing some problems with longer lending approval times, bidding wars, delays in getting home appraisals and fewer homes available in the $300,000 and under range.

It’s vitally important in today’s market it is to know what you want, need and can afford prior to the hunt for a new home. There’s no longer the luxury of “let me think about it for a couple of days or even a few hours” at present, as you can see from the statistics.

With interest rates holding at historic lows and equity increasing at a good pace, now is the time to make your move either to sell and trade up or buy for the first time or for investment purposes. To get the ball rolling, simply call me at 598.3200 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com and let’s see how I can put my special brand of customer service to work for you, your family members or co-workers.

OCTOBER 2016 WAS THE 27^TH STRAIGHT MONTH OF INCREASED LOCAL RESIDENTIAL real estate SALES

Statistics provided by the Pikes Peak REALTORS Service Corp, or it’s PPMLS

Here are some highlights from the October 2016 PPAR report. Please click here to view the detailed 15-page report, including charts. If you have any questions, just give me a call.

In comparing October 2016 to October 2015 in PPAR:

Single Family/Patio Homes:

New Listings are 1,218, Up 1.8%
Number of Sales are 1,266, Up 14.4%
Average Sales Price is $293,972, Up 11.5%
Median Sales Price is $255,625 Up 8.8%
Total Active Listings are 2,227, Down 24.1%

Condo/Townhomes:

New Listings are 161, Down 10.6%
Number of Sales are 183 Up, 10.2%
Average Sales Price is $187,283, Up 10.6%
Median Sales Price is $173,000, Up 11.6%
Total Active Listings are 200, Down 20.9%

COLORADO SPRINGS AREA MONTHLY SINGLE FAMILY/PATIO HOME SALES ANALYSIS*

Median Sales Price Median Sales Price

October 2016 October 2015

Black Forest $502,500 $423,500

Briargate $352,000 $292,750

Central $204,000 $204,150

East $215,000 $187,500

Fountain Valley: $224,500 $199,900

Manitou Springs: $270,250 $295,000

Marksheffel: $271,450 $264,500

Northeast: $255,000 $233,000

Northgate: $418,857 $398,450

Northwest: $338,850 $334,950

Old Colorado City: $219,450 $242,000

Powers: $255,000 $230,000

Southwest: $345,000 $276,000

Tri-Lakes: $464,669 $430,609

West: $257,900 $272,500

*Statistics provided by the Pikes Peak REALTORS Services Corp,or its PPMLS.

COLORADO SPRINGS…

5^th Best City to Live in 2016—U.S. News and World Report
4th Best City for Commuters—selfstorage.com
9^th Best City for People who like to Pursue an Active Lifestyle—wallethub.com
5^th Most Educated City—Wallethub.com
11^th Most Affordable City—Forbes
12^th Best City for Business and Careers—Forbes
One of the Top 6 Hottest Places for Urban Dwellers—Money Magazine
Consistently one of the “Hottest real estate Markets” in the Nation this year

And the list goes on and on. Those of us who live here know all of this, but now the rest of the country is finding out exactly why we choose to live and work here.

Yea for us and a special “shout out” to Mayor John Suthers, the City Council, Regional Business Alliance, Colorado Springs Visitors Bureau and more for their tireless devotion to making all of this a reality.

HOMEOWNERSHIP RATE RALLIES

RISMedia.com

The tide may be finally turning on homeownership. As I’ve been telling you, the home ownership rate has been decreasing and in the second quarter 2016 it reached it’s lowest point in more than 50 years—62.9%--according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Quarterly Housing Vacancies and Homeownership Report.

Third quarter 2016 showed a slight increase to 63.5% which is good news indeed. As expected, rates in the third quarter were highest among those aged 65 and old--79.0%--while lowest for homeowners aged 35 and younger--35.2%.

The new regulations, low interest rates and down payment requirements along with loosened credit qualifications by lenders are helping to contribute to increased homeownership rates. People, especially younger ones, are more confident in the economy and job prospects, and as millenials age and start to have families, owning a home becomes more of a priority.

It will take some time, but hopefully this is a sign that the “American dream” of homeownership will be coming true for more and more people.

A GLIMPSE AT THE CURRENT STATE OF THE housing market…FYI

Realtormag.com, 11.16

Jobs are growing, incomes are rising, interest rates remain historically low but as I just mentioned—home homeownership is still low. Lack of inventory in many U.S. markets is contributing to this; however, NAR Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, thinks homeownership isn’t likely to budge too much, especially if interest rates start to rise—which he believes is likely given the healthy economy.

Supply and Demand:

Even though borrowers can get conventional loans backed by Fannie and Freddie for as little as 3 percent down, and from the FHA for 3.5 percent down, almost 40% of borrowers put down 20% for their home purchase in August 2016. In early 2014, only 34 percent put down 20 and it’s been rising ever since. See below:

SHOULD YOU SELL NOW OR WAIT UNTIL THE SPRING BUYING SEASON?

RisMedia.com

I get asked this question time and again and I always give the same answer—there are pros and cons that need to taken into consideration for each individual seller.

While a spring buying season is thought to be the “ideal”, this is not always the case. Here are some good reasons why selling now, rather than waiting for spring, might be a better decision for you.

Less Competition. In spring, you can see “For Sale” signs popping up all over the neighborhood. If you choose to sell now there is sure to be less competition. The fewer comparable homes for sale, the greater the probability that a buyer will look at your home and that you can get the maximum amount of money for it. The low number of available listings gets even lower during these months, so listing your home now gives you additional exposure.

Serious Buyers Are Out There. There are always buyers—no matter what time of year. Some buyers may stop their home search because it is fall or winter, buy serious buyers will continue to look at homes, no matter what time of year it is.

The Best real estate Agents Are Always Up to the Challenge. Any real estate agent who tells you that the fall or winter months are not a good time to sell is not someone you want selling your home. A knowledgeable Real Estate professional, like myself, knows how to adapt to the current season and market their listings to reflect that. If any Real Estate agent doesn’t give you great tips on how to sell a home during the current season, you should be concerned about the creativity they are going to use when marketing your home.

Staging for the Holiday Season. Many sellers are beginning to believe that “staging” is what helps sell a home since buyers often have a difficult time trying to envision themselves in a home. Whether or not this is true, you can do some simple “seasonal” staging such as adjusting the color of the décor or having an aroma in the air that is relative to the time of year.

Mortgage Rates are Low. Rates are still historically low, but if the economy stays healthy, it’s likely that will soon change. This is a good reason there are still many potential buyers out there looking. An increase in interest rates over the winter months could mean fewer buyers who can afford a home come spring. Bottom line: take advantage of selling while the interest rates are still low.

Quicker Transactions. There are fewer transactions now as compared to spring. As we have all experienced the delays from increased regulations and slower processing times this past summer, selling your home now can lead to a quicker closing time for all concerned. This will contribute to less stress for both you and your buyer.

Hopefully this will help you in deciding if selling your home now is the right thing to do for your personal situation. As always, any questions you might have can be answered by calling me at 598.3200. I’ll be delighted to answers any and all of your concerns—in this area—or any other concerning residential real estate.

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HARRY'S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE 10.24.16

Monday, October 24, 2016

by Harry Salzman

October 24, 2016

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my Personal Service, it is my desire to share current real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable buyer or seller.

COLORADO SPRINGS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BEING FORMULATED

Several months ago I shared with you that I was selected by Mayor John Suthers to serve on the Steering Committee of Plan COS—a 2-year commitment that will provide the City of Colorado Springs with an updated Comprehensive Plan that will serve as a guide for the development of the City and help establish priorities.

I indicated that I would keep you abreast of what we are doing and I want to share some of what’s happened to date. We are actively seeking citizen feedback—finding out what you love about Colorado Springs. You can take the survey and discover more about Plan COS by going to the website at: https://coloradosprings.gov/plancos . I would encourage you all to take time to give your input so that this will be a plan “of the people, for the people”. Please share this website with your neighbors, family and co-workers who live in Colorado Springs so that they can also provide feedback for the Steering Committee. This is OUR City—it’s up to us all to see that future growth happens in the way we would like.

At our last meeting we were shown 12 trends that are affecting Colorado Springs and other cities throughout the world. I thought you would find this interesting and might consider these prior to taking the survey. They will help you better understand some of the areas that are being looked at in developing a new Comprehensive Plan.

Changing American Demographics. The influence of youth is rising with the emergence of Generation Z, the generation now coming of age behind Millenials. As the younger generations of Americans begin to assume more responsibility at home and in the workplace—where they are more likely to start their own businesses—the impacts of differing lifestyle preferences are becoming more apparent in downtowns. Non-white races and ethnic groups are becoming the majority, more diverse cultural and religious backgrounds are becoming ubiquitous, and gender roles and norms are being redefined. To this end, a notable preference for living and working environments that prioritize diversity, collaboration, inclusivity, and the free exchange of ideas is emerging.

Education, Talent + Jobs. The premium on a young, skilled workforce continues to drive development and investment in American cities. While college-educated workers make up about one-third of the American workforce, they produce more than half of the nation’s economic output. Where young skilled workers choose to live is increasingly the key decision factor for business growth and relocation.

Rise of the Mid-Tier City. The dense, large “superstar” cities that were synonymous with economic growth and opportunity during the past decades are slowly being overtaken in popularity by smaller-- less flashy but more affordable—urban areas. These mid-tier cities are beating out superstar cities like New York and San Francisco in attracting 25 to 34-year olds with a college education because they are more affordable and livable.

Changing Consumer Behaviors. Advances in technology continue to impact the nature of the retail industry and the shape of brick-and-mortar stores that are critical to downtowns. The convenience and ease of e-commerce is stimulating increases in online sales; however, the majority of retail transactions still occur in traditional stores. Many consumers prefer to support the regional economy and locally produced items that offer the added value of an emotional connection through the product with the local neighborhood. Downtown retail formats that prioritize a personalized consumer experience will stay competitive.

Shifts in Transportation + Mobility. There is a national shift away from auto-dependence and toward cities that provide transportation choices that include walking, biking and transit. This trend has continued and is made even stronger by the lower-than-ever numbers of teens and young adults who are getting their driver’s licenses and owning cars. Capitalizing on the growing sharing economy, carshare programs are on the rise, expanding from universities and cities into other areas as well. Another significant and growing impact on transportation in cities is the on-demand ride services of Uber and Lyft. Apart from the automobile, local bike share initiatives—founded in Europe and China—can now be found in more than 100 cities in North America. Public transit options are increasing in many downtowns, with cities across the U.S. (re)investing in streetcars and light rail, and attempting to make the transit experience more enticing.

