ColoradoMoves.com - Here's What Moved Us This Week

Here's what you missed on ColoradoMoves.com last week! Check out highlights from our new blog below where we explore what moves you!

West Highland - Development Progresses 
March 15, 2013 - If there was an apartment building going up in your neighborhood, how would you feel about it?  Well if you lived in West Highland community of Denver, the chances are good that you would be unhappy about it. In fact there is a lawsuit currently underway which would redefine zoning codes for the area. Many other Denver neighborhoods are eager to see how the ruling in this case will affect the zoning codes in their areas.  

Email Alerts: Searching Real Estate Listings For You

March 14, 2013 - Can’t find the time to search for a home or don’t have any idea where to start looking?  Log on to HomesInColorado.com and take the few seconds required to sign up for automatic email alerts.  This is the simplest way to view new listings the moment they hit the market, browse through neighborhoods, and save favorite listings.  Powered by RE/MAX Alliance, there is no simpler way to find the Colorado home of your dreams.

RE/MAX Alliance of Westminster: Hosting Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park Fundraiser

March 9th, 2013 - UPDATED Read about our fundraiser which benefited the Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park. Thanks to the donations of our colleagues, we raised just under $4,200 for this cause. We appreciate everyone's support and generosity which helped make this event a huge success!

RE/MAX R4 Convention - Leading the Real Estate Market!
March 7, 2013 - If you didn’t attend this years R4 Convention in Las Vegas,  you will definitely not want to miss it next year!  This year's conference had so many highlights and tons of informative speakers with great ideas on how to improve your real estate business. 

Also check out our economic snapshots and real estate statistics for Colorado Front Range Communities!

RE/MAX Alliance Of Westminster: Hosting Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park Fundraiser

Join us!

Baked Goods Live Auction to Benefit the Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park 

March 12th, 2013

RE/MAX Alliance Westminster Office

11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Read more about the fundraiser!

Please bring with you your best baked goods to put up for auction, a dish to share for a pot luck lunch, and plenty of cash!!!  Our objective is to reach $4,500 from this event in an effort to show our community support for the Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park.  Tell your family and friends!

For more information about donating directly to the Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park, click here!

RE/MAX Alliance – Getting our Clients Relocated the Smart Way!

When deciding to sell or buy a home with RE/MAX Alliance you are not only working with the number one franchise in Colorado but you are working with a company who is dedicated to helping make your move simple and efficient.  As part of the perks of hiring RE/MAX Alliance to represent you in your real estate venture, you are eligible for certain benefits that will help with your relocation.  It doesn’t matter if you are moving from Voorhees, New Jersey to Louisville, Colorado or from Aurora, to Evergreen, Colorado; we can all use some additional perks when relocating.  Here are some that I think are well worth it!

So, we have all heard of smart phones, but have you ever heard of a smart box?  Smart boxes are portable pods that make moving and storage easier than you could ever image.  Colorado’s SMARTBOX Company offers lightweight affordable moving containers that completely blow PODS out of the water!  These smart boxes are brought to your home or business and delivered for you to your new location or stored in a secure warehouse facility.  Unlike their competitors, SMARTBOX offers storage and moving solutions without long term commitments.  Also because these boxes come in a smaller size, 5x8x7, you can customize the space you need without wasting money on a huge oversized pod.  Furthermore the small compact size of the smart box is much more visually expectable to HOAs and will not damage concrete when loaded and unloaded.

If you need to hire a professional moving company RE/MAX Alliance clients are offered a special discount from a local moving company called Johnson Storage & Moving.  This company also offers mini mobile storage crates that hold approximately one room of furniture each.  For only $124 for the initial delivery of up to 5 crates and another $124 for the subsequent redelivery, you can move your entire 5 room home!

Last but not least, as part of RE/MAX Alliance’s complete real estate services, you are entitled to discounts at Sears on TV’s, lawn and garden supplies, mattresses and appliances!  A special partnership between the Great Indoors & Sears and RE/MAX Alliance has been established which our clients can take advantage of certain discounts and in store consultations.  All you have to do is let your RE/MAX Alliance Realtor know that you are interested in this offer and they will contact their specialist who will meet you at your local store location.

