Blogs, Blogs, everywhere!  As a consumer, specifically REAL ESTATE consumer, why should I care?  Well my friend, I'm glad you asked.Once of the largest benefits of this Web 2.0 world we are now living in is the openness and transparency of information that is out there.  We no longer have the traditional media outlets (TV & Newspapers) tossing the filter of their choice over the story that is being presented.  Now, every blog tells a story.  Full of opinion, innuendo, and sometimes even fact!The great thing about this is the filter is off!  We, as individuals get to make decisions, based upon arguments, research, and credibility.  The rub is, we actually need to do research, weigh arguments from all sides and angles, then make informed decisions.This new found information leads us to on... 04/03/2008

Well if Never means next November, than the headline is accurate.  Spring skiing should be in full swing this week as mountain resorts have received up to a foot and a half of snow over the past 24 hours. In Steamboat Springs, the ski resort broke a record for seasonal snowfall.  With 470 inches (and counting) of snow this season, they have easily eclipsed the previous seasonal record of 447.5 inches.  The average snowfall at the Steamboat Resort is 334 inches!  For those who are mathematically challenged, that is almost 40 feet of snow this year!  My back is aching just thinking about it. All the other Resorts have experienced similar great snowfall, and the powder should be deep until the time the resorts must close down for the season.  Unfortunately, this year the snow will probabl... 03/31/2008

Scenario:  You are out with your Denver REALTOR® and you have searched high and low to find the perfect house to call home.  And then it happens.  You find it!  You know you want it!  Its got your name all over it.  You are excited!  Very Excited!   But wait!  Its not yours quite yet.   May I make a suggestion?   Shhh!  Keep your lips sealed!       Over the years I have encountered numerous occasions where a buyer's excitement is their own doing-in.  What do I mean?  Here are a few scenarios.  They are all real life experiences that I have seen occur, no names or telling details of course - just lessons to learn by.   Scenario #1 - You found the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood.  Its a brand new listing, you were one of the first to view the home.  You just made a decision to bu... 03/28/2008

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported today, that total mortgage applications spiked 48% last week following the Federal Reserve's move to cut short term interest.The index that tracks refinance application actually went up 82.2%, while purchase loans were up 10.6%What I'd like to know is what percent are FHA loans.  The reason for this is the FHA loans are going to be able to help out those behind on their current mortgage payments.  While conventional loans aren't going to be able to help those currently in trouble.One of two things are happening, either many people with mortgages in distress are refinancing to better loans (FHA increased loan limits, and easier qualifying with lower credit scores) OR, there are a lot of people, who are not currently in fear of losing their ... 03/26/2008

The new Village Shops at The Landmark area in Greenwood Village is shaping up very nicely  It is an absolutely beautiful area with so much to offer the Greenwood village & entire south metro Denver area community. It is a stunning luxury mixed- use area including living, shopping, fine dining and entertainment.   Located off of Quebec and just south of Belleview, an office I was in a few years back would have been walking distance for me to the Landmark area for quite a nice lunch now & then.  As to my current location, it is still very convenient to my Fiddlers Green office, so I do plan on enjoying a lunch or two here.  Here is a google map to the Landmark area.    Construction is nearing completion on most of the shops and the beautiful Landmark Theatre is now open.  I have not been ... 03/25/2008

Green Oaks is a very desirable neighborhood in Greenwood Village, and is located on the west side of Greenwood Village at Orchard and University and runs both north and west.  It has become an extremely popular area for those working in the Denver Tech Center with its very close proximity to many Denver businesses.    It is a mature neighborhood with large yards, wonderful landscaping, a neighborhood pool and an absolute wonderful location.  In addition, recreation is abundant with the High Line Canal trail running throughout the neighborhood.   Greenwood Village real estate in general is comprised of higher end homes, with many prestigious executive homes throughout.  Green Oaks is no exception and although some are a bit older than other areas of the south metro area, they are still a... 03/24/2008

 I finally got around to posting Tips 4, 5 and 6 regarding getting your home ready for a Top Dollar sale.  The first posts are linked below.  So here you go!http://activerain.com/blogsview/427676/Top-ways-to-makehttp://activerain.com/blogsview/428949/More-ways-to-getThese three sections cover Space Management, Atmosphere and Staging.Space Management is the process of making your home feel as big, bright, and open as possible.  It is extremely important in regards to clutter, closet space and lighting.  Go here for the complete posting.  Atmosphere is the process of how you want your potential buyer to feel as they tour your home.  The sense of smell plays a large role in a buyer's purchasing decision.  Lighting and presentation also go a long way toward creating the Atmosphere of a Top ... 03/24/2008