Downtown + Livability. There is an increasing demand for authenticity and vibrant spaces. The reinvestment in downtown and downtown living is no longer an option, but an essential requirement for a thriving city. The demand for sterile housing developments has been slowed by the creation of more vibrant and amenitized walkable neighborhoods for younger generations and more mature adults looking to age in place. Redevelopment and infill has provided new housing options with more transportation options. The high demand for multi-family units in city centers is expected to continue. Though renting has increased among all age groups, household types and income groups, the primary reason for the high demand for multi-family units in downtown has been attributed to the Millenial and Baby Boomer generations. A rent premium exists for housing and commercial uses in walkable urban places.

Regionalism. In response to dwindling resources and political gridlock at the state and federal levels, city and county governments in metropolitan regions across the county are turning to collaboration with private companies, universities, hospitals, non-profits, and each other in order to accomplish tasks once reserved for, or funded by, state and federal governments. Partnerships are necessary to also encourage development within urban limits where services exist, and curb rural developments that lack equal access to utilities and other city services.

Shifts in Global Wealth. Over 80% of the world’s population lives in emerging markets, and these regions are expected to be responsible for nearly all future global population growth and expanding consumer spending. Emerging economies are expected to account for 60%-70% of global GPD growth for the foreseeable future as they expand at more than twice the rate of developed economies. Foreign investment in apartment housing, mixed-use development, and office and industrial space is driving the transformation of American cities.

Advances in Technology. To maintain and improve high service levels on tighter budgets, downtowns are increasingly looking toward technological solutions. Mobile devices are continuing to diminish the importance of static office locations, allowing for connections anywhere, anytime. Office space configurations are changing, with reduced space needed to conduct business and greater utilization of space beyond traditional eight hour workdays. To attract young skilled employees, office design is increasingly combining business and social functions—a growth of mixed-use principles within buildings as well as outside of them. The growing popularity of co-working spaces are reflective of these trends. In response to high-profile infrastructure failures throughout the country, cities are seeking strategies to manage the high costs of infrastructure maintenance. Sensors are being increasingly use by cities to measure the status of infrastructure and to cue maintenance. In terms of mobility, autonomous cars have the potential to dramatically change the arrangement of cities in the coming decades, and limited introduction to the market is possible within the next few years.

Social Equity + Pride. There is a rising tide of civic activism and opportunity oriented at neighborhood, community and city building. This activism stems from a renewed sense of pride and love in one’s city as people continue to chose more urban lifestyles and invest in their neighborhoods. As this trend has grown, issue relating to inclusiveness, reinvestment, access to services, variety of housing types and prices, gathering areas, civic centers, safety, walkability, access to parks and other topics have become primary conversations in cities across the country.

Health, Environment, Tourism + Sports. Healthy environments are becoming an increasingly important factor in where companies and families choose to locate. As medical, sports and recreation technology (rec-tech) have become viable industries, outdoor-oriented cities are competing to attract these companies and the lifestyles they bring with them. Whether this is sports training, museums, or companies, a healthy and vibrant natural setting can determine their location. As outdoor recreation and tourism continue to increase in popularity, locally and nationally, outdoor cities must harness their potential to provide a setting that remains competitive. In many cases, cities have not just focused on the surrounding natural setting, but also have looked inward, bringing parks, trails and nature into their neighborhoods.

Military + Defense. Military bases, institutions, and personnel affect city economies across the country, but as the population grows, other sectors will begin to have a larger influence. Private sector spin-off industries based on the local talent pool will be part of these new industries. The ability to capitalize on related technology industries presents an opportunity as the built and human capital for these activities already exists within these cities.

A lot to read and take in, but these factors are important considerations in helping determine where and how we want to work and live. I encounter this daily in my “relocation” of folks from other communities as well as those who simply are looking for new “features” in a local new neighborhood. This information is most definitely something for us all to consider in making future plans. I urge you to add your voice to those of others in the community by taking the survey.

SEPTEMBER LOCAL MARKET UPDATE AND MONTHLY INDICATORS PROVIDE RESULTS IN GREATER DETAIL

Pikes Peak REALTORS^® Services Corp.,

In the recently published September 2016 Monthly Indicators and Local Market Update for El Paso and Teller Counties, new listings year-over-year were slightly down for the single-family/patio homes and up 14.0% for condo/townhomes. With that came a pending sales increase year-over-year of 14.4% for single-family/patio homes and 10.0% for condo/townhomes.

The median sales price increase year-over-year in all properties was up 9.1%, which is a good sign that the housing market is continuing to stabilize. If there were more listings, more people would be moving—either selling to trade up or buying for the first time.

I’m still finding there are those who wish to move but are afraid to list their homes because if they sell quickly, which has been the case in recent months, they might not be able to find the home they are wanting to buy as quickly as they’d like.

The shortage of available homes is continuing to affect the number of sales in communities all over the U.S. However Colorado Springs, while experiencing the same type of listing shortage, is still experiencing a significant number of sales. This bodes well for our community and is indicative of the increased job market and improved local economy.

You can click here to read the 16-page Monthly Indicators or click here to get specific information on the neighborhood of your choice from the 33-page Local Market Update. These reports provide greater detail than the monthly “PPAR Monthly Statistics” that I share in the first eNewletter of each month.

The “Activity Snapshot” shows the one-year change:

Sold Listings for All Properties was up 15.7%
Median Sales Price for All Properties was up 9.1%
Active Listings on All Properties was down 29.7%.

As you will see, the time to buy is continuing to be NOW. With a few more choices, continued low, but gradually increasing, interest rates and increased home equity, the opportunity to sell and trade up couldn’t be better.

To discuss whether this can be a reality for you or someone in your family, simply give me a call at 598.3200 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com and let’s see how together we can make this work.

COLORADO SPRINGS IS A TOP CITY FOR BUSINESS AND CAREERS

The Gazette, 10.20.16

On the heels of top rankings in national lists from Money and U.S. News and World Report magazines, Forbes magazine has now named Colorado Springs as a top city nationally for business and careers. In its 18^th annual ranking of metro areas notable for their work environments, Colorado Springs ranked 12^th out of the nation’s 200 largest cities, according to Forbes.

Rankings were based on 14 different factors related to job growth, business and living costs, income growth, quality of life and the educations of its workforce. In making its selection, Forbes noted that the city was known for its culture and economy being influenced by military installations and defense contactors and for being a popular tourist destination because of Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and Cave of the Winds, among others.

It appears that people around the country are taking note of the good job being done by our City Council and Mayor’s office along with the Regional Business Alliance and others. With all those folks working together, there’s just no end to the accolades we can expect to get in the coming years.

5 real estate TRENDS YOU SHOULD KNOW

realtor.org 10.18.16

The National Association of Realtors^®(NAR) has been publishing the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers since 1981—the longest running series of national housing data evaluating the demographics, preferences and experiences of recent home buyers and sellers.

If you could go back in time to 1981 you would see that the housing buyer and seller landscape was much different than that of today. Mortgage rates were four times higher than they are today, the typical home averaged 1,700 square feet and cost $70,000 ($201,376 in inflation-adjusted dollars) and there was a much larger share of first-time buyers.

Here are five important trends that have shaped the real estate industry:

There’s a big drop in first-time buyers. Due to various factors, last year’s survey saw first-time buyers drop to the lowest share (32 percent) since 1987 (30 percent). Echoing this, the U.S. Census Bureau reports the home ownership rate for 18-35 year olds is currently at 34.1 percent, the lowest in records dating back to 1994.

The internet isn’t replacing real estate professionals. While 90 percent of potential buyers have gone online during their home search, they continue to see the value of using a real estate professional when actually buying or selling their home. Indeed, for-sale-by-owner transactions were at their lowest share ever last year, and haven’t been above 9 percent since 2011.

Home size hasn’t increased that much. While tiny homes and McMansions are causing a lot of buzz, NARs profile of Home Buyers and Sellers shows that buyer preferences, when it comes to home size, hasn’t changed all that much. In 1981, for example, the typical home was just 300 square feet smaller (1,700) than it was in year’s survey.

Down payments are down. NAR first collected data on down payments in 1989 when the average monthly mortgage rate was 10.62 percent. At that time, buyers financed their home with a 10 percent down payment. In the last two surveys, first-time buyers put down around 6 percent.

The home search is longer. Even though buyers now have technology and the world at their fingertips, it’s not making the home search process faster. In fact, the average length of a home search was around seven or eight weeks from 1987 until 2007 and it climbed to around 10 weeks in the last two years.

Here is a look back over the past 35 years of home buying and selling

FIRST TIME BUYERS BEHIND LATEST HOUSING GAINS

Realtormag 10.20.16

First time buyers are responsible for most of the sales momentum in September according to NAR. An illustration of Existing Home Sales nationally for September 2016 is below. As you’ve seen from recent statistics, Colorado Springs is seeing higher median home prices than the U.S.

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HARRY'S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE 10.10.16

Monday, October 10, 2016

by Harry Salzman

October 10, 2016

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my Personal Service, it is my desire to share current real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable buyer or seller.

EVEN WHEN I’M AWAY I’M BUSY WORKING FOR YOU

I spent the last nine days in Washington, DC, some of it for business and some for pleasure. On the business side, I attended two conferences on corporate relocation. The first was relocation Directors Council (RDC), an organization of which I am a Past President and Life Member. My contacts from here go back many years and I know when I have a client relocating to or from another city I can refer one of my clients to them and they will provide the same kind of excellent customer service that you’ve come to expect from me.

The second was the Worldwide ERC Global Workforce Symposium, where I get to meet with folks from all over the world who work in the relocation industry—from HR directors, real estate brokers, lenders, movers and so much more. The knowledge I gain at these twice a year meetings consistently proves invaluable in my work with relocating clients—either around the corner or around the world.

While there, I had the opportunity to meet with people in Colorado Senator Cory Gardner’s office concerning some issues that have been affecting my clients who use VA financing. I am pleased to have learned that through the work of myself and other frustrated brokers, Congress is making some changes that will hopefully ease the recent problems.

