As we here in Denver are preparing for the Democratic National Convention, I got to thinking about poor Senator Barack Obama. This man is running for President of the United States. Why would I be feeling bad for him?

1. He has to live in Washington D. C. I know Washington D. C. is a beautiful city, as a matter of fact, I've visited a couple of times and would love to go back. But, it is not Denver. (Here is where the disclosure comes in. I'm a Colorado native so I may be a bit biased.)

2. If Mr. Obama ends up living in the White House, he has an amazing lawn and will host large picnics, but it still isn't Washington Park. Denver has a number of premier parks, but Washington Park has always been one of my favorites with it's diverse and fun-loving crowd of people. Up for a volleyball game? I'm not sure they host volleyball games on the White House Lawn. Just let us know Mr. Obama if you'd like us to hold you a spot in one of our games.

3. While we've been having a warmer summer than usual this year, our weather has still been fantastic. We have more than 300 days of sunshine that melt away the snow usually within 24 hours. I'm sure with the White House driveway, someone has to be ready with the shovel when the first snowflake hits. Here, we check the next day's weather to decide whether to shovel or not. It gives us more time for skiing instead of shoveling. How many ski slopes are within driving distance of Washington D. C.? I'm betting we have lots more.

4. No 14ers. Colorado has 54 peaks that are more than 14,000 feet in elevation. Talk about places to clear your head. These are good spots to contemplate the energy crisis, health care, social security and other key issues impacting our country. I wonder if the key leaders of our country would benefit from having to debate issues while in hiking boots at the top of mountains? Since there isn't quite as much oxygen, it might require using fewer and more focused words to get your point across. Regardless, I know there aren't 14ers in the Washington D. C. area. Let us know if we can schedule a trip for you while you are in town, Senator Obama. It will change your perspective.

5. You can never be alone. It is too bad in this day and age that our highest leaders require constant security. Here in Colorado, we value our solitude. There is nothing like sitting on a rock in the middle of one of our Colorado streams just enjoying the scenery. The rush of water, the mountain wildflowers and the amazing wildlife keep us balanced when life gets crazy. We have some fabulous wildflower drives if your black vehicles are 4WD.  I will  insist, though, that you open the windows so you can enjoy the view during the drive. I'll even bring the picnic and a wonderful bottle of Colorado wine.

I'm sorry Senator Obama that you can't just pick up and move to Colorado. We'd love to have you visit more of our beautiful state beyond just the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field at Mile High. They are definitely both wonderful Colorado venues, but you'll still be missing the bigger Colorado picture. Give me a call after things get settled in November. I'm sure we could arrange at least a taste of what Colorado has to offer and if you are looking for a "western" White House, I'm your gal. By the way, Senator McCain, ditto!

Don't forget to vote.

One of the brightest harbringers of the Colorado spring is the 9Health Fair. If you are looking to do a little body spring cleaning along with that of your house, this is the place to be. Not only can you have your blood tests completed, you can have many other tests done at a much lower cost than if you go to the doctors office. There are a variety of activities and educational booths available to keep you interested and busy.

The 9Health Fair usually runs between April 14th-20th, with an occasional Fair happening outside those dates. If you'd like to find a location near you, click here.

I'm sure they are also still looking for volunteers. There are thousands of incredible people who support this effort with their time. From doctors to citizens who point the way, they would love to chat with you about how you can best help. Click here if you are willing to dedicate the time to help us all stay healthy. You may save someone's life.

The 9Health Fair reminds us that it is important to take care of ourselves so we can help those we love.

Let the 9Health Fair begin.....

Tonight before I go to bed, I need to remember to set my clocks forward an hour. It's time to "spring forward".

What has me really confused is that we just moved the clocks back an hour a couple months ago. I think someone out there is laughing as we turn up to church at the wrong time twice a year. Are we saving fuel?

At least the clocks change on Sundays. Pastors, Rabbis and Priests are probably a little more forgiving than some of the bosses out there.

