Hudson Gardens, Littleton Colorado - 07/31/06 12:05 AM
When day after day of work and no play begin to take their toll, it's time for a change of scenery.  Although I've lived in the Denver metro area for over a decade and in Colorado for 3 decades, I've never had occasion to visit Hudson Gardens.  So sad to think all the years I've missed!
Hudson Gardens is located on the Platte River, encompasing 30 acres of a regional display garden.  The purpose of the Gardens is to acquaint visitors with the many varities of plants that thrive in our area. 
Contained within the garden are roses, iris, 100 different species … (1 comments)

Denver Skate Parks - 07/23/06 10:57 PM
A couple decades ago skate boarding became popular only to be followed by laws preventing it.  Kids had to break the law to enjoy their favorite activity.  Times have changed, the kids grew up and now they are on the planning boards providing the greatest skate parks imaginable!
Denver and the 'burbs are home to the most challenging, exciting, gravity defying skate parks on earth.  Come see for yourself.  Enjoy!  Visit Board of Denver.
… (0 comments)

A new use for an old location - 07/22/06 12:32 AM
Denver's Executive Tower Inn has been around for a long time.  It is a high rise hotel that over the years has served the community proudly, but like most older places had become a little "long in the tooth".
The building has now been renovated into two parts. The lower 16 floors will be the  Curtis Hotel, scheduled to open later this year.  The upper 17-30 floors will house students from the Auraria Campus, and will be called The Inn at Auraria.  Well heeled students will be able to order room service!
Kristal Kraft ~ sells Denver and the 'burbs!
… (2 comments)

When something goes wrong... - 07/22/06 12:21 AM
Have you ever had an experience where one thing after another goes wrong?
I attended a workshop in Orlando this past week.  I didn't need a car, but I rented on just because, well I felt like it.
I have a Budget Fastrack card, which is supposed to get me all sorts of extra special, fabulously wonderful  better service than anyone who doesn't have such a card.  This card allows me to bypass the indignity of waiting at the ordinary car rental desk in the airport.  My card is a pass to go directly to the final desk to claim my wheels.
EXCEPT in … (2 comments)

Ever run thru a parking lot with a bear behind? - 07/22/06 12:04 AM
A 250-pound black bear roamed into the parking lot of the Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree.  The female bear was most likely looking for food, due to the draught that has caused a depleted food supply.
Now since I am reporting this from Colorado, be it known that Lone Tree is not some isolated community in the Rocky Mountains.  It's a suburb of Denver, a city to the south just off I-25 and the new light rail line, it's nearby a high-end Toll Brothers development.  Audable growling distance from TARGET!
Image yourself just leaving the hospital to go to the car.  You turn the … (2 comments)

Colorado Smoking Ban - 07/20/06 08:36 PM
Colorado recently adopted a state-wide smoking in public places ban.  It was a controversial process, with a few exceptions.  Smoking in the casinos and cigar lounges is still allowed. 
  The ban on smoking was a very controversial subject.  The law passed a few months ago and went into effect July 1, 2006.  The topic is still smoldering.
  Does your state ban smoking?  Do you feel it is an improvement or a threat to the state’s economy?
… (7 comments)

Denver real estate market slowing only slightly - 07/20/06 04:33 PM
The Denver Business Journal reports the retail real estate market is "slowling just slightly", but still solid because of "strong job growth" as reported by Trammel Crow Company.
"With increased confidence that comes with a strong labor market, local households continue to shop." the report said.
Consumer spending is up 8.3% from the same time last year (April).
… (0 comments)

Bikes Allowed on FasTracks Trains and Buses - 07/20/06 04:16 PM
Bicycle Colorado has just confirmed that bicycles will be allowed on all light rail trains, commuter rail trains, and bus rapid transit vehicles as part of RTD’s FasTracks program. FasTracks is the twelve year voter-approved plan to build 119 miles of new rail lines and 18 miles of bus rapid transit service throughout the Denver metro area.
Learn more about Bicycle Colorado
… (1 comments)

Colorado Columbine - 07/19/06 08:42 PM
The Columbine is the state flower of Colorado.  It is a beautiful flower of an unusual shape, it comes in a variety of colors. 
Many places in Colorado have taken the name of this flower, including one infamous high school. Sometimes events change the meaning of a good name.  911 is another example.  A meaning changed in a minute.
May peace be with you...enjoy my columbine.
 
