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There is never a dull moment living close to Denver. The city has so much to offer from culture to professional sports. Tonight we enjoyed (well not exactly) watching the Rockies lose to the Chicago Cubs. It would have been more fun had the Rockies won, but there's always tomorrow, another day, another game.
Enjoy the slide show...
Looking to the south while driving on I-70 just west of Denver in Genesee, one cannot miss
the famous house on the mountainside. Movie buffs and fans of Woody Allen will recognize this home as being in the famous 30+ year old movie, "Sleeper."
When the home was first built, it was considered to be an "eye-sore" by the neighbors. Now after nearly 40 years on the mountainside it's a landmark. Many a conversation has been started in my car about Denver's famous futuristic house.
Built by Charles Deaton in 1969 it wasn't until 10 years later it was discovered by Woody Allen as he looked for a place to film Sleeper. On a limited budget the Hollywood production company could not travel to far. Finding the unusual sculptured house was a stroke of luck for the company. Most of the film was shot outdoors, so the fact that Deaton hadn't managed to finish the interior yet was not so significant.
The "habitable sculpture" home as it was described by Charles Deaton, stands as a familiar curiosity today. It has been extensively updated by the new owners, keeping in mind the affinity for Deaton's design.
The views of the city, plains and mountains are unsurpassed.
If you are interested in reading more about the history of the home, including the most recent sale, follow the links I've included below. The articles include some fabulous photos of the home, including some scenes from the movie! Enjoy!
Read what others have to saw about The Sculptured House , Decorating Sleeper, Screen Grabs of the Film, "Sleeper," For Sale at just under $8million,
House Sold in April '06 undisclosed price
Like many people on the job I tend to find things to do during the day that really don't
pertain to my job of selling real estate in Denver metro. I like taking photos. Occasionally I find myself in a place that is so inspiring, I just have to stop and capture it. Of course I tell myself it's ok to be goofing off, after all I blog, so my photos can be shared with the world...assuming anyone is paying attention.
Today I was doing reconnaissance work for a buyer that will be in town soon. My new client is looking for a nice mountain home, not too far from Downtown Denver where he will be working. His budget is ample, so his selection will only be limited by his time and desire to see the best. I spent my morning "previewing" homes. With the amount of homes on the market, I want to be sure I see as many as possible and show my new client only the best. Hence my opportunity to goof off came after a busy morning, so there was some work done today!
The foothills of the Denver metro area are really very close to town. It is not unreasonable to expect to drive from Genesee to downtown Denver in 20 minutes or less. This photo was taken from Genesee Park. The close-in housing is actually on Look Out Mountain, the Denver skyline is in the background. See how FLAT Denver actually is? On the horizon you can see Kansas (almost...not!).
Which View is for You?
Homes in the foothills have views. Some are what I call "knock your socks off" views of
either the mountains or the city. Today I visited a home on Look Out Mountain that had panoramic views of the city. The home was built on the side of the hill and offered fabulous views from every window on all three levels. Living there would become a serious problem for me. I'd never want to leave!
Another choice abode was nestled further into the hills. It was actually more "part of the view" since it was surrounded by tall pine trees. The main window perfectly framed a snow capped peak in the distance. I felt serene and calm in this home. It too was very nice.
Given a choice, I'm not sure which home I would choose. Being part of the view in the mountains, or looking down on the view with the world at my feet?
Mountain view or City view, which one is for you?
The Year to Date sold statistics are in. Last year at this time we (collectively, not just The Berkshire Group) sold 6,696 units. This year we have experienced a DRAMATIC decline in sales. ..we are at 6709 units.
Now let's subtract, NO WAIT! This year's number is LARGER than last year!
STOP the presses!
We are AHEAD of last year's sales by 25 units! How could this be true? The media says the Denver real estate market is in the tank! Could the media be wrong?
You betcha they are wrong! The market may not be steaming at full speed ahead, but we are selling houses, lots of houses. The year to date volume is only off by .89%, hardly a significant number.
