Highlands Ranch Real Estate blog at www.DenverRelocation.com

Carbon Monoxide in Your Home?

2009-12-16T10:07:00.004-07:00

From my friend Tom D'Agostino at Kimmel Mechanical:

After several deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning in Colorado last winter, Governor Bill Ritter helped pass new laws surrounding carbon monoxide detectors in new and resold homes. However, many homeowners who purchased their homes before the new laws went into effect on July 1, 2009, may have concerns about how to protect their families from carbon monoxide poisoning during the cold winter months.

First, what is carbon monoxide or CO? It is a toxic gas that is completely odorless, and can be fatal to both humans and pets within minutes of exposure. Some people will experience symptoms with lower levels of carbon monoxide, but others have no idea that it is in their homes. If your home uses gas, wood, fuel, coal or kerosene as its major heat source, you should make sure your home is safe from carbon monoxide.

How do you protect yourself and your family? You can purchase carbon monoxide monitors from any HVAC contractor or hardware store, but you want to make sure you are purchasing one that is effective in monitoring the levels of CO in your home. If you have questions about which CO monitors are the best, contact Kimmel Service at 303-952-8668 or email Tom at tomd@kimmelservice.com.

It is also important to have maintenance done on your furnace or boiler each year to ensure that it is not emitting dangerous levels of CO. This is especially important if your furnace is over 10 years old. A trained service technician can determine through the maintenance if there is cause for concern.

Also, if you experience any symptoms such as repeated headaches, flushed cheeks, nausea or shortness of breath, be sure to leave your home immediately and call either Xcel Energy or the fire department to come check your home to make sure it is safe and determine the source of the CO. Your furnace, water heater or other gas appliance could be the source, and needs to be checked out by someone with a trained eye.

For more information or with other questions regarding CO in your home, please contact Kimmel Service at 303-952-8668. Be sure your home and family are safe this winter!

Pete Doty is a Full Time Licensed Colorado real estate broker working in the south metro Denver area. "I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, Aurora, Lakewood, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado". Talk to Pete for real estate advice, properties for sale, Denver property listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. OR drop him a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

The GAP Narrows sales to listings

2009-12-15T08:25:00.004-07:00

Watching the statistics about the Denver Real Estate market can make you cross eyed. I have been attempting to make sense out of it for over 24 years now, however, in 2003 I saw the 2 numbers that made the most sense for indicators: Closed SALES and New Listings.

Closed sales is pretty obvious but the choice of Denver's new listing count was harder to come by, especially choosing to use ONLY the single family home statistics for Denver Metro. And then the data base got changed to include the entire state of Colorado and the metro area has grown. So one needs to finesse these data point a little...but not too much.

The truth is there are some reports that say there are 23xxx listings on the market in Denver today leading one to believe every other house is for sale in Denver! We know this is not true as the signs telling us all those houses are for sale are not there. The physical signs in the front yard. Actually, this morning, there were 12,311 single family homes listed for sale as active listings in the Denver MLS system known as Metrolist.

And then the final part of the question: How do you 'chart' the data to give a true picture of the Denver area's economic real estate health? That hit me a few months ago...look at how this month compares to the same month in 2003, 2004, 2005, etc. I know rudimentary, but now some of it looks like it makes sense. As an example the red bars are the closed sales and it looks like they are the best we have seen in over 4 years for November in Denver. The purple bars are the competition, the new listings coming on the market and they are down. Think of it like this: Red bar is demand (UP), purple bar is supply(DOWN). That is good for Sellers and buyers need to know to act quickly, before prices start to edge up any more!

Pete Doty has been a Full Time Licensed Colorado real estate broker since 1985. "I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town!" It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

Home Staging… The Art Of Preparing A Home To Sell

2009-12-12T07:37:00.004-07:00

A Guest Blog from Pam McCormick, Home Stager and Interior Designer
This can help you make more money when you sell your home!

Hiring a Staging professional is now a vital part of the selling process.
Marketing a property at its best first impression is now recognized as crucial to securing the best price in the shortest amount of time.

Staging will create a warm inviting environment that causes people to connect emotionally to the space. By de-cluttering it eliminates distractions, so buyers can focus on and remember the home and not the stuff. Staging neutralizes the space so that the home can appeal to the widest audience possible. It will highlight the home’s positives and downplay the negatives.

