Check Out Wishlist: A Boulder Experience-Based Gift Giving Site

June 15, 2013 by

Check Out Wishlist: A Boulder Experience-Based Gift Giving Site

By  YOUR Boulder

Wishlist Boulder

Photo Credit: Adventure Paragliding

Dad’s t-shirt drawer is overflowing, he has plenty of nice ties that he dreads putting on, he just bought himself a nice set ofgolf clubs and you really, really don’t want to resort to buying him socks. Now what?

Thanks to Wishlist LLC, a Boulder-based company, you can sit back, relax and give Dad the best gift he has ever received with just a few clicks of the mouse. You can give him an experience.

“An experience doesn’t devalue overtime and you don’t have to take care of it,” said Suzan Bond, Wishlist’s chief marketing officer.  “I think about how experiences bond people –if you have ever had a life altering experience you remember who was with you or who gave it to you. That is what drew me into this company.”

Wishlist offers several Colorado-based experience categories to choose from: Adventure, Getaways, Urban Living and Wellness – each offering several activity options. All you have to do is choose a category that your dad, girlfriend, employee, etc. will enjoy the most and purchase that category or Wishlist for a set price. The Wishlist is then emailed to the recipient with a personalized message and they get to choose the activity that excites them the most.

“Not only are you buying a personalized gift but it is personalized because they get to pick the specific thing that they do,” explains Bond.

So this Father’s Day give dad the adrenaline rush of navigating whitewater rapids or a quaint weekend getaway… and lets all thank Wishlist for giving us the best gift ever – an alternative to the stressful, traditional gift giving routine.

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John Marcotte

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WANTED: Homes For Sale

June 12, 2013 by

WANTED: Homes For Sale

 

Wanted: Denver & Boulder County Homes For Sale!I have active buyers looking for homes throughout various parts of the Denver and Boulder metro areas and there aren’t enough listings. If you would consider selling, please email me and be sure to include:

  • Property Address
  • Price you would like to sell for
  • Tell me about your home
  • Best Phone # to reach you

I will tell my buyer(s) about your home and contact you to schedule a showing if it sounds like a fit.

 

 

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John Marcotte

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What’s Trending?

June 11, 2013 by

What’s Trending?

Inventory levels are rising (finally) and # of sold homes are rising too. Here’s my May 2013 Denver Metro Market Watch so you know what’s going on. Trends for May 2013  in Denver Metro Real Estate:

 # HOMES FOR SALE (INVENTORY )  UP 18% FROM PRIOR MONTH (Still Down 22% FROM LAST YEAR) (8,214 NOW vs 6,682 in March) 

  •  WHAT’S TRENDING: So far this year we hadn’t see the rush of spring sellers like we have in the past. Well…now they are starting to hit the market. We have over 1500 more sellers this month compared to last month
  • WHAT DOES THIS MEAN: The market still favors sellers and especially as prices climb, but the increased inventory levels will be interesting to monitor and see if it gives the buyers a bit more control. 
  • TIPS FOR SELLERS: Make sure buyers are serious. Sometimes they are bidding on EVERY home just to keep their options open. Make sure they are serious before entering into a contract and then the buyer backs out.  
  • TIPS FOR BUYERS: Make your highest and best offer FIRST….don’t make an offer planning on a counter or negotiation. If it’s priced well and in good condition….other buyers want it too!

AVERAGE SOLD PRICE DOWN .18% FROM LAST MONTH BUT STILL UP 8% FROM LAST YEAR

  • WHATS TRENDING: Average sold price is $308537. It was $275,000 in January 2013. That’s a BIG jump!
  • WHAT DOES THIS MEAN: Prices are rising quickly which is great for sellers and a challenge for buyers. However, the biggest challenge is the appraisal. Getting homes to appraise for the price they are selling for can be a challenge. 

AVG DAYS ON MARKET  CONTINUES TO DROP! NOW= 48 days (DOWN 14% FROM LAST MONTH & 38% FROM LAST YEAR)

  • Like last month when I wrote, this stat is still skewed. New listings that are priced well are selling in about 7 days. Then the overpriced listings and short sales etc are taking 60+ days to close. If you are priced well it will sell quickly. If you are WAY over priced, however, buyers still aren’t pulling the trigger on yours. They have learned from the previous crash and don’t want to be “upside-down”….plus appraisers are still being conservative on the values and limiting how much a lender will loan on a home regardless of how much a buyer will pay. 

