Links: Million Dollar Deals

Million Dollar Deals in :

Steve Forbes got rid off his:

Trinchera Ranch in the San Luis Valley has changed hands - from a man worth almost $500 million to billionaire hedge fund manager Louis Moore Bacon. Read the full story: Forbes sells Colo. ranch

Bandar bin Sultan decided to keep his:

A Saudi prince who put a $135 million price tag on his Aspen-area estate has taken the off the market because he got no suitable offers, his attorney and agent said. Read the full story: Saudi prince’s Aspen estate off the market

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Your mortgage changed your lifestyle or did it?

Here’s an interesting article on how adjustments have changed lifestyles. A few years ago people were using their homes as ATM’s; taking out cash at will to buy things. I was never a big proponent of racking up at the expense of your home’s equity. Here’s why: Mortgage market hangover could choke holiday sales

However, I doubt a lack of equity will really curb the appetite to purchase “stuff.” To put things in perspective on Saturday I ventured to Best Buy to check out flat screen (LCD/PLASMA) televisions. The ones with $1000 up to $5000 price tags. The section was full of people all wanting to buy this high ticket item including myself. While I was enamored with the “kick ass” picture quality and slick design, I opted against buying a new television. It’s basic logic, whenever I buy something I feel the need to use it to justify the . As it stands, other than sports I rarely watch television so buying a television would force me to watch television.

Visa wasn’t happy with my decision, but I’ll bet that he was happy with this past weekends results. Visa should change their marketing slogan, “It’s everywhere you want to be” to “No equity, we’ve got you covered.”

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Cabela’s is coming

If you’ve ever driven to Mount Rushmore from you’ve probably know about Cabelas:

The giant hunting, fishing and outdoor gear retailer with almost a cult following - is finally scheduled to break ground on its first store next month in Wheat Ridge.

Read more: Cabela’s to break ground on 1st Colo. store

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What’s with Web 2.0 and wacky real estate domain names?

Social networking dominates Web 2.0 with sites such as MySpace, Youtube, Facebook. Web 2.0 stalwarts include Zillow and Trulia and now comes Zolve:

Zolve is an online real estate referral network, a business exchange that connects practitioners and service providers across the country and around the globe.

Zolve has a Colorado connection ( Springs) with an interesting twist:

Iraq is known for many things, but being an incubator for a new high-tech, American-based real estate businesses is not one of them. But from 2006 to 2007, a Baghdad garage converted to U.S. military barracks was the launching pad for Zolve, a networking and referral website for professionals that launched this October.

Read the full article: A site for real estate pros

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Realtor woe

From the Post: Realtors seek support amid housing woes

With so many homes and condos sitting on the market month after month, their fresh-paint smell fading and owners’ costs rising, Realtors must find a way to sell.

There will be many real estate agents leaving the business. It’s hard to say who’ll be here in a year and who won’t. I’ve seen good ones leave. I’ve seen bad ones stay. Finding a good is VERY DIFFICULT. As a lender, I only work with a handful (less than five) who I’d recommend.

If you’re wondering how to find a really good real estate agent, read this article first: How to Find a Great Real Estate Agent - 12 Interview Questions!

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An intro to owning a duplex

The Post had an interesting read on owning a duplex called: Side by side:

Buying into a duplex is one way to afford a home without breaking the bank. But like any bargain, there are strings attached.

Buying into a duplex is one way to afford a home without breaking the bank.

But like any bargain, there are strings attached.

Duplex owners must compromise on repairs, maintenance and aesthetic issues with their co-owners.

And while both sides typically agree on the proper course of action, a harmonious relationship isn’t guaranteed.

While living in a duplex isn’t for everyone, getting a loan for a duplex or two-unit as your primary residence is no different (to terms and rates) than getting a condo, townhouse or even a single family residence. Moreover, if one of the units is rented, you can use the rent to qualify for the loan.

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Searching for a mortgage in Denver via Google

I used to check my web statistics frequently. I would look at where my web traffic was coming from, what they’re searching for, and how long they’re staying. Sometimes you have to stop and say wtf am I doing. Today I rarely check my stats but I noticed the following:

Most of my visitors come from Google. A good portion of those visitors are looking for mortgage information. A good portion of those visitors are looking for Denver companies.

This means that my site is focused on the right things which means that Denver Lender = Denver Information and Denver Company.

Right now the world is upside down. More people have questions and few people have answers. One thing I’ve noticed is that people are in good loans but based on what their reading and hearing on the news, they think they’re in bad loans. Not all Adjustable and Interest Only Mortgages and are bad. It truly depends on your situation.

If you have a question, just ask you’ll be glad you did. You won’t get any sales pitch, just straightforward answers backed by numbers. People lie, numbers don’t.

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Foreclosures dropping in CO or rising elsewhere

From the Rocky Mountain News: Metro area tumbles on foreclosure list

From the Post: Metro areas in California, Florida lead foreclosures

While it’s good to see that is not on the top ten, we’re still close to the top of the list.

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Lying in bed in Aspen just like….

Brian Wilson did. (obscure reference to a BNL song) Anyway, Mr. Wilson won’t be a part-time resident much longer:

Less than a year after paying Beach Boy Brian Wilson $7.6 million for his Aspen home, real-estate investor David Lester has listed the five-bedroom house for $13.5 million.

Read the full article: Beach Boy home for sale: Wouldn’t it be nice?

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It’s Gold, It’s Green, It’s Stapleton

Kudos to Stapleton, an urban neighborhood that was once a pretty crappy airport:

The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification for the core and shell design of 3055 Roslyn St., Stapleton’s new office building in the East 29th Avenue Town Center.

Read the full story: Stapleton building ‘Gold’ certified

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