In an April 2006 AOL Money and Finance poll of over 15,000 people, 87% said that home presentation makes the difference in most sales.

The Master Bedroom is the most private room in the house, but when you are selling your home it becomes public and it should be well staged to look like a retreat for two. It needs to look like a relaxing bedroom and not a multi-function room. The buyers will get a different message if they see exercise equipment or work-related items such as a computer and reference materials.

The bed is not always the focal point. Look at the room and see if there is something you want to sell such as a view or maybe an adjoining deck. Then position the bed so it draws attention to the focal point. Keep the colors neutral and use bedding that conveys luxury and softness. Use lots of pillows and shams on the bed. It should convey a cozy feeling, like you can relax and have a good night’s sleep.

Please contact Colorado Stage to Sell, LLC if you have any questions about staging your home. We have over 22 years in the interior design business and we offer many different staging plans to fit your budget. We also do Senior-downsizing. If you or someone you know is thinking about down-sizing, please give us a call. We can help with staging the current home, deciding what to take to the new home, and setting up goals to accomplish it all, such as clutter management, organizing and motivation along the way. We will come out and give you a free estimate.

Pete Doty has been a Full Time Licensed Colorado real estate broker since 1985. "I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com"

Why Highlands Ranch? Guest BLOG

2009-12-09T10:55:00.005-07:00

This from coach Shana Hubert:
Someone asked me an interesting question recently; Why do you love Highlands Ranch? In that moment, I began to realize that what seems like such an obvious choice to me is not in and of itself always so obvious to others.

I had no idea what a quest that question would set me on, but when I started thinking about how exactly to explain my answer, I realized there was so much about it for me that I couldn’t put a finger on it. It is not explainable, or factual, or something you can list in an MLS listing. It is just what this community is.

There are many things in one’s life, business, family and community that are that way. I found out that Highlands Ranch was one of those things to me. I absolutely love my community, but when asked to put it into words, it was very difficult to do. I went looking for an explanation and started talking to my family and friends, many of whom also call this community their home. What I received in answers was so much more than I could have ever explained. No matter what backgrounds and family styles you may come from, there are many reasons to call Highlands Ranch home.

The “stuff” is a logical place to start and really it is what most people immediately start discussing in terms of reasons to settle here. Whether single or married with kids, young or old, Highlands Ranch really does offer a lot to do and take advantage of. Where else do you pay a minimal fee to access your pick of four of the best recreation facilities around. They offer fantastic pools whether for adult or child, great workout facilities, racquetball, tennis, programs, tracks, etc. I could go on and on. However in a time when most of us our pinching our pennies anyway, what better way to spend some quality time than to grab your rec. center card and for no more money out of pocket, really go enjoy some time on the court or in the pool as a family.

Many other amenities topped the list of “stuff”. If you don’t feel like spending your time in the gym, what about taking advantage of the miles of open space and trails or taking a walk up to the Town Center. Speaking of the Town Center, the addition of this community gem has brought new life to Highlands Ranch. From enjoying a cocktail with friends, partaking in one of the many annual festivals with the family, becoming a local vegetable connoisseur at the farmers market, or just having a convenient place to get the basics- the Town Center offers something for everyone. Watching it all come together with the amphitheater, park, common areas, and the even more recent addition of some fantastic stores (yes I am a Target fan), it has been amazing to see the design and precision they have had in mind for our beautiful community.

Let’s not forget that there are also many other community shops and conveniences throughout. The design has been splendidly done to make this a living breathing sustainable place to live, without a lot of travel involved. When you look at everything that has gone into, and still continues to go into the community there are a lot of things that you can put a name on and associate a value to in order to explain what makes Highlands Ranch a great place to live.

So let’s pretend for a moment that you didn’t have all the stuff? Why Highlands Ranch then? I will not fib, I am a person who appreciates convenience and certainly can appreciate what this community has strived to offer its residents, but what if you take away the stuff? What else does Highlands Ranch have to offer? Highlands Ranch is one place where, I am convinced, we have a population of caring, civic and community minded people.

