Denver Real Estate & Relocation

Are You Guilty? If so there is redemption...

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:07:24 -0800

I've never understood why agents are so willing to help other websites outrank them. Then one day it occurred to me that these agents didn't actually understand what they were doing!

No agent in their right mind would ever link to a competitor, they didn't know that by placing those pretty little widget on their sites they are actually sending "Google Link Love" to their competitor. Yes, Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com are competitors. They take our information and sell it back to us for a price. Worse yet they offer widgets that link back to their sites and tempt us to use them but never really disclose that they are using them against us.

Look at this widget, published today on Agent Genius. Once you understand the meaning of widget spam, I bet you will think twice about using those pretty little widgets. Even if you decide to go ahead and use them, it least you will know they can be Hazardous to your SEO Health!

How You're Helping Zillow and Trulia to Outrank You was created by: Real Geeks IDX Solutions

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Red Clouds Over the Rockies

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 18:53:08 -0800

A huge cloud hovered over my neighborhood all day today. It was there when I got up and never went away. From previous experience I knew the sunset would be awesome tonight. As the sun dropped below the mountains the light bounced up to illuminate the clouds and everything around me had a warm red glow.

What a wonderful way to end the day.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Go See the Grand Illumination of Downtown Denver

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 08:52:09 -0800

Tis the season to be merry, so get out tonight to watch the celebrations. The season begins tonight, November 23, 2012, so pick a place to go and enjoy as the holiday lights get turned on all over the metro area. If tonight doesn't work for you, no worries the lights will stay on long past the holiday season into mid-January!

Grand Illumination of Downtown Denver

Denver City and County Building

One of the best displays in the country, Denver's City and County Building attracts sightseers beginning with the initial lighting tonight, November 23 through the closing of the Stock show in January 2013.

16th Street Mall

Why not enjoy a Handsome Cab ride to get into the holiday spirit while traveling the mile long pedestrian mall. 16th Street is illuminated with more than 460,000 LED lights and decorative snowflakes throughout the holiday season.

D&F Clock Tower

On the 16th Street Mall the D&F Clock Tower is a distinctive landmark adorned with lights and seasonal decorations. It makes a wonderful image for your holiday card, so don't forget your camera!

Union Station

Starting at 6 p.m. in front of Union Station on 17th Street there will be refreshments for the crowd! Cookies, cocoa and carols to be enjoyed while they light up the facade of our Cities' wonderful transportation hub. Rumor has it that Dinger Claus will be making an appearance too!

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Southwest Metro Denver Region Zip Code Real Estate Marketing Report - October 2012

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 22:39:56 -0800

Southwest Metro Denver Region Zip Codes[/caption] The neighborhoods found in this area include the following: Lakewood Denver West Littleton West Morrison Golden

Questions about your neighborhood? Need more specific data on your home for either purchase or to sell? Feel free to call for more in depth reporting. Kristal Kraft 720-279-4599 I welcome your call.

Request an Up-to-Date Market Report for your Metro Denver Neighborhood.

Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of October 2012. NOTE: this representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist may not reflect all real estate activity in the market content.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Southeast Metro Denver Region Zip Code Real Estate Marketing Report - October 2012

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 22:36:21 -0800

[caption i

SE Metro Denver Region Real Estate Report by Zip Code[/caption] Neighborhoods in the area include (but are not limited to): Englewood Littleton Greenwood Village or Denver Tech Center (DTC) Cherry Hills Village Southeast Aurora Parker Highlands Ranch Sedalia Castle Rock [caption id="attachment_4926" align="alignnone" width="500"]

Questions about your neighborhood? Need more specific data on your home for either purchase or to sell? Feel free to call for more in depth reporting. Kristal Kraft 720-279-4599 I welcome your call.

Request an Up-to-Date Market Report for your Metro Denver Neighborhood.

Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of October 2012. NOTE: this representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist may not reflect all real estate activity in the market content.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Real Estate Update NW Suburban Denver Region Zip Code ~ October 2012

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 22:33:58 -0800

Neighborhoods in this Northeast Suburban Area of the Denver Region include, (but are not limited to): Brighton Commerce City Henderson Northeast Aurora [caption id="attachment_4928" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Real Estate Market Report for the Zip Codes in NW Metro Denver[/caption]

Questions about your neighborhood? Need more specific data on your home for either purchase or to sell? Feel free to call for more in depth reporting. Kristal Kraft 720-279-4599 I welcome your call.

Request an Up-to-Date Market Report for your Metro Denver Neighborhood.

Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of October 2012. NOTE: this representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist may not reflect all real estate activity in the market content.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

NE Suburban Denver Market Report by Zip Code

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 22:31:53 -0800

Questions about your neighborhood? Need more specific data on your home for either purchase or to sell? Feel free to call for more in depth reporting. Kristal Kraft 720-279-4599 I welcome your call.

Request an Up-to-Date Market Report for your Metro Denver Neighborhood.

Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of October 2012. NOTE: this representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist may not reflect all real estate activity in the market content.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Real Estate Market Report for City & County of Denver - by Zip Code

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 22:29:24 -0800

The City and County of Denver Zip Code map includes both Downtown Denver homes, condos and townhomes for sale. In addition the City Close neighborhoods of Washington Park, Park Hill, Country Club, Hilltop, Southmoor Park, Congress Park, Cherry Creek, Berkeley, Highlands and many more.

Request an Up-to-Date Market Report for your Metro Denver Neighborhood.

Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of October 2012. NOTE: this representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist may not reflect all real estate activity in the market content.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Friends Don't Let Friends Do Business with Bank of America

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:11:30 -0700

Warning: This Post Has No Warm and Fuzzies Read at Your Own Risk!

Bank of America was once the "go-to" bank of choice for most lenders because they were efficient and easy to deal with. Bottom line they got the job done.

Those days have long past!

As a real estate broker I have nothing but unbelievable tales of woe, every time I have the misfortune of dealing with Bank of America. The system is laden with bureaucratic weight and nothing they do is based on common sense or in the best interest of the consumer.

Recently I had a buyer terminate a contract for a short sale she was purchasing after waiting over 5 months for an acceptance. She was a strong, well-qualified buyer purchasing a home that needed extensive work. At one point she was told her offer was accepted by Bank of America so she spent money having the home inspected. The inspector told us this was home was in the worst condition he had every seen. Still the buyer was fine with the condition of the home and wanted to proceed.

After waiting yet another month, we were told by the listing agent that Bank of American now wanted anther $3000 for the home. Plus he now had a cash offer from another buyer.

Does this sound like extortion? It did to me. My buyer wrote an offer in January. In April a Bank of America negotiator approved the sale at a price $500 less that what the buyer had offered. As soon as the listing agent figured out the mistake he said we couldn't have it for that price but we could have it for the price she offered.

Over a month later Bank of America now wants more money.

Who is in charge here? How can Bank of America make a deal then go back on it? What ever happened to integrity? Why don't they have to stick to their word?

Why? Because Bank of America Doesn't Know What They Are Doing.

My buyer was very bothered by this. She made an offer on this property, waited for approval when received she spent her money on inspections, knowing full well the house was being sold "as is." Yet now after tendering all the documentation required yet this meant nothing to Bank of America.

Frustrated, annoyed and dejected the buyer decided to move on with her plans. She terminated her contract. Over 5 months of frustration she said, "enough is enough."

Bank of America you received bail out money. Tax payer money, money that my little Grandchildren will be paying taxes on when they become productive citizens. Do you really feel this is the way to treat the taxpayers who support your business?

It has been said "The truth is stranger than fiction." When dealing with Bank of America I believe this to be true.

Have you had a bad experience with Bank of America? Tell me about it here...

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Denver Absorption Rate Favors the Seller!

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:26:36 -0700

If you are a home buyer in the Denver Metro area, you may be wondering why it is so hard to find a home to purchase. Or perhaps you are a home buyer who has made offer after ofter only to be outbid by others who want the same property as you do. The chart above shows the Denver Real Estate Market Absorption Rate for the past 5 years. Absorption rate is a way to measure the length of time it takes to sell a home, based on the current rate of sales. This measurement does not include any new homes coming on the market. It is a form a measurement that REALTORS use to estimate how long it will take to sell a home. April 2012 is represented in yellow, as you can note it is hardly visible on the above graph. Previous years and months dwarf last month! For the record April 2012 has an absorption rate of 12.44 weeks! That means if we keep selling homes at the current rate there will be no more left in 3 months! OK this form of measurement is by no means exact, but it does tell a story.

These Denver Real Estate Statistics tell us:

Competition is tough!
We are now in a SELLER's Market (over 6 months is considered a BUYER's market)
Homeowners wanting to sell can expect many showings and frequently multiple offers

What should a home buyer do?

Begin your home search prepared. Be PRE-APPROVED
He who snoozes loses. If you have to sleep on it someone else will be sleeping in it (not you!)
Do your homework. If you are competing don't play "let's make a deal"

What should a home owner do?

If you have been waiting to sell, your time may be now
Package your home to sell. Fix the items on the Honey Do List. Buyers still want a home in good condition.
Leave during showings. Visit the library, take a walk let the buyers "mentally move into your home".

Remember real estate is local. National news has little if any effect on our neighborhoods. For the most part Denver doesn't follow national trends. Thank goodness for that! When the rest of the country had an Appreciation Party we weren't invited. Since we didn't go to the party we didn't end up with the "hang-over!" Our values are and will get better. We are watching it now.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Good News for Denver Home Owners

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Mon, 28 May 2012 19:06:01 -0700

The news is out, the real estate market has changed. Why? There are a variety of reasons:

Housing Inventory is low, very low.
Interest rates are low, very low.
Buyers are confident, they want to buy.

