Picture this – a husband and wife lived in their 4-level home for more than three decades, and now climbing all those stairs is getting difficult and dangerous. They’d love to get a one-level house, but the nice ones cost more than they could sell their current home for. They can’t use any of their savings to make up the difference, because they need that cash for living.

Or how about this – after raising her family in the home she shared with her husband, a lady has lost her husband, and there is a mortgage on the home. She can’t keep up with the payments, and the house needs serious maintenance, plus there’s medical expenses from her husband’s illness. Sure, she has equity and she could sell, but she doesn’t want to. She wants to stay in her home, but she’s in danger of losing it to foreclosure.

The answer in these cases, and many others, may be a reverse mortgage.

Now, I know reverse mortgages were awful in the past, and many people won’t even consider them. But today’s reverse mortgage could be a lifesaver for many seniors. They’re not the same dangerous product they used to be.

For one thing, they’re now FHA insured. A person can’t lose their home as long as they live in the house, pay the taxes, and keep the insurance policy paid up. To get a reverse mortgage, a person doesn’t have to have a job, a credit score, assets, or income, You do not give up title to your home. You do not make payments. You are never required to leave or sell the home as long as one borrower occupies the home as the primary residence and the taxes and insurance are paid. Your heirs retain 100% of the excess equity when the home is sold, after the senior leaves it. And today’s reverse mortgage never leaves you or your family in debt. The cash you take out of the home is tax free.

You can get a lump sum of tax-free cash, or get monthly payments. What’s more, it’s now possible to purchase a home with a reverse mortgage.

I know this sounds like a commercial, but I have a heart for the senior citizens of our communities, who’ve worked hard all their life, did everything right to the best they knew how, and are now struggling while they have hundreds of thousands of dollars of equity in their home that they’re afraid to touch.

If you are 62 years of age and you could benefit from this, or you know someone who could, please call Christine Jensen of Cherry Creek Mortgage (303-456-4403). She can get you started in about ten minutes.

I had a closing last week, and it turned out that that the closer and my client were long-time residents (for those of you who don’t live here, that’s kind of a rare thing!). While papers were flying back and forth, I had the pleasure of hearing a few great ‘insider’ stories.

First – did you know that the Boulder turnpike was the first toll road in the nation to pay for itself? I didn’t know it ever was a toll road, but I think it’s cool that once it paid for itself they quit collecting tolls. It was expected to take 30 years, but usage was so high, it only took 15.

There was a toll booth just north of where I live, at the intersection of 287, and there was a dog that hung around that toll booth. This dog was familiar to all the travelers who passed by there, and people affectionately called him, ‘Shep’. When Shep died, a grave was dug for him at that intersection, and there’s still a little marker there in his honor. (Everyone say it – Awwwww!!!)

There was some mention about tomato fights between Colorado and Texas. I tried to find some info on that, but failed. However, in my search I discovered an announcement for a best tasting tomato contest just a block from my house, which I unfortunately missed on August 22. It was at the King Sooper’s parking lot in Arvada, first prize was $2400. (WOW!) Did anyone catch that?

The site I found it on was www.PickYourOwn.org. The site has info about pick-your-own farms, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and more. I found one pick-your-own berry farm in Adams County, two farms in Boulder County (1 for veggies, 1 for apples), one in Denver County (pumpkins), and ‘0’ in Jefferson County. That’s sad. Do you know of any pick-your-own farms in the Metro Area?

I love these insider stories, if you have any to share, please do!!

- From Karen “This coming Saturday is Arvada’s Harvest Festival, go watch Pomona march!!!”


- From Cory Ceilings to floors I can fix your doors, windows, trim and more. A man of many trades. Licensed and insured Independent Contractor”

- From Amanda “The Westminster center does prenatal yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I haven't gone yet but it's pretty cheap compared to the ones I've looked at in Boulder. They also have scheduled fall hikes, walks, and drives. The info is here under adult activities http://www.ci.westminster.co.us/178_2200.htm You can also call 658-2400 for more info.”


