The Get Home Denver Real Estate Blog

Get Home Denver Team Expands

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:14:28 -0600

With the addition of Joe Koslosky, the Get Home Denver Team continues to expand and increase the services offered to our clients. Joe brings over 15 years of experience in residential sales, land acquisition, and commercial development and leasing.

In addition to increasing our ability to service the residential real estate needs of our clientele, we now are pleased to be able to handle any commercial real estate needs as well!

If you, or anyone you know is looking to buy, sell or lease a commercial property, please allow us to be of service!

And, as it’s been for the last 18 years, we are NEVER TOO BUSY FOR YOUR RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE REFERRALS!

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4500 Colorado Mortgage Brokers Axed!

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:45:55 -0500

I recently wrote about the upcoming licensing problems many Colorado Mortgage Brokers would face. This article brought about a lively discussion about whether this was positive or not. I stand by my opinion this is a good thing, despite many great counter points brought up (You can read the story and comments here.)

It’s a moot point now. It’s done, and there will be significantly less competition for competent (and rules following) mortgage brokers in Colorado. If you are a consumer either looking to start the process, or currently waist deep in it, I would suggest you check and see if your mortgage broker is still licensed!

The following is from the Colorado’s Division of Real Estate.

****NEWS ALERT****

The Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 1085 in 2009. This bill became effective August 5th, 2009. House Bill 1085 defines circumstances in which the Director may inactivate a mortgage loan originator license if they have failed to comply with the education and testing requirements.

· As a result, the Director inactivated 4,560 licenses on August 31, 2009.

· Individuals whose licenses have been affected will receive an inactivation notice e-mail. THIS IS NOT THE INACTIVATION NOTICE E-MAIL.

· Individuals whose licenses are inactive are prohibited from practicing as a mortgage loan originator or in any other capacity which requires a license.

· Individuals who continue to practice with an inactive license are subject to all forms of discipline prescribed in the Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Act, including permanent revocation and fines.

· Direct managers of individuals with inactive licenses are also subject to disciplinary action if they allow such individuals to continue to practice.

· In order to reactivate a license, the individual must be compliant with all licensing provisions and are required to pay an administrative fee of $500.00, in the form of a money order or cashiers check pursuant to Director Rule 1-4-1, entitled Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Education.

· Individuals seeking reactivation shall complete the Mortgage Loan Originator Reactivation Form and provide proof of compliance, including but not limited to the surety bond, errors and omissions insurance, and completion of the education and testing requirements.

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Concerts at the Crescent in Greenwood Village Colorado

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:15:24 -0500

The 13th annual “Concerts at the Crescent” series is half over, but it's not to late to enjoy these free events. This weekly concert series is presented by the Goldsmith Metropolitan District, and feature 10 weeks of amazing outdoor performances by local bands.

The concerts all FREE, and located at the Crescent Amphitheater. Located in Greenwood Village, at the corner of Belleview Ave. and DTC Blvd. (Just east of Yia Yia’s Euro Cafe), this outdoor venue is a great place to spend an evening! To get there, take I-25 to Belleview Ave., Head east to DTC Blvd. (approx. 1 mile), turn right and follow the signs for FREE parking.

All shows start at 7:00pm and last approximately to 8:30pm. The amphitheater is grass seating, so bring a chair or blanket and most people bring a picnic dinner. Adult beverages are acceptable, and there are plenty of kids around, so bring the whole family! The music is diverse, but always fun and enjoyable. Pets are not invited, sorry!

Here is the remainder of this years lineup:

July 14 – Soul X – Mix of contemporary music from 2000 to today.
July 21 – Runnin’ Wild – Blues & Rock. Winners of “The Next Big Thing” battle of the bands in 2008.
July 28 – Tidal Wave – Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, Reggae…You get the picture.
August 4 – The Fab 4 – An amazing Beatles cover band!
August 11 - The Nacho Men!

