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INDUSTRY NEWS:
Stronger housing market floats all boats; fewer Colorado Springs homeowners underwater, report says BY RICH LADEN, RICH.LADEN@GAZETTE.COM
Fewer Colorado Springs homeowners are underwater on their mortgages, thanks to a stronger economy and improved housing market, a report released Thursday shows. During the fourth quarter of last year, 3,034 — or 1.9 percent — of residential properties with a mortgage in the Springs were in negative equity, according to California-based housing
data firm CoreLogic. That’s down from 4,870 residential properties, or 3.1 percent, in the fourth quarter of 2015. The local problem had been far worse in the years immediately after the Great Recession. In the fourth quarter of 2009, for example, more than 30,000 — or nearly 20 percent — of residential properties with a mortgage were in negative equity in Colorado Springs,
according to CoreLogic. Negative equity is a housing industry term that refers to owing more on a mortgage than a property is worth; for homeowners, it’s commonly known as being underwater or upside down. Homeowners fall into negative equity when their property values decline; if they owe more on their property than it’s worth, homeowners typically can’t
qualify to refinance their mortgages or sell their homes without bringing cash to the closing table. After the economy rebounded, and as historically low mortgage rates drove the demand for homes, property values began rising a few years ago and fewer homeowners were plagued by a negative equity problem. Local home prices have risen each
month since late 2014, according to Pikes Peak Association of Realtors reports. In February, the median price of homes sold that month was $255,000, after tying a record high of $265,000 in January. Meanwhile, the average price of homes sold in February set a record high of $301,385, according to the Realtors Association. ■
FAUXWOODBEAMS CUSTOM TIMBER:
Now longer, stronger, more realistic NEWSWIRE
Manufactured with a higher density polyurethane material, the new Custom Timber faux beam from FauxWoodBeams. com has a more realistic finish and a higher quality and durability for both home and commercial settings. This durability is especially significant for strengthening the joints at mitered ends.
In addition, this new line is a great choice for projects needing a “monster beam.” Now available in widths up to 36-inches by 36-inches and lengths up to 30 feet, Custom Timber can accommodate big projects without breaking a sweat. Custom Timber beams from FauxWoodBeams.com are ideal for
building decorative trusses. Their look of natural wood adds warm character to this dining room. Custom Timber Beams are available in thousands of custom sizes, with widths up to 36-inches by 36-inches and lengths up to 30 feet. Each is hand-finished to capture the authentic look of real wood for
your home. “This is one of our most, if not the most exciting product launch of the year,” says Steve Barron, co-founder of FauxWoodBeams. “The beam’s material is extra strong to handle the new length options. This wider range of custom sizes is exactly what customers have been
requesting.” The beams can be used for any project calling for the look of real exposed wood beams, whether you’re looking to add parallel beams to a living room, build a dramatic truss in the dining room, or enhance a kitchen with a single accent beam. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Introducing Sanctuary Pointe. A pristine community nestled in the trees along the western edge of the Black Forest. Baptist Road & Sanctuary Rim Drive - Monument, CO
Join our interest list at: SanctuaryPointeColorado.com
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Sunday, Mar 12, 2017
Sunday, Mar 12, 2017
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Eve Courson and Nazanine Amir join RE/MAX Properties, Inc. NEWSWIRE
RE/MAX Properties, Inc. is pleased to announce that Eve Courson and Nazanine Amir have joined its team. Eve Courson hails from Happy Valley in State College, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, she relocated to Austin, Texas and established a leading respiratory care and durable medical equipment company. Fifteen years later in early 2008, she hand-picked Colorado Springs, Colorado to call home. Courson enjoys giving back to our community by volunteering with the Fine Arts Center and supporting other local nonprofits. The allure of the outdoors brings many to Colorado and Courson is no different. Hiking, camping, skiing or just finding a quiet sunny spot to read a good book are favorites. Her biggest joy
is watching her daughter on the soccer field, mother-daughter vacations and spending time with her church family. Real estate comes naturally, as Courson is passionate about helping others. As a skilled negotiator with an eye for detail, she will help you obtain the best value when selling your home or realize your dreams when buying a new one. Because for Courson, it’s more than just a transaction, it’s making memories and building relationships. Courson is moving you toward your future! Nazanine chose RE/MAX Properties, Inc. because of their ranking as the number one real estate office in Colorado Springs, as well as their exceptional training opportunities. She comes from a mortgage background and hopes that she can continue to
assist her clients in her new career in real estate. Eve Courson and Nazanine Amir will be working at the South Office, located at 2630 Tenderfoot Hill St. RE/MAX Properties, Inc. is excited to see what the future has in store for Eve and Nazanine and warmly welcomes them. RE/MAX Properties, Inc. has been the number one residential real estate brokerage in Colorado Springs since 1989. The company has nearly 200 full-service professional Broker Associates that service all areas of Colorado Springs and surrounding areas in addition to relocation clients worldwide. RE/MAX Properties, Inc. is open seven days a week. More information can be found online at www.HomesColorado.com. ■
Eve Courson
Nazanine Amir
Financing a home improvement project METRO SERVICES
