Gretchen Faber’s Top 10
July 1st, 2008 categories: Life In Denver, Random Thoughts
Hi there! My name is Gretchen Faber, the author of LifeStyle Denver.
In case you haven’t had the opportunity to view my bio yet, I thought I’d give you a little background and tell you about my favorite things to do in Denver for the Fourth of July.
I sell Denver real estate, a profession I’ve loved for over 12 years. Denver is a fabulous city, with so many great neighborhoods. If you’re around Denver this coming weekend - here are a few of my favorite things to do over Independence Day:
1. Cherry Creek Arts Festival: Our central Denver neighborhood of Cherry Creek hosts the annual Arts Festival every Fourth of July. It’s a three day event with hundreds of booths and exhibits. This is no craft fair, it’s a juried show of some top artists throughout the U.S. You can also enjoy the Culinary Arts demonstrations, the kids’ creation area and several outdoor concerts.
2. Colorado Rockies: Every year the Rockies host a fireworks exhibit after the July 4th game, and this year is no exception. My son loves going to this game with his dad. We’re playing the Marlins, and the games with fireworks are on the 3rd and 4th at 6:05 pm. We need a couple of wins!
3. Four Mile Historic Park: Pioneer exhibits and Denver’s oldest standing structure. This place is a blast for the little kids, and interesting for adults with an appetite for history. Don’t miss the horse-drawn carriage rides!
4. Red Rocks: Looking for more adult entertainment? Blues Traveler/Live/Collective Soul are playing at Red Rocks. What a night! I just checked, and tickets are still available.
5. Santa Fe Arts First Friday: It’s First Friday again at the Santa Fe Arts District! Go there first on Friday evening to sample the terrific local artists, and then check out the CC Arts Fest over the weekend. An art-lover’s heaven of a weekend.
6. Pro Lacrosse: Lacrosse fan? Head over to Invesco Field (Mile Hi to locals) and watch the Outlaws play the San Francisco Dragons. Fireworks follow.
7. Symphony On the Rocks: The Colorado Symphony Orchestra will be playing at Red Rocks on Sunday evening at 7:30. Doesn’t this sound like a perfectly wonderful evening after all of the special events you’ve gone to for the past 3 days?
8. Colorado Renaissance Festival: Who needs to cook when you can get a big-a– turkey leg and carry it around with you? The Renaissance Festival is perennially a family favorite. It’s running weekends through early August.
9. Colorado History Museum: This is the last weekend for their exhibit called “The Italians” illustrating the impact that Italian Immigrants have had on our state.
10. Fireworks! Did you think I’d forget? The Glendale city fireworks display is Saturday, July 5th at dusk. Lannie Garrett is playing a concert there too. You can catch fireworks after the Rockies and the Outlaws games. Macy’s will be hosting a fireworks show on July 5th at the Cherry Creek shopping center - best viewing is from the Fillmore Plaza in Cherry Creek North.
Have a fun and safe weekend. If you’re thinking of buying, selling or relocating ~ think of me and click on the “contact me” button. I’ll send you customized information on real estate. Me~Gretchen Faber 
an agent who loves her job!
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
The Secret To Not Becoming a Murder Victim
June 11th, 2008 categories: Random Thoughts
Do you ever look over your shoulder as you’re walking down the street at night? Do you feel strange when looking at houses with someone you’ve just met? You may be as interested as I was to learn how to avoid danger.
Life Saving Survival Skills
The Gift of Fear, by Gavin De Becker will open your mind to trusting your intuition. De Becker’s expertise comes from his own background and experience, coupled with his training as a psychologist. There are many startling statistics about violence, and some frightening stories from survivors of violent episodes. Most of all, you’ll learn vital skills that will save your life if you’re ever in danger.
Women, especially, are people pleaser’s and don’t want to seem abrupt or rude. This can be a life-threatening attitude. I have had several creepy instances over the years – especially at open houses and from “sign calls.” How do you handle a persistent stranger? Set up policies ahead of time for who you’ll meet and under what circumstances. There are many home buyers who are truly looking for property to buy, and there are many real estate brokers that buyers can trust even after a first meeting. Keep your guard up and don’t necessarily just trust, “the nice ones.” Check out references if you can, look a new person up on Google, and always let others know where you are and who you’re going with.