On the pleasure side, what can I say? I always find DC to be awe-inspiring. It’s amazing how much of “history” occurred during my lifetime and I’m grateful and thankful to all of those who came before me who helped fight for our rights and build our government. Seeing all the Memorials and Veteran Memorials gives me the opportunity to quietly thank those who served and gave their lives so that we may live in relative peace. The opportunities afforded me were and are only possible because of the struggles of those who came before.

There’s never enough time to take it all in and I look forward to returning soon.

IT’S THE SAME OLD STORY…AND FORTUNATELY FOR US…IT’S A GOOD ONE

September PPAR statistics continue to show the Pikes Peak housing market performing extraordinarily well and now we have 26 consequent months of year-over-year increased local Residential real estate sales.

Homes are selling at a whopping 99.6% of listing price. Not only that—the average days on the market is 31. This is fabulous news for both buyers and sellers.

As you will see in the Cumulative Year to Date Summary, total sales numbers in Single Family/Patio Homes are up 13.7 over September 2015 and Condo/Townhome sales are up 14.1% over the same time period.

The Monthly Summary shows that total active listings are down 24.0% for Single Family/Patio Homes and 20.2% for Condo/Townhomes compared to a year ago. This downward trend is continuing to be great for sellers. While new listings are slightly up, it continues to be more difficult, but certainly not impossible, for current buyers to find a new home. If you have been thinking of listing your home, now is the time. However, be prepared for a quick sale, which means you need to have an idea of what and where your next home might be located.

Median Sales Prices are up year-over-year 10% and 9.4% respectively for Single Family/Patio Homes and Condo/Townhomes—more wonderful news for both buyers and sellers.

We’re still experiencing some problems with longer lending approval times, bidding wars, delays in getting home appraisals and fewer homes available in the $300,000 and under range.

It’s vitally important in today’s market it is to know what you want, need and can afford prior to the hunt for a new home. There’s no longer the luxury of “let me think about it for a couple of days or even a few hours” at present, as you can see from the statistics.

With interest rates holding at historic lows and equity increasing at a good pace, now is the time to make your move either to sell and trade up or buy for the first time or for investment purposes. To get the ball rolling, simply call me at 598.3200 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com and let’s see how I can put my special brand of customer service to work for you, your family members or co-workers.

SEPTEMBER 2016 WAS THE 26^TH STRAIGHT MONTH OF INCREASED LOCAL RESIDENTIAL real estate SALES

Statistics provided by the Pikes Peak REALTORS Service Corp, or it’s PPMLS

Here are some highlights from the September 2016 PPAR report. Please click here to view the detailed 14-page report, including charts. If you have any questions, just give me a call.

In comparing September 2016 to September 2015 in PPAR:

Single Family/Patio Homes:

New Listings are 1,395, Up 4.2%
Number of Sales are 1,381, Up 16.0%
Average Sales Price is $291,342, Up 8.9%
Median Sales Price is $264,000 Up 10.0%
Total Active Listings are 2,443, Down 24.0%

Condo/Townhomes:

New Listings are 200, Up 21.2%
Number of Sales are 211, Up 15.3%
Average Sales Price is $198,915, Up 11.1%
Median Sales Price is $175,000 Up 9.4%
Total Active Listings are 221, Down 20.2%

COLORADO SPRINGS AREA MONTHLY SINGLE FAMILY/PATIO HOME SALES ANALYSIS*

Median Sales Price Median Sales Price

September 2016 September 2015

Black Forest $475,000 $411,250

Briargate $345,750 $293,500

Central $204,500 $193,300

East $218,500 $191,000

Fountain Valley: $229,700 $205,900

Manitou Springs: $385,000 $365,000

Marksheffel: $267,888 $248,000

Northeast: $250,000 $235,000

Northgate: $430,525 $370,500

Northwest: $369,000 $355,000

Old Colorado City: $191,500 $277,500

Powers: $250,500 $225,000

Southwest: $292,500 $270,000

Tri-Lakes: $411,000 $392,500

West: $270,000 $243,000

*Statistics provided by the Pikes Peak REALTORS Services Corp,or its PPMLS.

UCCS QUARTERLY ECONOMIC REPORT

The recently released Quarterly Economic Update from the UCCS Economic Forum also shows how consumer sentiment is continuing to fuel the national economy and the housing market. To view the10-page report in its entirely, please click here.

Some highlights include:

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for El Paso County at the end of June was 4.5%, which is lower than the U.S. average
Single family building permits in the Pikes Peak region increased 27% compared to a year ago

And one more reminder—the 20^th Annual UCCS Economic Forum is being held this Friday afternoon at The Broadmoor. For more information and/or to register, contact: www.UCCSEconomicForum.com .

COLORADO SPRINGS IS #1 MOUNTAIN CITY ACCORDING TO MONEY MAGAZINE

The Gazette, 10.7.16

Colorado Springs was chosen by MONEY magazine as one of the six hottest spots for urban dwellers nationwide. It’s also considered “the easiest place to live”, even compared with the five other top cities.

Those of us who reside here already know this, but hey, it’s great to see that we get national recognition—even over Denver.

Employment here is rising at its fastest pace since 2000—outpacing the rate not only in Colorado, but also across the nation, MONEY reports.

According to the magazine, “Low crime, good schools, easy commutes, health care options, and increasing but still affordable home prices have earned Colorado Springs the top ease-of-living rank among our Best Cities”.

Citing our aerospace and cybersecurity industries, being “Olympic City U.S.A”, eclectic neighborhoods such as Old Colorado City, having Colorado College, a top liberal arts school, and of course, our “sun drenched” mountains, Colorado Springs has much to offers its residents the magazine says.

So I suppose our “secret” is out and it’s nice to see all the hard work that Mayor John Suthers and so many others are doing is reaping accolades in national publications. Way to go, Colorado Springs.

AND ANOTHER FEATHER IN OUR CAP…

Realtor.org 9.30.16

With this currently being one of the hottest fall housing markets in a decade nationally, Colorado Springs is right up there. We are #16 in the list of cities pinpointed as the “Hottest real estate Markets” in the nation for September.

Inventories in the top 20 markets are moving 23 to 43 days more quickly than the national average and listings are garnering 1.4 to 3.7 more views according to the latest data from realtor^®.com.

According to Jonathan Smoke, realtor^©.com’s chief economist, “The fundamental trends we have been seeing all year remain solidly in place as we enter the slower time of year.”

What that means is that short supply and high demand, along with rising prices, are not going away just yet. As I mentioned earlier, if you’ve been on the fence, don’t delay much longer or it’s going to cost you—one way or the other. Give me a call today and let’s see what we can do to help make all your residential real estate dreams come true.

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HARRY'S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE 9.19.16

Monday, September 19, 2016

by Harry Salzman

September 19 2016

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my Personal Service, it is my desire to share current real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable buyer or seller.

WHAT I DO WHEN I’M NOT SELLING HOUSES…

Because of my extreme dedication to my clients and special brand of customer service, I’ve been asked time and again if I ever have time to do anything other than live, eat and breathe real estate. The answer of course is yes. However, as the picture above will demonstrate, I’m never far from dreaming up unusual, practical ideas that can make a home more interesting.

This past weekend I was looking in my closet and decided that my belts deserved better space than I had allotted them so I went down to Home Depot and this is the result. For less than $15, I bought a rake, had them cut off all but the bottom few inches and hung it in the closet. Yes, I could have just gone to Bed, Bath and Beyond and bought something already made for belts, but those who know me well understand that I am never satisfied with ideas that have already been tried.

Corny? Yes. But interesting--and a new focal point for the closet as well as a new home for my belts. It would work equally well for ties, scarves or other items. And it could work on any wall in the home to hold whatever you might choose.

Consider this Chapter 32 in the Harry Salzman Book of “How to Improve Your Home for Less”. Just another helpful hint from “Farmer Harry”.

You’re welcome.

AUGUST LOCAL MARKET UPDATE AND MONTHLY INDICATORS SHOW RESULTS IN GREATER DETAIL

Pikes Peak REALTORS^® Services Corp.,

In the recently published August 2016 Monthly Indicators and Local Market Update for El Paso and Teller Counties, new listings year-over-year were slightly down for the single-family/patio homes and up 8.0% for condo/townhomes. With that came a pending sales increase year-over-year of 16.0% for single-family/patio homes and 8.5% for condo/townhomes.

The median sales price increase year-over-year in all properties was up 10.0%, which is a good sign that the housing market is continuing to stabilize. If there were more listings, more people would be moving—either selling to trade up or buying for the first time.

I’m still finding there are those who wish to move but are afraid to list their homes because if they sell quickly, which has been the case in recent months, they might not be able to find the home they are wanting to buy as quickly as they’d like.

The shortage of available homes is continuing to affect the number of sales in communities all over the U.S. However Colorado Springs, while experiencing the same type of listing shortage, is still experiencing a significant number of sales. This bodes well for our community and is indicative of the increased job market and improved local economy.

You can click here to read the 16-page Monthly Indicators or click here to get specific information on the neighborhood of your choice from the 33-page Local Market Update. These reports provide greater detail than the monthly “PPAR Monthly Statistics” that I share in the first eNewletter of each month.

The “Activity Snapshot” shows the one-year change:

Sold Listings for All Properties was up 9.1%
Median Sales Price for All Properties was up 10.0%
Active Listings on All Properties was down 37.7%.

As you will see, the time to buy is continuing to be NOW. With a few more choices, continued low interest rates and increased home equity, the opportunity to sell and trade up couldn’t be better. To discuss whether this can be a reality for you or someone in your family, simply give me a call at 598.3200 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com and let’s see how together we can make this work.

A LIFETIME OF WEALTH BUILDING BEGINS WITH PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

Research has shown that most people think the credit and financial requirements for home ownership are much higher than they really are. It’s a fact that home equity accounts for the lion’s share of wealth for most families.

In fact, one formula to build wealth is to buy a new home as early as you can, and take the opportunity to turn that into a rental property and buy your next home. For the past several years, many landlords have earned higher returns on their rental properties than on any other investment.

Most people don’t take advantage of this but you don’t have to be a financial genius to make it happen. All it takes is financial self-discipline and an experienced, knowledgeable real estate professional who has your interest at heart to make this a reality.

