The Kearns Team Stapleton Real Estate News - Information on Buying and Selling Real Estate in Stapleton and Denver Colorado  

Just received from Denver Public Schools:

Dear DPS Community:

Due to severe winter weather and unsafe road conditions forecasted to last throughout the day tomorrow, all Denver Public Schools will be closed on Friday, Feb. 3. This includes all before- and after-school programming, athletics and after-school activities. All DPS district offices will also be closed for Friday, Feb. 3.

Be safe and have a good weekend.

DPS Office of Communications

Please join Councilman Christopher Herndon, Councilman Albus Brooks, City Librarian Shirley Amore and members of the Denver Public Library Commission for a sneak peek at the new Sam Gary Branch Library due to open in mid-2012.

• When: January 28 at 1:00 pm
• Where: 2961 North Roslyn Street (Southeast corner of Roslyn Street and 29thAvenue in the Stapleton Town Center)
• What: An up-close and personal look at the construction progress of the new Branch Library!

The new branch library was recently named after Sam Gary, who has been dubbed by the Front Porch as “the key community member in Denver who brought the new-urbanism planning concept to the redevelopment of the old Stapleton airport.”  He is an upstanding citizen and philanthropist who dedicates much of his life to help economically challenged inner-city children through his foundation, the Piton Foundation, as well as contributing to early childhood education and healthcare programs. 

In an effort to ensure the quality programming, materials and faculty for the upcoming library; The Denver Public Library is offering the community an opportunity to purchase beautifully engraved sandstone pavers as a special way to memorialize your family or business outside of the new Sam Gary Branch Library in Stapleton.  For more information on purchasing a paver or to learn about interior naming opportunities, please contact Brenda Ritenour at 720-865-2046 or [email protected]

Availability is limited - apply no later than February 12, 2012

DENVER, CO – This spring only, all Denver residents are eligible for free trees regardless of where they live within the city. This rare opportunity is made possible by two tree distribtuion programs: The Park People’s annual Denver Digs Trees street tree program and the City’s Mile High Million tree planting initiative.

“We’re thrilled to be part of this exciting partnership that is sure to add thousands of trees Denver neighborhoods across the city,” says The Park People’s Paige Heydon. “The trees are being offered at no cost. It’s a win for the city’s urban forest and a win for Denver residents.”

Any resident of the City and County of Denver can apply for free trees to plant along the street in the public right-of-way. Additionally, those who have space for trees on the west side of their homes – whether in front, back, or side yards or along the street – are eligibile to have trees delivered and planted for them.

“Trees planted on the west side of houses not only offer wonderful shade, they also reduce energy consumption,” says Sara Davis, the Program Manager for Denver Parks and Recreation’s Mile High Million Program. “With that in mind, we are happy to offer the trees and the planting free of charge.”

Availability will be limited, so apply no later than February 15, 2012. Visit www.theparkpeople.org or call 303-722-6262 for application information.

“Trees beautify neighborhoods, improve property values, provide environmental services, and support good health by encouraging people to spend time outdoors,” says Denver’s City Forester Rob Davis. “This is a great opportunity for Denver residents to enhance their neighborhoods.”

The Denver Digs Trees program is able to offer free street trees to all Denver residents this spring thanks to a partnership with Denver Parks and Recreation Forestry Division and the sponsorship of Xcel Energy Foundation and the City of Denver’s Office of Economic Development. The Mile High Million’s Trees for Energy Savings program is made possible with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Park People

The Park People is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing and advocating for Denver’s parks, recreation resources, open space and urban forest. Through its Denver Digs Trees program, The Park People is responsible for adding more than 43,000 trees to Denver’s neighborhoods, with hundreds more sold each fall and spring to help raise funds for the organization’s public tree efforts. Visit www.theparkpeople.org for more information.

Mile High Million

In 2006, Mayor John Hickenlooper (now Governor) announced an ambitious tree planting program with a goal of adding one million new trees in metropolitan Denver by the year 2025. The initiative aims to engage and motivate individuals to become life-long stewards of our natural environment through planting and caring for trees. The end result will be a healthier and more extensive urban forest, creating more inviting places to live, work and play. Visit milehighmillion.org for more information.