36 Hours for Kids Radiothon - Give today!

Starting yesterday February 20^th Alice 105.9 began their 12^th annual 36 Hours for Kids Radiothon which supports the Children’s Hospital of Colorado through the Children’s Miracle Network.  Being broadcast live today from the Children’s Hospital in Aurora this event will run through February 22^nd until 6 pm.  RE/MAX Alliance is a proud supporter of this fundraiser and is participating in the radiothon today and tomorrow.  We are asking for all of our associates help in making this event a greater success then year previous.

The Miracle Network was founded to help as many children as possible in the home state of which the money is raised. Helping children and their families by raising funds for children’s hospital related costs, is the main goal. The Children Hospital of Colorado does not turn away any family because of inability to pay. 
36 Hours for Kids makes the difference between life and death, and peace and grief for so many local families.  Since 2011 the Children Miracle Network has raised over 4.3 billion dollars which comes from caring people like you.  Every dollar counts!

Call now to show your support for families of children in need in our community at 1800-458-kids!

Stories from families who have and are receiving help from the Children’s Hospital of Colorado because of the funds collected by this particular event are being shared with listeners in an effort to demonstrate how exactly your contribution can make a world of difference in their lives.  Last year during this three day event, Colorado raised over 1.8 million dollars with the help of 5,500 new pledges and over 750 community volunteers.

You can make a difference today by becoming a miracle maker, no donation is too small! 

With the support of RE/MAX Alliance’s Vice President, Kim Hawkins, we hope that you take the time to listen to the live broadcast and call in with a contribution.

To learn more about the radiothon and how you can support the Children’s Hospital of Colorado visit: http://www.childrenscoloradofoundation.org/listen.

What Is Your Colorado Home Saying to Potential Buyers? Buy Me vs. Pass

When you are trying to sell your home, you want to make sure it is conveying the right message to potential buyers.  Although it may have suited your needs in the past, it might not be presenting its best foot forward if you do not take steps to ensure that it does.

When listing your home in any market but especially in ones that are super competitive like in Golden, Colorado, your ultimate goal is to sell it quickly and for a good price.  The best way to make sure that happened is to go through it and fix those problems that will most stand out to homebuyers.  Even if a homebuyer is looking for a fixer-upper, most will turn and run in the opposite direction if your house screams, “Huge project!” Repairing the fundamental aspects of the home will at least say to homebuyers, “I have a good shell and can be worked with.”

It is totally understandable that most homeowners do want to invest more money into a home they will be leaving soon, but if you consider the return on your minimal investment it is usually well worth it.  Beside a little bit of money, time and effort are usually what really makes a difference.  Even if your home is completely outdated, cleaning it is so important.  This includes all spaces inside and outside the home.  Just by removing dead shrubs, raking, and hosing off the exterior will boost your old home’s curb appeal and hopefully have buyers saying, “Not bad, I can work with this.”

Along with repairs and cleaning you really want to consider staging, depersonalizing, and de-cluttering your home.  Don’t get confused this is totally different from tidying things up a bit! The best way to do this is to box up your personal items that you do not use on a regular basis and re-arrange furniture to make the home more presentable to viewers. By doing so will allow homebuyers the opportunity to visualize their personal belonging in the space and have them saying, “Yes, I can see myself living here.”

Also pricing your home appropriately conveys a message even before the first potential buyer step foot over the threshold. A home that is overpriced will usually be recognized as so and will not even be considered for a showing.  Likewise homes that are underpriced may have some potential buyers and savvy realtors asking, “What is wrong with this house?”  

Your listing agent will be your best resource for making sure your home is saying the right thing to buyers.  It is to your best advantage to use their knowledge and experience to make sure your home will stand out above the rest!

Colorado Homes For Sale

There is no doubt about it, Colorado real estate is hot!  Home sales all over the state hit record highs last year for the first time since the housing market plummeted and have lead to positive projections for the upcoming year.  With low inventories and eager homebuyers, Colorado is seeing absorptions rates which indicate homes in our state are selling in less time. Although this is a general assertion, some markets are seeing more interest from buyers than others. 