All concerts are open to the public and parking is FREE also!

For a printable schedule, click here.

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A Letter From My Senator

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 22:04:12 -0500

I just got this email from US Senator Michael Bennet. Since it relates directly to the housing market, the local economy, and the $8000 tax credit for home purchases, I wanted to share it here.

Dear Fellow Coloradan,

We all know that the struggling economy has put enormous pressure on Colorado’s families and businesses. That’s why we passed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in February. This package will work to put our economy back on track, creating or saving 59,000 jobs in Colorado, making historic investments in education, and helping our state grow the new energy economy.

In addition, the ARRA includes an expanded $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit for 2009 home purchases that will help to put money back into the pockets of middle class families while giving a good boost to the economy. The details are simple: If you have purchased a home in the last year, or are considering buying a home in the next few months, there are several different ways you can receive this tax credit - even if you already filed your tax return for this year.

I want to be sure that you and all other Coloradans know how to take advantage of this new, expanded tax credit, so I am issuing a “First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Alert.” This fact sheet will be available in all of my regional offices and offers information on how to maximize use of this credit. I encourage you to read my “alert” and see if you can take advantage of this tax credit. In addition, you can use the links below for more key information on how to claim this credit.

Throughout the year, I will continue to update you on important developments in Washington. However, I would also like to hear from you. I see my job as taking your experiences and ideas to Washington. Please email me with any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Michael F. Bennet, Senator for Colorado

Member of Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs

View Michael Bennet’s ‘First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Alert’

View Information From The IRS on First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit for 2009

View Information From The IRS on First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit for 2008

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Go With the Flow!

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:58:39 -0500

If you ask buyers what they are looking for in a home, it’s almost guaranteed they will mention “good flow.” But, what exactly does that mean? If you have visited a model home lately, you probably noticed how floor plans have changed in the last decade or so. [...] Continue Reading…

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Making Homes Affordable

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:54:42 -0500

The Obama Administration unveiled the final details of its “Making Home Affordable Program,” which is designed to help up to 9 million American families refinance or modify their loans to a payment that is affordable now and into the future.

One of the initiatives in this program is aimed at [...] Continue Reading…

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HUD's New Regulations

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:51:53 -0500

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a new regulation designed to empower borrowers in the mortgage process. HUD has dictated a change in the good-faith estimate (GFE) form and the settlement form (HUD-1). These forms are part of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, a [...] Continue Reading…

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10 Free Activities Around Denver!

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:32:36 -0600

Here are 10 FREE things to do in and around the Denver area. Please make sure and call or check the organizations website to confirm dates and times for free admission. Enjoy!

United States Mint. Free daily from 8am-3pm. MAKE A RESERVATION! 320 W. Colfax Ave., Denver. 303.405.4761. http://www.usmint.gov
Denver Art Museum. FREE on the first Saturday of each month. 10am-5pm. http://denverartmuseum.org
Denver Botanic Gardens. FREE on the first Friday of each month. 9am-5pm. 720.865.3500. http://www.botanicgardens.org
Denver Museum of Nature and Science. FREE Days: Monday Feb. 2, Weds. March 18, Sunday April 19, Sunday May 31, Wed. June 10, Monday July 13, Wed August 12, Sunday Sept. 13, Sunday October 4, Monday Nov 2, Sunday Nov 22. 2001 Colorado Blvd, 303.322.7009. http://www.dmns.org.
Museum of Contemporary Art. First Saturday of each month admission is only 1 cent. 1275 19th St., Denver. 303.298.7554. http://www.mcartdenver.org
Children’s Museum. Free Admission first Tuesday evening of the month. 4-8pm. 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, Denver. http://www.cmdenver.org
Colorado Railroad Museum. Check the website for dates and times for free admission. 17155 W. 44th Ave., Golden. http://www.crrm.org
Bus Tour of the Golden Triangle / Art Museum District. First Friday of every month. 5-9pm. Ballet Arts Theatre, 816 Acoma St., Denver. 303.825.7570. http://www.pnfproductions.com
Broomfield World Music Series. Free concerts on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. 7pm. Broomfield Auditorium. 303.469.3301. http://www.broomfield.org
Firehouse Tales for Tots. Denver Firefighters Museum. First Wednesday of each month. 10-10:30am. For children ages 2-6. 1356 Tremont St., Denver. 303.892.1436.

