Kentwood Real Estate Acquires Denver.com in Strategic Move

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer

Kentwood Real Estate Acquires Denver.com in Strategic Move
to Integrate Denver’s Lifestyle with Online Real Estate Searches
Acquisition Enhances Leading Real Estate Company’s Website at
DenverRealEstate.com

​DENVER – Kentwood Real Estate, Colorado’s Premier Real Estate Company, has acquired Denver.com from Silicon Valley-based Boulevards New Media Inc. The purchase of the Denver.com website and domain name parallels Kentwood’s strategic Internet vision to enhance and integrate Denver’s lifestyle and Hyper-Local content from Denver.com into Kentwood’s leading website at DenverRealEstate.com for an enhanced customer experience. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

​Peter Niederman, Chief Executive Officer of Kentwood Real Estate, has been focused on Internet technology and has positioned the company as a leader and innovator in the use of the Internet as a competitive advantage. According to the National Association of Realtors, approximately 94 percent of all prospective real estate buyers begin their search online. According to Google’s “Keyword Tool,” there is an average of 16,600,000 global monthly searches when “Denver” is used as the keyword phrase.

​“The purchase of Denver.com was a unique and historic opportunity,” said Niederman. “To acquire the intuitive Internet brand of a world-class city like Denver is very rare, and it fits perfectly with Kentwood Real Estate’s strategic vision to integrate Denver’s lifestyle with the online real estate search experience. Anyone who is considering a move to Denver or searching for real estate in Denver can visit Denver.com for comprehensive real estate and lifestyle information. It truly gives Kentwood Real Estate a competitive advantage.”

​Denver.com currently experiences approximately 85,000 visits per month. In addition to owning DenverRealEstate.com, Kentwood holds the DenverHomes.com and HomesInDenver.com domains. When used as keywords, Denver Real Estate, Denver Homes, and Homes in Denver boast approximately 110,000 global monthly searches each, setting a very powerful standard for Internet searches for real estate in the Denver area. Niederman also acquired Boulder.com two years ago for an even higher profile position on the Internet.

​Boulevards New Media will continue to operate Denver.com in a multi-year agreement. Boulevards is the largest owner and operator of top-tier U.S. city names, including Seattle.com, SanFrancisco.com, LosAngeles.com, Dallas.com, SanAntonio.com, Houston.com, Philadelphia.com, Memphis.com, Minneapolis.com, and Raleigh.com.

Prior to the sale, Kentwood Real Estate provided MLS listings and property search services for Denver.com’s real estate channel.

“Both parties believe local ownership will give Denver.com deeper roots in the community and further enhance Kentwood’s efforts to provide a strong commerce and information site at this very important web address,” said Dan Pulcrano, Chief Executive Officer of Boulevards New Media.

Kentwood Real Estate is dedicated to its legacy of being “Colorado’s Premier Real Estate Company” through the highest producing, most knowledgeable, caring and experienced sales team in the country, offering the highest quality customer service experience. Kentwood Real Estate is an innovator known for unparalleled marketing strategies and superior Internet technology that place its clients in the best possible position.

Kentwood Real Estate is comprised of The Kentwood Company in the Denver Tech Center, The Kentwood Company at Cherry Creek, and Kentwood City Properties in downtown Denver. For more information, visit Kentwood Real Estate online at http://www.DenverRealEstate.com.
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Congress Park Is Calling You!

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer
A Property to Call Home

You can buy this home today!

Tree lines streets, long shaded sidewalks, a neighborhood coffee shop and a real old schools hardware store characterize Congress Park.  Just a few blocks to Cherry Creek retail, restaurants and businesses, Congress Park is sometimes overlooked but always understood.

Congress Park was, is and continues to be a stylish embroidery of historically interesting homes in Central Denver.  A very well written and storied history of Congress Park and its surrounding neighborhoods can be accessed at this web site: http://www.congressparkneighbors.org/history.pdf

Some things never change about Denver’s Neighborhoods; what bound them together in the first place continues to keep them stitched even today.

Congress Park enjoys an exciting historic past, but even more important today is the fact that its future is just as exciting.  One can truly be proud of Congress Park.  Its location, its pedestrian access, its surroundings and its future all contribute to its exceptional market acceptance.

According to the 1995 Congress Park Neighborhood Plan, “The Congress Park neighborhood is bounded on the west by York Street, on the north by Colfax Avenue, on the east by Colorado Boulevard and on the south by E. 6th Avenue.”

The Congress Park neighborhood includes a large section of East 7th Ave. Parkway, along which runs one of Denver’s largest historic districts, the 7th Avenue Historic District.

