Financial & Transportation Assistance in Boulder County

October 22, 2013 by

 

Financial & Transportation Assistance in Boulder County

Boulder County works to support healthy communities that strengthen individuals and families while promoting human dignity and hope for the future.

Featured Programs

Colorado Works/Temporary Aid to Needy Families

Colorado Works/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) is a federal program that provides cash assistance to needy families with dependent children. Find out more about income limits and how to apply.

Food Assistance

Food Assistance (FA) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), assists individuals or families with a portion of their monthly food costs. Find out about eligibility, income limits, and how to apply.

Mobility For All

Boulder County’s Mobility for All program provides transit support and other types of transportation assistance to help low income individuals get to their jobs, job training, job interviews or schools.

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Jobs & Volunteering in Boulder

October 17, 2013 by

Jobs & Volunteering in Boulder

Boulder County is a caring county government that offers professional growth, an inclusive culture, comprehensive benefits and daily opportunities to make a difference in the community. Learn about current job offerings, volunteer opportunities, and internships. Boulder County is a great place to work, play and live. Come join us!

Featured Programs

Current Openings

Current Openings

View all current employment opportunities with Boulder County.

Medical Reserve Corps

Medical Reserve Corps

The Medical Reserve Corps of Boulder County (MRCBC) works to establish teams of trained, local volunteer medical, public health, and safety professionals who can contribute their skills and exp

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Estes Park flooding impact

October 12, 2013 by

Estes Park flooding impact

More than 1,000 jobs could be lost because of a drop in tourism as a result of the recent flooding in Estes Park,  according to an analysis byColorado State University.

 

A drop in tourist visits to Estes Park as a result of flood-damaged roads could have a ripple effect through the rest of Colorado’s economy, shows a preliminary analysis conducted by the Regional Economics Institute at CSU.

With major roads leading into Estes Park damaged or destroyed, it is clear there will be a drop in tourist activity, the report notes.

The full extent will depend on how quickly the state’s highway infrastructure in the northern foothills can be repaired.

The report examined a variety of scenarios, including the possibility that tourist visits to the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park could drop between 30 and 100 percent.

If tourism activity in Estes Park were to decline 70 percent, it could translate into a loss of 1,111 jobs, a $90 million decrease in stateeconomic activity, and a $46.1 million drop in real household income. In addition, state tax revenue could dip by $5.8 million and local tax revenue by $4.4 million.

“We know that tourism is a major driver of Colorado’s economy and the damaging floods will certainly have an impact on access to Estes Park, one of Northern Colorado’s strongest tourist draws, though only time will tell how significant that impact will be,” said Martin Shields, director of the Regional Economics Institute at CSU. “Our preliminary research, however, indicates that any reduction in tourist visits to Estes Park will have an impact on the state’s broader economy and it could be significant. We’ve provided some very rough numbers in our report, and more study would be warranted to understand the complete picture.”

Shields, co-author of the report with professor of economics Harvey Cutler, believes that if reduced accessibility to Estes Park persists into 2014, many potential visitors will reconsider their vacation plans. This reduces not only visitation to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, but complementary destinations in Colorado as well, from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs along the Front Range and from Steamboat Springs to Aspen in the mountain areas.

Estes Park saw an estimated $187 million in tourism expenditures in 2011, with approximately 56 percent of visitors from out of state. The report also projects the impact of 100-percent and 30-percent losses of tourism activity in Estes Park and demonstrates the economic urgency of repairing tourism-critical roadways. Read full article here 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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U.S. seniors lock in reverse mortgages before rules change

October 6, 2013 by

 

U.S. seniors lock in reverse mortgages before rules change

(Reuters) – American seniors grappling with strained savings following the deepest recession in generations will soon face new hurdles in tapping a tool some have used to help finance retirement: the federal government’s reverse mortgage program.

An upcoming change in rules will cut the number of borrowers eligible to draw down cash against the value of their homes by 22 percent, according to an estimate from Reverse Market Insight, and some homeowners are rushing to beat the deadline.

