Life Style Denver by Gretchen Faber

Denver Among Top 10 Healthiest Housing Markets

Recently, Builder Magazine listed Denver as among the top 10 healthiest housing markets in their  "Healthiest Housing Markets: Mid-2011 Update." We've been experiencing such low vacancy rates for rentals, that much of what's driving home sales is investor interest.  Investors are willing to take a risk on our market and are snapping up good rentals.  With investors getting back in, more buyers will feel confident in the coming months. Builder Magazine says permits for new construction look to double in 2012 and...Continue Reading!

Mother-In-Law Suites Gaining Favor

While showing homes this year to several of my clients, one new trend seemed to stand out. Several people mentioned a need to have an accessible second master suite for their parents.  Bloomberg News confirmed this trend today in their online post "Homebuilders Target In-Laws, Dogs as Extended Families Grow."  We joke about our 20-somethings moving home and whether we could live with our mothers-in-law, but the reality is that many families are consolidating and cohabiting. That's a great trend for families. ...Continue Reading!

Denver Residents Falling Back

Everyone in Denver is falling back tonight.  At least, those of us who remember to turn our clocks back an hour will. So don't get left behind.  Change your clocks and sleep an extra hour on Sunday morning. And if you're having an open house, give your broker a break if she shows up an hour early. You can search for Denver open houses on my GretchensDenver website every weekend! Continue Reading!

Denver Real Estate Statistics | September 2011

Real estate in Denver has picked up steam during September and October.  The summer was hot and dry, the fall has been brisk.  Under contracts are up over last year. Inventory is still extremely low, and buyers are finding it difficult to get into the house of their dreams without making some concessions.  But sellers with any sort of perceived flaw in their home are nonetheless finding themselves waiting for an elusive offer.  The perceived flaws that hold today's buyers back...Continue Reading!

Bang for Your Buck – Top Home Updating Tips

As a Denver area real estate broker, I'm asked by homeowners where they should put their money when getting their house ready for sale.  So many times, the Seller has put off updates and improvements they could have enjoyed and they're now considering those same updates to benefit the next owner. How can you keep on top of home improvements, keep on budget and enjoy before you sell?  Focus on "bang for the buck." Bang for the Buck 1:  Kitchen counter tops....Continue Reading!

Denver Colorado Real Estate Statistics | June 2011

June 2011 was the month we were waiting for.  Real estate professionals all over the U.S. were predicting that year-over-year sales from June 2010 would rise in June 2011. In 2010, the Homebuyer Tax Credit ended in April, and at the time all under contract or pending properties were required to close by the end of June to qualify.  The closing date was later pushed out to September, but in April everyone thought June 30 was the final date for the...Continue Reading!

Denver Colorado Real Estate Statistics | May 2011

We're finally comparing Denver real estate sales this year with the time after the tax credit ended last year (for under contract properties.) The number of homes under contract jumped 23% from May of 2010.  This is the first month in 2011 where we're not comparing under contract data to the tax credit time of 2010. The average sale price for both single family and condo are up over 3%, reflecting stability in the market.  While the recent Case Shiller numbers for...Continue Reading!

Denver Real Estate – Double Dip, Single Dip?

Today's S & P Case Shiller Report proved interesting to more than just real estate junkies.  The highly-watched, monthly index of housing prices showed a double dip housing recession in many U.S. housing markets. Denver bucked the trend. Barely.  We're not in a double dip - this month.  At least not with this most recent report (showing data from March 2011.)  Denver prices were down 3.8% over March of 2010.  In February 2009, our low point, prices had fallen 5.7% over...Continue Reading!

Denver Colorado Real Estate Statistics | April 2011

Denver real estate is always interesting.  With April statistics out a little later in the month than usual, and a recent business trip, the April report is finally here! And... what do we see? Inventory is unusually low for the Spring.  This could impact prices in future months, if Buyer demand improves and inventory stays low, prices will improve. Prices are flat and down from last year.  Not a surprise since we're still recovering and last year's tax credit generated high demand. Under contract...Continue Reading!

Denver Colorado Real Estate Statistics | March 2011

Real Estate is like a box of chocolates.  Sometimes you get nuts. The nuts have been our foreclosures, our short sales, our underwriting issues and our tough appraisals. Real Estate is like a roller coaster.  Sometimes you go up, and then you fall fast.  It takes longer to go up than come down. Interestingly, last year's tax credit made our first half of the year incredibly busy. Then third quarter we fell off a cliff.  It was so quiet!  We all went to...Continue Reading!