Denver is THE Top Real Estate City for 2012
January 15th, 2012 categories: Real Estate News
Have you seen this recent news report about Denver real estate?
Denver is cited as the number one city to invest in real estate by Greg Rand of Own America.
Watch the clip as Greg covers the metrics that influenced his decision:
- Lifestyle and livability
- Relatively low unemployment as compared with the national average
- In-migration of people relocating to Denver
- A foreclosure rate that is half the national average
- A young population
- Low cost of living
- Fresh air
- 9 Fortune 500 companies and growing
Denver isn’t a secret any longer. The city is no longer a “cow town,” although you can attend the National Western Stock Show once a year to see cows and wear your boots.
We have a world famous art scene, great restaurants, bike trails and parks. Oh, and the mountains out back.
Come visit, and plan to stay. You’ll want to make your home in Denver!
Are you relocating to Denver? Check out area homes for sale on my GretchensDenver real estate web site. Contact me if you’re visiting and want to look for your next home.
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5 Things You Should Know About Relocating to Denver
November 29th, 2011 categories: Relocation Tips
If you’re moving into the Mile High City, there are a few things you may find helpful as you pull up stakes and head to the Rocky Mountains.
- Denver isn’t actually in the mountains. During college, one of my friends from home commented, “Wow! You must be in good shape to ride your bike in Denver!” It took a minute to realize she was under the impression I was riding over mountain passes. I explained that Denver is on the Plains, and suggested she come visit – maybe branch out from Santa Barbara.
- We do have traffic, but it’s not as bad as Chicago or LA. It will be worse during rush hour and definitely bad when the snow is heavy. Then the sun comes out and melts it all away (and creates our wicked pot holes.) If you want to keep your drive a certain time frame, use Map Quest or Google Maps. They’re both pretty accurate, but won’t account for rush hour or snow.
- We have great public schools, great private schools, and our population is among the most educated in the nation. For school information go to the Great Schools website as a start. Always visit the school and meet the Principal and staff. Don’t choose based on web sites. That’s just a good place to begin. Like looking for houses on the internet. You’ll still need to visit, see it, smell it and look around.
- We name a lot of places “Cherry.” There is “Cherry Creek” (meaning Cherry Creek North and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center,) Cherry Creek Schools (down south by the Cherry Creek Reservoir,) Cherry Hills and finally there’s actually a Cherry Creek, with the Cherry Creek bike path along it that connects Cherry Creek Reservoir and Cherry Creek North. Confused? Come out to Denver and I’ll show you around.
- Westword and 5280 Magazines will fill you in on local flavor. 5280 is known for publishing annual editions on the Best Doctors, Best Neighborhoods and Best Restaurants. Westword is irreverent and edgy and publishes interesting exposes on Denver misadventures. We used to wait expectantly every spring for the annual summer concert edition.
There is so much more to know about Denver, but this gives you a start. Don’t be afraid to explore, we have many terrific neighborhoods and there’s something for everyone, except for a beach. Well, maybe you could call the dirt at edge of Cherry Creek Reservoir a beach… never mind.
Gretchen Faber, LifeStyle Denver author, is a local Denver real estate broker. Contact Gretchen for information on Denver area real estate.
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Denver’s Economic Growth Strong by Some Measures
November 27th, 2011 categories: Market Trends
The Denver Post published a story this morning based upon research comparing Denver to 9 other U.S. cities.
According to their study, Denver continues to outpace most other regional cities for Economic Power, Earning Power, Brain Power and Innovation Attractiveness.
It’s been our hope, here in Denver, that the Innovation Attractiveness will help fuel employment, but apparently we’re lagging in jobs creation. We rank 6th out of the 10 for job creation and 5th for housing affordability.
I spent two days last week with a lovely family who are being moved to Denver from Houston with the oil and gas industry. They were a little glassy eyed with sticker shock in terms of housing affordability. However, one plus in Denver’s column is our relatively low property taxes.
A close friend also works in oil and gas, and she predicts that the Niobrara oil field could hasten job creation in the metro area. And Denver’s housing affordability rankings have actually improved during the recession. The housing decline and foreclosure crisis hit Denver earlier than most of the U.S., meaning we’ve come down to settle along the bottom.
One very interesting statistic in the Post’s article is the productivity of Denver’s workforce. Our GDP per-capita is $56,706 and ranks second behind only Seattle with a per-capita GDP of $60,859. This should attract businesses looking to relocate or expand. The average U.S. per-capita GDP is $11,149, meaning we have a highly productive workforce in metro Denver.
Jobs and employment are key, and they appear to be lagging based on the Post’s study. With such strong fundamentals in place, jobs should surely follow.
Gretchen Faber, LifeStyle Denver author, is a local Denver real estate broker. Contact Gretchen for information on Denver area real estate. She can’t find you a job, but she can definitely find you a house!
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Research the History of Your Denver Home at the Library
November 17th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
Do you like to do research? The Denver Public Library offers you the ability to learn about the history of your house.
If you’re interested in your home’s past, who lived there, if any businesses were there, or what it looked like then plan a day at the DPL main branch.
The helpful librarians can find copies of original building permits, some blueprints and ownership records. The library sometimes has early photographs of a building or the neighborhood and detailed information on previous owners.
Spend an afternoon and have fun learning about your house! A friend once said to me, “You never really own your home, you’re borrowing it from the next people to live there.” That sentiment becomes reality when you learn the history of your home’s past residents.
Find more information at the Denver Public Library’s web site.
