Happy Easter to all my ActiveRain friends!      Sure SEEMS like Spring is around the corner, as this coming week should be warmer.   It could be snowing still....   Even the wind has calmed down!  The annual Easter Service at Red Rocks was held, and always a crowd pleaser.   This service is usually packed, especially in good weather, but was a bit chilly this morning!  For children, Easter is a day of Easter eggs, maybe a new outfit and shoes, but it is also a day of celebration and family reunions.   There are a few egg hunts scheduled.    Hope you are able to spend some quality time with family and/or friends today, be safe.  HAPPY    EASTER   04/20/2025

Easter Sunrise Service will be free sunrise service.   Gates at Red Rocks will open at 4:45 am.   Pre-worship service music begins at 5:30 am, and the worship service begins at 6:00 am.   Service will end around 7:30 am.   This worship service is FREE and open to the public.  General seating and parking are available on a first-come basis.   Sunrise on Easter Sunday will occur at 6:14 am.Service will be led by Rev. Steve Van Ostran, Executive Minister for American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains.    Additional worship leaders are Bishop Meghan Aelabouni of Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and Bishop Kristin Stoneking of the Mountain Ky Conference, United Methodist Church.There will be no collection of food donations this year.There is nothing like sunrise ... 04/19/2025

We are lucky to have every major sport with a team in Denver.   Over the years, we have been to the playoffs and even won a few times!Again this year, we have the Avalanche (hockey) and the Nuggets (basketball) in the playoffs.   The fun thing is -- they both use Ball Arena in Denver for the games in town.    That keeps the maintenance crews very busy changing the stage from ice to hardwood floors for both teams.Both teams will play on Saturday.   The Avs will play the Dallas Stars in Dallas at 6:30 pm, and the Nuggets play at home at 1:30 pm.    It will be a cold and maybe snowy day here in Denver, so watching some sports sounds like a fun day!   04/18/2025

Newton Middle School is hosting a SHREDDING DAY for anyone, and is just asking for donations.    A professional shredding company will shred up to five banker boxes of shredding for free.   All donations (100%) will go to Newton Middle School. I know I have been sifting through all the files I have done since 1997, and finally into 2014, so I have a couple of boxes ready to go.WHEN:   Saturday, April 19th, 20259:30-1:30 pmWHERE:   Newton Middle School, 4001 S. Arapahoe Road, East Parking Lot.RAIN OR SHINE!   Good thing, as we could see snow when we wake on Saturday!   04/17/2025

  The 32nd Annual Furry Scurry will be held at Wash Park in Denver May 3rd, 2025.    All monies raised (100%) will go for the care of over 47,000 homeless pets at the Human Colorado (formerly Dumb Friends League).   This will be a 2-mile walk that begins at 9 am around Wash Park, with refreshments before, during, and after walks.  There should be around 12,000 people in attendance and 5,000 dogs.   This year there will be food trucks in the area also.    Funds raised at this event allow the Dumb Friends League to provide medical care to sick or injured animals, provide behavior training that allows pets to be adopted more quickly, investigate cases of animal cruelty, and much more.In 2024 -  7,000 animals served through vaccine clinics in priority neighborhoods across the Denver metro a... 04/07/2025

Living in Denver, we are so used to little to no humidity.  So, traveling to areas outside Denver that have humidity is a change we are not used to.  BUT, outside of Arizona and Colorado, there are not many areas with low humidity.SO, thinking of areas to move to is tough when you factor temperatures and humidity.   I LOVED Costa Rica, but many areas have rain 6 months a year.  Whew, that would be tough coming from an area that doesn't see much rain.Loved Quebec City and Montreal, but their winters area more severe than Colorado's, co that would be a huge change of location.When you are looking to move, how important is the weather?  Do you look into hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes?I LOVED many locations when I traveled, but few places I would think of moving to!Costa Rica was BEA... 04/03/2025