photo credit: Thomas Hawk

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More Bailout Changes

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:26:22 -0600

The fed is finally trying to get some of the bailout money into programs that may benefit those most in need. I’m not sure if it will actually get there, but there seems to be a movement away from bailing out the banks, towards bailing out homeowners. This is a much needed policy change, as it could directly effect the number of foreclosed homes that hit the market.

Under the program, the Fed has a number of options to provide relief, including lowering the amount the homeowner owes on the mortgage, reducing the interest rate or lengthening the term of the loan.

It’s unclear how many homeowners would benefit. However, the relief plan would apply to the billions of dollars of mortgage assets the Fed is holding on its books because of last year’s bailouts of Bear Stearns and insurer American International Group.

In general, a borrower must be at least 60 days delinquent to qualify for help, although the Fed has leeway to make some exceptions. A 2008 law that set up the $700 billion bailout fund instructed the Fed to take such foreclosure relief action.

“The goal of the policy is to avoid preventable foreclosures on residential mortgage assets that are held, owned or controlled by a Federal Reserve Bank,” Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke wrote in a letter Tuesday to Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

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Save Energy, Get Rebate!

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:22:01 -0600

Xcel Energy provides electricity and natural gas to the majority of the Denver metropolitan area. The utility company recently announced four rebate programs for residential customers in an effort to decrease energy demand, thereby reducing their costs for production and transmission of electricity and natural gas. The energy efficient program rebates include:

Gas furnaces and boilers up to $120;
Gas water heaters up to $100;
Evaporative coolers (aka swamp coolers) up to $500;
Addition insulation to your home up to $300.

The size of the rebates varies and there are important dates and conditions to follow. Go to www.xcelenergy.com and look for the program details under Colorado and Residential>Programs & Resources>Heating & Cooling Rebates.

If you are thinking it is time to replace any energy systems in your home it is well worth your time and money to pursue energy efficient appliances and materials. The initial costs may be higher but the expense if typically recaptured in lower operating costs over the life of the appliance. There are also Federal Tax Credits available to homeowners for specific energy efficient improvements to your home. Please contact The Get Home Denver Team for additional information on residential energy efficient rebates and tax credits.

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Golf In Colorado - An Economic Powerhouse

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:33:27 -0600

As most of the readers of these pages know, I am passionate about the game of golf. What better time to write this, than a 60 degree, December day? I am going to be writing more about golf and it’s impact on the local real estate markets, and Colorado’s economy.

From the CGC Website

It was recently announced that the Colorado Golf Club would be home to the 2010 Senior PGA Championship. This coming on the heels of the 2008 Senior Championship being played only an hour away, at the Broadmoor, in Colorado Springs. For the PGA to, so quickly, bring back a Major Championship to Colorado, is a remarkable achievement for a club less than three years old!

However, this is no ordinary club. Designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, this is a monster course that will test the best players in the world. I’ve played the course three times (Never from the tips) and it gives you 7500 +/- yards of enjoyment! It is certainly in the top 2 or 3 courses I’ve ever played. My first experience at the CGC was me saying, “That was a great golf hole!” repeated 18 times. My subsequent rounds left me wondering why I couldn’t reach some of the long par 4’s in regulation, and thinking I really need to take a putting lesson. I’ll check my pride at the door next time, and move up a tee box or two. The championship tees are definately for those who earn a living by whacking a litte white ball. Mike McGetrick, the event’s championship chairman, and Director of Golf at CGC, said in the understatement of year:

“This is an opportunity to see legendary players on an exciting and challenging golf course”

The event is scheduled to be held May 24-30, 2010. It is expected to draw more than 100,000 fans, media, and volunteers during the week long tournament. The economic impact of such an event is in the tens of millions of dollars!

