Recap of First Half 2008 Home Price Performance The average home price in Metro Denver increased +2% in the full year 2005 to the full year 2006. Comparing 2006 to 2007, the average home price across the metro dropped 3%, to $303,000. The half of 2008 was $275,000 vs. the first half of 2007 was $306,000: a 10% decrease. These numbers will be slightly different than Metrolist, as they are just Denver Metro and don't include outlying areas like Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, or Boulder. The average price of a foreclosure dropped -6% to $168,000 in the first half of 2008. The average short sale was steady at $212,000. The average price of a non-distress sale decreased 5% to $352,000. Sales volume was down for single family homes. Foreclosure and short sale volume is up and non-distress s... 09/25/2008

Investor often ask me what types of real estate investments are available on the market.  Here's what we tell them. This is the first of several postings on the topic. Please offer comments - positive or negative! Assignments.  If you don't have much equity to work with, and/or if your credit power is limited, assignments can be a way to get started in real estate investing.  You will need to have a strong "sales" personality to succeed at it, though.    Rental Condo or Rental Home.  Purchase of a residential property to be rented out to tenants, usually on a 6-12 month lease term.  This is how most new landlords get started.  You can hire out all of the property management functions, but in many cases you will do many of them on your own.  There are smaller down payment requirements th... 09/25/2008

Bail out or Not, each day as we learn more and more it becomes more and more obvious that even if the bail out is good for now or three months we are still faced with the same problem three months from now. Dooms Day is the fear being given us by our Congress and Democrats that are pushing hard for this program. Makes you wonder what they are expecting to gain from this, maybe just election timing. WE need to wake up and see what's happening to us. I hear one Congressman this morning say he has gotten 200 to 1 calls against the bail out. So why are they listening to the public. We are indeed pushing toward socialism and could be setting our-self up for potential problems in the future. remember the Democrats have control of congress. A fact... until the housing industry corrects we will... 09/25/2008

Down 11.5% and this is just the beginning. Get ready for the big drop average value of homes is dropping and we will see number possibly goback to the 70's. This might not be bad as home have gone up at unrealistic rates and extremely overvalued. So, it seems the economy is correcting itself and we just have to hope the consumer confidence improves in the next two years so we can start seeing some corrections by 2010. It is going to take a while as you know if you are a reader of our moneycafe blog of old we predicted in 2004 that this would last 10 plus years or more and I'm sad to say that might just be the case. So, hold on it's going to be a difficult ride. 09/25/2008

Investor often ask me what types of real estate investments are available on the market.  Here's what we tell them. This is the first of several postings on the topic. Please offer comments - positive or negative! Assignments.  If you don't have much equity to work with, and/or if your credit power is limited, assignments can be a way to get started in real estate investing.  You will need to have a strong "sales" personality to succeed at it, though.    Rental Condo or Rental Home.  Purchase of a residential property to be rented out to tenants, usually on a 6-12 month lease term.  This is how most new landlords get started.  You can hire out all of the property management functions, but in many cases you will do many of them on your own.  There are smaller down payment requirements th... 09/24/2008

Investor often ask me what types of real estate investments are available on the market.  Here's what we tell them. This is the first of several postings on the topic. Please offer comments - positive or negative! Assignments.  If you don't have much equity to work with, and/or if your credit power is limited, assignments can be a way to get started in real estate investing.  You will need to have a strong "sales" personality to succeed at it, though.    Rental Condo or Rental Home.  Purchase of a residential property to be rented out to tenants, usually on a 6-12 month lease term.  This is how most new landlords get started.  You can hire out all of the property management functions, but in many cases you will do many of them on your own.  There are smaller down payment requirements th... 09/24/2008

As we move toward a potential bail out I have given more thought to it and what we will be doing for the country. The initial thought was don't do it but as the information becomes more available and it's easier to understand the percentage of which we can buy the paper I believe this is a sure way for the government to make some serious money while helping our financial institutions get back on track, With that said I would surely put some serious restrictions on the leaders and probably directors of these companies. In fact maybe no pay outs to them until all debts are paid to the government. with this being done we could put together one of the best opportunities of a life time. We add lot of cash to the government system, help the financial world and keep us from going further into ... 09/24/2008