Last month in April the Denver Real Estate sales exceeded the amount of properties that were put on the market by 71 units. The average sales price has increased $14,690 from March to $298,712. That is a $26,800 increase from a year ago. Metro Denver has become a HOT seller's market. If you are a seller this is good news. If you are a buyer, it's not going to get any better. Prices and eventually interest rates are going to rise. When prices and/or interest rates increase, home affordability is lessened. This means you get less of a house, while paying more. There is no better time to buy than now. Really. Each month we are seeing the "Days on Market" average drop. Currently it is less than 3 months.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Metro Denver Real Estate Market Statistics - December 2011

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:26:21 -0800

Denver Zip Code Real Estate Market Report

The Denver Metro real estate market statistics, are compiled each month. As typical in any real estate market statistics are best looked at when they are "local" meaning by neighborhood to neighborhood. The easiest way for us to track the Denver real estate market is by using a variety of methods to track the market. We consider the number of units, average price, average days on market, list to sold price ratio, number of weeks of inventory. All these figures aid us in determining if the market is improving, declining or staying the same. We also use these same forecasting tools to price your home. As in any market, it is the buyer and the seller who really determine the true value of a home sale. We use this data to predict what that value is most likely to be. Currently the Denver real estate market is dealing with the issue of inventory. Our inventory is 40% less than it was last year, and even last year that was low. Looking at the color coding on the band graphs below, You can easily see how each neighborhood is doing. Of course even this one must be careful not to jump to conclusions. One month's data is not enough to make a good decision for pricing your home. Remember Green is good, red is not so good. Unless of course you are a buyer and not a homeowner. Buyers will find better deals in the zip codes that are in the red zone. This of course is making the assumption that one is dealing with a motivated seller. Buyers, do not dispair over the lack of red zoned/buyer market zip codes in metro Denver. You have other things going for you, for instance interest rates are the lowest they have been since your Grand-father (or maybe great-grandfather) purchased a home. Buying at these rates is something to take advantage of right now. Waiting until later you may lose your buying power. Yes, rates and prices will go up. Our lack of inventory is the scarcity that makes the demand that increases the prices. An increase in price will cost you more too.

Note the color coded band that indicates what type of market each area is typically considered to be in. High inventory means an extreme BUYER’s market. A low inventory of homes available for sale indicates an Extreme Seller’s Market.

City and County of Denver Real Estate Market Report by Zip Code

Northeast Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Zip Code trends

The Northeast Region encompasses Aurora North, Brighton/Fort Lupton, Denver Northeast, East Suburban North, N Northeast Suburban, North Suburban Central and North /Suburban East, we are in a “normal Seller’s Market” with the exception of the N Northeast Suburban area which is experiencing a "balanced market".

Southeast Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Zip Code Trends

This band chart covers Aurora South, Denver Southeast, Douglas/Elbert/Parker, Douglas/Highlands Ranch/Lone Tree, East Suburban South, South Suburban Central, South Suburban East.

Southwest Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Zip Code Trends

The band chart of Southwest Metro Denver encompasses both close -in suburbs, the foothills and Mountain communities of Denver Southwest, Douglas County West, Jefferson South, Jefferson South Central, Mountain Conifer Pine, Mtn Evergreen North, Mountain Evergreen South and Mountain Jeffco Central.

Northwest Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Zip Code Trends

The Northwest Denver Region covers the communities in Broomfield, Denver Northwest, Downtown Denver, Jefferson Central, Jefferson North, Jefferson North Central, Jefferson West/Golden, Lafayette, Louisville, Mountain Jefferson North, N Northwest Suburban, North Suburban West and Superior.

Questions about your neighborhood? Need more specific data on your home for either purchase or to sell? Feel free to call for more in depth reporting. Kristal Kraft 720-279-4599 I welcome your call.

Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of December 2011. NOTE: this representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist may not reflect all real estate activity in the market content.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Metro Denver Real Estate Market Statistics - November 2011

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:34:02 -0800

Denver Real Estate Market Report

The Denver Metro real estate market statistics are in and the news continues to get better. Inventory of homes on the market is at the lowest since we can recall. Officially we have 36.36% less homes on the market than at the same time last year. The average sale price is down 1.96% from the same time last year. Considering how hard hit other parts of the country have been, this is good news for Metro Denver. We are selling homes, in fact depending upon which area we are selling at a rate of 20-26% of the inventory each month. Not all areas are experiencing this rate of sales. The mountain properties in Conifer, Bailey, Pine and Mountain Jefferson County continue to see 49+ weeks of inventory, making those areas an extreme buyer's market. Knowledge is power, knowing what the market is doing is the first step. The easily read band graphs provide the following information:

Number of Sold Properties in each MLS region
Number of Active Listings
Number of weeks of inventory
Average Sold Price
Average Days on Market (DOM)

Northeast Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate trends

Northeast Region of Suburban Denver continues to lead the areas in the highest ratio of solds per listings at 26%. This area also has the lowest average price of all the regions at $185.803. Buyers looking for a good value in their home purchase are finding deals here.

Southeast Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

This band chart covers Aurora South, Denver Southeast, Douglas/Elbert/Parker, Douglas/Highlands Ranch/Lone Tree, East Suburban South, South Suburban Central, South Suburban East.

