Investor often ask me what types of real estate investments are available on the market.  Here's what we tell them. This is the first of several postings on the topic. Please offer comments - positive or negative! Assignments.  If you don't have much equity to work with, and/or if your credit power is limited, assignments can be a way to get started in real estate investing.  You will need to have a strong "sales" personality to succeed at it, though.    Rental Condo or Rental Home.  Purchase of a residential property to be rented out to tenants, usually on a 6-12 month lease term.  This is how most new landlords get started.  You can hire out all of the property management functions, but in many cases you will do many of them on your own.  There are smaller down payment requirements th... 10/16/2008

The average home price in Metro Denver increased +2% in the full year 2005 to the full year 2006. Comparing 2006 to 2007, the average home price across the metro dropped 3%, to $303,000. The average price in the first three quarters of 2008 was $272,000 vs. similar period of 2007 was $308,000: an 11% decrease. These numbers will be slightly different than Metrolist, as they are just Denver Metro and don't include outlying areas like Colorado Springs or Boulder.Much of the decline is a mix issue. For example, sales volume of homes over 4,000 square feet has plummeted in the last twelve months. Middle-market homes have generally been steady in their sales volume. Very inexpensive homes under 1,000 square feet have greatly increased their sales volume. You can explain it to your clients li... 10/15/2008

The big message has not changed since last quarter - it's still a great time to be a buyer in the condo market. Prices are at a three year low in many areas, and interest rates on mortgages are still historically low.The average condo price in Metro Denver declined 4% between 2006 and 2007: from $187K to $180K. Homes dropped 3% in that time period. Looking just at the first nine months of 2008 vs. the same time period in 2007, the price dropped 6%: from $181K to $172K. Homes dropped 11% in that time period. From their peak prices in 2006, condos have dropped around 9.5% while homes have dropped 12%. These numbers will be slightly different than Metrolist, as they are just Denver Metro and don't include outlying areas like Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, or Boulder.Some areas did better ... 10/15/2008

Investor often ask me what types of real estate investments are available on the market.  Here's what we tell them. This is the first of several postings on the topic. Please offer comments - positive or negative! Assignments.  If you don't have much equity to work with, and/or if your credit power is limited, assignments can be a way to get started in real estate investing.  You will need to have a strong "sales" personality to succeed at it, though.    Rental Condo or Rental Home.  Purchase of a residential property to be rented out to tenants, usually on a 6-12 month lease term.  This is how most new landlords get started.  You can hire out all of the property management functions, but in many cases you will do many of them on your own.  There are smaller down payment requirements th... 10/15/2008

  The average home price in Metro Denver increased +2% in the full year 2005 to the full year 2006. Comparing 2006 to 2007, the average home price across the metro dropped 3%, to $303,000. The average price in the first three quarters of 2008 was $272,000 vs. similar period of 2007 was $308,000: an 11% decrease. These numbers will be slightly different than Metrolist, as they are just Denver Metro and don't include outlying areas like Colorado Springs or Boulder.Much of the decline is a mix issue. For example, sales volume of homes over 4,000 square feet has plummeted in the last twelve months. Middle-market homes have generally been steady in their sales volume. Very inexpensive homes under 1,000 square feet have greatly increased their sales volume. You can explain it to your clients ... 10/15/2008

=The big message has not changed since last quarter - it's still a great time to be a buyer in the condo market. Prices are at a three year low in many areas, and interest rates on mortgages are still historically low.The average condo price in Metro Denver declined 4% between 2006 and 2007: from $187K to $180K. Homes dropped 3% in that time period. Looking just at the first nine months of 2008 vs. the same time period in 2007, the price dropped 6%: from $181K to $172K. Homes dropped 11% in that time period. From their peak prices in 2006, condos have dropped around 9.5% while homes have dropped 12%. These numbers will be slightly different than Metrolist, as they are just Denver Metro and don't include outlying areas like Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, or Boulder.Some areas did better... 10/15/2008

  If you have not heard already, the inventory of home on the market in Denver has been declining. This is not true in many regions of the county. Your clients, who often only see national headlines, might not be aware of this favorable news. Our market has some unusual factors at work. Let's explore them, so you can better help your clients.If you look at the first chart (MOI 1), you'll see the MOI (months of inventory) for Denver's suburbs on the bottom axis and the average sales price in that suburb on the axis on the left side. Denver metro currently has about six months of inventory (a balanced market, on average), but you can see there is a lot of variety from one city to the next. Lower cost areas, such as Thornton, are seeing inventory move fast. Sellers (mainly banks) don't ha... 10/15/2008

