Denver, the host of this year’s Democratic National Convention, is gearing up and gussying up. We’re happy to have so many visitors to our city.
I met my husband for lunch on Friday, and already the 16th Street Mall was buzzing. People were everywhere, and judging from the name badges hanging around their necks, many were from out of town. Another tell tale sign that we had strangers in our midst were the maps clutched in hands for reference.
A fun way to pass some time in the downtown area is to take Tom Noel’s walking tour of the area. Dr. Noel is one of Denver’s prominent historians and he has published many books on the history of the west, and Colorado in particular. His walking tour takes you from The Colorado History Museum, past the State Capitol and The Brown Palace Hotel.
You’ll also take in the Oxford Hotel, Union Station and Sakura Square, among other historic places. You’ll end up at Auraria Campus - just across the street from the Pepsi Center - where we’re making new history.
If you live in Denver now, or are thinking about relocating here, you’ll have fun getting in touch with some of Denver’s colorful past.
The original lies at LifeStyleDenver.
Is real estate struggling? Is there a storm? Are we riding it, or riding it out?
Realtors I talk to are: optimistic, working harder than ever, looking forward to the future, getting out of the business, all of the above. Jim Morrison sang, “Riders of the Storm” but sometimes when I sing along, I change up the words.
Denver Real Estate is faring well as compared with much of the U.S., and while we still struggle in some segments of the market, others are very strong.
Buyers are the beneficiaries of this perfect storm. Rates are low, a positive in most buyers’ minds, and home prices have flattened enough to make any purchase a bargain or a great investment.
But in the words of Yogi Berra, “You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there“. Consider yourself lucky to benefit from a home’s inflation after 5 -7 years, plan not to sell in less than 5 years. Also remember, you’ve had a place to live - to hang your hat and raise your family. Keep an eye on the tenet of real estate, “location, location, location.” As Yogi reminded us, know where you’re going.
Is this a time to panic? A time to despair? Is this the be all - end all storm? I think not. It’s a cycle, yeah a bad one, and what choice do we have but to live? Be smart, talk to a professional real estate broker and an experienced savvy lender before you decide to move. Figure out your upside and your downside as much as you can. It’s time to economize a bit, contingency plan, budget. It’s certainly not time to panic. What good does that do you?
Experience the original storm at LifeStyleDenver.
When You Can Eat in Denver?
I had lunch today with a friend and we decided to go to an old favorite restaurant, The Washington Park Grille. This neighborhood hang-out is in the heart of the Washington Park neighborhood in Denver. It’s on a lovely block of shops and restaurants called “Old South Gaylord Street.” The Wash Park Grill, as locals call it, has a menu for everyone.
At lunch you can choose from soups, salads and terrific sandwiches. The Smoked Turkey Panini is tdf (and loaded with calories.) Today I avoided the sandwich and had soup and a small green salad, which they make with almonds, dried cranberries and a terrific raspberry vinegar dressing.
On nice evenings, my husband and I walk over to Wash Park for a pleasant evening dinner. Their patio is open spring through fall and is decorated with pretty baskets of trailing flowers. Evenings are sublime with a nice glass of chardonnay and delicious Atlantic Salmon. We usually skip dessert, but there are great choices for the sweet tooth.
Tired of “mall junk?”
While the mall has an important place in American culture, the shops at Old South Gaylord are much more eclectic and fun. Across the street from the Washington Park Grille is a cute boutique called Pine Creek Clothing. It’s full of great choices for everyday and casual evening. They have a nice selection and it’s pretty middle-of-the-road fashion. Something for everyone.
Down the block from Pine Creek is Sarah. This fabulous shop was opened by Sarah Penewell and her partner Sarah Oro. They have an excellent fashion sense and this is my absolute favorite boutique in 
Denver. Their clothing and style is fashion forward, but still fits into Denver’s lifestyle. They have an eye for what works for each individual and they never push you into any purchase, they just make suggestions if you ask. Sarah is worth a visit, so save some time when you’re finished up at the Wash Park Grille.
As I strolled back to my car, I passed Dino’s Soda Bar and ran into a couple of friends having lunch with their children and their mothers. Dino’s is an old-fashioned ice-cream and soda bar with burgers and fries as the main staple. They decorate their shop into a haunted house for the Halloween Parade sponsored by the merchant’s association. My friends were enjoying the nice day and the kids looked like they were having a blast too. I considered heading back up the block to my Pilates Studio, Center Strength, to sign up for a class, but decided work was calling.
