Archive Page 14

The 2008 statistics are in, and once again Perry & Co.’s average home sales price exceeded the Metro Denver average by over 200%!   

Perry & Co.’s average home sales price

Although substantially higher than the national average of almost $200,000, the average residential sold price for the Metro Denver area in 2008 was $270,261.  However, year in and year out, Perry & Co. is proud that our average residential sold price dwarfs the Denver average – in 2008 ours’ was $556,950.  Perry & Co.’s average condo sales price of $265,422 also exceeded the Metro Denver average condo sold price of $171,350.

 

Please don’t be intimidated by our reputation as a high-end real estate company.  Perry & Co. Agents are experts at listing and finding luxury in all price points.

 

 

Written by Perry & Co Real Estate Professionals, Denver, CO


Courtney RansonI don’t know if it is the recent spring like weather or the low interest rates, but I have certainly seen an uptick in buyer traffic.  Buyers seem to be looking at homes in all prices ranges.  Not only have buyers been looking at some of my listings, but potential home owners have contacted me to start looking for their dream home, first home, or whatever their individual life situation calls for.  I hope this optimism, low interest rates, and overall sentiment continue into the prime real estate selling season of 2009.  For a complete market analysis of your home, call me, don’t wait to let this window of opportunity pass you by! 

 

Written by Perry & Co Real Estate Agent Courtney Ranson


Perry & Co. Real Estate Professionals, Denver, CO - perryandco.comIt’s no secret that suddenly real estate professionals all across the country are touting the importance of social networking.  In fact, after blogging, social-networking has been the major topic of conversation at real estate conferences for the past six months or more – besides the recent Inman conference, there was RealTrends, Luxury Real Estate, Colorado Association or Realtors, NAR, and many others.  In fact, CAR now offers courses in using social media to prospect and garner referrals, and Newsweek recently ran a story about the influx of real estate business emerging on Facebook.

 

In these tough economic times, real estate agents are getting back to the basics – gone are the days of “spray and pray” marketing.  Relationship marketing has always been one of the fundamental real estate basics. Relationship marketing is all about targeting your marketing efforts to people you already know – you know their likes, dislikes, needs, life situation, etc.  Real estate professionals lost sight of this during the boom years of the early 2000’s because it seemed everyone was buying and selling real estate, the secret was hitting the consumer at the right time – it was a numbers game and spray and pray marketing worked to that end.  In the “old days” real estate professionals fostered their relationships through phone calls, dinner parties, email and direct mail.  Today, savvy agents are utilizing social networking sites in order to achieve the same results.  And it’s working!

 

LinkedIn ProfileThe beauty of social networking sites is that you can foster a far greater number of relationships equivalent to the amount of time invested. LinkedIn, for example, automatically calculates the number of people in your Network of Trusted Professionals – for every 100 connections in your “trusted friends and colleagues” category, you will see close to 4,000 “friends of friends” within two degrees of separation.  With that being said, thousands of potential clients, or referral sources, are privy to the message you present through your online profile.

 

Given that there are so many social networking sites, here is a breakdown of some of the more popular sites to help you get started:

  • Facebook – Although Facebook is primarily a more personal, rather than professional, site, its advantage is in visibility – meaning more people are going to see what you are up to.  By keeping your message professional you will get noticed above all the prevalent mindless garbage.
  • LinkedIn – LinkedIn is considered the professionals network.  It’s been said that members will browse other members connections in order to understand someone’s reputation – thus your clout comes from who you are associated, or “connected,” with.  LinkedIn is also advantageous in that it provides the members with slightly more personal anonymity than Facebook.
  • Twitter – Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to stay connected through the exchange of frequent answers to one simple question: “What are you doing?  Twitter provides greater transparency and more timely information. Again, keep your message professional and you will get noticed.
  • LuxuryLoungeLuxuryLounge – Operated by LuxuryRealEstate.com, the LuxuryLounge is private community for luxury real estate professionals who are affiliated with Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate.  Because it’s a smaller site, members seem more open with each other and will look within the Lounge first when contemplating referrals. 
  • ActiveRain – Specific to real estate professionals, ActiveRain’s real advantage is in its blogging capacity.  Because of its size, the search engines love ActiveRain, thus the general online public will see conversations you have within the network to a greater extent.
  • Inman – Being part of Inman Real Estate News, the Inman community provides its members with continual relevant news from top real estate professionals around the country.  Like LuxuryLounge and ActiveRain, Inman has blogging functionality built into member profiling.
  • Trulia – The Trulia Voices Community is a place to share what you know with other expert agents.  It encourages you to participate with other community members by blogging and answering questions.  When the public stumbles upon your profile they can judge your credibility by your blog entries, etc.
  • MySpace – Don’t dismiss it as just a site for teenagers and college students, there are currently 2,100 listings under “Real Estate Denver.”