Denver Forestry

The Denver Parks and Recreation Forestry Office is the city agency responsible for trees and shrubs in public parks, parkways and around government buildings. They also are involved in programs that add trees to Denver neighborhoods. Trees are an extremely valuable resource that not only provide attractive landscapes, but also replenish oxygen in the atmosphere, cool us with shade in the summer and help clean the air. Denver is a fortunate city with a broad tree canopy and public policies that recognize the value of trees through promotion programs and regulation. Visit www.denvergov.org/forestry for more information.

Two great new homes, just listed for sale in Stapleton!

3465 Willow Street, Denver CO 80238
offered for $469,999 

This beautiful home from New Town Builders is located less than a block from Stapleton's 80 acre Central Park.

It features three bedrooms upstairs (including a huge Master Suite), and kitchen, great room, dining room, and study on the main floor. 

For more photos, please visit our virtual tour. To schedule a private tour of this home, please contact The Kearns Team at 303.331.4500.

3367 Xanthia Street, Denver CO 80238
offered for $825,000

Truly one of the finest homes in Stapleton, this Court Home from the Infinity Home Collection sits between Stapleton's Central Park and a neighborhood pocket park.

In addition to the impeccable custom upgrades and gourmet kitchen, this home features 5 bedrooms (three with private baths) and a finished basement with family/media room.

For more photos, please visit our virtual tour. To schedule a private tour of this home, please contact The Kearns Team at 303.331.4500.

Apparently 8-10 inches of snow is enough to create havoc at United Parcel Service in Denver.

A Christmas Week snowstorm which delivered 8-10 inches of snow in Denver (more in some areas, less in others) on December 22 has delayed delivery of 50,000 packages until after Christmas. Packages which were scheduled for delivery on Thursday and Friday were instead re-routed to the UPS center in Commerce City. Customers who called UPS were told to go to the center to pick up their packages, as UPS would not attempt redelivery until Tuesday December 27.

I write from personal experience - I was one of the customers who was supposed to receive a package on Friday, only to have my delivery status updated to read, 'Emergency conditions beyond UPS' control.' I called Friday night, and after 30 minutes on hold was told to go to the center to pick up my package on Saturday. When I arrived there at 10:30 Saturday morning, the line of customers (over 300 by some news reports) already snaked around the building and waits were reported at over 2 hours.

As the day went on, UPS's problems only grew. The lines got longer, and the wait was said to exceed 3 hours. Perhaps one problem is the crazy layout of the UPS facility on Commerce City, where the huge warehouse sits across the street from the customer service office. This creates a need for employees to run back and forth from the customer service office to the warehouse to look for packages. According to Denver's Channel 7 News, police were called to the scene mid-afternoon after employees were harassed by customers.

Calling UPS at their 800-PICK-UPS number didn't help. I was personally told that I, 'need to understand that there was an emergency situation in Denver which caused the delay.' When I asked the agent for an explanation of the emergency, I was told that they didn't have that information. Later I was told that it was 'a blizzard on Friday' - the snow actually tapered off early Thursday, and both FedEx and USPS were able to make deliveries to my house.

I really do feel sorry for the font-line UPS employees who bore the brunt of customer frustrations today, but I have no sympathy for the company which had no idea of how to deal with the situation. It tends to snow in Denver in December. Packages get delayed. A company like UPS, which undoubtedly receives a large percentage of their annual revenue from December deliveries, needs to be better prepared - and better able to communicate to their customers.

Related News Reports:

• Denver Post: Hundreds wait for backlogged packages at UPS center in Commerce City
• Channel 7 (ABC) News:  Irate Customers Demand UPS Packages
• 9 News (NBC):  UPS says 50,000 packages delayed by Denver weather

It probably won't come as a shock, but a recent survey by HomeGain reports that 76% of home sellers believe their home is worth more than their real estate agent recommended. This comes despite other surveys which indicate that consumers expect home prices will be flat or down in the next 12 months.

While sellers believe their homes are under priced, 68% of home buyers believe that homes are over priced - and 32% said homes are overpriced by at least 10%. Perhaps some of this discrepancy is based on the availability of 'questionable' pricing data from online sources such as Zillow.

