Archive Page 5

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country that can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, short sales and credit issues.

If you are currently undergoing a Homeowner’s Loan Modification Program, chances are your lender will require you to contact a HUD Approved Counseling Agency at some point during the process.  Regardless, a financial counseling agency can be an inexpensive and valuable resource to anyone comtemplating buying or selling a home.

Here is a list of HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies in Colorado provided by Denver’s Perry & Co. Real Estate Professionals:

CITY OF AURORA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION      
Phone: 303-739-7900
Fax: 303-739-7925
Email:
Website: www.ci.aurora.co.us
9898 E. Colfax Ave.
Aurora, Colorado 80010
- Spanish

BOULDER COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY      
Phone: 720-564-2279
Fax: 303-441-1537
Email:
Website: www.bouldercountyhc.org
2525 13th Street #204
Boulder, Colorado 80304
- Spanish

UPPER ARKANSAS AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS        
Phone: 719-269-7687
Fax: 719-275-2907
Email:
Website: www.uaacog.com
3224 Independence Road
P.O. Box 510
Canon City, Colorado 81212       
- ASL - English

CCCS OF GREATER DALLAS – COLORADO SPRINGS   
Phone: 719-576-0909
Tollfree: 800-798-3328
Fax: 719-576-3756
Email:
Website: www.cccs.net
1233 Lake Plaza Dr., Suite A
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906-3555
- English Only

CCCS OF GREATER DALLAS – COLORADO SPRINGS NORTH   
Phone: 719-598-2227
Tollfree: 800-249-2227
Fax: 719-598-7850
Email:
Website: www.cccs.net
5265 N. Academy Blvd., Suite 1000
Colorado
Springs, Colorado 80918
          
- English Only

ADAMS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY          
Phone: 303-227-2075
Fax: 303-227-2098
Email:
Website: www.adamscountyhousing.com
7190 Colorado Blvd 6th Floor
Commerce City, Colorado 80022-1812    
- Spanish - French

BROTHERS REDEVELOPMENT, INC.   
Phone: 303-202-6340-4204
Tollfree: 877-601-4673
Fax: 303-274-1314
Email:
Website: www.brothersredevelopment.org
2250 Eaton St Garden Level
Denver, Colorado 80214-1210
- English - Spanish

CCCS OF GREATER DENVER, A DIVISION OF MMI      
Phone: 303-632-2227
Tollfree: 800-473-2227
Email:
Website: www.moneymanagement.org
10065 East Harvard Ave., Ste. 210
Denver, Colorado 80231 
- English

COLORADO HOUSING ASSISTANCE CORPORATION  
Phone: 303-572-9445
Fax: 303-573-9214
Email:
Website: www.coloradohousingassistance.org
670 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, Colorado 80204 
- Spanish

DEL NORTE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NDC) 
Phone: 303-477-4774
Tollfree: 800-659-2656
Fax: 303-433-0924
Email:
Website: www.delnortendc.org
2926 Zuni Street, Suite 202
Denver, Colorado 80211 
- English - Spanish 

DENVER HOUSING AUTHORITY
Phone: 303-623-1735-223
Fax: 720-932-3006
Email:
777 Grant Street
Denver, Colorado 80203 
- English - Spanish - Vietnamese

HOPE COMMUNITIES  
Phone: 303-860-7747
Fax: 303-860-1914
2543 California Street
Denver, Colorado 80205 
- English Only

NACA (NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE CORPORATION OF AMERICA)
Phone: 303-694-5437
Tollfree: 888-297-5568
Email:
Website: www.naca.com
3515 S. Tamarac Dr. Suite 350
Denver, Colorado 80237 
- English

NEWSED CDC 
Phone: 303-534-8342
Fax: 303-534-7418
Email:
Website: www.newsed.org
901 West Tenth Avenue Suite 2A
Denver, Colorado 80204 
- Spanish

NORTHEAST DENVER HOUSING CENTER        
Phone: 303-377-3334-227
Fax: 303-377-3327
Email:
Website: www.nedenverhousing.org
1735 Gaylord St
Denver, Colorado 80206-1208     
- Spanish

ROCKY MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES      
Phone: 303-863-8651-105
Fax: 303-997-1897
Email:
Website: www.rockymountaincommunities.org
225 East 16th Avenue Suite 1060
Denver, Colorado 80203 
- Spanish

ROCKY MOUNTAIN MUTUAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION
Phone: 303-863-8651
Fax: 303-863-8806
Email:
Website: www.rmmha.org

