A Gingerbread Condo |
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An update from a fan client revealed that he was referring a new client, his eight year old daughter. This adorable, intelligent and somewhat precocious daughter prefers the word "peeps" when referring to her school chums. Seems the word "people" takes up too much time, or perhaps 2 many syllables?
She has also requested an alternative to the traditional holiday baking, instead of a Gingerbread House she wants to bake a Gingerbread Condo! Wow, game on, this is the client of the future and it is beginning to look bright!
According to the Case Schiller report as reported in Inside Real Estate News, Denver home prices did not collapse to the level of many major cities. The negative media headline news has been highlighting markets such as Las Vegas and Phoenis, markets that built and developed right through the bubble. Their housing became too big too sustain, too big to fit. Those markets declined on the average of 60 percent, most markets lost 30 percent while Denver dropped 14 percent. Surprisingly, if you purchased a home in Denver in 2000, there has been an increase of about 13 percent on the average. These numbers fit, and are reasonably comfortable for buyers and sellers to negotiate around.
Having a Goldilocks moment yet?
Not to worry, the future is bright for the Denver area as the inventory is quickly diminishing and the buyers are increasing. With low interest rate opportunities, it is a great time to buy or sell in Denver...
in fact in Denver, you might even hear the phrase it's a Tebow time to make things happen...courtesy of my newest client!
posted: December 12, 2011
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The Final Four! |
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Springing forward in residential real estate is equivalent to March Madness in college basketball. Now is the time to choose the brackets and select the winner that will bring your home to the enviable position of the Final Four, the short list. As open house signs pop up all over the metro area and cars loaded with buyers are seen driving around neighborhoods, maps, smart phones and Ipads in hand, the search brackets down. Just as the Final Four center court bracket lays out, so does the buyer/seller home bracket...region pitted against region or neighborhood to neighborhood. If a homeowner was to strategize with a bracket, the start date would be now, prepping the home for the first weekend of competition or putting the home on the market against 60 plus other homes and this is considered the second round, the first round was narrowed via the internet. The typical home in Cherry Creek North would compete against the east and southeast region of the Denver area, Cherry Hills and Greenwood Village, likely candidates for fierce competition. The west and southwest regions would include Littleton, Lone Tree and Castle Pines Village or other gated/golf communities. Then there is the constant influence of the central region with LoDo, Riverfront and the Highlands bringing more players to the dance, in addition to the areas that are considered to be on the "bubble"...Boulder, Evergreen and Parker. Round three only narrows the list of available homes down, the number of neighborhoods reduce as well but not until the Regionals begin. That fourth round of regionals will narrow the playing field down to one or two neighborhoods and one or two micro-neighborhoods, the search narrows to a Sweet Sixteen. The Sweet Sixteen takes possibly one or two days to bring the working number to a shortened list of eight down to the ultimate semi final and final round, the Final Four. In less than a month, a home could be listed, visited and purchased during the ultimate of selling seasons with the right strategy and the right team. Whether you are a buyer or seller, your first priority is to connect with a Realtor that will position you in the marketplace, do not get passed over.
Let the games begin!
posted: March 14, 2011
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Modern to Market |
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Launching to market in one of the most sought after "hoods" in the mile high city is 984 South Vine, a super chic modern home in East Wash Park. The home, organically constructed, represents modern architecture that blends with the traditional architecture of the neighborhood, dubbed Denver's Crown Jewel by the most recent 5280 Magazine.
Aspenites and Telluridistas love the trendy lifestyle demographic of East Wash Park with its convenience to local restaurants, boutique shopping, salons, spas, yoga and pilates studios, coffee houses and bike shops. It is the "ultimate" in living local, not a chain store or chain restaurant on site. It is also close to the park, minutes from downtown and the Cherry Creek shopping district.
This modern home at 984 South Vine is crafted of granites, hardwoods, stainless and key elements of modern/contemporary design. Over 5600 finished square feet with 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, a wired multi media room, great outdoor patio and deck spaces, a living/dining room wet bar plus a full bar in the lower recreational room and a mini wet bar in the upper master bedroom. Call now for showing information or email:
judy@kentwoodcity.com
The new Modern in Denver will sell quickly.
posted: August 10, 2011
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Priceless |
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A before and after photo from a client was received with the following text:
Construction Gloves $ 12
Bottle of Sunscreen $ 5
Bosch Saw $ 129
Tearing off Deck Priceless
The satisfaction and reward of actually knowing that a task needs to be accomplished and actually getting to "yes" on that accomplishment is priceless. Whether you are gifted at "do it yourself" home improvements or gifted at "out-sourcing" the work, getting it done insures that your investment will grow. The economy has presented sellers with the growing challenge of preparing their homes for sale. In listing a property, the first discussion is list price and the second discussion is home staging. Home staging is essential in a competitive buyers market, and a well staged home usually gets a second showing. Home staging begins with the de-clutter process that requires no expertise but a little hard work. Packing up everything that you are certain you will not move to a new home and getting it to the appropriate charity or consignment shop is the first step. After you have done that "spring cleaning" the next step is to pack up and organize the things you will move that are personal; all the family photos, all the framed wall photos and all those souvenirs or objects of art from family and friends. Although your #1 Mom coffee mug is your priceless treasure, it needs to be packed and ready to move.