“Homeowners and real estate professionals appear to be in sync regarding the direction of home prices. Home buyers and sellers, however, continue to remain apart as to home valuations with the vast majority of homeowners thinking their homes are worth more than their agents and the market are telling them,” said Louis Cammarosano, General Manager of HomeGain.

HomeGain's 4th Quarter 2011 Home Value Survey included responses from Over 400 real estate agents and brokers and over 2,000 homeowners.

Locally, we've seen most prices rise slightly after being stable for the past year or so. Stapleton homes priced below $400,000 have been selling well, while those above $500,000 have been slow to sell. We've seen an increasing number of sellers 'boycott' the market, declining to sell until they believe that prices are higher. This has led to a lack of overall inventory... and the laws of supply and demand have begun to benefit patient sellers.

On Sunday, the Denver Post reported that under a new state House district map, endorsed by former Mayor Wellington Webb, Stapleton would be split and fall into two different districts. Webb is the Vice-Chairman of the Colorado Reapportionment Commission

Under the proposed map, Stapleton homes south of E 28th Ave and east of Central Park Boulevard (roughly the 'Southend' neighborhood plus additional houses to the north) would shift into House District 8, currently represented by Rep. Beth McCann. The balance of Stapleton residences would remain in House District 7, represented by Rep. Angela Williams. According to the article, Webb reportedly said that, '...the move was sone in order to protect 'African American influence' in House District 7.'

Interestingly, both of Rep. Williams challengers (both withe males) in the last primary election live in the area to be moved out of her district. It could be worse: under a Republican sponsored map, Stapleton would have been divided among three different districts.

So, is this a big deal? With a proposed build-out of 12,000 homes and over 30,000 residents it is unlikely that a completed Stapleton would have remained within a single district.

Active duty military personnel and veterans may qualify for a grant of up to $5000 towards down payment and closing costs on their first home. The Dream Makers program is provided by the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, but the grants are available to non PenFed members and may be aaplied to a mortgage from any financial institution.

Additional information is available on PenFed's website.

According to information on the website, you are eligible for a grant if:

1. You're Military (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard or Veteran), a Department of Defense employee or a Department of Homeland Security employee. 
2. You're a first-time home buyer, or you have not owned a home for the last three years, or you have lost your home through divorce or disaster. 
3. The gross household income, including allowances, that you use to qualify for your mortgage loan is: A maximum of $55,000 per year, or A maximum of 80% of your community’s median income based on your family size

Up With People, the international educational and cultural program, is looking for families to host cast members during their four-week stay in Denver, January 6 – February 6, 2012.

Host families are asked to provide a bed, breakfast, dinner, and limited local transportation (bus or light rail passes will be provided to cast members if needed). Cast members are out in the community during most business hours Monday through Saturday – Sunday is considered “Host Family Day.” This is an opportunity for families to connect with other countries and cultures while sharing your community.

Host families receive two complimentary tickets to the February 3rd show in Denver. More information is available on the Up With People website.

If you are interested in hosting, please contact Shawna Reed at 303-408-4143 or email her at [email protected]

Mortgage Market Update for November 28, 2011 - provided by Julie Whalen of Guild Mortgage

Last week, October Existing Home Sales inched up to an annual rate just under 5 million units. And although things appear to be improving only slowly, existing home sales are actually UP 13.5% from a year ago.

Even better, the months' supply of existing homes fell to 8.0 and inventory is now down 13.8% versus a year ago. The naysayers jumped on the fact that the median price was also down. But a large portion of October sales came from distressed properties whose prices are heavily discounted. Although some see this as a negative, it's what's needed for inventories to be worked down and for the housing market to recover.

This Week’s Mortgage Forecast

NEW HOME SALES, PENDING HOME SALES, JOBS... Of great interest this week will be more housing market reports and the jobs numbers that are key to the real estate recovery. October New Home Sales are expected to hold steady, above the 300,000 level. September Pending Home Sales, indicating Existing Home Sales a few months out, look to be up a tad.

Friday, we get the November Employment Report. Although payrolls should rise, the number of new jobs is still not enough to bring down the unemployment rate.

In a reversal of one of the strangest decisions of his predecessor's administration, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock today announced that Denver was withdrawing its support for a Regional Tourism Act grant which would have helped the National Western Stock Show move from Denver to Aurora, CO.

