Connecting Colorado Neighbors-The Foerster Team

"Nothing in Life Comes Free" ... just like the old saying goes

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:10:50 -0700

Nobody's perfect, right? The important thing is that we learn from our mistakes and whenever possible, learn from someone else's mistakes so we don't make them ourselves!

What can we learn from the situation that Gene Mundt shares with us? My thoughts...investigate. Don't take everything at face value. Do the research. Use the Internet. Just because a "professional" tells you something is the best solution to your situation, you don't have take it at full value. Do your homework!

Reblogged by Donna Foerster. Original post by Gene Mundt, a Mortgage Banker in Chicagoland, IL with 35+ years of experience!

Via Gene Mundt Mortgage Lender Chicagoland Mortgage Lending (www.genemundt.com):

"Nothing in Life Comes Free" ... just like the old saying goes


    I'm sure you've heard the statement,

   "Nothing in life comes free"

    Well, a blog I read today, written by fellow mortgage lender Joe Petrowsky on ActiveRain, reminded me of the wisdom and important lessons contained within this statement.

      Joe had started the mortgage process with a new client by running the client's credit report. His client had sought out the services of a credit repair company to help him improve his credit and credit scores prior to seeing Joe, so the scores reported on his credit came as no shock to him.

     The credit repair company had promised the client that they'd remove the issues showing on the report ... all bills and payments that the client did in fact owe.  The cost to perform this service? HALF of what was owed to creditors! The outstanding obligations mounted up to $5000, so they'd given the credit repair company $2500 upfront to perform their magic. Problems solved, right?

     Well, I'm betting you know where this story is going. Yep! The only thing that disappeared was the client's money!

   I've seen and heard quite a few stories much like this one. But for me, the lessons gained from them don't so much revolve around being "ripped off" by fraudulent credit repair companies or any other servicers. (Although the "when it sounds too good to be true" ... or ... "if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck" lessons are both valid and important to remember.)

No. For me the lessons revolve around work ethic. Trying to reap benefits too easily ... too quickly ... or when you really haven't done much to earn them. This client thought they could throw money at their problems and make them disappear.

     Now let me be clear ... I certainly don't wish this client's misfortune and outcome on anyone. No one deserves that what happened to them. But the real and long term solution to their credit problems will only be found in their own willingness and dedication to solving them and their personal investment in hard work, attention, and time. That fact can't be escaped.

     The truth regarding this matter is:

     Building good credit

     Maintaining good credit

     Keeping up-to-date, detailed records

     Filing your documents safely, in an organized manner

     Making Mortgage Application

     Navigating successfully through Mortgage Processing

   Following the directions and advice provided by your real estate and mortgage professionals during the home buying and mortgage process ...

     and many more things in life aren't always easy. You typically don't find great success when you take shortcuts. And you typically don't pull solutions out of a hat. Nope.

   "Nothing in life comes free" just like the old saying goes. Most things worth having or doing demand an investment of your time, attention, and hard work. And that includes improving your Credit, Buying a Home or obtaining a Mortgage.    Just ask Joe's client ...

   * Hoping to Buy a Home or Refinance in New Lenox, Joliet, Will/DuPage County, or elsewhere in the Chicagoland area? Contact me today! I'll put my 36+ years of mortgage experience, dedication, and expertise hard to work on your behalf.
     I can be found at any of the following:

Direct: 815.524.2280

Cell: 708.921.6331

gmundt@goapmc.com

www.genemundt.com

eFax: 815.524.2281      Skype: 630.219.1316

FREE Consultation

Ready to Apply for your Mortgage?







Gene Mundt

Regional Manager - Mortgage Lender

                                                                Personal NMLS #216987

NMLS # 175656

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Have a Mindset of Gratitude

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:30:32 -0700

Have a Mindset of Gratitude

"The more you express gratitude for what you have the more you will have to express gratitude for."

~Zig Ziglar

I firmly believe that life is what you make of it. If you want to be successful, it's up to you. If you want to be happy, it's up to you. You get out of life, what you put in to it. When I read Zig's quote, I felt it fit in with my philosophy. Be thankful for what you have...a roof over your head, a car in your driveway/garage, food on the table, clothes on your back...the simple things. Be thankful for the people in your life...your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even stangers that meet...they all make a difference in your life in one way or another. Appreciate the rainy days as much as the sunny days.

Take the time to smile, "smell the roses" and be thankful...EVERY day!