After the de-clutter process, the next step is to assess each room. The master suite needs to be clean and pressed, in other words counter tops free of bottles, brushes and well worn linens. Giving the master suite the fresh look of an expensive hotel room adds subliminal value to the home...and don't forget the closets! A well organized closet adds volume.
While you are in the de-clutter mode, go through the wardrobe and store or pack the off-season clothing. The next room is the kitchen, one of the most important rooms in any home and the room that usually is the easiest to stage. Free the counters again, the food processor and blenders, etc. get a time-out in the cabinets. Giving a kitchen a clean modern look does not have to be an expensive or time consuming project. Replacing the cannisters with a simple bowl of fresh apples and one cookbook on the counter is all you need. Remember, you don't have to be barefoot or a contessa to give your kitchen the look of a chef. After staging the two most important rooms in the home, the rest is easy and you'll quickly notice the necessity of bringing the other rooms up to speed. If you have a garage whether attached or detached, it is a room too, so get it done. You may be the next client that sends a text reading:
Moving and Storage boxes $ 15
Rubber gloves $ 4
Ibuprofen $ 8
Staged Home PRICELESS
Contact me to get connected with a few moving and storage companies in Denver that will provide storage, boxes and pods with considerable discounts and savings if you are a Kentwood client.
email: judy@kentwoodcity.com
posted: April 20, 2011
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A Mile Hi Contract! |
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One of the most inspired homes in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Denver was for sale and then... gone, under contract within days. Belcaro's gem, 980 South Steele Street, is the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired testament to living MODERN! As seen in milehimodern and featured in the upcoming issue of Modern In Denver, the home is sited on a 16,000 plus square foot lot and is designed around towering evergreen trees and professionally landscaped tiered steps in the wrightian style. The home is constructed of organics such as stone and copper, concrete tile and marbles, glass subway and penny round tiles. Walls of windows capture the tree and cityscape, electronic woven windowshades are installed. The fenced back yard boasts a glass gravel firepit and waterfall feature, along with soffit down lighting, with two covered patios. Entertainment areas are abundant, complete with state of the art technology. The William Ohs kitchen and bar area provide ample convenience and ease, a wall of burled wood cabinetry hides the double sided refrigerator and freezer and top shelf appliances for modern cuisine.
The house was listed at $3.2 million, and sold in two weeks.
There are many modern homes in the Denver area, I can connect you.
For more information you may email:
judy@kentwoodcity.com.
posted: May 31, 2011
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Indigo Gold |
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The color Indigo has been so valued for centuries that it shared a celebrity status with the precious metal, gold. Such is the existing inventory on the most celebrated street in Castle Pines Village, Indigo Way.
Indigo Way was actually named for the Indigo blue skies that are unique to the old part of the village. Indigo Way sits high on the north side of Happy Canyon Road, and is protected from the I-25 hustle/bustle and the congestion near Castle Pines North. The protection comes from the backdrop of the rock ridge that houses the Country Club at Castle Pines at the top. Indigo Way also sits away from Santa Fe Drive and Happy Canyon, you actually need to listen for a train whistle as it is not in your backyard.
All of the single family homes on Indigo Way are on one acre, minimum, lots. There are rows of ponderosa pines on each lot, ample scrub oak and relief in the terrain.
Indigo Way is so removed from the compact neighborhoods, that the night skies are brilliant with dark Indigo colors and galaxies of stars.
Coming to market soon is a custom main floor master home situated on a one acre plus lot with an oversized garage and plenty of outdoor living areas for star gazing. The main floor plan is open and entertaining, and the walk-out level has two bedrooms with an additional master bedroom. The home is the perfect home that configures for all sorts of lifestyles, the empty nester or the boomeranger group, the raising kids group, even the golf club out of towners that want to co-own a summer property. This coming soon home is a short golf cart away from the first tee of the Castle Pines Golf Club. The address is 61 Indigo Way.
Listed and available, complete with architectural drawings that have received design review approval is the lot at the end of the cul-de-sac on Indigo Way. Views of the 10th green of the Castle Pines Golf Club and mountain views make this the ideal location for a custom home. Build your decks wide, and enjoy the Indigo skies. The address is 89 Indigo Way.
For more information on both of these properties email me at:
judy@kentwoodcity.com
posted: March 25, 2012
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Jumping In |
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According to the Denver Post, the metro area home sales are up from a year ago...by 14.7 % and the dollar value is up 13%. The latest mortgage rates are 3.01% for a 15 year fixed, last week it was 2.99%. The number of houses that are currently listed has dropped since a year ago and more houses are going under contract prior to being listed in the MLS!
The water is fine...time to jump in.