The various housing market sectors in Colorado are different for each city and each price range, but typically speaking homes that are priced under $350,000 are flying off the proverbial real estate shelf and getting seriously competitive offers. In areas where real estate is strong like Broomfield, Arvada, Longmont and Centennial, homes in this range are a great investment and a fair price.  Included in this price range you will find everything from condos and townhomes to modest single family and newly constructed homes.

Homes priced under $500,000 are also seeing great interest from buyers in communities like Denver, Louisville, Boulder, Fort Collins, Castle Rock and Colorado Springs. Many of these cities have been recognized by national publications for being a great place to live and raise a family which has largely contributed to the fast pace of this market.  For $500,000 the kind of real estate you can purchase in the above mentioned areas varies greatly.  For instance in Boulder this price range might buy a luxury 2 bedroom 1 bathroom condo as were it could probably buy you a very nice, updated older home in Denver’s highly coveted Washington Park.  

Although they are taking a much longer time to sell, luxury homes for sale in Colorado which cost $750,000 and more, are still desirable especially in areas like Cherry Hills Village, Boulder, Denver, Niwot, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Aspen.  A large portion of these sales are due to the community’s popularity, reputation and seasonal tourism. Investment and vacation properties are also huge in these and other mountain areas and accounts for a big portion of the luxury real estate market.

  

Colorado: It's a State of Mind and a Way of Life!

If you have recently decided to move to Colorado, we want to say congratulations!  Colorado is an amazing state that offers beautiful scenery, an active lifestyle, forward thinking industries, and a rich American culture. Residents of Colorado come from a variety of backgrounds, which helps to make our community diverse and interesting.   

Despite our differences the one thing most of us Coloradans have in common, is our genuine love for our state and compassion for our neighbors. I personally have never lived in a state where everyone I meet is just happy to be alive, healthy and breathing fresh air.  Moving to Colorado was definitely the best thing I ever did, and I hope you will find the same to be true. In an effort to help make your move as rewarding as possible, here is our guide to being a Coloradan.

Location is key. First of all if you haven’t already selected a city in which to reside, choosing the best location for your family will make a world of difference in how your relocation goes.  Yes it’s true that most cities and towns in Colorado are beautiful and offer similar amenity but choosing the right location is a critical decision. Every one of our top three cities offers a slightly different way of life.  Denver, Colorado is one of the most happenin’ places in American and offers residents a sophisticated urban setting.  This community is great for people who love the hustle and bustle of city life and want to be were all the action and commerce is.  Colorado Spring is Colorado’s second major location and offers residents a more suburban city setting which is centered on family life and military interests.  Boulder, Colorado, or “The Republic of Boulder” as locals call it, is an entity in itself that seems to live outside of traditional constraints and sits on the forefront of modern eco-friendly living. 

Establishing your life. After you have moved and transferred over everything, it’s time to start living like a Coloradan. Coloradans are active, friendly and involved.  The best way to get things started is to exploit what you love and find others who are interested in the same things.  Participation counts the most in this aspect and will help to make your move to Colorado that much more beneficial.  What ever your passion is, there is certainly a social group out there that is dedicated to it in Colorado.  Whether it’s skiing, painting, hiking, being a mom, or loving your dog; Colorado residents love to share what they like with others. So be social and invite other people, especially your neighbors and coworkers, into your life through mutual interests.

Be environmentally conscious. If you didn’t recycle in the last state you lived in, its time to make a change.  Mother Nature and the gifts she has given us, is not something most Colorado residents take lightly.  In places like Boulder and Denver, recycling and composting is not only a means of disposing trash but it’s a way of life.  This is also true when it comes to waste and energy consumption.  The biggest trend in Colorado living is eco-friendly everything!