The park contains 8 tennis courts, several athletic fields, a children’s playground, a picnic pavilion, and one of Denver’s public outdoor swimming pools.

American Craftsman Style Home

Don’t Wait to Call for a Private Showing

The Denver Botanic Gardens is located to the Park and Neighborhood, on the west side of York St in Cheesman Park. The Communications Center of the City and County of Denver is located at 950 Josephine Street, in the north end of Congress Park, and is easily seen because of its tall antenna. The building houses Denver’s 911 call center and its police and fire dispatchers. Adjacent to the Congress Park’s north are several underground water storage cistern owned and operated by the Denver Water Department.

Here is web site link to current events as reported from the Congress Park neighborhood organization:  http://www.congressparkneighbors.org/

Posted in Buying or Selling Real Estate, Colorado, Denver, Denver Housing, Denver Residential Real Estate | Tagged | Leave a comment

Super Joe Hubert Is Back with a Mid Year 2012 Denver Market Update

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer

Joe is back, but first let me give you some Mid Year Denver Real Estate updates of my own:

Average Prices are up in all the MLS areas I follow.  Inventory continues it contraction, and for mid-year stats, this is unprecedented.  Overall, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Denver came into this first, and will lead the country out of this first, and it is…tc

Super Joe Hubert

Super Joe Hubert

June – 2012 Real Estate Market Update (Straight from Joe)

Entire MLS (All Areas)

Residential Highlights

  • 20.8% increase in number of closed sales compared to June 2011 (3,981) (Kentwood close to +50%)
  • 16.8% increase in number of closed sales year-to-date (17,628) (Kentwood close to +50%)
  • – 48.4% reduction in absorption rate (2.2months)
  • 11% average increase in price for homes sold ($324,497)

Condo Highlights

  • 17.6% increase in number of closed sales compared to June 2011 (923)
  • 12.9% increase in number of closed sales year-to-date (4,232)
  • – 59.2% reduction in absorption rate (2 months)
  • 14.6% average increase in price for condos sold ($181,578)

Click here for Full report of entire MLS

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Colorado reinstates property tax exemption for seniors!

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer

AC News: Colorado reinstates property tax exemption for seniors

For release: May 22, 2012

Colorado reinstates property tax exemption for seniors
Applicants must be at least age 65 and reside in primary home for 10 years to qualify

Littleton, Colo. – Colorado’s property tax exemption for seniors has been reinstated by the State Legislature following a three-year suspension. State lawmakers suspended the voter-approved Senior Property Tax Homestead Exemption program for tax year 2009, payable 2010, due to State budget shortfalls, but restored it during the 2012 General Session for tax year 2012, payable in 2013.

Under the exemption, qualifying residents age 65 years or older will see 50 percent of the first $200,000 of actual value of their primary residence exempted from property tax. To qualify, at least one owner of a home must be 65 years or older, and must have occupied the home as a primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years prior to Jan. 1 of the year in which he/she applies.

Once an exemption application is filed and approved, it automatically carries over from year to year as long as nothing changes in the ownership or occupancy. The State reimburses Colorado counties for the exempted taxes.

“Arapahoe County residents who have previously applied for the property tax exemption do not need to reapply,” said Arapahoe County Assessor Corbin Sakdol. “Once an application is received, our office will process and notify the status to the applicant. For applications that are approved, the exemption will automatically appear on your 2013 tax notice.”

The Arapahoe County Assessor’s Office can assist residents with filing an application or verifying if their property was already approved for the tax exemption. Applications for a Senior Property Tax Exemption must be received by the Assessor’s Office by July 15 for the first year for which you are seeking exemption.

To download an application form or for more information, please contact the Arapahoe County Assessor’s Office at 303-795-4600 or visit http://www.co.arapahoe.co.us and click on “Departments” and then “Assessor.”

Contact:
CORBIN SAKDOL
County Assessor
Main: 303-795-4600
E – mail: assessor@co.arapahoe.co.us

Posted in Caslte Rock, Castle Pines North, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, Denver, Denver Real Estate | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What do your favorite shoes, favorite chair and favorite food have in common?

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer
Bonnie Brae Tavern 1934 to 2012

Bonnie Brae Tavern 1934 to 2012

I’ll tell you; Comfort!!  The Bonnie Brae Tavern is Comfortable, it’s just a comfortable place.  On June 10, 2012 the BBT will be celebrating 78 years of serving SE Denver and patrons far flung.  My first visit to the BBT was more than 30 years ago, and my last visit was last night.  Pizza and beer then, and Pizza and beer last night.  My wife and I had pizza and beer with the Priest that married us more than 30 years ago.  I wonder where Father Luke is now?  Last night, we had pizza with two of our three kids.  It was fun to pass on to them the stories from when we lived right down the street.

