Michael Clarkson is one of Denver's highest profile brokers. He’s been featured in Realtor® Magazine three separate times, Denver Post, Denver Business Journal, KOA Radio, KHOW Radio, and the Colorado Radio Network. Michael is a licensed Managing Broker in Colorado and a GRI (Graduate Realtor® Institute). He is also a partner in the firm, Cash Path Real Estate LLC. Michael has an MBA in International Business from Regis University in Denver.

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Saturday, April 28, 2007

FIRST TIME BUYER ALERT!!!!! METRO MAYORS ASSIST FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS

METRO MAYORS ASSIST FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS
METRO MAYORS ASSIST FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS
Program Offers Downpayment Assistance and Stable, Conventional Fixed-Rate Mortgages

First-time homebuyers in many parts of the Denver metro area can now get a 4% down payment assistance grant and 5.95% 30-year fixed rate mortgage through the Metro Mortgage Assistance program led by the City and County of Denver and the Metro Mayors Caucus.

Cities throughout the Front Range contributed a total of $32.5 million in bond issuing capacity to fund the program, which provides first-time homebuyers with access to 5.95% 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loans (FHA, VA, RHS, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac eligible conventional) accompanied by a grant for down-payment and closing-cost assistance equal to 4% of the original loan amount. Participating jurisdictions include: Arvada, Aurora, Bennett, Brighton, Broomfield, Centennial, Erie, Denver, Frederick, Greenwood Village, Lakewood, Littleton, Louisville, Northglenn, Sheridan and Westminster.

“This type of a program is designed to be an antidote to the risky mortgages that have contributed greatly to the foreclosure problems seen in Denver and throughout the country,” said Denver City Council President Michael Hancock. “The below market, fixed-rate mortgages and companion down payment assistance grants are meant to help address the needs of first-time homebuyers who often find their only alternative to be loan products that subject the buyer to a greater likelihood of foreclosure.”

The Metro Mortgage Assistance program helps first-time homebuyers achieve a low 30-year fixed rate mortgage that provides them with a steady mortgage payment, keeping borrowers secure from rising interest rates and increasing payments. The down payment assistance is a non-repayable grant that helps give buyers a head start toward building equity in their home.

“The largest barrier to home ownership many families face is lack of a down payment," said City of Broomfield Mayor Karen Stuart, who is vice chair of the Metro Mayors Caucus. “The Metro Mayors Caucus is pleased to continue our long-standing support and encouragement of home ownership by providing a way for families to achieve and afford the American dream of owning their own home.”

To be eligible for the Metro Mortgage Assistance program, annual family income cannot exceed $71,700 for families of one or two persons and $82,455 for families of three or more. The maximum home cost under the program is $365,175. Eligible prospective homebuyers cannot have owned a home in the last three years, except in specified targeted areas. Higher income and purchase price limits are also available in those targeted areas.

Mr. Hancock voiced his appreciation to the Metro Mayors Caucus. “Of course, this is a regional effort that wouldn’t have such a broad impact without the involvement of the Metro Mayors Caucus and the 16 participating cities.” He also added his thanks to the thirteen participating lenders. “We are so fortunate to have so many lenders participating in the Metro Mortgage Assistance program. Without the efforts of these lenders, there would not be a program.”

More information on the program is available at www.milehigh.com/housing. Or you can contact me at 303.403.2641 or at mj@milehighhomehunter.com

Grant funds are limited!! So, if interested, you should contact me to lock up your first time buyers (or those not having owned a home for three years) grant NOW!! If you know of a first time buyer, please have them contact me.

(Major portions of the above are from http://www.denvergov.org/DenverGovHome/tabid/37891/newsid97029/93/METRO-MAYORS-ASSIST-FIRST-TIME-HOMEBUYERS/Default.aspx.)

Oh, by the way™

… if you know of someone looking for a Realtor® whose service is "Mile High" and would appreciate the level of service I provide, please call me with their name and business number and I will be happy to follow up and take great care of them.

Kind regards,

Michael

Michael J. Clarkson
Broker Associate
Work: 1.303.403.2641
Mobile: 1.303.332.6393
Fax: 1.866.723.4337
Email: mj@milehighhomehunter.com
IM: mjclarksondenver (MSN)
RE/MAX Alliance
9737 Wadsworth Parkway
Westminster, CO 80021
USA
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Sunday, March 04, 2007

Arvada, Colorado - Improving Real Estate Market

The first metro city we will review is Arvada, Colorado.