# SOLD HOMES UP 20% FROM LAST MONTH & 22% FROM LAST YEAR

  •  Comparing last year…….Active homes are still down DOWN 22% and Sold Homes are UP 22% which is creating our speedy market recovery. Fewer homes for sale but yet MORE are selling. No wonder buyers are feeling a pinch and new home builders are seeing record # of contracts/sales/deposits.

WILDCARD – ONE THING TO WATCH FOR:  I mentioned last month that interest rates are the wildcard. Well…they still are. I have seen them climb to 4% or just over this past month which means buyers can afford less house as rates rise. Let’s hope the FED keeps them low or else this could have a BIG impact on our market by end of year and and heading into 2014.

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John Marcotte

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Home prices accelerate by most in seven years

June 10, 2013 by

Home prices accelerate by most in seven years

By Leah Schnurr

(Reuters) – Home prices accelerated by the most in nearly seven years in March as the spring buying season gave the sector traction, while surging consumer confidence pointed to some resilience for the economic recovery.

The data on Tuesday also suggested the two segments could act as buffers as the broader economy faces the pinch of belt-tightening in Washington.

The S&P/Case Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas climbed 10.9 percent year over year, beating expectations for 10.2 percent. This was the biggest increase since April 2006, just before prices peaked in the summer of that year.

Prices in the 20 cities gained 1.1 percent in March compared to the month before on a seasonally adjusted basis, topping economists’ forecasts for a 1 percent rise.

The housing market turned a corner in 2012, several years after its far-reaching collapse. The recovery has picked up since as inventory has tightened, foreclosures eased and historically low mortgage rates have attracted buyers.

A Reuters poll showed the recovery in the housing market likely has momentum through the rest of the year, with economists ratcheting up their forecasts for price gains in 2013.

Separate data showed consumer confidence picked up in May to its highest in more than five years in the midst of a stock market rally and lower gasoline prices.

Housing and the consumer have shown strength even as there have been hints that tighter fiscal policy is starting to bite in the broader economy. Across-the-board U.S. government spending cuts of $85 billion went into effect in March, while the payroll tax holiday expired at the beginning of the year, raising taxes for many Americans.

The data suggested both areas were performing better than the overall economy, said Sam Bullard, senior economist at Wells Fargo in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“There are some individual circumstances that are helping to propel both of these a little bit stronger than what the actual underlying strength would suggest,” said Bullard, pointing to the effect of higher stock prices on consumers, and investor demand for homes in beaten-down regions lifting prices.

Economists expect the pace of growth likely cooled in the second quarter, partly due to tighter fiscal policy, but the second half of the year is seen regaining traction. Investor attention has turned to when the Federal Reserve might start to slow its economic stimulus efforts.

The data lent support to equities where Wall Street rose after comments from central banks around the world reassured investors supportive monetary policies would remain in place. U.S. Treasuries yields rose to their highest levels in over a year.

Housing-related shares rose following the Case-Shiller report before giving up some gains in the afternoon, with the S&P homebuilders ETF up 0.4 percent. The ETF is up nearly 20 percent for the year, outpacing the more than 16 percent surge seen in the benchmark S&P 500 index.

Home prices in Phoenix continued their sharp ascent, rising 22.5 percent from a year earlier. Other standouts included San Francisco, up 22.2 percent, and hard-hit Las Vegas, up 20.6 percent.

 

 

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John Marcotte

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Analysis: Boomer downsizing trend hasn’t materialized yet, but may

May 31, 2013 by

Analysis: Boomer downsizing trend hasn’t materialized yet, but may

(Reuters) – When Barbara and Mark Gomperts became empty nesters a few years ago, they found themselves using just a fraction of the 3,000-square-foot, five-bedroom house where they had raised their children in Vienna, Virginia.

They bought a townhouse in nearby Burke that was a third the size of the house they sold. “We just didn’t need as much space to be happy,” Barbara said in an interview. She is using some of their monthly savings to retrain for a second career.

The Gomperts may be on the leading edge of a movement some real estate and aging experts have been predicting for a while: a massive sell-off of big homes by baby boomers seeking smaller quarters.

