#20. Greeley, Colorado
2010 Population Forecast: 252,825
2011 Total Building Permit Forecast: 1,5322012 Total Building Permit Forecast: 2,510
The forces lifting the housing market along Colorado's Front Range are spilling into Greeley, located about an hour's drive northwest of Denver. Home prices here never got out of control during the housing boom and reset early in the housing recession. Also, the region dealt early and effectively with its foreclosure situation.
Now, positive economic forces are taking hold along Colorado's Front Range. In fact, all the main drivers of new home construction, home prices, jobs, population, and incomes, are expected to turn solidly positive in Greeley next year.
Home to Northern Colorado University and the North Colorado Medical Center, Greeley is projected to have some of the strongest population growth (1.8 percent) in the country. With a median home price of about $140,000 this summer, Greeley is an affordable alternative to Denver. A strengthening local economy will lift the median income here by 4.2 percent.
To read the rest of this article click here!
(Pictured from left to right: Shelley Ball- Paddock, Brooke Delisle, Fara Dyer, Ann Stewart, Dori Workman, Shelley Costigan and Elaine Bradley)
1 in 8 people in Weld County struggle with hunger. That is just one of the many reasons Sears Real Estate volunteers monthly at the Weld Food Bank packing emergency food boxes.
To recognize Hunger Action Month, which was in September, Sears Real Estate agents and staff donated 102 jars of peanut butter to the Weld Food Bank. Every little bit helps!
If you're interested in learning more about the Weld Food Bank visit www.weldfoodbank.org.
Greeley-based JBS Swift and Co. has been recognized as the International Packer Marketer of the Year by Certified Angus Beef LLC.
JBS was honored for identifying new international customers for Certified Angus Beef products and providing education for the company's sales team, customers and wait staff.
JBS's Grand Island, Neb. location was also recognized as a Top Five Sales Volume Fabricator and for certifying two million cattle since it became a licensed fabricator in 1996.
JBS Swift was recognized at Certified Angus Beef's annual conference in Sunriver, Ore., on Sept. 20-22.
Source: www.ncbr.com
The Windsor Business Expo and Trade Show was a huge success again this year! The winner of our gift basket was Kathy Zubrek of Windsor! Thanks to Lisa Michie, Elaine Bradley, Chris Haug, Clare Hartmann, Fara Dyer and Shannon Blesener for their time at the Expo this year!
Northern Colorado foreclosure filings (both Larimer and Weld Counties) have declined 30% in 2011 compared to 2010 (January through June).
Larimer County (Jan-June)
2010.....858
2011.....650
Weld County (Jan-June)
2010.....1456
2011.....961
Source: Colorado Dept. of Local Affairs: Division of Housing
Weld County provides 10,518 manufacturing jobs, with annual average wages of $46,594. In contrast, average wages for all Weld industries is $40,369.
In the past five years, manufacturing has grown 1% in Weld County, while declining 3.4% in Colorado and 3.9% in the U.S.
Greeley/Evans......$130,000
Loveland.............$192,000
Fort Collins..........$243,000
Windsor..............$290,000
For other current market statistics click here!
Rhythm and Reason
...a fund-raiser for Union Colony Children's Music Academy Scholarship and Outreach Fund
"Rhythm" (and so much more!) is what they do each week with over 400 children in the classes at Union Colony Children's Music Academy..
"Reason" is having the resources to never turn a child away...
Your support is the reason their rhythm can happen!
Join them October 23rd 7-9pm
Zoe's (715 10th St)
Make your reservation for this event for only $25 at http://www.unioncolonychildrensmusic.org/ or call 970-353-1116
Your evening will be filled with dessert treats, Traditional Irish music performed by Blayne Chastain, Natalie Padilla & Friends and a silent auction filled with artwork.
Median Sales Price Increasing: For all of the areas in Northern Colorado!
The median sales price is coming back around! The median sales price for all Northern Colorado communities is higher than it was one year ago. This is a positive indicator that the market has reached “rock bottom” and is correcting for the better, as it relates to values and home equity.
Click here to find an agent and contact them for a Free Market Analysis on your home or call Sears Real Estate at 970-330-7700.
Northern Colorado Sales on the Rise!
See the graph below for year-to-date single-family home sales across the region.
Source: Ires Statistics May 2010
Windsor Area refers to Windsor, Severance,
Johnstown & Milliken
Smaller Communities refers to Ault, Eaton,
LaSalle, Nunn, Platteville & Gilcrest
The thought of buying your first home can be both exciting...and nerve-racking! It is a huge decision but it can also be very rewarding and even a lot of fun.