- From Tammra “I walk the neighborhood with my dog and see trash set out for collection. What I notice is that there is a lot of stuff that can be recycled that isn't. I have found several recycling sites (through web searches) that I take my stuff to when I am out and about and these sites are FREE. I know curbside recycling is easy, yet can be expensive and many trash collection businesses may stop collecting it as the cost to pick up recyclables is currently outweighing the income it used to produce for these companies (unless they hike the price). Here are the web sites to check out: Earth911.com

It’s a pleasure to once again bring you reliable real estate news and tidbits from around Arvada and the Denver area.

Best Tips of The Month –

#1 - Get your own radio station for free (from Amanda)
If you have the internet and decent speakers hooked up to your computer, and if you like music, go to www.Pandora.com now. Put in your favorite artist or band, or whatever you’re in the mood for. And Pandora will play music for you, similar to what you chose. It’s so wonderful! My daughter told me about it. She said there is a commercial every now and then, but I’ve had it on for several minutes and haven’t heard one yet, so can’t say how often they occur.

#2 – Quit carrying paper coupons around (from Cindy)
This is another tip for those who have access to the internet. Go to shortcuts.com and select the coupons you want to use, then download them to your grocery store’s ‘club card’. Then, when you use your club card to buy those items, the coupons will automatically be deducted from your total. You can also look up the store itself, then click ‘coupons’. You’ll be directed to the proper screen. No more paper coupons!

The ‘Metropolitan Beltway’ –
Will it ever be finished? Do you care?

Did you catch the Denver Post Article by Karen E. Crummy, “No Road, but Millions Spent for Jeffco Parkway”, on 7/27? She said $15 million has been spent for an environmental impact study that was never completed, and $5 million on top of that for attorneys, consultants, and other studies and meetings. Golden has spent $3.4 million of that amount to fight the parkway, and Arvada has spent $900,000 in support. Well, I guess it doesn’t sound like all that much when we keep hearing about spending in the trillions! But what do you think?
I’m pretty sure my Golden readers are opposed. I wonder, would you participate in fundraising activities to keep up the fight?
And those of you who live elsewhere: How often do you think to yourself, “I sure wish that road was finished – it would save me time and gas right now”?
(The metropolitan beltway is planned from 128 in Broomfield to 64th north of Golden.)
Here’s a link to the article.

Harvesting Rainwater – Did you know it’s illegal in Colorado?

I was innocently reading an article Sunset Magazine, about collecting rain water for use in yards and gardens, when I came across a statement that it’s illegal in Colorado to collect rainwater. Someone ‘owns’ the ‘rights’ to the water in the atmosphere! So I called the Division of Water Resources to find out if that was true.
I contacted a nice man named Kevin, who told me it was true, but Colorado has just passed a law starting some pilot projects for rainwater collection. He referred me to www.water.state.co.us.
Once I got to the site, I found out it’s still illegal for most of us. People who own a well can collect rainwater from their roofs if there’s no municipal water available and they meet some other requirements too. So – how about that? Water rights are still a big deal here in the wild west, and always be.

Keeping up with me online

I write articles about local neighborhoods, businesses, events, and ‘other such’ and post them online. I write them as a service for people who are new to the area, or anyone who likes to find out what’s going on in their town. I have quite a list of them, so I put them together into one post.
Check it out – and leave me a comment if you do. Just say hi!
And please keep coming back. I’ll keep posting new articles. You could even suggest topics for me.
You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter.

It’s so very important for real estate agents to be active online these days. That’s where the buyers are, so that’s where your real estate agent should be too.
I’ve been working hard at blogging and social networking for over a year now. I’m having a lot of fun with it, and I’d love if you’d visit me at the sites above.
But I still like to talk on the phone (and even in person) too! So if you need anything, call, twitter, text, email, or stop by and knock on the door if you’re in the neighborhood.

