Friday, October 30, 2009
End of the BBQ Season in Colorado...
Update on Senate Vote to Extend Homebuyer Tax Credit
Update on Senate vote to extend tax credit: http://rismedia.com/2009-10-29/breaking-news-senate-plans-to-extend-and-expand-tax-credit/
Drive Safe Colorado! Link to Road Conditions & Road Closures
I myself am going to keep my car parked until the afternoon, but if you have to drive today, drive safe Colorado. If you need CDOT road conditions and closures, click on the following link: http://www.cotrip.org/home.htm
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Senate Approves Extension and Expansion of Tax Credit
I have just received word that the Senate has voted to approve a the extension of the $8,000 tax credit through June of 2010. The "Dodd-Lieberman-Isakson" amendment would also extend the credit to NON FIRST TIME buyers as well. My blog post from earlier today provides further detail, and I will continue to update my blog as I receive new information.
What more are you waiting for, give me a call while home prices are still low, low low!
Stefan Geyer
Colorado Realtor
http://www.stefanmax.com/
What more are you waiting for, give me a call while home prices are still low, low low!
Stefan Geyer
Colorado Realtor
http://www.stefanmax.com/
Tentative Agreement to Extend & EXPAND Homebuyer Tax Credit
Colorado / Denver home buyers and home sellers, GREAT NEWS! The homebuyer tax credit appears it will be extended and expanded. To take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit, first-time home buyers would need to be under contract by 04/30/2010, and close before 07/01/2010.
Are you a homeowner? You may qualify for a credit too! Have you lived in your current residence for a consecutive five-year period in the past eight years? Then you would be eligible for a new $6,500 credit. You also must be under contract by act by April 30, 2010 and close before 07/01/2010.
Contact me for more information. The time to buy and sell is now, as it is unlikely this type of opportunity for Colroado homebuyers and sellers will appear again or be extended anytime soon.
Stefan Geyer
303-766-4663
Colorado Realtor
Home Real Estate
http://www.stefanmax.com/
Are you a homeowner? You may qualify for a credit too! Have you lived in your current residence for a consecutive five-year period in the past eight years? Then you would be eligible for a new $6,500 credit. You also must be under contract by act by April 30, 2010 and close before 07/01/2010.
Contact me for more information. The time to buy and sell is now, as it is unlikely this type of opportunity for Colroado homebuyers and sellers will appear again or be extended anytime soon.
Stefan Geyer
303-766-4663
Colorado Realtor
Home Real Estate
http://www.stefanmax.com/
Not Selling Your Colorado Home? Just In Case, Follow These Tips
Not selling your home right now? Chances are you will in the future, so I have a few recommendations for you, ones which will give you an advantage over your competition if you do decide to sell.
1. If you get work done to your home, get any required permits, and any required approval signatures. Many homeowners avoid getting permits, due to the expense, but this could later come back to bite you. Keep the permits in a file and make them available to potential buyers.
2. Keep all warranty information for relevant items such as appliances, roof, water heater, furnace, and garage door opener. When getting warranties, seek out ones that are transferable. Buyers appreciate this; it gives them more confidence in the home.
3. Take before and after photos of any remodeling done to your home. Buyers like to see these, and it could also help justify a higher asking price. Appraisers and lenders also like to see these pictures, even in the case of a refinance.
4. Hire a photographer to take professional pictures of your home when it looks the best, particularly the landscaping. If you list your home during the fall and winter months, these pictures will help buyers visualize the home when it looks its best. For my Colorado home sellers, this one is important (we have two feet of snow on the ground right now, and it is only October!). This will not cost as much as you think, and I can refer you to photographers that I use when listing my client's homes.
Happy selling!
Stefan Geyer
Colorado Realtor
http://www.stefanmax.com/
1. If you get work done to your home, get any required permits, and any required approval signatures. Many homeowners avoid getting permits, due to the expense, but this could later come back to bite you. Keep the permits in a file and make them available to potential buyers.
2. Keep all warranty information for relevant items such as appliances, roof, water heater, furnace, and garage door opener. When getting warranties, seek out ones that are transferable. Buyers appreciate this; it gives them more confidence in the home.
3. Take before and after photos of any remodeling done to your home. Buyers like to see these, and it could also help justify a higher asking price. Appraisers and lenders also like to see these pictures, even in the case of a refinance.
4. Hire a photographer to take professional pictures of your home when it looks the best, particularly the landscaping. If you list your home during the fall and winter months, these pictures will help buyers visualize the home when it looks its best. For my Colorado home sellers, this one is important (we have two feet of snow on the ground right now, and it is only October!). This will not cost as much as you think, and I can refer you to photographers that I use when listing my client's homes.
