Hidden Charms Found in Centennial Neighborhood

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer

Hidden Charms Found in Centennial Neighborhood.

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The 10 Most Common Mistakes Home Owning Tax Payers Will Make This Year

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer
Tax Wordie 2012

Tax Wordie 2012

Don’t rouse the IRS or pay more taxes than necessary — know the score on each home tax deduction and credit.

Sin #1: Deducting the wrong year for property taxes

You take a tax deduction for property taxes in the year you (or the holder of your escrow account) actually paid them. Some taxing authorities work a year behind — that is, you’re not billed for 2011 property taxes until 2012. But that’s irrelevant to the feds.

Enter on your federal forms whatever amount you actually paid in 2011, no matter what the date is on your tax bill. Dave Hampton, CPA, tax manager at the Cincinnati accounting firm of Burke & Schindler, has seen home owners confuse payments for different years and claim the incorrect amount.

Sin #2: Confusing escrow amount for actual taxes paid

If your lender escrows funds to pay your property taxes, don’t just deduct the amount escrowed, says Bob Meighan, CPA and vice president at TurboTax in San Diego. The regular amount you pay into your escrow account each month to cover property taxes is probably a little more or a little less than your property tax bill. Your lender will adjust the amount every year or so to realign the two.

For example, your tax bill might be $1,200, but your lender may have collected $1,100 or $1,300 in escrow over the year. Deduct only $1,200. Your lender will send you an official statement listing the actual taxes paid. Use that. Don’t just add up 12 months of escrow property tax payments.

Sin #3: Deducting points paid to refinance

Deduct points you paid your lender to secure your mortgage in full for the year you bought your home. However, when you refinance, says Meighan, you must deduct points over the life of your new loan. If you paid $2,000 in points to refinance into a 15-year mortgage, your tax deduction is $133 per year.

Sin #4: Failing to deduct private mortgage insurance

Lenders require home buyers with a down payment of less than 20% to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI). Avoid the common mistake of forgetting to deduct your PMI payments. However, note the deduction begins to phase out once your adjusted gross income reaches $100,000 and disappears entirely when your AGI surpasses $109,000. Also, unless Congress acts to extend the PMI deduction again, 2011 is the last tax year for which you can take this deduction.

Sin #5: Misjudging the home office tax deduction

This deduction may not be as good as it seems. It’s complicated, often doesn’t amount to much of a deduction, has to be recaptured if you turn a profit when you sell your home, and can pique the IRS’s interest in your return. Hampton’s advice: Claim it only if it’s worth those drawbacks. If so, here’s what to  know about what you can write off.

Sin #6: Missing the first-time home buyer tax credit

While the original home buyer tax credit deadline passed in April 2010 (and isn’t available in 2012), military families and some government workers on assignment outside the U.S. were given an extension until April 30, 2011, to get a home under contract and take advantage of up to $8,000 in tax credits for first-time buyers and $6,500 in credits for repeat buyers.

It applies to any individual (and, if married, the individual’s spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010.

Sin #7: Failing to track home-related expenses

If the IRS comes a-knockin’, don’t be scrambling to compile your records. Many people forget to track home office and home maintenance and repair expenses, says Meighan. File away documents as you go. For example, save each manufacturer’s certification statement for energy tax credits, insurance company statements for PMI, and lender or government statements to confirm property taxes paid.

Sin #8: Forgetting to keep track of capital gains

If you sold your main home last year, don’t forget to pay capital gains taxes on any profit. However, you can exclude $250,000 (or $500,000 if you’re a married couple) of any profits from taxes. So if you bought a home for $100,000 and sold it for $400,000, your capital gains are $300,000. If you’re single, you owe taxes on $50,000 of gains. However, there are minimum time limits for holding property to take advantage of the exclusions, and other details. Consult IRS Publication 523.

Sin #9: Filing incorrectly for energy tax credits

If you made any eligible improvement, fill out Form 5695. Part I, which covers the 30%/$1,500 credit for such items as insulation and windows, is fairly straightforward. But Part II, which covers the 30%/no-limit items such as geothermal heat pumps, can be incredibly complex and involves crosschecking with half a dozen other IRS forms. Read the instructions carefully.