Bonnie Brae Bar Area

Bonnie Brae Bar Area

Bonnie Brae Tavern’s pizza doesn’t try to serve New York Style Pizza nor Chicago Style Pizza.  Here, they serve BBT Style Pizza in the same “Naugahyde” style booths year after year.  The only real change I mentioned last night was now there is “No Smoking“.  I was never a smoker, so the lack of smoke is a real plus for me now.

We sat, talked about the day, our lives and stuff.  Giggled, etc…  It’s always fun to get together with one’s grown kids.  It seems like friends rather than family.  the world has changed but the Bonnie Brae Tavern hasn’t.

Join their celebration on June 10th, 2012.  I know, I will be stopping by!

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Why Home Equity Beats Facebook Equity

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer
Be Contrarian Now

Be Contrarian Now

As one travels through life, attention to investments, lifestyle, employment and relationships becomes routine.  A lottery ticket here, a lottery ticket there, particularly when it the jackpot goes over $100M, but long story short, “It’s a rough go for the short dough”.  What choices will you make?

As Facebook’s IPO nears, it’s easy to get caught up in the notion of getting rich quick. But there’s no surer way to wealth than home ownership.

As Facebook’s IPO date nears, it’s easy to start traveling down that “what if” path:

“What if I had equity in Facebook?!? How rich would I be?”

If my parents had only bought me Berkshire Hathaway stock for my first birthday in 1962, I’d have made some serious money in stock equities.

Alas, they didn’t recognize the hot stock of their era any more than I would recognize the hot stock of mine.

Like most Americans, it’s home equity, not stock equity, that will pad my bank account when I hit the retirement finish line.

About two-thirds of Americans invest in home ownership, but only half of us invest in stocks. (I suspect this is in no small part because we have to make our mortgage payments every month or the bank comes and takes our houses back.)

The fact is, more of us are getting rich by buying and paying off our homes than by picking the next Facebook.

Here are some interesting facts from the National Center for Real Estate Research:

  • 6 in 10 of us have more home equity than stock equity.
  • One-fifth of Americans’ total net worth is home equity.
  • Home owners accumulate, on average, $167,000 in their lifetimes, compared to $42,000 for renters.
  • The median wealth for the poorest American home owners, those earning less than $20,000, is 81 times that of renters with similar income.

In a recent study that took into account falling home prices, buying was still more likely to generate wealth than renting, simply because renters are more inclined to spend instead of save and invest in stocks.

The bottom line is this: Even if renting appears cheaper on a spreadsheet, the forced savings of home ownership leads to wealth more reliably than renting. Many of us simply don’t have the willpower or motivation to save our discretionary income and invest it in stocks.

So unless you’ve got the inside track on the next hot future IPO, keep making your mortgage payments.

What’s worth more right now, your IRA or your home?

By: Dona DeZube

Published: May 3, 2012

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Multiple Offers in Many Price Ranges and Denver Neighborhoods

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2012 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Posted in Denver Housing, Denver Residential Real Estate | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Get Your Bag On! Gardening in a Bag that is…

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer
Let’s face it, who isn’t strapped for space these days?  Everyone is doing more with less, and gardening in the bag is a natural to follow with Deck Gardening, Balcony Gardening, Rooftop Gardening and last but not least, Poolside Gardening…  It could happen…  Follow along!
Gardening In A Bag!

Gardening In A Bag!

Now we’ve heard everything: Plant your garden in bags of topsoil! Might be a better idea than it sounds. Here’s why.

Gardens often benefit from out-of-the-box thinking, so we were intrigued by an out-of-the-bag planting method we read about on Pinterest.

Tired of fighting bad soil and annual chickweed, Pinterest poster Lois Ruskell bought nine bags of topsoil on sale, laid them flat in her garden, cut slits in the top and bottom, and planted seeds and plants directly in the bags.

Ruskell says her “garden in a bag” eliminated weeding altogether and “left me with better soil at the end of the season.”

Here’s what we love about this method:

1. It’s inexpensive. Home Depot’s selling 40-lb. bags of topsoil for $1.37, so you can create a 20-by-3-ft. garden for less than $40. (Unlike the soil in your yard, bags of soil are tilled and ready to plant.)

2. Not only will few or no weeds grow around your plants (weeds typically result from seeds and spores in your soil that are dormant until spring), the bags will smother existing weeds under the plastic.

