Porch Ideas

Colorado is blessed with sunny days and we love to enjoy our outdoor living spaces.  House Logic provides 5 budget-friendly ideas to remodel your front porch to add value and get more enjoyment from the great outdoors.  From adding architectural elements to creative ideas like painting the floor, you'll be inspired to make a few updates for your enjoyment, or to create curb appeal to sell your home.  Read Five Porch Ideas Under $500, and please let me know if you have some ideas to share!

Renovate or Relocate?

A popular question at one time or another for homeowners, do you fix up your current home, or move into a new one.  As your life changes, your needs from your home can change too.  CNN Money suggest five key questions to ask before making this decision.  The real estate market is hot, as is the remodeling market.  Is selling a realistic option?  You can answer this question by assessing the prospects in the market.  I can help you with this one.  Consider what you need from a new home and how your neighborhood compares to others in the area.  Then determine if renovating is an option and if you could get the home you want from remodeling your current home.  Read the article Renovate or Relocate at CNN Money and contact me if you'd like any advice on your home.

Foothills Mall Redevelopment Passes

Northern Colorado seems to be creating a trend with redevelopment of shopping centers.  First, the 29th Street Mall, plans were recently approved for Longmont's Twin Peaks Mall and now Fort Collins has stepped in passing developer's plans for a $312 million redevelopment of the Foothills Mall.  Approval includes many environmental considerations and guidelines.  From the Coloradoan:  "Their plan to tear down most of the building to add green space and new entertainment options creates a new way to reuse that central land instead of sprawling out over greener pastures.  A new Youth Activity Center will replaces the old facility. Apartments and townhomes placed around the edges of the property will help make for a more walkable community. And, of course, there’s the fact that shopping options will undoubtedly improve." 

We look forward to seeing the redevelopment and growth in our neighbor Northern Colorado town.  

iPad Seminar and Shred-A-Thon

Join us!  Friends and family are free, call for details!

Property Flipping Is Still Profitable

Denver is still a profitable market for property flippers (buying, rehabbing and reselling homes for a profit, usually within 90 days), ranking 25th in the country according to RealtyTrac.  Typical investors gained about a 10% gross profit in the sale of their property.  Flipping homes will continue to be favorable for investors in 2013 as home prices continue to rise.  While buying rental properties still offer a solid rate of return, even buy-and-hold investors typically flip properties periodically to fund their ongoing rental purchases.   The Boulder market is a unique real estate market, but there are still opportunities for rental investment properties and flipping, but like any area, you need to do your homework.

Chamberlin Investment Group specializes in these investment strategies.  If you'd like to learn more about investing, rental market or rehabbing homes for selling, or properties that we currently have, please contact me.  I love working with new and experienced real estate investors.

Apartment Rental Rates - It's All Supply and Demand

Apartment rates in the Denver metropolitan area have reached an all-time high in the first quarter of 2013, proving the supply and demand lessons we learned in our Economics 101 class.  The apartment vacancy rate has declined, falling to 4.6 percent (first quarter of 2013), the second lowest vacancy rate in any quarter since 2001.  Vacancy rates continue to decline in Boulder County as well.  Although there has been new apartment construction, it is not keeping up with the demand.  Boulder is known for its low vacancy and higher rental rates, and strong real estate market, based on many factors including the student population from the University of Colorado.

Specific figures can be found at the Denver Post, or contact me for information on the rental market and investment property opportunities in the Boulder area.

Regional Transportation Study

Alternative transportation is a common way of life for many Boulder residents.  Using public transportation provides improvement to our air quality, reduced costs to you, reduces gasoline consumption and reduces our carbon footprint.  According to the American Public Transportation Association, public transportation ridership increased nationally by 34% from 1995 to 2012—a growth rate higher than the 17% increase in U.S. population and higher than the 22% growth in the use of the nation’s highways over the same period.  

A $175,000 transit study commissioned in 2011 has recommended increased bus service in Northern Colorado along the Interstate 25, U.S. 34 and U.S. 287.  It determined that some aspects of the transit systems in Larimer County, City of Loveland and Berthoud should be combined to efficiently grow with the 60% population growth predicted by 2035.  Officials will discuss future plans at a series of public meetings.