Have a Mindset of Gratitude

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Featured Single Family HUD Home: Lone Tree, Colorado: May 2013

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:51:11 -0700

Featured Single Family HUD Home: Lone Tree, Colorado: May 2013

Each week we feature HUD Homes. Some weeks it will be information about purchasing HUD homes (see the links at the end of this post). Other weeks we will feature available HUD homes in Douglas and the surrounding counties.

This week's featured Single Family HUD Home is located in Lone Tree, Colorado in the Acres Green neighborhood. For more information about Douglas County, please visit the Douglas County official website and/or visit the Douglas County Relocation website. For information about the City of Lone Tree, please visit the city's official website.

Price: $231,000
Style: Tri-leve with Basement
Car Storage: 2-Car, attached

Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2.5
Sqft: 1664
Basement: 624sqft
Lot Size: 10018 sqft
Year Built: 1978
Taxes: $1,826

203K Eligible: Yes
Repair Escrow: $2,173

Features include:

~Mountain Views
~Eat-in Kitchen
~Covered Deck
~Wood-burning Fireplace in Family Room
~Finished Basement

(HUD is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.)

If you would like to schedule a showing of a HUD Home in the Metro Denver area, please contact The Foerster Team at (720) 530-5553.

Watch this blog site for available HUD Homes in Douglas County and the surrounding areas and additional information regarding HUD Home programs and purchasing HUD Homes.

How do I search for HUD homes?

What are the benefits of registering on the HUDhomestore website?

How much information will I find on the HUDhomestore website?

HUD Special Programs

Who Can Purchase a HUD Home?

(Photo courtesy of Metrolist, Multiple Listing Service and listing agency.)

Featured Single Family HUD Home: Lone Tree, Colorado: May 2013

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Movie Monday: The Lone Wolf

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:15:56 -0700

Movie Monday: The Lone Wolf

My favorite movie genre is ACTION. Spy movies, adventures, hero cops and villainous robbers. Throw in some car chases or fight scenes. In many cases, action movies have a lead character that is "the lone wolf". He (or she) works alone. No sidekick. Sometimes there's a team as with Ethan Hunt, or someone to help them along the way (Felix Leiter, CIA would show up in a Bond film from time to time), but in the end it's all about them. I've come up with 8 lone wolf characters that I've enjoyed. Maybe you can name a few that I've missed.

My Favorite "Lone Wolf" Characters:

Jason Bourne

Ethan Hunt (Mission Impossible)

James Bond

John McClane (Die Hard)

Dirty Harry

Indiana Jones

Paul Kersey (Death Wish)

Lara Croft

Hmmm. After reading my list, I've noticed that all of these characters were in a series of movies and I loved all of them!

Please visit my previous posts about my favorite movie actors, directors, characters, genres and legends.

(Photo courtesy of the Internet Movie Database. )

Movie Monday: The Lone Wolf

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Get Ready for the Summer Season Contest!

Sun, 12 May 2013 20:51:12 -0700

Want to be known as a local expert? Of course you do. Writing posts about local events is a great way to market yourself and your town/city/area. Anna 'Banana' Krutchen is hosting a great summer Active Rain contest. Write 6 posts about summer events, include your own photos, follow the rules (see Anna's post) and meet the deadline of May 31st and you could earn 2000 points!

Reblogged by Donna Foerster. Original post by Anna 'Banana' Krutchen.

Via Anna 'Banana' Kruchten - Phoenix Real Estate Broker,CRS 602-380-4886 (Phoenix Property Shoppe):

Get Ready for the Summer Season Contest!

Summer is just around the corner and it's time to spruce up your local marketing efforts! So what does that mean you ask? It means now is a good time to Make Your Blog POP with information about local events taking place during the summer time. Here in Phoenix summer means something a little different than it would, say in Baltimore, Maryland. It's darn hot here in Phoenix and people are always looking for ways to cool off and beat the heat. So what I'd write about might be totally different than what you might write about for your market.



For example: I like to write about areas in Northern Arizona where many Phoenicians go during the summer months to cool off.  That might mean writing about cool camping spots, local events, site seeing ideas, fun resorts, my favorite hiking spots or picnic areas. Or - perhaps I could write about local summer camps for kids of which I know parents would love to know about. There are also a number of 'water parks' which are big hits during the hot summer months for big and little kids!

You name it the sky is the limit with fun stuff to do in Arizona and any state for that matter!



Get Ready for the Summer Season Contest!

The challenge is to to find interesting and fun things to do in your area during the summer months and write informative blog posts for your readers and the general public. Along the way you'll find new things to take part in over the summer months and get a chance to share the fun with your readers! It's almost time for some summer fun! Bring on the Fun!

Have fun with this contest! Bring out your creativity, spirit and passion!