The other good news is that the changing time announces the coming spring. Boy, am I ready!

Described as one of the "fastest growing art districts in the country", the Sante Fe Art District is one of Denver's wonderful places to go for amazing art. From 5th to 10th Avenues along Sante Fe Boulevard, there are more than 30 galleries.

The First Friday Art Walk runs all year round from 6-9 pm. and art lovers are invited to see the work of incredible artists. If you are looking for something amazing to do on Friday nights, this is one weekly event not to miss.

Artist Sharon McEachern is known for her mixed media and has her work featured at the "Art Eclectic" show at the CORE New Art Space. The gallery is located at 9th and Sante Fe. Sharon wrote and asked that I invite all our Denver art connoisseurs to see her latest work. She has several very unique pieces and I look forward to visiting the gallery to see them up close and personal.

Denver is lucky to have a wide variety of artists in many of our fabulous galleries around the area. The next time you are looking for just the right masterpiece to hang on your wall, don't forget to take a look at the First Friday Art Walk.

With 24,489 houses on the market in the Denver area as of the end of January and only 2,987 closings, is the successful sale of your house a roll of the dice? The answer is a resounding "No". While there are certainly no guarantees, you can turn the odds in your favor by completing the followings steps.

1. Declutter- We've heard it dozens of times on the home shows and you will hear it from your Realtor and Stager. The less clutter, the larger a home feels and the less people will be distracted by your "stuff". We want them to picture themselves in your fabulous home. Pull out the boxes and pack anything you won't need for a couple months, including those precious family photos, to create open space on walls, counters and shelves.

2. Clean- Before your house goes on the market, do the spring cleaning. It's time to wipe the baseboards, wash the windows and have the carpets professionally cleaned. If a buyer comes in and sees dirty light switches, it turns them off. Professional cleaning services are available for a one time deep clean. If you don't have the time, hire a professional. It may cost you now, but you'll reap the benefits of a sold house later.

3. Paint- It's just like buying a new car and getting the first ding, when you paint, it is inevitable that you'll bump the wall with furniture or the dog will rub up against it. If your walls have a few scrapes, get out the brush and repaint it. Once again, it will take time, but paint is relatively inexpensive. It contributes to the clean feeling that a buyer will experience when they walk in. If you have any odd colors, repaint the walls neutral. To get some idea of what buyers are looking for, you can take a tour of new model homes or check with your Realtor.

4. Replace Burnt Out Bulbs- Buyers love light and you can create an open and light filled space by replacing burnt out bulbs and turning on the fixtures in each room.

5. Price it Right- This is the biggest contributer to whether or not your house will sell. Forget what your neighbors house sold for last year because it is a new market and your home may have experienced a drop in value. Your Realtor will run a comparative market analysis. It is critical that you price it at, or even just a little below, where other similar homes have sold.

6. Get it Done Before the Showings Start- Once people have made the decision to sell, they usually want the house on the market right away. But, we want to make sure every buyer sees the home in its best condition. If you need two weeks to get everything done, wait before opening it to buyers. We can put up a coming soon sign until you are ready. This also gives your Realtor time to get the photographer through and provide professional brochures that will highlight the features of your house.

7. Every Showing Counts- Having your house on the market is inconvenient and frustrating at times. But when the office calls to schedule a showing, say "Yes" whenever possible. Buyers have a variety of schedules and it's important that we accommodate them. In my experience, the majority of buyers will never return after a showing time has been turned down.

8. Hire a Professional- Marketing your house is critical in this market. Since most buyers are finding their houses on-line, make sure your Realtor has a strong internet presence. The more people who see the photos of your house, the better chance it will sell, especially if you have completed all the above steps.

Whenever I take a listing, the first person I call is my preferred stager. She visits the house at no cost to the seller and makes recommendations on how best to stage the home. Sellers then paint, add table settings and get rid of the clutter. While each house may not look like a show home, just a few simple changes can make a big difference.

