If you’ve been following real estate in Denver, if you think it all looks the same as last year, you may be correct, according to a report that John Rebchook discussed on his blog, InsideRealEstateNews.com.
Denver area sales of luxury homes remained flat year over year. Read the rest of this entry »
John Rebchook from InsideRealEstateNews.com today wrote that real estate activity has picked up in the luxury market from a report shared with him.
Thirty-six Denver metro homes over $1 mil in March 2011. While some communities are having trouble keeping up with year over year sales, without the tax credit this is an uptick in the luxury market that did not exist before. Luxury homes sold in March 2011 were 9% higher than March 2010. Read the rest of this entry »
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.
For real estate and home slash architecture enthusiasts, summer means sampling some of Colorado’s finest homes by way of a home tour. In the past, Colorado home tourers flocked to the Parade of Homes. This year, the Parade has become the Denver Luxury Homes Tour . Still a great tour and flagship happening, the tour will feature custom homes all over the Denver Metro area, instead of sticking to a single neighborhood. The Tour will feature 27 homes from north (Niwot) and south (Castle Pines), and takes place June 5-July 5 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
If you find yourself outside the Colorado Front Range, you might want to visit the Healthy Homes Tour and Fair in Avon, CO (in the Vail Valley). The Tour and Fair takes more of a whole-life approach, with ideas, products, and information on how to live sustainably beyond the structure of one’s home. The fair is free, and so is the transportation, provided by the Town of Avon bus system.
Even while summer is waning, you can still see some great homes in Colorado, as the Denver Tour of Solar Homes takes place on October 9, and is a showcase of what’s new and possible in the realm of solar living.
Enjoy!
Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by pnwra
Feeling nostalgic? If you’ve spent more than a few decades in Denver, you might find yourself reminiscing about the old Denver of yore. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking about the people, places, and things you knew either while you were growing up or raising a family, you’re sure to remember most or all of the then-and-now mentions I’m about to make.
Dining
Entertainment
Shopping
Other
Photo courtesy of Shankbone, under the Creative Commons license.
On May 2, KB Home will hold the grand opening of their Parkfield development in Denver. The Lodge homes are custom-build single family homes that start from the 140s; KB Home Cottage models, which are nearby, start from the high 120s.
You can find the Parkfield community in the Denver/Commerce City area, which is in the DIA corridor between I-70 and I-76.
It’s the moment some people have been waiting for. Former Denver Broncos head coach, Mike Shanahan, has put his Cherry Hills Village home on the market. If simple, compact living is your style, however, look elsewhere. Shanahan’s home is 20,000 square feet and sits on a roomy 2.5 acres.
Like it? Home owner’s dues are $4032 quarterly, but you’ll be glad for the security gate once the paparazzi come crawling. You’ll find photos and more information on the estate, priced at $17M, at its 20 Cherry HIlls Park Drive listing page.
I guess when Steven Wright said, “You can’t have everything. Where would you put it all?” he’d never been to dinner at Shanahan’s.
The ’90s saw one of Denver’s biggest housing booms–it was like the gold rush all over again, only in the ’90s, the gold became the tech startup scene. Today, it looks as if the Denver homes and real estate market is about to see another surge in newcomers, this based on a story at CNN about how a large portion of the US wants to move somewhere else. Specifically, they want to move to Denver.
If you’ve read the post “Where’s the Bottom,” you may be asking yourself the question, “who cares where the bottom is?” With the prices of Denver homes at low prices, and mortgage rates taking their cue with the nose-diving, the real estate takeoff could begin soon, with influxes of families and folks from all over the US.
If you’re on the fence about buying your first home, or just your next home, it’s worth speaking with a Denver REALTOR, who takes the pulse of the Denver neighborhood markets daily, and can give you valuable, detailed, local information in just a few minutes. You never know when the best seats on the bandwagon will be taken. Come on in, while there’s still room for your tuba.
If you’re home shopping, home selling, or just getting familiar with the Denver real estate market, you might want to check into where the top Denver listings are, which includes top Denver subdivisions (such as Cherry Creek and Park Hill), top Denver single-family home neighborhoods (such as Hilltop and Washington Park), top Denver zip codes, and today’s focus: top Denver streets. These are today’s top Denver streets:
You’ll find some of the best of the more than 7,000 Denver homes for sale here. And here are some tips about what you can find at other Denver street locations.
Where the eats are:
Arapahoe, Wynkoop, Larimer and 16th Street are homes to some of Denver best and most boisterous downtown restaurants.
Where the shows are:
Ogden, Broadway, Fillmore, and Colfax are the little centers of music and arts venues where some of today’s best acts can be seen.
Where the parks are:
Washington (Wash Park), Bellaire Street (Cranmer Park), Franklin Street (Cheeseman Park) Colorado Blvd (City Park), and Saint Paul (Congress Park).
Where the schools are:
Of course, there are lots of them. But these particular ones were featured in 5280 Magazines “best schools in Denver” edition for 2008.
Often mixed in with other Denver neighborhoods for its proximity to Crestmoor, Mayfair, Montclair, Cherry Creek, and Bellvue, Hilltop is in the mix of old and new business and lifestyle developments in Denver. There’s no doubt about it, Hilltop is historical. Near Cranmer Park, where the dog-walkers, strollers and pee-wee soccer leagues roam, and over near Graland Country Day School (founded in 1924), Hilltop is one of Denver’s most regaled historic neighborhoods.
