Colorado Home Journal OCT09

October 2009

Social Networking 10 Great Chocolate Shops Short Sale Option For Sellers Fro m MATT HUDSON yo u r

B ro ke r 720-981-4109 matt@coloradohomerealty.com

community close-up

events

october

O ctober is upon us and fall festivals are abundant. Denver offers tons of fun events for young and old alike. This year, choose an October festival or event that is different from your usual experience. Here are some Wild and Wicked activities to consider.

Where Wild Things Are Visionary director Spike Jonze brings Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book to the big screen with the help of hipster icon Dave Eggers, who teamed with Jonze to pen the adapted screenplay. A mixture of real actors, computer animation, and live puppeteering, Where the Wild Things Are follows the adventures of a young boy named Max (Max Records) as he enters the world of the Wild Things, a race of strange and enormous creatures who gradually turn the young boy into their king. Release Date is October 16, 2009, check your local theater or www.moviefone.com for show times and more information.

Watch the Trailer: wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com/

Haunted Vet Pets 4 People Howl-o-ween Fundraiser. Walk a trail of thrills and scary passages at the nation’s ONLY professional Haunted Animal Hospital. Pet Psychics / Pet Caricature Artists / Pet Photographers / Pet Vendors …Plus Creepy/Exotic Pets + More! Friday and Saturday in October PLUS the 28th-31st from 5-10 pm 1050 WEST 47th AVENUE - at I-70 & PECOS ST www.pets4people.org

Wicked Tickets on sale now!

Back in Denver for a third time by “Popular” demand, The New York Times calls Wicked “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster.” In the show’s first two engagements here since 2005, it has broken box office records and sold out in record time. Winner of 26 major awards, including a Grammy

and three Tony Awards, Wicked “deserves the passion it inspires” (Rocky Mountain News). Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One — born with emerald green skin — is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for “the most complete and completely satisfying new musical in a long time” (USA Today). Oct 7-Nov 15, 2009 Tickets start at $35. www.denvercenter.org

Denver Gorilla Run Sign up today and get your own gorilla suit..... The Denver Gorilla Run is not just your normal charity fun run. Everyone who takes part receives a full gorilla costume and helps raise funds for the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, the international charity working to save the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas and keeping Dian Fossey’s dream alive for the past 24 years. You can run, jog, walk, roller blade, ride your bike or skateboard around the 5.6K route that weaves its way around the city of Denver, Colorado. Or if you like, you can do it gorilla style: on all fours!

With your entry, we will provide the gorilla suit (which you may keep afterwards), an attempt to break the current world record of 637 “People Dressed As Gorillas”, the spectators and all kinds of entertainment. All you have to do is get registered, get as fit as you would like and have some fun! Gorilla suits are limited - so you must register soon to secure your place. October 31, 2009– start time: at 11:00am (registration from 9:00am to 10:30am) The gorilla suit is yours to keep!

Call the local gorilla hotline for more information (720) 524-0272. www.denvergorillarun.com

Pumpkin Patch Express Durango, CO -The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad begins service to The Great Pumpkin Patch on October 10, 2009. The train departs the Durango depot for a two and one-half hour round-trip adventure Saturdays and Sundays through October 31. Once onboard, passengers will hear the story, It’s a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and will be greeted by Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy upon arrival at the most sincere pumpkin patch. Passengers will enjoy hayrides, live musical entertainment, a hay bale maze, temporary tattoos, bounce houses, trick or treating, and each child will select the perfect pumpkin to bring home.

Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. Excursions to the pumpkin patch run October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31. New this year is Deluxe-class seating in the Prospector car. Standard-class tickets are $24 for children (ages 2 -11) and $32 for adults. Deluxe-class tickets are $34 for children and $42 for adults.

For more information and reservations, please call (970) 247-2733, 1-888-TRAIN-07, or visit www.durangotrain.com.

company spotlight

what

SnewoctoialthisNetworking has become very popular during the past few years, but it can still be very difficult to understand for someone medium. The open-ended nature of social networks adds to this. Once signed onto a social network, having answered a few basic profile questions, it is easy to sit back and wonder what you are supposed to do next. Getting started with social networking is much the same as starting a new school. At first, you don’t have many friends. After attending classes and as you meet new people, you begin associating with those that have things in common with you. In social networking you begin to meet people by joining groups or discussions and you build a “friends list” of those with similar interests.