When visiting Denver, don’t skip Old South Gaylord street. You’re just a few blocks from Washington Park, with its two lakes and bike/running paths, so if you don’t want to shop after lunch you can walk off the calories at one of our premiere jewels of the city.
First posted at Lifestyle Denver.
We have the opportunity to eat out at least twice a month, sometimes more. Not that I’m a lousy cook
, but I’m a lazy cook. One of our favorite Denver restaurants is Barolo Grill at 6th Avenue and St. Paul Street in Cherry Creek North. What a spectacular meal!
Upgrade Your Italian, si?
The Barolo Grill is upscale Italian, from the northern areas of Italy. No spaghetti and red sauce here, go to Saucy Noodle in Bonnie Brae if you want that. At Barolo, you’ll enjoy a gourmet take on veal, duck, lamb and seafood as well as couple of excellent vegetarian choices. The risotto is divine and their wine list is superb. After a visit to Barolo a few years back, we became Rosso di Montalcino fans, and buy a bottle whenever we can.
Intimate with Italy
The owners of Barolo close their restaurant for a week every year and take the staff on a food and wine tour of Italy. Imagine being able to tour through the countryside eating and drinking the finest Italian fare and wine. At least in Denver we have the opportunity to live vicariously through the staff at Barolo. They know their stuff, and can discuss your choices at length.
This is a special restaurant so plan ahead and make a reservation. I’m available next Tuesday. To check out their web site go to www.barologrilldenver.com.
See the original review at LifeStyle Denver.
Perception? Reality? What is it that drives human behavior?
One of my favorite Denver Post columnists, Al Lewis, wrote today about perception. He believes that reality came first, perception is based on the reality we’re experiencing. I’m paraphrasing, of course, so you may want to read it yourself. Al makes some compelling points, and it’s been a looong time since I took college economics, psychology or sociology. But I do feel that things aren’t as black and white as all that.
Realtors are often blamed for being Pollyanna, only wanting to put a positive spin on things.
We’ve all been griping about the media coverage of the real estate market over the past year or so. It’s the unbalanced nature of the coverage that gets me. I don’t dispute the facts when they’re reported - number of housing starts, amount of resale properties currently on the market. Where the media is guilty of influencing what Al calls a simple free market is when the coverage isn’t balanced. When reporters specifically print story after story of fear inducing coverage without finding out the balancing side of things. Reporters don’t write their own headlines, and some of those headline writers need their hands slapped! I’ve seen doom and gloom headlines that have nothing to do with what’s in the article.
I must point out that Al Lewis has not been guilty of reporting only from the dark side, and he’s very willing to cover interesting stories using a variety of sources. There are others, though… When people say that the media uses bad news to sell papers - face it media - that’s the perception! Just like the perception is that Realtors don’t work our a–es off for our clients, just take a bundle of money for nothing.
Here’s what I know for a fact - that I haven’t seen much press coverage on:
So black and white or not you should buy a house to live in, raise your family in, entertain in, keep as a rental. Don’t over leverage to go on vacation. Pay your mortgage on time. Have 6 months payments in the bank. It’s elemental. It’s today’s reality.
Originally posted at LifeStyleDenver.
Yesterday afternoon, I got a text alert from The New York Times about the federal government’s plan to shore up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Strange to get a NYT alert on a Sunday, just after their big edition hit the doorstep.
Maybe Not so Strange
The government worries about markets all over the world, not just in the U.S. They often time announcements around the opening bell at the Hong Kong market. After Hong Kong opens, markets begin opening in succession. Clearly, the government wanted to send a signal - don’t sell off U.S. securities, we’re handling it.
Eye on the Media
Today was a day we all kept our eyes on the market. What would happen to stocks? Bonds? Banks? Indy Mac was taken over by the FDIC, Fannie and Freddie needed government intervention and predictions of more bank failures followed.