Arvada was the site of the first gold discovered in Colorado, when Lewis Ralston dipped his pan into a local stream and found $5 in 1850. After years of gold encampments and as a jumping off point to mountain gold fields, Arvada eventually established its own character as a farming community. Years later, railroads began to pass through. Eventually, Arvada was formally established in 1904.

Today, Arvada is a thriving city of about 104,000.

It's located in the northwest metro, roughly bounded on the South by I-70, transversally from South to East above I-76, Sheridan Boulevard on the East, 88th Avenue on the North, and Colorado Highway 93 on the West. Alluring views of the mountains are found throughout town.

Its hometown feel and strong civic mindedness are the hallmarks of Arvada. Perhaps, it's because of this "hometown" feel that Arvada is holding its own in the current Denver real estate market.

Now, let's get down to business. Here's a quick look at Arvada's numbers:
  • 1,500 single family homes sold in the past 12 months.
  • An average of 125 homes sold per month
  • As of March 4, 2007, 589 active single family homes were on the market
  • Presently, 4.71 months of inventory are on market.

This means that Arvada is mildly leaning towards a Seller's market. (Remember, it's less than 6 months of inventory.)

When viewed in the context that 160 homes went under contract in the prior month (and a snowy month at that), we are seeing an increase in the monthly average of homes sold -- reinforcing the present Seller's trend.

To view the present listings in Arvada, please click here.

If you would like a more detailed analysis about specific neighborhoods in Arvada, contact me here to request a neighborhood level search.

Oh, by the way™
… if you know of someone looking for a Realtor® whose service is "Mile High" and would appreciate the level of service I provide, please call me with their name and business number and I will be happy to follow up and take great care of them.


Kind regards,

Michael

http://www.MileHighHomeHunter.com

http://www.MileHighForeclosure.com

Is Denver Still a Buyer's Market?

Tipping Point. Point of Inflection. Turn-around.

These are the adjectives that reporters SHOULD be using to describe the Denver Metro's real estate market.

While there are a lot of problems in our local market, things are improving.

A market is considered to be in equilibrium when the months of inventory in a given market (number of active listings divided by the average sales per month) equals six months. If over six months, a market is considered to be a Buyer's market, if less, then a Seller's market.

Well, let's take a look at our first city: Arvada.

Michael Clarkson
http://www.MileHighHomeHunter.com
http://www.MileHighForeclosure.com

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Colorado leads the nation in foreclosures!

Colorado leads the nation in foreclosures!
These are some of the more sensational headlines I have seen recently. Click 'em! They are real links!
Regrettably, many of the journalists are missing the boat or just plainly trying to sell newspapers. Many are not educated about real estate, many more are plainly, simply not completely informed.
Just like I wouldn't have Simon Cowell be on the review committee of the Nobel Peace Prize, I wouldn't permit a journalist to be the standard bearer for real estate analysis. So, to help my readers become better aware of the market here in Denver and Colorado I will be providing timely analysis of the Denver Real Estate Market here on this website.
During this next months, I will be doing a brief review of the Denver market and providing readers an insight as to how each area is doing around town, defining terms and identifying trends. In short, starting an illuminating dialogue.
The sky is not falling. Over the next few weeks, you will see that the sky is far from falling. Indeed, the sun is nicely shining.
I will focus on the following 19 cities around and including Denver:

As we start this journey, I will be glad to take your questions and answer them here. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Michael J. Clarkson

Broker Associate

RE/MAX Alliance

Visit me at:

http://www.MileHighHomeHunter.com

http://www.MileHighForeclosure.com



Sunday, February 11, 2007

RE/MAX Alliance - Michael Clarkson - Monthly Real Estate Update - February 2007

Here is a link to my "February Real Estate Update":

Click Here

This Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.

This month's issue includes topics such as:

"Increase the Odds of Selling Your Home by Cleaning Out Clutter";
"Resolve To Protect Your Household's Bottom Line";
"For Some, It's Time To Appeal Property Tax Bills";
"Post Boom Second Home Buying Strategies";
"Homebuyers Paying Too Much in Points, Says New Statistical Study";

Plus a roundup of January real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.

I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too!

Sincerely,

Michael Clarkson

You can find great local Erie, Colorado real estate information on Localism.com Michael Clarkson is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free online community to help real estate professionals grow their business.

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