“Over the last several months, as we have worked with our partners at the Stock Show and listened to all interested stakeholders, it has become clear it is not in Denver’s best interest to remain a co-applicant,” Mayor Hancock said. “Especially in these tough times, we need to be thoughtful about what we ask from our taxpayers. That is why we are working closely with the Stock Show and all stakeholders to find a solution that benefits the Stock Show, the people, neighborhoods, and businesses of Denver.”

In late June, shortly before Hancock replaced Mayor Bill Vidal in office, representatives of the National Western Stock Show announced their intention to leave Denver and relocate to Aurora, near a proposed hotel development to be built by Gaylord Entertainment. Representatives of Mayor Vidal's office appeared at the presentation in support of the NWSS move.  Controversy has swirled since the June 28 announcement, and subsequent grant request which was endorsed by the then Mayors of both Denver and Aurora. At the time, Jack Finlaw, Denver Mayor Bill Vidal's Chief of Staff, was quoted as saying, 'While technically the stock show would be in Aurora, it still could be a Denver institution.'

Public opinion in Denver quickly formed against the proposal, as it required that the Stock Show break their lease with Denver, and would require a reported $150 million bond issue to be approved by Denver voters to facilitate the move.

Not sure how this one got through in the first place:  NWSS breaks its lease with Denver and moves the Stock show (including jobs and revenue) from Denver to Aurora, while Denver government supports a grant to make it happen and Denver voters pay $150 million. The Mayor's decision tooday to withdraw Denver's support for the RTA grant is a good step in seeking a better solution for the Stock Show.

Well, the weather forecast for Friday in Denver is calling for highs in the mid 60s, but winter is coming to Stapleton as the Master Community Association hosts the annual Winter Welcome Celebration Friday evening, November 18, from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

One Stapleton's most popular events, the Winter Welcome includes open houses at many East 29th Avenue Town Center businesses, refreshments, carolers, and of course the first night of the community's holiday light display (planned for 6:15pm). According to the MCA website, 

29th Avenue will be closed from Noodles east to Roslyn Street. We will close the street at 2:00pm to have time to setup the event. Booths will be setup in the street and fountain area around the tree. These booths will include a roasted almond vendor, fire pits complete with s’more makings, hot chocolate, light necklaces, a DJ and much more.

We will have two “dancing” trees, complete with music and passing out candy canes courtesy of the [Greater Stapleton Business Association]. There will be carolers strolling up and down 29th Avenue. Biker Jim’s, Crockspot, Gigi’s Cupcakes and the Bon Bon Buggy will be selling yummy treats so bring a few extra dollars.

The MCA will be selling tickets for $2 at their booth in front of Noodles, and all proceeds from the same of s'mores, roasted almonds, and light necklaces will benefit the Bluff Lake Nature Center, Sand Creek Regional Greenway, and Girl Scout Troop 653.

New Town Builders is preparing to pour the permanent sidewalk on the south side of 35th between Central Park Boulevard and Valentia. They will be removing the asphalt walk on Saturday, (11/19) , forming the new concrete walk on Monday (11/21), and, pouring the concrete on Wednesday (11/23). The permanent sidewalk will then be open for use on Thursday (11/24).

During the construction of the sidewalk on the south side of 35th Avenue, pedestrians – --particularly parents walking their children to and from Swigert McAuliffe International School -- are urged to use the temporary asphalt and permanent concrete sidewalks on the north side of 35th Avenue between Central Park Boulevard and Syracuse, where there is a safe school crossing.

30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Averages 3.99 Percent

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed average mortgage rates changing little from the previous week amid a mix of economic data reports as the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.995, dropping below 4.00% for the second time this year.  The 30-year fixed averaged 3.94% in the October 6, 2011 survey. 

30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.99% with an average 0.7 point for the week ending November 10, 2011, down from last week when it averaged 4.00%. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.17%.

Standard Pacific Homes was recognized recently for its interior design at this year's 32nd annual BAR Awards. The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver hosts the award ceremony to recognize marketing and construction achievements across the new-home industry. “For us, it was a win … we’re certainly appealing to people outside of our own company, whom are judging homes across the Denver-Metro area,” said Mike Davidson, Standard Pacific’s Marketing Director. The builder’s Huntington model in The Vines collection won Best Interior Design (Detached Home) for the $400,001 to $500,000 price range.