Timing is everything and jumping in at the right time is a matter of timing.
With the inventory dwindling, sellers need to stop pacing the edge of the pool...time to jump in because there are buyers wading in. A strong indication that the market is changing is the number of new retailers that are jumping into the Denver area market. Trader Joe's announcement that new stores will launch in the metro area received rave reviews, as well as the announcement that Dunkin Donuts will open 11 new stores. The Union Station redevelopment project has brought excitement to the lower downtown area with a flurry of residential sales. The Four Seasons reportedly put several condos under contract during there 3 week price drop, most will close before the outdoor pools open. Time to jump in!
If you are looking for someone to encourage you to take the plunge, email me at judy@kentwoodcity.com.
Working in the Kentwood City Properties lower downtown office affords buyers and sellers opportunities in real estate that no other location can offer. The marketing materials exceed any in the Denver area and the listing inventory is exceptional, allowing my clients first hand market information and previews of real estate prior to a market launch. Working with a professional realtor is akin to swimming high tide with a lifeguard,...
email:judy@kentwoodcity.com
posted: February 9, 2012
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The Wright Stuff |
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When Frank Lloyd Wright died in the late fifties, he had more than 500 projects that had not been completed but in order to give them the cache that it is a Frank Lloyd Wright design, it must be authenticated by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Oh, to Wright or not to Wright! The bottom line is that referring to a structure with the famed name as the designer is a bit of a framed name. However, it is acceptable to refer to a design that has similar elements as a "Wrightian" design. In other words, 762 Valderrama, in Castle Pines Village with photos posted on this website was designed with a Wrightian vibe both in roof line, construction materials and even the clerestory window effect which was a Wright trademark.
In many of the original Wright homes, the clerestory window was not only on the edge for the mid-century thinker, but it was well received in many booming areas such as California. When 762 Valderrama was designed, by a northern California architect, the lot suggested Wrightian so the design included many of the famed clerestory windows to bring the incredible outside of the home's lot right (intended) into the home.
The lot of 762 Valderrama is located off the third hole of the famed Castle Pine's Golf Club's International course. The clerestory windows capture views of the course, the ponderosa pines and gambel oa, the mountains and the starry, starry nights or bluebird Colorado day skies. The setting gives more of a Wrightian vibe than the design of the house, but the house is not to be missed. Click on the link to view the interior photos that mix Colorado organics with French antiques.
For more information on this home or any other homes in Castle Pines Village contact me at:
judy@kentwoodcity.com
Judy Fahrenkrog
303-820-2489
JUST LISTED ALERT! Across the fairway from 762 Valderrama is 706 Golf Club Drive, a stately brick manse with over 8,000 finished square feet at $1,600,000. Watch for the photos and tour to be uploaded soon.
posted: February 5, 2013
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Light Up Your Life |
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As the winter soltice approaches, afternoon dusk will play the early visitor. Daylight is officially shortened. Adjusting to the dark? The brilliance of less daylight, is discovering what we can do with darkness...light it up!
A quick drive around the micro neighborhoods of this late autumn/ early winter wonderland will lighten any life. Larimer Square is dazzling in a canopy of white lights that stretch the entire city block. Cherry Creek North is wired in tiny white lights along Third and Second Avenues. Soon the Denver Botanic Gardens will be lit with their holiday display of light themes that coordinate with the garden themes; a great spot for a romantic evening under a riot of illuminated color.
Urbanites can enjoy window views of the Denver skyline, spectacular in the evening, and views of the Elitch amusement theme park's whimsical ferris wheel. Neighborhoods from Lo-Hi and Riverfront to Washington Park offer a kaleidescope at night. Add the bonus of a mile high sunrise with the pink alpen glow and your life will be light.
So whether you are enjoying the lights around the city or with mantels of candles in your own home, take a moment to light it up.
For more information on homes, condos and townhomes that will light up your life email me at
judy@kentwoodcity.com
posted: November 7, 2011
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Ideas |
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"Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they're looking for ideas."
Paula Poundstone
Internet and computer technology was not on the list of "things to be" when the Kentwood Company's Chief Information Officer was small but it became his career and he was just honored for his efforts. The Denver Business Journal and Society for Information Management nominated Lance Smith as CIO of the Year. This is a great honor for Lance as well as the Kentwood Company as the competition was stiff and included organizations such as Level 3 Communications, Time Warner Telecom and the Daniels Fund. Kentwood has been an innovator in marketing technology, giving clients maximum exposure to today's real estate markets. Internet technology is the primary marketing source for the newest wave of home buyers, the Millennials, the children of the baby boomers (1978 - 20001). Millions of homes will sell in the next few years to this group, most of the home research will be via the internet and social networks. With Lance Smith as CIO of the Kentwood Company and three strong locally owned offices in the metro Denver area, it is the leader in residential real estate.
So connect with kids, ask them what they want to be when they grow up, get the ideas and act or get a MOVE on.
To connect with the leaders email
judy@kentwoodcity.com
posted: April 21, 2011
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