I can only truly speak for myself, but I believe at the heart of this community lies people who are looking to make the community better and they are looking for ways to improve the lives of their families and those around them. My bet is on the fact that the “community” would still come. We would find ways to create events and togetherness, we would find ways to enjoy the outdoors and make it a part of our everyday lives and we would certainly still create ways to make this one of the best places to live. So why Highlands Ranch?

Where else can I step out on my deck to such a brilliant view of the Rocky Mountains and still enjoy the many conveniences we take for granted every day? Where else do I get the small town feel that I enjoy when visiting a Hometown Holiday celebration and afterwards I can drive 30 minutes to some of the best theatre performances offered in our nation? Where else offers the kind of entertainment that we can go enjoy without pulling out hard earned money at every turn? Where else can you go to a gourmet restaurant on one side of the street and swing by Super Target on the way home, because “Oh shoot, I forgot to pick up cereal for breakfast and socks for the kids.”? And finally, where else can you go on a walk on Saturday morning and run into your neighbors and the kids, grandma and grandpa out for a stroll, a marathoner running with their dog, and end up at Starbucks with a hometown sports hero enjoying some family time as well?

Highlands Ranch is partially explained by the opportunities and the things that we get to take advantage of every day, and partially unexplainable by the everyday actions of those within our community and the “feel” you get when you walk down the street. So next time someone asks you why Highlands Ranch and you search within for the best way to say it, a simple reply of “because it’s Highlands Ranch,” may suffice just fine!

I work throughout the Denver community (of course including Highlands Ranch!) as Business Growth advisor with OneCoach. My professional goal is to bring value to our clients by assisting business owners in attracting new clients, increasing their revenue, and help them to focus in on the goals they started their business to begin with. My family and I happily live and play in Highlands Ranch.

Shara Hubert
OneCoach of South Denver
http://www.5280businesscoach.com
720.219.3383

Pete Doty is a Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985. "I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town!" It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

My hobby and relaxation

2009-12-07T08:17:00.005-07:00

Not sure this belongs on a website about Denver Real Estate but seeing as it is something that some folks consider when buying a home, maybe it does.
I am a TRAINAHOLIC. My basement is full of model trains and even my rock garden has track and trains running through it. I enjoy the aspect of building stuff that looks real. I am not sure I enjoy counting all the rivets, nuts and bolts, but I do enjoy the realism versus the whimsy of trains.

Take a look for your self www.denverrelocation.com/trains.html .

And if you know anyone who would like to talk trains, especially the Colorado narrow gauge roads or the Great Northern, please make that introduction.

Now of course, when you hear of someone who needs to buy or sell a home in Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado, please make that introduction too.
They can talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Just drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

I am Thankful for my hobby and the friends I have made

2009-11-25T17:03:00.004-07:00

I have the distinct privledge of enjoying model building, specifically modeling trains. Take a look at my page and browse to some of the sub pages at www.denverrelocation.com/trains.html. The firends I have made have become both friends and mentors, in business, modeling and friendship. That is what I am extremely grateful and thankful for.

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

Reason 14 to Move at YEAR End

2009-11-20T06:39:00.002-07:00

From my friend and fellow Cyberstar Michael Maher in Kansas City:

It's easier on the kids! As a former teacher, I
can tell you the very best time to transition your child into a new
school is during the school year and precisely during the Holidays.
There is instantaneous submersion into a strong social support group.
The child is instantly installed into a caring environment - whereas
during the summer he or she has a smaller cast of characters to choose
from. The teacher will ease the transition and it is a great time for
the child to be the "new kid". To help that along, the parents should
sponsor a pizza party the first week of the child being in class.
Doesn't hurt to bribe for friends with pizza.

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

13 Reasons to List During the Holidays in November and December

2009-11-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

1. There is less competition for buyers.
2. Winter prospects are more serious buyers.
3. Your home looks better during the holidays.
4. One of the highest percentages if “the listing sold” to “listing taken” occurs during this time of year.
5. Expanded Home Buyer Tax Credit, for First-Time Home Buyers and Existing Home Buyers (specified criteria applies as defined by law).
6. You may receive more money for your home now because you have less competition.
7. Throughout the holiday season, you may restrict showings during your personal family events.
8. Buyers have more time to look at homes during the holidays, especially during vacations.
9. January is traditionally the biggest transfer month and you must be on the market to capture that market.
10. By selling now you can have a delayed closing or extended occupancy until the beginning of the following year if you want it.
11. When you sell during the winter you have an opportunity to buy during the spring, when many homes are on the market.
12. You may have fewer actual showings, but more qualified and motivated prospects.
13. Corporate transfers, who need to buy a home now, can’t wait until spring.

