Marquee Redevelopment Property Sells

1048 Pearl was home to the Boulder Daily Camera for 120 years before moving in 2011.  Since then, the space has been viewed as a prime redevelopment opportunity for new office space, retail, residential and even a movie theater in a premiere downtown Boulder location.  Denver's Nichols Partnership Inc, an original bidder four years ago, has purchased the building from Karlin Real Estate for $13.5 million.   Nichols Partnership plans to continue the development proposal Karlin Real Estate has worked on for the last two years.

Nichols Partnership Inc. plans to break ground on the $80 million project in the fall or winter of 2013.  It will be a welcome addition of Class A modern office space for Boulder and its successful start-ups.  Read more at the Boulder County Business Report article. 

We welcome the new development and businesses to our downtown neighborhood!

Artist rendering of the proposed Daily Camera property as
seen from the Walnut Street side. 

Short Sale May Increase Through Year End

With all the talk of the "fiscal cliff" in the news, you are probably reviewing the impacts of potential tax increases for 2013.   One result is that the soon to expire tax break for troubled homeowners is driving a spur in short sales. Currently, homeowners don't have to pay federal tax on the unpaid mortgage debt because of a bailout-era law known as the federal Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Act. Read more about the short sale jump at CNN Money.  Although the number of short sale homes (selling a home for less than the homeowner owes on their mortgage) in Boulder tend to be lower than the national average, there are opportunities in the area.  Contact me for information and opportunities on foreclosures and short sales in Boulder County.

Boulder Firefly Handmade Holiday Market

The Boulder Firefly Handmade is a series of seasonal markets featuring local artisans that are open a few times a year.  Their Holiday Market is this weekend, December 14th - 16th at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (1750 13th Street).  There will be more than 70 local artists offering an assortment of fabulous gift ideas, a self-serve wrap station, treats by Tee and Cakes, kid craft area and even a warm beverage bar because it's going to be cold this weekend!  

Stop by Friday from 6pm-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm and buy green, buy handmade and buy local!

New Luxury Apartments and Retail Space Downtown

The downtown apartment scene just grew with the recently approved plan for adding a 20-unit luxury apartment building at 1707 Walnut Street.   Purchased by Element Properties, a Boulder-based developer and property-management company, and a group of undisclosed investors, the building will also have about 8,000 square feet of retail space.     

The apartments, which will be one- and two-bedroom units, are likely to rent for about $2 per square foot, according to Element Properties and will be marketed to young professionals working in downtown Boulder and empty nesters. 

A report released in October by the Colorado Division of Housing said the vacancy rate for apartments in the city of Boulder, excluding the university area, to be 1.8 percent.   Residential construction in the past has focused on luxury condominium complexes - this the first apartment building to be developed downtown in 25 years.  Look for the opening in early 2014.

Chamberlin Investment Group Ribbon Cutting

The Boulder Chamber of Commerce and the Chamberlin Investment Group will be having a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the Chamberlin Investment Group, Value Preservation, and Chamberlin Property Management.  

Please join us on Thursday, Nov 29th  from 4-5pm at the Chamberlin Investment Group office, 949 Walnut, Ste. B in downtown Boulder, just across from the St. Julien.  Meet our staff, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and celebrate our Grand Opening!   

Housing Shortage?

As you've seen in recent reports locally and nationally, our housing market is much improved today, with home sales and prices heading up.  But according to reports in Realtor magazine (Nov/Dec), along with these improvements come the long-term challenge of falling inventory.  This trend is no stranger to Boulder.  While our market was certainly flat over the past year and a half but didn't drop like many other areas.  We did see slower new construction growth and steady growth in the rental market, combine those with a typically 15% lower inventory in winter, and we may see prices rising higher and faster than analysts anticipated. 

If you'd like recommendations on buying, listing your house or renting this winter, please call or email me.  

Rocket Science

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. was recently awarded a contract with the nonprofit B612 Foundation to build infrared imaging sensors for the Sentinel Mission satellite. 

The B612 Foundation aims to build, launch, and operate the first privately funded deep space mission – a space telescope to be placed in orbit around the Sun for discovery and mapping. The map will track asteroids' paths during the next 100 years to provide advance warning of a collision. Their goal is to protect Earth by providing early warning of threatening asteroids.

Sentinel will take approximately five years to complete development and testing, to be ready for launch in 2017 or 2018.  Congratulations to John Troeltzsh, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Kepler Program Manager, for his efforts in securing this contract for Ball.  Way to go, John!

"Kid-Friendly" Haunted Houses

Halloween is now a week away, so this weekend is prime for Haunted House touring.   Boulder High School is holding their annual theater club fundraiser, this years theme is twisted fairytales.   Designed primarily for high school students, there is a kids' day on Sunday, October 28th from 1p-4p for brave upper elementary and middle schoolers.  Check out the Daily Camera article for times and dates.    Here are other "kid-friendly" haunted houses, please remember your child's age and sensitivity before buying your ticket.  Happy Halloween!!