Sin #10: Claiming too much for the mortgage interest tax deduction

You can deduct mortgage interest only up to $1 million of mortgage debt, says Meighan. If you have $1.2 million in mortgage debt, for example, deduct only the mortgage interest attributable to the first $1 million.

This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but shouldn’t be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Consult a tax professional for such advice; tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.

By: G. M. Filisko  Published: January 5, 2012

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The Water Is Warm – Solve the Housing Puzzle – Dive into Homeownership

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer

2011 Was an unbelievable year. Uncertainty was the theme throughout the year, “volatility” was a daily lead on the business news and the housing market was put to the test with regulation after regulation. One thing is sure, however, households still want to be homeowners!

During the peak of the “housing bubble” we pushed 70% of households as homeowners. Today, we are +/-65%, and a Morgan Stanley report said we are going to 60% before it’s all over. Through it all, homeownership rings home as the number one goal of families and households wishing to become part of a broader community.

The chart below represents the trend in listing activity for residential properties in the Denver Metro Area through the first month of 2012.


Our days of oversupply are apparently behind us. Can you read this trend any other way?

Below, is the consumer confidence index as provided by http://www.advisorperspectives.com, which tells us, we are at pretty low levels.


The following chart is a history of interest rates from Quicken Loans and FNMA/Freddie Mac.


Below that is a trend line of closed transactions in the Denver Metro MSA over the last 30+ years. Stitching this all together in an understandable way, there is only one rational conclusion that can be made by any household that does not own a home. Now is the time!


As the very notorious Warren Buffet is credited with saying, “When people are being greedy, be cautious. When people are cautious, be greedy”. Can you imagine advice that was any more appropriate than that right now? People are buying at a very cautious rate. Rates are low. Inventory is low.

I don’t believe I’m going out on a limb right now by saying, “Now is the time to become a home owner. Now is the time to move up. Now is the time to own investment property.”

A renter in Denver right now is in the most enviable position of all. It is clearly possible to become a homeowner for less than being a tenant.

The window of opportunity swings open and closed over the course of one’s life. The window is unquestionably open now. Don’t kick yourself in a few years looking back and saying, “I could have…”.

Home Ownership By Age Group

Home Ownership By Age Group

Posted in 2011 YEAR END DENVER MARKET WATCH, Buying or Selling Real Estate, Denver, Denver Housing, Denver Renters, Denver Residential Real Estate, First Time Buyers, Home Ownership By Age Group | Tagged | Leave a comment

Cherry Hills Village vs. Greenwood Village Smack Down

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer
Highline Canal

Highline Canal

OK, you live in Denver, you’re relocating to Denver, or you have just always wanted to live in one of Denver’s prestigious residential communities. So today, employing 2012 and prior years data, let’s have a smack down: which is the most affable, economical and beneficial choice between Cherry Hills Village, and Greenwood Village? Please note Greenwood Village has been divided between Cherry Creek and Littleton School Districts. Cherry Hills is located entirely within Cherry Creek School District.

Additionally, there are many parameters assisting home buyers with their choice matrix. The one’s employed in this analysis are primarily economic centric.

First, let’s look at Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. Cherry Hills have virtually no commercial zoning. As a result, its property taxes are the highest on average. On the other hand, it has very little “tract type” development, so it has the largest average site sizes. This results in the highest average price, and the highest average price per square foot of above grade finished area.

Advantage for Category

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE

AVERAGE PRICE CHANGE ANALYSIS

    

TRANSACTION

VOLUME COUNT
 

 

    

 
12 MONTHS PRIOR 2012

-5.50%

    

92
12 MONTHS PRIOR 2011

0.80%

    

54
12 MONTHS PRIOR 2010

N/A

    

54
AVERAGE PRICE/SQ.FT.

$288

   AVERAGE PRICE

$1,358,737
AVERAGE SITE SIZE

41,961 SF

   AVERAGE TAXES

$12,930

Next, let’s take a look at Greenwood Village feeding into the Cherry Creek School District. It has the most “tract type” development, and as a result, by far has the smallest average site sizes. Additionally, its average property tax is less than half that in Cherry Hills Village. It is the economical choice.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE SSE

