Denver Parade of Lights this Weekend
If you are planning to attend Denver’s annual Parade of Lights this weekend, click on the link above for times and street closures!
Nov 302011
I just read a newspaper article that said the average sold price for a home in Pitkin County was $5.57 million for the first two months of this year- up some 28% for all of the county last year. The highest sale was for a single family home in Aspen that sold for $20 million – and I wondered what my grandfather would have thought about th
at.
In July of 1880 DRC Brown, my grandfather, and Henry Cowenhoven had their first glimpse of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley “… we left for Aspen next morning and it took us all that day to make eight miles, which brought us within four miles of Aspen. In the morning we broke camp about 10 o’clock and at 2:30 p.m., in July 1880, we had our first view of the Roaring Fork Valley and, to me, it was the most wonderful sight I ever beheld. ..”. The next morning my grandfather and Mr. Cowenhoven bought a lot on which to build their general store and a house. They paid $75 for it.
Today’s Aspen is a far cry from the tiny mining town of the 1880′s. Celebrities from all over the world arrive in Aspen in private jets to spend time in gorgeous vacation homes. Time shares have definitely changed the flavor of the city but one thing that has not changed in 131 years is the beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley-it continues to be one of the most beautiful sights to behold.
This past weekend I was showing a property in one of Denver’s great neighborhoods – City Park West- with a wonderful young couple and their 9 month old son. These are pretty typical first time buyers, eager to have a place to call their own and certainly willing to do some work on a property advertised as “Amazing Opportunity-Original Woodwork & Charm throughout!” The curb appeal was ok, white picket fence and small garden area. Our first clue that all was not going well was when we tried to get the front door unlocked. Now this happens to be a pet peeve of mine: for $40-50 a locksmith can make sure one key opens all locks with ease. We struggled for several minutes and finally managed to open the door. What greeted us was unbelievable: the house was filthy and a total mess with left over food displayed for our enjoyment on the kitchen table, the smell of stale grease permeating the air. The walls were dirty, the light switch plates loaded with dirt and grime. There were piles of “stuff” everywhere we looked and when we went upstairs it wasn’t any better. The most shocking realization came when we realized someone was still living in the house along with their cat.
The original listing price of this house was $349,900; it is currently listed at $289,900. My buyers couldn’t begin to see the possibilities this house might have offered had it been in some kind of show-able condition. With the challenging economic times we are experiencing, I understand that some sellers are really under the gun to get their home sold quickly and may put pressure on their agent to get it on the market asap. As realtors, we need to educate our sellers so they don’t make these mistakes: it is a waste of our time and marketing dollars to present homes that aren’t ready for the market.
My partner recently had a house for sell in Congress Park whose owner had lived in it for close to 40 years. It had great woodwork and a nice yard but everything else was so dated and dark. He was very patient with the elderly owner working with her for almost 6 months to de clutter and move out. He brought in a professional cleaning service and convinced the owner to redo the hardwoods throughout for about $2300. During all this time his seller was urging him to just put it on the market; he explained that by waiting until the house was in presentable condition, it would sell faster and for more money…he was right! The home was under contract within 2 days of going on the market. The only improvement they did was to redo the floors; the place was still dated and dark with its 1940′s vintage wall paper, but it was vacant and clean and buyers could easily see the possibilities this home presented!
Leading Real Estate Company Tops 2009 Results by Impressive Margins
DENVER – Kentwood Real Estate and its top-producing real estate professionals posted total sales volume of $282 million for the first quarter of 2010, representing a remarkable 60 percent increase over 2009 first quarter results of $175 million. Kentwood Real Estate also recorded a total of 663 real estate transactions for the first quarter this year compared to 433 real estate transactions recorded for the first quarter last year, which represents a very impressive increase of 53.1 percent.
Total sold volume for the first quarter was $193 million compared to $152 million for the first quarter of 2009, an increase of 26.8 percent. Kentwood Real Estate’s total closed transactions for the first quarter of this year was 458 compared to 343 last year, or an increase of 33.5 percent.
“We are very pleased with these first quarter results,” said Roger Campbell, President of Kentwood Real Estate. “These figures not only show a rebound in the real estate business and the economy in general, but are a testament to the perseverance, dedication and hard work of our experienced real estate agents. To achieve success in a challenging real estate market requires impressive character, the willingness to go the extra mile, superior marketing knowledge and truly remarkable service.”
According to Campbell, increased sales volume and total number of transactions during the first quarter can also be attributed to buyers being more confident now that prices appear to have bottomed out in the metro Denver area. Waiting longer to buy would be counter-productive for those wishing to maximize their savings with today’s low interest rates.
“The federal tax credit (which ended April 30th) may have helped first quarter results,” said Campbell, “but there still has never been a better time to buy a home regardless of the government’s stimulus program. Over the years, Kentwood Real Estate has enjoyed a significant share of the luxury home market, but our success is directly related to serving the home buying and selling needs of everyone, from those seeking or selling an affordable condominium or loft, to clients wishing to purchase or sell a mainstream single-family home in Denver or the suburbs. Kentwood is full service in every respect.”
Founded in 1981, Kentwood Real Estate’s broker associates average approximately 20 years of experience each. The company’s associates, managers and owners are active with numerous charitable groups and civic organizations, and several hold key positions with their respective Realtor associations.
Kentwood Real Estate operates from three strategically-located offices throughout metro Denver. The company is widely known for its leading website at www.DenverRealEstate.com, which is ranked among the most visited real estate websites worldwide. Kentwood’s marketing programs provide agents and clients alike with a distinct advantage, especially during a challenging market.
Kentwood Real Estate is dedicated to its legacy of being “Colorado’s Premier Real Estate Company” through the highest producing, most knowledgeable, caring and experienced sales team in the country, offering the highest quality customer service experience. Kentwood Real Estate is an innovator known for unparalleled marketing strategies and superior Internet technology that places its clients in the best possible position.
Kentwood Real Estate is comprised of The Kentwood Company in the Denver Tech Center, Kentwood Company at Cherry Creek, and Kentwood City Properties in downtown Denver. For more information, visit Kentwood Real Estate online at www.DenverRealEstate.com
Kentwood Real Estate Announces First Quarter 2010 Total Sales Volume and Transactions