225 E. 16th Avenue Suite 1060
Denver, Colorado 80203-1614     
- English

SOUTHWEST IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL
Phone: 303-934-0923
Fax: 303-934-0035
Email:
Website: www.swic-denver.org
1000 South Lowell Blvd.
Denver, Colorado 80219-3339
- Chinese Mandarin - Spanish - Vietnamese

HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR THE SOUTHWEST           
Phone: 970-259-1086-10
Fax: 970-259-2037
Email:
Website: www.swhousingsolutions.com
295 Girard St
Durango, Colorado 81303           
- Spanish

CCCS OF NORTHERN COLORADO & SE WYOMING     
Phone: 970-229-0695
Tollfree: 800-424-2227
Fax: 970-229-0721
Email:
Website: www.cccsnc.org
1247 Riverside Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524-3258          
- Spanish

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR       
Phone: 970-484-7498
Fax: 970-488-2355
Email:
Website: www.n2n.org
1550 Blue Spruce Drive
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524      
- Spanish

CCCS OF GREATER DENVER, A DIVISION OF MMI      
Phone: 970-242-2000
Tollfree: 800-473-2227
Email:
Website: www.moneymanagement.org
225 N. 5th Street, Ste. 820
Grand Junction, Colorado 81501 
- English

GRAND JUNCTION HOUSING AUTHORITY       
Phone: 970-245-0388
Fax: 970-254-8347
Email:
1011 North 10th Street
Grand Junction, Colorado 81501 
- English - Spanish

HOUSING RESOURCES OF WESTERN COLORADO (HRWC)    
Phone: 970-241-2871 x116
Fax: 970-245-4853
Email:
Website: www.housingresourceswc.org
524 30 Road, Suite 3
Grand Junction,, Colorado 81504
- English - Spanish

DOUGLAS COUNTY HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
Phone: 303-784-7857
Fax: 303-814-2966
Email:
Website: www.douglascountyhousingpartnership.org
9350 Heritage Hills Circle
Lone Tree, Colorado 80124
- English


The Metrolist Board of Directors finally approved a flat fee of $38 per month for Denver Metrolist real estate services, effective on March 1, 2010.

“This is a historic moment for Metrolist. Our customers have been asking for a flat fee for years, and now we are able to respond,” stated Pat Bybee, President and CEO.

Why now you ask?
Recent customer feedback surveys have indicated that users of PrimeAccess are not fully learning or adopting the new tools due to concerns about high timeshare bills.  Customers complain about having to “watch the clock” and feeling pressured to get in and out of the system in order to avoid being billed.

Responding to which services will be covered under the new rate Melissa Olson, MetroList‘s Senior Manager of Marketing, stated, “The monthly $38 flat fee will be per Realtor Associate/Appraiser. This fee includes UNLIMITED use of PrimeAccess MLS and Public Records tools – no more timeshare!  We will also include IDX Professional services with the monthly flat fee, currently billed at $5/month. And, all of the other professional-grade tools such as Instanet (online forms and document management), ShowingAssist, Colorado FactFinder, Financial Calculators and more are included with the flat fee.”

What’s this mean for the consumer (the home buyer or seller)?
Bottom line… It means that your Denver Realtor will now be able to provide you with better service!


This informative video from www.makinghomeaffordable.gov talks about all of the options available to someone who is currently spending more than 31% of their pre-tax income on their monthly home mortgage payment.

For many homeowners a Loan Modification will be the best option all the way around. Click here to find out if you may be eligible. But before contacting your lender you will need to assemble the following documents:

  • Your most recent Tax Return
  • A completed 4506T-EZ Form
  • Your 2 most recent Pay Stubs
  • Your W-2(s)
  • Your Monthly Mortgage (and Second Mortgage) Statements
  • An Explanation of Your Hardship
  • Request For Modification & Affidavit Form

After getting this all together visit www.makinghomeaffordable.gov, which will provide you with detailed information about these programs along with self-assessment tools and calculators to empower borrowers with the resources they need to determine whether they might be eligible for a modification or a refinance under the Administration’s TARP program.

It’s well worth the time to save your home.

In November 2009, the National Association of Realtors inacted the SFR Designation for Realtors.  SFR (Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource) Certified real estate agents are specially trained to be Resource Consultants to homeowners who may find themselves in jeopardy.  Three Perry & Co. agents have already been granted the SFR Designation, they are Eric Grauberger, Derek Rinetti & Jon Larrance.  Please don’t be afraid to call one of them, or any Perry & Co. agent, to learn about the options available to you for saving your home.

