denver: What are your odds of selling?
- 11/16/06 12:31 AM
Pricing Your Home to Sell...Since the real estate market seems to be getting slow on many fronts, now more than ever it is important price a property right. Sellers need to have a clear picture of the market and what the competition is selling at (or not!). Graphic illustrations of the market on a Competitive Price Line Sheet, is extremely helpful. How can a listing agent go about graphically showing the seller where the list price should be? We use a very simple tool to do this. See Illustration to the left... As you are compiling your Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) take the … (34 comments)
denver: Citywide wireless networks...would you give up your wireless and trust the city????
- 11/11/06 02:14 PM
For 10 cities in the Denver metro area this spring should mean a brand new citywide wireless network will be in place. In a go-around a law effort the Colorado Wireless Communities is getting closer to signing a contract with a provider. The go-around is due to a 2005 law the state legislature passed last year prohibiting city governments from building their own wireless networks for the citizens. Backed by (oh what a surprise) Comcast and Qwest, the law passed. In the end the law just prevents cities from using tax dollars to build the wireless networks. On one hand I feel a … (13 comments)
denver: Denver Real Estate...are you ready to purchase a home?
- 11/10/06 03:17 PM
The Best Time to Buy is Now! The real estate market in the Denver metro region has 31,000 homes and condos on the market. It could never be a better time to purchase a home, interest rates are low and there are many homes from which to choose. Learn so you understand the process of buying a homeA home purchase is not an event to take lightly. The best way to go about learning how to purchase is to take some time to study the process of buying a home. Online you are able to begin your research by reading. As you filter … (7 comments)
denver: High Altitude Cooking ~ Information for Newcomers to Colorado
- 11/10/06 02:37 PM
Information for Newcomers to Colorado Newcomers to Colorado high country often feel the effects of the altitude in their lungs. Running up a flight of stairs will leave even the fittest wheezing for a breath. It takes a few weeks, but most people will get used to it, so don't despair, it happens to the best of us. The elevation also has strange effects on cooking. Water boils at a lower temperature, so when boiling potatoes, it will appear they should be done cooking much sooner. They won't cook faster, the cook must learn to allow a longer time for anything that requires cooking … (13 comments)
denver: RSS Feed for Blackmail...oh no!
- 11/06/06 11:38 AM
Last week I blogged about the Blackmail boxes in Denver. In case you missed it, the mailboxes are actually art. Since they are located at Denver's Riverfront Park my blog got picked up by someone who subscribes to "Riverfront Park" I use Google to track my name. Today I got my report, it shocked me then cracked me up...see for yourself: Riverfront Park ... someone will find out” “I have evidence of your secret life” “I’ll send the negatives to the police if you don’t send money" Kristal Kraft. ... http://www.riverfrontpark.com/index.php/rfp/rss_2.0/ - Rank 33 - So please tell me, what does the constitution … (18 comments)
denver: Beaking into Your Consumer's Finances...
- 11/02/06 03:36 PM
The response to my blog on Foreclosure the public perception had a lot of very good comments today. I am amazed at how many new ideas came out of that blog. One I would like to discuss is this; As a Realtor, how far should be be checking into a consumer's finances? Years ago, the person asking that question would have been laughed right out of the real estate office. Back then it was a typical practice to interview and qualify the buyers, just before you hopped into the car. Things were much simpler than. We had 2 page contracts, cheaper … (14 comments)
denver: Getting ready to sell your home? Use the “ounce of prevention” technique…
- 10/26/06 05:04 AM
Real Estate contracts are most likely to fail over inspection issues. There is a way to prevent this occurrence, it will cost you a few dollars up front, but in the long run, save you time, money and could be the difference between a deal or no deal! Get your home pre-inspected by a professional inspector. Hire a pro to tell you what he would find on a normal buyer inspection. Prepare your home to be sold in tip top condition and you will prevent future surprises that could kill the deal. Seller's ask, "What happens if the inspector finds something?" Good question! My … (16 comments)
denver: Urban migration...