DeBecker recommends ignoring stalker-types, staying aware at all times and not engaging people who seem to need some sort of response or they don’t let up. He emphasizes trusting your instinct.
Play it safe – trust your instincts and read The Gift of Fear.
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8 Ways to be Green
May 27th, 2008 categories: Market Trends, Random Thoughts
1. Use Reusable Shopping Bags
Switch from paper and plastic and bring your own bags. This one change will have the most immediate and dramatic impact on the environment.
- The oil it takes to produce 14 plastic bags will power your car for a mile.
- Paper is not better. Annually 10 million paper bags consume 14 million trees.
Check out: www.reusablebags.com and www.betterbagscolorado.org. If you’re a client of mine, I have Kentwood reusable bags for you! Just let me know how many you need.
2. Replace Your Light Bulbs with Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Light Bulbs
They last 10 times longer and use 1/4 less energy. Dispose of the CFL bulbs properly, they contain trace amounts of mercury. You can take them to Ace Hardware stores. Also try LED’s (Light Emitting Diodes) - no mercury. Remember to turn off the light when you leave the room.
Start with your porch: www.porchbulbproject.org.
3. Use Earth Friendly Cleaning Products
The EPA says air pollution indoors may be 2-5 times higher than outdoors. Try making your own cleaning products to cut down on chemicals.
All Purpose Cleaner: 1/2 cup Borax (look in the laundry aisle) to 1 gallon hot water, mix in a pail or use smaller amounts in a spray bottle (1/8 cup Borax to 1 quart hot water). Dissolve the Borax completely and wipe surfaces clean. This also works with Arm & Hammer washing soda to 2 cups very hot water.
Glass Cleaner: 1/4 cup white vinegar or 1 teaspoon lemon juice to 2 cups water in a clean spray bottle. Wipe surfaces with newspaper.
Soft Scrub: Mix liquid detergent to 1/2 cup baking soda until it’s the consistency of frosting. Use on sinks, showers and stainless steel.
Buy Seventh Generation or Clorox Green products.
4. Save Water
Turn off the water when brushing your teeth and you’ll save about 25 gallons of water a month.
Limit your showers to 5 minutes.
Implement xeriscaping (not zero scaping!) 35% of our water is used for lawns.
Check out low flow shower heads, toilets and faucets.
Only run your dishwasher when it’s full.
5. Calculate Your Carbon Footprint
What is it? How big is it? Flying, driving and tossing out garbage emit greenhouse gases. You can measure your household’s impact on the environment and learn how to reduce it.
Learn more at: www.carbonfootprint.com and www.begreennow.com.
6. Recycle
Take advantage of your neighborhood recycling programs and buy recycled products whenever you can.
Here’s more: www.rbrc.org and Colorado Recycles.
7. Conserve Energy
Turn down the temperature on your hot water heater to 120 degrees. Unplug your appliances or plug them into a “smart” power strip and turn it off when you’re away.
Clean your furnace and change the filters, and consider having your home audited for energy use.
Park your car for one whole day a month.
Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or cooler in the winter and 78 degrees or warmer in the summer.
Find additional savings and rebates at: Energy Star and Excel Energy.
8. Gardening Ideas
Find a place in your garden to compost your trash. Compost helps keep weeds at bay and saves water. Water lawns early in the morning and mow late in the day.
Look for xeriscape plants.
Avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Have fun being green ~ it’s good for you and not as hard as you may think!
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Harley Tells it Like it Is!
May 16th, 2008 categories: Market Trends, Random Thoughts
I’m in Washington, DC this week at the NAR Mid-Year meetings. This is the 100th year of the National Association of Realtors and the 105th anniversary of Harley Davidson.