3. Next year, you can empty the topsoil into the garden and begin building up the beds. Use the plastic to suppress weeds in garden paths.

But here’s what gives us pause about Ruskell’s brainstorm:

1. It’s only good for shallow-rooted plants, like lettuce and tomatoes. Root vegetables, like beets or carrots, need a deeper growing medium, though I guess you could stand the bags up and plant root veggies that way, if you can figure out how to keep the bags from toppling over.

2. There are no worms in the bags, and worms are natural fertilizer and aeration machines.

3. Topsoil needs fortification from compost, manure, or peat moss, which help retain moisture and add nutrients.

4. Will just a couple of slits provide a large enough opening for water to get in and out of the bag? We’re not so sure.

5. But our biggest concern is that a plastic bag garden doesn’t look so hot, which won’t do much for your home’s curb appeal.

So if you try this method (and I’m going to), cover the bags with mulch.

What do you think about gardens-in-a-bag?  Thank you:

Published: April 12, 2012

Posted in Home & Garden, Home Ownership By Age Group, Homeownership | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Super Joe Hubert Is Back with March, 2012 the Denver Residential Market Update

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer

Joe is right on the money this month.  For the last 60 days, it’s been nothing but multiple offer transactions and bidding wars under $350K.  Activity in the higher price ranges is also ahead of last year.  I’d love to hear from you on what you have observed…tc

Super Joe Hubert

Super Joe Hubert

Hi Tom,

Spring has arrived and it’s time to sell more homes! Take a peek at this month’s eNewsletter for up-to-the-minute industry news and real estate stats.

For even more information to help you with your marketing, visit LandTitleMarketingSolutions.com. There you’ll be able to peruse past Referral Marketing archives, plus new articles are added every month from our knowledgeable sales reps.

You can also Like us on Facebook so you’ll have fast access to new information as we post it.

Sincerely,
Joe

1st Quarter Summary for the following areas:

March – 2012 Real Estate Market Update
Entire MLS (All Areas)

Residential Highlights

  • 12.0% Increase in closed sales year over year
  • 45.0% Decrease in Absorption Rate (4.2 months)
  • 39.4% Decrease in active listings year over year (8,303)
  • 3.7%    Increase in average sold price ($284,035)

Condo/Townhome Highlights

  • 7.7%  Increase in closed sales year over year
  • 49.4%  Decrease in inventory year over year (2,022)
  • 1.2%    Increase in average sold price ($161,848)
  • 23.0% Decrease in average days on market (97)

Click here for Full report of entire MLS
For individual area reports, please scroll to the bottom

Posted in Buying or Selling Real Estate, Denver, Denver Housing, Denver Residential Real Estate | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Denver Market Enjoys New Normal

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer

The Market of Old Almost Forgotten

After nearly 4 years, Denver‘s residential real estate is rapidly creating a “new normal”.  Declining values, lengthy marketing times and virtually no new construction, 2012 has seen a new and exciting market emerge.

2012 Snapshot - Denver Real Estate

As we routinely begin to experience multiple offer scenarios below $400K, we look for explanations of this dramatic change in our market dynamics.  I hadn’t heard the term in at least 10 years when while discussing the Denver Market with one of my clients, velocity came up in conversation.

In round numbers we’ve seen Denver Real Estate turn on a dime.  From slightly more than 14,000 listings little more than a year ago to just barely over 8,000 today!  All while this was happening, our transaction volume slowly crept up on us until Pow! Wam! Bam! we are actually discussing appraisal issues, and how will they keep pace with this “New Normal”?

Click on the chart above, in just the first two months of the year, we’ve seen still more dramatic market changes.

I’m telling sellers now is the time to get into the market with that long awaited move.  I’m telling buyers, “you still have rates, but inventory is no longer your friend”.

Enter an even newer player, New Construction!  After hitting a 40 year low for residential starts during this painful time, we now see an explosion of infill, tract and even the return of the custom homes build to suit.  One can’t expect the new home market to be a dramatic impact on our market over night, but with developed dirt, an eager market and some quality infill locations new home starts will be a force to be reckoned with during this time of New Normal.

Next, enter the confident seller!  With multiple offers on the kitchen table, those picky inspection objections from buyers are being slapped hard by this market inspired confidence.

Denver Real Estate is not the perfect market, it still has some very troubled neighborhoods that were ill advised, unprotected and in some cases abandoned, but it is clearly making a serious attempt at righting the wrongs of the past.

Posted in 2011 YEAR END DENVER MARKET WATCH, Buying or Selling Real Estate, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, Denver, Denver Housing, Denver Residential Real Estate, Greenwood Village | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment