Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado

A commuter rail service, bus system and significant upgrades to I-25 are on the horizon for Northern Colorado. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) was recently approved by the federal government for $2.18 billion to fund the improvements, the vision for which includes:

• A new lane in each direction of I-25 between State Highways 66 and 14.
• A commuter rail service connecting Fort Collins and Longmont.
• A new express bus system along I-25 with buses running from Fort Collins and Greeley to Denver International Airport and Downtown Denver.

CDOT is responsible for a 9,146 mile highway system with 3,447 bridges. Over 27.4 billion vehicle miles are clocked on the system each year. To learn more about the current active highway construction projects and corridor studies/assessments, go to www.coloradodot.info/projects. You can also access CDOT’s Long-Range Transportation Plan from the CDOT website.

Sources: Northern Colorado Business Report, “$2 billion NoCo transportation plan gets OK” by Steve Lynn, 1/10/2012.

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Posted By: Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado – Fort Collins CO Realtor,
specializing in Fort Collins CO Real Estate and Northern Colorado Real Estate
Pictures of Fort Collins

970.377.3700

Two local health systems, Poudre Valley Health Systems (PVHS) and Banner Health, made Top 5 rankings in Thomson Reuters annual health systems study.

After examining 30-day mortality rates, survival rates, medical complications, length of stay and overall patient safety for over 300 health systems, Thomson Reuter pulled the Top 5 Health Systems in the following categories: small (operating expenses less than $750 million), medium (operating expenses between $750 million and $1.5 billion) and large (operating expenses over $1.5 billion). PVHS made the Top 5 for small health systems and Banner Health made the Top 5 for large health systems.

PVHS provides services for northern Colorado, southern Wyoming, and western Nebraska. Fort Collins is home to two PVHS hospitals and PVHS’s Medical Center of the Rockies just recently opened their doors in Loveland. In 2008, PVHS received the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award for extraordinary performance.

Banner Health owns and operates the McKee Medical Center in Loveland and the North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley. Additional recent awards and honors for Banner Health include the HealthGrades® 2011 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ and HealthGrades® 2011 Emergency Medicine Excellence Award™.

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Posted By: Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado – Fort Collins CO Realtor,
specializing in Fort Collins CO Real Estate and Northern Colorado Real Estate
Pictures of Fort Collins

970.377.3700

December 2011 Fort Collins Real Estate market statistics are in. Each month we track the following leading market indicators for Fort Collins, Colorado:

• Under Contract = Number of properties under contract
• Sold = Number of sold properties
• Months Supply of Inventory = The MSI is an estimate of how long it will take for all the homes in a market area to be sold, or absorbed, based on the number of homes currently on the market and the rate that homes have sold in the past. A market is considered balanced when the MSI falls between 5-7 months. Under 5 months is considered a seller’s market and over 7 months is considered a buyer’s market.

December 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’09-’11 Under Contract 123 167 189 13% Sold 155 164 196 20% Months Supply of Inventory 8.9 6.6 4.9 -26%	December 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’09-’11 Under Contract 21 40 45 13% Sold 31 43 47 9% Months Supply of Inventory 12.8 6.7 3.9 -42%
November 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 134 140 165 18% Sold 170 139 162 17% Months Supply of Inventory 8.9 9.0 6.5 -28%	November 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 22 17 26 53% Sold 42 13 28 115% Months Supply of Inventory 12.9 18.4 7.8 -58%
October 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 184 190 169 -11% Sold 243 185 176 -5% Months Supply of Inventory 7.0 7.2 7.2 0%	October 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 51 38 46 21% Sold 53 38 48 26% Months Supply of Inventory 5.7 8.1 4.7 -42%

Thanks for reading our Fort Collins Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado – Fort Collins Real Estate Agents,
specializing in Fort Collins Real Estate and Northern Colorado Real Estate
Pictures of Fort Collins

970.377.3700

Inman News recently used Zillow.com data to compile a list of nine markets with rising real estate values. More specifically, metro areas were examined for year-over-year median home-value increases from October 2010 to October 2011. Fort Collins came in at #6 with a 1.3% year-over-year increase in median home-value:

9 markets with rising real estate values
1. Tulsa, Oklahoma
2. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
3. Lincoln, Nebraska
4. Madison, Wisconsin
5. Honolulu, Hawaii
6. Fort Collins, Colorado
7. Fort Myers, Florida
8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
9. Boulder, Colorado

According to the report, the median value of a home in Fort Collins is $217,300. Mortgage rates continue to push lower, dropping to 3.98% from 4.23% in October of 2010, offering historic affordability to today’s home buyers. While mortgage lending conditions continue to be a challenge, more and more people are seeing the advantage of buying a home sooner rather than later. This bodes well for the Fort Collins housing market.

>> Click here to start your Fort Collins home search!

You can read the complete Inman News report at:
http://www.inman.com/news/2012/01/4/9-markets-with-rising-real-estate-values.