Social networking is based on a certain structure that allows people to both express their individuality and meet people with similar interests. This structure includes having profiles, friends, blog posts, widgets, and usually something unique to that particular social networking website -- such as the ability to ‘poke’ people on Facebook or high-five someone on Hi5.

Profile

This is where you tell the world about yourself. Profiles contain basic information, like where you live and how old you are, and personality questions, like who’s your favorite actor and what’s your favorite book.

Friends (Connections)

Friends are trusted members of the site that are allowed to post comments on your profile or send you private messages. You can also keep tabs on how your friends are using social networking, such as when they post a new picture or update their profile.

Friends are at the heart and soul of social networking.

Groups (Networks)

Most social networks use groups to help you find people with similar interests or engage in discussions on certain topics. A group can be anything from “Johnson High Class of ‘98” to “People Who Like Books” to “Doors Fans”. They are both a way to connect with like-minded people and a way to identify your interests.

social networking?

is

Social Networking is a nice form of entertainment, great for meeting people with similar interests, and can be a very effective business technique.

Discussions

A primary focus of groups is to create interaction between users in the form of discussions. Most social networking websites support discussion boards for the groups, and many also allow members of the group to post pictures, music, video clips, and other tidbits related to the group.

Blogs

Another feature of some social networks is the ability to create your own blog entries. A blog is a frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links and is perfect for keeping people informed on what you are up to.

Widgets

A popular way of letting your personality shine through is by gracing your social networking profile with web widgets.

A web widget is a mini-web application you can put in your web page, blog or social profile that can quickly and easily provide your visitors with, user specific information, extra functionality, and even a bit of fun and games.

Social Networking is a nice form of entertainment, great for meeting people with similar interests, and can be a very effective business technique. Most of us have hobbies, or things that we are keenly interested in such as books, television or movies, sports, etc‌ Social networks allow us to reach out to others who have the same interests.

If you are a business who would like help setting up your social networking accounts, contact Thrive Social Media. They are a team of Web 2.0 specialists who find solutions to business problems by harnessing the power of Social Media and User Generated Content. Through these social tools, businesses can keep in touch with their current clients/customers and staff. Contact Drew Shope or Chelsea Willis via email: socmed303@gmail.com or via their website www.thrivesocialmedia.com You are never too old to get involved in social networking and there are plenty of social networks out there to choose from.

real estate / mortgage

short sale option

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for sellers

Ithink f financial woes are causing someone you care about to about selling their home and the total amount owed

on the mortgage(s) is greater than the likely selling price of the home, the home owner should know there are various options available to them. One of those options may be a “short sale”. A short sale is one where the net proceeds from the sale won’t cover the total mortgage obligation and closing costs and the lender may accept a payoff amount that is “short” of what is actually owed.

The first thing we do when someone calls about selling their home due to financial difficulties is to see if there is any way to keep them in the house with a refinance. If that is not an option, we go on to Step 2. The second step is to determine an estimate of the current value of the home to see if a short sale option is actually necessary to consider. If the short sale scenario is in play, the next thing we do is have the home owner contact the lender to see if that lender has any programs to help the home owner stay in the home. The lender may agree to a modification such as: (1) lowering the interest rate; (2) providing a different payment plan to help the home owner get caught up; or (3) providing a forbearance period if the situation is temporary. If none of this works, we often will pursue the short sale option. Generally, short sales are an option if the financial difficulties are due to circumstances beyond the control of the home owner such as a job loss or catastrophic medical bills. Lenders are not going to agree to a short sale if, for example, the home owner took a job in another city and needs to relocate.

Most lenders will not begin to process a short sale request until there is an accepted offer and agreed upon contract to purchase the home with a potential buyer. We typically have to put the house on the market and get an offer before the lender will give formal consideration to the request. By filling out an application, providing ample financial information, and writing a hardship letter to the lender, we begin to position the financial situation of the home owner to the lender that supports their ultimate decision to approve the short sale.

