# SOLD |
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"Hashtags are words or phrases preceeded by the # symbol and have become the new cultural shorthand." Ashley Parker, New York Times.
Twitter has made the # symbol a fast short cut to categories, so if you are looking for comments about certain politicos and celebs, all you need to do is type the #symbol and the name, or the free association to the name...e.g. #Winning, you will not come up with the Dallas Mavericks but you will find all comments associated with a certain former television sitcom star.
Tweeting in real estate is relatively new, but extremely point to service for checking the status of a property. Now that the market has picked up its pace, the hashtag may become the new norm for checking a listing. For example, 762 Valderrama Court in Castle Pines Village is a much anticipated listing due to launch to market in the near future. When it launches a tweet with the hashtag #Active will appear. Think of the possibilities:
# Under Contract
# Taking Back-ups
# SOLD
# Price Reduction
# New Listing
Amazing opportunities exist with this cultural shorthand. Let's give it a try!
posted: June 13, 2011
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Game On! |
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The Denver real estate market is well into the first quarter, and 2012 could be a game changer. The low inventory has well priced homes positioned to receive multiple and back-up offers. Open House Season is near, let the March Madness begin.
If you are undecided on listing your home this spring take a look at a few economic projections. Heather Draper, journalist with the Denver Business Journal summarized the comments by James Paulson, Chief Investment Strategist for Wells Capital Management. In her view, he was quite optimistic with declarations that there is growth in the GDP and a dip in the unemployment. He named 2012 the "gear year" because it is the third year of the recession recovery and the year the economy will gear up. Paulson claims there is a lot of pent up demand and that consumers will start spending again. In other words, there is cash on the sidelines!
As a Seller, the game plane consists of a strategic timeline. Prior to listing the home, Sellers need to take a hard nosed look at the team. Choosing an experienced Realtor that is familiar with the neighborhood is critical. One rarely hears of a patient choosing a doctor based on low cost services and fresh/new to the business. Similarly, a professional sports franchise will mix up the head coach to get to the play-offs, but they rarely choose a coach from a different sport or based on low-salary options. They never choose a relative or "my wife's brother- in -law from her first marriage". Sellers need to choose the broker and the brokerage firm with reputation, experience, knowledge and marketing tools.
The second most important team player in listing a house is the house!
The house must be ready prior to the first showing. Many sellers are electing to do a pre-listing home inspection based on the mantra, "If it's broke, fix it". A pre-inspection allows the Seller to call the plays, if a sink doesn't drain properly you can call your plumber. If a problem is expensive and requires bids, your position in the game is more advantageous if it occurs prior to a Buyer's inspection. A pre-inspection allows the Seller to complete the Seller's Property Disclosure with confidence and documented knowledge.
Another member of the Seller's team is the Seller or Sellers. Everyone needs to be on board for having the home "show ready" daily. Homes tend to show better with lights and music, kitchen and baths spotless, pets in agreement with their showing arrangements as well as children. It is the half-time show that only last minutes, so it needs to be spectacular.
If the game plan seems daunting, call or email me at judy@kentwoodcity.com. I will be the offensive coordinator from pre-listing to closing and the post season.
Game on!
posted: February 3, 2012
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INSPECT |
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As in the Aretha Franklin song RESPECT, the residential real estate industry is singing a new version INSPECT and it can be serious business.
The inspection phase of a real estate transaction has always been a slippery slope. Often buyers view it as the last chance on return items or the skiing without footwear phase...cold feet.
Sellers view the inspection as the ultimate "do over"...requests to remodel or redo, as in appliances, carpet, even price. The inspection phase is critical, it can swing either way... the termination of a contract or the successful negotiation towards the closing. Most buyers and sellers would prefer the latter, hastle free, ut how do you get there?
Many sellers are pre-inspecting their homes prior to listing and marketing, often a wise recommendation from their listing agent. The pre-inspection by a qualified inspector is a preventative measure similar to the "wellness" check by your health practitioner. If your sewer line needs repair, best to get it repaired prior to signing a negotiated buy and sell contract with a buyer because you will have to repair. If you know the hard costs before negotiating your bottom line price, you have positioned yourself. Buyers don't necessarily want to point out that the home has been filled with radon to a seller that has been living in the home, yet if radon levels are above the EPA recommended guideline the house will not sell or close without mitigation. Both examples are not inexpensive items to cure, so if a seller knows the hard costs or has cured the problem prior to listing, those costs will factor into either the list price or the negotiated sales price. With a pre-inspection from the seller and made available to the buyer and the buyer's inspector, many of the unecessary items on a buyers notice to correct are eliminated. The inspection should only target items to correct that are critical to the safety and welfare of the home and its inhabitants, so re-painting a few nicks on the baseboards should not appear on the notice to correct. A pre-inspection will address the target items, a wise seller will have those items addressed and the motivated buyer will continue with the motivation that led to the negotiated contract to sell.