Downtown Boulder's Munchkin Masquerade

Downtown Boulder has a longstanding tradition on Halloween -- kids of all ages dress up to "trick or treat" in the shops and businesses.  Bring your little ones to Chamberlin Investment Group at 949 Walnut, Ste. B on Wednesday, October 31st from 2pm - 5pm and enjoy some treats, "tricks" optional.

If you're looking for adult fun that night, there are many Halloween parties from The Kitchen and West End Tavern to Oak at 14th and Centro Latin America Kitchen, check out the events at Downtown Boulder.

Home Prices Rebound

According to CNN Money, home prices rebounded in July to the same level they were nine years ago.  

"The news on home prices in this report confirm recent good news about housing," said David Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. "Single-family housing starts are well ahead of last year's pace, existing home sales are up, the inventory of homes for sale is down and foreclosure activity is slowing."

This latest sign of improvement nationally is also apparent here in the Boulder market.  The average sales price in the city of Boulder was up 9.5% year to date (August 2012 over August 2011).  Read more statistics at Chamberlin Investment Group.

Former Daily Camera Building Redevelopment

The Boulder Planning Board approved the proposal for the redevelopment of the former Daily Camera Building on Pearl Street.  The new development of nearly 160,000 square feet will include office space, retail, restaurants and movie theaters.  The Boulder Landmark Board approved the development at their Sept. 19th meeting.  Read more details at the Daily Camera.

For Rent: 5BR/4BA Single Family Home in Lafayette, CO

For Rent: 5BR/4BA Single Family House in Lafayette, CO, $2,300/month

Property Owners Face a New Surtax

The housing market may indeed be recovering, as many experts suggest, but investors are still struggling to understand what, if any, taxes they'll owe upon selling their homes.  One new question is how the "medicare tax" will apply to real estate transactions.  It's not a sales tax, and it won't apply to home-sale gains excluded from income under current law.  Read the details at the Wall Street Journal article by Carolyn T. Geer.
As always, if you have questions about this law or any real estate taxes if you sell your home, please call or email me.  

5 Savvy Fixes to Help Sell Your Home

I'm often asked what are the important updates to make a home sell faster.  Houzz offers suggestions to get the maximum return on your upgrade budget by putting your dollars in the areas that buyers care about most.

The number one update - paint.  Paint the main living areas in neutral, on-trend colors will set your home apart and help home buyers remember each room.  Open areas should be painted the same color, skip the dark or intense colors here.

Read more painting tips and additional ideas for fixing up your home to sell and get the highest value for your home.  Call or email me for additional suggestions or for reputable contractors to help you with your home improvement projects.

Pro Cycling Challenge

Boulder is host to the 6th stage of the Pro Cycling Challenge on Saturday, August 25th.  The riders will come through town twice during the day.  Visit the Pro Cycling Challenge interactive map for specific course route and check out the road closures so you can get to your viewing destination in a timely manner.

The race goes right by the St. Julien hotel at 9th and Canyon, a great spot to watch, and you can stop by our offices (949 Walnut) while you're in the area to say hello.

243 4th, in the heart of NIWOT

Look at our upcoming rentals!

10047 Raleigh St

Check out my new listing!

First Time Home Buyer? Read Here!

You read it everywhere, this is one of the best times to buy a home.  Home prices are ideal, rents are rising and mortgage rates are still low.  So where do you begin?  Are your finances in order?  Here are the basics to start the process and stop renting! 

Considerations are:  Will you qualify for a mortgage?  How much house can you afford?  What will your interest rate be?  How much cash do you need upfront?  Where should you go for a mortgage preapproval letter? How do you find a good real-estate agent?  Can you still find a steal?  Read more at MSN Real Estate's What It Takes To Buy A Home. 

Email me or call me (303-588-8999) today and we can get you started down the road of home ownership!

St. Julien Entertainment and Free Parking

The weather is perfect this time of year in Boulder and listening to live music outside is a fun way to spend an evening. The St. Julien Hotel on Walnut has live bands most nights and offer a great happy hour. Enjoy one of these bands:

Tuesday, May 22nd will feature jazz with Quantum Jazz starting at 6:30pm

Wednesday, May 23rd enjoy folk with Ash Ganley at 6:30pm

Thursday, May 24th dance to blues/motown with the George Nelson Band at 6:30pm

Friday, May 25th start off your weekend with samba from Sambadende

Before you head into the St. Julien, stop by our office and say hello. We'd be happy to share the latest Boulder market trends, current homes for sale/rent or just ask for a free parking coupon - the first five people to ask will get complimentary parking at the St. Julien. Enjoy your weekend!