The interior design concept for the home is unique for the Stapleton community. “Traditionally, a more modern look and bright color pallete has been used for models in Stapleton. We went for a more traditional look which we feel shows off our unique style of homes here” said Davidson. “The concept of this home is based on a Restoration Hardware’s, ‘Updated-Classic’ style,” said Amber Shay, the Interior Designer. “The open floor plan was enhanced with the use of contiguous, large-plank, hand-scraped, wood flooring and a soothing, neutral palette, allowing the outdoor setting to flow seamlessly into the dwelling.”

“Something different about us is that since 2009, we have not used a traditional Interior Design firm like most other new models you see around Denver, “said Mike Davidson. Instead, Standard Pacific decided to utilize the talents of their in-house decorator, and Design Studio Vice President, Amber Shay to design the interiors of their model homes. “Amber is an expert and the same design consultant who meets with all of our home buyers. We feel she is skilled in helping buyers make their design choices, and as such, has the best knowledge of what today’s homebuyer wants to see in a model home” said Dan Jacobsen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

The Vines Collection, from Standard Pacific Homes is definitely different from rest of the home collections in this well known urban community. Like many of the other homes in the nearby Central Park West neighborhood, The Vines are as energy-efficient as they come. All homes boast Energy Star 3.0 qualification and 5+ Star ratings which make these homes 20-30% more efficient than homes built just 5 years ago. However, Standard Pacific took it a step further and includes solar panels on all of their Vines Collection homes. Another unique feature for The Vines Collection is the front entry, oversized, 2-car attached garages and traditional driveways. “In a community where a majority of the homes have alley loaded rear garages, our designs have driveways in front that can become a play area and allow larger backyards” said Jacobsen. The two-story Huntington model is a brand new floorplan for the national builder which features a large, wrap around covered front porch and an open main floor with the Kitchen, Great Room and Dining Room flowing together for easy entertaining. The master bedroom and 5-piece bathroom are the focus with his & her walk in closets and a romantic Juliet balcony.

A message from the Stapleton Master Community Association:

Notice is hereby given that the 2011 Annual Members’ Meeting for THE MASTER COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. (the “Stapleton MCA”) will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Stapleton Community Room located at 2823 Roslyn Street. This meeting will be available as a webinar to the first 150 members who log on to www.StapletonCommunity.com and click on the “Join Meeting” link (access code: 3880724).  

A complete meeting packet will be available and can be printed from the MCA website one week prior to the meeting at www.StapletonCommunity.com. Meeting packets contain updated meeting agenda, previous minutes, the 2011 year-end projection, a summary of the Executive Board’s proposed 2012 Reserve Fund and Operating Budgets, and any other pertinent meeting information. If you do not have access to the internet please contact us at the number below to request that a copy of the above information be sent via mail.  

In addition, members are required to elect seven members of the community to serve as District Delegates for the following calendar year (January – December). Delegates are charged with ratifying the MCA’s annual budget and shall elect all Non-Appointed Executive Board Members. A current map of the delegate district along with a list of current serving delegates can be found online at www.StapletonCommunity.com. Nominations will be accepted in writing prior to the meeting or in person at the Annual Meeting. Voting will be open for one week following and will close at Noon on November 16.  

If you are unable to attend the meeting in person or by the webinar presentation, please download and mail a completed ballot (ballots available online or by phone request only) by Noon of the annual delegate meeting date 11/16/2011. Completed paper ballots can be sent by mail to the attention of Jenifer Graham, Executive Committee Secretary at the Stapleton MCA, Inc., 2823 Roslyn St. Denver, CO 80238 or fax it to (303) 388-1673. 

The Stapleton MCA is a 501(c)4 community development organization whose mission is to create and sustain a sense of community through comprehensive programs, events and facilities maintenance. All owners of both residential and commercial property are members of the Stapleton MCA and support its mission through monthly assessments levied to all property within the Stapleton boundaries. 