View Map Here!

The Colorado Golf Club is also a place that high end homebuyer’s should consider. Located South East of Denver, in Parker, Colorado, the area will be have a scant 170 homes, set on over 1700 acres. There are 1300 acres of protected open space and over 10 miles of trails within the community.

Those looking to purchase a property here should plan on spending 7 figures, but the setting is spectacular, and the amenities unmatched.

Feel free to contact us for more information on Real Estate opportunities at the Colorado Golf Club.

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Denver Area Holiday Light Shows!

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:24:24 -0600

There are many opportunites to see light show around the Denver Area. Here are some of our favorites!

Symphony in Lights - 6pm to 9pm on the hour, through December 31st. Located at The Shops at Northfield Stapleton, 8430 Northfield Blvd., in Denver. There are more than 250,000 LED lights choreographed to the sounds of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Call 303.375.5475 for more information, and check out the video below.

Click here to see the other Denver area Lighting Shows!

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Refinance Now or Roll the Dice?

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:09:08 -0600

With 30 year fixed rate loans hovering around 5%, is this the time to pull the trigger on a re-finance of your mortgage?

There are two groups of qualified borrowers who should look at refinancing?

Those who have fixed-rate mortgages above 6%.
Those who have adjustable-rate mortgages and want the security of a fixed-rate loan. With Fixed-rate loans, you will not have to worry about future rate increases. In today’s economic climate, people want the secure feeling of having a stable mortgage payment that comes with a fixed-rate loan.

With Fixed-rate loans, you will not have to worry about future rate increases. In today’s economic climate, people want the secure feeling of having a stable mortgage payment that comes with a fixed-rate loan.

There is no better time to get out from under your adjustable loans and high-rate seconds, which means lower interest rates and lower payments [...] Continue Reading…

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Image Credit woodleywonderworks via Flickr

Investment Hot Spot in Denver

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:36:24 -0600

For almost a year, the Get Home Denver Team has been advising our investor clients to get into the game. While the rest of the country has been experiencing the massive devaluation of real estate, the Denver Market has (In my opinion) neared bottom, and has stabalized substantially over the past 12 months. In fact, pockets of the Denver area are no longer dropping in value, but actually holding value, or even seeing slight appreciation. For the past year, our favorite investment play has been the Fitzsimons Redevelopment area. The redevelopment is a 578 acre project that creates a common workplace for both Private Bioscience companies and the clinical endeavors of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and the Denver Children's Hospital. Once complete the area will be home to:

University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus
University of Colorado Hospital
The Children's Hospital
Colorado Science and Technology Park at Fitzsimons
US Veterans Health Administration Hospital
Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home
Commercial trade and services establishments, along with some limited scale multi-family residential development.

The on-site employment currently is approximately 16,000 and is projected to be over 43,000 by the time the development is complete. In 10 years it is anticipated the economic contribution of the project will be

$3.3 billion in annual operating expenditures
More than 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students at the UC Denver facility, not including medical residents and fellows. (Hint: These folks will all need somewhere to live!)
23,100 jobs based on-site, supporting another 28,100 elsewhere in the Denver Metro Area.
Nearly $2.1 billion in employee income annually!

I could go on, but you can see this is a big deal!

Click Here to See a Map of the Area!

Now, why we think this area is ripe for real estate investment.

1. Location, Location, Location. The location is not only walking distance from the Fitzsimons project, it is also adjacent to the hugely successful Stapleton Airport Redevelopment area. Stapleton has been one of the largest and most successful infill development projects in the country. This strength rubs off on the surrounding area, and makes people want to be a part of this community. If they can't afford the Stapleton community they look to the surrounding area, which this is a part of. Here are some fact about the Stapleton area. The fact that Stapleton held ground, while the Denver Market in general dropped over 15% during the same time period, speaks to it's strength.