That’s where I come in. With over 44 years in the local real estate arena, there are few who know the market the way I do. And my investment banking background comes in handy when knowing how and where to get the best mortgage for your individual situation.

And Did You Know?

Recent Fannie Mae Requirements:

Minimum Down Payment Required: 3%
Minimum Credit Score Required: 620
Maximum Back-end DTI Ratio: 45%*

*Up to 50% with compensating factors

So don’t delay. Call me today and let’s get you or one of your family members on the road to lifetime wealth building.

HOW TO CREATE REAL FAMILY WEALTH…INFOGRAPHIC

Keeping Current Matters, 2.16

Some Highlights:

Buying a home is often the biggest financial decision that any family will make.
The average net worth of a homeowner is 45x greater than that of a renter.
Homeownership puts your housing costs to work for you.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE UCCS ECONOMIC FORUM

Another reminder that the 20^th Annual UCCS Economic Forum to be held at the Broadmoor Hall on Friday, October 14 is rapidly approaching. It’s sure to be another sold out event and one you won’t want to miss.

For more information and to register, please visit www.UCCSEconomicForum.com

HARRY’S THOUGHT OF THE DAY

“Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, real estate is about the safest investment in the world.”

--President Franklin D. Roosevelt

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HARRY'S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE 9.6.16

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

by Harry Salzman

September 6, 2016

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my Personal Service, it is my desire to share current real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable buyer or seller.

THE BUCK STOPS HERE…LITERALLY

This photo of four bucks enjoying their morning rest was taken in front of my home in Colorado Springs. I never get tired of watching and in doing so was reminded of the sign Harry Truman kept on his desk in the Oval Office when he was President—The Buck Stops Here.

My personal philosophy is exactly the same. When it comes to my clients, I feel a deep sense of responsibility that their transactions go the way they should. When things get bogged down, as they sometimes will due to obstacles beyond my control, I go out of my way to get things moving again. Today’s mortgage lending environment with all the new regulations can make things move much slower than in the past. Also, our local housing market is moving so quickly that it is crucial to make your first offer one that can’t be overlooked. Having an experienced, knowledgeable Realtor^® like myself in your corner can make all the difference in whether or not a deal can go through—and with the least amount of hassle for my client.

If you or someone you know hasn’t yet experienced my personal brand of extraordinary customer service, what are you waiting for? As you will see in the following article, Colorado Springs is experiencing record-breaking home values and sales. And mortgage rates are remaining historically low so the timing couldn’t be better if you are in the market to sell and trade up, purchase for the first time or simply looking for investment property.

Just give me a call at 598.3200 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com and let’s see what we can do together to make any and all of your Residential real estate dreams come true.

ONCE AGAIN—EXCELLENT NEWS FOR LOCAL HOMEOWNERS

August PPAR statistics continue to show the Pikes Peak housing market performing extraordinarily well and now we have 25 consequent months of increased local Residential real estate sales.

Both the August Average and Median Sales Prices were record setting. Prices have reached an all-time high locally and are producing a record high rate of return to homeowners.

Homes are continuing to sell at a whopping 99.5% of listing price. Not only that—the average days on the market is just 28. This is fabulous news for both buyers and sellers.

As you will see in the Cumulative Year to Date Summary, total sales numbers in Single Family/Patio Homes are up 5.0 over August 2015 and Condo/Townhome sales are up 32.1% over the same time period.

The Monthly Summary shows that total active listings are down 21.3% for Single Family/Patio Homes and 21.0% for Condo/Townhomes compared to a year ago. This downward trend is continuing to be great for sellers. While new listings are slightly up, it continues to be more difficult, but certainly not impossible, for current buyers to find a new home. If you have been thinking of listing your home, now is the time. However, be prepared for a quick sale, which means you need to have an idea of what and where your next home might be located.

Median Sales Prices are up year over year 9.7% and 13.5% respectively for Single Family/Patio Homes and Condo/Townhomes—more wonderful news for both buyers and sellers.

Last week, the social media company Wallethub ranked Colorado Springs the 28^th best real estate market among 300 metro areas nationwide. And, when the field of metro areas is narrowed to the 62 cities with 300,000+ population, we rank 7^th.

Building permits locally are set for their best year in more than a decade and are running 25% ahead of the same time last year.

With all of this activity, I’m on ”overload” as many renters now can qualify and want to move to ownership, investors are picking up properties at a pace I’ve not seen before, and with interest rates continuing to remain low there are lots of folks who are choosing to sell and trade up. I’ve been enjoying the privilege of working not only with former clients, but also with their children and grandchildren. I suppose when you’ve been in the business for almost 45 years this is going to happen, but I’m still amazed that these “kids” are now grown up!

We’re still experiencing some problems with longer lending approval times, bidding wars, delays in getting home appraisals and fewer homes available in the $300,000 and under range. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having a “preapproval” letter from a reputable lender BEFORE you begin the home search. I’ve had several offers rejected outright when there was no preapproval letter because there were other offers on the table that had that requirement settled. In these cases, the potential lender kept telling my clients that the letter was forthcoming, but “forthcoming” is not the same as having it on hand. “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” as the saying goes. Corny, but true!

Let me give you another reminder of how very important in today’s market it is to know what you want, need and can afford prior to the hunt for a new home. There’s no longer the luxury of “let me think about it for a couple of days or even a few hours” at present, as you can see from the statistics.

Once again…if you’re considering a move or looking for investment property, give me a call sooner than later and let’s get the ball rolling.

AUGUST 2016 WAS THE 25^TH STRAIGHT MONTH OF INCREASED LOCAL RESIDENTIAL real estate SALES

Statistics provided by the Pikes Peak REALTORS Service Corp, or it’s PPMLS

Here are some highlights from the August 2016 PPAR report. Please click here to view the detailed 15-page report, including charts. If you have any questions, just give me a call.

In comparing August 2016 to August 2015 in PPAR:

Single Family/Patio Homes:

New Listings are 1,595, Up 2.4%
Number of Sales are 1,452, Up 5.0%
Average Sales Price is $295,877, Up 8.2%
Median Sales Price is $265,000 Up 9.7%
Total Active Listings are 2,660, Down 21.3%

Condo/Townhomes:

New Listings are 242, Up 12.6%
Number of Sales are 243, Up 32.1%
Average Sales Price is $189,190, Up 14.5%
Median Sales Price is $169,600, Up 13.5%
Total Active Listings are 233, Down 21.0%

COLORADO SPRINGS AREA MONTHLY SINGLE FAMILY/PATIO HOME SALES ANALYSIS*

Median Sales Price Median Sales Price

August 2016 August 2015

Black Forest $470,000 $472,500

Briargate $349,000 $316,300

Central $217,450 $193,000

East $220,000 $198,475

Fountain Valley: $232,500 $220,000

Manitou Springs: $326,500 $316,500

Marksheffel: $254,900 $254,900

Northeast: $261,250 $220,000

Northgate: $438,800 $395,000

Northwest: $355,000 $350,450

Old Colorado City: $202,500 $183,900

Powers: $250,000 $231,000

Southwest: $299,500 $333,500

Tri-Lakes: $422,500 $377,000

West: $284,950 $243,900

*Statistics provided by the Pikes Peak REALTORS Services Corp,or its PPMLS.

4 SIGNS YOU ARE BEING TOO PICKY TO BUY A HOME

Realtor.com, 8.17.16

Everyone wants the “perfect” home, but just like finding the “perfect “partner—let’s get realistic here. Total perfection is a very unrealistic goal and one that can prevent you from finding the home that can be turned into one that eventually not only meets, but exceeds what your wants, needs and budget can afford. I’m not telling you to settle—I’m simply saying that if you are too detailed oriented, you might overlook one that suits you now or could with a little modification.

Sign No. 1: You know exactly what you want—to a fault. It makes perfect sense to house hunt with the basic criteria in mind (school district, quiet neighborhood, open kitchen floor plan). But if your wish list is airtight and hermetically sealed (i.e. you pass up a home because your furniture doesn’t fit in the bedroom), a great home could slip right off your radar. Oftentimes folks think they know what kind of home they want before they start looking, but they usually don’t. Flexibility is your friend in the house-hunting scenario.

Sign No. 2: You’re searching for your “forever home”—even if it’s your first. They’re called “starter homes” for a reason. It’s highly unlikely you will stay there forever. In order to get into a first home, it’s often smaller than you may eventually want or too far from your place of work. If it’s within your price range and satisfies some basics on your checklist—maybe you shouldn’t pass it up. According to Bank of America’s Homebuyer Insights Report, many folks are passing over a starter home and waiting until they can afford a “forever” home. They don’t consider that they could be building equity in their “starter home”. Don’t let your fantasies of “forever” impair your judgment for the home you pick here and now.

Sign No. 3: You think home improvement reality shows are actually realistic. In television reality shows such as “House Crashers” and “Property Brothers”, homes are transformed into eye-popping showpieces in a matter of days. In reality, such renovations are costly, complex, often nightmarish and always time-consuming. With details glossed over onscreen, people’s real-life expectations are raised unfairly. Don’t buy a new home with the idea that it can be turned into your “dream” home overnight or have ideas that aren’t reasonable for the property or the neighborhood.

Sign 4: Your real estate agent’s getting exasperated. That is certainly not the case when you’re working with me, but it can happen. I am acutely aware that you are about to make one of the most important financial decisions of your life and I want you to be happy with your purchase. You need to make your own discoveries and decisions and I understand if a home isn’t what you thought it might be then it’s time to look further. I also understand that at times, the home search will convince you that you aren’t ready to make a move just yet. I know when you’re ready, you call me and we can start again. Oftentimes, the root of pickiness is fear, so if you’ve found a fantastic home and are nitpicking over the kitchen tile, you might ask yourself if you’re truly ready to buy.

HOME OWNERSHIP STILL MATTERS

Realtormag.com, 8.22.16

The homeownership rate may be at a 51 year low, but that doesn’t mean the dream of homeownership is dying according to Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist in a recent Forbes column.

Yun says that the drop in the homeownership rate (to 62.9% in the second quarter 2016) does not mean that Americans aren’t interested in buying a house. Actually, many recent surveys indicate overwhelmingly that Americans have a strong desire for homeownership. NAR’s Housing Opportunity and Market Experience survey revealed that 87 percent of consumers believe homeownership is their dream.