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

Great News! Sales highest since 2001 in September

2009-11-15T08:27:00.010-07:00

You can see the trend. If you are thinking it might be time to take advantage of the Denver Real estate market, it might be time.

I have watched and worked in the local Denver Colorado real estate market since 1985. I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@DenverRelocation.com

My Favorite Things. Yours?

2009-11-10T14:07:00.004-07:00

What are your favorite things about living in Colorado?
Mine starts with the dry air and fresh breezes.
Then to the mountains majesty. And the canyons & gorges.
Sunrises & Sunsets.
The narrow gauge trains that are here and still running in the mountains.
The skiing and horse back riding got me here.
The people kept me here.
How about you?
What do you LOVE about living in Colorado?

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

Furnace Service Guest Blog

2009-10-23T06:56:00.001-06:00

Tom D'Agostino is a new friend in my life who has made an amazing offer to my friends and clients. He has run large heating, air conditioning and plumbing companies and when you shake his hand you know he is a craftsman. Now as the service manager for Kimmel Mechanical, he has made a great offer to those in the Denver area that need their furnace checked out and cleaned up. He can of course get you that new one that qualifies for the energy tax credits too. Here is what he has to say about furnace maintenance and the offer is below that

Although it is easy to put off, performing a routine maintenance on your heating system prior to the winter months is as important as changing the oil in your car. Without the maintenance, your furnace runs a higher risk of needing a costly repair later on.
Hiring a professional technician to come in and clean your furnace, change the filter and ensure it is functioning properly means that you can avoid a middle of the night emergency call when it is below freezing. A furnace that is too dirty can also cost you more money throughout the winter, because it will use more gas and drive your Xcel bill higher and higher. Homeowners who maintain their furnace regularly also have a better chance of lengthening the life of their furnace.
A regular maintenance should include a filter change and a thorough furnace cleaning. Technicians may also recommend additional repairs to prevent issues in the coming months. Scheduling maintenance during the months of October and November is a good idea, because heating contractors have more time before the severe cold weather hits.
The cost of the maintenance is typically well worth avoiding serious issues in the future, and they also ensure that you will not have to live without heat during the coldest times of the year when heating contractors are the busiest with emergencies.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR SERVICE TUNE-UP!
Kimmel Service is offering a $75.00 fall special that will tune-up your furnace. This service will include the following:
Clean flower motor and wheel. Vacuum any debris that has accumulated.
Check gas pressure to the furnace and make adjustments to meet standard operating pressures.
Perform combustion analysis on the flu gas leaving the furnace. Adjust fuel and air mixture so the unit runs as efficiently as it can, reducing over firing and under firing of the furnace.
Check for any CO leaks on the furnace.
Write up any deficiencies that you have noticed. Price up any work that needs to be done.
The above work could increase the efficiency by up to 25% and reduce your utility bill significantly.

If you need Denver or Highlands Ranch real estate help, give me a call. These are unprecedented times we are living through and experience will count for allot. I have been a Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

I am still the one!

2009-10-16T10:55:00.006-06:00

As A Full Time Licensed Colorado real estate broker since 1985 you get to see cycles and trends and after awhile you get to recognize when they start. I am starting to see another.

Each month I attempt to collect stats from the Metrolist and have found that it is a statewide database, so massaging the individual areas of metro Denver (and know what Denver encompasses) is pretty important.

Take a look at these 2 charts and tell me what you think...
IS there a trend of fewer homes and stable sales?

I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

Can't you find a REAL job in Denver?

2009-09-25T17:19:00.002-06:00

Those words still ring in my ears from 24 years ago when I told my mother I was going to sell real estate. So what got you there and what has kept you there some folks ask. Well, long stories longer, here goes…

In 1984 I was a successful young Landman in the oil and gas business with the company car, the expense account, and all the benefits except one; a contract. Do not get me wrong. I had a great boss who was fair and kind, but who had said to me when he hired me in 1982 that “when the money runs out, the job runs out”. “Fair enough” I had responded. My work should cause the money to keep flowing! And I worked!