Many people use their credit cards to finance renovations, but there are better options. After years of funny financing and few limitations on loans, banks and other lenders have tightened up their lending policies. As a result, homeowners
considering a home improvement project might need to look elsewhere to secure financing. There are no certainties in the real estate markets. Though statistics suggest marked improvement in home sales over just a few months ago,
many homeowners remain wary about selling their home to try to move up to something bigger and better. The National Association of Home Builders says many people are choosing to stay put in their homes and remodel or make renovations to transform the house into something more comfortable. While there are many worthwhile home renovation projects, the NAHB recommends projects that bring your home up to par with the neighbors’. It doesn’t pay to transform your home into the most expensive on the street — unless you plan to live there for the rest of your life. Real estate experts recommend that a remodeling investment increases the value of your house by no more than 10 to 15 percent above the median sales price in your neighborhood. When it comes time to finance a remodel or renovation, you may not know where to start. Credit restrictions on home mortgages that have troubled many would-be buyers have also plagued individuals looking to finance home improvements. However, homeowners hoping to finance a project do have options, and not all of them require stellar credit ratings. Borrow against a retirement plan. Many retirement plans, such as a 401(k), allow plan members to take out a portion of the savings to put toward a home loan. This does not mean you are taking money out of the account permanently. Rather, you are borrowing against yourself, with repayment necessary in a certain timeframe. Because these loans often offer very low interest rates, and essentially the
FAUXWOODBEAMS CUSTOM TIMBER: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Custom Timber’s authentic look comes from a specialized molding process that begins with a real wood beam. High-density polyurethane is poured into that mold and hand-finished to capture every knot, nook and cranny. The Customer Timber style is also available in the line of fireplace mantels, offering customers yet another way to enrich the look of their home or business with the authentic, rustic charm of timber. In the near future, these mantels and beams will also be available with the Class A fire rating option. While builders, interior designers and other industry professionals love these beams and mantels for their realistic looks and budget-friendly price, homeowners appreciate them most for their ease of installation. “Long, expensive installations needed for real wood beams are a thing of the past,” says Barron. “While incredibly durable, the polyurethane material is lightweight. Most homeowners can handle the simple installation process without help from a professional.” Custom Timber Features:
interest is being paid back to you, they might be a good option for men and women who cannot secure a traditional loan. However, if you have been laid off, there may be a shorter repayment period. Also, the interest on these loans is not tax-deductible. Borrow against other investments. CDs, bonds or mutual funds can provide the collateral you need and earn you a lower interest rate. Fixed-income investments are more stable options to borrow against, as their value won’t have a chance to decline. Apply for a home equity loan. Many people have heard of a home equity loan, and it is usually the first choice when borrowing funds for renovations. Essentially a home equity loan is taking out a second mortgage on your home to pay for the work you want to have done, which is based on the equity, or the difference between the home’s fair market value and the outstanding balance of all liens on the property. The interest on these loans is tax-deductible, which can make this financing option quite popular. Secure a home equity line of credit. A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is another type of home equity loan. Instead of receiving a lump sum to use toward renovations like you would with a traditional home equity loan, a HELOC is sort of a credit card type scenario based on the equity in your home. You are given a line of credit, against which you can buy items. This is good for intermittent needs, when one large sum is not needed. HELOCs have a draw period, during which the borrower can use the credit, and a repayment period,
during which it must be repaid. HELOCs generally have lower mortgage fees at the start and are generally subject to the same tax incentives as regular home equity loans. Consider refinancing. Interest rates on mortgages are at historic lows. You may qualify to do a cash-out refinance, where you borrow against the value of your home and create an entirely new mortgage at the lower rate. Although you will start your mortgage all over from day 1 and have to pay closing fees, this type of refinancing can be more advantageous to homeowners with significant equity in their homes. Apply for a government-sponsored loan. The government may offer programs aimed at helping individuals who are underwater on their home loans borrow money to make necessary improvements. While the funding cannot be used to purchase luxury items, such as a swimming pool, it can be used for necessities. Residents of the United States can explore FHA 203(k) refinance options and an FHA title 1 improvement loan. Discuss financing with your contractor. Some contractors may offer financing. Keep in mind that the interest rates may be high, and it may be difficult to investigate the security of these types of loans. Many homeowners also look to credit cards to help finance some home renovation projects, but they should be used as a last resort. Credit cards typically come with high interest rates, and while they are good for some small projects, financing larger projects on a card may land you very deep in debt. ■
While builders, interior designers and other industry professionals love these beams and mantels for their realistic looks and budget-friendly price, homeowners appreciate them most for their ease of installation.
