Cities With Job Growth Expected in 2014

As reported to Daily Real Estate News in REALTOR Mag, Monday, April 28, 2014.

Booming employment centers usually lead to booming housing markets. Forbes recently ranked the 66 largest metros that have more than 450,000 jobs to find out which cities are likely to have the largest growth in employment this year. Forbes crunched employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from November 2002 through January 2014 for these rankings, which are based on recent growth trends and each region’s employment momentum.
The following big cities topped Forbes’ list for projected job growth in 2014:

1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif. (Job growth in 2013: 4.3%)
2. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif. metro (Job growth in 2013: 3.6%)
3. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, Texas (Job growth in 2013: 4.1%)
4. Raleigh-Cary, N.C. (Job growth in 2013: 3.9%)
5. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas (Job growth in 2013: 3%)
6. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tenn. (Job growth in 2013: 3%)
7. New York City, N.Y. (Job growth in 2013: 2.2%)
8. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla. (Job growth in 2013: 3.3%)
9. Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas (Job growth in 2013: 2.8%)
10. Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, Colo. (Job growth in 2013: 3%)

Source: “The Best Big Cities for Jobs 2014,” Forbes.com (April 2014)

Open House Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 11-1!

 Join us for an Open House this Saturday, April 26 from 11-1 at 15672 E. Indian Brook Circle, Parker, CO 80134.

This gorgeous 4 bedroom, 4 bath home with 3,016 finished square feet is located ...in the Horse Creek neighborhood. This beautiful home has amazing views of the Front Range. Attached two-car and separate 1-car hobby garage. The kitchen has upgraded fixtures, granite countertops and an island. An upstairs bedroom has its own bathroom-perfect as a guest retreat!

The spacious master suite has vaulted ceilings and a 5-piece master bath with several upgrades. The backyard is perfect for relaxing or entertaining with friends and family. The walkout basement is unfinished, allowing for you to add your own personal touch as it opens up to spectacular views! This beautiful newer home is a definite must see, comes complete with snow blower!

The MLS # is 2475497 and it is priced at $475,000. You can view a tour of this home at www.15672EIndianBrook.com.

Please call Jeff Sams at 303-993-6436 for details and to schedule a showing!

Green Dot MoneyPak Card: SCAM ALERT

As reported to Parker Business Owners on Tuesday, April 21,2014.

The Parker Police Department is warning residents and businesses against Green Dot MoneyPak card scams. The Police Department has received several complaints in recent from local businesses and residents who have fallen victim to this scam.

Here is how the scams work:
Residents and business owners receive a call from someone who claims to be collecting a debt for either a utility company or the IRS or a bank requesting additional information to process a loan request.

*The Utility Company Scam: The victims are contacted by a caller who states they work at a utility company and are collecting money that is past due. The caller informs the victim that they can avoid having their utility service disconnected if they immediately pay the past due amount using a Green Dot MoneyPak card that can be purchased at a local store. The caller instructs the victim to purchase a Green Dot MoneyPak card in a specified amount and provides the victim with a phone number to be called back when the MoneyPak has been obtained. The victim purchases a Green Dot card at a local store and proceeds to call back the number they were given. The victim is instructed to scratch off and read the MoneyPak card serial number to the perpetrator. Once the scammer has the serial number they are able to transfer funds onto a prepaid debit card. The victim has now lost their money.

*The IRS Scam: The victims receive a call and are told they owe back taxes, fees or fines to the IRS. The perpetrator states if the victim does not make an immediate payment they can be evicted from their home and have their bank accounts frozen. This scam follows the same format as the utility company scam, the results also being that the victim’s money is stolen.

* The Bank Scam: After the victim applies for a loan online they receive a phone call from a scammer claiming to work for a bank. The scammer tells the victim they have been approved for the loan however they need to pay a processing fee. The fee must be paid by a MoneyPak card. This scam follows the same sequence as the others, again with victim’s money being stolen.

Green Dot MoneyPak cards themselves are legitimate products when used for the right purposes. Once purchased at a participating retailer with cash, consumers can use the cards to reload other prepaid cards, add money to a PayPal account or make same-day payments to major companies. Because the cards can only be bought with cash, consumers never need to disclose their personal or financial information to a retail cashier or to make a payment.