Well, sometime in the late summer of 1984 the price of crude oil fell to an especially low point. It was sometime in September or October, Vince poked his head in my office door and reminded me of our conversation and added “well the money has run out!” effective November 30th. Being the young confident guy I was, I decided I could do the oil business better and stepped out and sold some prospects to other companies that they drilled, all dry holes though. And there was that last prospect that just about broke us as it was bought by a guy who went bankrupt. Never a word! But just in case as a contract landman I had gotten my Real Estate license so I could collect in court.

And that young confident nature caused me to never file for un-employment either. My wife did daycare in the home, I plowed snow and did day work in the old office. I sold a couple of homes for my partner too as I had a brokers license. I even tried to manufacture and sell the next pet rock called a "What Knot". I was trying to do too many things and not doing any well! It was an unsettled time!

So I am “working at home” one day in Englewood Colorado in late 1985 or early 1986 and there is a knock on the door. I open it to find a foreclosure notice! Well, as you can imagine, my wife and I had some agitated words that night but we succeeded in formulating a plan: We could either sell the house and buy another smaller one and stay in Denver; we could take a job in Midland (and get laid off again there); or I could sell real estate. We needed some money to get out of hole we were in and so I called the first national bank of MOM the next day. We explained our alternative plans and she politely agreed the first 2 were not good at all but when I came to #3 I heard the words: CAN’T YOU FIND A REAL JOB?" There were no jobs in Denver at that time as we had just had about 40,000 folks lose jobs in the past 2 years in the oil business alone. It was a very depressed market and we had 16% home interest rates too!

That is what started my real estate career(there will be more to come). However,
I have been A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since then and I love helping nice folks buy and sell homes. I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

Great Location Foreclosed Home

2009-09-24T06:51:00.003-06:00

Just popped up on the MLS a 2300 square foot bank owned home in one of the older parts of Highlands Ranch. Coming on the market on a Thursday is typical for a foreclosure as they can get offers throughout the weekend and present them all on Monday. Yes we have had some success winning the bids so if you want a 2 story traditional home with a 3 car garage that you can buy for the mid 300s and then do some fix up, give drop me a line, quickly, as it will be gone on Tuesday! PS: NOT MY LISTING. I would be a Buyers Agent for you.

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

Denver State of the Market

2009-09-18T14:41:00.004-06:00

There is a corrolary between the number of homes on the market and the number of sales. The number of NEW listings entering the market is another good indicator. The more the difference between the two shrinks, the more towards a Sellers market we move. Last year, 2008 was the end of the Buyers Market, but this chart only reflects August data since 2003. Tell me what you think.

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

Even Better...not JUST DENVER!

2009-09-16T08:24:00.002-06:00

The stats everyone is quoting as gospel from Metrolist, the Denver MLS service, are based upon statewide data, not Denver data. As an example the 15,302 active residential listings at the end of August include the Pikes Peak MLS (Colorado Springs) and Boulder MLS listings, two areas just a little seperated from DENVER. The real number for metro Denver is more on the order of 12,840, but no one knows for sure as Metrolist has not defined their core area of business as metro Denver. 90% of their data is from that demographic, but there is no "metro Denver in their searches. Gotta love an outfit that grabs data from all over and then , by default, it assumed that it is local data only. Therefore, understand that any data you see coming from Metrolist could be off by as much as 16-17%. Could that change a perspective or 2?
So I guess the purpose of this post is:
Be careful what dat you rely on.

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

Denver Statistic Bubble must be a federal grant!

2009-09-15T06:57:00.002-06:00

Statistics bother me, especially when someone else starts to tell me what data I can use...
Metrolist, the oft quoted Denver multiple listing service has decided that their back-end legacy system is too cumbersome to maintain and as of today, I can no longer do free form searches to discover how many single family homes really went on the market in August in Denver. I simply have to accept their definition. Sold properties are easier to come by and that data indicates about a 10% drop since JULY???? Well, Iguess it is time for a new data spike....geez these guys have not had a real bad one since???? lets see was it the year they decided ALL the listings were new July 1st? or was it the year they decided the entire state was metro Denver?
I have to give them some credit though...at least they are controling the data flow now and everyone is quoting the same crud!