“I had limited options and was up against a wall. It was grim,” said Cheryl Honeyman, a widow living in Brookings, Oregon, who locked into a reverse mortgage this month. “I was lucky to get this loan when I did.”

For the 63-year-old, who inherited her home near the Oregon coast when her parents passed away four years ago, the government-backed loan means she can live on the money she gets from Social Security without having to worry that an unexpected expense could force her to sell her home.

The program is costing the government. The Federal Housing Administration is expected to spend $2.8 billion this fiscal year backing reverse mortgages. Under congressional pressure, the FHA will implement new rules on Tuesday designed to stem those losses.

The changes will limit the amount seniors can draw down, impose higher mortgage insurance fees and put in place tougher vetting of applicants. But they are likely coming too late to prevent the FHA from tapping the U.S. Treasury for a cash infusion for the first time in the agency’s 79-year history.

Reverse mortgages, available to borrowers aged 62 or older, pay out a home’s equity to the borrower, either in installments or lump-sum payments. They are repaid when the borrower dies or moves out of the house, although the borrower must still pay property taxes and homeowners’ insurance.

The loans, most of which are insured by the FHA, have proved to be a lifeline for many Americans whose savings were depleted during the deep 2007-2009 recession.

Honeyman was anxious that the value of her home had significantly dropped during the recession and would limit how much money she would receive. Her home appraisal came in at $180,000 and she was able to take a $105,000 lump-sum on the property, which was purchased 13 years ago for $220,000.

DEADLINE IMPACT

If Honeyman had qualified for a reverse mortgage backed by the FHA under the new rules, she would have owed more in insurance costs and have been eligible for less money.

Loan officers and financial advisers are preparing clients for the upcoming shift, which they say will reduce the attractiveness of the loans for a vast number of seniors.

Deborah Nance, a reverse mortgage specialist with iReverse Home Loans in the Los Angeles area, said she worries the changes will mainly hurt borrowers with lower incomes, heavy debt obligations or weak credit histories.

“Those that might have previously (had) a lump sum option to pay off mortgages might be turned down,” she said.

Nance has recommended against reverse mortgages when she hears that seniors intend to move within five years, or if they have family members living with them on a long-term basis.

The problem for the FHA is that an increasing percentage of these loans are ending up in default. A record 54,000 FHA-insured reverse mortgage borrowers — or 9.4 percent – have defaulted. That’s up from 8.1 percent in July 2011.

Unlike traditional loans, the majority of defaults are triggered when borrowers are unable to pay their property taxes or keep up with their homeowners’ insurance.(Reporting by Margaret Chadbourn; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Krista Hughes)

 

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Will good news in Case Shiller continue?

July 24, 2013 by

Will good news in Case Shiller continue?

The S&P/Case Shiller numbers came out on June 25 and it’s no surprise that it shows the real estate marketrecovering nicely around Denver and the nation.

The Case Shiller Index is a leading indicator used to measure the value of residential real estate on a monthly or quarterly basis using a specific methodology of “repeat sales comparables.”

The data shows that home prices across the nation rose by 12 percent from April of last year to April of this year.

In Denver, prices rose by 9.91 percent from last year.

Most experts predicted that the nation would see a 10.6 percent increase, so the actual numbers beat the estimates.

For those of us with boots on the ground, again, this is no surprise.

The question on everyone’s mind is — will this last?

Buyers enjoyed all the leverage in the market from 2008 to March 2011.

It started swinging in favor of sellers in April of 2011 and so for the past 27 months, sellers have had the upper hand.

I think that sellers could be in the driver’s seats for another 18 to 24 months unless interest rates continue to climb.

In case you haven’t noticed over the last 60 to 90 days, interest rates have gone from 3.5 percent to 4.3 percent on a 30-year fixed. For a buyer purchasing a $300,000 dollar home, that monthly mortgage just went up by about $140 per month,

I know that everyone pays a lot of attention to rising home prices, but rising interests rates will cost you more in the long run every time.

If you are a buyer and have been hesitant on when to buy, don’t wait any longer.

Rising interest rates and rising home prices are a double whammy. That $300,000 dollar home will be $325,000 before you know it, and the interest rate may even be 5 percent.

