Wow!  I just finished listening to the latest webinar in the library and it has some tips to help just about everyone.  Did you know that you should freeze credit bureau accounts for minors and the deceased so that their accounts aren’t at risk for identity theft?  Did you know when you co-sign a loan that the amount of the debt is on your credit bureau file also so it is added to debt you have when applying for a mortgage or other credit?  Did you know just one late payment of 30 days or more can impact your credit score by as much as 100 points?  Do you know how a short sale affects your credit?  Taking time to listen to the new webinar is worth it!  Learn ways to keep your FICO score as high as possible.  800+ is possible when you pay attention to managing your credit.

Are you sitting at your desk or at your home computer working on something else and like to multi-task?  Listen to this helpful webinar and learn more about using credit wisely and understanding your credit score by viewing our latest webinar.   Access information for all archived webinars to date can be found on the webinar library page.

The latest webinar on Understanding Your Credit Score will be live on Wednesday, 10/29/08 at 4pm MDT.  It will be posted to the Webinar Library later in the week.  If you want to listen and see it live, please register, provide your email, and we will get you on the list for notification of this and future live webinars.  When it is archived we will post and let you know it’s available.

Interested in owning a piece of a tropical paradise in Panama?  The latest webinar gives you the scoop.  If you’d like to see what it’s all about click here.  I watched the webinar and this resort looks like a fabulous place!

Check it out!  We have just created a link to a great new site that you will find to be an awesome resource for your life, your home, and your work.  We’re just getting started so there’s a lot more to come.  New webinars are presented live every month and we’ll post the date, time, and connection information right here so you can join in and ask questions of the presenter.  If your life is too chaotic to sit in live (like mine often is), you’ll be able to view and listen to the archived webinars here whenever it is convenient for you.  Click on the Webinar Library.  You’ll find access information on the page.  Enjoy!

If you are interested in new construction and don’t know where to find what’s available in the Pikes Peak Region, try readynewhomes.com.  This site shows you what’s available now and what’s available in future months.  When you are ready to work with a builder on inventory homes or having them build you a home, send me an email to learn how I can help you get the best deal!

If you want to hear positive news about what’s happening for first time homebuyers, check out this recent information from CHFA, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.  35% of CHFA buyers are buying foreclosures.  If you want to speak with an excellent lender to know more, send me an email today for contact information you can trust. Colorado CHFA website

Wow!  It’s been a busy year and cohomesgateway.com has languished this year.  The links are still a great resource, but we haven’t been active posting.  Well, that’s changing.  The goal of this blog is to be a resource to real estate consumers, investors, people educating themselves, anyone who wants to know more about how real estate and investing works.  We’ve had a wild ride the past couple years.  Emotions are all over the board.  Sellers are busy counting what they “could have made” selling 2 years ago.  The problem is they weren’t sellers 2 years ago.  We have to work with the market we have.  Buyers are excited to find prices within range.  In many markets sellers aren’t giving away their homes but they are more realistic about what they can get for their homes or they are staying put if they don’t have to sell.  That helps everyone because it removes the glut and real sellers have a better chance to sell.  Buyers have to realize most sellers aren’t going to let someone “steal” their home, but they will negotiate to make a deal that works for both.  Greed and fear are in full force, but we will get through this market.  Buyers will be able to buy and enjoy home ownership.  Sellers will be able to move on.  It’s going to take a lot longer in markets where prices ran up at extremely high rates, but at some point there will be equilibrium again.

 In the meantime, let’s talk real estate!

Do you know the MLS number of the home you want more info on? Just put www.kathysellscolorado/xxxxxx (xxxxxx is the 6 digit Pikes Peak MLS number) in your browser) and click away to see that home. Check out all the great photos, then contact me to see the home of your dreams. If that one isn’t THE home, I’ll find it for you and help you understand the process in making your purchase in Colorado. Don’t forget to ask how having a Buyer’s Agent puts you in the driver’s seat when negotiating with home sellers and builders. Yes, builders. Protect your interests by being represented in your transaction. Email me to find out more.

Google and MSN have come out with some really great new tools. You can now look at satelite photos of your potential new home. More illuminating than a map, you can see schools, parks and playgrounds. You can zoom in and in some cases even determine if your next door neighbor has a swingset.

Google Earth: http://earth.google.com/
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/
MSN Terra Earth: http://terraserver.microsoft.com/