The BARA Blog

2012 Boulder County Commissioner Race Has Begun

bararealtors — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:52:45 +0000

In a November 21, 2010 email, former Boulder Deputy Mayor and Council Member, Rich Lopez, formally announced his candidacy for the 2012 Boulder County Board of Commissioners Race. Lopez is seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination to fill the seat being vacated by term-limited Commissioner Will Toor. Lopez is an extrememly well-qualified candidate and deserves broad community support. Read the full content of his announcement below. Leave a commment and let us know what you think of Rich’s run up to November 2012.

Dear Friends,
Yesterday, I informed the chair of the Boulder County Democratic Party of my intention to campaign for Boulder County Commissioner. Several months ago I met with Will Toor to let him know that I planned to campaign for his seat. Will is term-limited and the election is November, 2012 and the “run-up” begins now.
You know of my experience as a Boulder Council Member and Deputy Mayor. I have spent the last nine years working in areas that I believe provide the additional experience necessary to serve as our County Commissioner. I’ve served as the Board Chair of The Denver Foundation, the state’s largest community foundation supporting hundreds of nonprofit organizations in the region. Simultaneously, I’ve joined the Board of Directors of Boulder Community Hospital, which I now chair, governing Boulder’s community-based health care provider. You may have read about the Hospital’s bold ten year plan to consolidate acute care services at the Foothills branch of Boulder Community Hospital. We made this decision after more than a year of careful strategic planning.
Currently, I chair the Boulder Mountain Fire Relief Fund which will make grants to Boulder Mountain residents impacted by the Labor Day wildfires. I am a mountain resident who was impacted, but fortunately unharmed by the wildfires.
I believe I can bring a perspective to Boulder County Commissioner decision making and leadership that is unique and valuable. I have a desire to serve and want to be your Boulder County Commissioner.
In the days and weeks to come, I hope that you will support me in any way you can. Tell your friends to consider my candidacy. Support my campaign with your time and resources. And, most importantly, call or write to tell me what you think. Your voice is key to making thoughtful decisions for our county, and I’m ready to listen.
Rich Lopez

Realtors Say NO to Destructive Ballot Measures

bararealtors — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:25:31 +0000

There are three ballot measures this year that will severely devastate Colorado’s ability to sustain economic vitality, build better communities and advance our schools. In fact, these three measures will thwart Colorado’s recovery. These are just some of the reasons the Colorado Association of REALTORS® emphatically opposes Amendments 60, 61 and Proposition 101. Please take a minute to read just what these measures would do to our economic vitality, schools and the communities in which you live, work and strive. After reviewing these measures, we believe you will also agree these measures have to be defeated. Click “read more.” Read More

Boulder Planning Board Reviews Downtown/Uni-Hill Development Codes

bararealtors — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:15:23 +0000

Boulder Planning Board members recently reviewed possible code changes governing development in downtown and uni-hill mixed-use zones. The code changes were prompted in part by a proposed four story development at the former site of Robb’s Music last year. The proposed development at the SW corner of Canyon and 16^th Street was denied. Other possible code changes include increased affordable housing requirements, reduced density, as well as lower FAR’s and lower building heights in blocks north and south of the existing downtown development. One possible offset for the new restrictions is that basements may not be counted in FAR and square foot calculations. The meeting was held on April 1, 2010 beginning at 6:00PM in City Council Chambers. (Planning Board members declined to approve the code changes pending a broader consideration of the underlying issues.) To review the agenda click here Current Agenda.

This is likely the beginning of a multi-year community discussion on the role of density in the City of Boulder’s future planning and development. The central question to be answered focuses on how density impacts sustainability.

Is Boulder more likely to achieve ‘sustainability’ by promoting density in key transportation corridors, or by limiting population and job growth? Weigh in. Let us know what you think.

Short Sale’s Help?

bararealtors — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:23:26 +0000

Last week the Treasury Department unveiled new rules aimed at speeding up the ‘short sale’s’ process. To qualify: The property must be the homeowner’s principle residence. The homeowner is delinquent on the mortgage or default looks likely. The loan was made before January 1, 2009 and is less than $729,750. The borrowers’ total monthly mortgage payment exceeds 31 percent of their before tax income.

