Buying a home in Denver is not for the uninformed! You can look at a lot of different places on the internet for Denver real estate, but more than a few are just plain bad. Denver home buyers should avoid CraigsList.com which doesn't have much inventory (a few hundred compared to 24,000+ on the Denver MLS) and is mostly used by listing agents who want to publicize their listing on all the advertising venues or For Sale By Owners whose homes may well be overpriced. What you need when you look at CraigsList is the ability to know whether a home has been on the market FOREVER, whether it's on a busy street, whether it's in foreclosure, whether it's a "fix and flip", what the seller paid for it, and any number of other data that will help a home buyer determine: Is this home a good buy?And ... 11/07/2007

Again this month, it depends where you're looking.  October median single family home prices fell 4.41 per cent over last month, which had fallen 4.85 percent over September.  So the two month loss is actually 9.05 percent from August 2007.  Average prices have followed a similar trajectory, falling 5.14 percent from September and 12.14% since August.  Most of the drop is due to a glut in inventory, although inventory is down somewhat from last year this time by 2.7 percent  The median price for single family homes in October was $234,200.  Average price was $289,754.  For condos the median price was $140,000, 5.41 percent lower than in September, and 8.20 percent lower than August.  The average price was $176,222, 2.89 percent less than September, and 3.57 less than August.More condos ... 11/07/2007

 Boundaries:  Larimer Street, Speer Boulevard, Wynkoop Street and 20th StreetPopulation:  2,180Overview: Lower Downtown--or LoDo, as it is commonly referred to--is located in the area where Denver was founded in 1858 by General William Larimer. Redolent with history, this neighborhood of three and four story red brick buildings was built on the site of Denver's first Gold Rush settlement. I have been working and playing in LoDo since 1992 when the only bars were The Cruise Room, The Wazee Supper Club and Billabongs. Coors Field was just a Field of Dreams, Now the Colorado Rockies are the 2007 National League Champions. What a transformation and what a Rocktober in Denver. Today, LoDo is a vibrant 25-block urban neighborhood and tourist destination.  Lower Downtown was a bustling commerc... 11/06/2007

Until recently the Denver real estate market was one of the few in the country that did not have licensing requirements for mortgage lenders. Although the Colorado Division of Real Estate has implemented a new Mortgage Broker registration procedure, unscrupulous lenders are still finding ways to exploit home buyers looking to get financed on the purchase of a new home. Before talking to a mortgage professional about getting pre-qualified for your next loan, consider the following information and take the necessary steps to protect yourself: Your personal information is a hot commodity. Requesting a credit check is a crucial step in the home buying process, one that all lenders will require before considering you for a mortgage loan. Unfortunately most people fail to realize that the inq... 11/05/2007

A report produced by Standard & Poor and Yale University economist Robert Schiller states the Denver Real Estate market is showing early signs of recovery.  This is based on results from the study that illustrates how the Denver Real Estate market has seen a 1.3 percent appreciation in home values between May and June 2007 and 0.8 percent between June and July. According to the study, the Denver Real Estate home appreciations peaked in February of 2001 after a 15% year-over-year appreciation for the past decade.  Whereas, several other markets around the country continued to see significant increases in home value appreciations.  Since Denver’s rate of home value appreciation stabilized before several other markets around the country, S&P Vice President Maureen Maitland stated “Now, Den... 11/05/2007

Check out our open houses at http://www.nostalgichomes.com 10/27/2007

Denver Homes &  Living in Denver - Denver Restaurants -  Wash Park Grille If you are looking for a fun, delicious, well established Denver restaurant, without going all the way downtown - I would recommend checking out Washington Park Grille, more well known as Wash Park Grille.  Located on south Gaylord street just a bit north east of Wash Park, its long been a Denver local favorite.  Their mostly Italian menu has a local flavor to it, and its a great blend of steak, chicken, pasta and seafood.  We have been eating here for years and it seems to always be a place we leave extremely happy with the food and the service.  Waits for a table on the weekend sometimes can get long and they only take reservations for large parties, but the bar area is a fun area to wait.  Some of our favorite ... 10/20/2007