PRICE CHANGE ANALYSIS

    

TRANSACTION VOLUME ANALYSIS
 

 

    

 
12 MONTHS PRIOR 2012

3.50%

    

60
12 MONTHS PRIOR 2011

-1.40%

    

66
12 MONTHS PRIOR 2010

N/A

    

74
AVERAGE PRICE/SQ.FT.

$236

  AVERAGE PRICE

$687,543

AVERAGE SITE SIZE

16,963

  AVERAGE TAXES

$5,598

Last, but clearly not least, a portion of Greenwood Village, Colorado feeds into the Littleton School district. Due to its size, the volume of sales is significantly less than the other two areas surveyed, but there are some important facts to observe. This area has very few “tract style” developments and the average site size is up from the other portion of Greenwood Village.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE SSC

PRICE CHANGE ANALYSIS

    

TRANSACTION VOLUME ANALYSIS
 

 

    

 
12 MONTHS PRIOR 2012

-11.2

    

45
12 MONTHS PRIOR 2011

18.3

    

36
12 MONTHS PRIOR 2010

N/A

    

28
AVERAGE PRICE/SQ.FT.

$280

   AVERAGE PRICE

$1,124,436

AVERAGE SITE SIZE

31,406

   AVERAGE TAXES

$9,271

So, those of you still with me are asking, well? Well, I’ve lived and worked in and around both of these communities for many years. I’ve friends, clients and associates living in both communities, and here’s my answer. If you are a Freegan like me, Greenwood Village wins hands down. Its tax structure from a City Budget having a very diverse source of income will continue to win the battle of tax rates for many years to come. It also has areas of town with very large sites like Cherry Hills, and it has areas with very “affordable” homes very close to employment centers.

On the other hand, Cherry Hills Village has some very special streets and communities clearly setting the standard for high end “Mansion” type living that out stripes Greenwood Village.

All told, it is easy to see why both communities demand their current price levels, attract the following of home buyers constantly working to obtain the status of these addresses and enjoy the lifestyles available to their owners.

So, what’s the answer to this Smack down Question? For me, it would be Greenwood Village, but for you, there might be a more pressing issue in your decision matrix. Let me help you find your dream home.

Posted in Cherry Hills Village, Denver Residential Real Estate, Greenwood Village | Leave a comment

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE STRENGTHENS POSITION IN COLORADO WITH ADDITION OF KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 27, 2012

Contact:

Lisa Bessone, Christie’s International Real Estate 505-983-8733 lbessone@christies.com

Douglas E. Lierle, Lierle Public Relations, 303-792-0507,

lierlepr@comcast.net

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE STRENGTHENS POSITION IN COLORADO WITH ADDITION OF

KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE

Kentwood Joins Leading International Network of Real Estate Brokers Specializing in the Marketing and Sales of High-value Properties

New York, New York—Christie’s International Real Estate, the world’s leading luxury real estate network, has awarded Affiliate status to Kentwood Real Estate with a total of approximately 165 real estate professionals operating from three strategically-located offices in Denver. Kentwood will exclusively represent the Christie’s brand in the metro Denver area.

Wholly owned by Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, Christie’s International Real Estate is represented in more than 41 countries. Kentwood Real Estate joins this carefully selected organization of brokerages with proven records of success in both high-end property sales and exemplary client service.

“Kentwood Real Estate has established a reputation for integrity, discreet client service, and exceptional professionalism that has won the company respect throughout the Greater Denver market,” says Zack Wright, Senior Vice President of Christie’s International Real Estate. “The brokerage is comprised of an exceptional team of the area’s top luxury real estate professionals. We are delighted to invite the company to join the globally-renowned Christie’s International Real Estate network.”

Christie’s is the largest international real estate network in the world and nearly twice the size of its closest competitor with 1,112 offices and 32,300 real estate professionals. There are more than 9,300 properties priced above $1 million posted on http://www.ChristiesRealEstate.com. In addition, numerous luxury homes can be viewed on Kentwood Real Estate’s website at http://www.DenverRealEstate.com.

There are nearly 600 luxury homes on the market in metro Denver priced at $1 million or more.

