Lane Hornung, a top Boulder REALTOR and my blogging partner here, recently pointed out that most home owners with Boulder real estate and Denver real estate are putting their homes on the market only because they have to. So what, you say?

So smart home buyers are presented with an interesting opportunity that accompanies such a phenomenon. Lane calls it hyperlocal buying. I call it real estate locavorism or crossing the price point gap. Here’s how it works.

Say you live in a neighborhood of a few different price points, like the example neighborhood in the graph. The average asking price in 2009 of the homes in the yellow zone is $3M; the homes in the pink zone are at 900; the homes in the purple are in the 600s. Knowing that homes in the sub-650 market are still selling relatively well in Boulder, for example, at closer to asking price than higher end properties, sub-650 home owners can put their properties on the market and stretch their closing times. Knowing that homes above 700 are struggling more, they can make an offer on that next-level home a few streets over at a more lateral price, with vertical benefits in square footage that the buyer is likely to capitalize on later. Because the neighborhood is familiar, there’s none of the pain or expense that accompanies a crosstown or cross-country relocation.

Whatever the numbers are–selling into the 300 market and buying into the 500 one, for example–hyperlocal buying is a new take on the old concept of upward mobility, at a deep discount. It’s selling on one side of the chasm, and buying into the other, without spending the same amount it would have cost you five years ago.

What do you think about hyperlocal buying? Have you experienced any of the benefits or drawbacks of the multi-tiered neighborhood? Comments, as always, are open.

One of Boulder’s most distinctive homes is for sale again, and this time, it’s price reduced. Get out your checkbook, because the price has been whittled down from 2008 to only $4.75M. I’m talking about 700 Highland Ave. Boulder, CO 80302

The home is one of my favorites in town, although Highland Ave. in Boulder is a plum street in the historic district. (In fact, there are two other great homes on the market on Highland, also beautiful, and huge: 410 Highland Ave, known for its impressive tree swing, and 403 Highland Ave, known for its buttery location at the foot of the foothills.)

One of the reasons this spectacular street is so coveted is because it’s in the Mapleton neighborhood, but I like Highland because it’s a short street with “T” intersections at both ends; through traffic is not an issue. They’re only a block apart, but Mapleton Ave. is busier than Highland, especially during the summer months, when tourists and hikers head up Sunshine Canyon, or stop at the Sanitas trail head. Highland is hidden enough from the main drags that Pearl Street and downtown parking poaching is limited.

But 700 Highland is notable because it’s perhaps the biggest on the block. At more than 10,000 square feet, plus a generous lot size, you can get your groove on Boulder-style, with room to spare. It’s so huge that it was once a school house. Built in 1906, it’s got history, and where there’s history, there’s character. (Even though the character’s been tastefully refurbished over the years.)

Even if you’re not shopping Boulder’s luxe market right now, there are 18 photos of the property at COhomefinder. Take a peek inside. The home is listed by Goodacre and Co, the local brokerage famous for its family ties to ’80s-’90s Victoria’s Secret model and Harry Connick Jr. spouse, Jill Goodacre. Who knew Colorado real estate and celebrity gossip would ever end up at the same blog?

You might remember the Using Walkscore in Your Home Search post (but if you don’t that’s OK.) And now there’s some new conversations about how “walkability” is more apt to make an impact on home buying and home selling decision.  From the gist of this Money/CNN article, it looks like people are putting their money where there feet are.  Read Putting a Price on Walkability and feel free to enter your comments here about whether walkability really is worth more.

Peach season in Colorado was sweet this year.  We took a break from the Front Range and brought in a nice haul from the Western Slope at the tail end of the harvest this year. You?

After you’ve eaten all you can, and frozen some, maybe you’re not sure what to do with the rest of your Colorado peaches.  I was pleased to find a nice recipe in the monthly newsletter we get from our milk delivery service, Longmont Dairy Farm, called Poached Peaches Served with Chantilly Cream.  And then a friend who wants to see me gain 47 pounds suggested that I skin and saute some pitted peaches in butter, and add cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, and then serve them over ice cream. You’re welcome.

And there are about a million other things you can do with them, I’m sure, including grilling, and that old standby: Making pie.  If you do, call me, my hobby is pie tasting.

For more sweet ideas, try the Colorado Proud recipes section.