Colorado Homehelper's Blog: All Categories

Many people don’t understand how a home’s square footage is determined, which leads to some confusion in the whole buying and selling process.  Recently, however, The Denver Post ran an article to help Colorado homebuyers, sellers, and homeowners better understand how to measure a house’s square footage.

Here are some little-known facts about measuring square footage that you may not be aware of:

• Houses are measured from the outside, which includes wall thickness in the final square footage.  According to the article, this is because county appraisals are the basis for determining property taxes, and most of the time all the county appraisers have to go by is the exterior measurements.

• Finished basements can be included in the…

The New York Times recently ran an article announcing yet another drop in housing sales: Houses were selling more slowly, and were raking in less dough when they did finally sell.  To quote exact numbers, August home sales fell to an annual rate of 795,000, and the average price dropped to $225,700.

Things may not be as bleak as the report suggests, however.  Only a few days later, Washington Post writer Michelle Singletary declared that the housing market slump could actually be good for homebuyers:

“Mortgage interest rates have been declining and loan availability is improving,” said NAR President Pat V. Combs. “The abundant choice of homes is permitting buyers to better negotiate price and terms.”

Basically, as houses stay on the market…

A lot of people are worried about the recent slump in the housing market. However, is it serious as it sometimes seems? According to an article on The Denver Post’s popular site YourHub.com, real estate in Highlands Ranch, Colorado is actually on the up-and-up.   The article basically says that the housing market in Highlands Ranch is likely to turn toward the benefit of the sellers this fall. That means that houses are going to be more likely to sell in a reasonable time frame, and final sale prices will be higher.   An increasing in the Highlands Ranch housing market is good news for buyers, too.  Every little increase in the housing market is a reminder that a slump is a temporary, rather than a permanent, condition. With the promise of a stronger… Read Full Post

So what is so great about the Hilltop neighborhood in Denver, Colorado?  The redevelopment and desirable location are skyrocketing this neighborhood into the more elite areas of Denver.

 
Modern redevelopment – Originally built in the first half of the 20th century, the older ranch homes in Hilltop are being demolished to make way for exquisite high-end custom homes on combined lots.  The neighborhood has always been a quiet, pretty urban neighborhood, but now it is joining the list of Denver’s most elite communities.

 
Conveniently located – Hilltop is located just north and east of Downtown Denver.  Bordered by Alameda and Lettsdale on the north and south, and Monaco and Holly on the east and west, Hilltop is within a short drive of Denver’s most…

The benefits of Boulder’s University Hill neighborhood include:

Location – University Hill is located close to the University of Colorado, Downtown Boulder, and the city’s popular pedestrian shopping district, Pearl Street Mall.

Urban atmosphere – In addition to its close proximity to Boulder’s important landmarks, University Hill has many hot spots of its own.  Local bars, restaurants, and independent shops are everywhere, hailing from a time when the corner store was a common phenomenon.  University Hill is the perfect community for those who enjoy lively urban atmosphere and convenient location.

History – As one of Boulder’s earliest neighborhoods, University Hill started in 1890 with a large planned development called University Place…

High-end homes – The vast majority of the homes in Spanish Hills are properties that cost $1 million and up.  The Denver Post recently reported that home sales in Denver and Boulder that price range are up by 25 percent.  In other words, a high-end home is just as good an investment as it ever was, regardless of what the rest of the housing market is doing.

Large and luxurious homes – Homes in Boulder’s Spanish Hills providing ample room for luxurious living.  Most of them offer more than 4,000 square feet of finished space.  Although some of the homes date back to the 1950s, many of them are of more recent construction, offering all of the modern benefits that come with high-end custom homes.

Large lots – Most of the lots in Spanish Hills are one…

Market Stats for June of 2007   The single family home market seems to picking up as the summer moves on. Residential sales are up 4.69% from last month and “Average days on market” is down 4.08% to 94 days.   The condominium market is still soft. Sales are down 5.85% from last month and 9.84% from last year. The “Average days on market” is down to 108, almost 10% lower then last months.   Residential   Active                      22,514   Under Contract         4,867     Sold                        4,066     Avg DOM                  94                                 Avg Sold Price           $334,833       Condominium     Active                      7,742   Under Contract         1,269   Sold                       … Read Full Post

Below is a list of benefits you can expect if you move into a sustainable development:   Economic Conservation   Affordability – In an effort to make homes more economically conservative, they are smaller, stand on smaller plots, and use fewer unnecessarily expensive materials for building. The result is greater affordability for the average homebuyer.   Lower bills – Sustainable developments are built to conserve natural resources. Water-based heating systems, solar panels, high efficiency appliances, less yard to water, and pedestrian friendly neighborhoods with local businesses translate into less money spent on utility bills and gas tank fill-ups.   Cultural Conservation   Inviting community spaces – Sustainable developments offer more… Read Full Post