While many Americans say they would like to own, oftentimes the timing isn’t right. They may not have enough saved for a down payment or can’t qualify for a mortgage loan with the current tight underwriting standards.

Over the long haul, homeownership tends to provide wealth accumulation for owners, and what’s more—it’s good for the economy says Yun. With most homeowners typically selling their home and moving to a new one in a 7-to-10 year cycle, this can contribute to economic growth and job creation because each home sale tends to have a multiplier effect in boosting home remodeling, furniture businesses, mortgage origination, moving companies, and even restaurants. According to NAR calculations, one new job is supported from every two home sales.

“There are multiple positive benefits of ownership to individuals and society,” Yun wrote. “However, it has to be sustainable. Homeowners must understand the responsibility of ownership and take on a mortgage that is manageable and overstretch their budget. At the same time, there should not be any unnecessary barriers to ownership. Widen mortgage access to those homeowners who are willing to stay within budget. Assure an adequate supply of homes at all price points to assure the future possibility of steadily moving up in society.”

I agree with Yun and have always believed in homeownership as a way to better your future—both financially and on a personal level. There are many actions in play now that are designed to make it easier for those first-time buyers who are short of cash for a down payment or have less than stellar credit. I will be happy to share what I know to help make the American Dream come true for someone you know who fits into this category. Just have them give me a call and I will do my best to help them on their road to ownership.

AND LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST….A REMINDER FOR THE 20th ANNUAL UCCS ECONOMIC FORUM SIGNUP

The 20^th Annual UCCS Economic Forum will be held at the Broadmoor on Friday, October 14, 2016 and it’s sure to be another sold out event.

The new afternoon agenda includes remarks from both Mayor John Suthers and Governor John Hickenlooper as well as a keynote address from Jim Paulsen, Ph.D., Economist for Wells Fargo.

There will be a report on the economic conditions and outlook for the Pikes Peak Region by Tatiana Bailey, Ph.D., College of Business & Administration, UCCS.

A panel discussion entitled “Colorado Springs: Going for the Gold” will highlight the” best practices in economic development and how our region can capitalize on the current positive trajectory of our local economy”.

Following a brief question and answer session, there will be a “Networking Happy Hour” beginning at 4:30.

I would strongly suggest that you register early for this special event. You can detailed information and register online at: www.UCCSEconomicForum.com . I hope to see you there.

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HARRY'S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE 8.15.16

Monday, August 15, 2016

by Harry Salzman

August 15, 2016

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my Personal Service, it is my desire to share current real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable buyer or seller.

OUR LOCAL STATS REALLY SHINE IN THE HOTTEST SUMMER FOR RESIDENTIAL real estate IN TEN YEARS

As most of you are aware, I publish quarterly statistics from the National Association of Realtors^® that track the Median Sales Prices of all single family home sales closed that were listed on MLS nationally, and specifically list the top 178 Metropolitan areas, of which Colorado Springs is one.

I’m trilled to report that the survey, which was released last week for the second quarter 2016 shows Colorado Springs with a 5.9% appreciation in home values from the same quarter last year. When you consider that for the entire U.S.A., the appreciation was 4.9%--that translates into a full percentage point higher—or literally—Colorado Springs is showing a 20% higher home value appreciation than the country at large and is among the top 75 markets in appreciation.

That’s not just good news, but GREAT news for all the local buyers and sellers and certainly explains why the spring buying and selling frenzy is continuing into fall. I can’t remember ever being quite as busy as I have been this summer. It certainly makes sense when you consider that interest rates are flat and continue to be historically low, while rental rates are skyrocketing. This translates into many folks coming into the market for the first time while competing with those looking for investment properties.

To view the survey in its entirety, please chick here.

Several weeks ago—before this survey was released—Tatiana Bailey, PhD, Director of the Economic Forum at UCCS, asked for my estimate on where home values might be in terms of appreciation by year end. I told her 6.0%. Well, I didn’t have a crystal ball, but it sure looks like I’m right on target at the moment and hopefully we will end up even higher than that if things keep going like they have.

As a reminder to you—since a number of the economic experts, such as Tatiana, ask my opinion on matters concerning Residential real estate—you can feel very comfortable that when you are working with me you not only get my special brand of customer service, but also a professional, knowledgeable approach to buying and selling based on my 44 plus years in the local market.

When you want my opinion on all of your options—buying, selling or investing--even if you are simply starting your decision process, please give me a call at 598-3200 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com and let’s find the best way to help you take advantage of this “hot” time in Residential real estate.

AND NOW SOME DETAILS FROM THE SURVEY

Realtor.org, 8.10.16 ,RISMedia, 8.11.16

Homes for sale in July are moving two percent more quickly than last year as prices continue to hit new record highs, confirming a record-breaking summer and the hottest July in a decade.

“The best spring in a decade has transitioned into the decade’s hottest summer,” says Jonathan Smoke, chief economist of realtor.com. “Pent-up demand left over from two years of tight supply against the backdrop of mortgage rates near three year lows have encouraged buyer activity at a time when sales usually begin to decline. While prices are higher as a result of the strong demand and limited supply, the lower mortgage rates are neutralizing the impact on purchasing power.”

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says a faster pace of home sales amidst languishing inventory levels pushed home prices higher in most metro areas during the second quarter. “Steadily improving local job markets and mortgages rates teetering close to all–time lows brought buyers out in force in many large and middle-tier cities,” he said. “However, with homebuilding activity still failing to keep up with demand and not enough current homeowners putting their home up for sale, prices continued their strong ascent—and in many markets at a rate well above income growth.”

“Many listings in a majority of markets—and especially those in lower price ranges—had multiple offers and went under contract quickly because of severely inadequate supply. This in turn dented affordability and without a doubt priced out a segment of buyers attempting to seek relief from fast-growing rents,” Yun added.

I’ve experienced this myself in recent months with a number of my clients. As I’ve said time and again—when you find what you are looking for—there’s no time to delay. Multiple offers are apparently not going away—and “the early bird gets the worm” so to speak.

LOCAL RENTERS ARE BEING SQUEEZED IN SEVERAL DIRECTIONS

With local rental rates rising even faster than the rest of the country, renters are being forced to consider new options. Rental properties are in short supply here at present and investors are picking up many of the homes that might have been affordable for first time buyers. When homes in the lower price ranges come on the market they have multiple offers immediately.

There is currently a 51-year low of homeownership—62.9% of Americans own their own home.

My advice? Well, if you’re a first-time buyer, there are many new options available to you, from lower down payments to lower interest rates, and—starting in January 2017—a new incentive for first time Colorado buyers, explained further in the next article.

If you are an investor, or considering that route, now is a great time to buy. I’ve found that folks do not even have to list their homes for rent—there is a waiting list for most rentals that come on the market. I’ve been busy looking for investment homes lately for a number of my clients. With homes appreciating at this pace and a shortage of rental properties, the timing is couldn’t be better. If you’ve considered adding investment properties to your financial portfolio, don’t wait much longer. I’ve had considerable experience in this arena and will be happy to discuss whether this might be an option. Just give me a call and let’s see if this is a good direction for you.

HB 1467—FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER SAVINGS ACT TAX DEDUCTION STARTING IN JANUARY 2017

Colorado Association of Realtors^® Legislative Review 2016

A “First-time Homebuyer Savings Account” (FHSA) will allow any Coloradan to set aside up to $50,000 toward the cost of purchasing a new home. The earnings on those funds—interest and capital gains—are free from Colorado state taxes forever. FHSAs will be a great way for future homeowners to start saving early for the costs of buying a home.

These accounts will be easy to set up—and you can either open a new one or transfer money from an existing savings account to a FHSA. The qualifying beneficiary of the account can be a child, or grandchild, or the account holder may designate himself or herself as the qualified beneficiary. The qualifying beneficiary of the account must have never owned a single-family, owner-occupied residence (including condo, manufactured home or mobile home) or must have been off of the title for such a residence for at least three years due to dissolution of marriage.

This is fabulous news for renters and for parents and grandparents who wish to help family members in buying a first home.

I’ll provide more information as it is released, but I wanted to give you a “heads-up” that something great is about to begin for first-time buyers.

THE IMPACT YOUR INTEREST RATE MAKES (INFOGRAPHIC)

KeepingCurrent Matters, 8.5.16

Some Highlights:

Interest rates have come a long way in the last 30 years.
The interest rate you secure directly impacts your monthly payment and the amount of house that you can afford if you plan to stay within a certain budget.
Interest rates are at their lowest in years… RIGHT NOW!
If buying your first home, or moving up to the home of your dreams is in your future, now may be the time to act!

MASTER BATHROOMS: THE MOST LUXURIOUS SPOT IN THE HOME?

RealtorMag 7.20.16

The American Institute of Architects’ spending projections for 2016 shows that a growing number of homeowners are opting for more luxurious bathrooms over sprucing up other rooms in the house—even kitchens.

“The master bedroom is becoming a real point of focus, and since it’s one of the most used rooms in the house, it’s an opportunity to make a statement.” Beth Fisher, senior management director of marketing for the Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group, reported.

Architects surveyed by the American Institute of Architects say 29 percent of their clients are asking for a bigger bathroom, an increase from 25 percent a year ago. “We’re seeing master bathrooms and master bedrooms being almost the same size,” says Allison Greenfield, partner at Lionheart Capitol in Miami.

How much owners stand to get back on these ultra-luxury bathroom redos in still in question. Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report shows that upscale bathroom remodeling recouped only 56 percent of its cost at resale time. However, to a number of owners, that’s not the driver behind these remodels. Those owners simply want a quiet sanctuary shut off from a 24/7 smartphone-dominated world, noted MarketWatch.

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HARRY'S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE 8.1.16

Monday, August 1, 2016

by Harry Salzman

August 1, 2016

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my Personal Service, it is my desire to share current real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable buyer or seller.

ANOTHER MONTH OF MORE GOOD NEWS FOR LOCAL HOMEOWNERS

July PPAR statistics came out this afternoon and once more the Pikes Peak housing market has performed extraordinarily well now has shown 24 consequent months of increased local Residential real estate sales.

Homes are continuing to sell at a whopping 99.8% of listing price. Not only that—the average days on the market is a low 25. This is such good news for both buyers and sellers.

As you will see in the Cumulative Year to Date Summary, total sales numbers in Single Family/Patio Homes are up 14.9 over July 2015.