Just received an email from RTD about community Open Houses scheduled to provide project updates on the RTD FasTracks East Rail Line.  Here are the details:

Work is well underway on the RTD FasTracks East Rail Line, the commuter train from Denver Union Station to Denver International Airport.  Come to any of our community 'Open Houses' to get updated on our construction schedule, accomplished milestones, and what to expect in the coming year.

Select from any of the dates/locations below to have your questions or comments addressed by members of our project team.

Open House: 6:30pm, Presentation begins at 7:00pm.

• Nov 9:  Bruce Randolph School, 3955 Steele Street, Denver
• Nov 10: Holy Transfiguration of Christ Church, 349 E 47th Ave., Denver
• Nov 15: Central Park Recreation Center, 9651 E Martin Luther King Blvd., Denver
• Nov 17: Fletcher Primary School, 10455 E 25th Ave., Aurora
• Dec 1:  Centro San Juan Diego, 2830 Lawrence St., Denver

Light refreshments will be served.

For additional information, for special needs requests, or to request Spanish translation, please contact Joshua Solis at 303-297-5284 or [email protected]

A few months ago, Red Robin Restaurants announced that they were working on a new restaurant concept - a simplified version of their popular Red Robin restaurants.  Well, the first Burger Works location is opening at Northfield Stapleton on November 21!

The Burger Works Menu looks to combine some of the traditional Red Robin favorites with some 'Burger Works Originals' and a Build Your Own option with tons of topings to choose from. Hopefully they will also bring over Red Robin's great steak fries - although I doubt that they will come in bottomless baskets!

According to their website, 

Burger Works was created to keep it simple. Basically, we're burgers. The fresh, fire-grilled burgers you love about Red Robin and a few other menu all-stars. A simple concept that makes scrumptious sense. You just belly up empty and belly away full. Simple.

The first Burger Works is opening November 21, 2011 at Northfield - from the map it looks like they will be across from Qdoba.  2012 will reportedly bring new locations to the campuses of THE Ohio State University and Metro State College of Denver.

On September 30, 2011 the US Congress allowed FHA and conforming loan limits to drop from 125% of an area's median home price to 115%. While critics of the higher loan limits claimed that the government shouldn't be supporting mortgages 'for the rich,' recent data shows that the reductions have had a larger impact to the overall real estate market.

According to a survey conducted by the National Association of REALTORs NAR Research arm, 16% of home buyers were forced to leave the market because of the reductions. Especially hard hit were areas with high median home prices and areas where there are a wide range of home prices.

Further survey results showed that 52% of buyers had to come up with additional down payment money and 32% were forced to look for a lower priced home. 

In Denver, FHA loan limts dropped on October 1 from $406,250 to $368,000.

Over the past several years home prices have dropped throughout the U.S., but stability is returning to many markets. Even in Denver, where prices have been pretty stable, we're seeing a shift away from a Buyers' Market towards a more balanced real estate world. Is it time to buy?

Warren Buffett, a pretty successful businessman in his own right, has been quoted as saying that he is greedy when others are scared, and scared when others are greedy. A few years ago a lot of people in real estate (buyers and sellers) were greedy - today they are scared. 

Falling Prices and Home Affordability

As prices fall Sellers suffer and buyers benefit. Of course many buyers are still afraid and continue to wait on the sidelines. Homeownership, which was moving out of reach of buyers in many areas, is becoming more and more affordable today. Maybe it's time to take the plunge? The Wall Street Journal reported this week that, 'It's Time to Buy That House.'

Interest Rates reach all-time lows

Over the past couple of weeks, the news media has been full of articles about low mortgage interest rates. Sub 4% rates for 30 year fixed rate mortgages came and went, but rates in the low 4's are still available. According to the National Association of Realtors' Housing Affordability Index, the combination of lower prices and low mortgage rates has made home ownership about as affordable as it has been in the past 40 years.

Rent vs Buy

As home prices dropped and interest rates fell, rental rates climbed. Today we're seeing many renters pay MORE per month for a home than they coudl if they purchased the same home. This is great news for landlords, but maybe it is time for tenants and potential buyers to take another look at home ownership.

Is it a good time to put your home on the market? Is it a good time to buy? Call or email The Kearns Team today, and let us put our experience to work for you. We'll help you create a personalized game plan to help meet YOUR goals in this challenging real estate market.