{Infographic} Fannie Mae Home Sales Outlook and Mortgage Rates for Denver Through 2014

Fannie Mae recently released their anticipated housing forecast for Denver, Colorado and the entire U.S. This 12-month forecast ranges from August of 2013 through August of 2014 and shows a robust home sales outlook over the next year. It also includes a look at the previous 12 months of action, back to the third quarter of 2012.

The number of homes sold will increase nicely and the average price of those homes will also rise. However, mortgage rates will also jump significantly.

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So if you've been considering selling your Colorado house, now would clearly be the time to begin heavily investigating the possibility of such and finding the right REALTOR for your needs.

At the same time, if you've been considering buying a Denver-area house, now is the time to do so before the mortgage rates move even higher.

Whether you're a buyer or seller, I stand ready to help. Contact me for a no-obligation discussion of your situation. I'll provide a free market analysis and happily offer advice!

Denver House for Sale: 1201 Eudora Street, Denver, CO 80220

Activities for Seniors with Alzheimers or Dementia in Denver

In my job as a Realtor along the Denver Front Range - one who often specializes in working with senior clients or their caregiver families - I often get the honor of helping seniors with diminished memory. I see the heartache that family members experience as they struggle to deal with a parent who seems to be slowly slipping away.

But those same family members often share with me the ways that they cope and also work to motivate their parents to stay in the present. I thought I'd share with you some of their advice. - Jim

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Utilizing the 5 Senses is one of the best ways to help seniors with dementia or Alzheimers enjoy activities that used to be a fun or important part of their lives.

The smells and activity of cooking or baking can bring back memories and inspire a senior. Offer them (and yourself) the Gift of Taste.

*Try encouraging them to help you bake cookies. They may not remember how, but drop some cookie dough in front of them and a senior citizen in the Denver area may just find themselves excited to spread the dough out and spoon it up. Hands often remember better than the mind.

*Sample different flavors of tea

*Sample holiday treats that can bring back warm memories, like candy canes, jelly beans, pumpkin pie, and the like.

Sound

*Very few things evoke memories like music. It's a powerful thing. Spend some time with your loved one and their favorite music. Again, holidays and special occasions typically stand out, so sing some holiday carols to them, along with Happy Birthday (insert the names of family members), Here Comes Peter Cottontail, etc.

*Grab a CD with some of their favorite music or tunes from the era in which they grew up. You can also take them to as many local concerts and performances as possible, be it a park concert in Aurora, a big show in Denver, or a school concert in Evergreen.

Again, whatever the music, it's a powerful tool that magically enlivens the mind.

Smell

Once again, the proper smells can bring life to the eyes of your Mom or Dad with dementia or Alzheimers. Stimulate their senses with the lavender sachets you know they love, or orange peels slowly simmering in a pot on the stove. As I mentioned before, holiday smells are powerful and bring back memories of their family members and special moments, so burn candles with holiday smells like peppermint, pumpkin pie, or other holiday spices.

These are just a few, simple things that have worked for other family caregivers along the Denver Front Range. If I may assist your family in the sale of a home, or advise or refer you to other senior-focused professionals that may be of help to you, please feel free to contact me at any time.

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How to Repair Identity Theft and Credit Damage in Denver

In an earlier blog post, I supplied tips on how how to protect yourself from a significant problem in Colorado: identity theft.

In this piece, I report on how to REPAIR the problem IF your identity is stolen. Thieves are becoming ever more sophisticated at their crime than ever before. As a Denver Front Range realtor, I know EXACTLY how heartbreaking it is for clients when identity theft or otherwise damaged credit hinders them in buying a new house. Here's what you can do if you're affected. Best of luck! - Jim Holmes

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How to Repair Identity Theft

1) Quickly Place a Fraud Alert with the Credit Reporting Companies.

The first company will then supply the info to the others. There is no cost for the fraud alert, but you must offer proof of identity. This report lasts for 90 days then must be renewed. Be sure and provide the company with your current contact info.

2) Get Copies of Your Credit Report

This is vital in determining how much damage you've suffered. The first report is free of charge. Then immediately reach out to the businesses that have been affected by the theft and begin a dialogue with their fraud department.

3) Create an Identity Theft Report

This will ultimately initiate an extended fraud alert on your credit report. Write all of the details of the identity theft in the report. This then becomes your identity theft affidavit. Provide this report to your local police and file a complaint with them. Keep a copy of the police report and submit your Identity Theft Affidavit and the police report to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission here.

U.S. Federal Trade Commission: Steps to Repair Identity Theft

Colorado Attorney General: Identity Theft Repair Kit

Monitor the Process Closely

Resolving identity theft can be quite cumbersome. Stay organized and build a system to track all of your correspondence, documentation, and phone calls. Keep everything and document everything!

The advice here encompasses only the first steps to undergo when attempting to repair identity theft in Denver, Colorado. Be sure and read through the websites linked here for further information and steps.

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Protect Yourself and Business from Identity Theft: Denver, Colorado Resource Guide

Did you realize that 19 people in the United States are the victims of identity theft every minute? And, of course, the problem is also significant right here in the Denver metro area.

I've written this post to help dampen a thief's ability to steal your information. This first post includes simple ways to keep your info secure. Next week, I'll offer advice on what to do if your identity is stolen. - Jim

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Identity Theft Info & Resources from Denver Authorities

Denver Police Department: Identity Theft Prevention

Colorado Secretary of State: Business Identity Theft Resource Guide

Denver District Attorney: Identity Theft Consumer Protection

Tips

1) Keep an eye out for unauthorized activity on your bank and credit cards. Monitor your credit report for activity that raises a red flag.

2) Shred documents, bills, junk mail, and any paper that holds your name, address, social security number, or personal account numbers. Personal, home or office shredders are inexpensive tools to safeguard your valuable identity.

3) Remove mail from your mailbox as soon as possible. Theft from mailboxes to garner identities is a serious problem.

4) Make sure that your online passwords are strong. This typically means including a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers. Never use the same password for more than one account. Also, be sure to change those passwords periodically.

5) Personal and financial documents that are stored on a computer should be protected by a firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software. Your browser should always be up to date and security updates from Microsoft, Apple, or other hardware and software providers should be immediately and regularly installed.

6) Don't list your date of birth or birth place on social networks. Obviously, never fall prey to Internet email scams or phone calls that insist on any of your private information.

7) Do not accept "friend" requests on social media sites from individuals you are not familiar with.

And a final word of advice, some homeowners insurance policies include coverage for identity theft. Consult your agent for details.

As a Denver Front Range and Summit county real estate agent, I know first hand how vital responsible credit is for home ownership and so many other things! Identity theft can destroy your credit and cost you a large sum of money and many hours to repair. Across Colorado, your personal information is one of the most important things you possess.

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