The Monthly Summary shows that total active listings are down 18.5% for Single Family/Patio Homes and 26.7% for Condo/Townhomes compared to a year ago. This downward trend is continuing to be great for sellers. While new listings are slightly up, it continues to be more difficult, but certainly not impossible, for current buyers to find a new home.

Median Sales Prices are up 6.0% and 6.6% respectively for Single Family/Patio Homes and Condo/Townhomes—more wonderful news for both buyers and sellers.

Another feather in our cap is the fact that Colorado Springs is once again in the “Top 20 Hottest Housing Markets” for July 2016.

That said, I am still as busy as I’ve ever been, much of it due to increased equity in homes and still historically low interest rates that are causing folks to realize that they can get more house for the same or even less money by trading up or moving to a new area. A number of first-time buyers are in the market due to the increasingly high rental rates. That is also driving those looking for investment properties as rental homes have had “waiting lists” in recent days.

However, some problems that have surfaced are the longer lending approval times, bidding wars, delays in getting home appraisals and fewer homes available in the $300,000 and under range.

One more time--it’s very important in today’s market to know what you want, need and can afford prior to the hunt for a new home. There’s no longer the luxury of “let me think about it for a couple of days or even a few hours” at present, as you can see from the statistics.

If you’re considering a move, give me a call at 598.3200 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com and let’s get the ball rolling. I look forward to putting my special brand of customer service to work for you, your family and friends or co-workers.

JULY 2016 WAS THE 24^TH STRAIGHT MONTH OF INCREASED LOCAL RESIDENTIAL real estate SALES

Statistics provided by the Pikes Peak REALTORS Service Corp, or it’s PPMLS

Here are some highlights from the July 2016 PPAR report. Please click here to view the detailed 14-page report, including charts. If you have any questions, just give me a call.

In comparing July 2016 to July 2015 in PPAR:

Single Family/Patio Homes:

New Listings are 1,932, Up 2.7%
Number of Sales are 1,485, Up 8.6%
Average Sales Price is $294,162, Up 6.8%
Median Sales Price is $257,500 Up 6.0%
Total Active Listings are 2,780, Down 18.5%

Condo/Townhomes:

New Listings are 281, Up 31.3%
Number of Sales are 238, Up 22.7%
Average Sales Price is $185,685, Up 9.3%
Median Sales Price is $165,750, Up 6.6%
Total Active Listings are 220, Down 26.7%

COLORADO SPRINGS AREA MONTHLY SINGLE FAMILY/PATIO HOME SALES ANALYSIS*

Median Sales Price Median Sales Price

July 2016 July 2015

Black Forest $427,500 $412,450

Briargate $337,450 $328,150

Central $209,450 $180,000

East $217,500 $197,000

Fountain Valley: $232,000 $217,000

Manitou Springs: $375,800 $310,000

Marksheffel: $257,500 $255,000

Northeast: $250,000 $255,000

Northgate: $415,000 $397,500

Northwest: $365,000 $355,500

Old Colorado City: $225,000 $245,450

Powers: $255,000 $229,500

Southwest: $286,500 $282,500

Tri-Lakes: $413,415 $440,000

West: $260,500 $276,950

*Statistics provided by the Pikes Peak REALTORS Services Corp,or its PPMLS.

HOME SALES ARE NOW AT THEIR FASTEST PACE IN NEARLY A DECADE

The Wall Street Journal, 7.22.16

The National Association of Realtors has said that in June 2016 the pace of existing-home sales increased to the highest level since February 2007.

The housing market has been boosted in recent months by strong job growth, improving wages and mortgage rates that have dipped near historic lows since Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.

While economists had predicted the pace of home sales would be moderate in 2016 due to fewer homes for sale and lackluster economic growth, thus far the market has largely outperformed those expectations.

NAR chief economist, Lawrence Yun, still predicts that the market is likely to slow throughout the remainder of the year. While demand may remain strong, inventory shortages are likely to depress purchase he said.

real estate BETTER THAN STOCKS, GOLD

RealtorMag.com 7.25.16

In a recent national survey conducted by Bankrate, it was found that despite recent gains in the stock market, Americans have more confidence investing in real estate.

Consumers selected real estate as the top pick to invest money the wouldn’t need for more than 10 years, followed by cash investments such as certificates of deposit and savings accounts. Coming in third was the stock market.

According to Sterling White, a co-founder of Holdfolio, a real estate Investment firm, “Homes are tangible. You can physically see and feel the product. So you know where your money is going: it’s going into that house. With stocks, you have no clue where your money is going.”

The millennials were the only group that valued cash investments above their other choices by a large margin. Financial planners are finding this a bit concerning, especially since right now you are practically getting no interest from cash investments like CDs and savings accounts.

It’s possible that many of these millennials are still mired in student loan debt and either cannot save for a down payment or do not have the credit to qualify for a mortgage. Hopefully they will get more detailed information to help them find a way to invest in a home. Mortgage lenders are going all out to decrease down payment and credit requirements for these folks.

AMERICAN’S TOP HOUSING CONCERNS

RealtorMag.com

It appears that Americans are concerned about the upcoming election as much as they are about low inventories and high prices. Once more, millennials are driving this concern.

Lingering concerns about the housing crisis of 2008 is of particular concern to these folks. Confidence, or a lack of it, is keeping the millennials away according to a recent survey.

The top concerns Americans’ expressed in the latest ValueInsured Modern Homebuyer Survey were:

Global economy: 59% of Americans and 68% of millennials say that the global economic climate had them worried

American economy: 63% of Americans and 70% of millennials say that the current U.S. economy has them concerned about the risks of buying a home

National security: 48% of Americans and 61% of millennials say that national security is taking a toll on their home-buying decisions

Job security/mobility: 55% of Americans and 71% of millennials say that the possibility of a job change or loss has them concerned.

RENTAL INCOME PROPERTIES ARE ON THE RISE

The Gazette, 7.31.16, Bloomberg News

The share of Americans’ total personal income coming from rental profit rose to a record 4.4% in the first quarter 2016 according to data released in a monthly Commerce Department report.

That is an all time high in figures dating to 1947 and is up from 0.7% 30 years ago. That’s a big WOW.

I’ve personally helped a number of my clients find rental properties to add to their investment portfolios and a number of them have purchased several of these in recent months.

Two economic trends are at the core of this. First, historically low mortgage rates have cut down expenses that would eat into a landlord’s pocket. At the same time, tight supply has pushed rental prices in the U.S. (and most especially the Pikes Peak area) up at more than double the rate of other goods and services.

“The share of Americans renting their home is now nearing 50-year highs, and this rapid shift has occurred at a time when the rental housing stock has not had ample time to catch up,” said Ralph McLaughlin, chief economist at Trulia. “Investors have been able to capitalize on the shortfall by taking higher rents.”

With homeownership in the U.S. falling to 63.5 percent in the first quarter, near a 48-year low, it’s easy to understand why. The paradox is that as much as renters want to own a home, higher rents are making it harder for them to save for a down payment and less than stellar credit histories are also a detriment.

For those of you considering rental income properties, please give me a call. As I’ve said in the past, being a landlord is not necessarily for everyone, but I can provide you with the tools necessary to determine whether or not this might be a good financial investment for you.

SKY SOX TICKETS GOING FAST

Just a reminder -- I have four front row seats available on a first come, first served basis. Just give me a call and I will be happy to put them aside for you. They tend to go out the door quickly, especially for the Friday night fireworks and Sunday 50-cent hot dog games. If you are interested, don’t wait until the last minute. I’ll save them for you if you let me know in advance.

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HARRY'S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE 7.18.16

Monday, July 18, 2016

by Harry Salzman

July 18, 2016

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my Personal Service, it is my desire to share current real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable buyer or seller.

THE COMPLICATED PSYCHOLOGY OF BUYING AND SELLING A HOUSE

The Wall Street Journal, 6.13.16

We might often forget this, but it’s a “fact of life”—homes come with far more emotional attachment that any other investment we might make.

Homes are places were we take refuge from the rest of the world and raise a family. They offer an investment that hopefully will provide fruitful returns over time. And we fall in love with a home in a way that we never fall in love with an investment portfolio of stocks and bonds.

How we feel about our homes or potential homes can often blind us to the reality of the market when it comes time to buy and/or sell.

On the buying side, we often prioritize one set of emotional needs over others that are just as strong but not as evident at first. Ignoring those can often lead us to make poor decisions that could affect us for years to come.

When it comes to selling, there’s a whole other set of issues. We tend to value our homes based on our “rose-colored” perceptions and expect it be valued far beyond reasonable expectations or present market conditions.

Here are a few missteps that buyers and sellers often make as they head into the housing market.

Ignoring the big picture. Buyers are often looking for features such as a long driveway or large backyard that will make them happier with their home. What they don’t realize is that those changes may not make them happier with their life as a whole.

“When people move to a better housing, they think they will be a lot happier overall,” says Singe Oishi, a co-author of a 2010 study on the subject in Social Indicators Research. “When they actually move, however, their overall happiness does not often change because there are many tradeoffs in moving.”

One of the biggest tradeoffs is commuting. Oftentimes moving to a bigger house means moving further away from work. The commute can tend to add stress and detract from overall happiness, such as providing less “family time”.

Various studies have shown that if you move to a home far away from work or your friends, but it has nicer “stuff”, it’s not a great deal for your happiness. Therefore, it’s important to consider how the places you’re looking at will shape your social relationships.

Overlooking big expenses. Not totaling up the cost of everything needed to fix up and furnish the home can often lead to making poor choices about how much to pay for a home, says Alex Tabarrok, a professor of economics at George Mason University. Overspending on a down payment can leave a buyer without enough for furniture or decorations that they want.

Weighing buying vs. renting. The biggest budget concern is whether to rent or buy. Research has shown that there are reasons for buying and also for opting out.

Buying a home can provide a psychological boost, especially for a first-time buyer, since homeowners feel they have more control over their lives and are not dependent on a landlord who can change terms and conditions with each lease renewal.

However, home ownership has it’s own kind of stress since there is a certain amount of work necessary in order to maintain a home—not to mention the financial aspect of being tied to a mortgage or keeping up with repairs or other unforeseen costs.