After an offer is received on the property, accepted by the home owner and submitted to the lender with the short sale application, the process can still be frustrating.

The lenders have thousands of requests for short sales and the time frames for even acknowledging receipt of and looking at the application ranges from a couple weeks to a few months. We always prepare buyers and sellers to expect absolutely no communication for some time, though we of course check with the lenders every 3 days for an update.

There are FOUR potential outcomes from a short sale request to the lender: • The lender may approve the short sale and forgive the deficiency resulting from the sale and waive all rights to pursue that deficiency. In some instances this forgiveness of debt can be considered income to the home owner and they can end up paying taxes on that money. Under a temporary measure passed in 2007, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Debt Cancellation Act, homeowners can exclude debt forgiveness on their federal tax returns from income for loans discharged in calendar years 2007 through 2012.

• The debt can be forgiven, but the lender can retain the right to pursue the deficiency amount at any time within the statute of limitations period. In Colorado the statute of limitations period is 6 years, identical to that governing the right of the lender to pursue deficiency resulting from a foreclosure.

• The home owner may be asked by their lender to sign a promissory note agreeing to pay back the amount of the loan not paid off by the short sale.

• The short sale could be denied because the home owner actually has the ability, just not the desire to pay for the mortgage debt or deficiency.

If you know of someone who is having financial difficulties, they should first know they are not alone, but they probably also don’t know the intricacies of this process or the reasons to consider the various options of a loan modification, refinance, short sale or foreclosure. We have a lot of experience guiding people through the myriad of options and want to be there to help those you care about. If you know of someone in this situation, tell them to call me so I can at least provide them with some education about those options and the they can make informed decisions on how to proceed.

lifestyle

chocolate shops

10 great

C hocolate - creamy, decadent and almost sinful. Handmade here in Colorado makes it all the better, if that’s possible.

Belvedere’s of Cherry Creek. Chocolates made by hand by a Belgian couple living in Castle Rock. European style chocolates made of Belgian imported chocolate. Fire Flower (dark chocolate with pepper), caramels with rock salt, a Royal with Cognac and hand-rolled truffles. www.belvederedenver.com Chocolate Berry. The largest chocolate covered strawberries you can imagine - think golf ball size and larger….chocolate covered cannolis, cream puffs & apples. Go early in the week…the selection is better. 1890 S Pearl St Tel: (303) 282-6345 Chocolates by Mary Carol. Chili Pepper Truffles!!! Their newest line is pure dark chocolate ranging from 31-72 percent cocoa. Chocolate making and chocolate tasting parties. www.thechocolatetherapist.com Dietrich Chocolates & Espresso. Cases and cases of handmade single bean chocolate (all from one plantation): Wildflower Honey Truffle; Hot Chili Pepper Truffle, chocolate covered candied orange peel (yum), chocolate covered marzipan (over the top) and everything in between. www.dietrichschocolate.com Desiderio Chocolates. Chocolates created by Roman Vanessa Metalli Dionne. Truly works of art - so beautiful you’ll almost be tempted not to eat them. Caffe’ Corretto, Orange Mousse (yum), Imperial Stout (sounds strange but good), Garam Masala Pistachios, Raspberry Chambord Marshmallows (handmade marshmallow) (Available at Glacier Ice Cream, 1749 Main St., Longmont.) www.d-chocolates.com Lewis Fine Candies. Bakery and chocolate shop with everything made on-site. Yummy chocolates, nut clusters, toffee, creamy fudge and rich and creamy truffles. Also fabulous cinnamon buns.

6140 W 38th Ave Wheat Ridge 303-421-0726 Roberta’s. One whole room of Colorado gifts (made in Colorado), chocolate deviled eggs (just believe me), chocolate pizza (same), chocolate covered everything. Every flavor imaginable and some you haven’t thought of. www.robertaschocolates.com Sisters. This quaint, tiny chocolate shop is in olde town Arvada. Orange Bon Bon (think chocolate creamsicle - yum), dark chocolate truffle, Sweetheart Cherries (cherries in ganache enrobed in dark chocolate), Marry Me Mint, Coconut and Peanut Bon Bons.

5630 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada (303) 420-6261

Wen Chocolates. Small batch, artisan, European-style chocolates made individually without preservatives.

