What's Happening in Boulder County!
Boulder Housing Partners, which offers over 2000 affordable housing options, hopes to be the nation’s first net-zero energy and zero-waste housing authority. They are on their way to that goal with 11 solar arrays and implementing SmartRegs features such as low flow faucets and CFL bulbs. Read more here!
You’ve probably noticed the For Sale for awhile now on the church at 950 28th St as you come in to town. It’s finally being developed into apartments, according to the Boulder County Business Reporter’s recent article.
The iconic structure will remain as part of the development.
Distressed property – we’ve probably all heard the term. It can refer to a foreclosure, short sale, REO or delinquency of payment. Check out this article from RIS Media on the definitions of those and how you can benefit.
Wondering what mortgage companies are looking at when you apply for a loan? It can seem like a mysterious process where you turn in a lot of paperwork and then wait. Here’s a great summary of where the industry seems to be headed with the Dodd-Frank Qualified Mortgage (QM), from RIS Media:
“…a mortgage that meets the following requirements:
(1) It does not include negative amortization, interest-only payments, balloon payments, or have a loan term exceeding 30 years.
(2) The total points and fees do not exceed 3 percent of the total loan amount.
(3) The income or assets of the borrower have been considered and verified.
(4) With regard to underwriting:
a. It is based on the maximum interest rate in the first five years.
b. It uses a payment schedule that fully amortizes the loan over the loan term.
c. It takes into account any mortgage-related obligations.”
That’s all pretty common sense that there should be a limit on the length of the loan and everything is verified. Click here for the rest of the article – there’s more good stuff to be aware of!
Most homes for sale in Boulder tout the popular “Master Suite”. But will it really help the home sell faster if you add one? Think again. Here’s a list of 10 home improvement projects that might not be worth your while. Of course, if you really want that outdoor kitchen…
Brought to you by the Sessa team at SWBC Mortgage:
Amanda Sessa, Sr. Home Loan Consultant, CMPS
John Sessa, Branch Manager/Home Loan Consultant
303-545-9600
ASessa@swbc.com or JSessa@swbc.com
RIS Media reports on how America thinks about home ownership. Things are looking good, according to the surveys. “Overall, more than half of consumers polled say homeownership is a vital component to defining the American Dream and 59 percent associated feelings of excitement or pride as part of their first time home buying process.”
Sounds good!
A lot of these are common sense tips but it all bears repeating with the hot weather we’ve had so far this summer:
1. Keep the sun out.
Summer sunshine might be cheery, but it brings an extraordinary amount of heat into the home. Keep the sun—and its heat—out by closing blinds, drapes and windows during the day. Light-colored window treatments can reflect light and heat away from your home as well.
2. Don’t create excess heat.
Appliances and lighting generate heat when in use. To keep your home cooler, turn off unnecessary lighting, and swap out heat-producing incandescent light bulbs for cooler compact fluorescent light bulbs.
3. Fan it.
For an extra cool breeze, place a frozen water bottle in front of the fan. Attic fans can also pull in cooler air from outside.
4. Cross ventilate.
If it’s windy outside, you can create a breeze in your home by strategically opening your windows.
5. Be smart about landscaping.
Strategically placed trees, shrubs and vines can all cool a home.
Read more here!
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