The Southeast area is doing very good overall. The area is experiencing strong sales and holds the record for the highest average price in the region at $332,279. In November 21% of the available listings sold, 714 in all!

Southwest Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

Metro Denver Southwest area has seen improvement since last month. The mountain areas (with the exception of Mtn. Conifer, Pine and Mountain Jeffco Central) are all rising out of that red zone. More homes sold, but at a lower average price than last month. Typical of a soft market the sellers who must sell are making adjustments in price. The weeks of inventory is dropping, as is the average days on market (121 DOM). In November Southwest Metro Denver Region sold 20% of listings on the market at 448 units.

Northwest Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

This large quadrant covers the communities in Broomfield, Denver Northwest, Downtown Denver, Jefferson Central, Jefferson North, Jefferson North Central, Jefferson West/Golden, Lafayette, Louisville, Mountain Jefferson North, N Northwest Suburban, North Suburban West and Superior.

Northwest Metro Denver trends show a decrease in Days on Market over last month 100 to 91. 22% of the listings in this area sold in November for a total of 422. The mountain areas continue to see a high number of Days on Market.

Questions about your neighborhood? Need more specific data on your home for either purchase or to sell? Feel free to call for more in depth reporting. Kristal Kraft 720-279-4599 I welcome your call.

Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of November 2011. NOTE: this representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist may not reflect all real estate activity in the market content.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Winter Wonderland

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:31:29 -0800

In nearby Silverthorne, Colorado there is a Castle under-construction for the next few months. Many people are working on it day and night even though it is temporary. Right now when the temperature is cold the Castle grows, but in a few months when the warm wind blows the Castle will melt away.

What a wonderful sight this Castle is. Children and adults smile in appreciation of its wonder. The entire Castle is made only of ice. Ice and ice alone transforms into the shape of a magnificent site.

The Ice Castle is open daily. For more information please visit the Ice Castles Website. It's only 90 minutes from Metro Denver just off I-70 in Silverthorne. What a great place to visit this holiday season!

In the meantime, enjoy some of my photos taken last week.

Brian is associated with the Ice Castles. He demonstrated how the climb to the top. They wear spikes on their shoes, in fact he offered me the opportunity to use the spikes, but I declined.

They grow their own icicles on frames at ground level. Carefully the icicles are broken off and transported to the upper reaches of the castle. These icicles are then used as "rebar" to give a foundation to the growth of ice to come.

At night, lights are placed inside the tunnels of the castle. The light turns to a soft glow. The Twilight colors of the sunset also provide some wonderful colors against the ice.

Here you can see the beginnings of a wall. The process of adding the icicles to the level below, builds a new level. to the Castle. The process will continue through the winter months. By February the Castle should be 50-60 feet tall.

The star is actually a street light, shining through the Castle. By using F-22 on my camera, it formed a star.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Buying Your First Home

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:54:55 -0800

There has never been a better time to purchase a home. First time buyers are finding with the low interest rates and relatively low home prices, they can afford a much nicer home than they could in the past. If you are insure of the process, watch this tutorial on Buying Your First Home. It will answer your questions and perhaps encourage you to investigate the possibility of becoming a home owner.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Denver Real Estate Statistics & Market Trends by Zip Cod - October 2011

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:31:23 -0800

Denver Real Estate Market Report

The Berkshire Group REALTORS® present the latest real estate market statistics for the month of October, 2011. These easy to read band charts will give you a real estate market update for the various quadrants of the Metro Denver market. If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, please call us for a more in-depth market report for your neighborhood. Knowledge is power, knowing what the market is doing is the first step. The easily read band graphs provide the following information:

Number of Sold Properties in each MLS region
Number of Active Listings
Number of weeks of inventory
Average Sold Price
Average Days on Market (DOM)

Inventory at a Low Level

The Berkshire Group has been tracking Denver Real Estate Statistics since the company started in 2003. The current inventory has never been this low since we began. Another source stated our inventory is the lowest it has been since 2000.

What does this mean to you? If you are a seller, there is less competition. Less competition means your value should be higher, supply & demand will help your case, as long as your home is in good condition and made available to the consumer to see.

If you are a buyer, you may find less homes to look at. It is likely that when you find a really good home, you will need to act quickly or prepare to be disappointed when someone else beats you to it. Buyers need to be ready to buy, armed with a loan in place or nearly so. Buyers who believe they can "steal" a home by making low offers, may quickly learn this is not necessarily so. I'm referring to homes that are not distress sales, i.e. foreclosures and short sales.

Low Inventory, Season Not the Reason!

Many may try to make the case the inventory is lower due to the winter months approaching. Typically our inventory is low during this time, but at present the inventory is 35% lower than last year at the same time. Homeowners are staying put, waiting for the market to improve.

Northeast Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate trends

Northeast Suburban took all the records in the Denver Metro area last month. This area has the most affordable housing (average $161,115), with the least days on market (DOM 89) sold the highest percent of the listings at 26%. Buyers have obviously found the prices and the area to be very attractive and they are buying homes in Northeast Suburban of Metro Denver!

