RTD Improves Bicycle and Motor Scooter Parking at 9-Mile park-n-Ride Aurora CO   Motor scooters and bicycles get more spaces at 9-Mile Park-n-Ride. With the upcoming warm weather and increased demand to accommodate two wheeled transportation options, RTD has improved bicycle and motor scooter parking facilities at many facilities including 9-Mile. For motor scooter riders, RTD has installed "Scooter Bars" use to lock scooters for reducing the risk of theft. Two high density bicycle trees have been installed to provide riders 18 new spaces to secure their bicycles. The bicycle trees will also have covers installed to provide protection for bicycles from the weather. New signage is being installed to help riders navigate their way around the park-n-ride. These improvements will not disp... 03/15/2010

Aurora CO council approves massive development - The Aurora City Council Monday night approved a massive development in northeast Aurora despite concerns that the city was giving too much in incentives and that it deemed the property blighted.  The 500-acre mixed-use development is on the southwest corner of Interstate 70 and E-470.  After its completion in 25 years, the project will include 3,800 residential units and 1.3 million square feet of retail space.  All homes and buildings will meet green-building and energy-efficiency standards, according to Lend Lease.http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_14638388 What is your Aurora CO home value? Search for Aurora CO homes for sale for free! No registration! 03/12/2010

The following article was written by Aurora Academy teacher Jenny Tarbox. February has been crowned "American Heart Month" since 1963, long before even some of the parents of Aurora Academy students were born. Still, 47 years later, cardiovascular diseases and stroke are the No. 1 killers of people in America. The American Heart Association has worked since 1924 to sponsor activities to raise money and awareness of heart health. This February, 1 st - 5 th grade Aurora Academy students participated in Jump Rope for Heart. Jump Rope for Heart is an official fundraising event, sponsored by the American Heart Association that teaches kids about the importance of heart health by introducing them to heart anatomy, giving them information about heart diseases and conditions, and nurturing hear... 03/12/2010

The following article was written by Aurora Academy teacher Jenny Tarbox. February has been crowned "American Heart Month" since 1963, long before even some of the parents of Aurora Academy students were born. Still, 47 years later, cardiovascular diseases and stroke are the No. 1 killers of people in America. The American Heart Association has worked since 1924 to sponsor activities to raise money and awareness of heart health. This February, 1 st - 5 th grade Aurora Academy students participated in Jump Rope for Heart. Jump Rope for Heart is an official fundraising event, sponsored by the American Heart Association that teaches kids about the importance of heart health by introducing them to heart anatomy, giving them information about heart diseases and conditions, and nurturing hear... 03/12/2010

Music from favorite childhood cartoons comes to life on stage in March with a free children's concert presented by the Aurora Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with the Shoestring Children's Theatre Company. "Cartoons!" will feature the full symphony performing works from Grieg, Wagner, Rossini, Menken and others at 4 p.m. March 13 at Simchat Torah Beit Midrash, 19697 E. Smoky Hill Road, in Aurora. Admission is free. These famous works will serve as the musical backdrop to an original theatrical production featuring a cast of 60 children. The play, titled "Remote Control," will focus on eight siblings arguing over a television remote control, which results in them changing "channels" frequently from one cartoon to the next. They are hypnotized by the spectacular images and music evoca... 03/12/2010

"Rusty" (ID# A131328) and "Roxie" (ID# A131329) are both 9-month old Chihuahuas. This brother and sister team were found running loose together and brought to the Aurora Animal Shelter (15750 E. 32 nd Avenue). No one came to claim them, which is unusual for puppies. They may be adopted together, or individually. Rusty and Roxie are typical lap dogs and happy to sit quietly for petting. Although they are part of the 'toy breed' category, it is important that parents stress to children that tiny animals are not 'toys.' Chihuahuas and other miniature dogs are easily injured by rough play or from being dropped. Shelter staff does not recommend toy breeds for families with children younger than age 10. If you'd like to adopt Rusty or Roxie (or both), they are kennel K06 at the Aurora Animal... 03/12/2010