- 10/19/06 02:36 PM
Across the country we are experiencing a migration of people moving back to the city. The urban "sprawl" has run it's course, folks who so desperately wanted to live in the country are now reversing their decisions and returning to the city. Why? Long commutes, gas prices and the feeling of dis-connectivity all attribute to the growth our our urban villages. Distance and expense are obvious factors, but the not so obvious is our society's desire to be connected again. The pendulum has swung as far as it could now we are on the back swing, back to the city. Lucky for us the … (14 comments)
denver: Denver Welcomes the Urban Land Institute Conference
- 10/17/06 11:33 PM
More than 6000 of the world's leading developers, architects, planners and others are attending a conference in Downtown Denver through this week. These leaders focus on developing with smart growth and transit oriented, sustainable neighborhoods. Timing is everything. In this arena, Denver is offering a tour of the new FasTracks transportation plan. Some of the attendees will be offered a tour on the new, not yet open to the public, Light Rail. Boarding from the Convention Center the Light Rail will follow the new tracks to Lone Tree, the Goburb at the end of the rails. Denver aims to impress! Speakers at the … (0 comments)
denver: Culture Clash
- 10/17/06 02:52 PM
Have you ever noticed how differently people live in a home? Some people take immense pride in how their home looks and spend their spare time keeping it clean, neat and tidy. They never let a blade of grass grow out of place and fix things before they have too. Conscientious folks like this make our jobs so much easier. On the other side of the coin are the folks that haven't got a clue what preventive maintenance is. If they fixed the dishwasher back in 1965, that they consider is "new". Their furnaces usually are still cranking out heat filtered (or not) … (8 comments)
denver: Branding doesn't hurt!
- 10/15/06 04:34 PM
Talk about branding is everywhere. Branding can be a complicated and simple as a Nike Swoosh, recognizable in sound as your PC booting up to play the Microsoft chimes. OK, but these examples are of big companies with marketing departments and huge budgets. What can we, as real estate industry professionals can do to become a brand? Using Available toolsI'd like to dispel the myth that you need a BIG budget to create a brand. Blogging here on Active Rain costs how much? OK it takes time, some thought and a certain amount of skill to click the keyboard. True. But … (24 comments)
denver: Rookie mistakes and other blunders...
- 10/14/06 02:47 PM
New people sometimes fall prey to foolish blunders when beginning in the real estate business. They tend to be looking everywhere for The Answers. Rookies and even more seasoned people seem to expect there is an EASY ANSWER to having success in real estate. This is true in the industry as a whole, not just Realtors. Training classes are good, but going from one to another following the Flavor Trainer of the Month is not going to solve any problems or make money. A word from the wise, find a trainer or real estate theory that incorporates The Basics. It should be … (9 comments)
denver: The Big Shakedown....NOT!
- 10/12/06 03:32 PM
An agent in my office has been diligently working with a gentleman who is relocating here with a large company. Although they have not met, the agent has developed a very good rapport. This coming week they will meet to start the actual home search. The customer (who is not yet a client) received a telephone call from a THIRD PARTY Company, wanting to set him up with an agent. He politely told them he already had an agent and would not be needing their services. The Third Party Representative (who shall now be known as TPR) said, "Great! Is your agent … (40 comments)
denver: Foreclosure Hotline...need help...call now.
- 10/12/06 03:19 AM
Denver Colorado Real Estate Issues Facing Foreclosure in Colorado?...Call for help Colorado launched a Foreclosure Hotline this week. It's purpose is to assist people who are delinquent on the mortgages. Counselors will act as intermediaries between homeowners and lenders, to work out a game plan, help organize finances, avoid scams, reduce potential liability and possible sell or keep the home. If you are delinquent on your mortgage payments, please call for help. The number is 1-877-601-HOPE (4673). Irony in action The Foreclosure Hotline is expected to cost $300,000- $500,000 over the next two years. It is being funded in part, by the Division of Housing. Additionally the Attorney … (19 comments)
denver: Our Field Trip...
