April 2022 Newsletter

In this booming housing market, many homeowners earned more last year from home appreciation than from their jobs.

Zillow Group Inc.’s home value index, which estimates the value of the typical U.S. home, rose 19.6% in 2021 to $321,634, an increase of $52,667 from 2020. That figure was slightly higher than what the median U.S. full-time worker earned, which was about $50,000 last year before taxes, according to Census Bureau data cited by Zillow.

It probably doesn’t surprise you that home prices rose faster than income. Employers are in a panic because average hourly wages rose 4.7% in 2021, but that’s chump change compared to the 19.6 percent rise in the value of a typical house. Still, that’s an old story. What Zillow reported was new: In 2021, houses earned more money than people.

In 2021, the median rise in home values was $52,667; the median wage for a full-time worker was about $50,000. Simply stated: owning a home remains one of the best ways to build wealth. A home purchase will generally yield a better return than the stock market.

“Ninety percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate. More money has been made in real estate than in all industrial investments combined. The wise young man or wage earner of today invests his money in real estate.”
      - Andrew Carnegie, billionaire industrialist

25 COLORADO ZIP CODES TO LOVE

Looking for the perfect location to put down roots? Here are the top zip codes in each category:

• AFFORDABLE: 80247 - Aurora ($255,000 median close price)
• LUXURIOUS: 80206 - Cherry Creek ($875,000 median close price)
• WALKABLE: 80219 - Marlee, Barnum, Valverde (Walk score of 61)
• SAFE: 80113 - Englewood/Cherry Hills Village (Based on crime statistics)
• OUTDOORSY: 80302 - Boulder (Based on proximity to parks, forests, and recreational activities)

If you're looking to buy a home and want more insight into the best neighborhoods, please call or text!WHAT'S YOUR AGENT WORTH?

Why it's more important than ever to hire a full service broker.

The speed and pace of the market may make it seem like homes are selling themselves, yet I would argue that agents have never worked harder. In Colorado, the standard commission payout is 6%: 3.2% to the Listing Agent and 2.8% to the Buyer's Agent.Yet as home prices soar, commissions are being cut. Many listings advertise a 2.5% payout to the Buyer's agent versus the standard 2.8%. If you're hiring a full service broker, here's just a peek at what they should be doing for you: LISTING AGENT (3.2%):

• Consults on home preparation.
• Preparers high-end marketing pieces to advertise your home and drive showing traffic.
• Fields dozens of phone calls, texts, and emails during the listing period.
• Compiles, organizes, interprets, and presents anywhere from 1-25 offers on a property.
• Calls lenders and verifies proof of funds; helps determine the financial stability of the top offers.
• Prepares appraisal packages; meets the appraiser a the property to reinforce value and thus minimize a gap between the appraised value and purchase price.
• Negotiates the highest price and best terms for the sale of your home.

‍BUYER'S AGENT (2.8%):

• Creates a targeted search of homes that fit your needs.
• Accompanies you to a handful to dozens of homes for showings.
• Has intimate knowledge of the market; partners with Listing Agents when writing offers.
• Assesses and communicates problems, issues, or future costs associated with a home purchase.
• Post-sale, they assist in sourcing tradespeople to help with fixes or upgrades.
• Acts as your fiduciary and  helps ensures the purchase is a sound investment.
• Guides you in writing a competitive offer that will get accepted so you can buy a home and start building wealth.

RECIPE OF THE MONTHGLUTEN FREE BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

You can obviously use regular flour and make these gluten-full, but I've found they are just as (maybe more?) delicious gluten free. A crowd-pleaser for anyone with or without gluten sensitivities!INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups (180g) Gluten-free all purpose baking mix
• 1/2 cup (99g) granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons (57g) melted butter or 1/4 cup (50g) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (113g) milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup (128g) blueberries, fresh or frozen
• Cinnamon and sugar optional; for sprinkling on top

‍DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease 8 wells of a standard muffin pan, or line with papers.
2. Stir together the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl; set aside.
3. Whisk together the melted butter or oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla.
4. Stir the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, and continue to mix just until blended - a few lumps will remain.
5. Fold in the berries.
6. Fill the muffin cups almost full. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
7. Let the muffins rest for 10 minutes, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
8. Remove the muffins from the oven, and after 5 minutes transfer them to a rack to cool.

Thinking of Buying or Selling?  Know someone who is?We are NEVER too busy for your referrals!

FiveFour Real Estate is the one-stop shop for those who are ready to take their home or investment to the next level. Our name FiveFour derives from 5.4%: the average annual home appreciation rate in the US over the last 50 years. We know that your real estate investment is one of the largest and most important purchases of your life. With that in mind, our focus and strategy revolves around you. We hold our licenses at the brokerage Five Four Real Estate.  If you buy a home and put 20% down, you are leveraging your money 5X. A 5.4% increase in your home's value means a 27% ROI.

Thinking of Buying or Selling?  Know someone who is?We are NEVER too busy for your referrals!

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OUR PROMISE TO OUR CLIENTS

This could be one of the largest and most important financial decisions you will make in your lifetime, and you deserve an experienced partner that understands the intricacies of Colorado real estate.

We promise to always keep you informed about the rapidly changing market and educate you throughout the entire process. We promise to protect your best interests and treat your home or investment like it’s one of our own. We promise to work our hardest to find the perfect home for you and your family with as little stress as possible.  

We value your trust and hope to continue supporting you in your lifetime even after your sale or purchase is complete. This goes beyond real estate to us, it’s the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

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