For many people, this past year has been better than recent previous ones. Though this year has still been hard for many families-people out of work, going through foreclosure, and overall economic struggles, overall we are all feeling a turn-a-round in the economy and especially in the Fort Collins real estate market. We all have amazing lessons to take from the struggles we have been through-to realize what truly is important and be be thankful for all we have been blessed.

Northern Colorado Area

Surrounded by so much holiday cheer and fun, it is easy to understand why Fort Collins is such a great area to live. We have some of the most amazing neighborhoods and communities in Northern Colorado-all that have been reaching out to people in the community needing help. I know many local churches and worship fellowships are hosting clothing, food and toy drives for those in need.

All around the Fort Collins area, I see Christmas joy coming out and decorations going up, and if you are like some of the women in my family, Black Friday is a day you train for all year. Fort Collins and Loveland areas provide fantastic shopping for all of you venturing out to grab the astounding deals. Then afterward, you can rest your shopped out feet by enjoying the breathtaking Northern Colorado area views.

Northern Colorado Homes For Sale

The last thing Loveland home buyers need to add to the holiday is a stressful home buying experience. If you are ready to search the Northern Colorado MLS for your dream home, be sure you request our Fort Collins home buying guide or inquire about our personalized Loveland relocation guide; our tips, advice, help and information will make home buying simple, easy and smooth. You can learn more about our amazing area by simply contacting me, Jason Humpal, your expert Northern Colorado REALTOR.

A Happy Northern Colorado Thanksgiving From My Family To Yours

We will be cutting into the bread pudding, the corn pudding, and drooling over a perfect turkey, stuffing and cranberries here soon. Spending time with family and friends on such a wonderful American holiday of thankfulness always seems to bring out the great family stories and traditions, as we all enjoy relaxed time together. I know my wife’s cranberry bread pudding is one of the items I look forward to all of November. What are some of the special traditions your family has on Thanksgiving? Are there any special recipes you look forward to enjoying Thanksgiving Day?

I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with joy!

Until next time,

Jason

Selling Northern Colorado Real Estate

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays; it is certainly a very fun event around my neighborhood and we all get into it, with orange lights, gravestones, spooky ghosts, and tons of fun.

But is that such a great idea if your Fort Collins property is for sale? While many real estate agents might tell you to take your home off the market during the holidays, local Fort Collins real estate market trends disagree. Remember, that Northern Colorado area home buyers looking during the holidays are very serious and often very motivated buyers. Many people that take their homes off the market during this time so they can celebrate holidays without having to keep the home “showcase ready” miss out on these buyers.

Getting Your Fort Collins Home Ready To Sell

That being said, you still have to be careful about the decorations you put up. Remember that not everyone approves of Halloween, or sees it as a fun, kid and family centered, holiday. So, for example, this year is not the year to break out your collection of gory heads, even if all the neighbors love them and expect to see them fill your windows. Right now is also not the time to put out every blow up display ever made-even if it is the favorite part of Halloween for your kids.

Staging Your Fort Collins Real Estate

What you need to do is remember that you want to stage your house with very tasteful decorations that speak of the season and Holiday, without going overboard. Great decorating ideas are mums-not only do they add lovely pops of color to your house and yard, but they are certainly the quintessential fall flower. Pumpkins and gourds are also great-put some small variety gourds in a glass bowl as a centerpiece on your dinning room table for a quick, cost effective fall themed centerpiece that won’t have home buyer’s or their children screaming with fright during a showing.

Keep Your Home Clutter Free For Showings

Fake spiderwebs, skeletons, and other such scary items should be packed away until next year in your new home. You want to keep things simple, yet festive with a still clean, uncluttered feel. Pumpkins and Mums not enough? Window clings are a fun alternative to decorate without building clutter on your tables or counters and you can even get some great ones in the dollar bins at Target right now.