“We are very pleased to be affiliated with Christie’s International Real Estate,” said Peter Niederman, Chief Executive Officer of Kentwood Real Estate. “While we serve all segments of the real estate market in a wide range of prices, we are also firmly established as the leader in the luxury home market in metro Denver and select mountain communities. This is an exciting affiliation and we look forward to working with Christie’s experienced professionals in 2012 and beyond.”

Since its inception, Kentwood has had a high profile presence in Denver’s most affluent communities, including Cherry Hills Village, Castle Pines Village, Greenwood Village, Denver Country Club, Cherry Creek, Lower Downtown Denver and many more exclusive neighborhoods. Kentwood’s leading real estate professionals serve the luxury home buying and selling needs of corporate executives, professional athletes, philanthropists, entertainers, industrialists, doctors and lawyers, and others who have achieved financial success.

Luxury real estate in Denver is complimented by the city’s storied history, cultural attractions, and vibrant lifestyle. The Denver Art Museum is regarded as one of the finest in the country, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is among the most acclaimed institutions nationwide. Luxury real estate in Denver is among the most diverse in the country, ranging from breathtaking custom homes in new master-planned communities to luxurious lofts and penthouses in downtown Denver and extraordinary 18th and 19th century mansions in Denver’s historic neighborhoods.

ABOUT CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

Christie’s, originally founded in 1766 by James Christie, pursued an innovative real estate venture in 1995 by acquiring Great Estates, a luxury real estate network founded in 1987 by Kay Coughlin. Christie’s International Real Estate is an Affiliate network by invitation only to the world’s most proven and qualified real estate specialists. The company has central hubs in London and New York; field offices in Beverly Hills, California, and Palm Beach, Florida; an operations centre in Santa Fe, New Mexico; and circa 129 Affiliates in Europe; North, Central, and South America; and the Caribbean as well as Asia, Africa, and Oceania. In 2010, new Affiliates were signed in Mallorca, Spain; Milan, Italy; Stockholm, Sweden; Bordeaux, France; Luxembourg; Cancun; Cayman Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Toronto, Canada, as well as in the U.S., including Stowe, Vermont; Nantucket and Boston, Massachusetts; and Guildford and Ridgefield, Connecticut.

For additional information about Christie’s International Real Estate, please contact Lisa Bessone, Director—Global PR and Communications, at +1 505 983 8733 or visit http://www.christiesrealestate.com

ABOUT KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE

Since 1981, Kentwood Real Estate has been the most trusted name in metro Denver real estate. Locally owned and operated, Kentwood’s experienced real estate professionals are ranked among the top-producing Realtors in America. 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 places its clients in the best possible position.

Kentwood Real Estate is comprised of The Kentwood Company in the Denver Tech Center, 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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The Bluffs Regional Park – Lone Tree, Colorado

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer
Bluffs Regional Park Trail Map

Bluffs Regional Park Trail Map

I like the walk.  I like walking because I can think while I am doing it.  More physical sports demand more focus and do not allow for reflection.  Walking does, however, and that my friends is why I like to walk.

I have been exploring nearby parks and open space locations, and The Bluffs Regional Park and open space access trails are perfect for a quick get away.  Although you are never out of sight of residential development, it doesn’t feel that way.

I’ve ridden this trail once now, and I have walked it twice.  It really is the perfect escape from the city while still being in the city, but isn’t that what open space is all about?  We are fortunate in Coloradoto have Lottery

The First Turn Looking Back at the Parking Lot

The First Turn Looking Back at the Parking Lot

proceeds earmarked for open space acquisition and maintenance.  The Bluffs Regional Park is clearly an example of what long term planning and thoughtful development can do for a community.

Bluffs Regional Park Trailhead

Bluffs Regional Park Trailhead

Bluffs Regional Park Trailhead is well marked.  Most of the time, parking is generous and access good.

There is a story of hard work, perseverance, planning and dedication that goes along with the Park, but if I told you the story here, you wouldn’t get off the couch and see, read and experience the trail for yourself.

What’s extraordinary about the park are its views.  The park

This is the First Overlook

This is the First Overlook

captured open space land that quite literally looks down on everyone, everything and all of Denver.