Goings-on in Arvada –

Flicks in the Square
There’s only two nights left to enjoy music and a movie in Olde Town Square. On August 21 and 28 music starts at 7 p.m., movies start at 9 p.m. See The Bucket List on 8/21 and Breakfast at Tiffany’s on 8/28.

Arvada Food Bank Grand Opening
The old library building is starting its new life as Arvada’s expanded food bank. The grand opening celebration will take place from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, Aug. 22. 8555 W. 57th Avenue, Arvada

Arvada Gardeners

Did you know Arvada has a community garden? They had an open house last Friday, and I stopped by. What a great place, and a nice bunch of people. It’s located at 57th and Garrison. There are 120 plots. Club membership is $25 per year for individuals, $35 for families, and includes a plot, water, hose. Non-members can rent plots, but they have a waiting list.
You can tour the gardens, and be sure to stop by for your fall decorating needs, such as pumpkins, corn stalks, and gourds. They’ll have a booth at the Festival of Scarecrows on October 10 in Olde Town Square.

Local Real Estate News

I read an article the other day about the lost art of presenting offers to buy a house in person. I think this is a great idea, and I’m hereby announcing to anyone who works with me from now on, if you’re a seller I’m going to ask if you’d like the buyer’s agent to present the offer to you in person, and if you’re a buyer I’m going to ask for the opportunity to present your offer in person.
(The most recent offer I received on behalf of a seller was emailed to me, not even a phone call first. Just there it was when I logged in. Sellers almost always ask me what the buyers are like. It matters to them, even though they’re selling, it’s still their home.)
I’m looking forward to my first opportunity to break the current mold of faxing or emailing an offer, and never even meeting the other parties until we sit down at the closing table.

I also read an article about what is happening when lenders are foreclosing on a home and the homeowner insists that the lender produce the original note, proving that they owe the debt to the party that is doing the foreclosure. Often, they cannot produce the note, and therefore cannot foreclose. If any of you have any experience with this scenario, please tell me about it. (It is important, because some people are losing their home to foreclosure, then the new owner gets notice that someone else – who does have the original note – is foreclosing on it.)

The following info for Jefferson County came from Metrolist today, August 18. If you would like to know what the stats are for a more specific area, let me know!
YTD YTD
8/08 8/09 Change 2008 2009 Change
New Listings 1,790 1,729 - 3.4% 12,252 10,534 - 14.0%
Sold Listings 833 740 - 11.2% 4,601 3,861 - 16.1%

Average Sold Price* 2008: $254,806 2009:$272,780 Change: + 7.1%

*Does not account for sale concessions and/or down payment assistance.

I am a residential real estate agent, specializing in the northwestern Denver suburbs of Arvada, Golden, Westminster, Broomfield, Thornton, and Wheat Ridge. See all the homes for sale here.

Joetta Fort~ Metro Brokers ~ 720-353-8031 ~ Joetta.fort@comcast.net

My small town of Arvada, Colorado is home to the famous Novo Coffee's shop, The Arvada Coffee Bar, and I didn't even know it!

I first heard of Novo Coffee just the other day when I read this blog post: "Novo Coffee is a Heartbreaker". The story starts with an east coast band, called Akron/Family, in Denver to play the Bluebird Theater recently. They have a favorite espresso blend, called Heartbreaker, which they buy at Grumpy's in New York city.

Grumpy's is the only place the blend is served, but "the band was on a mission to find the perfect cup of Colorado joe" and - lo and behold - Heartbreaker is a proprietary blend of Novo Coffee, headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Now, I loooove coffee, and my obsession goes all the way back to fond memories of buying Starbucks from a cart on the streets of Seattle back in the early 1980s. So here I am reading about this great and famous coffee roaster, and discover that their own shop, The Arvada Coffee Bar, is within walking distance of my house in Arvada. Uh-oh, looks like I got caught not paying attention!

So of course I had to try Novo Coffee. My daughter and I dropped in yesterday afternoon, shortly before closing time. The shop is in a little walk-up area that includes Vitamin Cottage and Great Harvest Bread Company. (These are seriously popular places - when I'm showing houses anywhere in the vicinity, clients often remark, "Wonderful - I'll be so close to Vitamin Cottage and Great Harvest." I haven't experienced that with any other similar businesses.)