The expected downsizing trend has yet to show up in national housing data, and some experts doubt it will become large enough to affect home prices. But there are solid reasons why boomers may seek to downsize.

Despite the housing crisis that started in 2006, many older Americans have considerable home equity that can be tapped to bolster retirement. The AARP Public Policy Institute reports that 80 percent of Americans over the age of 50 are homeowners, and more than 80 percent of those 50 to 64 have home equity. The median home equity for households in the 55-to-64 age range in 2010 was $100,000 (65,479.31 pounds); it was $135,000 for those 65 and over.

For many, that equity will be an important resource. Just 17 percent of Americans over 55 say they are confident they’ll have enough to live on in retirement, according to the 2013 Retirement Confidence Survey released last month by the Employee Benefits Research Institute.

Housing is a major expense ripe for trimming. The AARP Public Policy Institute reports that 29 percent of middle-class households over age 50 were spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing in 2009, up from 20 percent as recently as 2000. The portion of households spending 50 percent or more of their income on housing nearly doubled during that period, to 9 percent.

Courtesy of www.reuters.com

 

John Marcotte

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Boulder’s Dakota Ridge

May 30, 2013 by

Boulder’s Dakota Ridge

North Boulder’s Dakota Ridge’s strong sense of community, energy efficient homes, and nearby hiking make it a popular location for families.’

Boulder mountain living at its finest, Dakota Ridge is a community that offers a great deal of fun, excitement, relaxation, and exploration opportunities. It’s easy to say that a town has a little something for everyone but with Dakota Ridge, that statement has never been more true.

Dakota Ridge Neighborhood Overview

Located at the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, Dakota Ridge is close enough to the large city to offer plenty of cultural events and cuisine options, but it’s far enough away that you won’t feel overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle. Nestled in the foothills with access to hiking and biking trails, there is a strong sense of community within this subdivision.

With plenty of playgrounds, foot trails, and well-reviewed schools, Dakota Ridge is a great place to raise a family.

Dakota Ridge has a great variety of homes for sale and rent. You can find condos, apartment, townhouses, small family houses, and even million-dollar mansions in this neighborhood.

Compiled from last quarter’s statistics, the median sale price of a house in Dakota Ridge was $650,000, though there are certainly homes to be found in a lower price range.

The average listing price of a new house in Dakota Ridge is currently around $603,000, but that price has been dropping weekly. If this trend continues, you can look to buy a new home in Dakota Ridge for an excellent price over the next year or two.

Dakota Ridge is a community with something for everyone–and everyone’s budget–that offers plenty of opportunity for fun, calm, relaxation, and adventure.

Courtesy of denverandboulderrealestate.com

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Boulder, Colorado Condos & Townhomes: Buying Advice

May 29, 2013 by

Boulder, Colorado Condos & Townhomes: Buying Advice

 

Learn my advice for buying a condo or townhome in Boulder, Colorado. The real estate market is hot for Boulder condos, so get in early!

Boulder, Colorado is considered by many people to be one of the best places to live, offering a balance of urban life and mountain living.

Because it is such a beloved city, though, Boulder real estate is expensive. Homes in Boulder often cost double that of comparable homes in other areas of Colorado. At the same time, the estimated median household income in 2009 (the most recent statistics available) was $47,967, about $7,500 less than the Colorado state average. As a result, people often rent for many years.

But if you want to live in Boulder, Colorado and own a home, one of the best ways of finding affordable property is to look into condos and townhomes.

Real Estate Statistics for Boulder, Colorado Condos and Townhomes

There is a strong market for condos and townhomes in Boulder.

  • Median list price: $289,000
  • Median days on the market: 51
  • Median condo size: 1,094 square feet
  • Median price per square feet: $242

The real estate market has stayed strong in Boulder throughout the housing crisis in the rest of the country. In fact, sales in May 2012 for single-family homes and condos were 40% higher than those in May 2011 for Boulder County. Total sales are up 23% from last year.

Finding Your Perfect Condo or Townhome in Boulder

Different areas of Boulder offer different advantages for residents, depending on what you are looking for.

