STEFAN GEYER: Realtor, Certified Appraiser, ECO Broker

Two tornadoes touched down near Parker, Colorado this past Sunday. Though I did not see the tornadoes, many did, including Tammy Freeman, who took the great picture to the left. I don't think she is a storm chaser...but I would have likely been looking and running the other direction! Thankfully there was no major damage reported and no one hurt.

Did you know that every state in the country has registered occurrences of tornadoes? Even Hawaii! That being the case, it may be time to brush up on some tornado safety reminders:

-A tornado watch will be issued if there is a chance of a tornado. So if you hear sirens, or get that annoying storm alert announcement interupting your TV show, poke your head outside and take a look. Also, turn on a radio or TV for updates.

-If a tornado watch is upgraded to a tornado warning, then a tornado has been spotted. At this point, you can either 1)grab your camera like Tammy, or 2)Get to a safe place until the tornado has passed.

So where is a 'safe' place? I expect you can never be certain, but the safest places I've heard you should go to are in a basement, under stairs, or a local storm shelter. Protect yourself from debris by covering up with a blanket or mattress. Prior preparation is advised > have a plan in place for you or your family.

You may be curious now to know more about tornadoes. If so, I'd recommend going to The Tornado Project site.

Blue Skies!

Stefan Geyer | ECO Broker, Realtor | www.StefanMax.com

If you are a fan of forward thinking building design, I recommend taking a few minutes to look at the web site of SOLiD Architectural Design, a Colorado company. You will see homes like the ones pictured here, and you will also see some of their unique commercial projects, including the Tokyo Joe's Restaurant on 13th Avenue in Denver. They were also responsible for building the Shoshone Development, which is an urban infill project in Denver (pictured below).

I contacted Owen Beard at SOLiD recently, and asked him if his company incorporates any 'green' features into thier designs. He answered with the following:

'It seems that Solar electric is the most popular green feature. Right now we have 3 or 4 projects that incorporate photovoltaic panels. This is probably because there are great rebates from power companies and the government. It would be nice if I could find clients that foot the extra bill for gray water reuse systems, on site water retention, natural or recycled fiber insulation, no V.O.C. plywood and steel construction. These would greatly increase the interior air quality while reducing the impact on the environment. But some of these add a lot of extra cost to a project.

A while back I designed a bog that would use cattail to convert gray water to usable irrigation water. The system is simple and really quite attractive. It ends up looking like a water garden. Since I do have clients that are environmentally aware I have recently been pushing steel structural systems. Even new steel has a high percentage of reused material and nearly all of it will be recycled after the building has been torn down. So it doesn't end up in a land fill.'

SOLiD Architectural Design is located at 70 South Cherokee Street in Denver, Colorado, 80223. The phone number is 303-825-2313.

Come to Southlands in Aurora, Colorado on Saturday September 13, 2008 to get some exercise, make a difference, and have fun sharing something important with other people. The event is a 5K race and a One-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk. Small entrance fees and company sponsorship will combine to benefit the Aurora Family YMCA.

Can you bring your pooch? If you are doing the One-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk...you bet! All participants will receive an event T-shirt, goodie bag, coupons, and more. For more details, click here.

For a map of the 5K Race course, click here.

See you there...just look for the guy with the tired face and his hyper platinum Retriever.

Blue Skies!

Stefan Geyer | Realtor, ECO Broker | www.SoaLounge.com

West Hayward Place is one of my favorites streets in Denver for viewing homes from the Victorian Architectural Period. These homes were built in the late 1800's and reside in the popular Highlands area, which is approximately a five minute drive from downtown Denver. The street is very peaceful, with old trees with large canopies providing blankets of shade. Victorian Cottages primarily line the street, with their acute roof slopes creating a pattern of triangles lined up. Upon closer look, you will see what makes these homes so unique; the detail in the woodworking on the gables and the use of vivid and contrasting colors of paint.

These homes were built during a time of rapid industrialization, so new innovations in architecture and design were occurring, evident by these homes. Wood detailers spent a great deal of time adding their designs to a home, such as fish scale shingles, and ultimately adding character. I think it adds a quirkiness or playfulness to a home. Some argue that the extra detailing creates needless complexity. I appreciate that each home was given a unique personality.

Stefan Geyer, Realtor|ECO Broker, www.StefanMax.com

I am a full time Realtor, but manage to squeeze in an appraisal or two most days, because I am good at determining the value of a home and I like to stay current on neighborhood trends throughout the Denver Metro area (yes, I work more than I should). One of the trends that I have seen for far too long now is that property values have generally been going down. It is a reality. The other reality is that you may be getting taxed on an assessed value of your home that is far too high. A $250 appraisal can be used to dispute your assessed value and ultimately save you much more than $250 in taxes each year.

Below are links to the the major Denver Metro County Assesor web sites that explain the prescribed process for disputing assessed value. Contact me if you would like me to help you dispute the assessed value of your home. I am also talented in helping you determine the selling price of your home, before it goes on the market, to ensure no time and money is wasted on an incorrect price.

Stefan Geyer, Certified Appraiser, www.411CORE.com

Denver:

http://www.denvergov.org/Assessor/ProtestingYourPropertyValue/tabid/378144/Default.aspx

Adams:

http://www.co.adams.co.us/index.cfm?d=standard&b=1&c=7&s=24&p=282

Jefferson:

http://co.jefferson.co.us/assessor/assessor_T80_R8.htm

Douglas:

http://www.douglas.co.us/assessor/Protest_Appeals_Process.html

Arapahoe:

http://www.co.arapahoe.co.us/Departments/AS/faq.asp

Broomfield:

http://www.broomfield.org/centralrecords/assessor.shtml#agree