What’s There
Near Hilltop is some of Denver’s most renowned restaurants, and is a long-time companion to the arts and culture scene. Today, the face of Hilltop is, like most other places, changing a little. While many small homes have been razed and rebuilt, or enlarged to accommodate today’s tastes, most of the historical flavor and architecture remains. A few lots are being consumed almost in their entirety by gigantic homes, but the number of these corner-to-corner builds are pretty limited. George Cranmer’s residence, the mayoral home (also known as Cableland), the modern splendor of the Shangi-La mansion, and other nameless, yet spectacular homes.
What’s Nearby
The area is also home to established community landmarks such as Temple Emanuel, Assumption Greek Orthodox, and Epiphany Episcopal. And because Hilltop is in the center of it all, the neighborhood is within an hour of destinations such as DIA, Boulder, and Colorado Springs.
Who’s There
For now, Hilltop is a mature neighborhood consisting mostly of single residents without children. In fact, the majority of married couples living there are childless ones as well. What turn the neighborhood will take due to these kinds of demographic turns is likely unfolding now too.
University of Denver
If there’s a way to see the good in everything, it’s especially easy to find goodness on both the buy and sell side in Denver. Today, we’ll discuss why while focusing on the DU (University of Denver), Platt Park, and Wellshire Heights neighborhoods.
First Things First:
The University, Platt Park, and Wellshire Heights communities are south of Denver, minutes from downtown, just off I-25. For a few years, there was some discomfort experienced by residents and commuters passing through this portion of town due to the T-REX light rail project, but just about everyone agrees that the inconvenience was going toward the greater good of a state-of-the-art public transportation system, the likes of which Denver has sorely been in need of since, well, ever. T-REX construction was completed in 2006, and is considered a success for joining business and commuting epicenters Downtown Denver and the Denver Tech Center and Centennial.
On the plus side for buyers:
Good for sellers:
Check in later this year, when we’ll revisit this area, to witness forthcoming trends following the summer season wrap-up. Until then, look for more good news.
Denver, all grown up
Historic Uptown Denver is the little area east of downtown, between Grant & York Streets
and Colfax & 20th Avenues.
What you’ll find there: Mostly luxury high-rise condos and townhomes from the 300s up to over $1M, but you’ll also find a few single family homes and a wide variety of condo and loft arrangements in the 80205 zip code.
How to get there:
From Downtown–Take 17th St. east, past Broadway, where it becomes E. 17th Ave.
From I-25 Southbound–Take exit 213 for Park Ave. and head towards Downtown. Pass Coors Field, then go 11 blocks to Tremont Pl. Turn right (south) at Tremont Pl. Veer slightly left to go straight at the light, onto Grant St. Turn left (east) at E. 17th Ave.
From I-25 Northbound–Take exit 210A to merge onto Colfax Ave. (going east). Turn left (north) at Logan St. Turn right (east) at E. 17th Ave.
Some helpful hints on getting around, from our friends at Mile High Business Alliance:
What’s around the corner:
Antique Row
Berkeley / Tennyson St.
Capitol Hill
Cherry Creek North
City Park West
Congress Park
East Colfax
Five Points
Golden Triangle
Governors Park
Highlands Square
Larimer Square
LoDo (Lower Downtown)
LoHi (Lower Highland)
Olde Town Arvada
RiNo (River North)
Santa Fe Arts District
SoBo (South Broadway)
Writer Square
Historic Downtown Littleton
About six miles from each other are the Denver suburbs of Lone Tree and Greenwood Village, two
municipalities that hem in Centennial, Colorado, a burgeoning locale south of center that’s popular with professionals and families.
Lone Tree, known for its quiet, country-oriented surroundings with retail amenities within arms reach, is popular with repeat buyers. It’s known for its own symphony orchestra, and bears the distinction of being one of Money Magazine’s contenders for Best Places to Live 2007. Home prices here average in the 700s, with a wide cross-section of and variety in Lone Tree home styles, such as Lone Tree ranch/one story homes, Lone Tree two story homes, and Lone Tree three or more story homes.
Greenwood Village is a renowned center of local and national commerce, and is also home to a loyal following of folks who will claim the area as their primary residence, retirement respite, and family reunion site. With generous inventory, it’s where life and work meet for most, at a price that’s on the high side. To get a glimpse of Greenwood Village’s geography and listings hot spots, see the collection of Greenwood Village neighborhoods with interactive maps.
The name LoHi sounds like something you eat in Hawaii, or a gambling strategy you’d use up in Black Hawk or Central City, but if you’re familiar with LoDo (lower downtown), you know that LoHi is the new-new mashup neighborhood name that’s gaining popularity with the Denver crowd.
It’s short for “lower” and “Highland,” of course, which is why you’ll find it between Speer Blvd (map of Speer), I-25, 38th Ave (map of 38th Ave) and Federal (map of Federal), near Hishorn Park and the also new-new LoHi Marketplace.
Maybe we’ll see you there. Wouldn’t it be great if the nearby hangout Lola Coastal Mexican Restaurant started throwing luaus?
Do downtown Denver neighborhoods have multiple personalities? Maybe you could say that it has adopted the philosophy that variety is the spice of life. Or maybe you could say that Denver, an urban community consisting of eleven distinct neighborhoods, is the city that just keeps reinventing itself. There are Denver high-rises, Denver lofts, and Denver condos, where window boxes are the most you’ll have to water. And there are plenty of charming turn-of-the-century Denver houses on tree-lined streets. It’s also the place where the new-new and the Old West make friends. Generally speaking, Denver’s still affordable, with entry level homes starting in the mid $100s. While home prices in the Denver area slid by 5 percent in January, it’s the seventh best-performing city out of 20 nationwide, which is why home buyers and REALTORs alike are proclaiming that Denver is a good buy.
If you’re raring to become a part of Colorado’s whirring center of culture, commerce, and community, the news is good.