The future is not as bad as some would like us to think.
The Berkshire Group Realtors monitor the Denver real estate sales on a monthly basis. Knowing what has happened in the past is a good indicator of what might happen in the future. The following chart indicates average home sale prices for condos and single family residences, average days on market, percent of sales price change from last year to this year, absorption rate and number of units for sale.
For individual neighborhood information, contact me. These statistics include the Denver Metro area.
July 2007
| Single Family Average Price: (Detached Dwelling) | July 2007 | $316,024 |
| Jun 2007 | $334,833 | July 2006 | $328,721 | Condo Average Price: (Attached Dwelling) | July 2007 | $192,885 | Jun 2007 | $186,328 | July 2006 | $194,705 | Combined Average Price: | July 2007 | $289,294 | Jun 2007 | $304,055 | July 2006 | $299,680 | Percent of Sales Price Change: from July 2006 to July 2007 | Single Family: | -3.86% | Condo: | -0.93% | Combined | -3.47% | Total Combined Number of Homes for Sale: | July 2007 | 30,272 | Jun 2007 | 30,256 | July 2006 | 31,989 | Percent of Change in Available Inventory: (July 2006 vs. July 2007) | -5.37% | Number of Combined Homes Sold this month | July 2007 | 4,980 | vs. previous month | Jun 2007 | 5,129 | vs. same month last year | Jul 2006 | 4,850 | Average days on Market: (Combined Sales) | July 2007 | 94.78 | Jun 2007 | 96.90 | Jul 2006 | 94.98 | Absorption Rate: (number of weeks necessary to sell current combined inventory at current rate of sales) | July 2007 | 26.34 weeks | Jun 2007 | 25.56 weeks | July 2006 | 28.58 weeks | Median Sold Price:Single Family | July 2007 | $255,000 | Jun 2007 | $263,000 | Jul 2006 | $259,500 | Condo | July 2007 | $158,000 | Jun 2007 | $157,950 | Jul 2006 | $163,000 |
I've been pondering a blog topic for awhile. It runs through my head, but so far not onto my blog. Then this morning I discover, someone else wrote it. Commission Bashing is about taking on risk and getting rewarded for it.
How many jobs take on as much risk as a Realtor? We help many more than we ever get paid for, but yet the world wants a piece of our hide. Charge too much? Maybe. The reality is I don't get paid until there is a success.
Vicki Moore talks about discount agents who come and go. How true that is...twenty three years in the business, I've seen my share of those who want to light the world on fire only to burn themselves out after creating a mess for some poor cost conscientious consumer.
Real estate is not about what you do, it's about what you know. We get paid for success. Bargain basement prices may deliver a sale, but at what cost to the consumer?
Time will tell.
Searching for Denver real estate can be much like a scavenger hunt when you read the ads. I don't know what it is about writing to sell real estate, but sometimes I wonder if the writer ever saw the property they are advertising.
For instance an ad for this property might read:
Charming Cowboy Cabin w/Character
Enjoy living in this lovely log cabin with an "open floor plan." Rooms filled with sunshine and plenty of room to expand. 40 Acres with trees, located on a quiet hillside with forever views. Needs a little TLC, bring a hammer and a few nails... insert your own style.
OK, so I must admit most ads aren't really that bad, or are they?I can't tell you how many times I've read the Denver MLS (Multiple Listing Service - MetroList) description then took buyers to see the property. Had the description been responsible for convicting the listing
in a trial, it never would have been found guilty!What's the point? Does the broker expect to "trick" a buyer into loving a property that has no resemblance to the real thing?
I've never ever had a buyer fall in love with a home that was nothing like we expected. Never. Somehow I doubt I ever will.
When it comes to advertising, it's best to tell the truth. Good, bad or ugly, the truth is the only way to go.
If you have a dog, call it a dog. Price it like a dog. Dog buyers will come. IF you have a palace, price it like a place, promote it like a palace, the Buyer King will find it.
The Buyer King won't buy your dog.
Nope. Never, not ever.
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