Get Ready for Summer Contest Details

1. Write 6 posts about summer activities going on in your area. Each post must be a minimum of 300 words.

2. Each post must include your original photo(s) or a video that you have created.

3. Contest starts May 1st and ends at midnight pacific time on May 31st.

4. ALL 6 OF YOUR POST LINKS  MUST BE  IN ONE COMMENT ONLY to this post AND you must email Kerrie and give her your AR name and include the 6 links to your summer season posts in the email.

5. 2000 points will be awarded to all participants that successfully complete the challenge!

On Your Mark - Get Set - Have Fun Blogging!

Get Ready for the Summer Season Contest!

*****************************************************************



Thanks for reading my blog!



Anna 'Banana' Kruchten
Owner/Broker, CRB, CRS, GRI, e-PRO
Phoenix Property Shoppe
602-380-4886

Search for Phoenix Area Homes Here

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Parker Farmers Market Opening Day 2013

Sun, 12 May 2013 19:38:22 -0700

Parker Farmers Market Opening Day 2013

It was a perfect day, sunny and warm, for the opening of this year's Parker Colorado Farmers Market. Mainstreet in Old Town Parker was closed to vehicular traffic and open to foot traffic (and paw traffic) for 2 blocks.

The street was lined with beautiful jewelry, birdhouses, home decor, sweet treats, fresh bakery goods, plants, produce, homemade jellies, jams and peanut butter. We also saw several booths that catered to 4-legged friends.

Kids enjoyed bags of popcorn (in some cases the bags were bigger than the kids) and ice cream. Adults were refreshed by lemonade and iced tea.

We've decided that when we go back again we'll get a homemade pie. This time we were tempted, but able to resist. (We were still full from breakfast!)

Parker Farmers Market Opening Day 2013

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Things to do in Parker, CO: Old Town Parker Wine Walks 2013

Sat, 11 May 2013 13:12:04 -0700

Things to do in Parker, Colorado: Old Town Parker Wine Walks 2013

Enjoy a Spring/Fall evening in beautiful Old Town Parker with your spouse, friends, family, neighbors, co-workers anyone you'd like to spend some time with.

Old Town Parker Wine Walks are the last Friday of every month, May through October. Several local businesses~restaurants and shops~will open their doors to meet, greet and pour! It's a wonderful way to learn about the businesses that line Mainstreet.

This is a Parker Chamber of Commerce Signature Event that benefits local non-profit businesses in Parker, Colorado.

Tickets

~$15 Per Participant (must be 21+ years of age)
~Tickets on sale at the Parker Chamber of Commerce/Visistor Center located on the corner of Mainstreet and Pikes Peak Drive
~Participants will receive a FREE wine glass, 10 tasting coupons and specials from sponsors

Schedule

~May through October on the last Friday of the month, 5-8pm (Please note the time change for 2013)

*May 31st ~ Benefiting Parker Arts Council
*June 28th ~ Benefiting Parker Arts Guild
*July 26th ~ Benefiting Beta Sigma Fi
*August 30th ~ Benefiting Parker Historical Society
*September 27th ~ Benefiting Rotary Club of Parker
*October 25th ~ Benefiting Cherry Creek Valley Rotary

For more information, visit the Parker Chamber of Commerce website or call 303-841-4268.

Things to do in Parker, Colorado: Old Town Parker Wine Walks 2013

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Featured Single Family HUD Home: Littleton, Colorado: May 2013

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:11:10 -0700

Featured Single Family HUD Home: Littleton, Colorado: May 2013

Every week, we feature HUD Homes. Some weeks it will be information about purchasing HUD homes (see the links at the end of this post). Other weeks we will feature available HUD homes in Douglas and the surrounding counties.

This week's featured Single Family HUD Home is located in Littleton, Colorado in the Columbine West neighborhood. For more information about Jefferson County, please visit the Jefferson County website.

Price: $223,000
Style: Story and 1/2
Car Storage: 2-Car, attached

Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2
Sqft: 1883
Basement: 1209 sqft
Lot Size: 0.24 acres
Year Built: 1977
Taxes: $2,010

203K Eligible: Yes
Repair Escrow: $1,210

Features include:

~Fireplace in family room
~Eating space in kitchen
~Updated kitchen with granite countertops
~Finished basement with additional bedroom and bath
~Large fenced yard

(HUD is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.)

If you would like to schedule a showing of a HUD Home in the Metro Denver area, please contact The Foerster Team at (720) 530-5553.

Watch this blog site for available HUD Homes in Douglas County and the surrounding areas and additional information regarding HUD Home programs and purchasing HUD Homes.

