We’re going green at LIVE - new designation from NAR
The new Green Team at LIVE is spending a couple of days making it official - being the green source for buyers, sellers, and homeowners is a priority for us!
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February 26, 2009HGTV is looking for First-Time Buyers!
HGTV is still looking for first-time sellers in the Denver/Metro area! They are casting for a new show to be called “My First Sale” and it showcases homeowners who are selling their first place (and their agents). The format is very similar to their hit show, “My First Place” but this time they want to show the inherent drama and selling strategies being used in the current real estate market in the Denver area. The selected first-time sellers will be rewarded with a compensation check at the end of taping to thank them for being on the show. Home Green Home: The Low-Hanging Fruit
I also recently saw that Xcel Energy is offering up to a $300 rebate to homeowners who increase insulation in their home’s attic or walls. http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/home-green-home-the-low-hanging-fruit/?ref=business February 25, 2009Denver national leader of the pack for housing prices last year!Yes, home prices in the Denver area dropped 4 percent during the 12-month period that ended in December. But that was the smallest decline of the 20 metropolitan areas tracked in the closely watched S&P/Case-Shiller Home Prices Indices released Tuesday. Overall, the 20 cities fell by an average 18.5 percent. It was the second piece of news in as many days that indicates the local real estate market is bucking a national trend of homes in a free fall, as the nation grapples with the worst housing crisis since the Great Depression.
Foreclosure sales were down even more, falling 16 percent, though many experts think that is largely due to temporary lender moratoriums on foreclosures. Read the entire article as published in the Rocky Mountain News here. February 23, 2009ATTN: 1st Time Homebuyers…Come and get your Tax Credit! First Time Homebuyer, have you been on the fence, contemplating buying a home, but just haven’t been able to land on the other side? Well, now, thanks to Pres. Obama, you can (land), and will get a big Tax Credit, just for doing so. Tuesday’s signing (here in Denver) of the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009″ bill is a $780 billion package, with ~35% of it devoted to tax cuts, and a Tax Credit, specifically for YOU (Mr/Mrs/Ms 1st Time Homebuyer)! “The bill provides for a $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. The credit does not require repayment.” Check out the “1st Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Chart” (click on the link below), for details regarding the modifications from the “old” tax credit, to the “new”. And, now that you’ve landed (on the buy side), it’s time to get out “house shopping”!Contact a LIVE Urban Realtor, today…we’ll get ya going! http://www.liveurbandenver.com/find_a_realtor/ February 9, 2009Happy Hour @ 2021 Grove Street this Wednesday from 4-7
please visit www.2021grove.com for pictures, floorplan and more information February 5, 2009Bcycle!
From today’s Urban Eye… Alright Denver, prepare to do your best Lance Armstrong impersonation. Mayor John Hickenlooper and several community partners today announced plans for a citywide bike sharing program - Denver B-Cycle - that will make 500 bikes available to the public at 30 to 40 stations throughout the city beginning this summer. Denver will be one of the first cities nationwide to launch such a comprehensive bike sharing program, which will be funded initially with a $1 million donation from the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee. The B-Cycle Citywide Bike Sharing Program will focus initially on the Downtown Denver Central Business District, University of Denver campus and adjacent neighborhoods. The bike stations will be situated in a three to four mile radius of Downtown Denver and integrated with the existing multi-modal transit system, including the 16th Street Mall, Denver Union Station, Market Street Station and FasTracks. The program is expected to double in size to more than 1,000 bikes by Spring 2010. While no one will be climbing the French Alps or recklessly racing toward the finish line for the yellow jersey, we will be taking a momentous step toward a more environmentally- friendly and sustainable Downtown. Visit http://www.bcycle.com/ for more information. February 4, 2009Zillow.com report shows city neighborhoods gained value in 2008
It’s not the case for the entire metro area. The worst-performing neighborhood on a percentage basis was Morris Heights, which includes North Aurora, which lost 15.4 percent. I’m not surprised the northwest Denver neighborhood was on top. It all comes down to “location, location, location!” and excitement about the advantages of living in the city. In addition, there is a real lack of inventory of homes priced from $250,000 to $400,000 in Highland and West Highland. Demand is high, and great homes are selling quickly for top dollar. I was interviewed by the Rocky Mountain News on Monday afternoon for my reaction to the report. You can read the entire article here. |
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Here is a new article on greening older home by Tom Zeller, Jr. I found in the NYT business section today. It addresses the green emphasis on the economic stimulus package and how home owner’s can go after “low hanging fruit” to get the most for the money they spend.
On Monday, the Colorado Division of Housing reported that state foreclosure filings declined 2 percent in 2008 from 2007, the first drop since the state began tracking foreclosures six years ago. In the metro area, Denver County showed a 21 percent drop in filings.
This is a great opportunity to tour one of the Highlands’ newest contemporary residences. Located in the historically designated Whittier Coffield neighborhood best known for it’s grand Victorians on oversized lots with larger setbacks than most Denver homes. It’s rare to find new construction that compliments existing historic architecture as well as being a “product of our time.” This tri-level, 2700 square foot, 3 bed, 4 bath, masterpiece was designed, developed, constructed and finished exclusively by Kung Architecture. The result is a very carefully detailed and consistently executed product. This home will be open to the public Wednesday, February 11th from 4pm to 7pm. Please stop by to meet the architects, enjoy complimentary cocktails and appetizers and enjoy a tour of this exciting home. The views from the rooftop terrace are nothing short of spectacular!
I was so psyched to see this in my inbox today…I had heard that this program was coming to Denver, and it looks like it’s getting close! I can’t wait to ride the light rail from my house, jump on a Bcycle, and cruise the city in eco-style.
Zillow.com, which tracks a variety of real estate data, released a national report this week that showed home values increased from 2007 to 2008 in two of Denver’s city-close neighborhoods. I’m not surprised to hear the news. Brokers here at LIVE actively work these markets, and have been tuned-in to these surprisingly active markets.The report listed the Highland neighborhood No. 1, gaining 1.5 percent, while the City Park neighborhood rose by 0.5 percent. I actually think its much better than that. Our own unscientific research suggests these neighborhoods have been experiencing 3-5% growth during the last year, along with some other urban neighborhoods.