We handle the liquidation of over 100 estates a year here in the Denver and Colorado Front Range Area. Most of the items from these estates end up being sold at Public Auction, either onsite or at our Eaton Auction Center in Downtown Eaton, Colorado. Some of the estates we handle are more memorable than others. We have recently been hired to liquidate an estate I am sure we will all remember for some time. Long time Denver resident Dr. Lawrence M. Robertson passed away unexpectedly recently. The Personal Representative of his estate hired us to liquidate all his personal property on VERY SHORT NOTICE! Dr. Robertson was well known in Denver, Colorado and the surrounding states. Not only was he a Neurosurgeon but he was also a US Navy Commander, Electrical Engineer and Law School Graduate... 09/19/2008

  As I just posted this morning - the leaves are starting to turn here in Denver.  You can read it here:  Living in Denver - Fall Is In The Air. And I have heard in the high country - things are just as starting as well.  Things were very cool this past weekend in the mountians, even some snow on the peaks.  I am hearing that between this weekend and the next 2 weeks it will be leaf viewing time.  If you are here in Denver looking for a home and have some extra time, its a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the Colorado Outdoors. Here is a post I originally wrote last fall (9/07) with some great areas for fall leaf viewing.  I still think these are some of the great day trip for fall leaf viewing.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As I was writing my recent Post, ... 09/17/2008

Denver Living - Fall Is In The Air Its hard to know it with today's temperatures reaching into the mid 80's here in the Denver area, but fall is just around the corner.  Last week's cooler temps and the overnight cool down have started the leaves - I got my first real glimpse this morning while taking my morning walk around my Highlands Ranch neighborhood with my dog. One of the things I have always really enjoyed about living in the Denver area is the wide range of temperatures - it can be in the 50's one day and much warmer the next.  And once we get closer to that first snow, it can happen on the same day as a warmer morning begins - you just never know.  But in the same way - a snowy morning can warm up and melt traces by mid afternoon and lead to a warmer afternoon.   The climate i... 09/17/2008

At the Newman Center, Denver University Campus, October 15-16, 2008  The Newman Center proudly continues its collaboration with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra by once again presenting the award-winning orchestra in concert with the 100-member London Symphony Chorus. The assembled throng will offer two performances of Verdi's monumental Requiem. This spectacular, chilling and ethereal work will highlight the unparalleled acoustics of June Swayner Gates Concert Hall and the talents of both the University's music students and one of the world's most distinguished choruses. There will be a FREE Behind the Curtain lecture at 6:30 pm each night. Ticket information Prices are as follows: Orchestra $68.00 Parterre $68.00 Mezzanine $43.00 Balcony $28.00 You may Purchase Tickets as Followspurchas... 09/17/2008

                     Hey you! Why not let that next home for sale in Lowry find YOU!                                Stop working so hard at finding that perfect home online. Let www.COhomefinder.com find it for you! You can see all the Lowry homes for sale in Denver Colorado here, but you really ought to sign up to get new listings sent to your inbox. Let Denver Homes, Condos, Townhomes, Luxury Homes find YOU!   Start your Colorado Real Estate Search Here. Find your Colorado Home here 09/16/2008

                                    Looking for Hilltop Homes for sale in Denver Colorado? Check out Homes in Hilltop and all of the Hilltop Neighborhoods by map below! Search all Homes for sale in Hilltop in Denver Colorado here!          CitySubdivisionInteractiveMapNumberListingsMedianPriceMinimumPriceMaximumPrice Denver Hilltop, Cherry Creek, Crestmoor Map   2 $1,892,500 $1,365,000 $2,420,000 Denver Hilltop, Cherry Creek Map   5 $1,450,000 $1,150,000 $2,495,000 Denver Hilltop, Crestmoor, Cherry Creek Map   5 $1,488,000 $649,000 $3,395,000 Denver Hilltop, Crestmoor, Lowry Map   2 $1,540,000 $1,350,000 $1,730,000 Denver Hilltop, Crestmoor Map   18 $1,197,250 $349,000 $3,900,000 Denver Hilltop, Hill Top Map   2 $1,239,750 $699,500 $1,780,000 Denver Hilltop, Malone & Dubois Map   2 $1,2... 09/15/2008