Mortgage companies have unjtil April 5, 2010 to launch the program, meaning no relief for home buyers, home sellers or real estate professionals currently entangled in deals. Critics say this is a major shortcoming, among others.

Will this new program get the job done? What other steps need to be taken now?

Mixed Messages

bararealtors — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:44:03 +0000

We are living in the information age. Some of the information comes to us unsolicited and some we actively seek out. We get information via email, websites, newspapers, friends, family, television; the list goes on and on. The problem isn’t enough information, it’s too much information. Many times the information conflicts with other input we have received, and it is up to us to sort through, digest, decide and react to it all.

This syndrome is especially true for information on the real estate market. The consumer is bombarded with a variety of “sources”; national news, their neighbor who has their house on the market and HGTV are just a few examples of how market perceptions are formed. An individual forms their opinion based upon the aggregation of all of this information. Lately the overall opinion has been, well, negative. Let’s be honest, we haven’t had the strongest market lately; sales are down, foreclosures are up, short sales are in the news and consumers have shut down on making large purchases. So what’s wrong, the message matches the reality, right? Wrong!

The myth is that the market has disappeared with the economy and that there are no buyers out there. The myth is that you can get a house for 20% off the list price in Boulder County. The reality is that there is still a market for homes that are very well priced. The reality is that a home needs to be in good condition in order to compete. The reality is that the market is strong for homes that are in areas and price ranges targeted by first-time homeowners. The reality is that there are quick offers and multiple offers out there for homes of sellers who understand and have reacted to the market we are in. The reality is that we are in a market where smart buyers can make a good investment. The reality is that there are many people who would like to move but feel like it is a bad time to do so. The reality is that our prices have been very resilient. The reality is that the real estate market is cyclical and you cannot panic at the bottom or get overly exuberant at the top.

So, what about the statistics? Numbers don’t lie but they do only look one way, backwards. If you focus too much on the fact that sales were down 19% in August from a year ago you lose sight of the fact that there are opportunities in every market. A smart Realtor is the one who sees opportunities in the market and communicates those opportunities to everyone they meet. The market in Bend, OR was a boom town until, all-of-the sudden, prices fell 20%. Now Realtors are super busy helping buyers who love the idea of buying a house at a discount. Everyone needs a place to live, we are not selling widgets. The market for shelter cannot disappear. The numbers are ugly, but that doesn’t mean that the future will follow. Yes, we have some challenges yet to overcome and some hard work ahead, but let’s make sure our personal message to the public includes some of the positive realities of the local market.

Neil Kearney

Kearney Realty Co./MB

303.818.4055

http://www.NeilKearney.com

bararealtors — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:24:53 +0000

“It might well be that some of the concerns are valid, but we are not going to learn anything new by just continuing to think about this. I think we need to pass something so we can see what the impact is.” Mayor Mathew Appelbaum commenting on the proposed home size regulations City Council is prepared to adopt in October. Daily Camera, September 18, 2009.

Some think this quote demonstrates a callous ‘pass it and see who gets hurt’ attitude, while others think it is a positive step, demonstrating leadership on a tough issue. How do you see it?

7th Annual Hope Firkins Event with Terry Watson

bararealtors — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:17:19 +0000

“What I’ve always wanted to say, but feared it would end my career”

Monday, October 5, 209 Gatehouse Event Center – Lafayette from 8:30-12:30

Program (breakfast at 8:00) FOUR Hours of CE Credit $55 (Price increases after 9/18)

Real world professional and liability issues that can sabotage the work of committed, ambitious REALTORS. – How to avoid “roadkill” and how to serve their clients in the most efficient manner possible. – How to get into the DNA of Generation X by learning how to use high tech tools and real world perspective. – The top 10 technology mistakes that 99% of realtors make so they can improve the quality of their work and lives of their customers. – Tales from around the country – who is adapting to tough markets and how.

Click on “Education” to register.

Want to watch a video clip of Terry? Click the links below

Terry on Perfectionism and Boredom is NOT an option