Additionally here is a great resource to check out: HouseLogic.com.


On Wednesday December 9, 2009, Perry & Co. Real Estate Professionals of Denver, CO had their Annual Company Holiday Party at the Grant-Humphrey’s Mansion.  Roughly 80 people were in attendance that night including Perry & Co. Agents, Staff and significant others.  Here is a sampling of some of the Potluck dish recipes that made a hit that night:

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Don Larrance’s Luxury Eggnog
   
Click here for The Perry & Co. Spirited Holiday Eggnog Recipe

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Chuck Anderson’s Broccoli Salad
    4-5 Cups of Broccoli
   Clean and cut into small pieces
   1 Cup sunflower seeds-have to be shelled
   1 Cup golden raisins
   12 slices bacon (1 pound) crumbled
   1 medium red onion, just 1/4 to 1/2

   To make dressing – but don’t put on until 1-2 hours before serving
   ½ cup sugar
   1 cup mayo
   2 tablespoons vinegar

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Jan Hall’s Festive Layer Dip
   4 packets of cream cheese
   Parmesan cheese
   Jar of sun dried tomatoes in oil
   Jar of pesto
   Black olives

   Line a bowl with plastic wrap
   Mix cream cheese with parmesan cheese and layer some on the bottom
   Next layer the sun dried tomatoes
   Cream Cheese layer
   Then layer the pesto
   Cream cheese layer
   Layer the olives
   Cream cheese layer
   Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator over night

   When it’s time to serve, turn the mixture put side down on a plate and serve with crackers.

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Brad Benson’s Linzer Torte
   1/2 lb. butter (room temp.)
   1/2 lb. sugar 1 egg
   1 shot glass Kirsch (Brandy)
   1/2 lb. ground almonds (or hazelnuts or walnuts)
   1/2 lb. flour
   1 heaping Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
   1 teaspoons Cinnamon
   1 packet Vanilla sugar (or ‘/2 to 1 teasp. vanilla)
   1 teaspoons ground cloves
   1 egg yolk
   1/2 jar red currant or raspberry jam (about 6 oz.)

   Mix butter, sugar and brandy with dough. Hook (or flat beater, or by hand) to make a smooth dough. Blend in nuts, flour, cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla and cloves. Refrigerate approx. one hour. Pat 2/3rds of dough into bottom of 9 to 10 inch greased Springform pan and about 1 inch high rim. (I try to roll out dough and then pat it into pan, or cover dough with foil or plastic wrap and pat into pan.) Take off foil or wrap and cover bottom with jam. Roll out remaining dough and cut out half moons with a water glass. Cover Torte with these cutouts making a trellis design. Whisk egg yolk with one teaspoon water and brush top of dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes.

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Sue Bickert‘s Baked Artichoke Dip (makes about 2 1/2 cups)

1 cup Hellman’s or Best Food Mayonnaise
1 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped onion

Stirred together in a medium bowl

One 13 3/4 ounce can artichoke hearts – drained well and finely chopped.

Stir into the cheese mixture along with:
One tablespoon fresh lemon juice or dry white wine   (I use lemon)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Scrape into a small baking dish or ovenproof crock

Sprinkle 3 Tablespoons dry bread crumbs  (I use more and I brown them in butter before I spread them over the dip) over the dip:

Bake at 300 until top is browned  – about 20 minutes – serve with crackers or toast or whatever you like

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Click here for the Perry & Co. 2009 Holiday Help List for lots more recipes and useful holiday information.


Created by Perry & Co. Vice President Jon Larrance, and his good friend Todd Heiserman, back in the late 1980′s, the “Gorbachev” is essentially a White Russian made with Eggnog.  

Jon & Todd named their holiday drink of good cheer after Mikhail Gorbachev who was serving at the time as the last head of state of the former USSR. The drink’s creators were compelled to honor Mr. Gorbachev with a drink because of Gorbachev’s generous introduction of glasnost, a system which gave new freedoms to the Russian people, including greater freedom of speech.  He was of course the country’s leader when the Berlin Wall came down.

