Ah, Multiple Offers.  It's a phrase I haven't heard used in a while...and one that I have missed deeply, from the bottom of my heart.  Now that Spring is here, the birds are chirping, daylight savings time starts tomorrow, and Multiple Offers are back!!!I feel like I have been showing the same sad foreclosed on, vacant, lonely homes for months now - buyer after buyer walking through and pondering the obvious questions - why hasn't anyone bought this place (it's been on the market for a year) - and why should I (when there are 4 more just like it within 100 yeards)? But now, in the last week, I have had buyers write offers on 3 different properties that have been on the market for months only to learn that they already have Multiple Offers.Explanation please, Robin. Here's my take:1. The... 03/09/2008

Did you know that Denver holds the largest St. Patrick's Day Parade west of the Mississippi River? Now you do.  In fact the Denver area is loaded with celebrations honoring St. Patty.  If you have recently moved to Denver and are looking for a few choice activities that may include corned beef & cabbage and perhaps a green beverage of your choosing - here are a few to check out. St. Patrick's Day Parade - Saturday 3/15 at 10am - The parade route begins at Coors Field at 27th and Blake - goes up Blake to 17th and then turns back on Wyncoop.  If you are lucky you may catch a four leaf clover!  There are over 10,000 marchers entered this year and according to the web site, last year there were over 200,000 spectators!  St Patrick's Day Run 5k - Highlands Ranch - This fun community event ki... 03/07/2008

In spite of national real estate market "doom and gloom" reports, Denver buyers have a golden opportunity to buy at (or near) the bottom. In February the market showed more activity than it has in recent months. Properties under contract, both detached and attached single family homes, increased over January by 12.66%, and by 4% over February 2007. The number sold decreased slightly, but that number reflects properties under contract in January. Prices for all single family homes showed a slight decrease (-.47%) from January, and a greater decrease (-3.74%) from February 2007. Median prices increased 2% from February for detached single family homes, but decreased by 1.9% for attached single family homes. The median price for detached homes was $221,486 in February, up from $216,950 in... 03/07/2008

Described as one of the "fastest growing art districts in the country", the Sante Fe Art District is one of Denver's wonderful places to go for amazing art. From 5th to 10th Avenues along Sante Fe Boulevard, there are more than 30 galleries.The First Friday Art Walk runs all year round from 6-9 pm. and art lovers are invited to see the work of incredible artists. If you are looking for something amazing to do on Friday nights, this is one weekly event not to miss.Artist Sharon McEachern is known for her mixed media and has her work featured at the "Art Eclectic" show at the CORE New Art Space. The gallery is located at 9th and Sante Fe. Sharon wrote and asked that I invite all our Denver art connoisseurs to see her latest work. She has several very unique pieces and I look forward to vi... 03/06/2008

Denver, Colorado & The South Metro Suburbs - Relocation Package - Everything You Need to Know About Relocating To The South Denver Metro Area   Relocating to Denver?  Then you have found the right resource.    The Denver metro area is full of possibilities for you to make it your next home.  Making the decision as to where to live in Denver is huge - there are so many different areas, there is a lot to consider.  First of all, you need to decide if you want a more urban lifestyle, a suburban community or perhaps you are looking for a more "in-the-middle of nowhere' home.  All of these options are available in the Denver metro area.  Home, Townhome or Condo?  Ranch?  Horse Property?  Lots of decisions to be made.  First things first, the type of commute you and anyone in your family may ... 03/04/2008

We've been inspired for California's success with these, so I have partnered with a lender to give it a run here in Denver.  Our first tour is scheduled for March 13, and we're hoping to get the story picked up by the local newspapers and TV stations this week.  Our website is www.denverforeclosurebustours.com. 03/03/2008

Folks:I was developing some information for a client about the market in Denver.  I wanted to share the market composition with you as well.I would note that the $200k to $300k is the market sweet spot right now, with 4.7 months of inventory.  However, as those folks buy up - and statistics indicate they move up 50% in price - the $300k to $400k market should move more in the intermediate term. Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. as of March 2, 2008.Single Family Residences OnlyExcludes Housing Not Listed in MetroList Listing in the Denver MLSAs of March 2, 2008Price RangeActive% of MarketSold in Past 12 MonthsSold Per MonthMonths of Inventory $                -    $                100,000              1,776 8.69%             2,291                 191                  9.3  $      ... 03/02/2008