  • If you’re looking to buy and live in an upscale area that offers shopping, entertainment and eating within walking distance, you may look near the Pearl Street Mall area.
  • If you’re looking to buy and live in a quieter area closer to Boulder’s hiking trails and natural beauty, West Boulder may be the spot for you.
  • If West Boulder isn’t green enough for your taste, check out South Boulder for moreopen spaces and views of the Flatirons.

No matter where you choose, the entire city offers excellent public transportation and off-road, paved bike paths so you can get from one area to the next without ever having to use your car (if you don’t want to). denverandboulderrealestate.com

Start Your Search at www.boulderhomes4u.com

 

 

 

John Marcotte

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A Day in Downtown Boulder

May 28, 2013 by

A Day in Downtown Boulder

 

With over three hundred days of sunshine a year, the best time to visit downtown Boulder is right now!   From the casual diner to the jet-setting foodie, downtown Boulder’s restaurant scene is the best in the west.  Start your day off right with the most important meal of the day.  Check out the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives favorite Foolish Craig’s.  Just steps away is the new kid on the block, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery.  For those craving a little Creole, Lucile’s is the way to go.  For a quick bite and good cup of Joe, there are no less than 17 coffee shops where you will find some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs in the west making power deals and networking in what locals call the heart of Silicon Flatirons!  See who’s who at places like Ozo & Atlas Purveyors.  Every Saturday from April through November,  the Boulder County Farmers’ Market (the BEST farmers’ market in Colorado) provides a great selection of produce – sold to you directly by the farmers who grow their products.

Follow up breakfast with some sightseeing.   Not sure where to start?  Book a Boulder Walking Tour with knowledgeable guides or explore the culinary scene with Local Table Tours.  For a truly authentic     Boulder experience, check out Banjo Billy’s Bus Tour.  Where else can you sit back in a recliner on an old school bus tricked out to look like a traveling hillbilly shack?

If you are more of an independent explorer, there is plenty to see and do on your own.  Grab a B-cycle and enjoy the Boulder Creek Path.   Other key points of interest: Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse & the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA). No visit to downtown is complete without shopping and dining on the world famousPearl Street Mall.  This four block pedestrian mall celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2012.  Welcoming over a million visitors annually, the mall is home to some of the best people watching anywhere.   Lively buskers perform year round to the delight of children and all those who are young at heart.  In the summer months, the pop jet fountain keeps kiddos cooled down and  there are countless special events that add to the ambiance of the most celebrated pedestrian mall in the country!  Not sure where to start?  Stop by the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center and let our ambassadors help you plan your adventure.

For all you up-and-coming or classically-trained fashionistas, forget “lifestyle centers”, there is only one original and that is downtown Boulder –  filled with over 168 boutiques both on and off the bricks (aka Pearl Street Mall). For the sporty lifestyle there is the one-and-only Boulder Army Store & MontBell and joining Gaiam, Patagonia,GoLite & prAna on the Pearl Street Mall is Athleta.   “Too cool for schoolers” can shop Volcom, Billabong & Wasted Sun.

For the “Vogue crowd” there is Max, Weekends, Holiday & Company and hip consignment.   For the “casually cool” the options are endless: Savvy on Pearl, Chelsea,Starr’s Clothing, American Apparel, Urban Outfitters – just to name a few.   For the “retro suave” Goldmine Vintage, Buffalo Exchange, Common Era & The Ritz.  For shoes and accessories, Two Sole Sisters, Todd Reed and Hurdle’s Jewelry are just a handful of options. Visit the shopping directory on our site for complete listings.

Attention artsy adventurers! From BMoCA’s captivating exhibits, 20+ galleries showcasing painting, photography, jewelry and more,  to an artist’s co-op (Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery) and some of the best Clutter in home furnishings you can imagine,  the downtown district is an empty canvas waiting for your brush to explore!  If you’re planning a visit in the summer months,  make sure to check out Open Arts Fest in July.

Ready for lunch?  Rooftop decks and sidewalk patios are a great option.  Check out the view from above with lunch at the West End Tavern, Lazy Dog Sports Bar, or Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant.  Be one with the people on a sidewalk patio at the Boulder Café,  Pizzeria Locale,Hapa Sushi, or The Kitchen [Next Door].