Story written by Linda Meehan, Elkhart Elementary School How would it feel to have to write in the dirt with a stick to practice math problems? What would it be like to be ten years old and have to be your own teacher? In Greg Mortenson's book, Three Cups of Tea, some Elkhart 5th graders in the after school RaMS tutoring program learned that in Pakistan and Afghanistan, both are a reality. What's more, many young girls cannot go to school in those countries because their parents cannot afford to pay $20 per month for tuition. According to Mr. Mortenson, "When you educate a boy, you educate an individual, when you educate a girl, you educate a community." The Elkhart 5th graders were so touched by the situation in those countries that in late January, they wanted to join in Mr. Mortenson... 03/12/2010

A Cherry Creek School District bus driver received two special honors on March 4; the heartfelt thanks of one of her students and his family, and the Asset Champion Award, presented by Community Asset Project board members. Linda Topping, a Cherry Creek Schools bus driver since 2007, was recognized for the extraordinary care she showed Cedar Wilde, a sixth-grader at Sky Vista Middle School. On the second day of school, when Wilde was uncertain about which bus he was supposed to ride home, Topping worked with Wilde, his mother, and school staff to ensure he got home safely. http://denver.yourhub.com/Aurora/Stories/School-News/Story~744695.aspx   What is your home value? Perform a Colorado home search for free! No registration! 03/12/2010

The Friends of the Aurora Public Library will host a large book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 21 at the former Iliff Square Library site at 2254 Peoria St., on the northwest corner of Iliff Avenue and Peoria Street. The sale will feature thousands of books, including children's and young adult, audio, fiction and nonfiction. Prices are 10 cents for children's and young adult books, 30 cents for audio books and 50 cents for all other books. Customers are encouraged to bring boxes or bags for use in taking home their purchases. The book sale will serve as a major fund-raiser for the Aurora Public Library. For more information, call 720-747-7977 or visit www.fapl.info. What is your home value? Search properties at my website for free!  No registration! 03/12/2010

Colorado Mortgage markets improved last week in low-volume trading. Between Monday to Thursday, Wall Street focused on the upcoming jobs reports and mortgage markets gained while traders jockeyed for position. Colorado Mortgage rates drifted lower through Thursday afternoon. But, then, after a better-than-expected Non-Farm Payrolls report Friday morning, mortgage markets -- and mortgage rates -- reversed. Overall, Colorado mortgage rates dropped last week, but only by a small margin. Rates were best Thursday afternoon. It was the second consecutive week in which mortgage rates fell. Last week was also interesting in that both stock markets and bond markets improved, proving that rates don't always rise when stock prices do. 455 of the S&P 500 companies posted gains last week. If you're ... 03/11/2010

Aurora CO Homes For Sale might service all 50 state now. We still our finger on the pulse of our home town - Aurora, CO. Everyone enjoys St. Patrick's Day. The problem is that recently, it has turned into more of an adult drinking holiday. To combat this, the Southland's shopping area is hosting the 1st annual St. Patrick's Day Festival. Designed to be a large, fun filled family event, it will feature jump houses; face painting; live Irish dancers; bagpipers; live music and of course the St. Patrick's Day parade around the Southlands Town Square. Of course, you can always end up at McCabe's Irish Pub & Bistro. It is located in the heart of the town square. Come join in some great Irish beer and some Authentic Irish food for he whole family. The Festival is this Sunday, March 14th, 2010.... 03/09/2010

Has it really been a year since I posted a blog???  Wow!  Time flies.  Surely I've had something to say.  Why didn't I write about it?  Hmmm...  Note to self:  Start writing! I've never really seemed to find my groove in Real Estate.  I know I can (and want to) help people.  I know I can be a good Realtor.  I've helped several friends and currently a cousin find and sell homes.  Where do I go from here?  People are always talking about finding your niche market.  I've pretty much been using the shotgun approach.  I'm looking anywhere and everywhere.  All my business has been with people who know me, love me and trust me so I'm pretty sure I want to focus on referral marketing.  But what is my specialty?  Who are the people I'm meant to help?  What is my calling in Real Estate?  I usuall... 03/03/2010