How do I search for HUD homes?

What are the benefits of registering on the HUDhomestore website?

How much information will I find on the HUDhomestore website?

HUD Special Programs

Who Can Purchase a HUD Home?

(Photo courtesy of Metrolist, Multiple Listing Service and listing agency.)

Featured Single Family HUD Home: Littleton, Colorado: May 2013

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Douglas County Household Chemical Waste Roundup 2013

Tue, 07 May 2013 17:59:54 -0700

Douglas County Household Chemical Waste Roundup

It's time for Spring Cleaning! We've been busy in our basement, closets and cabinets. Now it's time to tackle the garage. I'm sure we'll find some items during our clean up efforts to take to the Household Chemical Roundup this weekend, or later in the summer.

How about you? Do you have some old paint cans that are cluttering up your storage? Maybe some old car or truck tires piled up in the corner? No more excuses. Take those unwanted items to the Douglas County Household Chemical Waste Roundup. Your first opportunity is Saturday, May 11th. (I'm sure it would make the "Mom" in your household very happy!)

Acceptable items for roundup:

~House, garden and pool chemicals
~Pain and paint products
~Automotive fluids
~Fuels
~Propane tanks (1-20lbs)
~Vehicle and household batteries
~Items containing mercury
~Ammunition
~Aerosols
~Fluorescent light bulbs, including CFLs
~Car/truck/SUV tires (remove from rim)

Items that will NOT be accepted:

~Business or commercial waste
~Radioactive waste
~Electronic waste
~Explosive waste
~Smoke detectors
~Asbestos waste
~Tractor tires
~Scrap metal
~Medical waste
~Compressed gases other than propane

Saturday, May 11, 2013, 9am-3pm
Parker Joint Services Center
17801 East Plaza Drive, Parker, CO 80134

Saturday, August 11, 2013, 9am-3pm
Shea Stadium
3270 Redstone Park Circle, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Saturday, September 7, 2013
Town of Castle Rock Utilities
175 kellogg Court, Castle Rock, CO 80109

This event is open to all Douglas County residents. Proof of County residence is required at entrance. A payment of $25 is requested to help offset the high cost of hazardous waste disposal. For more information, please call (720) 200-1592.

Douglas County Household Chemical Waste Roundup

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Movie Monday: My Top 10 Favorite Movies: Tommy Lee Jones

Mon, 06 May 2013 08:49:35 -0700

Movie Monday: My Top 10 Favorite Movies: Tommy Lee Jones

I was surprised to learn that Tommy Lee attended St. Mark's School of Texas, a prestigious prep school for boys in Dallas. I just can't picture it. He usually portrays such rough and tumble characters. He is often sarcastic and cynical. Not the image of a prep school boy.

This "Space Cowboy" is a part-time cattle rancher. Yes, cattle rancher. He owns a 3000 acre ranch near San Antonio.

He's believable in the role of law enforcement. I love to watch him and his team tracking down the "bad guys" running from the law. I also liked him as one of the bad guys in Under Siege and Batman Forever.

He's still out there earning a paycheck and I hope he keeps at it!

My Favorite Tommy Lee Jones Movies:

1. Lincoln (2012)
2. Double Jeopardy (1999)
3. US Marshalls (1998)
4. No Country For Old Men (2007)
5. Under Siege (1992)
6. Space Cowboys (2000)
7. Volcano (1997)
8. The Client (1994)
9. Men in Black (1997)
10. Batman Forever (1995)

Bonus: The Fugitive (1993)

Do you have a favorite Tommy Lee Jones movie? Add your comments below and join the conversation!

Please visit my previous posts about my favorite movie actors, directors, characters, genres and legends.

(Photo courtesy of the Internet Movie Database. )

Movie Monday: My Top 10 Favorite Movies: Tommy Lee Jones

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Attitude Makes a Difference

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:55:46 -0700

Attitude Makes a Difference

"Positive thinking will let you use the abilities, training and experience you have." ~Zig Ziglar

I very strongly believe in the law of attraction. If you are a "Negative Nancy" (please don't take offense if your name is Nancy) you will attract negative attention. Other people that have a negative attitude, or negative circumstances. Business will be more challenging and life in general will be stressful. Who needs that?

When you smile, those around you will smile back. When you say thank you, you will more than likely hear "you're welcome" or "my pleasure". Positive attracts positive.

Let's make the world a better, happier place, one person at a time.