Flavors that explode in your mouth: Bananas Foster, Bourbon/Vanille (cq), Cairo with tea and rose petals, Cesnja with brandy and cherries, Citrona with Champagne, and many more. www.wenchocolates.com J. Enstrom’s. So many choices: gourmet coffee bar, smoothies, ice cream (made in Grand Junction), a huge chocolate selection and best of all that famous buttery toffee we all love ($16.95/pound). www.enstrom.com Excerpt from Denver Post By: Pete Names Produced By: Dane Strom Published: July 28th at 10:30 a.m.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DENVER CO PERMIT #2764

10822 West Toller Drive, Suite 180 Littleton.CO 80127 720.981.4109

ColoradoHomeRealty.com

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PRIVATE PAVED DRIVE, READY FOR YOUR NEW HOME. POSSIBLE BUILD TO SUIT. MT LVG W/ EASY COMMUTE YEAR ROUND ACCESS* EASY BUILDING SITES* POWER & ROAD

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CORNER UNIT W/ UNDER-BUILDING PRKG, ENCLOSED LANAI, COZY MODERN BROWNSTONE LIVING, WALK TO TOWN CENTER, 2 MASTERS RANCH BEING SOLD FULLY FURNISHED, GREAT INCOME PROPERTY NEAR CIVIC GREEN PARK, PRIVATE COURTYARD, UPGRADES END UNIT ON 2ND FLOOR, MASTER SUITE & BATH, RESERVED COVER PARKING, STARBUCKS BAY WINDOW NOOK, UPDATED BATHS, MAIN FLOOR MASTER + LOFT, FENCED PATIO AREA, COMM POOL OVER 1800 SQ. FT, END UNIT, UPGRADES, STAINLESS APPL, TREX DECK, 2 CAR GARAGE

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SPACIOUS, NEWLY LANDSCAPED FRONT YARD, CULDESAC ROXBOROUGH, LOFT, UPSTAIRS LAUNDRY OVER AN ACRE, ENDOF CUL-DE-SAC, OPEN SPACE PRICED TO SELL, UPGRADES GALORE! PROFESSIONALLY LANDSCAPED FABULOUS ROCK FIREPLACE, COMPLETELY RE- FINISHED BASEMENT, WALK TO SCHOOL. FANTASTIC CULDESAC GATED COMM. ON GOLF, 12 FT. ENTRY, BACKYARD OASIS INCREDIBLE HORSE PROPERTY, OVER 5 ACRES $100K PRICE REDUCTION, 4-CAR GARAGE CUSTOMFLOOR, HUGE COVERED PORCH, 4 CAR GAR., VIEWS TO BE BUILT! WATER FEATURE, MSTR RETREAT W/SPA WALK TO RESTAURANTS, SHOPS AND CIVIC GREEN PARK MOUNTAIN VIEWS, PRIVATE HOT TUB, WALK-OUT BASEMENT TO BE BUILT! 48 IN GAS RANGE, 2 DISHWASHERS, 60 IN FRIDGE TOTAL REMODEL IN BERKELY, NEW ROOF, HUGE YARD DTC LOCATION, 2MINS 2LT RAIL.1BLK FROM PARKS WASH PARK REMODEL, BUILT IN 1927, POLISHED TO PERFECTION IN 2008 GOURMET KIT W/CONCRETE COUNTERS & STAINLESS STEEL, 2 A/C UNITS NO HOA PRE-FORECLOSURE OPPORTUNITY, 4 BEDROOM. 3BATH RANCH WITH FULL BASEMENT HUGE PRICE REDUCTION, 9700 SQ. FT. LOT LG CORNER LOT WITH OS GARAGE AND RV PRKG, SLAB GRANITE REMODELED RANCH, STAINLESS APPS, BAY WINDOW IN DINING AREA MOUNTAIN HOME IN CONIFER, CUSTOM BUILT, SLATE, MARBLE 5 CAR ATT/DET GARAGE, 2 ACRES A-FRAME ON 1 ACRE LOT, PRIVATE W/ ASPEN GROVE, ORIG HDWD FLRS, LEASE OPTION

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