While many schemes still involve scammers asking for funds to be wired to them, MoneyPaks have the added benefit of the scammer not having to show up at an office to claim the funds.

Anyone with the 14-digit number found on the back of the MoneyPak card can drain the card of funds. In all of these examples, the intended victims are instructed to buy a Green Dot MoneyPak card, load the amount of the fine or other money owed onto the card and then provide the number on the back of the card to the scammers, who will then drain the fund from the card.

Scam Prevention Tips
• Be suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment for any reason.
• Remember that anyone who has the number on a Green Dot MoneyPak card has access to the funds on the card.
• Never give out personal or financial information to anyone who emails or calls you unsolicited.
• Never wire money, provide debit or credit card numbers or Green Dot MoneyPak card numbers to someone you do not know.
• Utility companies and government agencies will not contact you demanding immediate payment by MoneyPak.
 
If you believe you have been a target or victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement agency. If you reside in the Town of Parker, contact the Parker Police Department at 303.841.9800.





Source: www.parkeronline.org (April 21,2014)

There's a Rush in 8 Countries for U.S. Real Estate

As reported to Daily Real Estate News in REALTOR Mag on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.

Foreign buyers are being lured to U.S. real estate due to what they perceive as bargain prices, economic stability, and a “safe haven for investors,” 24/7 Wall St. reports. Interest in U.S. real estate from international buyers in 10 countries has soared since 2009 by 95 percent or more. In nine of those countries, the interest has at least doubled, according to data from RealtyTrac.
“The U.S. real estate market is coming off of a rough patch and entering recovery mode,” says Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac’s vice president. “International buyers see it as a great time to jump in and catch the U.S. market on the upswing.”
24/7 Wall St. compiled data from RealtyTrac to find that the following countries are showing the highest increases in interest in purchasing American homes.

1. United Arab Emirates
   Growth in prospective home buyers: 352.2%
   Share of international prospective buyers: 1.1% (12th highest)
2. Switzerland
   Growth in prospective home buyers: 269.7%
   Share of international prospective buyers: 2.1% (8th highest)
3. Hong Kong and China
   Growth in prospective home buyers: 254.2%
   Share of international prospective buyers: 4.1% (4th highest)
4. France
   Growth in prospective home buyers: 190%
   Share of international prospective buyers: 2.8% (6th highest)
5. Italy
   Growth in prospective home buyers: 178.4%
   Share of international prospective buyers: 1.9% (10th highest)
6. United Kingdom
   Growth in prospective home buyers: 153.8%
   Share of international prospective buyers: 12.1% (2nd highest)
7. Australia
   Growth in prospective home buyers: 121.9%
   Share of international prospective buyers: 11% (3rd highest)
8. Canada
   Growth in prospective home buyers: 107.7%
   Share of international prospective buyers: 45% (the highest)

Source: “10 Countries Racing to Buy American Homes,” 24/7 Wall Street (April 11, 2014)

OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 12 FROM 1-3!

Join us for an Open House this Saturday, April 12 from 1-3 at 15672 E. Indian Brook Circle, Parker, CO  80134.

This gorgeous 4 bedroom, 4 bath home with 3,016 finished square feet is located in the Horse Creek neighborhood. This beautiful home has amazing views of the Front Range. Attached two-car and separate 1-car hobby garage. The kitchen has upgraded fixtures, granite countertops and an island. An upstairs bedroom has its own bathroom-perfect as a guest retreat!

The spacious master suite has vaulted ceilings and a 5-piece master bath with several upgrades. The backyard is perfect for relaxing or entertaining with friends and family. The walkout basement is unfinished, allowing for you to add your own personal touch as it opens up to spectacular views! This beautiful newer home is a definite must see, comes complete with snow blower!

The MLS # is 2475497 and it is priced at $475,000.  You can view a tour of this home at www.15672EIndianBrook.com.

Please call Jeff Sams at 303-993-6436 for details and to schedule a showing!