Fort Collins School System

Even though school will be letting out in just a few weeks, the Poudre School District is on the ball and they already have their 2010-2011 school year calendar available for families and teachers. Unless there are changes, it looks like the school year will start again on August 16th for all Middle School and High School students, while Elementary School students will start August 17th.

Fort Collins Public School Registration

If you are going to relocate to Fort Collins, CO over the summer, you will want to know that registration for all new Elementary Students will take place August 9 through 11; however, keep checking back about when the new Middle School and High School Students registration will take place, as the school system hasn’t announced that as of yet.

Fort Collins School Information

For all parents of Fort Collins Poudre School District students, keep in mind that school board meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, starting August 10th, 2010 and ending for the summer on June 14th, 2010.

Preschool parents can take advantage of the preschool offerings, so long as your child is 3 on or before September 15, 2010. There are numerous tuition and no-cost programs. If you qualify for Head Start, Colorado Preschool Program or the Early Childhood special Education program, then you will be recommended for the no-cost program.

To submit information to qualify for the no-cost preschool or to find out how to register for tuition based preschool, simply call the Poudre School District at 970-482-7420 or stop by their location at 2407 LaPorte Ave, in Fort Collins.

Until next time,
Jason

Mark your calenders; America’s most scenic road  race course is gearing up for the 2010 season. On May 9,  the Colorado marathon, Half Marathon, Point-to-Point 5K, 10K and Kids Run will be held.

Fort Collins Area Things To Do

The Colorado Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier and starts in the Old Town Fort Collins area, with 12 aid stations on the Marathon course and 8 on the Half Marathon course. To register, simply go to the Runners Roost Fort Collins Store, or visit them online at www.runnersroostftcollins.com. The kids run is free, while the 5K is $35, the 10K is $40, the Half Marathon is $90 and the Marathon is $125.

Fort Collins Community

The Colorado Marathon and road races are huge here in Fort Collins-and there is always a great turn out of community residents in support of the runners all along the race routes. If you happen to want to try your hand at running a race instead of just watching next year, then join the Free Colorado Training Series. You will get to hang out with other local runners of all skill levels as you train and prepare for which ever road race challenges you.

Fort Collins Rocky Mountains

If you come out to visit Fort Collins just for the race, you will quickly learn what everyone that lives here knows: this is a breathtaking place to live. Nestled by wilderness, yet offering every luxury imaginable, Northern Colorado homes for sale don’t stay on the market for long. Find something you like or wish to browse the Northern Colorado MLS? Simply contact me, your expert Fort Collins area real estate agent.

Until next time,
Jason

The number one question I get asked is “How is the Fort Collins real estate market doing?” My answer? It depends on what you are using as the definition of “good and great”.

Fort Collins, Colorado Real Estate Market Snapshot

Currently, the average price of Fort Collins homes for sale is $212,500-which is down 1.1% from last month, but up a small amount overall from the all time low 2 years ago, higher than the median sale price this time last year by almost .1%, just below the average sales price from 5 years ago and 50% higher than the average sales price 10 years ago.

But does that mean the market has turned around? That everything is better now? Not by a long shot. There are still quite a few foreclosures out there-and those in and of themselves cause a drop in market prices, sales, and value, sadly because many foreclosures get trashed-cabinets, kitchens and carpet getting ripped out is a prime example- before the bank takes over the real estate.

Currently there are 315 Foreclosed Fort Collins homes for sale, with a median price of $207,000. One good sign? The average foreclosure sales prices is up 10.9% from last month-meaning the majority of the ones on the market right now probably were not trashed-or at least are in good working order to hold onto a fair market price comparable to other homes in the area. That is an excellent sign the market is starting to pick back up.

Fort Collins Real Estate Mortgage Values

Another factor that can tell you a lot about how a local market is doing? The real estate mortgage rates. Right now, the Colorado Mortgage Rates are as follows:

• 15 year fixed today: 4.603% last week: 4.571%
• 30 year fixed today: 5.184% last week: 5.181%
• 1 Year ARM today3.348% last week: 3.322%
• 3/1 Year ARM today: 3.458% last week: 3.437%
• 5/1 Year ARM today: 3.433% last week: 3.417%

So while it is obvious the rates are going up, they have not had a dramatic spike in quite some time-and bear in mind that the rates can and do change daily, so always make sure you check with your lender on the best possible rate you can get.

Buying Fort Collins Real Estate

Wading through all of the mortgage information out there-and figuring out what type of mortgage and rates are the best fit for you, your finances, and your future can be a lot to take in and digest. After all, learning it, keeping up with it, and studying it is part of my full time job!

So if you ever have questions, need or want to know more, or would just like to discuss the market, feel free to contact me Jason Humpal, your Northern Colorado real estate agent, anytime.

Until next time,
Jason

Spring in Northern Colorado

Spring is one of my favorite times to be in Northern Colorado. Everything starts to come back into bloom, rose gardens extend their lovely fragrances and fields of wildflowers take over-the site is truly inspiring.

The beautiful wilderness that cradles Northern Colorado real estate isn’t the only thing to awaken in the spring-our community calendar also gears up before hitting the full swing of summer entertainment.

Upcoming Local Northern Colorado Entertainment

These are a few of the upcoming events that should be great fun for everyone in the Northern Colorado area:

April 29th brings The Taste, a food and beverage tasting fundraiser that features over 25 area restaurants, wineries and breweries-and 100% of the proceeds goes to The Food Bank for Larimer County and Neighbor to Neighbor. What better reason is there to go out to eat or enjoy a date night? You can get tickets ranging fro $65-$95 at Hilton Fort Collins located at 425 W. Prospect Road.

For those with young families, the Kites in the Park Festival will be coming back May 1st, at the Spring Canyon Park located at 2626 W. Horsetooth Road. There will be kite flying competitions, giant octopus and fish kites, kite making stations and flying demonstrations from world-renowned fliers. Every year the kites make and impressive display-and children and adults alike seem to enjoy watching just as much as participating in the fling contests.

On May 8, 2010 The Wild Asparagus Ball will be held at the Lory Student Center Ballroom on the CSU campus-tickets will be $25-$25 dollars. Every year this ball is a huge hit, as it features an evening of waltzes, polkas, and 20th century ballroom dances with music by the 50 piece Mostly Strauss Orchestra. For those of you still wondering what to get mom for Mother’s Day (May 9th, by the way) tickets to this ball (and a reason to buy a new dress) always seems to be a huge hit.

The Lipizzaner Stallions will be coming to the Fort Collins and Loveland CO area on May 14 at the Budweiser Events Center at 5290 Arena Circle in Loveland for their 40th anniversary tour presented by the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. Tickets range from $22.50 to $27.50 and it is for sure a show to not be missed.

Fort Collins Neighborhoods

While you are out and about enjoying the Northern Colorado area things to do this spring, be sure to check out some of the surrounding Northern Colorado communities.

Until next time,
Jason