Southeast Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

This band chart covers Aurora South, Denver Southeast, Douglas/Elbert/Parker, Douglas/Highlands Ranch/Lone Tree, East Suburban South, South Suburban Central, South Suburban East.

The Southeast area continues to lead the Denver Metro region in Average Sale Price ($306,161). The DOM - Days on Market is 97, the area sold 21% of the listings last month. Good schools, close proximity to Downtown Denver, Denver Tech Center and Inverness Business Park make this area highly desirable.

Southwest Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

Metro Denver Southwest area continues to see improvement. The area sold 18% of the listings (lowest in the area, but for the area an improvement) and the DOM - days on market is right at 100. The area has the second highest average price in the area at $295,455.

Northwest Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

Northwest Metro Denver trends show an increase in Days on Market over last month 100 to 102. This area also saw 22% of their inventory sell last month.

Denver - City and County

Denver continues to be a popular place to purchase a home. The average DOM - days on market is a low 97 with overall average sale price of $266,175.

Questions about your neighborhood? Need more specific data on your home for either purchase or to sell? Feel free to call for more in depth reporting. Kristal Kraft 720-279-4599 I welcome your call.

Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of July 2011. NOTE: this representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist may not reflect all real estate activity in the market content.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Metro Denver Real Estate Market Report ~ September 2011

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:21:09 -0700

Denver Real Estate Market Report

The Berkshire Group REALTORS® are delighted to present the latest real estate market statistics for the month of September, 2011. These easy to read band charts will give you a real estate market update for the various quadrants of the Metro Denver market. If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, please call us for a more in-depth market report for your neighborhood. Knowledge is power, knowing what the market is doing is the first step. The easily read band graphs provide the following information:

Number of Sold Properties in each MLS region
Number of Active Listings
Number of weeks of inventory
Average Sold Price
Average Days on Market (DOM)

Northeast Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate trends

East Suburban North offers the best buy in the Northeast Region for buyers. At the present time all the other areas are leaning toward a seller's market. Aurora North still has the least expensive average sold price. Homes in North Suburban Central are selling with the least amount of Days of Market.

Southeast Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

This band chart covers Aurora South, Denver Southeast, Douglas/Elbert/Parker, Douglas/Highlands Ranch/Lone Tree, East Suburban South, South Suburban Central, South Suburban East.

The Southeast area is doing very good overall. The area is experiencing a very short absorption rate with average days on market lower than in any other Metro Denver area. Aurora South has the highest appreciation in the Southeast Denver market. It also has the lowest average price. There's something to be said for an area that has good prices and good schools. Homes are selling at an average of 89 days!

Southwest Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

Metro Denver Southwest area has seen improvement since last month. The mountain areas (with the exception of Mtn. Evergreen North and Mountain Jeffco Central) are all rising out of that red zone. More homes sold, but at a lower average price than last month. Typical of a soft market the sellers who must sell are making adjustments in price. The weeks of inventory is dropping, as is the average days on market.

Northwest Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

Northwest Metro Denver trends show an increase in Days on Market over last month 82 to 100. Mountain Jefferson North only had six sales for the month with an inventory of 57, which is an increase over 2 sales last month. Mountain Gilpin made the chart this month with four sales averaging 80 days on market. Congrats to them as they were absent last month from the chart.

Overall Area Winners

Denver Southeast has both the most inventory and the most sales with 1077 listings and 199 sold for the month of September 2011 Mountain Gilpin has the 104 weeks of inventory, which is the highest for the region. (good deals will be found here buyers!) Evergreen North comes in second with 62.98 weeks of inventory. Following third is Mountain Jeffco at 51.13 weeks of inventory. The areas with the least amount of inventory are Aurora North with 12.25 and Aurora South with 12.80 weeks of inventory. These areas are affordable thus the rush to purchase. If you are a home owner in Aurora who is considering selling your time is now! Price your home right, make it pretty and it will get snapped up quickly!

Questions about your neighborhood? Need more specific data on your home for either purchase or to sell? Feel free to call for more in depth reporting. Kristal Kraft 720-279-4599 I welcome your call.

Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of July 2011. NOTE: this representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist may not reflect all real estate activity in the market content.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Colorado Color

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:47:08 -0700

Living in Colorado comes with many benefits, one of my favorites is the access we have to the most beautiful scenery in the world! A short drive into the mountains one can find spectacular views in any direction. In the fall my favorite place is on the western slope of Colorado in the San Juan Mountains.

This year I took an extended weekend trip with 3 other ladies. We call ourselves The Pixel Chicks, because we share a passion for photography. It was an amazing 4 days of photo talk and finding the perfect shot.

We left Denver and headed west via Highway 285 to Buena Vista then caught Highway 50 to Gunnnison. Shortly there after we went south to Lake City. It was the first time I'd ever been to Lake City, what a great little town!