Throughout the Denver area, so many neighborhoods have an abundance of recreation opportunities.  And having trails almost everywhere is no exception.  They are especially plentiful in the South Denver Metro area, and one of my favorites is the High Line Canal Trail. No matter the weather, you will almost always find people out on the trail -  walking dogs, running or biking.  The below photo on the right shows an exercise area for adding to your work-outs. These particular photos were taken recently on a day that reminds me that spring is just about here and it will be summer in a flash.   They are all taken on a section of the High Line Canal trail that runs through Greenwood Village, particularly the Green Oaks and Greenwood Acres neighborhoods.  It was a bit quieter on the trail tha... 03/22/2008

It just so happens I ran across this great video today regarding staging a home to sell!  It also is a great follow up for my post yesterday on Neutralizing your home to sell, Tips to Sell Your Home Faster-Neutralizing (Part 3 of 6)Check out the video interview of a professional stager and hear her opinions, it could fatten your wallet!The Get Home Denver Team specializes in Customer Loyalty and Satisfaction, contact us today if you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell Denver Real Estate! 03/19/2008

What?  The Fed lowered the Fed Funds rate today .75% and mortgage rates went up?  Yep, that's right.  That doesn't make sense.  I thought if the Fed lowered rates, mortgage rates would follow?  Nope that's not how it works.     "Mortgage rates frustrates buyers" was a timely article in the Denver Post this past weekend and it's a must read for every current and prospective homeowner.   The point of the article, the Fed does not determine the direction of mortgage interest rates.   Plain and simple.  http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_8580045So, when the Fed lowers or increases rates, what exactly are they doing?  They are increasing or lowering the Fed Funds Rate - not mortgage rates.  They lower the Fed Funds rate to stimulate the economy and raise the Fed Funds to slow things down.... 03/18/2008

Just when I think the Media is too out of touch to save, they surprise me.A Time Magazine article by Dan Kadlec, in the Right on Your Money section tells us that the sky is not falling!  Wow, how about that, a guy who gets it. His premise is when home prices are falling few people have the discipline to use that money to buy other assets, instead they spend it on consumables.  And those who pull the trigger now, will benefit in the long run.  He cites a great example of a very likely scenario;"Consider a typical home that sells for $218,900. You put down 20% and get a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at today's rate of 5.5%. Monthly principal and interest come to $994.31. Let's say that 12 months from now the same house goes for 10% less, or $197,010. But by then the recession is history and... 03/11/2008

Here are some recently compiled market stats for February 2008.  My market area is the South Metro Denver cities, including Denver, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, Englewood, Littleton, and Highlands Ranch.  So the stats will be limited to these areas.Big Picture (Covering the Entire Metro Denver Area)  The figures are for single family residential properties only, and Do NOT include Condos, Land or Commercial data.Total Closings for the Month: 2342, Down 2.9% from 2007Average Days on Market: 111, Down 11.2% from 2007Active Listings: 19,067, Up 4.2%Average Sold Price: $278,871, Down 4.5%South Suburban Central & South Suburban East MLS Market Areas (This data covers the majority of Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, Englewood, Littleton, Centennial, south Auror... 03/10/2008

Greenwood Village, CO - Greenwood Village REAL ESTATE & HOMES SALES NUMBERS FROM February 2008 REAL ESTATE MARKET ACTIVITY REPORT - SINGLE FAMILY HOMES The majority of homes in Greenwood Village are higher end homes, many with luxury prices.   The Greenwood Village neighborhoods enjoy a very close proximity to Denver and the DTC area with still a suburban feel and flair.   With a higher price point comes a sometimes smaller pool of buyers - but there is still some activity in the  area although it is slow going.  Active Listings are up in February from January, however homes going under contract and that have sold are still about  the same.  PRICE PRICE PRICE!  Yes, Even with a higher end home, price is key.  With a smaller pool of buyers everyone is going to be very picky and very care... 03/08/2008