Ingredients:

  • Stolichnaya Vodka (actually any Russian vodka will suffice)
  • Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
  • Eggnog
  • Rose’s Grenadine Syrup
  • Ground Nutmeg

Make your Gorbachev in a Highball glass filled high with ice.  Pour in 2 hefty shots of Vodka and 1 good shot of Kahlua over the ice.  Top off the glass with Eggnog (roughly 3 to 4 shots worth), stir to blend, and finish off with a tiny amount of Grenadine trying to imitate the birthmark on Mr. Gorbachev’s forehead.  Sprinkle Nutmeg freckles on top if so desired.

Some other popular, and simpler, Eggnog combinations include: Bourbon & Eggnog, Brandy & Eggnog, Rum & Eggnog, and the infamous Tequila & Eggnog (as ordered by a mystery patron in the 1980′s Rob Reiner classic film “The Sure Thing“).  However, if you want something even more complex try “The Perry & Co. Spirited Holiday Eggnog Recipe.”

But, if you love White Russians then you will really love the Gorbachev during the holiday season.  Try it out and leave us your best holiday drink story.


Perry & Co. Real Estate Professionals, Denver, CO - perryandco.com

The Perry & Co. Holiday Help Lists are back!  Everything you’ll need to know to have a great season is all right here (pass it along to all your holiday-stressed-out-host friends). 

· Holiday Movie Times

· Holiday Cocktails - Click here for Don Larrance’s Eggnog recipe.

· College Football Bowls Schedule

· Prime Rib Recipes

· Goose Recipes

· Perfect Mashed Potatoes

· Challah Recipes

· Chocolate Fudge Recipes

· OpenTable Restaurant Reservations

· Top Rated Charities

· How To Cash In Your Colorado Lottery Winnings

· How To Return a Gift To Amazon.com

· Colorado Ski Conditions

· Denver Holiday Weather Forecast

All of us at Perry & Co. Real Estate Professionals would like to wish you a Happy Holiday Season!

Chuck Anderson, Dagley Arnold, Claire Averill, Carla Bartell, Brad Benson, Sue Bickert, Dave Browning, Michele Brumelle, Karin Camarena, Brad Colburn, Sandy Colling, Gina Cornelison, Jerry Eubank, Lindsay Filsinger, Petey Fletcher, Sally Gardenswartz, Diana Garrett, Kathy O’Donnell Gibson, Brooke Granville, Eric Grauberger, Courtney Hamby, Rene Harding, Kirk Hartshorn, Katie Hulings, Kim Hutchins, Ann Kennedy, Kim Kouba, Don Larrance, Jon Larrance, Corrie Lee, Betsy Lutz, Colleen McGrath, Katie Nicholson Millice, Jeanne Moore, Karen Nichols, Lisa O’Neil, Pam Parker, Heather Parness, Barb Perry, Tammy Phillips, Ed Quinn, Courtney Ranson, Derek Rinetti, Barb Sheldon, Amy Shonstrom, Boe Sullivan, Mary Sullivan-Ridge, Magi Trousdale, Frankie Waits, Cindy Webb, Peggy White, Mary Pat Wilson & Kat Zoefelt.


This is the Eggnog recipe made popular by Perry & Co. Real Estate Professionals’ President R. Don Larrance. This eggnog has been served at Perry & Co. company holiday parties for the last 30 years or so.

The origin of my recipe comes from Mrs. Ruth Waring who was a Denver neighbor of Kennard Perry (one of the original four owners, and namesake, of Perry & Co.),” said Don Larrance.

Ingredients: (serves 60)

  • 6 quarts of Eggnog
  • 3 pints of Whipping Cream
  • 48 ounces of Bourbon
  • 18 ounces of Brandy
  • 6 ounces of Rum
  • 1 gallon of Vanilla Ice Cream 
  • Ground Nutmeg

Blend the eggnog, cream, bourbon, brandy and rum in a large serving bowl.  Add scoops of ice cream when served to keep chill.  Serve with nutmeg added to taste.  Lastly, designate a non-drinking driver before consuming.

Click here for other 2009 Holiday Recipe suggestions from Perry & Co.

Click here for Jon Larrance’s “Gorbachev” eggnog recipe.

Click here for other popular recipes served at the 2009 Perry & Co. company holiday party.


Perry & Co. Denver Colorado Real Estate Professionals held its 2009 Annual Client Appreciation Holiday Party at Denver’s Zoo on December 1, 2009 – record numbers of people attended.

It was cold, but not too cold for the crowds attending Perry & Co.’s 7th annual Holiday Lights celebration for clients and friends on Tuesday, December 1st. “We’re never quite sure if everyone who RSVPs will show up as the event day goes on and the weather gets colder,” said Jon Larrance, VP of Perry & Co. They did show up for Zoo Lights though: all 2415 guests (not including the under 4 stroller set).