The northern part of the district is home to the Denver Art Museum and Museum Residences designed by Daniel Liebskind, the soon to be built Clifford Still Museum, and the new Denver Justice Center. Cherokee street is the primary residential street with The Grand Cherokee Lofts, Cadillac Lofts, Trieste & Trovare Condos, The Golden Row Town homes, Century Lofts, The Prado Condos and The Balustrade. Acoma street connects Metropolitan Lofts with the Art Museum and Denver Central Library with Downtown via Civic Center. 12th Street has The Belvedere Condos located on Speer Blvd, along with the New 1200 Delaware Townhomes. Population in the Golden Triangle is 1,629. For a Great Tour of the Neighborhood come to "First Friday" each Month to Neighborhood Gallery Openings. 10/19/2007

GRAND CHEROKEE LOFTSGolden Triangle Lofts - Grand Cherokee Lofts, 36 2 story lofts Designed by Humphries Poli Architects, Won the AIA Colorado Design Award, and Western Mountain Region Design Award in 1999 (Only Two Projects in Colorado Won That Year in the Six State Region of Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico) It Also Won a Gold Nugget - Best of The West, from Builder Magazine in 2000 (The Only Project from Colorado that Year to get an Award) Project amenities include a common conference facility on the first floor.  A large private garden enclosed by Havu GalleryGrand Cherokee, 1050 Cherokee Street Unit #Asking PriceSales PriceSq FtPSFBedsBathsParking SpacesDays on MarketDate Sold204$330,000$328,0001213$2702211015-Jun-07308$323,000$328,5001223$2691216030-Apr-0741... 10/19/2007

San Rafael was platted in 1877 by Henry A. Dubois and named for his hometown, San Rafael California. Development began about 1888 and lasted until the Silver Crash of 1893. Recently designated as an Historic District, this area also suffered through difficult times, but since the mid 1970's has had an influx of determined residents who are actively involved with neighborhood preservation efforts. An array of Victorian and turn-of-the-century homes are anchored by some of the most beautiful Victorian Homes in the City. 10/19/2007

Best Piece of SoHo in Denver, In The Heart of Downtown. The Baldwin Lofts 1617 California Street, 22 Lofts Located adjacent to the 16th Street MallHistory: The Baldwin Building started as a two story building Constructed in 1896 by Phillip Feldhauser who built the Colorado Building and the Oxford Hotel. It grew to five stories over the years as home to the Baldwin Piano Company. This Historic Building is Significant because it May be the Only Surviving, Fully Cast Iron Facade in Downtown Denver. Unlike Many Historic Buildings of this Period, The Baldwin Has Huge Floor-To-Ceiling Windows, Due to the cast Iron Façade that was the First Type of "Curtain Wall" Construction. 10/18/2007

West End Lofts - 33 Lofts in LoDo1435 WazeeLocated In the Old Karmen Western Wear Fabric Warehouse, West End Lofts is a three-story structure built in 1928. The top of the building was pooped adding 2 stories. One thing that West End Lofts has that can't be found in any other Residential building in LoDo is a Bridge. A 2 story Penthouse Spans the Alley between Wazee and Wynkoop. The Bridge Links the West End Lofts to an even older Building on the Wynkoop SideThe Bridge Loft is One of the Most Unique Spaces in all of Downtown. There are 10 Windows This Loft is Filled with Natural Light, with Views on Both Sides, so you can see the Pepsi Center on one side and Coors Field on the other. This Very Private Loft in the Heart of LoDo Lives Like a Townhome. And the Wazee alley is... like an all... 10/18/2007

Lower Highlands, also called LoHi is located adjacent to Riverfront Park on the West Side of I-25. It is close enought to Downtown and Lodo with only a short jaunt across the walking bridge on 16th street and Commons Park. LoHi is full of life, you can lose a Sunday afternoon at LoLa's sipping Cocktails listening to Jazz and eating Tacos overlooking the skyline. The Neighborhood overlooks the new Commons Park, the Central Platte Valley and the Downtown Denver Skyline. The street have some of the oldest real estate in the city going back to the mid-1800's along with moden infill townhomes w/rooftop patios that overlook the skyline •¨      Commons Park is a 30-acre park with wetlands and trails along the South Platte River. •¨      The 16th Street Mall Shuttle will connect the 16th Street... 10/18/2007