Search for Homes in Denver. What is your style?   04/02/2025

If you live, or visit downtown Denver, please be aware Street Sweeping goes into effect 4/1/25, and caught in the wrong space and the wrong time could cost you!Nice to get all the dirt, leaves and stuff off the streets, but those who park on the street in downtown Denver need to be aware of the times (8-5).   Check the days and times, before you leave your car!   Most of the time, it is only done once a month, so check the date.If the City is trying to street sweep, and your car is sitting by the curb, you could be given a citation for $50. 03/31/2025

 It is exciting to hear you have a pre-approval for your first home, and cannot wait to get out and see some homes.    Looking at the homes in person is more fun than looking at them online. In Denver, our inventory increasing, which is giving buyers more to view.  (We are now seeing overlapping showings again.) Rates are still above 6%, so not a huge influx of buyers out right now. When you see a home you can see yourself living in, do you question whether or not to write on this home on the first day out? If you can see yourself living in this home, can afford the payments, why not?   How would you feel about waiting to see what else comes on the market, but cannot stop thinking about "the one that got away"?     You may not find one like it again.    I have had buyers write on the fi... 03/31/2025

Need somewhere to go in April that is VERY reasonably priced - how is FREE!   Tourists and residents will love these designated FREE days.Denver Art Museum free daysFree days at the Denver Art Museum normally fall on the second Tuesday of each month, with some Saturdays and Sundays mixed in there. Tuesday, Jan. 14 Saturday, Feb. 22 Tuesday, March 11 Tuesday, April 8 Sunday, April 27 Tuesday, May 13 Tuesday, June 10 Tuesday, July 8 Sunday, July 27 Tuesday, Aug. 12 Saturday, Sept. 6 Tuesday, Sept. 9 Tuesday, Oct. 14 Saturday, Nov. 8 Tuesday, Dec. 9 Denver Zoo free daysThere are seven Community Free Days at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance throughout the year. Friday, Jan. 10Tickets released Dec. 30, 2024 Sunday, Jan. 26Tickets release on Jan. 15 Sunday, Feb. 9Tickets release on Jan. 2... 03/28/2025

One of my listings asked how long they had to find a home out of state.  Good question!   I told them, probably 30 days for the transaction, and you can probably safely write on one after their inspection dates have passed.   But, they will be financing, so they will need to wait 30 days most likely for possession of their new property.So, after a bit of conversation, they asked for 30+ days after closing so they have a place to live.  They do have dogs, and many short-term rentals will not accept large dogs, so they would not have a place to live.    Can't do that!And, one of the showings over the weekend (so far) said they needed possession at closing, and couldn't give any days after that.   Have heard from a couple of others who have time, and don't have any issue with allowing the ... 03/25/2025

Realtor Ben Townsend. I love modern home design especially now.            Modern Home Design: Sleek, Sustainable, and Timeless Living Spaces. Discover the essence of modern home design with our curated collection of cutting-edge architectural ideas. Transform your living space into a masterpiece of contemporary home aesthetics, blending minimalist elegance, smart functionality, and eco-friendly innovation. Our luxury home designs feature open floor plans, expansive glass windows, and premium materials like natural wood and steel, creating a seamless flow between indoor comfort and outdoor serenity. Looking for sustainable home solutions? We prioritize energy-efficient layouts, solar-ready rooftops, and smart home technology to elevate your lifestyle while reducing your carbon footprint... 03/24/2025

This is March, and in Denver we expect Roller Coaster weather.   Some days it is really nice, blue skies, and other days we could get several inches of snow!   So, it is nice to hear when we experience serious warm weather.This week the forecasters have predicted high 70's and 80's FOR MARCH.  Holy molies.    This is too early, and being so dry, our minds all go to the dry aspect and fire danger that this could lead to.   Much of the West is expecting very warm temperatures, and all of this area experiences fire danger when it dries up this much.So, be careful what you wish for.   But this week, enjoy the temps, Saturday is expecting some rain, thankfully. 03/24/2025