Take these steps and increase your odds that you will be successful in putting your home in the SOLD column.

Yesterday my friend Gail and I went to see "The Bucket List". I laughed and cried. We all have our bucket list even as young people. Some want to get married and have children and others want to make a million and travel the globe. When I got home,  I started my bucket list. I have lots of places I'd like to visit during my lifetime. If Colorado is listed as one of your destinations not to miss, you may want to check it off by visiting in 2008 or 2009. The only problem is going to be how to narrow down where to visit during your time here. So, I've broken it down by seasons with a few suggestions.

Winter- What comes to mind? Probably skiing. There are 26 ski resorts in Colorado from tiny Ski Cooper, where my son learned to ski, to the grand daddy Vail with almost 5,300 ski-able acres. If you aren't a skier, try dog-sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing or another winter sport. If you are a cowboy or girl at heart, the National Western Stock Show is a Denver highlight during January. I've never seen so many kinds of chickens and rabbits. Who knew? Frisco's Gold Rush is in early February and Steamboat has the Annual Winter Carnival in its 94th year.

Spring- You'll find many a die hard rafter in one of our many rivers across the state. While the ride may require a wet suit, the water is the highest at this time of year. Spring skiing is usually great. While the snow may be a little mushy, lots of people ski in shorts. Fruita has the Fat Tire Festival and Mike the Headless Chicken Days, the Grand Valley has Spring Barrel Tasting and Salida and Buena Vista sponsor the National River Cleanup Greenup. Creede has the Silver Chef Competition at the Taste of Creede. If you love jazz, the Estes Park Jazz Fest and Grand Junction Art and Jazz Festival are both in May.

Summer- Late June and early July feature amazing wildflowers in the high country. I love to visit Yankee Boy Basin with my camera and brown bag lunch. I can spend all day enjoying the outdoors and amazing views of Colorado. For those bike riders, amazing riding places are available throughout the state. Many of the best ski areas in winter, become wonderful hosts for mountain biking activities. Ride the lift to the top and work your way down the trail on your favorite bike. Buena Vista has the BalloonaVista, Fort Collins hosts the Colorado Brewer's Festival now in its 18th year and Frisco will make your mouth water with the Colorado BBQ Challenge. You'll enjoy Music in the Mountains in Durango and the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo in Steamboat Springs.

Fall- Fall in Colorado makes me think of all the wonderful fall colors. There are special drives you can take to see some of the most amazing colors in nature. Estes Park has the Scottish and Irish Highlands Festival, Delta hosts the Blues Festival and Grand Junction has the 16th Annual Colorado Mountain Winefest. Glenwood Springs invites you to the 8th Annual Historic Ghost Walk at the Linwood Cemetery and Creede will tempt you with its Chocolate Tasting Festival. Denver sponsors the International Wine Festival and Taste of Colorado. There is never enough wine or chocolate!

I'm tired just thinking of all the great Colorado activities and I've only just scratched the surface. This doesn't include the amazing hiking trails, the fourteeners just waiting to be climbed, fantastic museums, national parks and shopping, shopping, shopping. Anytime of year is a great time to visit. And...if you decide to stay, give me a call and let's chat.

Other Resources:

Colorado Tourism Office
Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau

We still have a few weeks of winter left and if the occasional snowflakes happen to fall when you least expect them, you may want to consider taking one of the wonderful free tours available in the Denver area. Here are just a few suggestions.

I toured the State Capitol and the Mint when I was a child. I look forward to going back. I remember being fascinated, especially by how money is made.

These are all wonderful places to visit on a snowy day, or any other day in fact.

Happy touring!

I've been in therapy since early January. I meet with my therapists every Saturday morning for an hour. The cost adds up, but it has been well worth the six dollars a session. I highly recommend these therapists. There is Princess the lab mix, Busby and Arnold the golden retriever brothers, Bailey the australian shepherd mix, Otis the bulldog, etc. I can't remember all their names, but these guys are memorable and will make even the grumpiest person leave with a smile on their face.