- 10/10/06 03:52 PM
The broker at my company believes in knowing all about the area we serve. From time to time we get to go on a field trip to learn more. As agents, we enjoy our little trips out into the field. Today we visited the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, aka DCPA. What many don't know about Denver is the town's wonderful appreciation for the arts. This year the renovation of the Opera House was complete. We got to tour this wonderful facility, even venturing back stage into the "stars" dressing rooms! The Ellie Caulkins Opera House is among the top Opera … (5 comments)
denver: Building a Business .... in my own backyard.
- 10/10/06 01:20 AM
Jeff Belonger asked a very good question on his blog this morning. Jeff is a lender who was wondering if us Realtors will refer to a lender out of state. My response to him was among the first from a Realtor and the answer we negative. Why? It's not because I don't like Jeff or Brian or Nima or Joshua or the other hundreds of lenders networking here on AR. I DO like them. They are a great part of our community, I learn from them and certainly do appreciate having their input here. The reality is, I am a very loyal … (35 comments)
denver: Carpetbaggers are on the loose...lookout for dirty deals
- 10/06/06 04:00 PM
When times get rough, some people get creative. Not creative in a GOOD way. As we all know loan fraud is running rampant these days. Homeowners expecting and needing to sell homes are anxious and frustrated. Investors (aka Carpetbaggers) are coming in offering them outrageous prices in return for a fraudulent scheme. In today's Rocky Mountain News an interesting quote relating to mortgage and appraisal fraud: "We have been seeing many more homes on the market, and average prices (in most months) are going up, which does not make any economic sense," Mygatt said. Two days ago, a Coldwell Banker broker severed a listing … (19 comments)
denver: Colorado Home Values
- 10/06/06 12:56 AM
COLORADO HOME VALUES Over the past 15 years Colorado Home values have climbed at a higher pace than the national average. These numbers are according to the U.S. Census Bureau report released this past week. Over the past 5 years, Colorado has lagged in median home value as compared to the national average. Looking at values from 1990 forward Colorado has in fact outpaced the national average. The State with the highest median value is California, at $477,700. Colorado comes up #13 with a median value of $223,300. Other states with higher median values are Hawaii, The Distict of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nevada, Rhode … (12 comments)
denver: Big Blue Bear
- 10/05/06 03:38 PM
Denver Real Estate Highlights the Colorado Convention Center Denver opened the new Colorado Convention Center this year. It's a beautiful and very practical Convention Center located downtown, just off the Light Rail. Outside the Convention Center is a wonderful great BIG blue bear, peering in the window. I always like to take my relocation clients downtown to show them around. This is one of my favorite places to show off! The bear looks very friendly to me. I had a client think it was very scary, but she had just watched "King Kong" with her son, so with that in mind, I can understand … (17 comments)
denver: Learning the Ropes
- 10/04/06 04:52 PM
Denver Real Estate Advice for Learning how to Learn! Between real estate and technology there seems to always be something to learn. I remember on more than one occasion when I sat in front of a computer trying to figure out what the heck I was doing wrong. Over and over I would try something only to find whatever I was trying to do was escaping me. Today, I was sitting at the computer when I noticed a new comment on an old blog I wrote. The comment was from Candi Kinney who was having trouble linking. Reflecting back to my past frustrations, … (19 comments)
Soapbox musings for and about Denver relocation and real estate.
Author Bio: Kristal Kraft is a Colorado Real Estate Broker specializing in relocation to and from the Denver Metro area. She is an amateur photographer, cyclist, golfer and enjoys traveling just for the fun of it!
Pricing Your Home to Sell...Since the real estate market seems to be getting slow on many fronts, now more than ever it is important price a property right. Sellers need to have a clear picture of the market and what the competition is selling at (or not!). Graphic illustrations of the market on a Competitive Price Line Sheet, is extremely helpful.
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