Let Fort Collins Home Buyers See Themselves In Your Home

Remember that when it comes to Northern Colorado homes for sell, buyers want to be able to picture themselves in the house, using the space. So the last thing you want is for a family to be focused on the dozens of toy spiders covering your fireplace-instead you want them to remark on how lovely the wood mantle is, or how THEIR family photos will look great resting on it.

Learn More About Selling Northern Colorado Real Estate

Questions about what to do? Would you like more one on one tips about how to decorate for the holidays and still showcase your home to Northern Colorado real estate buyers? Take advantage of my FREE Fort Collins Home Evaluation to find the current real estate market value for your home. Don’t hesitate to contact me, Jason Humpal, your expert Fort Collins area real estate agent to learn more with no obligation.

Until next time,
Jason

Horsetooth Reservoir Fort Collins

Horsetooth Reservoir is a relatively new, so many of the homes are custom built in upscale, large land track communities. There are a few older homes in the area as well, so you will find a wide range of home styles and home amenities in the Horsetooth Reservoir area. You will also quickly find that homes move very quickly and are very desirable for their affordable prices, large acres of land lots and location outside the main city area, yet still close enough for quick drives to town or a trip to Loveland.

Things to do in the Horsetooth Reservoir Area

Recreational boating is popular during summer months and swimming is allowed at the specifically designated Swim Beach maintained by LCPOL as well as in some of the coves. Kayaking and canoeing is also popular. Fishing is also highly popular from boats or from shore, but is no longer allowed from the dams due to security concerns.

Since the late 1960s, the sport of bouldering has become an established climbing pastime at the reservoir, the hard Dakota sandstone providing many challenging problems for athletes. Road cycling around Horsetooth has also become popular as has hiking and mountain biking, particularly along the Foothills Trail that traverses the reservoir’s eastern edge. The City of Fort Collins maintains several open spaces directly below the reservoir and the State-owned Lory State Park is along the reservoir’s northwestern shore.

Move to Horsetooth Reservoir Fort Collins

Ready to relocate to the Fort Collins, CO Horsetooth Reservoir area? If you would like to learn more about Fort Collins homes for sale, or browse real estate in Horsetooth Reservoir Fort Collins, simply contact me, your expert Northern Colorado Realtor.

Until next time,
Jason

Northern Colorado-Where The Sky Is Not Cloudy All Day

I can never say it enough-I love living in the Fort Collins area. Not only are there amazing Fort Collins schools, fantastic shopping and fine dining options that will have you wanting seconds, but there also magnificent Fort Collins golf courses, plus numerous year around entertainment activities for families of all ages and stages.

Fort Collins Gardening Seasons

As a Fort Collins, CO real estate agent, I’m always conscious of our local weather and if you are relocating to Fort Collins or Loveland from far away, you just might be wondering what is our Northern Colorado area weather is like.

Because of the beautiful spring and summer weather, Fort Collins is a wonderful place for a gardener to experience all types of weather tolerant plants and flowers. If you possess a green thumb and love planting perennials, bulbs, along with fruits, vegetables and a local favorite, gorgeous day lilies, you’ll find Fort Collins has a great growing season, as well as enough climate variation between season to fully enjoy a wide variety of hearty garden choices.

Fort Collins Gardening

You can count on spring flowers bursting in color starting in early March and continuing throughout the Summer months. Spring and summer also provides us with plenty of opportunity for short rain showers, so it is always good to have that umbrella handy. You can bet I keep one handy for my Fort Collins real estate clients too. Fall and Winter provide the perfect climate for breathtaking Mums, Holly varieties, and decorative shrub pruning and training. Throughout the year, the Fort Collins and Loveland communities host garden shows as a way for gardeners to show off their efforts-and for new comers to see what plants really take off in our great Fort Collins real estate gardens.

Fort Collins and Loveland Area

Have you fallen in love with Fort Collins, CO? If so, why not share why you love living in our area by leaving a comment below!