Happy selling!
Stefan Geyer
Colorado Realtor
http://www.stefanmax.com/
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Colorado Homeowners, Underwarter on Your House? I Can Help.
Fewer short sales are coming up short these days, have hope: http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2009102103?OpenDocument#
Stefan Geyer
Denver Realtor / ECO Broker / Certified Appraiser
http://www.stefanmax.com/
Selling Your First Place in Colorado? Be on HGTV!
MY FIRST SALE, a brand new show on HGTV, is kicking off its first season and looking for first-time home sellers in the Denver Metro area.
I have been contacted and given access to the application. They are looking for fun, high-energy people who are just starting the process of selling their first place! Their goal is to capture all the trials and tribulations of preparing for resale, pricing, negotiating, and ultimately selling a home for the first time.
Ideal candidates will be interesting, energetic, financially open people who don’t mind sharing frankly on camera about the experience and the purchase details. Singles, couples and families are all invited to apply.
Candidates who are chosen for the show may also receive a modest incentive check from HGTV to thank you for being on the show!
So contact me today if you are selling your home for the first time, want top tier service from myself, and want to apply for the show. Apply now for immediate consideration!
Stefan Geyer
Realtor / ECO Broker
Denver Metropolitan Area(s)
http://www.stefanmax.com/
I have been contacted and given access to the application. They are looking for fun, high-energy people who are just starting the process of selling their first place! Their goal is to capture all the trials and tribulations of preparing for resale, pricing, negotiating, and ultimately selling a home for the first time.
Ideal candidates will be interesting, energetic, financially open people who don’t mind sharing frankly on camera about the experience and the purchase details. Singles, couples and families are all invited to apply.
Candidates who are chosen for the show may also receive a modest incentive check from HGTV to thank you for being on the show!
So contact me today if you are selling your home for the first time, want top tier service from myself, and want to apply for the show. Apply now for immediate consideration!
Stefan Geyer
Realtor / ECO Broker
Denver Metropolitan Area(s)
http://www.stefanmax.com/
Denver is 11th Most Walkable Neighborhood. What is Your Neighborhood's Walkability Score?
A healthy lifestyle is in fashion. Just looking around, it is apparent that a growing number of people like to ride their bikes(I'm loving the cruiser bikes!), walk, and jog. The areas where this is most evident is in areas where there is a good concentration of recreation, shopping, eateries, etc. Click HERE to find out what the Walkability Score is for your neighborhood, or for a neighborhood you are interested in living in. Denver is ranked 11th most walkable neighborhood in the top 40 U.S. cities, specifically the neighborhoods of Lodo, Golden Triangle and Capitol Hill.
Walk on!
Stefan Geyer
Colorado Realtor
http://www.stefanmax.com/
Walk on!
Stefan Geyer
Colorado Realtor
http://www.stefanmax.com/
Colorado Architecture #3 | Highlands
These homes were built during a time of rapid industrialization, so new innovations in architecture and design were occurring, evident by these homes. Wood detailers spent a great deal of time adding their designs to a home, such as fish scale shingles, and ultimately adding character. I think it adds a quirkiness or playfulness to a home. Some argue that the extra detailing creates needless complexity. I appreciate that each home was given a unique personality.
Stefan Geyer
Denver Realtor
http://www.stefanmax.com/
Colorado Architecture #2; Arapahoe Acres
Driving through Arapahoe Acres in Denver Colorado is like driving into the past, a seemingly secret neighborhood, untouched by time...an absolute thrill is you appreciate architecture. It is the only neighborhood in the country to be listed as a Historic District, by the National Register of Historic Places, since post WWII. The neighborhood is located approximately fifteen minutes South of I-25, near Hampden and University Blvd. It is a quiet area, yet only a short drive to Downtown Denver.
There are 124 homes in the neighborhood, built between 1949-1957, and typically no larger than 2,000 square feet. To fully appreciate the homes in the area, I highly recommend viewing some or all of the 32 listed at the Arapahoe Acres website. The homes in the neighborhood represent two styles of architecture, Usonian Style and International Style. The Usonian Style, developed by Frank Lloyd Wright, designed kitchen and living areas to be flowing and the bedrooms and bathrooms were designed for privacy and quiet. The roofs have shallow pitches, with no attic spaces, and there are no basements, as a means of controlling costs in a post-depression era. The entrances are often set-back or hidden for privacy. The International Style, associated with Modernism, was largely influenced by the Bauhaus School in Germany (shut down by the Nazi regime). The International Style is defined by a buildings use of volume, symmetry, and applied ornament. Each home is a rare work of art, located in a unique neighborhood, not duplicated in Colorado.
