Denver Homes Online

- Fireworks displays "still-on" around Denver, 2012. Visit these sites for information on where you can still take your family to see a fireworks display this year. Note: Most professional and municipal fireworks displays have been cancelled this year due to the extreme fire danger, and fear of wildfires.

- Come see one of Englewood's nicest park view homes for sale. Park view homes are hard to find, but they can make the most desirable of locations to own. For that reason, park view homes simply don't stay on the market very long. It's unclear how long this wonderful home will last, so if you've always wanted to own one of the nicest park view homes for sale in Englewood, call me today to schedule a showing (303) 514-4000.

- Denver-Area business directory adds affordable legal-services plan by Lisa, and for less than $20 a month. Get an unlimited number of phone calls, about as many different matters as you need.

- Mortgage Interest rates continue to slide, which is a real surprise to many economists so far this year. The steady drop in rates for almost two months has been fueled by a weaker than anticipated jobs report, and sagging market productivity which has sent bond prices soaring. The declining interest rate environment is surprising many experts, who predicted steady economic growth and stock prices. Nothing could be better for Spring home buyers in Denver right now!

- The average home price has now risen above last-years high. It did so two months ahead of the typical (and seasonal) peak for home sales in the Denver real estate market. During 2011, our high-point occured around mid-Summer. We've already surpassed that mark this year. If sales continue at this pace, our average home price may rise to levels that haven't been seen since 2007.

Denver's 'rent to own' market is scarce. There's so few properties being offered with 'rent to own' terms, that its not worth getting your hopes up. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t any, but finding one is difficult.

What 'new home buyers' should be aware of before entering into any purchase contract with a home builder: Many buyers don't understand in clear terms what they're agreeing to, or what the options are. For some, they just 'sign away', despite the warning signs. This list shows you most of the binding provisions that are often 'vaguely' explained by the new home builder's salespersons.

- In the month of June of 2012, we're seeing a majority of Denver-Area home sales concentrated in the $150,000 to $250,000 price ranges (see graphs). If you overlay these graphs with ones from just 6 months ago, it would be obvious that Denver's home sale activity has expanded up from the 150k-200k price range, all the way to $250,000. Another positive change for Denver's single-family market is that for price ranges above $250,000, we're seeing ever-increasing activity. Most of the higher price ranges have picked up a full percentage point or two in the past several months.

- JoAnn and Kyle called me the end of December, last year, to short sale their home. We planned to have the entire document package ready by mid-January. Now, let the game begin: As a part of unpacking our game board, we determined that the sellers loan was an FHA, and that Bank of America (BofA) was the servicing lender. The sellers took they're first roll of the dice to get started. Our short sale (SS) application and all necessary documents were completed and delivered to the lender as planned. So, here's our first move.

- Preview the new zoo elephants and the other sights and sounds of the new Toyota Elephant Passage attraction at the Denver Zoo. This Toyota Elephant Passage video is my first attempt at using the Kodak Playtouch pocket video camera. It took some time figuring out the editing software (even with the help videos posted on youtube). Eventually it all came together though. The camera works fairly well, except in low light or overcast conditions. Overall, I was pleased with the results.

- Interest rates are down from the previous month and holding steady, which they've actually been doing since the final quarter of 2011. This steady interest rate environment and the absence of volatility is surprising most economists, many of which anticipated rates to have risen more substantially by now, especially with the improving economic picture nationally, and steady growth in stock prices.

- The market has seen a huge bump this month with a 40% rise in sales since our March report. Home and condo prices have also been on the climb, with the increasing number of sales thorughout the Denver market. Notice the 3 green arrows pointing up this month? That hasn't happened since June 2011. Over the last couple of months now, the scene at Denver Area homes-for-sale has been a hubbub of activity.

- Interest rates have been very stable over the past few months. There's been little economic news so far this year that has put pressure on interest rates to rise. Under "normal market conditions" the gains in the stock market should have triggered a rise in interest rates. But, because our financial markets are especially complicated right now, and heavily influenced by the Fed, we're not seeing anything normal in the markets. With a housing recovery in full swing in the Denver area, this is great news for homebuyers and sellers alike.

- After a 20% drop in home sales in January, Denver's housing market has already stopped its brief tumble. Denver's housing market has already stopped its brief tumble. We saw fewer home sales than hoped for since the beginning of the New Year, but that was not because of a lack of demand. There has actually been a lot of showing activity and robust interest coming from home shoppers, despite the numbers.

- Interest rates have been very stable over the last 30 days. Little economic news so far in the new year has provided much pressure for interest rates to change much at all. The most recent financial data reported in January was that the national unemployment level had dropped to 8.3%, with hundreds of thousands of jobs being added. Although this news is wonderful, the job gains do not appear to be sustainable, because most of that job growth occured in seasonable work, which is a carry-over from the holidays.