Expecting a big return. Robert Shiller, a professor of economics at Yale University wrote a paper, which was updated in 2014 that looked at the ways recent homebuyers around the country think about the future values of their properties.

He found, among other things, that “homebuyers have extremely high long-term price expectations”. This can cause buyers to purchase homes that aren’t a good fit in terms of location or social scene just because they seem like a good investment. Or they may stake their plans for retirement on the possible financial returns from selling a home.

On a much larger scale, this “over-optimism” can lead to speculative booms that warp the overall market.

It isn’t clear why homeowners are usually so cheerful about the future value of their homes, but researchers feel it may result from the “money illusion” – a failure to take inflation into account.

Not wanting to come up short. While people have many reasons for selling a home and for setting the prices they do, research has found that the most powerful emotion at work in a sale is loss aversion-- not wanting to sell a home for less than they paid for it.

If your home has depreciated in value it’s a fallacy to assume you’ll be able to recoup losses you’ve already incurred. The current market price has nothing to do with how much a person actually paid for a home. This can result in people stubbornly sticking to an asking price above market value and not selling their home at all.

With today’s market of quick decisions and high percentages of selling price to listing price, it’s still important to heed the above advice. A home is often the most important financial investment you can make and you don’t want to miss the “warning signs” of emotional involvement. That is just another good reason to turn to a knowledgeable, experienced real estate Professional like myself who can remain emotionally detached and help you find solutions that are based on market research and fact. Taking your needs, wants and budget into consideration, I can help steer you in the right direction whether you are buying, selling or looking for investment properties. Simply call me today at 598.3200 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com and let’s see how I can put my 44+-year experience in the local market to work for you.

COLORADO SPRINGS RANKED 4^TH BEST CITY TO LIVE IN…AHEAD OF DENVER

The Gazette, 7.13.16

Here’s another feather in our cap! With all the high rankings in recent polls concerning “quality of life” and “affordability” of our city—we now add another one. “Wallethub.com” recently named Colorado Springs “2016’s Fourth Best U.S. City in which to Live”, following the recent fifth place ranking for the same by U.S. News and World Report that I previously wrote about.

Our city placed just above fifth-ranked Denver but below San Francisco, Seattle and Raleigh, N.C. The top 62 largest cities in the U.S. were ranked by measuring, among others, livability, education, health, local economy and taxes.

I’ve been living here for almost 45 years and am thrilled that the rest of the country is now discovering what I’ve always known—Colorado Springs is the BEST place to live.

LOW MORTGAGE LOAN RATES AREN’T LEAVING JUST YET

The Washington Post, 7.14.16, The Wall Street Journal, 7.14.16

All those predictions of higher mortgage loan interest rates that we read about after the Federal Reserve rate hike last December? Not happening. In fact, as I reported two weeks ago, rates are at their lowest in years. That doesn’t mean they are never going up…it’s just not happening right now.

Fannie Mae revised its outlook for mortgage rates last week and now predicts the 30-year rate won’t move above 3.6% this year and will be about 4% in 2017. In the past it said that rates would reach 4.5% by the end of this year.

According to Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac chief economist, “The turbulence abroad should continue to create demand for U.S. Treasuries and keep mortgage rates near historic lows; thereby, allowing home sales to have their best year in a decade, along with a boost in refinance activity”.

And Elliot Eisenberg, the “Bowtie Economist” says this about the “Real Rate”. “While short-term rates are extremely low, the Fed Funds rate is at 0.375%; monetary policy isn’t all that expansionary! The real interest rate—the fed funds rate minus inflation—is roughly -1.25%, yet the rate that is neither expansionary nor contractionary is about 0%. That’s why the Fed isn’t in a huge rush to raise rates. I expect one quarter-point rate rise in 2016 and two in 2017”.

This is all incredible news for local buyers and sellers. With our median sales prices at a record high and home values rising steadily, many who were “underwater” due to the housing crisis are now seeing increased equity which will enable them to enter the market at a time when interest rates are still historically low.

Even in this fast-paced, slightly frenetic market at present there are still great values, especially compared to Colorado communities further north of us, especially Denver. New listings become available daily and there’s a home that’s just right for you. When it’s your time to begin the process, whether buying or selling, please give me a call and let’s get the ball rolling.

SHOULD YOU WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR? OR BUY NOW?...Infographic

Keeping Current Matters, 7.16.16

Some Highlights:

The Cost of Waiting to Buy is defined as the additional funds it would take to buy a home if prices & interest rates were to increase over a period of time.
Freddie Mac predicts interest rates to rise to 4.6% by next year.
CoreLogic predicts home prices to appreciate by 5.3% over the next 12 months.

If you are ready and willing to buy your dream home, it’s time to check with me and find out if you are able to!

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 20^TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN COLORADO ECONOMIC FORUM

Mark your calendars for what is sure to be another sold-out event. The Southern Colorado Economic Forum, sponsored by the UCCS College of Business is celebrating 20 years and this year the Forum is changing things up a bit and having an afternoon meeting and happy hour.

The date is Friday, October 14, 2016 at The Broadmoor Hall and will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a Networking Happy Hour to follow. The full agenda will be available in August and should promise to be another informative meeting.

Salzman real estate Services has been a proud sponsor of the Forum since its inception and I encourage those of you who might have missed this event in the past to be sure to calendar it in today. Registration information will be available soon at: www.UCCSEconomicForum.com .

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HARRY'S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE 7.6.2016

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

by Harry Salzman

July 6, 2016

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my Personal Service, it is my desire to share current real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable buyer or seller.

AND THE GOOD NEWS JUST KEEPS ON COMING FOR LOCAL HOMEOWNERS

Hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day holiday. I waited a couple of days to publish this in anticipation of sharing more good news with you on the home front and I wasn’t disappointed. The June PPAR statistics came out yesterday and once more the Pikes Peak area has record-setting sales of previously owned homes and in median home prices which brought us to 23 consequent months of increased local Residential real estate sales,

Homes are selling at a whopping 99.8% of listing price. Not only that—the average days on the market is a low 28. This is such good news for both buyers and sellers.

As you will see in the Cumulative Year to Date Summary, total sales numbers in Single Family/Patio Homes are up 17.8% over June 2015.

The Monthly Summary shows that total active listings are down 16.8% for Single Family/Patio Homes and 34.4% for Condo/Townhomes compared to a year ago. This downward trend is continuing to be great for sellers. However, it is more difficult, but certainly not impossible, for current buyers to find a new home.

Median Sales Prices are up 5.0% and 12.4% for both Single Family/Patio Homes and Condo/Townhomes respectively—more wonderful news for both buyers and sellers.

The spring buying spree has turned into the summer buying spree and I don’t see the end in sight. Higher rents and better mortgage loan opportunities are an impetus for first-time buyers. With the mortgage loan rates still historically low, many current homeowners are taking advantage by selling to trade up, downsize or move to a new neighborhood.

And worth repeating--it’s very important in today’s market to know what you want, need and can afford prior to the hunt for a new home. There’s no longer the luxury of “let me think about it for a couple of days or even a few hours” at present, as you can see from the statistics.

As an aside, we can thank “Brexit” for delivering US homebuyers with a very definable windfall: mortgage rates are now the lowest they’ve been in three years!

More good news locally is that new listings are up—9.3% for Single Family/Patio Homes and 22.6% for Condo/Townhomes. This indicates that local homeowners are finally realizing that it’s a good time to put their equity to work for them and others are finally seeing increased equity after having been “underwater” for a few years. In any case, that translates to more homes for sale and hopefully a little less frenzy in the buying process.

Speaking of the buying (and selling) process…whenever the real estate market gets “hot” we find more people wanting to get into the real estate profession. Lack of experience can be a real detriment for both a buyer and a seller in this type of market and that’s why I encourage you to use a knowledgeable, experienced real estate professional like myself in your home buying and selling transactions. I’ve witnessed some things in recent weeks that I would never want my clients to have to experience. So…a word to the wise…in one of the most important financial decisions of your life you need someone like me on your side.

If you’re considering a move…either across town or across the country...give me a call at 598.3200 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com and let’s get the ball rolling. I look forward to putting my special brand of customer service to work for you, your family and friends or co-workers.

JUNE 2016 WAS THE 23^TH STRAIGHT MONTH OF INCREASED LOCAL RESIDENTIAL real estate SALES

Statistics provided by the Pikes Peak REALTORS Service Corp, or it’s PPMLS

Here are some highlights from the June 2016 PPAR report. Please click here to view the detailed 14-page report, including charts. If you have any questions, just give me a call.

In comparing June 2016 to June 2015 in PPAR:

Single Family/Patio Homes:

New Listings are 2,056, Up 9.3%
Number of Sales are 1,651, Up 17.8%
Average Sales Price is $294,962, Up 5.6%
Median Sales Price is $262,500, Up 5.0%
Total Active Listings are 2,639, Down 16.8%

Condo/Townhomes:

New Listings are 266, Up 22.6%
Number of Sales are 204, Down 3.8%
Average Sales Price is $183,237, Up 10.2%
Median Sales Price is $170,000, Up 12.4%
Total Active Listings are 191, Down 34.4%

COLORADO SPRINGS AREA MONTHLY SINGLE FAMILY/PATIO HOME SALES ANALYSIS*

Median Sales Price Median Sales Price

June 2016 June 2015

Black Forest $433,500 $418,000

Briargate $355,500 $342,400

Central $200,000 $217,000

East $223,000 $190,500

Fountain Valley: $229,900 $217,500

Manitou Springs: $347,500 $334,500

Marksheffel: $279,900 $258,000

Northeast: $244,450 $239,000

Northgate: $397,500 $365,999

Northwest: $377,500 $336,500

Old Colorado City: $240,000 $210,000

Powers: $250,000 $236,500

Southwest: $342,250 $308,750

Tri-Lakes: $425,000 $415,500

West: $250,000 $201,000

*Statistics provided by the Pikes Peak REALTORS Services Corp,or its PPMLS.

MORE REPORTS FILLED WITH GOOD NEWS

One of the reasons I like to share both local and national statistics with you is that I’ve always believed that an informed buyer or seller is a good buyer or seller. The more information you have helps you make a better decision and when it comes to home buying and selling you need as much information as possible from multiple sources.

You can click here to see the latest report from the UCCS Economic Forum, which shows both national and local statistics for the month of May.