See pictures of homes in Arapahoe Acres (Denver, Colorado): http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmax/sets/72157622670120460/
Stefan Geyer
ECO Broker| Denver Realtor|Certified Appraiser
www.StefanMax.com
There are 124 homes in the neighborhood, built between 1949-1957, and typically no larger than 2,000 square feet. To fully appreciate the homes in the area, I highly recommend viewing some or all of the 32 listed at the Arapahoe Acres website. The homes in the neighborhood represent two styles of architecture, Usonian Style and International Style. The Usonian Style, developed by Frank Lloyd Wright, designed kitchen and living areas to be flowing and the bedrooms and bathrooms were designed for privacy and quiet. The roofs have shallow pitches, with no attic spaces, and there are no basements, as a means of controlling costs in a post-depression era. The entrances are often set-back or hidden for privacy. The International Style, associated with Modernism, was largely influenced by the Bauhaus School in Germany (shut down by the Nazi regime). The International Style is defined by a buildings use of volume, symmetry, and applied ornament. Each home is a rare work of art, located in a unique neighborhood, not duplicated in Colorado.
See pictures of homes in Arapahoe Acres (Denver, Colorado): http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmax/sets/72157622670120460/
Stefan Geyer
ECO Broker| Denver Realtor|Certified Appraiser
www.StefanMax.com
Colorado Architecture, Case #1
A revitalization has been occurring in various historic Denver neighborhoods, particularly in the general Highlands (Denver NW) and Washington Park areas. This revitalization has included an increasing number of property scrapes. On the scraped lots, new homes are being built, in styles including Prairie, Craftsman, and Modern. These historic neighborhoods, in the past, have been comprised primarily of bungalow's, craftman style homes and Victorian style homes, so the homes of modern design are new to the landscape. Many of the local residents would like to preserve the architectural integrity of the neighborhoods and do not appreciate the new development, and in particular, the homes of modern design. Others feel that the new development, including the homes of modern design, add a new interesting dynamic to the neighborhood. I took the following picture of a home located near the Historic Highlands shopping area:
When I saw this home, I pulled over, as it had my immediate attention. It may appear as there are two homes built very close to each other, but in fact, it is one structure. The original structure is a Queen Anne style Victorian, built in 1907. The modern style addition was added sometime after 2006. The architect is seemingly comfortable with a marriage of the two styles and has made a bold statement to the surrounding neighbors and passer-by's.
A nearby neighbor told me she felt the home was not cohesive, and would benefit from a more balanced design. She felt that adding a modern tower to the opposite side of the Victorian portion would be a good remedy. Otherwise, this neighbor was intriqued by the design concept. What was the concept? It may have been that the owner liked both styles and could not pick one. Another idea is that the design is meant to force people to accept that the two style are essentially 'one', and will both be part of their neighborhood in the future.
Stefan Geyer
Denver Realtor
http://www.stefanmax.com/
A nearby neighbor told me she felt the home was not cohesive, and would benefit from a more balanced design. She felt that adding a modern tower to the opposite side of the Victorian portion would be a good remedy. Otherwise, this neighbor was intriqued by the design concept. What was the concept? It may have been that the owner liked both styles and could not pick one. Another idea is that the design is meant to force people to accept that the two style are essentially 'one', and will both be part of their neighborhood in the future.
Stefan Geyer
Denver Realtor
http://www.stefanmax.com/
What is a condominium? It May Not be What You Think.
As a Realtor and appraiser, I am often asked what defines a condominium. Some of the defining characteristics I have heard are:
1. A condominium does not have ownership of land associated with the unit.
2. A condominium shares one or more walls, or party walls, with another unit.
3. A condominium has a unit above and/or below it.
Though some or all of these factors can be true, there is only one reliable definition of a condominium, and that is form of ownership. Condominiums are an individual interest in an apartment and an undivided interest in common areas contained in a condominium project. It is ownership of the airspace whithin the unit only. So, this is why a building that by all appearances looks like a duplex, can be considered a condominium. Condominiums of course have other things that make them unique, such as a condominium declaration, which should be researched and understood if one is to best serve their clients whom want to buy or sell a condominium.
Special tip regarding condominiums: Other owners in a condominium project may have right of first refusal, in the case of an owner selling their individual condominium. Something worth looking into prior to listing!