- Home buyers have started shopping early this year as the Denver market has been abuzz in January. Activity has been especially strong in price ranges below 400k. Sellers have not yet responded to that activity, as we've not yet seen too many home sellers put their properties on the market in 2012. More listing inventory was anticipated by the end of January, but that hasn't happened (yet). We'll see if February picks up the pace.

- No matter how you look at it, Denver's most active price range for single-family homes is under $400,000. A full 85% of all single-family home sales are occuring below this price. For condos, lofts, and townhomes its a similar story with the lower price ranges receiving the vast majority of the market activity. Upwards of 90% of the entire Denver condo market is selling below $300,000. A few months ago we noticed the condo market trying to widen the spread the activity into higher price ranges, but as the market has slowed this time of year, that spread has tightened.

- Denver's housing 'inventory' declined again last month, but not dramatically. The upper-price ranges for single-family homes showed the most dramatic swing, but since the bulk of the housing stock resides in lower-priced homes, the actual decline wasn't that great. In the condo and multi-family market inventory is rising. Earlier this year the lowest price ranges were hot as a pistol, but the market has cooled and those inventories appear to be recovering.

- Ring-A-Ding-Ding! Usher in the new year in Central City and Blackhawk on Saturday, December 31st, for the biggest Colorado New Year's Eve Bash yet. Here are a list of casino's with fantastic fun, party celebrations, live bands, and lots of extra cash to be given away! Here are some of the festivities: Century Casino - New Year's Eve Bash; Crystal Palace - New Year's Eve Party & Live Bands; Famous Bonanza - $2000 Cash Giveaway; Fortune Valley - Holiday Car & Cash Giveaway; Johnny Z's - $5000 Progressive Cash Drawings.

- Over the past month we've continued to witness huge swings in the financial markets, primarily driven by the European economic crisis. Because our own financial markets have declined, this has brought mortgage interest rates down along with them. Rates are currently holding steady just below the 4% mark. The outlook for the next few weeks is that we may see mounting pressure on mortgage interest rates to rise, due to anticipated good news on the national economic front.

- The number of homes sold around the Denver area "fell" last month, but that's pretty typical for the Fall and Winter months. We didn't see as much of a decline in single-family homes sales, as compared to condos. Single-family sales remained about the same as the previous month. For the condo market, sales were off about 15%, which brought combined home sales down by 3.6%, which is still very typical this time of the year.

- Didn't make it to the Zoo before Christmas? Thought you missed all the fun and excitement? Not so fast...there's still plenty of fun to be had. This week the Zoo has many special events such as Storytelling, live DJ's, Drum and Dance Ensembles, Face Painting, and even a New Year's Eve Countdown all in store. So, why not enjoy the holidays at least another week longer by visiting the Zoo Lights tonight!

- View the parade of lights in style and be the first to grab the limited grandstand seating. Tickets are $18 for adults and children 13 and over. Tickets for children ages 2-12 are $15. Children under 2 years old are free as long as the child sits on the lap of a ticket holder. All tickets are $18 when purchased on the day of the event. 3 Ways to purchase tickets.

- In this month's "What's Selling By Price Range" report, Metro Denver market activity is very similar to last month, with a majority of home sales being concentrated in the $100,000 to $300,000 price ranges. This is also true for condos, lofts, and townhomes, with over 80% of sales occuring below $300,000. One subtle difference that you may notice is that sales of single family homes in the upper price ranges are gradually creeping upward, while lower price ranges have lost some ground.

- A month ago I reported that Denver housing inventory was declining for mid-to-lower price range properties. The trend continues this month, but is especially true for condos, lofts, and townhomes under $300,000, which are approaching levels of scarcity in some areas. This month's housing report shows Denver's single-family home inventory has dropped again, but in almost every price bracket across the board.

- Happy Thanksgiving! Today, go stuff yourself like Zambezi and Kasai. Then, go walk it off with a trip to the zoo! The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the Denver Zoo are open today, all day!

- Jimmy Kimmel is inviting you to partake in his annual tradition for Facebook users called "National Unfriend Day", every year on November 17th. Kimmel makes his pitch for this guilt-less National Unfriend Day through our favorite Peanuts Cartoon characters Linus, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Sally. If you haven't seen it already, the video is way too funny to not share with your friends.

- I've spent a fair amount of volunteer time in the scouting program over the past dozen years or so, and along my journey I've met some very giving people. One individual I'd like to introduce you to has done some extraordinary work. Her name is Karen, and she's the "Scoutmaster" of the Denver area's 'Special Needs Boy Scout Troop 5280'. Most of you know that a Boy Scout program involves plenty of outdoor experiences, challenges, and a good dose of fun.

- The average home price dropped again last month while condos rose ever so slightly. Transactions were also down, overall. There doesn't appear to be anything too unusual with the stats this month, other than we are now officially in a seasonal decline heading into the holidays. Although sales for single family homes has steadily declined for two months now, this is fairly typical for this time of the year.

- A Tribute To Our Veterans On Veterans Day 11-11-11