Fourth Quarter Existing-Home Sales Surge in Most States, Prices Up in More Areas Strong gains in existing-home sales were the predominant pattern in most states during the fourth quarter, with many more metro areas seeing prices rise from a year earlier, according to the latest survey. Sales increased from the third quarter in 48 states and the District of Columbia; 32 states saw double-digit gains. Year-over-year sales were higher in 49 states and D.C.; all but three states had double-digit annual increases. Total state existing-home sales, including single-family and condo, jumped 13.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate 1 of 6.03 million in the fourth quarter from 5.29 million in the third quarter, and are 27.2 percent above the 4.74 million-unit level in the... 03/01/2010

A new pastor was visiting the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door. When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, Genesis 3:10." Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid, for I was naked."   Steven Wright Please take some time to check out my website and tell me what you think: www.stevensellsco.com 03/01/2010

I am a Realtor in the Denver Metro Area and I have to tell you that things have changed in a weird way. As of late, my buyers are having to compete with several offers on single family homes in various parts of Denver. If the home in questions is not a Short Sale, Bank Owned or distressed in anyway then all best are off. I have to say that it is frustrating for me in one sense. Only when I don't get the contract accepted for my client, but we won't talk about that. All in all this is a good thing for the market in Denver, but I wonder if it is the same for you in other areas of the US. On listings that you have, are you find that the showing volume has increased significantly? What about when you put offers in for you clients? Are you finding yourself in a counter proposal frenzy? The i... 02/26/2010

Last year I invested a significant amount of money in my website. Most of the money and work was focused on SEO (Search Engine Optimization). By now, most of you are very familiar with this term and may have spent a fair amount of money yourself. Let me being by telling you that there are many people and organizations who hound us daily with their telemarketing nonsense. Telling us that they can help us close more deals and get us more clients. How many of you are sick and tired of being called by the lead generation companies? I am hounded sometimes 3 to 4 times a day. They call me so much that there are some area codes that I will not answer the phone from for any reason. Can I be frank with you and tell you my honest opinion about these companies? I will some it up in 5 words "To Goo... 02/26/2010

Realtors, It has been a very long time since I last posted, mostly because I have been very busy last year. I had close to 25 transactions last year, many of which were motivated buyers trying to capitalize on the 8,000 dollar government tax credit. I have to say that I think it was a wise move on the governments part and I think it was great for the real estate industry and related industries in general. Here is the question I have for everyone. Has the tax credit made us lazy and has it cramped our style? Before the tax credit I had to work a bit harder to keep buyers motivated, with the tax credit in play I really don't have to work as hard. Is this the same experience with you and other brokers that you know? Do you think that our business will decline significantly when the credit ... 02/26/2010

Post Tip: Unlocked or improperly locked doors and windows are responsible for nearly half of all home break-ins, according to the Home Safety Council. You can upgrade your locking system by adding a surface-mount, rim-mount or vertical deadbolt lock. Better yet, choose a door with a multi-point locking system that engages the door frame at three points instead of just one. 02/26/2010

Here is a great remodeled homes in Aurora, CO. This home sits right near the Fitzsimmons area. Great access to all Colorado has to offer.  This home has been remodled and updated. Over 1400 sq ft. and lots of great financing options for the first time or numerous time buyer. 1757 Laredo St. Aurora, CO Get it started and take advantage of the tax credits now! 02/26/2010

So, we had MY WAY DAY. Now it's time for Inconvenience yourself day. Celebrated on the 4th Wednesday of every February, this date is the complete opposite of My Way Day. Today is all about finding things to do that are an inconvenience to you, but a help to someone else. So many times we all get wrapped up in our own daily life and what we need to get done and forget about helping others. Funny how this comes right after the 100th Anniversary of the Scouts. A large part of their motto is to always help other people. I think most of us help others, when we can. When it's convenient. So, for today (and hopefully on other days as well) help someone out. Go "out of your way" to make a difference for someone today. Maybe it's a relative. Go visit Grandma. Maybe it's to help someone carry pac... 02/24/2010