It’s The Color That Counts: Big and Small Green Improvements for Your Home

As more and more information comes to light about how our technology and modern ways of living have affected the environments, it’s much more common for homeowners to decide they want to try to make their homes as green and environmentally friendly as possible. It’s not just for Boulder "yippies" anymore either! Some people have more of a budget put aside than others for this, but even if you’re a little short on cash, there are small ways you can improve your home that’ll ultimately help make a big difference when it comes to saving the environment. Some might even have the potential to save you some money in the long run too!

First, if you do have a bit of money saved up to put to this specific purpose, consider changing your roofing or siding materials to Plywood, OSB or paneled siding that helps reflect a great portion of the sun’s reflective energy. You want siding that does this because it will ultimately end up saving you money in electricity costs since your house will stay cooler in the summer and keep your electricity costs down. The same goes for specific types of insulation that will help keep heat in during the winter.

If you have some money saved up but are a little worried about spending it all on energy efficient materials that’ll improve your home, there are also options that might cost a bit more upfront but will ultimately pay off the next time you do taxes. Look for Energy Star label shingles for your home. The federal government offers a 30 percent rebate come tax time, which comes to about $1500 of savings when it comes time to filling out your taxes.

Lastly, if money is a big concern right now, there are small ways you can chip in to help the environment, while not taking a chunk out of your bank account at the same time. If you already have blinds or shades on your windows, for example, remembering to keep them closed over your windows during daylight hours will add up in terms of saving money in electricity costs over a period of time. And instead of turning your heat up higher in the winter, just open up your window’s shades and let the sun naturally heat up your home. Also make sure your windows don’t have any cracks or drafts in them. This can be a fast way to help your energy bill too, since you won’t end up having to pay more in heating or cooling if your windows and doors are properly sealed to the outside elements.

Top 5 Things To Do in Denver

According to various online resources, Denver is considered the most popular big city in America, and if you live here, you already know why!  Being the envy of other major cities’ like Manhattan and Los Angels, Denver offers its residents a high-quality of life, safe neighborhoods, breathtaking views and tons of things to do. Whether you are planning a move to Denver or just a trip, there are several attractions in the area that are a definite must-see. 

Denver’s Capital Building is the jewel in the city's skyline, literally.  Construction of this Corinthian Style masterpiece was completed in 1896 and is still one of the main highlights of the city. Two of the most distinguishable characteristics of the Capital Building are its gold dome, which features more than 200 ounces of pure 24 carat gold leaf, and its one of a kind Colorado Onyx wainscoting and pillars.   

The Denver Zoo is not only a great place for kids but it's also attractive to older generations as a fantastic place for a date or to host an event.  From a very modest beginning, Denver’s Zoo is now one of the most extravagant zoos in America with over 80-acre and 4000 animals.  Not just a popular warm weather attraction, the Denver Zoo hosts tons of events like Boo at the Zoo and Zoo Lights which brings in visitors year round. The Toyota Elephant Passage is a half a billion dollar Asian Tropic exhibit which is powered by an eco-friendly biomass gasification technology that utilizes human trash and animal waste to produce energy.

A longtime symbol of excellence and notoriety in Denver is the world famous Brown Palace Hotel.  This elegant triangular shaped Italian Renaissance building features an eight-story stained-glass atrium, Colorado Red Granite and Arizona Sandstone, 12,400 surface feet of Onyx and a variety of semiprecious quartz.  Truly stunning in appearance the Brown Palace is also hot spot for dining and entertainment.

If you are looking for fun in Denver, LoDo is the place to be.  The Lower Downtown side of Denver is one of the liveliest areas in the city.  Here you will find dozens of restaurants, nightclubs, local business, and the Coor’s Baseball Field. A great place to walk about during the day, LoDo really comes alive once the sun goes down.

Antique Row is the official antique district of Denver located over an 8 block stretch from 1100 to 1800 S Boradway in Southwest Denver.  With over 400 antiques dealers in the district, many antique buffs consider Antique Row to be the Mecca for old western and cowboy artifacts. You can also expect to find many dealers here that specialize in silver, porcelain, Depression glass, dolls, jewelry and furniture.  There are also several great restaurants in the area which makes it very easy for visitors to enjoy a whole days worth of antique shopping.