The views are beyond.  I have to believe this might be the place to go on the 4th of July to see what Denver has to offer in the fireworks department.  I’m posting some sample views here.  Let me know what you think.

The trail is about 3.5 miles, and it can be leisurely walked in about a little over an hour.  It is worth get out there to see what I saw…tc

The Second Overlook

The Second Overlook

Although it may seem like you can reach out and touch Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and MacArthur Ranch, its really too far and too big.  Just click on any of the pictures to enlarge the view.  It is magnificent!

Posted in Buying or Selling Real Estate, Centennial, Denver, Denver Housing, Denver Residential Real Estate, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parks & Recreation | Leave a comment

Monthly e-News January, 2012

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer

The notion that we are experiencing a “perfect storm” for buying a home may have lost some of its wind with consumers, given that the notion that the confluence of low interest rates and housing prices has been trotted out so many times in recent years. Yet, empirical evidence suggests that the perfect-storm scenario is currently in place, which bodes well for buying a home in the Denver area in 2012.

Mortgage rates are at or near historic lows, still hovering below 4 percent for a 30-year, fixed-rate loan for qualified buyers. If you don’t plan to stay in your home that long, and you are willing to bet that your home is going to appreciate, it also could be a time to lock-in an even lower adjustable rate mortgage, or ARM.

Sales were up slightly last year from 2010, and home prices basically held steady. That was not the case in many markets across the country. Denver consistently ranked in the Top 5 markets last year in the 20 markets tracked in the closely followed Case-Shiller Index.

Meanwhile, the Denver area currently has an unemployment rate of 7.7 percent, well below the national rate of 8.5 percent. But what Denver’s housing market experienced last year was a never seen-before phenomenon. The housing inventory, the number of unsold homes on the market, fell by more than a third from the previous year. The last time there were fewer homes on the market was in 1999, when the Denver-area was almost 20 percent smaller than it is today.

The low inventory, combined with a small uptick in sales, has resulted in less than a 4-month supply of homes on the market. For comparison, in June 2006, when the housing market in Denver and across the nation was so hot that many observers, rightfully, it turned out, feared a bubble was about to burst, there was about a 6-month supply of unsold homes on the market. A rule of thumb is that a 6-month supply of unsold homes is a market in equilibrium, which favors neither the buyer nor the seller. Anything less than a six-month supply is a seller’s market, in which the homeowner is holding most of the cards.

YEAR END 2011 DENVER MARKET WATCH In Denver’s market, the law of supply and demand is not taking place, at least not overall. Prices are steady, but at the lower-end of the market, there is more competition, with some bidding wars erupting. At the top of the housing food-chain, there are still far more homes for sale than people willing to spend $1 million or more on their castle, so prices continue to fall.

When you throw foreclosed homes and short-sales into the mix, it has kept the lid on the overall market. What that means for prospective buyers and sellers, is that this is not the year to contemplate a real estate transaction on your own. Whether buying or selling, you will need the help of a qualified Realtor more than ever, given the unique conditions in the market.

And keep in mind the old saying about Denver weather: If you don’t like it, wait a few minutes and it is bound to change. Even a perfect storm can change on a moment’s notice.

The HBA of Metro Denver believes it has a lot to crow about in 2011. It appointed veteran builder Jeff Whiton as CEO and successfully endorsed a number of candidates for mayor, including Michael Hancock in Denver. To read the entire story, please go to this link: http://insiderealestatenews.com/2012/01/hba-highlights-of-2011/\

The improved housing market is one bullish sign for the Denver economy in 2012, notes economic development guru Tom Clark. To read the entire story, please go to this link: http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe601678776701797711&m=ff02167075660d&ls=fdec1375716c037e75127573&l=fe981573756d027f77&s=fdf415757d6c057e71107975&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe2f17727067067f731578

A Denver company sees value in medical office buildings. Fleisher Smyth Brokaw was a partner in a $41.25 million to acquire five buildings from Centura Health on its hospital campuses in Denver and Littleton. To read the entire article, please go to this link: http://insiderealestatenews.com/2012/01/fleisher-smyth-brokaw-partner-in-41-million-deal/