In 2006, 215 Properties were sold
- Average Sales Price = $430,000
- Avg. Price per Sq. Ft. = $214/ft
In 2008, 285 Properties were sold
- Average Sales Price = $432,000
- Avg. Price per Sq. Ft. = $211/ft

2. Price Point. The price point of these homes is less than $100,000! In combination with the rental rates, there is huge cash flow potential! These are post WWII homes that are a perfect match for the entry level homebuyer, (always a strong exit strategy,) as well as, those looking to rent a home.

3. Rental Desireability. Homes in this area rent for between $700-$1100 per month. Rental Rate is influenced by number of bedrooms and baths, as well as, basements, garages and conditions. It is my opinion the already brisk rental market, will only get hotter as the demand for housing is pushed by more Med Students, Hospital Workers, and those with a desire to be near the amenities at Stapleton.

4. Appreciation Potential. The appreciation play here is phenomenal! The price of these homes has been hammered over the past 2-3 years as a large number of foreclosures have effected this entry level neighborhood. Homes that sold for $130k-$175k a couple of years ago, are being sold for $50k-$80 today. We sold a number of places early in 2008 for $50k, and today, it takes closer to $65k-$70 for the same property! This area has shown appreciation in 2008, and we think will continue to do so. Here is a look at some of the numbers.

In 2006, 517 homes were sold
- Average Sales Price = $119,000
- Average Price per Sq. Ft. = $117/ft
In 2008, 743 homes were sold
- Average Sales Price = $81,000
- Average Price per Sq. Ft. = $79/ft

Conclusion My team and I believe the Fitzsimons area to be the #1 investment play for residential real estate in the Denver Area. Our opinion is that this is NOT a Fix n Flip investment, but rather a buy and hold, income producing play. Please feel free to contact us for more information, access to our Hot Investment Home database, or if you would like to access any of our other Real Estate Investor tools.

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Denver and Colorado Photos

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:31:18 -0600

Those of us who live in Colorado are fortunate and are able to enjoy one of the most beautiful areas in the world!

I've been collecting photos from around the web (Licensed, and not STOLEN!) for visitors to my site. Many photos are from my cell phone during everyday travels, but most are from much better photographers than I.

With winter almost upon us, and the Colorado Ski Areas, getting ready to open, I thought I'd share some great mountain photos this week!

Click here and Enjoy!

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Parker Road & Arapahoe Road Interchange

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:12:21 -0600

Anyone using Arapahoe Rd. that must cross the Parker Rd. intersection knows what a nightmare this traffic fiasco can be. During the extended “Rush Hours” traffic can back up for miles for those trying to cross Parker Road.

The good news is there is a plan in place to fix the problem! The Arapahoe Road - Parker Road interchange is scheduled for the following improvements.

Parker Road will pass over Arapahe Road
Loop Ramp to serve Eastbound Arapahoe Road to Northbound Parker Road
Two-way “Ring” Road in the southeast quadrant of the interchange
Already completed North portion of “Ring” Road
Soundwall along Parker Road

The Soundwall is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008. The remainder of the “Ring” Road is scheduled for completion in the Summer of 2009.

Currently, $29.7 million in funding is earmarked for the interchange project. This will allow for all the design, phased improvements, and right of way acquisition. Unfortunately, the remainder of the construction will only occur when funding is available.

This means the fly-over piece is in need of funds! I will continue to follow this project and update the blog when new details are available.

This project is key for those living on the east side of Parker Road. The increased traffic flow will certainly raise the desirability of the 1000’s of homes in this area. Additionally, this improvement of will certainly have a positive impact on the housing values.

The Parker Road Corridor Project features many other improvements. I will will write about these later this week, so stay tuned! You may want to subscribe to this blog so you don’t miss any updates!