Attitude Makes a Difference

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Things to do in Parker, CO: Celebrate Swirls 2-Year Anniversary

Sat, 04 May 2013 08:58:36 -0700

Things to do in Parker, CO: Celebrate Swirls 2-Year Anniversary

Stop by Swirls Frozen Yogurt shop on Wednesday, May 15th for a Client Appreciation Day to celebrate their 2-year anniversary!

What's so special about Swirls Self Serve Frozen Yogurt? It's 100% all natural! No preservatives, no artificial flavors, colors or sweetners.

Swirls offers 12 flavor choices and 6 swirled flavor choices. (My personal favorite is chocolate and peanut butter swirled.)

Current Flavors:

~Plain Tart & Kiwi Tart
~Blueberry & Cake Batter
~Chocolate & Peanut Butter
~Pineapple Tart & Coconut
~Palisdae Peach & Country Vanilla
~Cherry Limeade Sorbetto & Almond Vanilla (both dairy free)

Open daily from 11 am-10pm, Swirls Frozen Yogurt is located in the Parker Station Professional building at 19751 E. Mainstreet in beautiful downtown Parker. Fix yourself a sundae or a waffle cone (homemade), with your favorite flavor yogurt and toppings. Then find a seat inside, or on the patio outside.

Please visit Swirls on Facebook and like their page and share your Swirls experience!

Things to do in Parker, CO: Celebrate Swirls 2-Year Anniversary

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Places to Visit in Parker, Colorado: Farmers Market 2013

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:47:43 -0700

Places To Visit in Parker Colorado: Farmers Market 2013

The Parker Farmers Market open on Mother's Day (Sunday, May 12th) and runs EVERY Sunday through October from 8am-1pm. Join your friends and neighbors as they stroll along Mainstreet in downtown Parker, Colorado enjoying all that the Farmers Market has to offer.

As you might imagine, one can find fresh fruits and produce in abundance. You will also be tempted by homemade jellies, jams and preserves to top off the fresh baked breads you might purchase.

Local artisans and craftsman will have booths spread throughout the market. You can also find beautiful potted and hanging plants.

Visiting the Parker Farmers Market is a great way to get some exercise, fresh air and sunshine. Be sure to be prepared, wear your favorite hat, stay hydrated and put on the sunscreen. We want you to enjoy your time with us in Parker, Colorado!

I plan to be there on "opening day". Will I see you there?

For more information, please visit Parker Farmers Market Facebook page.

Places To Visit in Parker Colorado: Farmers Market 2013

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

Featured Condo HUD Home: Highlands Ranch, CO: April 2013

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:47:04 -0700

Featured Condo HUD Home: Highlands Ranch, CO: April 2013

Each week we feature HUD Homes. Some weeks it will be information about purchasing HUD homes (see the links at the end of this post). Other weeks we will feature available HUD homes in Douglas and the surrounding counties.

This week's featured Condominium HUD Home is located in Highlands, Colorado in the Tresana Condos complex. For more information about Douglas County, please visit the Douglas County official website and/or visit the Douglas County Relocation website. For information about the Town of Parker, please visit the town's official website.

Price: $226,000
Style: Three Story
Car Storage: 2-car, attached, tandem

Bedrooms: 2
Baths: 2
Sqft: 1621

Year Built: 2008
Taxes: $1,832

203K Eligible: Yes
Repair Escrow: $550

Features:
~Mountain views!
~Fireplace in living room
~Balcony
~End unit
~Private master bedroom on 3rd level
~5 piece bath
~Pool community

If you would like to schedule a showing of a HUD Home in the Metro Denver area, please contact The Foerster Team at (720) 530-5553.

Watch this blog site for available HUD Homes in Douglas County and the surrounding areas and additional information regarding HUD Home programs and purchasing HUD Homes.

(HUD is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.)

What is a HUD home?

How do I search for HUD homes?

What are the benefits of registering on the HUDhomestore website?

How much information will I find on the HUDhomestore website?

HUD Special Programs

Who Can Purchase a HUD Home?

What is Repair Escrow?

What is the Meaning of 203K Eligible?

(Photo courtesy of Metrolist, Multiple Listing Service and listing agency.)

Featured Condo HUD Home: Highlands Ranch, CO: April 2013

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)

The Calendar Says Spring...

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:36:55 -0700

The Calendar Says Spring...

...but the below freezing temperatures and the snow on the ground tell a different story! This is the 3rd Tuesday in the row when we've had snow. When I left the house this morning it was 20 degrees with a wind chill of 9! I decided I didn't care if it was Spring or not, I was going to be warm. I put on my turtle neck, my gloves and my hat and headed out in to the cold cruel world!

The Calendar Says Spring...

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)