Today I am going to SWEEP the kitchen floor. And then I might SWEEP the driveway. Aw heck, I may even SWEEP the sidewalk too.   Rockies SWEEP the Diamondbacks and are World Series Bound.    2nd series SWEEP - This team is HOT!   Don't forget to check my Real Estate in Denver and the Suburbs blog soon for guest Steve Belt, Phoenix Real Estate blogger.  10/16/2007

Denver's September housing continued its downward trend with fewer houses purchased, fewer houses on the market, and declines in prices.  Builder inventory is still high as are foreclosure properties, great conditions for buyers thinking about purchasing now.  Yes, it's still a buyer's market in Denver and should continue to be favorable for buyers for the foreseeable future, at least into fall of 2008, perhaps longer.Median house prices dropped in September to $245,000, 4.6 percent lower than August's $258,000, but 1.1 percent higher than $243,500 in September of 2006. The number of houses sold in September was down by 25.74% from August, a precipitous drop.  Condos and townhomes sales dropped 24.18% from August.  The average price of homes was down from August by 7.38 percent, while c... 10/12/2007

Glory Days, which was held in the middle of September, was wonderful with great music and lots of fun activities for the kids. This is just one reason of the many, to live in this active and vibrant community. Below is an overview of September 2007 sales in the Lowry neighborhood. The area is generally located between Yosemite Street (east) and Quebec Street (west), E. 11th Avenue (north) and Alameda Avenue (south). There is a small pocket that juts out to the west side. The Lowry neighborhood was developed as a result of the Lowry Air Force Base closure. It is a wonderful community that has a variety of parks, the Lowry Town Center and neighborhood activities that are scheduled year round. Lowry living opportunities range from historical homes that have been renovated to areas still wa... 10/11/2007

Tomorrow begins the much anticipated start to the NLCS series for the Colorado Rockies against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  I was recently contacted by my Phoenix friend Jay Thompson, who let me know that there was a Phoenix area real estate blogger that was interested in a friendly wager with a Denver fan/real estate blogger.  So I jumped on board.  So here's the scoop, Steve Belt of The Phoenix Area Real Estate Blog and I have agreed that the loser of the series will guest blog for each other for 3 consecutive posts.   Read the Rest of the Article at Real Estate in Denver and the Suburbs >>>>> 10/10/2007

September 2007 home sales in the Bonnie Brae and Belcaro neighborhoods show four sales ranging in value from $355,000 up to $921,450. This fabulous neighborhood is located east of University Boulevard and west of Colorado Boulevard. The north and south streets are E. Exposition Avenue and E. Mississippi Avenue. It is a wonderful neighborhood with a eclectic selection of homes. From historical homes to custom contemporary construction, the neighborhood offers something for everyone. The these homes are within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, parks and transportation routes.Google Maps  AddressSales PriceSold DateSquare FeetDays on MarketListing Company1082 S. Harrison St$355,000Sept 25th121576Cliffdwellers*1056 S. Jackson St$441,000Sept 24th1345378Key Real Estate*1050 S. Cook S... 10/10/2007

If you are new to Denver, you need to pop by your local grocery or book store and pick up this months issue of 5280 Magazine.  Now, I do pick up the magazine throughout the year to to find a new Denver restaurant to try or read about a local icon, history or just a random story.  But there is something special about the October issue each year - and it has become a Must Have in my house. October is the month that 5280 publishes their Top Doc's in Denver list.  And what makes is so great, is these Doctors are not chosen my you and me - but by other Denver Doctors.  Don't you want to find a Dr. when you are new to town that the other Dr.'s use? My own family has found several of the Doctors, especially specialists, from this great source over the years.  And the Doctors are not only those... 10/08/2007

What is a "down market"?A week doesn't go by without mainstream media flashing headlines about the down market in real estate. What does it all mean, and how will it effect you and me?Flat or depreciation on primary residences.For many people, their primary residence is the single biggest investment, and has historically provided a financial windfall for many. Most markets are now showing flat or depreciating values (negative appreciation, in Realtor-speak). So primary residences may not provide the windfall equity for the next few years."Warm" markets still exist!This is an area where realty expertise is critical! Within most down or flat markets, (Denver for example), there still exists great opportunities i the right markets. The particular markets are typically driven by a combinati... 10/08/2007