Featured Home of the Week STUNNING CUSTOM HOME ON 2.23 ACRES 5530 Sky Meadow | $474,900 • • • •
Higher-density polyurethane material Better quality, more durable joints at the miters More realistic finish Widths available up to 36-inches by 36-inches, lengths up to 30 feet • Some beams are available in “Quick Ship” and can ship in three business days or less • Coming soon: Class A fire rating option All Custom Timber products ship in 15 business days or less. Some popular sizes are available in the “Quick Ship” line and ship in approximately three days. ■
Neighborhood: Wolf Ranch Driving Directions: From Powers Blvd & Woodmen, head North on Powers, enter Wolf Ranch at Powers at Research (Right/East on Research), first left on Cordera Pkwy, first right at Sky Meadow Dr. Agent/Company: Lenka Martin, (719)205-5248 For more info: Lenka@LenkaMartin.com
5 bdrms + loft /5baths/2 car garage/ 3955 total sq ft/3530 finished sq ft. Amazing model home with tons of upgraded features now for sale. Main level living with spacious master suite on the main level. Two bed, two bath and loft upstairs. Two bed, bath, rec room and game room in the basement. Kitchen has large island, designer cabinets, granite countertops, and chef’s stainless steel appliances. Open floor plan, kitchen flows into dining and then great room, making the main level perfect for entertaining. Vaulted ceilings and gas fireplace in great room. Additional features include Air Conditioning, humidifier, 50 gallon water heater, 90% energy efficient furnace, water saving plumbing fixture; hardwood, stone, and tile surfaces, and much more. This home is part of the Wolf Ranch community with many amenities such as rec center, pool, trails, parks, dog park and open spaces. Close to shopping, dining, hospitals, and D-20 schools. Low maintenance services included part of the HOA dues. CAN BE SHOWN EASILY, BUT BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. See video Tour- https://youtu.be/GKwyFwpFrbA
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The most powerful action verbs for professional resumes BY CAROLINE ZAAYER KAUFMAN MONSTER.COM
Your resume isn’t a place for modesty; it’s a chance to show companies all the awesome things you’ve done — and what you can do for them if given a chance. Take the opportunity to liven things up a bit. Weak, vague or overused verbs can actually diminish the excellent work you did at your last job, so choose words that more accurately reflect what you do. “It’s critical to choose active, industryappropriate action verbs,” says Linda Hollenback, a brand and career strategist who owns Philadelphiabased Hollenback Consulting. “Well-chosen lead action words make the difference between highlighting your skills and undermining your contribution.” To help your credentials pack the maximum punch, Monster created a list of strong action verbs to make your resume more powerful.
ACTION VERBS FOR COMMUNICATION SKILLS
INSTEAD OF: talked, led, presented, organized USE: addressed, corresponded, persuaded, publicized, reconciled You can present data and lead meetings all day long, but does that mean you actually got your point across to an audience? Simply saying that you talked to other people doesn’t prove that you achieved your goals. Stir the interest of a hiring manager by using words that have a bit more personality than the usual suspects. That might encourage him or her to want to meet you in person. For example, instead of saying you “organized” an off-site meeting, say you “orchestrated” an offsite meeting. And instead of “leading” the meeting, perhaps you “chaired” the meeting. “‘Persuaded’ is another great verb to use,” says Christina Austin, founder of New York City– based ExecBrands, a career-branding firm, “as it highlights a candidate’s ability to influence others.” More precise words can also add a touch of formality to your actions, she says. Words like “addressed” or “corresponded” can carry more weight than a generic “wrote” or “spoke.”