What is the weather like in Denver?   Its a common misunderstanding that the winters in Denver are extremely harsh.  Yes, we have our share of bad weather.  But we have glorious days in the winter as well. Yesterday, March 1, It was 73 degrees.   But on a dime, the winds will move in and a storm will blow through.     Less than 24 hours after I was playing outside with my kids, here is the scene from my back deck. Saturday 3/1 73 degrees.  Sunday 3/2 high of 38 with about 4 - 6 inches of snow on the way.  Tomorrow it will clear up with temps in the mid 40's, Tuesday we will climb into the 50's before another expected cold front and perhaps some snow will blow our way.   If you live in Denver you will get a little bit of everything.     Read also:Denver, Colorado & The South Metro Suburb... 03/02/2008

Westlands Park, in Greenwood Village Colorado, is a fabulous community asset. Set against the back drop of the Rocky Mountains the park features a HUGE play area for the kids, and on any given day, you will find many families enjoying a wonderful day outdoors! There is a large open space with a backstop for baseball, and plenty of park for soccer, or most any other activity. There are also trails with a fitness circuit, a pond, picnic areas, restrooms, and even an inline hockey rink!The photos below were taken on a beautiful winter day (Feb. 27, 2008) and the temperature was in the low 60's!  The Denver area features over 300 days of sunshine per year, and our parks can be utilized year round!  This is one of the premier parks in the area.  If you have the chance, you must spend an afte... 02/29/2008

Greenwood Village is truly a great place to live.  Whenever we get a snow storm, Greenwood Village has the roads plowed and is working on the paths and biking trails, before Denver and most other cities have taken care of their main roads!  Speaking of the paths and biking trails, that is what I really wanted to write about.  Not only are there many parks, trails, and bike paths, the City of Greenwood Village, offers it's residents a "Recreation Reimbursement Program." Residents of Greenwood Village are reimbursed for almost anything they do, and are charged for, that is recreational.  From soccer, and Little League baseball, to Golf, if you are doing it, you can get re-imbursed for your costs!  The amount they pay is 50% of the cost you incur with limits of $50 per activity and $500 ma... 02/19/2008

After 16+ years selling real estate, I recently saw my first real estate auction!  I live in Cherry Creek Vista, and I wasn't bidding or even in the direct audience.  I was actually on my back patio, because one afternoon last week, a bull horn was being used in the back yard of a neighbors house.  And wondering what the heck was going on, I went to investigate.  It sounded like a SWAT Team was dealing with a hostage situation!I found that a property almost directly behind me was being sold at auction.  There were about 15-20 people in attendance, and an auctioneer, using a bull horn, calling out the bidding.  It turns out the home sold that day for $310,000, I know because the whole neighborhood could hear what was going on.  Now my question is this.  Are Real Estate auctions a good wa... 02/18/2008

Greenwood Village, CO - Greenwood Village REAL ESTATE & HOMES SALES NUMBERS FROM JANUARY 2008 REAL ESTATE MARKET ACTIVITY REPORT Greenwood Village real estate has a higher price point than some of the other south Metro Denver area real estate markets, and even though there are less Denver home buyers in that high end market, there is still some activity.  Things do take longer when you get into this market and again, pricing is key.  Homes that close in January typically reflect some of the activity of the month before, and in this case it would be December - and there just wasn't that much activity in this area at the end of December.  I believe that we will see February home sales numbers in Greenwood Village rise a bit  and continue a better trend in getting homes sold in Greenwood V... 02/02/2008

One of the common things I hear from clients once they have relocated to Colorado -is they just can't wait to cut down their first Colorado Christmas tree.  While this sure tends to be a popular event, you need to be prepared in advance or you are going to be out of luck. What most people don't realize when they are new to the area, that to cut down a tree in the national forest, you need a permit from the forest service.  And these do sell out, so it's not something you can just decide the day before.  In fact as I write this, one of the areas for this year that is very popular with Denver area residents is already sold out - Buffalo Creek.  There are others nearby such as the Rampart Range area south of the Denver area or you can venture further into the foothills and mountains and ma... 11/27/2007

Selling a house can be fun for the kids too! If your real estate market is anythig like mine, chances are you service families and often children are involved.  I have many ways I get the kids involved in the home buying process - here is one of them that I have been doing for a couple of years now. Selling a home can be stressful for parents - keeping a house clean, getting out for showings, etc.  At the listing (or later if the kids aren't around at the listing) I have then children sign a "contract" with me to help mom and dad sell the house.  I always have mom & dad's blessing of course first. This contract consists of putting toys away, doing extra chores for parents, etc.  It also may include no complaining when they need to leave for showings.  I vary it depending on the age, and... 06/16/2007