Boulder RTD currently connects to a variety of these areas, as well as local routes and connections to Denver.  Check out rates, schedules and a transit map to see if public transportation is a solution for you.

Another resource for finding transportation options is Boulder Transportation Connections.  They provide assistance in incorporating alternative transportation for you or your business.  

Smart Strategies for Buyers, Sellers and Owners

The housing market has definitely rebounded and if you have plans to sell, you have the upper hand.  But you still need to do some homework -- competitive pricing, marketing and preparing your home to sell are key to get the price you want.

Pricing strategies are determined by market values, neighborhood comparisons, your motivation and needs for selling as well as your homes readiness for listing.  An experienced real estate professional is truly the best resource and objective authority on helping you balance these factors to determine the best price for your home.

Marketing strategies start with taking professional photographs of your home, writing compelling descriptions, using appropriate social media, and advertising your property to potential buyers.

Preparing your home to sell can be as simple as cleaning, decluttering, staging or painting to more involved projects such as fixing leaky roofs, electrical problems or renovating an aging kitchen or bath.

Make sure your experience of selling or buying a home is a successful and smooth one.  "Selling your home? The cards are in your favor" by CNN Money has relevant information, or contact me for details on how Chamberlin Investment Group can help you navigate the current real estate market.

7217 Paint Brush Trail

Boulder's Conference on World Affairs

The University of Colorado's 65th Annual Conference on World Affairs began Monday morning with a slate of panels, a student brunch and the ceremonial and colorful procession of international flags along Norlin Quad.    The week-long CWA is packed with more than 200 free events and roughly 100 panelists, who come from all over the world.

Several tribute events are planned to honor Roger Ebert, who attended nearly every CWA between 1970 and 2010 except 1995, when there was no conference, and in years when he was recovering from surgeries related to illness.  "He had the ability to be addressing 1,000 people and make it seem like he was speaking to each one of them individually," recalled CWA Director Jim Palmer.

Ebert attended every CWA between 1970 and 2010 except 1995, when there was no conference, and in years when he was recovering from surgeries related to illness. 

Events include talks on subjects ranging from social media, immigration, and economic growth in America to climate change and arts and education.  For a complete schedule, see the University of Colorado's Conference of World Affairs.

Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival

It's April and officially springtime in Boulder.  The Boulder County Farmer's Market opens on Saturday, April 6th and the Tulip Fairy and Elf Festival on Pearl Street Mall is Saturday, April 27th from 3pm - 6pm.  Enjoy the 15,000 plus tulips that adorn the pedestrian mall brought to life by the Tulip Fairy and her many junior elves and fairies.  There are performances and activities for the kids including foam sword dueling, crafts and more.

The Real Estate Market is Hot

Local news and realtors have been reporting how fast houses are selling and the lack of inventory.  It's definitely a great time to sell.  If you'd like more information on listing your home, the local real estate market or a market analysis for your neighborhood, please contact me.  The Denver Post recently reported the market is hot and they are witnessing 24-hour sales.  Maybe it's time for you to make a change!

Twin Peaks Mall Theater Coming Soon

The Twin Peaks Mall in Longmont has reached an agreement with Regal Theater to build a new, free standing, 12-screen theater complex in the northeast corner of the property.  This is great news for the redevelopment project that is slated to be completed in Fall 2014.  NewMark Merrill bought the existing mall for $8 million last year and has an unnamed 100,000 square-foot retail tenant already on board.  The new mall should provide an economic boost to Longmont and will certainly provide much needed retail, restaurant and movie theater to the west side of town.  Read more in the BCBR article.

What Do Home Buyers Want?

There is an increase in home sales, the outlook continues to be optimistic and you're considering selling your home.   What are buyers looking for in today's market and what can help "move" your home quickly?  According to "What Home Buyers Want" on CNBC, Energy-Star rated appliances in the kitchen and laundry room tops the list of desired features.   Consumers prefer energy-efficient features in their home to lower utility costs.  And they want high-end amenities more than larger space.  Think double sinks in the kitchen, french doors, garage storage, technology, wireless features.  But not as far as outdoor kitchens, golf course communities or wine cooler refrigerators.  Those are all nice, but cost conscious buyers may not want to stretch that far.