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Are You Selling a Lifestyle?

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:21:35 -0500

Another great post from Elaine Manes on Staging your Denver Metro Area Home to SELL!

When you put your home on the market, you are selling more than the physical structure. Think of it as selling a lifestyle. This is why preparing your home is so important. As buyers walk through your home, they are trying to imagine themselves living there. A savvy seller will help them along the way!

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

One of the ways is to set the dining room table. The china doesn’t come with the house, so why would you do it? Because buyers want to believe that if they buy your home they will finally be able to have those fabulous dinner parties they’ve been dreaming about. You are not trying to deceive buyers; you are just providing a visual to stimulate their imagination.

What do cluttered bathrooms bring to mind? A family rushing in the morning to get ready for work and school? Countertops empty of everything but a shine, reflect a relaxed atmosphere, in addition to an overabundance of storage. A strategically placed wine glass and book by the tub conjures up a vision of long bubble baths, something most buyers would find very appealing.

Don’t overlook the kitchen, which is one of the most important rooms to buyers. Make sure all clutter is put away. Place a cookbook on the counter, with it opened to a photo of a delectable dish. Buyers imagine a lifestyle of gourmet meals, instead of hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.

It’s very important to keep toys picked up, fingerprints cleaned off walls, and any other sign that says if you buy this home, your kids will go wild. A children’s book...[read the rest of the post here!]

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Denver Inventory Drops 20%

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:13:49 -0500

The number of homes on the market, in the Denver, area plunged by 20 percent in August from a year earlier, the largest percentage drop in five years.

According to data from Metrolist, there were 24,648 unsold homes on the market last month, compared with 30,827 in August 2007.

This is very good news and reflects what we’ve been seeing also. Home choices are not what they were 6 months ago. However, there are still many options for those looking to buy right now.

Year to Year pricing is way down for August. Both the median and average prices of single-family homes sold last month showed double-digit percentage drops.

The average price of a single-family home was $284,531, down nearly 14 percent from $329,783 in August 2007. And the median price of a single-family home was $225,000, down nearly 13 percent from $257,500 in August 2007.

This data is skewed slightly as it takes the entire Denver Metro area into consideration. There are many parts of town where both average and median prices have actually gone up in the past year. Additionally, from June to August of this year, prices have been on the rise.

This is another indicator that the market is at, or near bottom. Contact us if you have any questions, or would like further information.

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New Market Research Available

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:09:58 -0500

We are proud to announce the addition of a Market Research page added to the Get Home Denver Team's site! We have a number of graphs that will update dynamically showing many of the best market indicators.

As always, we strive to provide the best and most up to date info for those looking to make a move in or around the Denver area.

Click here to see for yourself!

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The Big Black Box

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:34:03 -0500

(This is a re-post from the Get Home Denver Team Blog. Written by Elaine Manes)

Let’s face it, we love our television sets. In my staging career, this has been proven to me numerous times. I come into a home to make recommendations to make it show better, and clients seem so willing to add or remove whatever I suggest. Except the TV, that is. And, whatever they sit on to watch TV.

In recent years, televisions have certainly become more streamlined. Flat panel styles are much less intrusive than the large screen projection ones, or “the big black boxes”, as we stagers like to call them. But, I would guess that only about 20% of the homes I visit have made the switch to flat panels. That leaves a whole lot of family rooms whose main feature is the overly-large TV. In homes where all the furniture is aimed at the TV, it may cause buyers to overlook the features which are a part of the home. Buyers should be directed to that fabulous fireplace, or the incredible floor to ceiling windows.

Another distraction for buyers is the number of TVs in some homes. I had clients who had a TV in every room, including the dining room. Fortunately, we worked out a compromise, and they removed all but two. And, the big black box that swallowed up most of their small living room? It was one they agreed to remove, and it opened up the space to reveal a very nice sized room, which buyers appreciated, and the home sold quickly.