Bon Appetit magazine labeled Boulder America’s Foodiest Town in 2010.  Since then, the list of award-winning, innovative restaurants continues to grow.  From farm-to-table philosophies to culinary works-of-art, the downtown dining scene is a must-experience part of your visit.   Frasca Food & Wine, OAK at Fourteenth, SALT the Bistro,Black Cat and The Kitchen are just some of the downtown anchors that have propelled Boulder as a world-class dining destination throughout the country.   For a complete list of downtown dining options, click here.   Visiting in the spring?  Make sure to check out Taste of Pearl, an award winning food & wine event!

In the mood for some entertainment?  See what’s happening at the Boulder Theater or check out  local musicians at one of many coffee shops or bars including: The Laughing Goat, Shine or Conor O’Neill’s.  Check out some mirco brews with friends at the Walnut Brewery, Mountain Sun or West Flanders. In the winter months,  practice your figure eights at the Ice Rink at One Boulder Plaza.   In the summer months, Bands on the Bricks provides free concerts every Wednesday evening on the Pearl Street Mall.

Enjoy your time in Downtown Boulder.

 

Article courtesy of www.boulderdowntown.com

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Boulder Restaurants

May 21, 2013 by

Boulder Restaurants

The dining scene in Boulder is as exciting and diverse as the community itself. Restaurants in Boulder feature cuisine from around the globe, including Mexican, Asian, Italian, and of course, contemporary and continental American. From organic, local establishments featuring “farm to table” food to elegant restaurants offering lavish dishes prepared by award-winning chefs, the quest for a memorable meal ends here. Every type of food and every sort of atmosphere can be found on one of the local menus in Boulder, Colorado. Boulder’s residents know how to enjoy themselves. Numerous local breweries, outdoor cafés, and intimate restaurants line the streets in several of Boulder’s unique districts and neighborhoods. Delicious green cuisine and organic delights can be found everywhere: the Pearl Street Mall, Twenty Ninth Street Retail District, and both North and South Boulder. The Hill District, adjacent to the University of Colorado, is another happening area in which to sample Boulder’s lively nightlife scene and check out some of the locally-brewed craft micro beers that Boulder is famous for.

Denver’s 25 Best Restaurants — Five of them are in Boulder
Boulder Creek Winery — Watch a 6-minute video on this award winning winery

Courtesy of www.bouldercoloradousa.com

 

 

John Marcotte

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Things to Do in Boulder with Kids

May 18, 2013 by

Things to Do in Boulder with Kids

If you’re traveling to Boulder with little ones in tow, you’ll have no problem finding ways to entertain them.

The Pearl Street Mall, in particular, has endless diversions for kids, including fascinating street performers and strategically placed play areas for children. Judging by the squeals of delight you’ll hear as you get near the pop-jet fountain at Pearl and 14th Street, this may get the kids’ vote for best Boulder attraction. Water shoots up randomly from spouts in the pavement as little ones scamper through.

A rock garden with big boulders perfect for scrambling on, hiding behind and sitting atop is another popular spot and is located between 13th Street and Broadway. Similarly, a collection of sculptures between 14th and 15th streets is irresistible to children who like to climb on a giant stone snail and other oversized creatures.

Plenty of downtown businesses cater to kids, too. Into the Wind kite and toyshop is positively overflowing with clever trinkets that will keep your little ones intrigued for hours. Color Me Mine offers a chance for them to get creative as they paint their own pottery. And Momentum, a shop specializing in responsibly sourced goods, has a kids’ corner for reading and playing while mom and dad shop.

Of course, outside of Boulder’s downtown area are plenty of activities for kids, many of which offer learning alongside fun. The Wonder of Science at Twenty Ninth Street offers an interactive learning area with large-scale lighted models of the planets, a weather reporting station, a 35-foot tall sounding rocket and more. The Underwater Fish Observatory along the Boulder Creek behind Millennium Harvest House is an opportunity for kids to peek in on fish swimming in their natural environment. And the Boulder History Museum’s Discovery Room is a hands-on kids’ component to the current exhibitions.

Of course, if it’s just good old-fashioned playtime you want, consider Gateway Park Fun Center in North Boulder. Kids of all ages will be swept up in the mini golf course, go-karts, batting cages, human maze, an indoor arcade and more.

Read the entire article here

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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