Until next time,

Jason

Loveland CO Hiking Trails

Loveland Colorado is also known as “The Gateway to the Rockies” and its picturesque location outside of Fort Collins Colorado make Loveland a hiking paradise. Not only do the Loveland CO neighborhoods feature numerous green spaces, parks and recreation facilities, but there are many hiking and rock climbing adventures for every skill level in your family.

Enjoy your new Loveland CO real estate to the fullest by enjoying the great outdoors! Loveland is a wonderful place to raise a family, and the many state parks close by support and active and healthy lifestyle for all athletic levels. Some of the best enjoyed family time can be spent hiking the wonderful trails that meander throughout the Loveland area.

Where To Go For Great Hiking in Loveland CO

The following places have offer great guided tours of the local trails, as well as trails you can follow on your own. Remember safety first though- you should always hike with a buddy, have water and snacks, and tell others what trails you will be covering.

Enjoy the close-by trails at:

St. Vrain State Park
Lory State Park
Boyd Lake State Park
Larimer county Parks and Open Lands

There are many more trials, guided tours, rock climbing, horseback riding, and camping adventures to enjoy when you relocate to Northern Colorado, so simply contact me, Jason Humpal, to start your Northern Colorado home buying adventure today.

Until next time,
Jason

Fort Collins Area Entertainment

The heat of summer is upon us, and though summers in Fort Collins Colorado are nothing compared to the sticky, humid, sizzling summers found in the deep south, it is still great to find outdoor activities that keep you cool.

Fort Collins whitewater rafting is a perfect activity, as there are rafting rivers that offer different skill and experience levels. So whether this will be your first time or your 100th, with your younger kids or old college buddies, you will find a rafting adventure perfect for you right by the beautiful Northern Colorado communities.

Fort Collins Outdoor Family Entertainment

I find that I never lack for family entertainment options in the Fort Collins, CO area. The Northern Colorado area is a great place to raise a family because there are so many options to keep everyone entertained-ranging from free community events to summer long day camps to overnight hiking adventures. Though you may still hear your children complain about being bored, by buying Fort Collins real estate, you now have unlimited options to find the perfect “I’m bored” antidote.

Summer Options for Fort Collins Whitewater Rafting

The following groups run whitewater rafting in the Fort Collins area:
Rocky Mountain Adventures
A Wanderlust Adventure
A-1 WildWater, INC
Mountain Whitewater Descents

If you are moving to a Northern Colorado neighborhood area, simply contact me, Jason Humpal and I can sent you my personalized Northern Colorado Relocation Guide with information on local information, entertainment and events in your new town.

Enjoy staying cool on the rivers!

Until next time,
Jason

Fort Collins Community Summer Music Program

The Fort Collins, CO area is wonderful for family entertainment and outdoor recreation. With summer in full swing, it is now time for the fantastic Fort Collins Music Festival to kick off! Through the beginning of July there will be different music performances, events, entertainment, history and, of course, food!

Fort Collins Real Estate Communities

Located in and around the downtown Fort Collins area, there are many Fort Collins real estate neighborhoods that offer quick access to all the shopping, dining, entertainment and events throughout the year. The upcoming “A Fort Collins Jazz Experience” Music Festival in downtown takes place from July 8-10, featuring a Jazz experience for music, history and workshops.

The week-long Jazz Experience offers jazz related concerts all week long to build up to the Saturday Downtown Sessions with two free continuous jazz jams from local and regional groups. Friday also offers a special jazz art walk and a free concert from the Air Force Falconaires. All day Saturday also features workshops for musicians and students, as well as late night jams sessions.

The free concerts and sessions will take place at The Old Town Square State and Oak Street Plaza Stage.