Yesterday, I opened the hotel’s USA Today and this is the ad I saw on the back of the Business Section:
We Don’t Do Fear
Over the last 105 years in the saddle, we’ve seen wars, conflicts, depression, recession, resistance, and revolutions. We’ve watched a thousand hand-wringing pundits disappear in our rear-view mirror. But every time, this country has come out stronger than before. Because chrome and asphalt put distance between you and whatever the world can throw at you. Freedom and wind outlast hard times. And the rumble of an engine drowns out all the spin on the evening news. If 105 years have proved one thing, it’s that fear sucks and doesn’t last long. So Screw it. Let’s Ride.
An article in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel online reviews this brilliant ad campaign, and Harley Davidson’s counter to the bad news in the press.
I’m hanging the full-page ad in my office work room when I get back to Denver!
(I originally posted this earlier today over at Active Rain)
| Discussion: 5 Comments »
Denver Think Green Campaign Begins!
April 22nd, 2008 categories: Market Trends, Random Thoughts, Real Estate News
Earth Day is Everyday
The Kentwood Companies are going “Green!” The leading real estate firm has announced the creation and implementation of an unprecedented “Think Green Campaign” that clearly illustrates the company’s dedication to the environment and the future health of planet earth. The co-owners, management team and leading broker associates at three Kentwood offices in the Denver area have committed to a Think Green Campaign that will reduce pollution in rivers and lakes, preserve our forests, and reduce pollution in the world’s oceans. The campaign coincides with Earth Day on April 22nd.
“The Kentwood Companies’ Think Green Campaign was designed to encourage people to make a difference in the environment and to conserve our natural resources,” said Carol Ihli, vice president and co-managing broker of the Cherry Creek office. “It’s important that our company makes decisions and establishes office policies that reflect our concern for the environment by reducing the carbon footprint.
“We have started a recycling program for each Kentwood office by making recycling bins available to our agents and support staff,” Ihli continued. “We have switched our printing to a certified ‘green’ printer so all of our brochures, flyers and other marketing materials are produced on recycled paper. The printing material and practices have passed the highest environment standards. We are making an effort to direct people to our website for more information rather than taking printed materials. The Kentwood Companies have also placed an order for 20,000 reusable shopping bags that will be distributed to our clients in May as a major part of the Kentwood Think Green Campaign. So now, when our clients carry a reusable bag and are asked at the grocery store if they prefer paper or plastic, they can say ‘neither!’ These bags have a minimum shelf life of three to four years.”
The Think Green Campaign promotes environmental awareness while establishing corporate responsibility. The centerpiece of the promotion is a reusable grocery bag imprinted with The Kentwood Companies logo. Participating Kentwood agents will give their clients four bags and a shopping list note pad supported by two “Earth Day” postcards available electronically or on recycled paper. A newsletter, also available electronically or on recycled paper, will provide “Green” tips, resources, and coupons. Four bags are the equivalent of a full grocery cart.
The Kentwood Think Green Campaign’s reusable bags hold more and spill less. They are sturdy, easier to carry, and last for years. And one reusable bag will replace 500 plastic bags.
The broker associates at The Kentwood Companies want every day to be Earth Day. Gretchen Faber, the co-Managing Broker at Kentwood’s Cherry Creek office invites you to contact her if you’re in the Denver area and would like a reusable shopping bag. Honor the earth, make your green resolutions for the next year today!
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Who Cares About the Earth?
April 12th, 2008 categories: Market Trends, Random Thoughts, Real Estate News
I just want my lifestyle…
Actions speak louder than words. I drive an SUV and live in a leaky 1938 brick Tudor. Sometimes I even take a long shower and turn up the heat. I piss myself off when I think about this because I also diligently recycle, carry my canvas shopping bags into the store whenever I think about it, and buy energy efficient light bulbs.
More and more often, clients are asking me about energy efficient homes, options for remodeling and how to get to Whole Foods in Cherry Creek. There seems to be a re-surging interest in natural foods, natural building products and how each of us can begin to make a difference, despite our individual lifestyles. Some of us will do more than others, but each of us can make an incremental difference.
50 Simple Things…
Remember the book 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth? It hit the bookstores in 1989 and was all the rage for awhile. I bought it and tried to make a concerted effort to adopt many of the suggestions. You can still find the book at Amazon.com and in some bookstores. These days there are also terrific resources on the internet and through your real estate broker or builder. We’ll need more than 50 simple things, but you gotta start somewhere.