As I said in my recent post The Good News and the Bad, I’m not so sure I always trust what the media has to say regarding the housing market. They do seem to have a bad news ax to grind. Today was an important day to pay attention though. Ax or not, when George Soros speaks, people listen. Soros was interviewed by CNBC and clearly believes that our economy is faltering. While times are definitely uncertain, remember that the more bad news we hear and read, the more likely it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Isn’t that what a bank run is? If you see 3 people lining up to withdraw their funds, don’t you line up too? Then there are four in line, then there are five. No one (understandably) wants to be the last one in line - and thinks, “I might as well be safe as sorry.”
The public good is served by the Fannie Freddie handout today. These quasi-public institutions bolster nearly all of the mortgage and housing markets. Left to falter, there would certainly be a crisis of unpredictable proportions. I read one article today stating that some home buyers are rushing to lock their loans thinking that mortgage rates will be going up soon. Put into perspective - I bought my first home for 9.5% and thought that was great - rates will probably tick up rather than race up. And hopefully won’t hit the highs of the 70’s and 80’s anytime soon. That will depend on the Fed’s reaction to inflation along with this banking crisis.
At the risk of sounding Pollyanna and head-in-the-sand, I’ll repeat what I’ve written here several times. Real estate is local and Denver’s market is out pacing most of the U.S. Our days on market are shrinking for certain segments of the market, and there have been several instances where I’ve heard of multiple offers.
People need a place to live, to call home. Worry too much and you may make uninformed decisions. Let the headlines inform you, not paralyze you.
Read this and all of my musings at LifeStyle Denver!
North Hilltop boasts roomy lots, nearly double the size of those found in other urban neighborhoods such as Washington Park, and well-maintained vintage homes, many of them English Tudors. But, while Washington Park has enjoyed an extended period of prosperity, North Hilltop represents an overlooked gem on the verge of a boom of it’s own.
“It’s quieter than other neighborhoods and parking issues are non-existent.” says one resident. “The neighbors are friendly and their beautiful homes well maintained. There’s a nice mix of newcomers and long-time residents. I pop out the front door and go jogging on the Parkway (6th Avenue). We can drive downtown in five minutes.”
The transformation of the University Hospital complex into an upscale mix of townhomes, condos, specialty retail, and sidewalk cafes, also bodes well for area property values and quality of life.
At East Eighth Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, a cluster of shops features a 
Boston Chicken, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Einstein Bagels, Annie’s Cafe (a must for breakfast), Starbucks, and a couple of Oriental eateries. Many homes enjoy lush frontage along historic East 6th Avenue, gateway to Denver’s extensive network of parks and parkways. Sixth helps make the short walk to upscale Cherry Creek Mall and Shopping District, “Denver’s Rodeo Drive,” that much more pleasant.
A steady influx of trendy cafes, bistros, and boutiques associated with the ongoing renaissance of nearby Colfax, continues to imbue the area with a strong European flavor. The new Tattered Cover Bookstore in the historic Lowenstein Theater promises to become a hip literary center and community gathering spot linking North Hilltop to Capitol Hill, Uptown, and City Park. Joining Tattered Cover are a cozy multiplex theater, Twist & Shout Records, and a Euro cafe.
Bolstered by other premier neighborhoods, Park Hill on the north, Hilltop on the south, and the exiting New Urbanist communities of Stapleton and Lowery on the east, the prosperous future of North Hilltop seems assured. For suburbanites seeking the cultural enrichment that only “city close” communities can provide, North Hilltop represents an extraordinary opportunity.
Cranmer Park offers a spectacular panorama of the Front Range Mountains from a flagstone promenade engraved with the names and altitudes of prominent peaks. The park name honors George Cranmer, who oversaw Denver’s parks between 1935 and 1947 and helped establish both Red Rocks Park and Winter Park Ski Area.
Cranmer frequently appeared on horseback to enjoy the often blazing sunsets as many locals still do today (though not in the company of horses). There’s seldom want of a breeze, so kite flying is a popular pastime along with the usual picnicking and sunbathing.
Adjoining the park at its apogee, the Mediterranean-Renaissance Cranmer Mansion (a designated Historic Landmark) designed by the renowned Jules Jacques Benedict, is typical of the magnificent homes, both old and new, that grace much of Hilltop.
View the original post at LifeStyle Denver.
Where is the Denver real estate market headed?
We’re asked this on a daily basis, and with the frenetic pace of the news reports, it’s sometimes a moving target. What I can tell you is that in my office, we’re processing more under contract files in the $300,000 to $800,000 range these days. Last year, it seemed like the high end properties were sustaining us. This year, the mid-range properties are selling best. Perhaps the jumbo loan rates has slowed down the high end market a bit, perhaps some people are electing to stay in their homes and remodel them.