Investor often ask me what types of real estate investments are available on the market.  Here's what we tell them. This is the first of several postings on the topic. Please offer comments - positive or negative! Assignments.  If you don't have much equity to work with, and/or if your credit power is limited, assignments can be a way to get started in real estate investing.  You will need to have a strong "sales" personality to succeed at it, though.    Rental Condo or Rental Home.  Purchase of a residential property to be rented out to tenants, usually on a 6-12 month lease term.  This is how most new landlords get started.  You can hire out all of the property management functions, but in many cases you will do many of them on your own.  There are smaller down payment requirements th... 10/15/2008

Amazing Corn Maze in Littleton CO! Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield 9th Annual Corn Maze is open for exploring or getting lost... This huge Corn Maze in Littleton has been designed on a massive 8.5 acre field of corn. The design of this year's maze is an intricate globe in the middle with 2008 numbers on the top and the word CHATFIELD on the bottom. I have no idea how that was done without getting it all messed up (LOL). The corn is tall this year and the maze is amazingly convoluted and challenging - that is what makes it so much FUN! We went last night. The corn maze was closed to everybody else except for the students of Wildcat Mountain Elementary School in Littleton, so the maze was not crowded at all, maybe that is why we seemed to be going in circles and over the same paths (o... 10/02/2008

Littleton Craft Fair Next Saturday 10/4 If you have lived in Littleton for any length of time, you for sure know how big the Littleton Friends of the Library and Museum Craft Fair is, even if you haven't been.  Generally held the first Saturday in October, it is really one of the larger events throughout the year in Littleton and this year is no exception - there will be over 300 booths. Its been a few years since I have attended myself but I have a new generation of craft fair go-ers - my daughter now is starting to enjoy perusing through the aisles of fairs & events such as these - so I see myself in attendance. The Friends Craft Fair benefits the Littleton Historic Museum and the Bemis Public Library.  The Museum in particular holds a special place in my heart as we attended many tim... 09/28/2008

Investor often ask me what types of real estate investments are available on the market.  Here's what we tell them. This is the first of several postings on the topic. Please offer comments - positive or negative! Assignments.  If you don't have much equity to work with, and/or if your credit power is limited, assignments can be a way to get started in real estate investing.  You will need to have a strong "sales" personality to succeed at it, though.    Rental Condo or Rental Home.  Purchase of a residential property to be rented out to tenants, usually on a 6-12 month lease term.  This is how most new landlords get started.  You can hire out all of the property management functions, but in many cases you will do many of them on your own.  There are smaller down payment requirements th... 09/24/2008

The State of Colorado is known for its "Great Outdoors." The state boasts a number of beautiful lakes nestled within the Rocky Mountains. Chatfield State Park Great Lakes Marine Johnson Lake Marston Lake Lake Chalet Ketring Lake - Arapahoe, CO Wolhurst Lake - Arapahoe, CO Buell Lake - Arapahoe, CO Wolcott Lake - Denver, CO Garfield Lake - Denver, CO Huston Lake - Denver, CO Smith Lake - Denver, CO Weir Gulch Park - Denver, CO Kountze Lake - Jefferson, CO Ferril Lake - Denver, CO Sloans Lake - Denver, CO Duck Lake - Denver, CO Crown Hill Lake - Jefferson, CO Kestrel Pond - Jefferson, CO Rocky Mountain Lake - Denver, CO Lake Rhoda - Denver, CO Berkeley Lake - Denver, CO Bluff Lake - Denver, CO Mayham Lake - Adams, CO Grasmer Lake - Denver, CO Mud Lakes - Park, CO Harper Lake - Boulder, CO... 09/19/2008

The weather is starting to turn here in the Denver area - cool crisp mornings and evenings are still warm enough on most days for shorts & T-Shirts.  So before the weather completely turns we decided to take a much needed adventure to Chatfield State Park. This wasn't our ordinary visit with fishing in the south ponds, or a picnic on the beach or an afternoon on a boat or a hike on the trails - this time we decide to bring our dog for his first swim! It was also an excellent time for me to share an afternoon with my son. Chatfield has a wonderful Dog Training Area that is an off-leash area for dogs and includes a very popular pond for the dogs to swim.  I found out quickly that my 6 month old is a complete natural.  A full swim off the bat and was retrieving in minutes.  (Side note - Do... 09/14/2008

Home Sales in Wildcat Ridge Littleton CO - Aug 08 In August one home sold in Wildcat Ridge and three are under contract at this time. Below are the stats for number of homes sold within the last year. Address Beds Baths Square Feet DOM Price Price/ sf 10338 Lions Path* 4 4 2876 491 $410,000 $143 When Selling a house in Wildcat Ridge pricing your house to sell and getting your house in top selling condition are important factors for getting the top dollar. If you need to sell your house due to a hardship, Short Sale may be an option to sell your house. If you have questions about short sales please contact us directly as each short sale is unique. Currently there are 15 homes for sale in Wildcat Ridge in Littleton. There are no foreclosures or bank owned homes in Wildcat Ridge at this t... 09/13/2008

Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival Littleton Colorado - Beauty in the Skies above This past weekend was the annual Rocky Mountain Ballon Festival in Littleton Colorado. This eye raising event is so beautiful to watch that each year I am drawn to watch as the balloons take off near the Chatfield State Park and so graciously "float" in the sky. This time it was not different. Waking up early Sunday morning to a gorgeous day I headed out to the Chatfield State Park to soak in the flight of the balloons. I stepped out to a cool morning with birds chirping and the sun peaking at the horizon. After walking for a moment on the trail near Chatfield State Park and taking in the beauty of the morning and the moment, I spotted a balloon ascending to the sky. Then another, and another. Soon the air wa... 08/27/2008

Littleton CO Events - Hot Air Balloon Festival Full of hot air - in a good way! Starting tomorrow the Annual  Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival kicks into full gear in Littleton Colorado. This fun and exciting event takes place at Chatfield State Park in Littleton CO. Each morning Friday, Saturday and Sunday around 6:30 AM there is a MASS ASCENSION FLIGHT. If you have never seen many balloons in the sky all at once, be ready for a beautiful sight. There are approximately 70 balloons participating and will be filling the morning skies over Littleton.  You will be able to gaze at the usual tear drop shaped balloons and some specialty balloons as well. There are events and festivities scheduled throughout each day, including live music and exhibits. The admission to the Rocky Mountain Balloo... 08/21/2008

Littleton CO Sports - BMX Track and Racing Looking for a BMX track in Littleton Colorado. Or anywhere in the Metro Denver area. Look no further. You can find a quality BMX track in Littleton or (as some places it is mentioned) in Highlands Ranch Colorado. We have posted this also on the Highlands Ranch CO section, didn't want anybody to miss this great track! And since some would consider this area as Littleton and some Highlands Ranch.BMX course is located at the County Line BMX track in Littleton/Highlands Ranch Colorado. Want to take a ride at the BMX track? All you need is a bike and a helmet (any BMX type and size is OK)! South Suburban Parks and Recreation manages a BMX track in Littleton/Highlands Ranch Colorado. The BMX track is located south of County Line Road and on the east ... 08/21/2008

Home Sales in Wildcat Ridge Littleton CO - July 2008 Currently there are 14 homes for sale in Wildcat Ridge subdivision in Littleton Colorado. In Douglas County Records this subdivision is called Intrawest. There is also a small section (two streets: Jaguar Drive and Jaguar Way that are their own subdivision) called Wildcat Vista that is usually listed under Wildcat Ridge or Intrawest in the Denver MLS. The two streets are the streets on the east side of Quebec, closest to Highlands Ranch subdivision The Hearth. Two of the 14 homes on the market are in Wildcat Vista. For clarity and the purposes of this report the subdivision collectively will be called Wildcat Ridge. One home is in preforeclosures and is listed as a Short Sale in Wildcat Ridge. There are no foreclosures or bank owned h... 08/17/2008

SUDC - Josh & Gus’s Run For A Reason - Denver I am going to keep this short and sweet.  Because honestly, its a topic that is difficult.  So difficult I took the easy way out and had my wife guest author for me last year to tell you about it.  You can read her post from last year here: Give Back Denver . But its important enough that I need to share.    An upcoming annual event is Josh & Gus's Run For a Reason.  Josh Gove & Gus McDonald were 2 little boys that died suddenly in their sleep with no explanation.  Too old to be classified as SIDS, SUDC  is the lesser known affecting toddlers and children. This year's event is Sunday, September 21st at Clement Park in Littleton.  You can find the details and link to register here. You can also make a donation here. I know that many folks tha... 08/16/2008

Littleton Co Pets - Littleton Events - Puppy Paddle Yippi Yayeeee... ruff, ruff... Paging all Littleton Dogs... The 3rd Annual Puppy Paddle is coming to town. The South Suburban Parks and Recreation is holding its very popular pool party for dogs. 2 pools will be open - JUST FOR DOGS to swim in - sorry, the "people" have to sit out this one, but boy what fun for your doggies. There will be prices and give-aways too. Let your dogs get some R&R, make some friends and cool off from the heat in the pool. The two locations and dates are: HARLOW POOL - 5151 S. Lowell (West Belleview and Lowell Blvd) Sunday, Aug 17th, 3-5PM HOLLY POOL - 6651 S. Krameria Way (north of Arapahoe Rd and East of Holly) Saturday, Sept 6th, 2-4PM You can pre-register your dog/dogs for 5 dollars online South Suburban ... 08/07/2008