(View all the pictures on Facebook)

This year the Denver Zoo’s Exploration Station was open for guests who wanted to get “up close and personal” to some the animals – a raptor and a cobra! The Zoo’s new light displays were outstanding – particularly those that “moved” – fluttering butterflies, kicking zebras and leaping frogs. The Endangered Species Carousel was running and both little ones and “big” ones enjoyed the ride. Santa stopped by Norgren Hall to warm up and visit with children who wanted to give him their wish lists.

This is one of the best, and most fun, things we do as a company,” said Cindy Webb, Perry & Co. Broker Associate from the Greenwood Village office while waiting to greet clients at the Zoo’s entrance. “It’s such a great way to start the holiday season,” agreed Claire Averill, another Perry & Co. real estate agent.

Sixty-five Perry & Co. brokers and staff members participated in inviting clients, guests, family and friends. “Our family gets bigger every year, and that’s just how we like it,” said R. Don Larrance, President of Perry & Co.

Written by Perry & Co. Marketing Director Lorrie Grillo.

Perry & Co. invites you to follow us on Facebook | Twitter | WordPress | YouTube


It’s that time of year that we all may have some extra time, between cyber-shopping trips, to do some quick and easy maintenance on our Windows XP machines.  These six simple steps can dramatically improve your computer’s operating speeds.  Depending on the frequency you do regular maintenance of this type the amount of time required to complete these steps will be shorter or longer than what I have stated.  I reccommend doing it on a monthly basis.

Step 1. Clean Up Your Outlook
Hint: Sort your Messages by From, Subject or Received before organizing/deleting messages.
     A. Move any items you need from Inbox, Sent Items & Deleted Items into Safety Folders
     B. Delete all but the last month’s worth in Sent Items Folder
Hint: A Shift+Delete will delete items permanently.
     C. Delete all but the last month’s worth in Deleted Items Folder

Step 2. Delete all but the last month’s worth in your Recycle Bin.

Step 3. Run Windows Update: Go to Start > Windows Update, or when in Internet Explorer got to Tools > Windows Update.  This process can takes several hours to complete if you have never Updated or just a few minutes.

Step 4. Run Disk Cleanup on your C: Drive: Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Systems Tools > Disk Cleanup  This could take 15 minutes to do the calculating and up to an hour to do clean up depending on how often you run it.

Step 5. Run Disk Defragmenter on your C: Drive: Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Systems Tools > Disk Defragmenter.  This could take up to an hour depending on how often you run it.

Step 6. Advanced: Remove Old/Unnecessary Programs: Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs

Written by Perry & Co. Vice President Jon Larrance.
Connect with Jon on Facebook | LinkedIn | WordPress | Trulia | Realtor.com | ActiveRain | Inman.
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Central City Opera House Association kick’s off the holiday season with their 33rd Annual L’Esprit de Noel 2009 Holiday Home Tour and Gift Boutique.

The proceeds from the event will benefit the Central City Opera House Association and is scheduled for November 20-22, 2009 in the historic Lowry neighborhood. The tour will begin at 6th Avenue & Quebec and run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The event will feature six destinations, including three custom homes, the historic Eisenhower Chapel at Lowry Town Center, and two very unique spaces at the Steam Plant Lofts.

The destinations on the tour have all been decorated for the holidays by local florists and table top designers, including Perry & Co.’s own Kim Kouba. Kim is not only a broker associate with Perry & Co. but also is the owner of the Sweet William Market in her Stapleton neighborhood. Her table design incorporates pieces from several the antique and vintage collectors and artisans who regularly participate in her summertime open-air market.

The L’Esprit Gift Boutique will have more than 35 vendors at the Stanley British Primary School Gymnasium at 350 Quebec. The boutique will feature such items as gourmet foods, hand-painted pottery, holiday silverware, unique handbags, children’s clothing, bath products and more. Music of the season will be performed at L’Esprit de Noel this year with performances by the professional singers of the Central City Opera Ensemble in the Eisenhower Chapel on Saturday, November 21st at 2 p.m.

Tickets for the home tour are available for $18 in advance at local King Soopers locations or $20 through the Central City Box Office online at www.CentralCityOpera.org or by calling 303-292-6700. Tickets will also be available at the door during the event. Admission and parking for the Boutique are free.