 
 
 
.
… (4 comments)

Who's moving to Denver? - 07/19/06 08:30 PM
Migration to Denver is strong from the left coast.  Homeowners who are sitting on huge equities in their homes are finding they can improve their financial position, raise their standard of living, put the kids in excellent schools, pay less in taxes and have money left over to put in the bank.
In the past year 30% of my business has come from Californian's who swapped life in the fast lane, for a less expensive, nicer home in the Denver metro area.
Kristal Kraft ~ Denver relocation specialist
… (1 comments)

Organize your web bookmarks with a FREE program - 07/19/06 07:36 PM
Years ago I paid good money for a program called Onfolio.  This very helpful program organized my very messy "bookmark" into neat meaningful catagories. Now when  I save a URl it can be easily found.
Onfolio also monitors and delivers RSS feeds so I can keep up with the news and blogs that interest me.
A few  months ago Microsoft purchased the Onfolio program.  Now you can have it for FREE!
Hope you enjoy using it as much as I do.
Kristal Kraft ~ Denver Real Estate
… (7 comments)

Protecting your data – what’s your routine? - 07/18/06 08:34 PM
A story about  a home burning from kitchen fires brings to mind a good message.  Back up your data and store it off-site.  Rotate the back-up so it’s never older than what you can afford to lose. 
  Store it someplace safe.  Maybe a bank safety deposit box, a convenient often frequented place.  The easier it is to get to, the more likely it will get done.
  What do you do to protect yourself from a disastrous loss of data?
… (6 comments)

Denver ~ The Center of the Universe - 07/18/06 08:16 PM
As the Capitol City of Colorado, Denver sometimes overshadows other parts of the state.  Or at least the attitude does.  When I lived in Colorado Springs it was clearly apparent the residents of Denver felt they were truly the center of the universe.
Once when having to participate in advertising, We Colorado Springs people had a hard time convincing the Denverites, we didn't watch their TV channels.  We watched our own channels.  We required our funds to be spent in OUR town, not theirs.
Are there places like that near you or your town?
P.S. Now that I sell real estate in Denver, Colorado, … (0 comments)

Good Google on your phone. - 07/18/06 07:27 PM
We all know how to Google for information on a computer, but have you tried to Google for infomation on your phone?
 Send a text message to "46645" (that's Google) ask for "weather denver" or "w your city, state".  Within a few seconds you will get the answer. 
You can also search for Starbucks, zip code.  How about finding that movie you've been dying to see.  Try the name of the movie and the zip, or city.
I love Google!
Kristal Kraft Googling away!  :--)
… (2 comments)

Business Practices of Real Estate Differ, from State to State - 07/17/06 09:57 AM
Buyers relocating from one state to another are often surprised by the differences they find.  These differences can be cause for concern if one is not aware of them.
  In Colorado it is a normal practice for the Realtor to write the contract.  If a buyer or seller wishes, they can have it reviewed by an attorney.  Seldom do buyers and sellers opt to use an attorney.  We are fortunate to have Colorado Standard Approved Forms.  It saves the public both time and money.
  Typically speaking for the Denver metro area, Realtors prepare the offer and present it to the Listing … (1 comments)

Challenging Elders - 07/17/06 12:10 AM
A few weeks ago, my 80 year old father slipped in the shower and fell thru the glass shower doors.    My sister-in-law who arrived first on the scene said Dad looked like The Terminator; he had glass pieces and blood everywhere.  He was hurt and embarrassed, and typical of him, didn't stop more than a few minutes to remove the shards of glass from his neck, shoulders and knees.
Dad spend his life as a mason, he poured concrete, laid brick, block and stone.  The hard work he performed developed his body into the strong barrel-chested man I remember all my life.  … (4 comments)