What do home buyers buy?  Check out this video.

How To Select a Real Estate Agent

The Boulder real estate market is quickly moving into its busiest season and we are seeing many optimistic signs for increased growth in sales for 2013.  As the market gets competitive, it is very important to work with a real estate agent with experience in the area, knowledge of real estate and the skills to negotiate in your best interests.  In the recent article by Fox Business, "How To Choose a Real Estate Professional", a few of the important qualifications of an ideal agent are represented.  John and I have been in the real estate industry for a combined 50 years averaging more 30 transactions per year.  What does this mean for you?  We have the experience, the knowledge and the skills to help you buy, sell or invest in real estate in the Boulder/Denver area.

Boulder Women Executives

A recent study of the U.S. Census Bureau found that Boulder County topped the nation in concentration of female executives with 17.7 female top executive for every 1000 female workers in 2012.  Although the disparity of women executives to men executives in the United States is still significant, the 2012 ranking of the 500 largest corporations in the United States includes a record 18 firms helmed by female CEOs, up from 12 companies in 2011.  

The Boulder area's concentration of female executives should come as no surprise to anyone who follow's the region's economy and business community.  Some of the local women executives who have inspired us can be found in the article, Boulder Tops For Female Executives.  

As a business owner in Boulder, I am grateful to live and work, in a community that supports women who own and lead organizations.  

It's Becoming a Seller's Market

The National Association of Realtors said this week what I've been predicting for a few months now, it's becoming a seller's market.  Inventory is fairly low and there are a number of buyers looking for homes, if the trend continues, home prices will also rise. The lack of choice is good news for homeowners who have watched prices drop over the past few years, but not so much for buyers.  Read the Wall Street Journal Reports, Housing:  It's Becoming a Seller's Market, and Is It Safe to Sell Your House Now?  The WSJ recommends assessing conditions in your local market if you're thinking of making a move.  I'm happy to assist you, please contact me for advice on buying or selling in the current Boulder market.

Real Estate Trends for the Coming Year

One thing you can count on in the real estate industry, an analysis of trends for home sales, interest rates and forecasts for the next year.  A real estate writer and editorial strategist who specializes in real estate, Tracey Velt,  offers the Top 2013 Real Estate Trends.  Although the report isn't dramatically surprising, there are some interesting points to consider if you follow the real estate market or plan to buy or sell in the coming year.  In addition to the top 2013 real estate trends, read the comments following for some additional thoughts.  Another angle is Bob Villa's Real Estate Trends 2013 offering a view on home buyers - married couples, the three bedroom rule, and length of home ownership all display market trends shift both quickly and often.  If you have any questions about these articles, or other real estate trends, please contact me.

                                          photo: houstonagentmagazine.com

Village Shops at Colony Square Sell

Colony Square II, the 29,414 square foot retail center that encompasses three buildings in Louisville has sold for $3.4 million dollars to a Boulder-based architect and property investor.  Tenants of the buildings include Premier Members Federal Credit Union and a State Farm Insurance office.  If you'd like more information on commercial properties for sale in the Boulder/Denver area, please contact me.

Investors Are Betting Big on Housing Recovery

According to CNN Money, Hedge funds and private equity firms have been rushing in to buy up companies and assets in every part of the housing supply chain, including undeveloped land, homebuilders, foreclosed homes, and building parts manufacturers.  Investors are taking advantage of the current inventory in the market at bottom prices, expectations are high that home prices will continue to rise.  
Read more at Investing In The Housing Market and contact me if you'd like information on the Boulder area real estate market and investment opportunities.

Fate Brewery Opens

Fate Brewing Company, 1600 38th Street, opens Monday in the 7000 sq ft space previously home to Jose Muldoon's.  Fate, a "brew-bistro", is a full service craft brewery, bar and restaurant serving brunch, lunch and dinner with emphasis on farm-fresh local food.  They will be partnering with breweries such as Avery Brewing Co., Twisted Pine Brewery, and Boulder Beer on collaboratively made beers and will begin brewing its own beer this month. The menu looks fabulous, maybe I'll see you there!