1. A condominium does not have ownership of land associated with the unit.
2. A condominium shares one or more walls, or party walls, with another unit.
3. A condominium has a unit above and/or below it.
Though some or all of these factors can be true, there is only one reliable definition of a condominium, and that is form of ownership. Condominiums are an individual interest in an apartment and an undivided interest in common areas contained in a condominium project. It is ownership of the airspace whithin the unit only. So, this is why a building that by all appearances looks like a duplex, can be considered a condominium. Condominiums of course have other things that make them unique, such as a condominium declaration, which should be researched and understood if one is to best serve their clients whom want to buy or sell a condominium.
Special tip regarding condominiums: Other owners in a condominium project may have right of first refusal, in the case of an owner selling their individual condominium. Something worth looking into prior to listing!
SOLiD Architecture Talks 'Green' | Denver, Colorado
If you are a fan of forward thinking building design, I recommend taking a few minutes to look at the web site of SOLiD Architectural Design, a Colorado company. You will see homes like the ones pictured here, and you will also see some of their unique commercial projects, including the Tokyo Joe's Restaurant on 13th Avenue in Denver. They were also responsible for building the Shoshone Development, which is an urban infill project in Denver (pictured below). 
I contacted Owen Beard at SOLiD recently, and asked him if his company incorporates any 'green' features into thier designs. He answered with the following:
'It seems that Solar electric is the most popular green feature. Right now we have 3 or 4 projects that incorporate photovoltaic panels. This is probably because there are great rebates from power companies and the government. It would be nice if I could find clients that foot the extra bill for gray water reuse systems, on site water retention, natural or recycled fiber insulation, no V.O.C. plywood and steel construction. These would greatly increase the interior air quality while reducing the impact on the environment. But some of these add a lot of extra cost to a project.
A while back I designed a bog that would use cattail to convert gray water to usable irrigation water. The system is simple and really quite attractive. It ends up looking like a water garden. Since I do have clients that are environmentally aware I have recently been pushing steel structural systems. Even new steel has a high percentage of reused material and nearly all of it will be recycled after the building has been torn down. So it doesn't end up in a land fill.'
A while back I designed a bog that would use cattail to convert gray water to usable irrigation water. The system is simple and really quite attractive. It ends up looking like a water garden. Since I do have clients that are environmentally aware I have recently been pushing steel structural systems. Even new steel has a high percentage of reused material and nearly all of it will be recycled after the building has been torn down. So it doesn't end up in a land fill.'
SOLiD Architectural Design is located at 70 South Cherokee Street, Denver, Colorado, 80223. The phone number is 303-825-2313.
Neighborhood Maps: Aurora, Denver & Centennial
Looking to buy a home in Aurora, Denver or Centennial? Below are links to neighborhood maps for each of these ares:
Denver
Aurora
Centennial
Get daily e-mail updates of property listings in Denver, Centennial, Aurora, Highlands Ranch, and Parker. Just set up your property search profile at http://www.stefanmax.com/
Stefan Geyer
Colorado Realtor
Certified Appraiser
Denver
Aurora
Centennial
Get daily e-mail updates of property listings in Denver, Centennial, Aurora, Highlands Ranch, and Parker. Just set up your property search profile at http://www.stefanmax.com/
Stefan Geyer
Colorado Realtor
Certified Appraiser
Is Your Home in a Flood Zone? It Will Cost You.
Is your home, or a home you are buying, is in a flood zone? If so, you will likely pay a great deal more for property insurance each year; much more than if your home is not in a flood zone. Not to mention, your home also runs a higher risk of experiencing some degree of flooding in the future. If you want to find out if a home is in a flood zone, you can check with an appraiser, or on your appraisal report. The flood zone information is typically found on page one of a standard appraisal report. Alternatively, you can go to the FEMA website, just CLICK HERE. Save some money and stay dry...buy homes outside of flood zones!
Carbon Monoxide Law Effective July 1, 2009
Carbon Monoxide Alarms. Note: If the improvements on the Property have a fuel-fired heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage and one or more rooms lawfully used for sleeping purposes (Bedroom), Seller understands that Colorado law requires that Seller assure the Property has an operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within fifteen feet of the entrance to each Bedroom or in a location as required by the applicable building code, prior to offering the property for sale or lease.