Build Green Resources
Building and buying a built-green house is much easier today than it used to be. There are lists describing what qualifies a house as green, and even if the house isn’t officially “green” there are many components that builders are incorporating for energy efficiency that make living more comfortable and more earth friendly. At Colorado New Home Choices, you can find a list of questions to ask a builder when considering whether the home is a high-performing home.
You can also find similar lists as you work toward retrofitting an older home for energy efficiency. Simple things like switching light bulbs and more expensive ones like replacing single pane windows will prove worthwhile in the long run. My carbon footprint is definitely larger than it should be, but I’m trying to kick the oil habit and conserve water ~ you can do it too!
Rebates and Funding Opportunities
Our lovely state of Colorado offers rebates and funding opportunities through the Governor’s Energy Office. If you live out-of-state, check with your local government to see what they have to offer. This green feeling is even extending down to the micro level - where grass roots take over. My company, The Kentwood Company, was just highlighted in The Denver Post regarding our newly announced green campaign.
You don’t have to be an elf or a leprechaun to be green. Go for it!
| Discussion: 5 Comments »
My Blog, My Opinion
March 20th, 2008 categories: Drive By Shootings, Random Thoughts
I was told when I started blogging that generating a bit of controversy is actually a good thing. Getting people to read your posts and keep coming back is the point. Being plain vanilla is boring and dull.
“I’ve really done it now…”
I said to my husband when he got home tonight. “I received a very pissed-off comment regarding one of my posts.” Not a comment like the others I’ve received that lay out the person’s perspective in a thoughtful manner. This was more of an attack on me, my company and this blog.
“Way to Go!” says my blogging coach.
“Who cares?” says my very thick-skinned, ex-Marine, lawyer husband, “don’t get your knickers in a twist.” He’s impervious to controversy - me, not so much.
The American Way
Here’s the thing. I have as much a right to post my opinion on my own blog as anyone else does on their blog or in their newspaper article. That’s the American way. I may not always like or agree with what’s out there, but I’ll never deny that whoever wrote it can do so in this country. I recall a recent controversy generated over at Bloodhound Blog that had lots of folks threatening to unsubscribe. I read the initial post that caused all of the uproar and thought to myself, “Hmm, that guy has a bit of an ego.” But that was it. I didn’t think, “everyone should attack him for what he said.” While I also support their right to say their piece, what I don’t think is useful are the personal attacks.
So I’m not releasing the comment from moderation. You can just fill in the blanks yourself.
What Now?
The “Drive By Shootings” category in this blog has been the most popular so far. For the few pointed comments and the one really negative one I got today, I’ve received dozens of comments via email that say, “hurrah!” “You’re funny!” or “Interesting points.”
Lend Your Opinion
Aside from the fact that it’s unlikely that these photographs are copyrighted, is this a section that should stay? I’m not mentioning any broker names, property addresses, or even areas of town where these listings reside. To the extent that any copyright laws are violated, then it isn’t up for debate. The photos can’t be reproduced without permission. Other than that, these photos are coming from a public, internet domain.
Seems to me, that what the person objected to was my opinion. If I had posted the listing in a promotional way saying, “hey guys, check out this fabulous listing!!” then I doubt that anyone would have objected to my use of the photo. I really think my opinion is what caused the rub.
The unfortunate thing in all of this, is that the other broker (who is remaining politely quiet) is someone I greatly respect. Still my opinion stands…
| Discussion: 6 Comments »
Who Else Wants to Ditch Cell Phone Purgatory?
March 17th, 2008 categories: Random Thoughts
Landfills. We love to fill them up with our old junk. Now we have landfills in our houses too. Are you guilty? How many old phones do you have in your desk drawer? If your drawer is like mine, you can’t fit anything new until you purge something old - and I’m not even getting into how I purge the shoe closet…
Could you use a new iPhone?