The detailed reports from PPAR for May 2016 are also now available. You can click here for the Monthly Indicators report and click here for the Local Market Update.

CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UNDERWAY

Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers has appointed a 15-person committee, along with Committee Chairman Merv Bennett and Vice-Chair Jill Gaebler to work together for two years.

According to the Mayor it is our task to “Create and implement an updated land use vision for our future as Olympic City, USA.” I am honored to represent the real estate community, and even more so because I can keep you all informed in a timely manner about future plans for our city.

Stay tuned for information as it becomes available.

RENTERS STILL HAVING A ROUGH TIME

RealtorMag, 6.23 & 6.27.16

About 21.3 million Americans—a record high—are devoting 30 percent or more of their income to paying rent, according to the annual State of the Nation’s Housing report from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Even more, 11 million renters in 2014 paid at lease half of their income toward housing costs, which marked another high, the report shows. Most financial experts say consumers should not pay more then 30 percent of their monthly income for housing costs.

Rents have been rising faster than wages for years now. According to Dan McCue, a senior research associate at Harvard, “When you have to dedicate such a high proportion of your income to rent every month it forces you to make difficult decisions. It means spending less on essentials like food, clothing, and health care, as well as less opportunity to save for a down payment on a home or plan for retirement.”

According to the report, the median rent for a new apartment was $1,381. That means a renter would need to earn at least $55,000 a year to afford the rent. Yet on average, renters earn about $34,000—which would mean an affordable rent would be closer to $850.

Affordability is another reason why renters are not yet owners, according to Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “We are seeing flashing yellow lights on affordability. People who are currently renting and want to convert into ownership—major difficulty. Home prices are rising way too fast compared to people’s income and wage growth. We are facing housing affordability challenges already with low mortgage rates, but what happens when the rates begin to rise?”

As I’ve written before, many mortgage lenders are lowering their qualification and down payment requirements in an attempt to help first-time homebuyers. This is certainly worth investigating if you or anyone you know is in this situation.

This also presents an opportunity for those looking for investment property. In either case, I am available to help you discover the best way to deal with the situation, and hopefully find solutions in either of these scenarios. Just give me a call at 598.3200 and let’s see how to make home ownership or investment opportunities work for you.

PLAN. PREPARE. PREVAIL.

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 6.22.16

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has a convenient way for individuals, families and small business owners to learn about what financial documents and records they need to have available in case of an emergency or disaster.

The Plan.Prepare.Prevail. is an extensive website containing disaster-preparedness information:

Personal and small business financial inventory forms
Quick checklists to identify and organize key financial records
Links to other valuable resources and materials

Disasters don’t take a vacation. Make sure your financial records are ready by visiting this website today.

HARRY’S JOKE OF THE DAY:

Job Well Done

Seller to Agent: You’ve done such a great job describing my house in your real estate listing that I’ve decided to keep it!

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HARRY'S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE 6.20.16

Monday, June 20, 2016

by Harry Salzman

June 20, 2016

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my Personal Service, it is my desire to share current real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable buyer or seller.

“SPRING BUYING SEASON” HAS BEEN HOTTER THAN EVER….AND I’M NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT THE RECORD SETTING TEMPERATURES

Today is the first day of Summer and I’ve been busier these last few months than any Spring Buying Season I can ever recall. It seems like everyone either wants to sell and trade up, buy for the first time or buy for investment purposes. I’m getting calls from folks I haven’t heard from in a number of years as well as those who have seen my “SOLD” sign on homes in their neighborhood.

It makes perfect sense to me. Interest rates are still historically low, and while there is still talk of the Federal Reserve raising rates in the future, it doesn’t seem to be affecting the mortgage interest rates at this point. As a matter of fact, mortgage loan rates moved lower this week for the second straight week and are currently the lowest since May 2013.

And as I mentioned in the last edition, banks and other mortgage lenders are easing up in terms of down payment and credit requirements. This is especially good for first time buyers, as they often do not have the cash for a large down payment and more than likely have little or no credit experience.

Rental rates are increasing each month and Colorado Springs is leading the nation in that category. This is creating opportunities for not only first-time buyers but also for first-time investors or for those who have been thinking about adding to their investment property portfolio. Unfortunately these starter homes go quickly and it takes a seasoned real estate Professional such as myself to figure out a way to have a first offer get noticed and ultimately accepted.

Listings are still way down, but I’m finding that there is something for everyone as long as they know what they want, need and can afford prior to the home search. Getting pre-approved from a lender is a must and it’s very important to be able to make a decision quickly once you find the home you want. The days of mulling it over for a few days are a thing of the past.

If you, a family member, co-worker or friend are ready to start the ball rolling on residential real estate—either for the first time, as a seasoned buyer or for investment purposes, please give me a call at 598.3200 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com and let me put my 44+ years experience to work in helping achieve whatever goals you or they have.

MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES ARE STILL HISTORICALLY LOW

The Wall Street Journal, 6.18-19.16, RealtorMag, 6.19.16

Last Wednesday, the Federal Reserve held short-term interest rates steady, and officials lowered projections of how much they will raise them in coming years. This is excellent news for consumers who have not yet taken advantage of historically low rates, or who were held back due to lack of equity in their present home.

Rates for a 30-year-fixed mortgage fell to 3.52% and Jumbo mortgage rates fell to 2.77%, according to Bankrate.com, which based rates on a survey of over 4,800 online banks.

Banks and other mortgage lenders are welcoming the increased mortgage loan business because it helps offset pressure from falling bond yields. Most are passing these savings on to their customers, and Wells Fargo recently said that it expects origination volume industry-wide to be 20% to 25% higher for the year than it had initially anticipated.

With an easing of qualifications and lower rates, hopefully this will translate into more first-timers being able to enter the market and will help those who were unable to participate in the first wave of low rates to be able to reconsider and find their way back into the market.

If you are wondering how these low rates and easier qualifications can work for you, simply give me a call and let’s see how we can make your residential real estate dreams come true.

STUDENT DEBT IS PREVENTING BOTH BUYERS AND SELLERS FROM ENTERING THE real estate MARKET

RisMedia, 6.16.16

According to a new joint survey on student loan debt and housing released by the NAR and SALT^®, a consumer literacy program provided by nonprofit American Student Assistance, “71% of non-homeowners repaying their student loans on time believe their debt is stymieing their ability to purchase a home, and slightly over half of all borrowers say they expect to be delayed from buying by more than five years”.

The results also revealed that student debt postponed 4 in 10 borrowers from moving out of a family member’s household after graduating college.

Nearly three-quarters of non-homeowners polled in the survey believe their student loan debt is delaying them from buying a home. The highest share is among older millennials approximately aged 26 to 35 and those with $70,000 to $100,000 in total debt. Regardless of the outright amount of student debt, more than half of non-homeowners in each generation report that it’s postponing their ability to buy.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says the survey findings bring to light the magnitude student debt is having on the housing market and the budget of even those financially able to make on-time payments on their student loans.

While obtaining a college degree increases the likelihood of stable employment and earning enough to purchase a home, many who graduate with this kind of debt are putting homeownership on the backburner in part because of the multiple years it takes to pay off their student loans at an interest rate that’s oftentimes nearly double current mortgage rates.

“A majority of non-homeowners in the survey earning over $50,000 a year--which is above the median U.S. qualifying income needed to buy a single-family home—reported that student debt is hurting their ability to save for a down payment,” Yun says. “Along with rent, a car payment and other large monthly expenses that can squeeze a household’s budget, paying a few hundred dollars every month on a student loan equates to thousands of dollars over several years that could otherwise go toward saving for a home purchase.”

Among those non-homeowners who believe student debt is delaying their ability to buy, over three-quarters—including over 80% of millennials—said their delay is because they can’t save for a down payment. Also, 69% don’t feel financially secure enough to buy and 63% can’t qualify for a mortgage because of high debt-to-income ratios.

A majority of those surveyed expect to be delayed by more than five years from purchasing a home due to student debt. Those with higher amounts of student debt and those with lower income expect to be delayed the longest, as would be expected.

The survey also found that student debt is affecting the overall housing supply by holding back some current homeowners who otherwise would like to sell and trade up. Nearly 1/3 of current homeowners surveyed said their student debt is postponing them from selling their home and purchasing a new one.

“It is imperative to the nation’s economy that we find immediate and practical solutions to financially empower the 43 million Americans with student debt,” says SALT^® President John Zurick. “SALT^® is committed to demystifying the college financing process by giving consumers information, instruction and individualized advice. No one should not realize the full potential of their formal education simply because of finances. We invite the higher education community, the U.S. government, the private sector and others to join with us in this movement.”

As a REALTOR^® I didn’t need to read about this survey to know the problems concerning student debt and the ability to purchase a home. I come across this stumbling block regularly. It IS “imperative” that we find a solution and I am working diligently behind the scenes at present to see what can be done to help alleviate some of these problems. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

SELLERS: WHAT EVERY BUYER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR HOME

RisMedia, 6.8.16

With high demand and sales at their strongest in close to a decade, home sellers are in an advantageous position this summer. Here are a few specific items that every buyer wants to know prior to purchasing a home they are considering. Some of this is information that may seem premature to advertise initially, but could ultimately be determining factors in a buyers decision to make an offer.

How old is the home? When was it last renovated? How old is the roof?

What structures or fixtures are included in the list price? (Appliances, ceiling fans, lighting, shed, swing set, window treatments, etc.)

What are the home’s annual costs? (Electric, municipal water, gas, oil, lawn care, pool maintenance, etc.)

Has the home required asbestos, lead or mold removal? Has the home been tested for radon?

How is the home heated and/or cooled? How old is the heating and/or cooling system? How old is the hot water heater?

How is the wiring? Is it up to code?

Has the well water been tested?

Is/was an oil tank buried on the property? Is there a septic system, cesspoll or drywell?

Are there any outstanding permits or liens on the property?

What are the homeowners association fees? What is the move-in fee? What amenities or services are provided by the HOA?

By providing these answers upfront you meet prospective buyers on their terms which could lead to an offer that much sooner or one that won’t fall apart due to answers they get at a later date.

SKY SOX TICKETS ARE YOURS FOR THE ASKING

Another reminder--I have four first row seats right behind the home team dugout. These are yours for the asking, but on a first-requested, first-served basis. Just give me a call and I will be happy to reserve tickets for you for any home game of the season.

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