Home ownership is a great way to build equity, to give pride of ownership and it can increase your sense of community.
Although markets do fluctuate, overall buying a home is a good investment. Especially if you choose to buy before June 30, 2010! The First-Time Homebuyers Tax Credit is worth $8000 for qualified buyers!
Once you’ve decided to buy, you need to know where to start.
Check out our First-Time Homebuyers Guide or FAQ page for more information.
How much can you afford? Try our Calculators to help you get a better idea of your individual situation.
Want to start looking? Search listings here or contact one of our agents!
Following the recent announcement that the $8000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit had been extended, we have received many questions. See some common questions and their answers below:
1. Who qualifies for the First-Time Homebuyer Credit?
- Buyers who are purchasing a home (new or resale) that have not owned a primary residence for at least 3 years. In addition, anyone whose income is greater than $125,000 for a single taxpayer; $250,000 for married taxpayers do not qualify for the credit.
2. My wife owned a home in the past 3 years but I did not, do we still qualify?
- No. Married buyers do not qualify if one spouse has owned a home in the past 3 years. However, for unmarried couples, the person who has not owned a residence can qualify for a full credit (if purchasing the home only in their name) or a partial credit if sharing the home purchase with a non-first-time buyer.
3. I bought a home in 2008, can I receive this credit?
- No. A different tax credit program was in place in April 2008 through January 1, 2009. If you purchased a home during that time period, speak with a tax professional to see if you qualify. If you purchased a home prior to April 2008, you do not qualify for either tax credit however, it is important that you speak with a tax professional to ensure that you do not qualify for other types of tax deductions and/or credits.
4. Can I buy any kind of home and receive the credit?
- Yes! Any home under $800,000 that will be used as your primary residence (not a vacation home or income property) qualifies.
Please visit our Buyers page for additional tax credit information and resources to help answer you questions.
If you haven’t heard about the first time home buyer tax credit that was instituted in February of this year, you may want to crawl out from underneath the rock you’ve been hiding under!
-What you may not know is that there is a time limit on obtaining the $8,000 tax credit—the deadline is quickly approaching!
-First time home buyers (can’t have owned a property in the past 3 years to qualify) must purchase and close on their new home no later than November 30, 2009. Some rumors have swirled around that the tax credit might be extended, but as of this newsletter, an extension has not been granted by the government.
The Greeley area continues to remain very affordable for all buyers but specifically for first-time buyers in the under $150,000 market.
As of today, there are 106 active single family homes in Greeley/Evans available for under $100,000! In the $100,000 to $150,000 range, there are 153 homes available.
Many buyers in this market qualify for the tax credit, but like we said, time is quickly running out! Speak with any agent today before the opportunity is gone.
The Colorado Housing Finance Authority has a program for first time homebuyers to be able to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit even if they don’t have the down payment at the time of closing. CHFA’s “Jump Start Tax Credit Program” allows first time homebuyers (a person who hasn’t owned a property in the last 3 years) to obtain a second mortgage loan that they can then pay back with the tax credit refund they will receive when filing their returns. Repay this 0% loan when you get your tax credit refund check! Buyers can qualify for up to 3.5% of their down payment or closings costs.
Click here for more information!
I can’t think of a better time for first time homebuyer’s to purchase a property. All of the current conditions in the market have created fantastic opportunities specifically for first time homebuyers! However, these conditions won’t last forever.
Let me fill you in on one such condition that is currently set to “expire” December 1, 2009. It’s called the “First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit” that was part of President Obama’s stimulus package signed into law in February 2009.
The incentive creates a true $8,000 tax credit for individuals meeting the following criteria:
· Must be a first-time home buyer (cannot have owned a principle residence in the last three years)
· Single taxpayer cannot have an income over $75,000 and married couples filing jointly may not have an income over $150,000.
· The tax credit is equal to 10% of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000 (i.e. if you purchase an $80,000 property you’d receive the full $8,000; however if you purchase a $50,000 property, your tax credit would be $5,000).
Here’s the important part to remember: buyers must purchase and close on the property prior to December 1, 2009 in order to qualify for this tax credit.
December may seem like a long time away, but it’s really right around the corner. But, we’ll need some time to go through the steps to get you qualified for a loan, look at properties, choose one that fits your needs, and go through the contract process.