Every now and then I get a call from someone either relocating to Denver or needing to leave Denver that is directly tied to a Corporate Relocation package.  Some are past clients that I have sold Denver real estate to, others have been referred by my clients or found me in other ways.  In any case, it seems that there is, at times some confusion tied directly to corporate relocation. The number 1 question that is asked over and over: Do I have to use the Realtor® that the Relocation company has suggested? And the answer is: probably not.  I almost can say, that answer is no - but there are a few very unusual circumstances where that may not be the case - so we will leave it at probably not.   Now that doesn't mean you shouldn't.  It just doesn't mean you have to.  Its your house, your ... 03/01/2008

Need a Professional Referral? MileHighReferrals.com is Here!   If you have one to give, contact me here. Dear Readers,  Need a Professional Referral?  Visit the site exclusive to my clients!  For more information, please click to http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=l6dhgkcab.0.0.8ww7wzbab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.milehighreferrals.com%2F&id=preview or http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=l6dhgkcab.0.0.8ww7wzbab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.milehighhomehunter.com%2F&id=previewAs you may guess, I receive many requests from friends and associates for referrals to professional trades and services - everything from painters to attorneys.  Because I receive such a large number of requests, and because I operate my own business by referral, I have decided to commit some time and resources to compiling a Referral Directory. This r... 02/29/2008

New Home Builder Deals For Leap Year Weekend  Dear Readers,  New Home Builder Deals for Leap Year Weekend  For more information, please click to www.MileHighMLS.com or www.milehighhomehunter.com  Did you know...?Builders encourage Buyers to have a professional real estate broker working with them. Put my experience to work for you! My professional experience has helped clients save on their home purchase and helped them sell their present home.Here are some homes that are on special presently. Please let me know if I can be of assistance in your purchase.    As always, whenever YOU are ready, I am here Bringing The World Home To YouTM   And, if you know of someone that is looking to buy or sell, I am NEVER too busy for any of your referrals.    Kind regards and happy "Home Hunting",   M... 02/29/2008

One of the best parts about living in Colorado is that you will never run out of new places to visit - and generally speaking - you can find somewhere great to go in under 2 hours - many under 1!         One of our family's favorite places to visit is Colorado Springs.  We were there quite recently for my son's hockey game at the Sertich Ice Arena - so even though we did not have a ton of free time, we were lucky to have beautiful weather and had some time to enjoy the day and stayed for a nice lunch as well.             If you are visiting Colorado Spring and looking for ideas - here are some of our favorites.   Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - This zoo is really fun- and has become a must-visit for Denverites.  The first time we went my kids were still little, so we took the trolley to the top... 02/28/2008

I have a new addiction. The Dog Park at Berkeley Park - around 46th & Yates. Why do I say "addiction?" Because... imagine the collective energy of 100+ happy dogs racing around the (fenced-in) park, with their 100+ owners proudly overlooking the scene. It's a rush. Probably something like the rush you get when you shoot illegal nastiness into your veins (no personal experience there though). On my first visit, I stood in the middle of the park, all by myself, laughing out loud as I watched Baba and Ziggers make new friends, hump old ones and then collapse for a moment or two out of sheer exhaustion, only to spring back to life and begin again.Feeling a little blue? Head for the Dog Park. Call me - I can be there in five minutes. I'm addicted.www.CharmingoldDenver.com  02/27/2008

Historical Return on Real Estate Now that we have seen how Denver appears to be bucking the trend, nationally, let's look at returns on real estate.  As the story is national in scope, permit me treat it nationally as well.  Let me start this section with a question: Do you recall the couple from Georgia who just won the lottery?  (See story here)  Robert and Tonya Harris picked all the correct numbers in the Georgia Mega Ball Lottery.  Their winnings: $270 million.  Sweet!   Now, they won't get all that. Having chosen the lump-sum option, they will get $164 million, before taxes.  Let's say they wind-up with about $75 million after all the government taxing authorities get their cut.  Would you find it acceptable to net $75 million? Would you find it acceptable to net $75 million after... 02/26/2008

