A carrot on a stick for homebuyers

ERIE - Home sales in the Denver area dropped 8 percent in the month of January over last year's numbers. Those numbers reflect the absence of the federal tax credit that drove home sales last January. The town of Erie has decided that if Uncle Sam will not provide an incentive for homebuyers this year, it will.

Erie's board of trustees voted to create a homebuyer's incentive package to lure new residents to their town. Buyers of new and existing homes will receive a three month family pass to the town's community center. Buyers of new homes will also receive a discounted membership at the Colorado National Golf Club and a free airplane tour over the town of Erie.

"What better way to get to know the layout of our new town than by air?" Fred Diehl, assistant to the Town of Erie administrator, said.

While the recession has created challenges in the housing market, Erie has actually faired better than many communities.

"During the last two years of economic downturn we've out performed much of metro Denver in new home construction and home sales," Diehl said.

Which begs the question: Why create this incentive plan?

"That's the question of the day. If Erie has been outperforming most of metro Denver in new home sales and construction, why offer an incentive program? And the logic is that we want to amp up our marketing efforts to 11," Diehl said.

Diehl says as the incentive plan will help better position Erie as the economy and home sales grow. The town also has an incentive plan in place to help lure businesses and employers to the community.


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