The store was clean, the barista was very friendly and helpful, and the aroma was heavenly. Amanda and I each had a latte, and they definitely lived up to their reputation.

Now, I'm not going to bore you by re-writing everything that's been written about Novo Coffee. Here's a few articles you can read for yourself:

Westword award for best coffee beans.

Digital City's 21 Best Cups of Coffee in America

Novo Coffee's local stand, the Arvada Coffee Bar is at 7745 Wadsworth Blvd # B, Arvada, CO 80003
(303) 424-1313
Monday - Thursday 6:30am - 6:00pm
Friday 6:30am - 7:30pm
Saturday & Sunday 7:00am - 6:00pm

Arvada is a historic town about midway between Denver and Boulder in Jefferson County, Colorado. There are many different neighborhood and shopping area styles. Novo Coffee is near the intersection of Wadsworth and 80th Ave., the main north-south and east-west routes through Arvada, near neighborhoods built mostly in the 1970s with wide streets and sidewalks, mature tree canopies, and nice-sized yards.

Check out my posts on an Arvada butcher, a baker, candlestick maker, and Knit Knack.

I write posts focused on local businesses as a public service, and am not endorsing any business, nor do I have any sort of 'relationship' with them, other than as a raving consumer. My hope is to give people an idea of the 'flavor' of the community of Arvada, in case they're new here or considering a move here.

I am a residential real estate agent, and would love to assist you if you're considering buying or selling a home in the northwestern Denver suburbs.

Find homes for sale in Arvada.

Check out my website.

The merchants of historic Olde Town Arvada range from a butcher, a baker, and candlestick maker to fun shops where you can feed your creativity need, like Knit Knack.

Gerri Bragdon, the owner of Knit Knack, was so helpful that she did her own write-up. I like the fact that it's in her own 'voice', so here it is as she wrote it:

"Knit Knack is located in the heart of Olde Town Arvada, an Historic Shopping District dating back to the 1870's.

In Knit Knack's two year history, we've created a strong and loyal customer base, and as a result, a knitting and crochet community right here in our shop.

We encourage people to sit and knit, meet other knitters and enjoy a latte from our coffee bar, which adds an element of comfort.

The antiques and unique displays beckon another visit to a comfortable and friendly shop. Take a class, meet other fiber friends and relax - you deserve it."

I'll be spending some time at Knit Knack myself, as my daughter and I are signed up for beginning knitting starting at the end of the month. (I'm going to be a grandma in January, so figured it's a good time to learn to knit!)

One of the things I like about Knit Knack is all the finished projects displayed everywhere.  They get me thinking about what I'd like to be able to do.

I'm looking forward to knitting in front of a warm fire while the snow falls this winter.

Knit Knack Yarn Shop, Coffee Bar, Gathering Place

7505-A Grandview Ave, Arvada, CO

303-456-2021

The center of historic Olde Town Arvada is roughly bordered by Ralston Rd., Teller Rd., Grandview Ave., and Yukon St.

Arvada is a historic town about midway between Denver and Boulder in Jefferson County, Colorado. There are many different neighborhood and shopping area styles. Novo Coffee is near the intersection of Wadsworth and 80th Ave., the main north-south and east-west routes through Arvada, near neighborhoods built mostly in the 1970s with wide streets and sidewalks, mature tree canopies, and nice-sized yards.

Check out my posts on an Arvada butcher, a baker, candlestick maker,coffee roaster and knit and crochet shop.

I write posts focused on local businesses as a public service, and am not endorsing any business, nor do I have any sort of 'relationship' with them, other than as a raving consumer. My hope is to give people an idea of the 'flavor' of the community of Arvada, in case they're new here or considering a move here.

I am a residential real estate agent, and would love to assist you if you're considering buying or selling a home in the northwestern Denver suburbs.

Find homes for sale in Arvada.

Check out my website.