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

2009-08-25T19:47:00.001-06:00

97 days or 2333 hours are left to close your first time buyer so they get their free $8000 tax credit

2009-08-21T18:12:00.001-06:00

I am off to evening of operating a model railroad, or if you will, puzzle solving. Great fun

Auburn Park In Highlands Ranch

2009-08-19T18:10:00.003-06:00

One of the benefits of working for a number of years in a market like Highlands Ranch is you get to know things about the neighborhood that other cannot remember or never experienced. Take a look at this AUBURN PARK page.

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

3.6% of "Denver" is "For Sale"

2009-08-16T07:04:00.006-06:00

Checking the MLS yesterday in the "NORMAL AREA" known as Denver there were only 14,379 single family homes listed for sale. If there are 400,000 single family homes in Denver then we have fewer than 3.6% of the properties for sale. Not a huge inventory given there are about 2.5 million people living in metro Denver, and yes that includes the suburbs.

In the last few years Metrolist has added the Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and other multiple listing services to their data stream so it is harder and harder to find good data. Add to the the blending and "merging" of Boulder/Longmont into metro Denver, and the real estate statistics really get blown out of the water. It is just hard to see where the boarders are. So sometimes experience counts!

My latest experiences tell me I need to counsel more on the stress this market induces. I may enjoy negotiating (and winning), but some folks find this business much more intense and frustrating, especially when there are multiple offers, and with only one exception, every property we have dealt with this year has been a bidding war. Everyone wants a deal, and so do the other buyers. Listings are being priced low so they INDUCE multiple offers and an AUCTION atmosphere. Be ready before heading out into this market, especially the first time buyers.

Make sure to talk to a Full Time Licensed Colorado real estate broker before you make any move. I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

Do you REALLY understand the tax credit?

2009-08-12T07:57:00.003-06:00

We've had many clients asking great questions about the first time buyer tax credit, how it applies to the Denver Real Estate market...and I wanted to be sure you had the answers.

Some basics for you:

Q: If I’ve owned a home before, does that mean I’m not a first-time home buyer?

As long as it has been three years since you’ve owned a home, you are considered a first-time home buyer; even if you own a rental but it is not your residence and you have not lived in it for the last 3 years!

Q: Do I really get up to $8,000, or is it just a tax deduction?

It’s really up to $8,000-in your pocket! You get the money when you file your tax return. (Some restrictions apply...call Lori at 720-200-6868 today for more details).

Q: I’ve been thinking about buying, how much time do I have?

The program ends November 30. Now is the time to buy!
You do not want to be caught in the last minute rush in today's lending climate.
Only 110 days left to get your qualifying transaction CLOSED!

Feel free to pass this information on to your friends and family...while there is still time to take advantage of this great opportunity. As always, we're here to help - so please call me with any questions you have.

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

Time to Buy a First Home in Denver

2009-07-30T16:32:00.002-06:00

But there are only 123 days left to get the first time buyer tax credit. OR only 2960 hours.
A quick review says the FIRST TIME BUYER gets an $8,000 tax credit if they close BEFORE November 30, 2009. The program expires at midnight on that day.

You can even ammend you 2008 tax return to get the credit THIS YEAR! And here is a great idea! You can borrow the $8000 from Mom or Dad, Grandma or Grandpa and pay them back when Uncle Sam sends you your check!

I am a Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 and I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

First time BUYER Denver Home only 127 days

2009-07-26T20:27:00.000-06:00

or 3,048 hours left.

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com

3,144 Hours or 131 days left

2009-07-22T20:16:00.004-06:00

to take advantage of the first time buyer's tax credit. Make the move now because the lenders do not have the ability to handle the new loans they are doing as it is. Do not wait until every one else is in the queue.

A Full Time Licensed real estate broker since 1985 I go to work everyday for you & your friends, learning about our home town! It could be Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Parker, Elizabeth, Larkspur, Franktown, Kiowa, or anywhere in metro Denver Colorado. Talk to me for real estate advice, properties for sale, multiple listing service, all available at www.DenverRelocation.com. Drop me a note to pete@Denverrelocation.com