These are my puppy therapists.

As most of you know, I adopted Olive, a mixed English Pointer, just before Christmas. She has been a wonderful addition to the family. She attends classes at the Denver Dumb Friends League including Puppy Preschool and Elementary Puppy. Every Saturday morning, all the puppies get together to play. The session is focused on socializing the pups with a little obedience thrown in for good measure. Watching puppies play is the most wonderful experience. They leap, run, tackle, chew, bark and totally give in to play. They are a joy to watch and function as my Saturday therapy. I think everyone needs puppy therapy.

I'm not sure the training staff will let you watch, so you may need to adopt a puppy so you can get admitted into the best therapy yet.

Now, my only concern is where will I go for therapy when Olive grows up?

Fourth quarter real estate statistics show that Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree are continuing to average a lower absorption rate in comparison to other featured areas, which can translate into quicker home sales. North Jefferson County's absorption rate is also lower in this current quarter. During the third quarter we had three areas identified as a Buyers Market. This quarter, we are up to eight areas. Buyers tend to shy away from purchasing a home during the holidays and that may explain the increase.

Considering Absorption Rate is one way to measure the health of our real estate market. Absorption Rate designates the number of months of housing supply on hand. The larger the supply, the more competition there is for sellers and the higher likelihood that prices will drop or concessions will be offered. The market has definitely slowed in a the last quarter.

More Months of Supply = Buyer's Market = Possible Reduced Pricing and/or Concessions

Fewer Months of Supply = Seller's Market = Possible Price Increases and/or Bidding Wars

The commonly accepted separation between markets is:

Seller's Market          1-4 months of supply
Neutral Market          5-6 months of supply
Buyer's Market          7 months and above  

Single Family Homes  

This quarter, I have created a separate chart showing the absorption rate in the condominium market. There is a higher average absorption rate in most areas in comparison to single family homes. Check out the October absorption rate in North Jefferson County. If we had only looked at October statistics, we would not have had the total picture. October's rate of more than a two year supply on the market was an aberration and has corrected in the following months. This is a good reason why we look at longer term trends.  

Condominiums/Townhomes  

I've heard it said over and over that all real estate is local. This quarterly review of absorption rates clearly shows that is the case. There is a huge difference between Northeast Denver condominium sales where we are averaging a fifteen month home supply and the four month supply of single family homes available in Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree. I'll be writing another post in the next week or two that compares quarterly averages throughout 2007. I'm hoping that we'll begin seeing improvement in the market this year. The next few quarterly reports will tell.  

Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of October 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007. Note: This representation is based in whole or in part in content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Content maintained by Metrolist, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.  

"You know, your Dad and I almost bought that land years ago. Just imagine what it is worth today." My mom said that every time drove by land along Parker Road just of I-225. That was a few years ago when my sisters and I were growing up. Is this year's housing market one where we may look back and wish we woulda made that decision to buy? 

When I listen to the Sunday financial shows one person will tell us that we've hit bottom and the time is ripe to buy. The next "expert" will tell us that the housing market still has a long way to drop. There are more mortgages that are going to be adjusting this year and some families will be hit hard. However, the new federal tax rebates are coming this summer and a quick three quarter point drop by the feds this week may begin the turn around. So, what should we do?

That depends. (Don't you hate that kind of answer? It happens to be the right one in every housing market.)

What are your circumstances?

If you have a house you need to sell before you can buy another, it may be time to hold if there isn't enough equity in the property to actually walk away from the closing table with enough to buy a new one.

If you are looking to buy a home and plan on staying in it for a minimum of three to five years, it's probably a great time to buy.

I suggest meeting with your family members, real estate professional and financial advisor to talk about whether or not the time is perfect to begin looking for a house you can make your home.

Don't let the woulda, shoulda, couldas catch you if now is the perfect time for you to buy.

Give me a call and let's chat.