That’s not to say high end isn’t selling at all, just that the more mid-range homes are the properties that are getting multiple offers and are moving more quickly.
In-town residences are still selling more strongly than suburban homes - In the medium and entry prices.
If you’re interested in finding out the walkability of any address just go to the Walk Score web site and enter an address. Central Denver residences are more walkable, and the price of oil will undoubtedly continue to influence the home buying decision.
The Metrolist market stats are out for June and you can see that we’ve shaken out a lot of the inventory we were carrying last year with actively marketed properties dropping 13.72%. With prices adjusting downward, numbers of pending sales are improving.
The number of closed properties increased from May, but decreased from this time last year. I’m betting the decrease year-over-year is due to a lesser amount of inventory. With the rising number of pending sales, we’ll likely see that number go back up next month.
Originally posted at LifeStyle Denver.
Originally posted at LifeStyle Denver.
America’s Top States for Business
CNBC announced this morning that Colorado ranks #5 for top states doing business. This is the first time ever that Colorado has been in the top five. We love our state, our lifestyle and those of us who sell real estate here can tell you that we feel the optimism and enthusiasm in the market.
Colorado’s ranking qualifications were:
Formerly an Air Force base, Lowry has been transformed into a model New Urbanist community of diverse and vibrant traditional-style neighborhoods each offering a distinctive flare. A dazzling array of residences includes single family, luxury customs, townhomes, patio homes, condominiums, apartments, and a retirement community.
The mixed-use Town Center District artfully blends traditional and contemporary designs, while in the West Neighborhood, historic housing has been skillfully renovated and seamlessly integrated with new construction. Lowry’s new public library is located in West.
Traversed by trails, green space, broad boulevards, and parkways where pedestrians reign supreme beckoned by inviting public spaces, Lowry boasts nearly 800 acres of parks and recreational areas, thirty-five percent of which are devoted to native plants and grasses.
Lawrence Phipps’s lavish facility for the treatment of tuberculosis, established in the early 1900s, came to be considered one of the best medical centers in the nation, before newer, more modern facilities forced its closure in 1932.
Subsequently, The Army Air Corps established a base for training in aerial photography on the eve of World War II. By War’s end, 41,000 students had graduated from Lowry Air Corps Technical School.
Lowry remained key training and educational facility through the Cold War years until its closure in 1988, but its legacy as a center for learning, culture, and healthful outdoor living continues to this day.
Proud recipient of the Governor’s Award for Smart Growth, Lowry is considered a model community for urban-infill projects across the country.
Originally posted at www.LifeStyleDenver.com
The Kentwood Companies sell over $1 Billion in Denver Real Estate every year with only 150 agents. I co-manage our Cherry Creek office and work primarily with relocating executives and families.
Denver, Colorado neighborhoods are vibrant, diverse and interesting. No matter what you long for: Urban and Upscale or Country Chic ~ we have it here. The exciting thing about Denver Real Estate is the variety of architectural styles. You can find a mid-century modern next to a traditional Tudor in Bonnie Brae, or live steps from a world-class park in Washington Park. Our suburban areas offer lovely views of the mountains and plains, bike trails, rec centers and horse property.
My real estate sales experience began over 12 years ago after completing my MBA at the University of Denver and working in several marketing and advertising positions. Not until I began selling homes could I combine my love of architecture and design with the business side of a home purchase. I've worked in all of our metro Denver neighborhoods, a result of working with so many relocating buyers and sellers over the years.
Relocating to a new area is a process of rebuilding fractured networks. You need a doctor, an electrician, schools and summer camps. It's not just about the house. It's about the Life Style.
The definition of the Denver lifestyle varies depending on what your interests are and where you live. We have the perfect combination of urban and suburban communities, along with outdoor recreation and cultural activities.
Here are links to descriptions of just a few of our Denver Neighborhoods:
If you're interested in doing a comprehensive search of Denver metro area listings, or if you'd like to use a state-of-the-art mapping system to look at aerials of neighborhoods, link to my website ~ www.gretchensdenver.com. This site is full of Denver information, including links to schools, the mapping system and relocation resources.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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