Todd Groth

The Denver Post just released an article about home prices going up 1% but its still down 1.9% from a year ago this time. If there's one thing I've learned about these articles, its to read carefully and understand what is being reported.

This article compares the AVERAGE SALES PRICE from August to July of this year and home prices have gone up 1% on average during that 1 month time period. This seems reasonable since its a busy month for home sales and most families are trying to get settled before school starts. Its will be interesting to see what happens in the fourth quarter as the sales volume traditionally goes down. If we still see increases in prices, that would be a good sign.

The article also references a widely held belief that home sales below $250,000 are strong and homes over $400,000 are in a greater slump. Realtors know that the first time home buyers and the foreclosure and short sale investors are largely supporting the market in Denver. This notion certainly feels true as we've lost more listings in the higher price points because buyers aren't sure their getting a value and sellers decide to take their homes off the market. Handicaps in functional utility or location are exaggerated when there is a surplus in inventory. In some neighborhoods we've seen a 5 year supply of homes according to normal absorption rates.

The best thing will be for Congress to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit and that seems imminent as the Senate has voted for a bill that would do so.

For more information call Todd Groth at 720.203.9624 or look us up online at www.BevGrothProperties.com

Hi All, today's blog is directed toward all the agents who are out there rethinking their business. If you are like me, everything we do is getting a second look. We are evaluating our marketing expenditures, the composition of our office and way all out time is spent with other realtors and our clients. We want to be set up to be efficient and capable of selling in the good times and bad.

I think our office at Metro Brokers SE Suburban on Quebec Street and Orchard in Greenwood Village is a great office for those in real estate for the long term. We have at least 5 past SMDRA Board Presidents in our office and a number of other Boad members. The weekly meetings combined with an office tour of new listings enables me to learn a lot about things I didn't know. The dest fees are reasonable and our office is a great way to meet clients and write contracts or schedule showings. We do this on a large screen TV monitor that is set up in our conference room.

Lately, we have seen some heavy hitters from other offices come join our office and set up shop. The owners tell us we need more agents but we seem to be adding some good agents when other offices are shrinking. Please consider calling or checking in with me if you have an interest in joining our office.

Todd Groth - 720.203.9624

www.BevGrothProperties.com

The Denver Post had an article about elevators in homes on Sunday, October 11, 2009 titled "Elevators Moving Up in Popularity at Home." In the article, it explains how elevators allow people to stay in their homes longer, and they provide versatility with families who frequently have older parents staying with them for extended periods of time. The owner of an elevator company is quoted as saying that about 500 residential elevators are being installed annually in Metro Denver.

We just happen to have a new listing on the market at 7395 S. Gargield Ct, Centennial, CO 80122. This home has its own elevator. Its MLS 816698 and you can check it out at www.7395Garfield.com or www.BevGrothProperties.com. This one is great for a family with a live-in nanny or an older relative. Its in a great family neighborhood called The Knolls.

Check it out online or call:

Todd Groth 720.203.9624

We at Bev Groth Properties believe that the first time homebuyer tax credit should be continued for another year. For each home a first time homebuyer buys, there are 1-3 more deal generated from that purchase. For example, when a new home buyer enters the market and buys a home, the sellers move on to buy another home, and those sellers move on to buy a home, and so on and so on....

We don't think its necessary to raise the tax credit at all, but just continue it at its current level. There is a noticeable effect in Denver. We have seen those buyers buy new construction and distressed properties. Its a win-win for all.

If you are interested in buying your first home, contact Todd Groth at 720.203.9624 or hotgroth@hotmail.com

Read more about us at www.BevGrothProperties.com

The Knolls of South Suburban Denver is one of the best values in the Centennial Area. My mom and I have helped over 200 families with their real estate needs in this neighborhood and I delivered newspapers and grew up in The Knolls.

Lately, 14 homes have gone under contract or sold since June 1, 2009. This leave only 3 active listings the best of which is 7123 S. St. Paul St. Check it out on our website at www.BevGrothProperties.com. There is definitely a shortage of inventory in this neighborhood and after a little stall earlier in the year we are seeing things move in The Knolls. We do have another listing coming in The Knolls as well.

After all, it does make sense with interest rates low, blue ribbon schools and the recent opening of the Streets of Southglenn. This pool and tennis community has a great package for young families and the predominant builder "Writer" was a little ahead of their time with some open floor plans mixed with nice greenbelt locations.

Call us at 720.203.9624 for more information, or look up our website at www.BevGrothProperties.com

Todd Groth