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Denver’s Parade of Lights 2011
November 15th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
In Denver we have a tradition which kicks off the Holiday Season every year.
The first weekend of December, after all the leftovers are polished off, we head to downtown Denver for the Parade of Lights. Plan to bundle up, put hot cocoa in your thermos and stake out your corner early. This is an annual event you won’t want to miss.
Floats are covered in lights and Elves toss candy to the crowd, bands march with lights strung across their uniforms and instruments, and even Santa makes an appearance. Forget light pollution for one night and go with the fun.
The 2011 Parade of Lights is sponsored by Channel 9 News and takes place on December 2nd and 3rd. Don’t miss out on the fun and merriment in Denver!
Are you relocating to Denver? Check out area homes for sale on my GretchensDenver real estate web site. Contact me if you’re visiting over the holidays and want to look for your next home.
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Low Denver Inventory Leads to Multiple Offers
November 4th, 2011 categories: Market Trends, Relocation Tips
I’ve been working with a family relocating from the mid-west for several months. We look at a few properties whenever they make it to Denver for a visit.
There haven’t been many great matches for their specific needs (picture a giant playset.) This week, we’ve narrowed it down to three really good possibilities, with a fourth thrown in for good measure.
Here’s what we found out this afternoon as we’re deciding which one to make an offer on:
- 1 went under contract
- 1 got an offer yesterday and the seller is countering
- 1 has another agent with a client getting ready to make an offer
The inventory in Denver is the lowest since 2000 and nearly 28% below this time last year. That hasn’t translated into higher prices yet for a few reasons. The lower price point homes are selling in higher numbers, making it look like prices are down. And if prices were going to be down, this low inventory has helped keep a floor under any further decline.
This will be a telling time. I predict that we will begin to see slowly rising prices next year. I recently received multiple offers on a Washington Park bungalow and it closed less than 7 weeks after going on the market.
BUT! Sellers still need to very clearly hear what “the market” is telling them. There are properties that have languished on the market for months and months. Only once the price has been adjusted “to the market” will the seller receive offers.
If you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, do it soon. Don’t wait. Buyers in Denver need fresh meat!
Search for your new home on Gretchen Faber’s web site: www.GretchensDenver.com.
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Denver – B Cycle Program in Winter
November 2nd, 2011 categories: Life In Denver, Relocation Tips
When I lived in Germany, I was flabergasted that they would ride their bicycles throughout the winter. On snow-packed roads!
I guess being California raised meant that I had no clue you could bike all winter.
Denver’s B-Cycle program is out to prove it this year, and the rental bikes will be available in sunshine or blizzard.
Today’s storm didn’t slow down many people. The Denver Public Schools think their students are like postal workers. School is rarely canceled – rain, sleet or snow. And by late afternoon the sun was shining. Oh, Denver! A glorious place to live!
Looking to live in Metro Denver? Search homes at www.GretchensDenver.com.
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Denver Colorado Real Estate Statistics | June 2011
July 19th, 2011 categories: Market Trends
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 credit.
Which makes June and July 2011 interesting months to observe trends. In Denver, Colorado real estate, the trend is that closings are up, Pending and under contract properties are up and inventory is down.
Since May, 2011 our local Denver area residential real estate inventory has increased a little – just shy of 1%. But we’re still seeing a much lower number of homes on the market from this time last year.
Less available inventory theoretically translates to increasing prices. Historically low interest rates also historically work to firm up real estate markets. But since last year, prices are still dramatically down. From May, 2011 prices to see to be firming a little, increasing 3.62%.
The market is stable, sales continue, but prices will not increase as fast as Sellers would like. It will take many months to make back any losses, but if your goal is to buy or sell a home, there could be worse times. Last summer was much slower than this year, and Buyers seem enthusiastic about the prospects of owning a home in Denver!
To search for your next Denver home, go to www.GretchensDenver.com. Gretchen Faber’s real estate and relocation web site.
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6,000 Square Feet in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado
June 27th, 2011 categories: LifeStyle Listings
This home is situated on nearly an acre in one of Metro Denver’s most charming bedroom communities, Cherry Hills Village.
The first thing you’ll notice as you walk through the door is light. This warm, inviting home has the space you’ll need to spread out, entertain guests and enjoy the Colorado lifestyle.
The kitchen has been updated with slab granite and you’ll also find formal and informal living spaces and a great layout for togetherness or privacy. The enormous yard is flat and treed. The Cherry Hills riding path runs along the rear of the property, so don’t be surprised to see an occasional horse and rider go by!
Offered at $849,000 this home is exceptionally well-priced for the area and size of home. View property details and photos at 17Cherrymoor.com.
Would you like to see photos of more Cherry Hills Village properties? Click on www.GretchensDenver.com and search all of the Cherry Hills area.
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Denver’s Washington Park Garden Tour 2011 – A Feast for the Senses
June 13th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
We love to garden in Denver. There are garden tours in nearly every area of town this time of year.
This weekend in Denver, we have an especially nice Garden tour in the treasure of a neighborhood we call Wash Park. The Washington Park Garden Tour is a benefit for the Denver Hospice, so mark your calendars for June 18th.
Featuring 10 gardens, each with a different personality, the garden tour will be a particularly pleasant way to spend Saturday afternoon. You can purchase tickets online at the link above for $15. At the door, ticket are $20. Check in at 537 South Ogden Street for your map and ticket on the 18th.
Bike, walk or ride your scooter over to Washington Park!
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