The stats are out for the month of February, and the numbers reflect a slight increase in sales from January.   There was a significant increase in inventory from last month which is very typical this time of year.   We are seeing many spring-like days in between snowstorms. This data is courtesy of Joan Cox - House to Home, Inc. I track data daily for the Denver metro area, and the amount of price reductions have been hovering around 1700-1800 each week and homes returning to market have been around 250-300 per week.   The inventory has increased giving buyers many choices and is getting close to 9,000.    (includes land up to high-end homes) See what homes are currently available - Active Homes for sale in Denver Buyers - If you have thought about buying a home this year, rates are di... 03/15/2025

   Foodies in and around Denver have been waiting for Restaurant Week!   Denver Restaurant Week (21st year) will provide two weeks where patrons will enjoy a multi-course dinner for $25, $35, $45, or $55 not including tip or tax, and some offer a glass of wine!     There are hundreds of restaurants participating in Restaurant Week, and see a few more this year joining in.  Servers work their hardest during these two weeks and patrons should be generous with tipping!       Some restaurants have reduced the portions of the meals and included liquor/wine or dessert.   All restaurants are offering a special menu at these prices!   Reservations at high-end restaurants and popular local spots fill quickly.   (Do check back frequently, as cancellations do happen.)    On this site, you can brow... 03/09/2025

  Many times homeowners want their home on the market RIGHT NOW.    Maybe they need to get to their new home quickly, or have other personal reasons to get their home sold quickly. Putting a home on the market prior to it being truly ready for showings, is a huge mistake.     Those repairs or de-cluttering efforts and of course deep cleaning should be complete prior to being available for showings.  Buyers will see what still needs to be done, and make offers below list price, or worse - not make an offer if it needs work. It is good to get these items done prior to having a home active on the market -   ~ Deep clean more than you ever have before, every nook & cranny in the home, it does make a difference.   Don't forget the intake vents up high and the baseboards!  ~ De-clutter every ... 01/30/2025

 It is a known fact, anyone can walk into a New Home sales office, and buy a home.    You don't have to bring along a REALTOR to assist you - you can go it alone!   BUT, why would you, when representation is paid for by the Builder?   Let me explain a few reasons a Buyer SHOULD have representation to bring up some ideas -  1.  The Sales Representative is very helpful, but when it comes down to it - they work for the Builder, NOT the Buyer. 2.  When something is or seems wrong, you are the only one to make any noise to HOPE the builder fixes your issues.   When you have representation, you have a REALTOR® community behind you.   It doesn't take long for bad news about a builder to spread in our circles! 3.  Many times a Builder will offer incentives, but sometimes these options are not o... 01/29/2025

The stats are out for the month of December, and the numbers reflect a slight increase in sales from November to December.   The inventory decreased from last month which is very typical this time of year. This data is courtesy of Joan Cox - House to Home, Inc. I track data daily for the Denver metro area, and the amount of price reductions have been hovering around 1200 each week (this number is twice the amount of new listings coming on) and homes returning to market have been around 150-200 per week.   The inventory this time of year is seasonally low, and is around 7300 during the week, and have seen it as high as 8855.    (includes land up to high-end homes) See what homes are currently available - Active Homes for sale in Denver Buyers - If you have thought about buying a home thi... 01/11/2025

 The rates are bouncing around this past month, and has been a bit slower, which is very typical this time of year.  The stats are out for the month of November, and the numbers reflect this month's slowdown.  Inventory is up over last year, sales were up over last year, and there is an almost 5% increase in the value of homes.  Active Listings    10,007      +28.2% over last yearPending Listings    3,399     +22.0% over last yearNew Listings         3,076         +3.4% over last yearClosed Listings       3,370      +10.4% over last yearDays on Market       46           +21.1% over last yearMedian Closed Price     $670,600     +2.9% over last yearAverage Closed Price    $672,456     +4.9% over last yearPercent of closed Price to List Price - 98.6%      -.1% over last year We are seeing ... 12/10/2024

In Colorado, texting while driving is prohibited, and you will receive a ticket if caught.   Effective January 1st - if you are found HOLDING your phone in your hand, you will get a $75.00 fine and two points on your license.   Whether you are making a call, looking for a song, or texting.   Even if you are stopped at a red light.There are still many accidents due to cell phone activity, and the State is hoping the accidents will decrease. 12/06/2024