Our visit to Fall Creek was the first destination where I gingerly climbed jagged rocks while fully loaded with camera, tripod and gear. I stood at the edge to capture the best shot of the Falls. It wasn't an easy position to get to. There was a young man helping me navigate to a large flat rock nearest the edge. He had such a delightful accent, I asked him where he was from.

He said, "Ghanna."

I said, "you are a long way from home." "Yes" he replied, "8000 miles!"

"Welcome to Colorado" I said warmly.

"Thank you, there is a God." was his emotional reply.

Wow. How could I top that?

A few minutes later one of my secret wishes came true. Two cowboys were moving a herd of cattle across the range to a new location. I stopped to photograph them until they were finished. My favorite image was of them riding home with the yellow Aspen Trees in the back.

From Lake City we drove over Cinnamon Pass. To the uninformed this might seem like a "normal" route, but let me tell you it's not for the weak of heart! Cinnamon Pass is a 4-wheel drive road, made for high clearance vehicles only. I just bought a new car last month that qualified, well kind of it's all-wheel drive with high clearance. I was ready to test out my new car, because frankly I purchased this vehicle to do exactly what I was doing (in addition to showing homes to clients that is).

The rough road of Cinnamon Pass is 21 miles from Lake City to Ouray, how bad could it be? It was bad, but passable. The rocky road was described by my passenger Arina as being a "butt pucker!" She was a trouper, luckily for me because when the road got rough Arina jumped out to guide me over the boulders. Many times I couldn't see over the hood of the car, but she guided me well.

Cinnamon Pass treated us to wildlife. We saw Mountain Goats and Moose. While Mountain Goats are fairly common, Moose are not. Moose tend to live up high along streams. They are North America's largest animal and have no natural enemies.

Sadly my favorite zoom lens broke between the Cowboys and the Moose, so the only images I have of Bullwinkle are not all that close.

We reached the summit right at sundown. It was a good/bad thing because as we marveled in the beauty of the sunset, we worried about the trip down in the dark.

It was a long, treacherous ride but we were very careful. I missed a turn and didn't discover it until long past. I turned on my GPS and she kept telling us to "make a legal u-turn!" Since the road continued to improve, there wasn't a chance I would turn around to retrace our route, I knew what was behind me. Plowing forward was the better of two options.

Eventually we ended up in Silverton instead of Ouray. It's about 24 miles south of our destination, but once again we were on a paved highway!

I drove the paved road, also known as The Million Dollar Highway in the darkness. I knew the road well, it hugs the mountain on one side while the other side drops off to a seeminly bottomless pit, there are no guard rails, no street lights, just curves and darkness. I didn't mention this to my passenger nor to my friends following behind. I figured we would come back in the daytime to enjoy the marvelous Colorado scenery.

Day one of our trip was 16 hours of travel. We arrived at our hotel 9 p.m. in time to grab dinner and tuck in. The following three days we found more and more wonderful sights to photograph. I only took 1025 images over three days. It will be awhile before they are all processed, but in the meantime, enjoy the few in the slideshow!

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Real Estate Trends for Metro Denver - August 2011

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:31:44 -0700

Denver Real Estate Market Report

After my introduction of Band Graphs to the Denver real estate market last month, we decided to continue to report Metro area real estate statistics this way. So many people contacted me to say they really enjoy how easy it is to read them; all of a sudden all the numbers make sense! I agree. We have way too many numbers in our lives and anything that can be done to simplify this report is a good thing! Most buyers want to know they are doing the right thing when negotiating for a home. Armed with the proper information they can feel so much better about making the right offer. On the other side of the transaction, home sellers want to know why their home isn't selling as fast as they like and if they are priced in the market.

Knowledge is power, knowing what the market is doing is the first step.

As a word of caution, these statistics are for entire areas, which means they may or may not address the correct values on your street. For that you need more detailed information, so use these numbers as a guide. The easily read band graphs provide the following information:

Number of Sold Properties in each MLS region
Number of Active Listings
Number of weeks of inventory
Average Sold Price
Average Days on Market (DOM)

Northeast Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate trends

East Suburban North offers the best buy in the Northeast Region for buyers. At the present time all the other areas are leaning toward a seller's market. Aurora North has the least expensive average sold price. Homes in North Suburban Central are selling with the least amount of Days of Market, this is true for the ENTIRE Metro Denver market!

Southeast Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

This band chart covers Aurora South, Denver Southeast, Douglas/Elbert/Parker, Douglas/Highlands Ranch/Lone Tree, East Suburban South, South Suburban Central, South Suburban East.

This area is doing very good overall. The area is experiencing a very short absorption rate with average days on market lower than in any other Metro Denver area. Aurora South has the highest appreciation in the Southeast Denver market. It also has the lowest average price. There's something to be said for an area that has good prices and good schools. Homes are selling at an average of 90 days!

Southwest Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

Metro Denver Southwest area has seen improvement since last month. The mountain areas (with the exception of Mtn. Evergreen South) are all rising out of that red zone. More homes sold, but at a lower average price than last month. Typical of a soft market the sellers who must sell are making adjustments in price. The weeks of inventory is dropping, as is the average days on market.