Upcoming Fort Collins Community Events

Even more fun awaits Fort Collins home buyers, residents, and visitors with the following upcoming events:

July 1:

• Sounds on the Square Concert Series at Old Town Square Stage

July 2:

• First Friday Gallery Walk at the various Downtown Art Galleries
• Ben & Jerry’s FAC Concerts at Old Town Square

July 3:

• Larimer County’s Downtown Farmer’s Market at the Larimer County Courthouse Parking Lot featuring local bands

July 4:

• 4th of July Downtown at the Old Town Square. Food, fun, music and celebration will be going on all day before the fireworks at dusk (around 9:30 pm)

July 6:

• Noontime Notes Concert Series at Oak St Plaza, on the corner of Oak St and College St.

Check our Northern Colorado Real Estate blog, or contact your Fort Collins area real estate experts, to keep up with the latest Northern Colorado real estate and area events information.

Enjoy the concerts!

Until next time,
Jason

Fort Collins Area Activities

There are many outdoor activities year around, from snow board, skiing, and hiking, to boating, nature trails, and biking. There are also great indoor entertainment, from live theater to symphony performances, so browse through the upcoming calendar:

September

24 – 27

CSU Theatre presents “The Alchemist,” UCA $7-$16

24 – Oct. 23

“Loose Ends: Contemporary Fiber Arts Exhibit,” Lincoln Center Gallery FREE

24 – Oct. 25

“Collected Stories,” Bas Bleu Theatre $10-$22

24 – Nov. 8

“Phantom,” Candlelight Dinner Playhouse $44-$59; $29.50 show only

25

Amani String Quartet, UCA $1-$10

25 – Oct. 18

  etc presents “Anton in Show Business,” Art Lab, 140 W. Mountain Ave. $14

Fort Collins Real Estate 

 If you would like to relocate to the areas of Fort Collins and Loveland Colorado, feel free to browse the Northern Colorado MLS homes for sale, and feel free to contact me, Jason Humpal, your Fort Collins real estate agent.

Until next time,

Jason

One of the best ways to enjoy your Fort Collins real estate is to own a Northern Colorado Golf community home. By owning Loveland area property on a golf course, you have endless amenities right in your back yard for year round enjoyment.

Golf Communities in the Loveland and Fort Collins Colorado Area

There are many homes for sale in the Fort Collins area, but listed below are the local Golf Courses you can enjoy:

• Mariana Butte
• South Ridge
• Ft. Collins Country Club
• Ptarmigan
• Highland Meadows
• Pelican Lakes
• Adriel Hills
• Harmony Club
• Collindale
• Olde Course and Cattail Creek

If you would like to learn more about relocating to the Fort Collins area of Loveland and Windsor Colorado, then feel free to contact me, Jason Humpal of the Century 21 Humpal Real Estate Team. We are here to answer all your Colorado real estate questions, offer Loveland relocation tips, and find the Fort Collins homes that are perfect for you and your family.

Until next time,

Jason

Fort Collins Short Sales

But there is a group that still needs some here and your expert Loveland and Fort Collins REALTORS are here to help!

When you are trying to sell your home, but can not sell it for what you owe on it, then you are caught in a short sale. Short sales can be maddeningly frustrating for all involved, since each one has to be approved by the mortgage lenders.

Lenders can often take weeks or, in worst cases, months, to respond to a short sale offer. Why? Because they are getting overloaded with requests AND in a short sale, they are getting paid less than what was originally promised. So even though someone may be able to prove hardship in making their Loveland home payments, the lenders still aren’t super excited to lose money.

So what is a home owner to do? Make sure you work with an Expert Fort Collins Realtor, who understands the short sale process for your area inside and out.

Because even when things do go smoothly and your short sale is approved, there can still be mistakes in how long the paperwork gets back to you, making it impossible to close in time and forcing you to start over. Unless you contact an expert Loveland REALTOR and let me help with every step of the process.

Short sales can be frustrating, but don’t worry; the real estate team at Century21Humpal.com is here to help you every step of the way.

Are you thinking about how to start the short sale process, or what to see if a short sale might be an option so you can avoid foreclosure? Then contact us, your expert Fort Collins, CO real estate agents, with all of your questions and concerns.

Until next time,
Jason