Nostalgic Not... - 07/16/06 12:49 AM
Remember when the mailman walked through the neighborhood, visiting everyone's house while he delivered the mail?  I do.  As a young woman I looked forward to letters from my pen pals around the country. Later from my fiancee' who was on active duty in sunny VietNam.  Once the mailman even brought me an engagement ring...no I didn't marry the mailman, he just delivered it.
Today the mailman is almost as likely to be a mailwoman.  He/she drives a truck stopping at cluster mailboxes where no one is home. No smiles or greetings, just deliver the mail and move on.  :(
Oh well, I'm glad … (8 comments)

Denver Real Estate - Is a new home in your future? - 07/16/06 12:07 AM
Here are some things to consider…
  Prep yourself for the financial side of the purchase. Most home builders offer huge incentives to use their lenders.  These incentives may or may not be a benefit to you, the only way you will know for sure is to talk to an outside lender or two to compare the numbers.  The only way to compare is by requesting a “good faith estimate” from each lender.
  Develop a strategy – a game plan that works to your benefit is very important.  When negotiating with a builder, you must be prepared to follow your plan and … (0 comments)

The Market is Changing - Denver, Colorado - 07/14/06 11:15 PM
The Denver market is full of contradictions.
  We have 21% more homes available than the same time last year.  Last month the average price went UP?  Yes, that's correct, it went up. Our prices continue to rise.  So does our days on market.
We are approaching a record number of foreclosures. The foreclosures are the result of homeowners extending themselves beyond reason.  Builders offering incentives that far out reach the value of the home doesn't  help either. Buyers are offered HUGH incentives and somehow think they are FREE.  (DUH) Also in the foreclosure mix is a new generation of REO managers who are … (0 comments)

Rough Relocation! - 07/13/06 11:16 PM
A few months ago we took some time off to relax at the wonderful Sante Fe Home of Jim and Bonnie Cox.  ON the way back to Denver on I-25 we passed this home being delivered to a new location.
The house not only was wide for I-25, it was also very tall. My husband noted this fact as the procession aproached the bridge, as seen in the distance.  We had passed the home and not wanting to miss the pending crash, pulled to the side of the road a safe distance on the other side of the underpass.
Well Larry was right, … (1 comments)

Where to take the kids - Denver, Colorado - 07/13/06 10:52 PM
If it's time for the little ones to go run off some steam, consider taking them to the Cherry Creek Mall.  The mall has one of the most unique playgrounds for the kids, no adults allowed!  This minature theme park is patterned after breakfast food. On the menu is bacon, sausage, waffles, fruit and some sunnyside-up eggs! The area is soft and cushie so the muchkins can run wild without getting hurt.  Mom and/or Dad can relax and watch the fun.
Read more about Things for Kids In Denver.
… (1 comments)

Photos are of utmost importance! - 07/12/06 09:48 PM
The Whitehouse blog post brought up a subject that is near and dear to my heart.  Photos!  In recent years  buyers who get into my car tell me they don't even bother to look at photoless listings. 
 I tried to convince them the listing may be very new and not fully propagated, but they still say it's not worth their time. 
Buyers feel that in this digital age REALTORS should own and know how to work a digital camera! 
I totally agree. There is no reason in the world a listing should ever get posted without photos.  Yes, lots of photos.  Listing agents who … (5 comments)

Home Staging Success - 07/12/06 07:58 AM
The real estate market in Denver has a  record number of homes for sale.  In order to get noticed we, as listing agents have to do everything in our power to market the home. 
As part of my service to the seller, I bring in a professional home stager to work with the home owner.  The results have been very good. 
If the home owner is still living in the property, the stager tries to work with the home owner's belongings.  By using existing items, the stager transforms the decor to be more appealing. 
The stager I use has an amazing ability … (7 comments)