The Denver Market The data - the S&P/Case-Schiller Index of Home Price Indices - shows just how local real estate markets are.  So, let's look into it more.  Though the overall market is down 8.9% (see article here), the local markets show many different stories.  In the inimitable words of Secret Agent Maxwell Smart, "Would you believe...?"Though the data is national in scope, permit me to focus on Denver for the benefit of my clients.  Would you believe that Denver is:In the top 1/3 (~35%) of the 20 major markets for 2007?In the bottom 20% for the period from 2000 - 2007?That the trend from the bottom 20% to the TOP 1/3 is positive news for Denver? Let's take a look at the data: the S&P/Case-Schiller Index of Home Price Indices show that the coasts are hurting - a lot.   S&P Case Schi... 02/26/2008

You likely heard the headline today: "Home Prices Drop to 20-year Low!"It's been all over the news and the internet.  If you read the headlines, those of you from my generation would be reminded of a skit that Sean Penn did after the 1987 Stock Market Crash on Saturday Night Live.   In that skit, Sean - in character - was an inebriated floor trader being interviewed on a parody of Wall Street Week with Louis Rukeyser.  Presumably, insulated from that day's trading troubles with copious amounts of intoxicants, a "mellowed" Penn - in character - advised getting out of stocks and into "canned goods and shotguns" a la survivalists as a pre-cursor to an impending societal breakdown.  Well, though funny, societal breakdown didn't happen.  But is it really that bad?  No. Far from it. (Ironical... 02/26/2008

Denver is the proud host for the Democratic National Convention this August.  It is projected that there will be a severe housing problem for all of the delegates.  If you are planning on being in the Mile High City August 25th-28th, and you don't have hotel reservations, IT'S TOO LATE!  Booked, Gone, Later, Thanks for trying!   Space is so limited that they are talking about delaying the start of Denver Public Schools academic year, such that they can utilize the facilities, buses, etc. for the convention.The economic impact of the convention will be 10's of Millions of Dollars, not to mention all the great, FREE, publicity our great city will receive.  So a definate feather in the city's cap.  That is, unless you are one of the many people without a place to stay!I wanted to let every... 02/26/2008

Sellers miss out on the most valuable marketing tool, which is home staging, because the Realtor they hire is not educated regarding the value of home staging.  As a certified home stager, and a Realtor with over 14 years of experience, sellers choose a Realtor because they "assume" we can sell their home faster and for more money than the competition.  However, 95% of my contacts for home staging over the Internet is from the homeowner/seller - NOT the Realtor.  They comment that their Realtor knows little or nothing about the subject and suggest "they" find a home stager.  You're kidding me, right?  With that said, we (Realtors) don't look so "cutting edge" and smart.  Why is it the homeowner knows more about the subject than Realtors?  Home staging has been in the news for years, and... 02/26/2008

Ok, So This is not real estate related....But I can not NOT post about this. As much as we love hockey in this house, this is pretty darn exciting news. The rumors are true and Forsberg is indeed coming back to Colorado! Now it remains to be seen how healthy he is - but come on - Sakic, Stastny, Hejduk, Smyth, Theodore, Savatos, Forsberg - there is some incredible potential! My son had hockey practice last night, and I didn't get to go, but my wife said the boys were just flipping out with the news. And apparently there was a dad there already in his old Forsberg jersey - had to rush home to get it! We are taking our son to a game for his 11th birthday next month. He said this was the best pre-birthday gift ever!Trade deadline today. Any chance we get just one more super star for the de... 02/26/2008

Is Denver back? Since December 2007, strong news has been published about the Denver real estate market.  As noted in the flash message on this page (immediately to the right), Denver has been touted as having: A projected "Top 5 Market" as identified in a National Association of REALTORS®.  Click here to see this report on my Mile High Home Hunter site. (You will need to open it as "read only" as it it password protected.) A "Top 10 Job Growth Market" as identified by Monster.com. Denver is experiencing 14% year-over-year job growth. Click here to see the statistics. A city in a "Top 10 Fastest Growing State", as seen in this Realtor® Magazine Article Click here to see the article. Does this mean that there is no better time to buy?  Only you can answer that for yourself, based on your... 02/25/2008

I was lucky to be invited to a private preview reception at the Denver Art Museum of the Fabulous New Show "Inspiring Impressionism" The show Opens to the Public Tomorrow Feb 23 and Runs to May 25, 2008. If you need a Vacation and Love Art, This exhibition features 100 works of art from nearly 70 museums and private collections around the world. I feel so privileged to have this in Denver and even more privileged to live only 1 block away from the Denver Art Museum In Denver's Art & Museum District The Golden Triangle. This Exhibition was organized by the Denver Art Museum in collaboration with the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, and the Seattle Art Museum. 02/22/2008