Northwest Region ~ Metro Denver Real Estate Trends

Northwest Metro Denver trends show a drop in Days on Market over last month 96 to 82. Mountain Jefferson North only had two sales for the month with an inventory of 65, yikes! Funny, the two that sold averaged 35 Days on the Market. I bet they are wise and happy home sellers!

Questions about your neighborhood? Need more specific data on your home for either purchase or to sell? Feel free to call for more in depth reporting. Kristal Kraft 720-279-4599 I welcome your call.

Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of July 2011. NOTE: this representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist may not reflect all real estate activity in the market content.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Wind Energy in Colorado is Big Business!

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 23:22:42 -0700

The popularity of wind energy around the world is not new news. In Colorado we can see evidence of this as the tall turbines that dot the landscape of our high plains!

This morning I had a fun experience as we were out and about early to see turbine parts being transported by train.

Each blade took up TWO flatbed cars. The train must have been a mile long, for all I could see was turbine blade after blade!

It was amazing!

I don't often think of "how did this get there" when I see the turbine towers across the state. I do marvel at their size and really love the idea of using wind for energy. But now that I've witnessed these parts in transit, I have a new-found appreciation for how much this industry and science is impacting our country.

Enjoy my images, taken from the passenger seat of a almost speeding car!

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Many Smiling Faces at the AR Meetup!

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:28:50 -0700

In conjunction with Active Rain's week of Meetups across the country, we in Metro Denver gathered at Cool River on Thursday night. It was fun to meet new and old friends in real life.

We enjoyed catching up on news and discussing shop. Funny put more than two Realtors in a room and the conversation never stops!

We send our best wishes to Donna Foerster as she recovers in the hospital. Her husband Rich is working double time to keep business going and helping Donna on the road to good health again!

Other members in attendance were, Joan Cox (who really worked hard to get the word out! THANKS!), Belinda Spillman, Will Hamm, Karin Lundeen, Kerry Klun, Mike & Rebecca Henderson, Chris and Patty Clark.

We all agreed, we need to do this more often! Any takers?

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Balloon Classic Still Going Strong

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 23:12:03 -0700

The 34th Annual Balloon Classic is happening this weekend in Colorado Springs. This show is the largest Hot Air Balloon event in the state of Colorado.

Each morning over the Labor Day weekend (weather permitting) the balloons liftoff around 7 a.m. It's best to get there an hour or so early because this popular event actually begins before dawn.

There are activities and food concessions open in the morning and throughout the day. In the evening on both Saturday and Sunday, the balloon pilots light up the balloon on the ground for a Glow session. If you aren't an early riser, this is the event for you.

Admission to the park is free. Leave your pets (of all kinds home). Bring a jacket to keep warm, and gloves too! I so missed my fleece and mittens this morning as I waited for the sun to get high in the sky and warm my body! It was downright chilly!

Photographers love this event, when the balloon start to inflate we all jockey for the best position to capture the depth of the balloons and their marvelous colors.

It gets better when they inflate and start to rise in the sky. I feel like I'm standing in a forest of colorful balloons, then they lift-off leaving us earthbound and lonely!

This morning the sky was full of balloons heading in an unusual direction, to the north. Typically the balloons float to the south, taking a celebratory dip in the lake as they pass over.

Today mother nature sent the wind nw so the balloons followed.

Here are a few images from the event. I hope you enjoy them!

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Denver Colorado Meetup ~ Thursday, September 8

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:09:47 -0700

Save the Date!

It took a nudge from the Rain Gods, but nudge they did and now Denver will have a Meetup in honor of the Virtual Rain Camp happening that morning.

If you have never taken the time to come to a Meetup, now would be a good time to start! It's casual, fun and very rewarding to meet with your peers, in person.

Come, jump outside your normal routine and meet the folks you see online, in the flesh. You may discover you like networking the old fashioned way IRL!

Here's the scoop:

Thursday, September 8, 2011

4:30 - 6:30 ish

Cool River Cafe

8000 E. Bellevue Ave (east a couple blocks off I-25) FREE Parking! (take that Lodo!)

Greenwood Village, CO (Ok it's almost in Denver!)

If the weather is nice (high probability, this is Colorado after all!) we will try to grab the patio.

One more thing, I'd love to have a head count, please ping me if you plan to come. kristal.kraft@gmail.com

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Colorado Sunflowers

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:23:22 -0700

You can tell summer is almost over when the fields of Sunflowers are in full bloom. It's a lovely, but also sad time reminding us that the lazy days of summer are almost over.

I've been haunting a sunflower field due east of Denver. It's been a magical place that draws me in. I visited the first time when the sun was just setting. This came after I along with a car full of photographers had been driving around the eastern plains of Colorado searching for this nearly perfect setting. One of our group had found the "perfect" field the week before, but as flowers have a habit of doing, a week later they were no longer "perfect."

That first night the sun set way too fast. I wasn't able to capture the best of the field, so I returned the next day. My second visit was marked by a remarkable wind that set all the flowers to tilting sideways. Bummer. I wanted macro-close-up shots that required no motion.