 

By Dan Polimino

Special to InsideRealEstateNews.com

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Boulder Arts & Culture

July 12, 2013 by

Boulder Arts & Culture

To receive an accolade for the 6th Best Art Town in the Country you must have an extensive and developed art scene, and that’s just what Boulder has to offer.  Recognized for its dedication to the Arts, Boulder gives its citizens and visitors plenty to stimulate their minds.

A great way to start your day off is to grab a coffee at the Laughing Goat Coffee House (1709 Pearl St. 303.440.4628).  Since it’s still early, relax with your cup of coffee while you take a peek at the local art work.  This artisan coffeehouse and gallery also features community performances in the evening hours, so if you can, stop back for poetry readings and acoustic music.

After you catch your morning buzz, head south to the campus of Naropa Institute (2130 Arapahoe Ave. 303.444.0202).  This liberal arts university is one of the few major accredited Buddhist-inspired universities in North America.  Sit on the campus lawn where once Beat Generation poets Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman discussed ideas on finding Naropa’s Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics.

Head west from Naropa University to the Dushanbe Teahouse (1770 13th St. 303.442.4993) which is another example of Asian influence in Boulder.  This beautiful Central Asian teahouse was given to the city of Boulder by their sister city Dushanbe, Tajikistan.  Be sure to notice the intricately carved cedar columns and colorfully painted ceiling while you sip a spicy chai.

When you have finished admiring the art and enjoying your cup of tea, wander next door to the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (1750 13th St. 303.443.2122).  BMoCA is dedicated to the presentation of dynamic art of our time through the means of local and regional talents.  Beyond the museum’s exhibits, BMoCA also holds educational classes and monthly evening events.

An active morning of touring probably has given you a fierce appetite.  A great way to satisfy an afternoon hunger is to grab a French-inspired lunch at Brasserie Ten Ten (1011 Walnut St. 303.998.1010).  The restaurant’s menu offers up a variety of specialty dishes such as their duck confit and Edward Island mussels.  There’s not a better way to add to your fantastic meal than by choosing a glass of wine from their extensive wine list (catch happy hour between 3 and 6).

After you wrap up your lunch, it’s time to visit a few galleries.  Boulder is home to hundreds of artists and finding their work in this town is not difficult.  You can spend all day perusing galleries so get going!  A great way to visit a lot of Boulder’s galleries is to start at 11th and Pearl St. and head east.  Look out for Smith Klein(1116 Pearl St. 303.444.7200), Art Mart (1222 Pearl St. 303.443.7407), Boulder Arts & Crafts (1421 Pearl St. 303.443.3683), Middle Fish (1500 Pearl St. 303.443.0835),Art & Soul (1615 Pearl St. 303.544.5803), and Mary Williams Fine Art (2116 Pearl St. 303.938.1588).

When your gallery tour is complete, it’s time to reenergize before you hit the town. So why not receive a relaxing Aromatherapy Massage or a soothing seaweed body wrap at Essentials Spa (2660 Canyon Blvd. 303.440.0711).   This full service spa can remedy your aches and blemishes from head to toe.

After you’ve spruced up for the evening hours make your way to the 29th Street Mallto Laudisio (1710 29th St. 303.442.1300).  At Laudisio’s you will enjoy an authentic Italian meal in an airy contemporary dining room.   If you have a large party, be sure to reserve the private dining room which offers fabulous views of CU’s flagstone campus and the flatiron mountains.

If you would like to finish off the night with a little live entertainment, check the schedule for The Dairy Center for the Arts (2590 Walnut St. 303.440.7826).  This venue holds a wide variety of programming covering many genres in music, dance, theater, and workshops.

When the doors let out it’s time to finish off the evening with a night cap at The Kitchen Upstairs (1039 Pearl St. 303.544.5973).  This casual urban wine lounge has a great ambiance for you to enjoy a cocktail and chat about your artsy day spent in Boulder.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

 

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

Search all Boulder homes for sale 

 

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Filed Under: Area recreation, Real Estate Topics, Things to Do Tagged With: , , , ,
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