There have been several changes to the 2013 Colorado Real Estate Commission's approved forms for buying and selling real estate. Many of these changes address the inspection phase of the contract so it is critical for buyers and sellers to work through the process with a Realtor. The Kentwood Company has provided continuing education contracts classes for the brokers and licensed assistants, continuing to make us the number one real estate company in the Denver area.
If you have any questions regarding the changes in the Colorado purchase agreement/contract to buy and sell, don't hesitate in emailing me at judy@kentwoodcity.com or phoning me at:
Kentwood City Properties
303-820-2489
I-N-S-P-E-C-T take care of ...TCB
posted: January 28, 2013
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La Bella Figura |
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The Italian expression "la bella figura" translated literally is the beautiful figure, but the expression is more a way of life, the philosophy of the good image. If you want to actually touch, see, and feel la bella figura then I have the place...coming to the market soon is the beautiful figure.
A wonderful custom home on the Castle Pines Golf Club's International course, set back and nestled in the ponderosa pines and scrub oak with true divided light windows, vaulted ceilings, dormers, large decks and signature design elements; it will hit the MLS in April. The home has wonderful history, a spectucular presence and exudes elegance. The architecture is timeless, a true custom gem!
But what about that way of life philosophy? With the serene setting on the golf course, a main floor master and solid construction of brick and tiled roof all that is left to appreciate is the aesthetic!
If you want more information on this stately beauty, email
judy@kentwoodcity.com
Judy Fahrenkrog
Kentwood City Properties
303-820-2489
posted: March 20, 2013
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Rocky Mountain Highs |
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The Highs for the Rocky Mountain Region...
High temps midday in the Denver metro area followed by a dip low enough to start the snow making machines in the ski areas!
HIgh prices in $1million or higher home sales for the month of August with 18 luxury home sales in Denver, 15 in Boulder and Cherry Hills Village saw 9. As home sale values soar, Castle Pines Village continues to strengthen and will soon see a double digit million dollar home sale with 31 Albion, featured in Christie's International Real Estate's Bespoke program.
High viewer counts! Approximately 40+ million viewers tuned in Tuesday evening to watch the first Presidential Election debate at the University of Denver. The clear winner of the debate was Denver, with excellent city planning for security and transportation issues, great Fall weather, and the national and international spotlight; Denver was showcased as the place to live and work. To rephrase the Denver song..
"Rocky Mountain High...Colorado!"
For more information on the Denver metro area, please email judy@kentwoodcity.com.
As a fourth generation Denverite, I know Denver! The market could not be more conducive to home buyers with record low interest rates and motivated sellers. Many of the niche markets in Denver are running low on inventory but the opportunities are still available if you are connected with the right Realtor.
For more information:
Judy Fahrenkrog
Kentwood City Properties
303-820-2489
Let's go shop Denver
posted: October 4, 2012
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The Date Is... |
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In this fast paced real estate market, and the market did pick up speed, it is always great to keep your eyes on the prize...CLOSING! Sellers are launching to market and ready to engage in the best dating game of all! They are thinking of a closing date! Positive manifestation, works in yoga so why not real estate.
When a home enters into a contract there are a myriad of dates that relate to the contingencies within. There is the home inspection and the appraisal...deep breathing required there, along with loan commitment. There is also plenty of hand-holding...always on dates....when it comes to off record matters, association documents, easements and surveys and title! There are so many dates, buyers and sellers along with brokers and closing agents often take the eye off the prized date, which is closing....and it ain't over till it's over!
So manifest that date, paste it to your mirror the old school way or alarm and sync it. Get it in the cloud and on the calendar and you will see success!
For more information on buying or selling real estate in Denver and the surrounding villages such as Castle Pines Village, give me a call or email me. Or, if you want some manifestation and positive thinking, give me a call as I have been working with buyers and sellers for over 30 years.
Judy Fahrenkrog
judy@kentwoodcity.com
303-820-2489
posted: May 6, 2013
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Outperforming The Market |
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During 2010, Denver MLS closed sales volume was down 3.0% and transactions were down 7.7%, however, Kentwood Real Estate was up 22.2% in closed sales and up 13.3% in transactions. Kentwood Real Estate continues to outperform the Denver MLS for closed sales volume and transactions and continues to outperform all other brokers in market share.
In the Cherry Creek area, Kentwood took 42% of sales and in Cherry Hills Kentwood brought home 44% of the market share.
These statistics are impressive in a robust real estate market, outstanding for 2009 and 2010! The forecast for 2011 is that the Denver real estate market will remain steady and stable with moderate growth. Kentwood outperformed during a decrease, imagine the numbers with growth. Choosing a real estate broker with the best performing company is not only a wise choice, it is your only choice.