I returned the very next morning before the sun came up. As the sun came up the western sky turned pink in front of the Rocky Mountains. I watched the shadow of the earth disappear as the sun shined on the furthest flowers first and finally the shadow disappeared entirely. My shadow remained long, almost annoying as I continued to try and capture images without my dark shadow in it!

That morning was magical in my sunflower field.

A few days later I returned after dropping my Daughter and Son-in-law off at the airport. The flowers were already fading. Still I hung out a bit, enjoying the company of my friends, the sunflowers.

They gave me so much joy.

I hope you enjoy them too.

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver

Colorado Welcomes the World to USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:43:14 -0700

August 22nd - 28th, 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

For the first time, Colorado will be host to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Race officials estimate this event will draw over one million spectators over the 7-day event. 128 professional cyclists will be enjoying the thrill of racing across the Highest State in the Union, Colorado! The Cyclists will be racing over 500 miles of Colorado terrain, though many towns and cities including; Aspen, Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, Denver, Gunnison, Salida, Steamboat Springs and Vail.

USA Pro Cycling Challenge Colorado's Largest Spectator Event in History!

Traffic will be impacted through the week. In addition to the race, spectators will be permitted to camp along the highway in order to see the races speed by. Spectators are required to follow a few simple rules (see below) but having a front row seat is going to be fabulous! I can hardly wait!

Official Release:
The Colorado State Patrol in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Transportation and the U.S. Forest Service is committed to making the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (August 22-28, 2011) a world class event for the race participants, citizens of Colorado and spectators. Therefore, in keeping with the bicycle racing tradition of spectator access, here are the guidelines for camping and roadside parking along Colorado State Highways: Parking and camping will be allowed along Colorado highway right of ways as long as it meets the following conditions: • Roadside parking/camping can be in place no more than 24 hours in advance of the time the race is expected to pass that location. • All vehicles, including trailers, must be parked off the traveled portion of the highway, this includes all shoulders, gore points, divided highway areas and access to private property. • All vehicles, including trailers, may not pose a safety risk to the motoring public regardless of parking or camping area. • All spectators will ensure their areas are clean of debris and trash after they leave. If the area becomes overwhelmed with vehicles, including trailers, or the number of vehicles in an area is deemed excessive, CDOT and CSP may clear the area and require vehicles to move to another location.
Summary of Traffic Impacts:
August 22/Day 1/Prologue in Colorado Springs: Highways impacted include I-25, US 24, and Business US 24. Impacts will begin at noon and end by approximately 4:30 p.m. August 23/Day 2/Stage 1 from Salida to Mount Crested Butte: Highways impacted include State Highway 114, State Highway 135, US 50, US 285, and Cottonwood Pass. Cottonwood Pass will be closed from August 23 at 3 p.m. until August 24 at approximately 1 p.m. Other impacts will begin at 9:45 a.m. and end by approximately 4:30 p.m. August 24/Day 3/Stage 2 from Gunnison to Aspen: Highways impacted include State Highway 82, US 24, Cottonwood Pass, and Independence Pass. Cottonwood Pass will be closed from August 23 at 3 p.m. until August 24 at approximately 1 p.m. Other impacts will start at 11 a.m. and will last until approximately 4 p.m. August 25/Day 4/Stage 3 Vail Time Trial: I-70 will be impacted from 11:30 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. August 26/Day 5/Stage 4 from Avon to Steamboat Springs: Highways impacted include I-70, State Highway 131, and US 6. Impacts will start at noon and end by approximately 4 p.m. August 27/Day 6/Stage 5 from Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge: Highways impacted include I-70, State Highway 9, State Highway 134, US 6, US 40, and Rabbit Ears Pass. Impacts start as early as 9 a.m. and will end by approximately 4 p.m. August 28/Day 7/Stage 6 from Golden to Denver: Highways impacted include I-25, I-70, I-70 Business (Colfax Ave.), State Highway 58, State Highway 93, State Highway 95 (Sheridan Blvd.), State Highway 121 (Wadsworth Blvd.), State Highway 391 (Kipling St.), and US 6. Impacts begin as early as 5 a.m. and will end by approximately 3 p.m. Visit USA PRO Cycling Challenge for road conditions in your area during the race. Spectator information is available at the USAPCC official website. CDOT would like to remind m otorists to obey road signs, Colorado State Patrol, and race officials!

Be sure to visit the Official site Store. I love the T-Shirts they really capture the spirit of the event! As one who enjoys the thrill of an earned descent (after a poky climb) this saying made me chuckle...

"60 Miles Per Hour 1 Inch of Rubber"

Colorado residents what better activity can you be doing next week than cheering on the best Cyclists in the World! Let's show up and give them the warm welcome they deserve!

Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

Denver Home Search	Highlands Ranch Home Search	Parker Home Search	Englewood Home Search
Littleton Home Search	Search Denver Foreclosures	Greenwood Village Home Search	Relocation to Metro Denver