ACTION VERBS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
INSTEAD OF: organized, ordered, filed USE: catalogued, executed, monitored, operated Did you organize a project, then walk away? Probably not, so choose words that express how you organized and followed through with a project to completion. For example, “executed” says that you saw it through to the end. “By focusing on the task rather than the purpose or significance of the task to the organization, a job seeker may limit the perceived value of his or
Your career history will pack an even bigger punch with these dynamic words. her experience,” Hollenback says. Instead of “filed account paperwork,” she suggests something more descriptive of your purpose, such as “monitored client accounts.”
ACTION VERBS FOR MANAGEMENT SKILLS
INSTEAD OF: led, handled, oversaw USE: consolidated, appointed, delegated, established Leadership experience is excellent for a resume. However, just saying you “led” a team is not nearly as powerful as saying you “established” a team, which indicates you took the lead to create something new. “A word like ‘oversaw’ hints that someone is supervising work on a high level, but not necessarily participating in a project actively,” says Andy Chan, co-founder of Prime Opt, a Seattlebased career-coaching center. Pick words that
reflect the true nature of your contribution. For example, “Established a nine-member productivity team and delegated operational tasks to three junior managers.” Each of these verb choices combines to give the hiring manager or recruiter an impression of your work style — just be sure to avoid repeats. “Multiple repetitions of an action word reduces
the word’s impact and makes for a boring read,” Hollenback says. Grab your dictionary or thesaurus if you’re feeling stuck, and when you’re done, be sure to have a trusted friend or colleague read over your resume to make sure it reads properly. And if you need more help, get a free resume evaluation today from the experts at Monster’s partner TopResume. ■
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Do you want to work in a fast paced environment with a team of highly creative individuals at a company who influences the markets identify as one of the nation’s most coveted destinations to live, work and play? We are looking for an experienced sales professional to work with local schools and universities in developing great advertising and marketing programs. This challenging and dynamic opportunity has great earning potential for the right sales professional! You will focus on strategic prospecting, conducting needs assessments, idea and proposal generation, presentation of advertising recommendations, closing and servicing the Education segment as well as the religion segments of clients. This position will work collaboratively with the Advertising Sales Team to ensure exceptional customer service to The Gazette’s current and prospective advertisers. Proven organizational and communication skills are required as well as being a creative problem solver. Additional key focus areas will include opening and maintaining account relationships while addressing their key priorities in needs with strategic advertising and marketing plans. It will be necessary to meet with individual clients monthly, annually or quarterly to review campaign process, budgets and create new strategies.
If this sounds like the right mix of challenge and opportunity, please visit: Gazette.com>About Us>Employment Opportunities.
LOCAL ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Come meet us on March 15, 2017 and April 3, 2017 at the Pikes Peak Workforce Center between 9:00 am - 2:00 pm to interview for these positions at AspenPointe! We are looking for: * PATIENT ACCESS SPECIALISTS, * MEDICAL SCHEDULERS, AND A * PATIENT ACCESS SPECIALIST SUPERVISOR FOR SEVERAL LOCATIONS. In the meantime, please apply for any position you are interested in. We will be able to pull up your application at the time of interview. You can also register through Pikes Peak Workforce Center.
Visit www.aspenpointe.org EOE
Do you want to work in a fast paced, highly creative environment for the largest media company in Colorado Springs? We are looking for an experienced sales professional to work with local businesses in developing great advertising and marketing programs. This challenging and dynamic opportunity has great earning potential for the right sales professional! You will be assigned a defined sales territory where you will focus on strategic prospecting, conducting needs assessments, idea and proposal generation, presentation of advertising recommendations, closing and servicing the clients. This position will work collaboratively with the Advertising Sales Team to ensure exceptional customer service to The Gazette’s current and prospective advertisers. Proven organizational and communication skills are required as well as being a creative problem solver. Additional key focus areas will include opening account relationships and setting client expectations. It will be necessary to meet with individual clients monthly, annually or quarterly to review campaign process, budgets and create new strategies.
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