A Broe Group affiliate showed confidence in the northern Colorado economy by buying 320 acres from the Eastman Kodak Co. in Windsor. To read the entire article, please go to this link. http://insiderealestatenews.com/2012/01/broe-affiliate-buys-kodak-land/

The Denver-area housing market, by many respects, ended 2011 in better shape than in 2010, boding well for 2012. The big news was the lack of inventory. Earlier in the year, the conventional wisdom that just the opposite would occur and the market would be flooded with shadow inventory. To read the entire article, please go to this link: http://insiderealestatenews.com/2012/01/home-market-improves-in-2011/

The FHA has changed its mind about flipping, which is good news for people looking to make money by buying bargain-priced homes for a quick profit. To read the entire article, please go to this link: http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/29/real_estate/FHA_flipping_waiver/index.htm

In the latest sign that the worst may be over for the nation’s construction money, construction spending on all types of real estate is up. This is considered not only good news for the construction industry, but the entire economy. To read the entire article, please visit this link: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2012/01/04/construction-spending-rises-hopeful-sign-for-economy

The worst appears to be over the new home-building market in the Denver area. Permit activity has been rising each month since April, shows a recent report. To read the entire article, please visit this link. http://insiderealestatenews.com/2011/12/new-home-market-improves/

Case-Shiller ranked Denver No. 1 of the 20 major cities it tracks each month. While many markets are still struggling, Denver appears to be poised to show some real, overall appreciation. To read the entire article, please visit this link: http://insiderealestatenews.com/2011/12/case-shiller-denver-no-1-by-one-metric/

Brookfield, which already owns the tallest building in Colorado – downtown’s Republic Plaza – has bought the second tallest, 1801 California, in a $215 million deal. To read the entire article, please visit this link: http://www.costar.com/News/Article/PSEG-Energy-Sells-Denver-Office-to-Brookfield-for-$215M/134581

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 | Leave a comment

Three Red Hot Trends for Your Bathroom Remodeling in 2012

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer
Luxury Bathrooms

Luxury Bathrooms

From toilets that double as sound systems (Really?) to water-conserving spa experiences, here’s what’s trendy for bathroom improvements for 2012.

Trend #1: Conservation rules all around the country, water reserves are stressed. In response, regional governments are implementing conservation measures. As a result, there are likely to be new regulations that’ll affect your construction or remodeling plans. Here’s what to watch for: Your new toilet will have a lower flush-per-gallon rating than the one that’s in there now. Consider a dual-flush version, or any low-flow toilet coming on the market that meets your style preferences. At the very least, your next commode is likely to feature a 1.28 gallon-per-flush rating — better than even the most-recent 1.6 GPF offerings.You’ll find them at home improvement centers from $100 to luxury showroom models for thousands more. The WaterSense label, launched in 2006 by the Environmental Protection Agency to promote water conservation by plumbing manufacturers and home owners, will become as well-known as Energy Star. You’ll be shopping for low-flow shower heads and faucets with the WaterSense symbol on the box. Just as with Energy Star appliances, there is no cost premium associated with WaterSense savings — there are faucets in every price range. WaterSense shower heads are newer on the market, with a more limited selection today — mostly at more affordable prices. You’ll start seeing more shower heads — especially rain shower models — using Venturi principles that deliver strong water pressure by adding air, not water, to the mix. They’re available in every price range, from ultra-affordable standard heads to luxury rain showers.

Trend #2: Technology advances You may not think of your bathroom as a high-tech space, but that’s about to change. Here are some of the trends that can benefit your home: You’ll be able to create a custom showering experience more affordably than ever. For $300 for simple controllers to $3,500 or more for a complete luxury installation, programmable showers let you digitally set your preferred water temperature, volume, and even massage settings before you step in. To achieve a personalized showering experience, you’ll need a 120-volt power source, and a thermostatic valve and controller in addition to your standard shower head or heads. Luxury models may include a steam system, a wi-fi source for music, multiple body spray outlets, tankless water heater, and a secondary controller to start the system from another room. Dock your iPhone or MP3 player directly with your speaker-equipped, high-tech toilet so you can entertain yourself on the commode. While you’re not likely to invest $4,000 to $6,000 for a Kohler Numi toilet using this technology today, start looking for competitive models later in the year with lower prices. Catch up on news and weather while you brush your teeth. Television screens are being integrated into medicine cabinets and vanity mirrors. Cost? Early entries to the market command a premium $2,200 to $2,400 price tag. Plug your smart phone or MP3 player into your medicine cabinet so you won’t miss a call or song while getting ready for work or bed. A built-in jack keeps your unit charged (and away from wet countertops) and linked into a built-in speaker system.