The recent New York Times article entitled “The Afterlife of Cellphones” by Jon Mooallem, tells you how to recycle your old phones. Between my husband and me, we have at least 3-4 old phones to send in, and now we have two teenagers who think they have to have all of the latest junk accessible to humankind. If you worry about landfills and drawerfills, then look into these terrific resources for getting those old phones and batteries out of your drawer and into the hands of people who really need them. Now you’ll have space for your new iPhone!
New life for old phones
Discarded phones may seem antiquated or out of fashion to our tastes, but in other parts of the world, they’re useful. Many people have no access to regular “land lines” because their country doesn’t have the infrastructure to support phone lines and wires. Cell phones are the only way these people can access a phone. Can’t you just see Obama’s cousins in Kenya carrying your old glitter phone?
Let’s do our part to help others
Here are three links to companies that can help you recycle - just in time for Christmas! (oh wait, what day is it?) www.collectivegood.com, www.greenphone.com, www.recellular.com.
Helping soldiers
If you’d like to help out our soldiers, a wonderful resource is www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com. Those guys are stuck in some hot desert wanting to call their mom on mother’s day. They need your help!
Gather up your bricks, your flips, your dark fruit ~ It’s time to empty out your drawers and avoid purgatory!
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Save Me From Clueless Brokers!
March 3rd, 2008 categories: Random Thoughts, Selling Strategies
This is an email I got the other day from a client:
“Hey, I found another one. Not sure what’s up with it. Perhaps you can shed some light to all the acronyms listed in its MLS summary. Obviously it needs work. However, for the price and location, it may be worth it - your experience will definitely help with the decision. It’s located at 123 Main Street. Can we add it to our list for Saturday? Let me know what you think.”
I was curious what she was talking about, so I went into MLS to see what the verbiage looked like. This is what I saw:
BYR 2 OBTN CIC DOCS @ BYRS EXPENSE.SOLD AS IS.BYR2 VRFY ALL INCL BUT NOT LTD 2 SF,HOA ,TAX,ZONNG ND PRKNG.SBMT W ALL OFFRS CPY OF E.M. CHK ND LNDR LTR OR VERIF OF FNDS. OUTDATED. FIX OR SCRAPE. CLOSE TO CHERRY CREEK. DESIRABLE LOCATION.
So I wrote my client the following back:
“Translation: Buyer to obtain the common interest community documents at buyer’s expense. Sold as is. Buyer to verify all inclusions but not limited to square footage, home owners assn, tax, zoning, and parking. Submit with all offers: Copy of earnest money check and lender letter or verification of funds. Etc. Etc.
They don’t make it easy on the average buyer…! It looks like a bank owned property or pre-foreclosure. I’ll bet it’s probably decimated inside (dcmtd insd).”
Lazy business practices rule
I’ve often said that the barriers to entry in real estate are too low. It’s easy to get your license, harder I guess, to be professional at your job. This description says lazy to me. It also says that the real estate agent doesn’t care that the general public is viewing the “public” remarks in the MLS. My client found this property on an internet site - obviously one of many sites that just pull down basic info from MLS’s. If the Realtor isn’t capable of entering the information in a savvy enough manner to properly position her listing, then I guess that may explain why this house has been on the market for nearly a year and has seen 6 price reductions.
You get what you pay for in a listing agent…
Why Should You Care?
All over cyber space are posts and comments lambasting real estate brokers. I’m often surprised by the negativity, sometimes enlightened by the observations and bemused that some people lump all Realtors together as bad actors. It’s like calling all lawyers scum-sucking bottom feeders. Oh yeah….
The thing is, that many consumers not only want the services of a great broker, they need them. In today’s busy world, managing an entire transaction is complicated and time-consuming for two-income families with kids, school, hobbies, etc. Why buyers and sellers need a Realtor is to seek advice and guidance, to help with decision-making and to see to it that the transaction goes smoothly. In the Luxury real estate market there are added complexities that make using Zillow a non-starter.
I guess there is a place for everyone’s opinion. The people out there who don’t choose to use a broker are making their personal choice. When you need the services of a broker to market and sell your property, then you should definitely ask them what marketing experience they have. Writing copy like the example above just doesn’t cut it. If you’re a buyer out there looking at internet sites and have a question about broker lingo, just send me an email and I’ll translate.
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