It’s never easy to have your home on the market. But, taking the steps necessary to get it sold quickly, means the inconvenience won’t last long, and the sooner you and your TV can be together again!

The Foreclosure Cycle

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:25:55 -0500

This video is very informative and explains the reasons for real estate market corrections. It also gives an historical perspective of where we’ve been, and the inevitable result of any downturn. A big shout-out and Thank You to Ted Mackel and the Homebuysblog from Simi Valley, for finding this gem!

Explaining the market is much easier than Timing the market. Timing is a much harder thing to predict. We believe the Denver Real Estate market is at, or very near the bottom. Read some of our previous articles, or better yet subscribe to our feed. You will then always be on top of the important statistics that will help you make up your own mind.

We always love to hear what you think! What are your predictions for the Denver Market? If you are thinking of a home purchase, or sale, when do you think it will be the right time to pull the trigger? What factors do you look at when making this decision? Etc…..

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Colorado is Good for High-Tech!

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:14:35 -0500

Colorado maintained its slot as the 3rd leading state for it’s ability to sustain high-tech industry. According to Milken Institute’s 2008 State Technology and Science Index, Colorado maintained it’s spot at number 3 in the country. Massachusetts and Maryland ranked 1 & 2, while California dropped to number 4.

The index utilizes 77 indicators categorized into 5 components:

Tech Strength in research and development
Entrepreneurial Activity
Education
Concentration of Scientists and Engineers
Prominence of the Tech Sector in the overall community

Colorado ranked in the Top 5 states in ALL 5 categories!

The strength of Colorado in the Tech Sector has helped diversify our economy from an Energy only powerhouse. This diversity will help the State avoid the wild ups and downs in the housing market that have been prevelant over the past 40 years.

Just another reason that the Denver area is a great Real Estate Investment!

photo credit: zanimo

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Greenwood Village Arts Festival this Weekend!

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:34:27 -0500

September 5, 6, & 7, 2008 will be the dates for the 2nd Annual Greenwood Village Arts Festival.

Enjoy the atmosphere of a street fair with local merchants. Featuring Antiques, Food, Local Retailers, Salons, and Local Artists! This years Greenwood Village Arts Festival is in a NEW LOCATION.

Cherry Hills Marketplace
5910 S. University Blvd.
Greenwood Village, CO 80121

View Larger Map

Friday the 5th: Noon-6PM
Saturday the 6th: 10AM-6PM
Sunday the 7th: 1PM-6PM

So if you are looking for something to do this weekend, Have at it!

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Dealing with Short Sales and Foreclosures

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:15:10 -0500

I saw this video, laughed out loud, and immediately though that this is what I feel like dealing with the incompetence among the countries big lenders. Stonewalled and ran around, day after day, their actions and attitudes communicate an overwhelming aire of indifference! [Read examples from previous posts here and here ] If you are considering the purchase of a foreclosure or short sale, please bring your patience. It will be needed, I promise! If you are an exec at one of these mortgage companines, Please get your act together and try and make the process easier for everyone (it will become more profitable for you!) Plus, my head hurts!

Denver Real Estate Ranked Number 1 in Latest Study

Bob Schenkenberger - Denver Real Estate (Colorado Realty Professionals) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:09:58 -0500

The latest results from the Case-Shiller Home price indices show that Denver is the TOP PERFORMING area of the 20 cities studied. The Denver Housing market showed a 1.5 percent gain, from May to June, to lead the way!

The Rocky Mountain News reported,

The Denver area showed a 1.5 percent gain in that period. Boston, with a 1.2 percent increase, was the only other metropolitan area to show an increase.

The average percentage change in that one-month period was a loss of 0.5 percent for all 20 cities, and a loss of 0.6 percent for 10 of them.

Denver and Boston have shown three consecutive months of positive returns.

To view the full RMN article, click here.

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