Obviously, there are many other social networking sites gathering momentum these days (Bebo and Flickr to name two more) all of which have their own nuances. I hope this article gives you the courage to dive deeper into a social networking platform that suits your individual style.  Remember, it’s all about relationship marketing – same concept, different venues.

 

Read an updated version (4/14/09) of this blog post on Trulia.

 

 

Written by Perry & Co Vice President Jon Larrance


Perry & Co. Real Estate Professionals, Denver, CO - perryandco.comThe First Time Home Buyer…

 

  • They are buying homes today that don’t have inflated equity.
  • They don’t have to wait for their home to sell.
  • They have sellers willing to pay their closing costs and buy-down already good interest rates.
  • They are in the first “Buyers Market” in nearly 8 years.
  • They have a great selection of homes with sellers who are serious about selling.
  • The current downturn in pricing will allow them to buy homes in neighborhoods that were out of their reach 2 years ago.
  • They can get that extra bedroom or bath or garage.
  • They can still buy a home with 3.5% down, a job, and reasonable (not perfect) credit through FHA.
  • FHA loan limits are the Highest ever $406,250 in Denver Metro Area.
  • Brad ColburnIf rates go dramatically lower… FHA has a streamlined refinance program that doesn’t require re-qualification of the buyer.
  • If they buy real estate before December 1, 2009 they are eligible for a $8000 tax credit loan.

 

Written by Perry & Co Real Estate Agent Brad Colburn


119 Krameria St

Have you ever wanted to build your dream house and thought about all the things that make a custom home, custom?  The builder of 119 Krameria St builds his homes to make that fantasy a reality. Each home that Chris Seremet builds is a reflection of what he sees as a homebuilder, and the needs and wants of clients. Each time Chris designs a house, he builds upon ideas from previous homes. I have had the privilege of selling Chris’s luxury custom homes and each one is better than the last. 

119 Krameria St is an opportunity to buy a luxury home and stay there forever.  This home is perfect for every step of life.  It will suit your lifestyle if you have no children, when raising a young family, all the way through to being an empty nester when the children return home from college to enjoy their upstairs kids, or even grand-kids, quarters.

119 Krameria St also provides the opportunity to totally enjoy indoor or outdoor cooking, a basement retreat to play pool, drink wine, work out or watch a movie. This is a retreat as well as a home.  It is a reflection of a builder who listens to his clients and enjoys life himself!


Want the perfect Denver location?  Come take a look at LoHi, or Lower Highlands – Denver’s hottest up and coming neighborhood.  Featuring Pasquini'sPasquini’s Pizzeria and Duo in the heart of the neighborhood.  Walk downtown using the new 16th St. Pedestrian Bridge.  Short walk to the renowned REI, Forest Room 5, Highland Square at 32nd and Lowell, and Union Station Light-Rail Station. 

 

2455 W. Caithness Pl - BCWith plenty of real estate redevelopment occurring, property values are looking good, even in our down market!  There are many loft type projects that have been recently completed, as well as, new townhomes.  Fortunately, the builders have done a great job keeping the appeal of the LoHi neighborhood intact.  That’s where 2455 W. Caithness Pl. fits in, an extremely charming 1 bed, 1 bath rowhome.  This home has been updated with hardwood floors, maple cabinetry, and designer colors.  It even has a great private backyard, walk to Ashland Rec. Center and everything else LoHi has to offer.