                                    Finding Berkley Homes for sale in Denver just got easier! Check out the various neighborhoods in and around Berkley, Denver Colorado. Compare average home values by each Neighborhood in Berkley and Search for Berkley Homes For Sale in Denver Colorado.                    Boundaries: 38th Avenue, 48th Avenue, Sheridan Boulevard, Federal Boulevard The Neighborhood: The Berkeley neighborhood has been riding the coattails of the Highland 'hood for years-until now. Bookended by beautiful parks with lakes-Berkeley Lake and Rocky Mountain Lake-the area's big trees, sidewalk culture, older homes, and diversity of residents appeal to young families, first-time home buyers, and an older set that has been in the area for years. Of course, the Tennyson Street reta... 09/15/2008

The High Plein Air Arts Festival in Denver's Art and Museum District, The Golden Triangle. Over 100 Artists Paint Throughout The Golden Triangle, An Art Exhibit of Paintings was held on Saturday September 13th, 2008 on the Plaza of the Daniel Liebskind Designed Hamilton Building and The Museum Residences. The Slide Show is of Some of The Paintings and The last Photo is of Artists outside The New Center for Empowered Living and Learning (The CELL) Understanding the Treat of Terrorism, an Anti-Terrorism Center. 09/14/2008

September 2008 Market Conditions Denver's real estate prices continued to drop in August. Single family home median and average prices were 12.6% lower than August 2007, while condos and townhome median prices dropped 8.2%. The number of homes sold in August was down 9.34% from last year, and 11.34% from July. The only good news for sellers is that 20% fewer homes were on the market than were available for sale in August 2007, and that 4.98% more homes went under contract than a year ago. Average days on market for both single family homes and condos/townhomes remain virtually the same as last year, indicating that homes are not languishing longer as might be expected in a soft market. Average sold price for single family dwellings decreased by only .43% from July, but showed a signific... 09/13/2008

My cute little 1927 Denver Bungalow is on the market. What fun I had getting it ready! Oh, yeah, the BIG TO-DO list provided by my favorite real estate agent (that would be me). Well, my stager kicked in a few assignments, too... including having my windows professionally cleaned. Ugh. Just what I need, ANOTHER $200's out the door just to ensure that I don't chase away that one buyer who has a dirty-window phobia! Is it REALLY that important? Will it REALLY make a difference? Uh, yes. Wow. I couldn't believe the difference. My windows are 80 years old and you'd a thunk they were brand new (or actually, not even THERE, they were that clean). The whole house feels brighter, cleaner, and much better maintained. Can you see the difference?          BEFORE              AFTER       HERE'S ANO... 09/12/2008

The Golden Triangle Neighborhood of Denver is a walkers paradise, I know I live here and I average 25 miles per week using my car. I am considering not having a car, that would be novel a Real Estate Broker on foot, but with a Walk score of 96 out of 100 most of my errands can be accomplished on foot. 09/11/2008

The High Plen Air Festival is currently Going On in The Golden Triangle. Artists set up their supplies in the Golden Triangle checking out the local scene, they Paint, Draw or Sculpt "en plein air". Painting began on September 6, 2008 and continues until September 16th, 2008 On November 14th there will be an opening reception at The Denver Public Library on the 7th floor. I took the photos below while walking my dog BeGee The Labradoodle with my Blackberry Curve 09/11/2008

10/18 UPDATE:  Taking the day off from home staging to visit May Farms, pictures to come soon! This past week, it has definately been unseasonably cool here in Black Forest, North and East of Colorado Springs.  The weather feels like the on-set of a traditional British autumn.  Almost time to pull out the Halloween decorations and get ready for our big Halloween Party. But first, I am reminded of what has been an annual tradition in our house for the past 2 years - the trip to May Farms in Byers Colorado! We first discovered May Farms 2 years ago when looking for a pumpkin patch to visit for proper pumpkin hunting with the kids.  A few clicks of the mouse and searching on the web lead us to their website.  Looked great.  Piled into the car and headed up north the 'back' way -- avoiding ... 09/10/2008