Real Estate & Relocation ^ Colorado

Colorado Rejoins Top 10 Fastest-Growing States

Colorado regained its place as one of the top 10 fastest-growing states this year, thanks to an influx of residents from other states.  A U.S. Census Bureau report shows that Colorado's population rose 1.9 percent to 4,753,377 people between July 2005 and July 2006.  That was the eight-highest growth rate in the United States.  Last year, the state was 11th. Since the 2000 census, Colorado has grown by 10.5 percent, ranking eighth national ally.  At that pace, it should reach 5 million people by 2010, according to projections by the state demographer's office.

Relocation to Denver, Colorado

Hot Copper

The rising cost of metals is fueling crimes being committed around the country.  People are stripping buildings and construction sites of copper. 

Home builders deal with thieves all the time.  The vacant homes are vulnerable to such stripping because no one is around to question the thief.

Jim Lee a Realtor in Tennessee was in the process of selling a home when the thieves struck, stripping the home of all the copper.

The issue has become so troublesome in Colorado Rep Nancy Todd, D-Aurora is sponsoring HB-1141.  The bill will require a commodity metal buyer to record the seller's I.D. and get a statement from the seller about where the metal was obtained.

The question is, "will thieves tell the truth?"

When builders, insurance companies and home owners are faced with costs to cover replacing copper in homes, the consumer ends up paying too.

As a good neighbor, remember it's ok to call the police when something doesn't look quite right.  Let's do our part to enforce the law.  All it takes is a telephone call.

<photo credits Jon Helgason - FOTOLIA>

Denver foreclosures help lower vacancy rate for apartments.

Denver's apartment vacancy is at a 5 year low.  Currently at 7% the last time it was lower was in 2001.  Since then 25,000 apartments have been added.

In 2006 a record 19,425 foreclosures were filed.  This number while high is not nearly as bad as it was the last go-round in the 1980's.  Since then the population has grown and homeownership has increased. 

Watching the market, one can see the "special deals" for apartment leasing disappear.  The renters are seeing rents increase with the increasing demand.  This strikes a thought in the minds of first-time home buyers, who begin to realize, they can purchase a home.

First time buyers jumping into home ownership are a welcome sign for the rest of the market.  Real estate is cyclical, constantly moving.

Everyone wants to own something, why not real estate?

Art Lovers Alert!

Ideas, entertainment, inspiration all shall be fulfilled on the First Friday Art Walk.  Saunter over to Santa Fe for the traditional cultural fest of enjoying the local art.  Vastly popular and getting more-so every month, the Art Walk is supported by many of the Galleries, restaurants and book stores along the six block stretch of Denver's Santa Fe Drive.

Walking from gallery to gallery is easy, as they are gathered within close distance.  You will enjoy seeing art from local, national and international artists in over 30 studios or galleries.  The Art Walk boasts many regulars, but welcomes newcomers.  It is held all year round.

Getting there is easy; ride the RTD Light Rail to the Osage Station and look for the shuttle with the big orange dot The time varies, usually activities begin at 5 but depending on the Galleries ends between 8 & 9.   

If you are like me and never remember events until you read about them after they occur, get up right now and mark you calendar...

I'll see you on Santa Fe!

<The photo is Americo Makk dedicating his piece of art ~ taken in Breckenridge 2007>

Blocks to beauty

Yesterday we took a drive up to Breckenridge, one of Colorado's famous ski towns.  Breckenridge is a distinctive Victorian style town that has turned into a very popular place.  Each year they host the International Snow Sculpture Championships.

In 2007 there were 14 teams, hailing from Breckenridge, Canada, Idaho, Czech Republic, Alaska, Mexico, New York, Oregon, Wisconsin, Switzerland, Turkey, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Canon City.  Each team is provided with an uncarved block, a blank canvases of snow to sculpt into a creative master piece.  The blocks are carefully molded from Breckenridge's secret "snow recipe" then using a giant snow blower the snow is blown into a 10 feet by 10 feet by 12 feet tall wooden form.

When the snow fills the form volunteers jump into the form to pack the snow down with  their feet.  This manual operation creates a block free of cracks or holes that can destroy the integrity of the snow block and the future creation.  Once the form is full, the wooden frame is removed and placed at the next location.  The whole process begins again to form yet another block.   

This year there were 15 blocks, 14 teams and one sample block. (This is by my count, not an official count for certain!)

The entire town of Breckenridge comes together to offer assistance during this event.  The Town of Breckenridge Public Works Department and volunteers offer their time, equipment and expertise to bring the event to life.  The community spirit is alive and well in  Breckenridge.

Living in the Denver metro area it's easy to drive to the mountains to enjoy celebrations such as these.  The Rocky Mountains are America's playground all year 'round.

Denver real estate and relocation