"When you enter a dark room and turn on the light, you soon forget how long the room was dark."
posted: February 16, 2011
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Among Friends |
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"It's been said that everlasting friends can go long periods of time without speaking and never question the friendship. These friends pick up as if they just spoke yesterday, regardless of how long it's been or how far away they are. They understand that life's busy and you'll always love them." a Facebook profile post.
Friends from the past, friends forever akin to neighborhoods from the past. Have you walked through your childhood neighborhood lately? Changed of course, but still so familiar in so many ways.
Growing up in Park Hill was not only blissful and blessed, and the bonus is that it is unchanged thanks to some very forward thinking developers and city planners. A stretch of Park Hill, from City Park at Colorado Boulevard and Montview Boulevard to Monaco Parkway and Seventeenth Avenue and as far south as Colfax Avenue, was known as the Downington neighborhood in the "Roaring Twenties". The neighborhood was a planned development, the names of the streets; e.g. Forest, Grape, Elm and Boulevard and Parkway were deliberate, it was to be an extension of a beautiful park dotted by homes. The original brochure featured Forest Parkway and Seventeenth Avenue Parkway, at the time a stretch of prairie grass but with a development plan for large elms and spruce. Childhood memories consist of walking from Montview and Bellaire (the air was indeed bella) to the elementary schools on Elm, both public and parochial, and on to the candy store or the grandparents house for after school treats. Crunching leaves underneath our feet in the fall and blossoms of pompoms and lilacs in the spring while we raced around the trunks of elm trees filled with childhood make believe became our play dates. They were our friends, old friends. This neighborhood has not changed, the classic architecture and craftsman construction are tributes to the artisans and designers and they remain little changed, like old friends.
Take a tour of this majestic neighborhood and meet a few of my friends, on bicycle or on foot. Sunday, May 15th, Kentwood City Properties is hosting a B Cycle tour of Park Hill. For more information phone us at 303-820-2489 or email judy@kentwoodcity.com. Bring a friend!
posted: April 6, 2011
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Denver Gem |
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Are you thinking of living in the Front Range's commercial epicenter that is bordered by 22 miles of bike path connecting downtown to Cherry Creek State Park? Take the thinking cap off and bask in the brilliance of a neighborhood that boasts outdoor seating at many of its bistros and coffee shops. According to the Kentwood Company's Gallery Magazine editor this neighborhood gem of Denver is Cherry Creek North, a 16 block area tucked within the greater Cherry Creek area. Dense mixed use urban development has given a chic and eclectic feel to this upscale residential community filled with townhomes, patio homes and single family homes on mature city lots. Two avenues and two boulevards encase the commercial arena with shopping, salons, spas, restaurants, clinics, grocery and health foods, art galleries, furniture galleries and more. There is a public library and an award winning elementary school. A Cherry Creek address will present a 100% walkscore.
So put that cap back on and stroll through the Cherry Creek North neighborhood and discover why it claims to be the community to "have it all" or call me for a market analysis of the neighborhood. I live here!
posted: February 18, 2011
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My Daddy's Husband |
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....the response from my two year old grandaughter to the question, "Who is fixing dinner?" At two she understands multi-tasking as her father was doting and playing with her while giving his wife a much needed post holiday break from the kitchen. He truly was multi- tasking ... daddy/husband.
If we counted the number of times during the day that we multi-task we would need the pedometer gadget that counts the steps you take per day. The simple task of eating breakfast becomes a multi-task if you are reading a newspaper and watching a morning show. Factor in the smart phone, and the multi-tasking grows. The new Iphone 5 multi-tasks itself! You can literally surf the web while conducting a phone conversation. We now judge our daily productivity by the number of tasks we accomplish. Exhausted yet?
The high technology age is the new normal, yet if we do not carve out a special time or spot to clear the air and smell the roses, we will be moving through this life at warped speed.
This is where the true meaning and value of a "home" comes into play. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, many Americans travelled miles to get back to the place they call "home" and many welcomed family and friends back "home". Home is the cornerstone of the American family, in all its shapes and dimensions, and it continues to be the cornerstone of American society. It is usually the largest asset in a family's portfolio, both financially and emotionally, the ultimate multi-tasker for the family. Does your home measure up?
The Denver area housing market continues its strength during the recovery. Many areas are showing record low inventory and multiple offers are common ( the Xgames in multi-tasking for the listing agent). With low interest rates and more lenders lending, there has never been a better time to purchase a home or consider a move vertically, horizontally or to downsize.
Contact me for more information on buying or selling your home. I specialize in the Denver area markets that include Washington Park (my listing... sale pending), Cherry Creek, Country Club and Hilltop as well as Castle Pines Village (my lisitng... sale pending). I have been multi-tasking in Denver's real estate market for over thirty years.
judy@kentwoodcity.com
Kentwood City Properties
posted: November 26, 2012
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