Trend #3: Aging demographics emphasize safety It’s not just high-tech that’s bringing an “experience” to the bathroom. Trends in universal design features add comfort, convenience, and safety. But that doesn’t mean your bathroom has to look institutional. Here are some universal design innovations that can factor helpfully (and stylishly) into your 2012 bath remodeling plans: Sleek, low-profile linear drains are ideal for creating safe, zero-threshold shower designs. Unlike standard round drain covers that are typically mounted near the front end of a shower, these long, straight drains can be installed in different locations to minimize the slope of the shower floor. One popular location is at the outside edge of the shower, creating a wheelchair-friendly curbless shower. More offerings in more finishes — including nearly invisible tile-in channel models that are largely covered by shower floor tile — are becoming the standard for upscale spaces. You’ll spend $500 to $900 for a quality linear drain. The rapidly-expanding selection of porcelain, glass, and ceramic tiles makes it easy to find slip-resistant, low-maintenance floors that don’t skimp on style. Expect to see faux wood, linen, and uniquely-textured looks for tiled bathroom floors and walls in 2012. The texture adds both visual impact and better traction for wet feet. The accessible tub is no longer limited to the high-walled, narrow-door format that dominated the market in the last decade. Newer models, such as Kohler’s Elevance ($5,100), employ rising panels in front that give more of a traditional tub look with easier entry and exit. Others use standard hinged, sealed doors, but are increasing door width by several inches for better accessibility and appearance. What improvements — big or small — are you planning for your bathroom this year?

By: Jamie Goldberg Published: January 9, 2012

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

The Top 10 Things for a Sustainable Residential Real Estate Market

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer
  1. Affordability

    What Makes a Winner?

    What Makes a Winner?

  2. Interest Rates
  3. Jobs
  4. Lifestyle/Recreation
  5. Schools
  6. Inventory
  7. Accessibility
  8. Healthcare
  9. Leadership
  10. Transportation

I could argue, 5 on this list could all be #1.  That being said, it is important to understand, many residential markets have great leadership and overcome not having several of the others, but leadership combined with the other 9 suggestions makes a winner every time.

Look around, you may come up with a few others, but I think you will agree, this list represents what most residential owners are seeking.  Sustainability moving forward will address costs of ownership more critically.  I’ll keep you posted.

Safe travels…tc

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

Super Joe Hubert Is Back with His 2011 Year End Denver Residential Market Report

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Dee & Tom Cryer
Super Joe Hubert

Super Joe Hubert

Hi Tom,

We hope you enjoy the new look and format of our eNewsletter this month. Please feel free to share your feedback with me, along with suggestions for future topics of interest.

We are also rolling out Land Title’s new Marketing Solution website, where you can access current and past referral marketing topics, peruse our growing database of marketing articles written by Land Title sales reps, or schedule a brainstorming session to find out what marketing tools are right for you. Stop by LandTitleMarketingSolutions.com to see our new site!

As you get ready to kick off your 2012 business plan, please keep me in mind for all of your title and marketing needs! I look forward to working with you on your next transaction.

December – 2011 Real Estate Market Update
Entire MLS (All Areas)

Residential Highlights

  • 4.5% Increase in closed sales year over year with a 2.1% overall increase versus 2010
  • 35.8% Decrease in Absorption Rate (4 months)
  • 36.5% Decrease in active listings (8,854)
  • 0.4% Increase in average sold price ($275,610)

Condo/Townhome Highlights

  • 3.8% Increase in closed sales year over year with a 1.1% overall decrease versus 2010
  • 50.4% Decrease in inventory (2,139)
  • 0.3% Decrease in average sold price ($166,420)

Click here for Full report of entire MLS
Click here for

Posted in 2010 Mid Year Denver Market Watch, 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