 

 

2455 W. Caithness Pl. is offered by Perry & Co Real Estate Agent Brad Colburn.


Brad ColburnLet’s agree that 2008 was a tough year for most people.  Not atypical for an election year, right?  The federal government continues to bail out the financial industry, the auto industry and countless other companies.

 

Now is the time for homeowners, or future homebuyers, to benefit from our current situation.  Interest rates are at an all time low, and with the government committing to buy hundreds of millions of dollars worth of mortgage backed securities, some people are speculating that mortgage rates could go as low as 4.25% sometime in January.   Another real estate incentive is the first time buyer tax credit (loan).  Or, if you’re one of the unfortunate ones looking at a short sale, the government is at least now giving you the difference tax free.  Low vacancy rates and high foreclosure rates make for a great rental market for you Investors out there. 

 

Are we at the bottom of this market?  The only thing that we have to go by is history, and history tells us that when there is correction in the market, the bottom lasts 12-18 months.  Experts say that we’re now into our 13 month down.  The time to get in the market is now for the following three reasons:

1. We have a quality inventory to choose from with the least amount of buyer competition.

2. If, you can afford to hold your new real estate purchase for long enough to see the gains (3-5 years), then you will realize a good profit.

3. Lastly, if you miss-time the bottom, the only way you know that is when it is too late!

 

 

Written by Perry & Co Real Estate Agent Brad Colburn


Perry & Co. Real Estate Professionals, Denver, CO - perryandco.com

 Our Thanksgiving List was such a big hit that we’ve compiled a new list to save you more time Google-ing this holiday season: 

·     Holiday Movie Times

·     Holiday Cocktails

·     College Football Bowls Schedule

·     Prime Rib Recipes

·     Goose Recipes

·     Perfect Mashed Potatoes

·     Challah Recipes

·     Chocolate Fudge Recipes

·     OpenTable Restaurant Reservations

·     Top Rated Charities

·     How To Cash In Your Colorado Lottery Winnings 

·     The Complete List of Nintendo Wii Games 

·     How To Return a Gift To Amazon.com 

·     Colorado Ski Conditions 

·     Denver Holiday Weather Forecast

 

All of us at Perry & Co. Real Estate Professionals would like to wish you a Happy Holiday Season!

Chuck Anderson, Dagley Arnold, Claire Averill, Carla Bartell, Brad Benson, Sue Bickert, Dave Browning, Karin Camarena, Michele Castilian, Brad Colburn, Sandy Colling, Gina Cornelison, Jerry Eubank, Lindsay Filsinger, Petey Fletcher, Sally Gardenswartz, Diana Garrett, Brooke Granville, Courtney Hamby, Katie Hulings, Kim Hutchins, Ann Kennedy, Don Larrance, Jon Larrance, Corrie Lee, Betsy Lutz, Colleen McGrath, Katie Nicholson Millice, Jeanne Moore, Karen Nichols, Lisa O’Neil, Pam Parker, Barb Perry, Tammy Phillips, Ed Quinn, Courtney Ranson, Derek Rinetti, Barb SheldonAmy Shonstrom, Boe Sullivan, Mary Sullivan-RidgeMagi Trousdale, Frankie Waits, Cindy Webb, Sherri Wheeler, Peggy White, Mary Pat Wilson, Colleen Barron, Dana Cossel, Sue Evans, Kathy Freeman, Lorrie Grillo, Christy Hill, Tiffany Krumland, Jennifer Schell, Nancy Thompson & Marcie Guerrero.


new-sign-17Although “Location, Location, Location” is still crucial in today’s ever-changing real estate climate, Perry & Co. thinks the word Opportunity more accurately describes the situation we have in front of us.

 

1. Opportunity: Obviously, there are amazing deals on real estate available to your Buyers.  Prices are down and sellers are getting increasingly desperate.  Now is the time to move investment money away from the stock market and into real estate.  Enough said.

 

2. Opportunity: This is the perfect time for real estate professionals to increase their real estate portfolios.  With all the foreclosures, the rental market is on the upswing.  Put your existing equity to work for you.  If you can pull together a down payment and cash flow a new property for the next five years, then you have a no-brainer – especially if you are concerned that the Stimulus plan will create high inflation, by buying now when interest rates are down, you will benefit greater from an increasing property value through inflation. 

 

Perry & Co. Real Estate Professionals, Denver, CO - perryandco.com3. Opportunity: When other real estate companies are busy down-sizing and letting go of all but their top producers, Perry & Co. is encouraging expansion.  We’ve been selective, and thus have saved a few open desks for this transitional time of year. As always, we are seeking career Broker Associates who are interested in making a move to a traditional boutique real estate company.  Perry & Co. is “A Denver Tradition” – a history dating back to 1971 – we currently have three offices and the same independent ownership since first opening our doors almost four decades ago. Nevertheless, we are technologically savvy, Perry & Co launched its first website (perryandco.com) in 1996.  Today Perry & Co. boasts an in-house intranet, blogsite, Exchange Server, Blackberry Server, VPN/Terminal Server, and a fully unified messaging system.  Our exclusive membership on the Board of Regents for Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate is also something we are quite proud of.

 

Big business real estate companies are falling by the wayside.  Hobbyist real estate agents are turning to other past-times and letting their real estate licenses lapse.  Once again, the public is turning to seasoned real estate professionals to help them navigate these troubled waters.  The time is now to be that trusted source for all things real estate.  Don’t wait until after January 1st to act.  Interest rates may not drop any lower.  Call everyone you know and tell them about all the amazing opportunities available in real estate right now. Also, if you position yourself through blogging, social networking and other relationship marketing strategies, you will be another step ahead of your competition when the market does turn around.  Lastly, call Perry & Co. to learn more about all we have to offer you.

 

 

Written by Perry & Co Vice President Jon Larrance


Article written for Perry & Co. by Matt Richfield

Communications Assistant, Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center

www.maacenter.org

 

As a new homeowner or potential seller, it is not likely that you are acquainted with the inner materials of a home. However, most buyers seek an updated home

inspection before closing on a new property. It is important to reassure buyers that the home is safe and does not contain any potential health hazards. These

inspections are critical to clearing hurdles down the road that may slow the sale of property.

 

One of the most common surprises new homeowners and sellers confront is

asbestos in older structures. Indeed, asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are now banned for use in the United States but many older buildings still contain these products, which are generally safe, but homeowners should be aware of where they and when they become hazardous.

 

Asbestos was included in thousands of construction products and still exist in nearly 80% of homes built prior to 1978. Common asbestos materials include attic insulation, ceiling tiles, and pipe lining. Asbestos was particularly adept at insulation and prevention of temperature transfer and was used extensively until adverse health effects began to manifest in those who worked with the material frequently. It is only when asbestos containing materials are compromised or very old that they become hazardous. Asbestos products under these conditions are rendered “friable.” Home inspection companies should be able to identify these circumstances and advise you on a course of action. When asbestos material is friable, asbestos fibers can be released into the air, potentially endangering those in the area. Inhaled asbestos fibers lodge in the body’s inner tissue and have been conclusively linked to the rare cancer, mesothelioma in addition to many other respiratory disorders. There are few options for mesothelioma treatment or curative therapies for other conditions caused by sustained asbestos exposures. Homeowners need to be aware of potential hazards that may exist so they may be able to avoid potentially harmful effects of hazardous asbestos.

 

Again, most asbestos containing materials will not pose an immediate hazard and an informed buyer will not be turned off by their presence if they’re reassured of their safety by a professional opinion. These simple precautions can be taken to assure that both sides know that they and their families will be happy and healthy in their new home.