Due Diligence with Radon Testing
You wouldn’t live in a uranium mine or on top of a radioactive waste dump yet many homes across North America and Colorado are more dangerous than any of these places. And without a radon gas test you have no way of knowing if your client’s new house is one of them. According to the EPA, fifty-two of the sixty-four counties in Colorado(81%) are considered Zone 1, “an area of High Concentration.” To see the EPA map go to www.pillartopost.com/environmental-inspection-radon.aspx
Recent news stories continue to inform the public about this risk. A story November 13th on CW 2 News even noted that some recent studies indicate a possible link between our high Multiple Sclerosis rates in Colorado and high Radon levels. See cw2.com and click on the Unit 2 Consumer alert link. Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless gas that is found everywhere and occurs naturally from the decay of uranium in the earth’s rocks and soil. When the gas decays further, some of its elements attach themselves to dust particles and lodge in our lungs. When these elements decay, they emit bursts of energy that can cause lung cancer.
Some 20,000 U.S. deaths a year are estimated from exposure to radon, the second highest cause of lung cancer behind smoking. If you are thinking that your client’s new neighborhood is not a concern, think again. Readings above 85 pCi/L have been found by Mr. Recke in South Aurora this past year alone.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Colorado Department of Health, and the Surgeon General recommend radon testing, whether you are buying a home or just living in it. Most radon tests are conducted when a house is for sale, usually as a precaution by the buyer, but more and more homeowners are having tests just for their own peace of mind. In an effort to cut fuel costs and to be energy efficient, many homes are over insulated and one result is that small amounts of radon gas can accumulate and grow to unsafe levels.
A radon test is easy and relatively inexpensive -- many home inspectors conduct the test for around $100-$150 depending on whether the test is performed in combination with a full home inspection or as a stand alone test. Conducting the test and awaiting results can take just 2-3 days if you hire an inspector that uses a Continuous Radon Monitor. He can give you immediate results after the 48 hour minimum test period. But a clean bill of health (from reassuring test results or actions taken as a result of alarming results) can give you peace of mind for decades to come. Almost all radon problems can be fixed without major expense. According to the EPA, 99% of high levels of radon can be solved for $800 to $3,500 -- comparable to having a hot water heater or furnace installed, or having the house professionally painted.
The conclusion is simple – just recommend a radon test for your client’s safety and for your own protection!
by guest author:
Thomas Recke owns the Pillar To Post® Professional Home Inspection franchise for the City of Aurora. He can be reached by e-mail at Thoma.Recke@pillartopost.com, on the web at www.pillartopost.com/aurora, or by calling 303-337-6713.
Recent news stories continue to inform the public about this risk. A story November 13th on CW 2 News even noted that some recent studies indicate a possible link between our high Multiple Sclerosis rates in Colorado and high Radon levels. See cw2.com and click on the Unit 2 Consumer alert link. Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless gas that is found everywhere and occurs naturally from the decay of uranium in the earth’s rocks and soil. When the gas decays further, some of its elements attach themselves to dust particles and lodge in our lungs. When these elements decay, they emit bursts of energy that can cause lung cancer.
Some 20,000 U.S. deaths a year are estimated from exposure to radon, the second highest cause of lung cancer behind smoking. If you are thinking that your client’s new neighborhood is not a concern, think again. Readings above 85 pCi/L have been found by Mr. Recke in South Aurora this past year alone.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Colorado Department of Health, and the Surgeon General recommend radon testing, whether you are buying a home or just living in it. Most radon tests are conducted when a house is for sale, usually as a precaution by the buyer, but more and more homeowners are having tests just for their own peace of mind. In an effort to cut fuel costs and to be energy efficient, many homes are over insulated and one result is that small amounts of radon gas can accumulate and grow to unsafe levels.
A radon test is easy and relatively inexpensive -- many home inspectors conduct the test for around $100-$150 depending on whether the test is performed in combination with a full home inspection or as a stand alone test. Conducting the test and awaiting results can take just 2-3 days if you hire an inspector that uses a Continuous Radon Monitor. He can give you immediate results after the 48 hour minimum test period. But a clean bill of health (from reassuring test results or actions taken as a result of alarming results) can give you peace of mind for decades to come. Almost all radon problems can be fixed without major expense. According to the EPA, 99% of high levels of radon can be solved for $800 to $3,500 -- comparable to having a hot water heater or furnace installed, or having the house professionally painted.
The conclusion is simple – just recommend a radon test for your client’s safety and for your own protection!
by guest author:
Thomas Recke owns the Pillar To Post® Professional Home Inspection franchise for the City of Aurora. He can be reached by e-mail at Thoma.Recke@pillartopost.com, on the web at www.pillartopost.com/aurora, or by calling 303-337-6713.
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