Thanks for reading our Fort Collins Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado – Fort Collins CO Realtor,
specializing in Fort Collins CO Real Estate and Northern Colorado Real Estate
Pictures of Fort Collins

970.377.3700

Tis’ the season for merry wishes of a safe and happy holiday. According to the recently released Farmers Insurance Secure Places to Live Survey, the Fort Collins-Loveland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a great place for just such a holiday.

Air quality, life expectancy, mortality rates from cancer and motor vehicle accidents, crime statistics, housing depreciation, foreclosures, job loss numbers, terrorist threats, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, and environmental hazards were taken into consideration for 379 metropolitan areas. After crunching the numbers, the Fort Collins-Loveland area came in as ninth-most secure mid-sized MSA (populations from 150,000 to 500,000). This ranking comes of the heels of Allstate Insurance ranking Fort Collins as the #1 Safest Driving City.

Boulder, CO also took a top spot on the mid-sized MSA’s Secure Places to Live Survey, coming in at #2. You can read the complete Farmers Insurance press release at:
http://www.farmers.com/12_15_11_SecureCities.html.

Thanks for reading our Fort Collins Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado – Fort Collins CO Realtor,
specializing in Fort Collins CO Real Estate and Northern Colorado Real Estate
Pictures of Fort Collins

970.377.3700

November 2011 Fort Collins Real Estate market statistics are in. Each month we track the following leading market indicators for Fort Collins, Colorado:

• Under Contract = Number of properties under contract
• Sold = Number of sold properties
• Months Supply of Inventory = The MSI is an estimate of how long it will take for all the homes in a market area to be sold, or absorbed, based on the number of homes currently on the market and the rate that homes have sold in the past. A market is considered balanced when the MSI falls between 5-7 months. Under 5 months is considered a seller’s market and over 7 months is considered a buyer’s market.

November 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 134 140 165 18% Sold 170 139 162 17% Months Supply of Inventory 8.9 9.0 6.5 -28%	November 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 22 17 26 53% Sold 42 13 28 115% Months Supply of Inventory 12.9 18.4 7.8 -58%
October 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 184 190 169 -11% Sold 243 185 176 -5% Months Supply of Inventory 7.0 7.2 7.2 0%	October 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 51 38 46 21% Sold 53 38 48 26% Months Supply of Inventory 5.7 8.1 4.7 -42%
September 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’09-’11 Under Contract 213 155 199 28% Sold 190 154 195 27% Months Supply of Inventory 6.5 9.6 6.6 -31%	September 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’09-’11 Under Contract 48 32 50 56% Sold 59 33 49 48% Months Supply of Inventory 6.5 10.8 5.0 -54%

Thanks for reading our Fort Collins Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado – Fort Collins Real Estate Agents,
specializing in Fort Collins Real Estate and Northern Colorado Real Estate
Pictures of Fort Collins

970.377.3700

The Fort Collins’ housing market did not overeat for Thanksgiving. After crunching job, price appreciation, population growth and income growth numbers, Builder Magazine ranked Fort Collins-Loveland as the #2 Healthiest Housing Market in the United States. A projected 2.7% increase in the number of households in 2012 put the area first in that category out of all of the Top 20 markets. Employment and median income are also projected to head due north in the next year.

The Fort Collins-Loveland area was also listed in the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) released in November. The area was one of only 30 Metros in the United States to make the list, which recognizes metropolitan areas that have shown improvements for a minimum of six months in housing permits, employment and housing prices.

Additional Links:
Healthiest Housing Markets: Mid-2011 Update
Improving Markets Index Expands to 30 Metros in November

Sources: Builder Online, “Healthiest Housing Markets: Mid-2011 Updates” by Boyce Thompson, 9/15/11; RealEstateRama.com, “Improving Markets Index Expands to 30 Metros in November” by NAHB, 11/7/2011.

Thanks for reading our Fort Collins Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado – Fort Collins CO Realtor,
specializing in Fort Collins CO Real Estate and Northern Colorado Real Estate
Pictures of Fort Collins

970.377.3700

by Joy Ferguson, Relocation Director

It was shortly after I moved here that I heard about the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program in Colorado, and how actively involved Poudre High School was in the program. As someone who deals in relocation for individuals, companies and corporations, schools nearly always feature high on the list of interest.

I was privileged to be introduced to Ginny Carroll. Ginny is truly a dedicated educator and she kindly gave me some of her time to explain the program.

- A Conversation with Ginny -

Ginny, could you tell us a little about yourself, and what drew you to a career in Education? I am a Fort Collins native. I am committed to this community, which is one of the reasons I became a teacher. I want to help prepare students for their post-secondary lives, whether that is college or another path. I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher and my goal was to teach history in the IB Program at Poudre High School. I love history and want to share it with students.

Could you explain to our readers what the IB Program is? The IB Program is a rigorous academic program that emphasizes internationalism and strives to develop critical thinkers and well-rounded individuals. IB students at Poudre High School participate in whole school activities. As stated by the IB organization: “The International Baccalaureate Program aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the International Baccalaureate Organization works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.”