Golf Course Properties in metro Denver, Colorado - 07/11/06 10:46 PM
Colorado has many existing golf courses and many more being developed each year.  If you are a golfer or just enjoy living in a country club setting you will be happy to know the Denver Metro area has many choices for you.
To the southeast the neighborhood of Pradera has a very challenging course surrounded my custom homes priced in the high $600's and up.  The area is elevated so homeowners can enjoy the views to the east.
The fastest growing part of town is at the E470 and Smoky Hill location.  Currently, Southlands the largest shopping village in the state is being built.  Due … (3 comments)

Making a door to door move... - 07/11/06 01:28 PM
Often times relocation buyers are also sellers in another state.  Overwhelmed by the prospect of moving from one home to the next, they make a plan to rent instead of buy. At first this may seem like the best solution, but in reality this only adds one more move to the mix.  UGH!
The story continues here...
… (0 comments)

Moving your pets - 07/11/06 09:29 AM
Pets are part of the family. When it comes time to move your pet, it takes preparation and planning.  Not everyone can hop on the airplane, some need to be crated and sedated. 
Here's a good resource for preaparing to move your pet. 
Recently I've help relocate a buyer with an enormous collection of fish.  He had to drive them across country from Florida to Denver.  So far the fish are fine. 
… (4 comments)

Home Inspections - 07/10/06 11:56 PM
Everypart of the country has a different process for inspecting a home.  Well maybe  not different in the process of much but in what is inspected.
Here in Denver, (or at least the older parts) we at The Berkshire Group Realtors have been doing "sewer scopes".  I find it very interesting how often the scope reveals a serious problem.  Sewer pipe repairs are among the most expensive issues we are running into of late. 
Roof replacement is also expensive, especially when there are 2 or 3 layers.  The tear off can cost as much as a new roof.
We don't or aren't required … (2 comments)

Water, water everywhere... - 07/09/06 12:15 PM
Why is it when it rains in Colorado we get it all in the same week?  Everyday now for a week we have had rain.  Not just a little rain but a hard soaking wet rain.  Last Sunday it rained so hard in Douglas  County there were floods!
At a closing last week, my client remarked how it was odd we needed to have "flood Insurance" in Colorado since there was NO WATER!  My ears perked right up as well as the closer, we both made a point to let her know we certainly do have floods in Colorado, especially when it … (1 comments)

Riddle me a home... - 07/09/06 01:00 AM
When you do something you love, it is easy.  When you do something you hate, it is hard. Real estate is challenging, everytime I take on a new assignment, there is always a new challenge; a different twist from the last transaction.
Mostly what I do is solve problems or riddles if you will.  As a kid most of us loved those silly little riddles that made one think.  The answer was always a twist of thinking, something simple but overlooked.  None the less when the answer was provided it would provoke a smile or a grin.
Finding a home is much like … (4 comments)

The Last Bridge on T-REX - 07/09/06 12:47 AM
Denverites are aware of the Interstate-25 renovations that have been going on for over 5 years.  We are in the last few months prior to completion...whew! 
Tonight the final pedestrial bridge is being placed over the highway.  In order to finish this work, the Interstate is closed tonight at 9 pm and will remain closed until 9 am Sunday morning.
 My husband decided it would be a cool thing to watch, so we ventured out about 10:30 expecting to see some action.  Well we saw some action, but it was not a bridge being placed across the road, it was traffic!  … (10 comments)

 
Kristalkraftdenverrealtor Ambassador_large

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599

Denver, CO

More about me…

The Berkshire Group Realtors

Address: 3801 E. Florida Avenue Suite 400, Denver, CO, 80210

Office Phone: (720) 279-4599

Cell Phone: (720) 279-4599

Email Me

Soapbox musings for and about Denver relocation and real estate.

Author Bio: Kristal Kraft is a Colorado Real Estate Broker specializing in relocation to and from the Denver Metro area. She is an amateur photographer, cyclist, golfer and enjoys traveling just for the fun of it!


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