What is the profile of a student who would most benefit from the IB Program? All students can benefit from the IB Program, especially motivated, curious, interested students. Students take a variety of courses, learn about many cultures, and are involved in the community. For more information on the IB Program at Poudre High School you can go to http://phs.psdschools.org/international-baccalaureate.

Ginny has been at Poudre High School for 9 years. She obtained both her Undergraduate Degree and Masters at Colorado State University. The courses she teaches include 9th Grade IB World History and Geography, 11th Grade IB History of the Americas, American Humanities and Asian Humanities. She serves on the Board of Project Self Sufficiency, is Past-President of the Junior League of Fort Collins, serves as a member of the Women’s Commission for the City of Fort Collins, and has just received the Impala Award – a staff member to staff member recognition.

In her spare time Ginny likes to travel and spend time with her family and friends.

Thanks so much Ginny. An educator who absolutely loves what she does!

Click here to learn more about the award-winning Poudre School District

Joy Ferguson Relocation Director  Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado 2580 E Harmony Rd, #301 Fort Collins, CO 80528 JoyFerguson@kwnoco.com (970) 576-5418

Thank you for reading our Fort Collins Relocation Blog!
posted by: Joy Ferguson, Relocation Director at Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado
Moving to Fort Collins? Visit our Fort Collins City Guide for information about our community.
Pictures of Fort Collins

970.377.3700

October 2011 Fort Collins Real Estate market statistics are in. Each month we track the following leading market indicators for Fort Collins, Colorado:

• Under Contract = Number of properties under contract
• Sold = Number of sold properties
• Months Supply of Inventory = The MSI is an estimate of how long it will take for all the homes in a market area to be sold, or absorbed, based on the number of homes currently on the market and the rate that homes have sold in the past. A market is considered balanced when the MSI falls between 5-7 months. Under 5 months is considered a seller’s market and over 7 months is considered a buyer’s market.

October 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 184 190 169 -11% Sold 243 185 176 -5% Months Supply of Inventory 7.0 7.2 7.2 0%	October 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 51 38 46 21% Sold 53 38 48 26% Months Supply of Inventory 5.7 8.1 4.7 -42%
September 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’09-’11 Under Contract 213 155 199 28% Sold 190 154 195 27% Months Supply of Inventory 6.5 9.6 6.6 -31%	September 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’09-’11 Under Contract 48 32 50 56% Sold 59 33 49 48% Months Supply of Inventory 6.5 10.8 5.0 -54%
August 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 207 146 219 50% Sold 216 155 219 41% Months Supply of Inventory 7.0 10.4 6.3 -39%	August 2011 ’09 ’10 ’11 % Change Between ’10-’11 Under Contract 53 48 68 42% Sold 77 49 68 39% Months Supply of Inventory 5.8 7.2 3.8 -47%

Thanks for reading our Fort Collins Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado – Fort Collins Real Estate Agents,
specializing in Fort Collins Real Estate and Northern Colorado Real Estate
Pictures of Fort Collins

970.377.3700

October Boo Series
by Joy Ferguson, Relocation Director

It is so uplifting to see what wonderful works people can do by having a vision and a commitment.

Eradicating polio became a major project for The Rotary Club and their members back in 1985. Since then they have come a long way in achieving this goal. With assistance from major donors, including Bill and Melinda Gates, to volunteers literally on the ground in Third World countries – going door to door with the polio vaccine.

In the words of Bill Gates World Polio Day is

“Both a celebration and a call to action.

It’s a celebration because in the past 20 years, polio cases are down 99 percent, thanks to one of the most ambitious global health campaigns in history. Through a vast partnership, we’ve delivered polio drops to children in impossible circumstances—in active war zones, in remote mountainous regions that are unreachable for months at a time. It’s a great achievement.

But World Polio Day is also a call to action because we haven’t done enough yet. Polio is still paralyzing children. The last one percent is the hardest percent, and we have to do even more than we’ve already done if we hope to finish the job on polio. The day the world is declared polio free is the day we can really begin celebrating.”

October 24th marks the birth of Jonas Salk who was the leader of the team that invented a polio vaccine in 1955. In 1988, Albert Sabin developed an oral polio vaccine. How fitting that this should now be World Polio Day.

Thank you to the Loveland Rotary Club, and member Fran Bostwick, who invited me to their Luncheon on October 25th. Fran is seen here with her son-in-law and daughter Rod and Rebecca Fishkin.

We all owe such a debt of gratitude to people like Fran who volunteer their time and energy.

Joy Ferguson Relocation Director  Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado 2580 E Harmony Rd, #301 Fort Collins, CO 80528 JoyFerguson@kwnoco.com (970) 576-5418

Thank you for reading our Fort Collins Relocation Blog!
posted by: Joy Ferguson, Relocation Director at Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado
Moving to Fort Collins? Visit our Fort Collins City Guide for information about our community.
Pictures of Fort Collins

970.377.3700