I was talking to a friend the other day and the subject of real estate came up. It seems like these days everyone likes to talk about the real estate market.  This friend wasn’t in the market right now to do anything, instead she was just curious about home values for her Highlands Ranch neighborhood.

If you read my blog regularly then you have likely heard me talking about absorption rates, especially regarding market statistics.  I’ve tried to explain how it relates to home sellers and buyers but it occurred to me that for many, the idea may not be too clear. Basically, absorption rates are derived from dividing the number of active listings by the number of sold listings for a specific period of time.  This is the basic and easiest way to determine absorption rates.  There can be other methods, such as using pending sales, etc…but generally this is it.

So, what can absorption rates tell me and why do I care? Once you’ve done the math, the number you come up with will be the amount of time the local real estate market is absorbing the current inventory.  In other words, this shows how fast are they selling.  Nowadays, this number is typically a number of months of inventory in a particular area.  As a home buyer or home seller this number can provide you a valuable target.  Sellers can determine for themselves how long the market is absorbing homes in their area and then determine how to price and market their own home to be on the front end of that time frame.  Buyers can use absorption rates to help determine the relative strength of a neighborhood and how to price an offer.

I hope this brief explanation helps you understand this key real estate statistic. If you are considering selling or buying a home in the Denver metro area, and you would like to discuss an effective strategy for your success then please contact me, I would love to help.

This is the time of year that the Denver real estate market always seems to heat up. Sellers begin to put their homes on the market and buyers begin to actively look to purchase.  It seems that nearly every year the trend is mostly the same.  We have had a few tough years lately in the Denver real estate market and the activity has been down but the trend is relatively the same. This year can potentially be a more vibrant real estate market due to several factors, including the current buyer tax credit which is set to end April 30th.

So, what are just a few things sellers can do to improve the odds of selling their home in this prime time of the season? Well there really are no secrets that we all haven’t heard or read before.  The basics remain the key to success.  In working with buyers in the Denver market and listening to their input, I can offer a few suggestions that may be useful.

1.  Curb Appeal – Take a little time to spruce up the yard and outside of the house.  We had some early snow here in Denver, perhaps you never even had a chance to do that last of the year clean up before the snow started. Add mulch, mow, trim, maybe power wash or at least hose down the cobwebs off the siding, especially at the front porch and door.  This is the first impression and if your otherwise beautiful home has no curb appeal, sometimes the buyers won’t even bother to come in.

2.  Clean and Declutter -  Don’t take this lightly!  Also, don’t take it too personally either.  If your home is cluttered and maybe in need of some elbow grease then take care of it.  If your agent or someone else has told you this, then don’t take it personally, just take it as good advice and act on it.  You probably wouldn’t try to sell your car or any other valuable asset without first cleaning it up a bit, would you?

3. Stage it - The feeling a buyer gets when touring your home is so important.  You want to make sure your home is staged to offer a warm, comfortable feel to the buyer.  Sometimes this is just a matter of using what you already have and strategically placing it.  Sometimes it may require the services of a professional stager.  If it is within your budget, then a professional stager can work wonders for your home’s appeal.  In any case, another set of eyes can usually make a difference.

4.  Exposure – Where is your home being marketed?  You aren’t just relying on a sign in the yard and maybe an ad in the paper are you?  Today’s buyers are first looking to the internet by an overwhelming majority.  You need to make sure your home is exposed to the millions of potential buyers out there with a solid internet strategy.  This should include not only traditional websites, but a strong social media exposure as well.  This is vitally important and crucial to your success.

5. Price – Yes, its true.  No matter what you’ve done to prepare and market your home to the buyers out there, if it is too overpriced it still won’t sell.  You’ll need a good pricing strategy.  Pay attention to market reports and absorption rates for the local real estate market.  Be realistic and flexible.  Your price needs to be in line with the fair market values in your area.  You won’t fool the buyers and certainly not the appraisers.  I regularly post market reports and trends for different areas of the Denver real estate market so you can always check back here, or contact me and let me know what area you are looking at & need info for.

I hope these few tips can help you in preparing your home to sell.  Many sellers beat the odds and get top value for their homes in minimal time, even in this market.  Usually, it is because they have taken the time to set themselves apart from the competition.  If you’re considering a move in the Denver area, give me a call or email, I would love to help.

Looking for more info about Selling Your Denver Home? Try these…
What is an Absorption Rate?
Selling Your Vacant Home?
Your House Won’t Sell if Buyers Can’t See It

Steve Scheer, Denver Realty Partners

Search all Denver & Denver Suburb Homes Here

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Denver real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101.

Can You Still Buy Your First Home in the Denver Suburbs?

Can you still buy your first home in the south Denver suburbs? With the increase of the price of homes over the last several years and perhaps the economic crunch hitting savings a bit, can this really be done. Perhaps. If you have been planning for this, keeping your debt low and credit history excellent then you really can buy your first home here.  You may even be able to take advantage of the buyer’s tax credit if you hurry.  Time runs out at the end of April!

Of course, what I run into a lot are people not satisfied with needing to start out in anything less than what mom and dad have, or friends, etc…This is where you need to look hard at the magic reality mirror and ask yourself what you can comfortably afford.  Owning your home and building equity over time can do amazing things for your life.  But you may need to buy something less than you imagined at first and build from there. Or maybe not. It depends on your financial situation.

But are there affordable homes in this area for first time buyers? Yes. There are options in almost all areas of the south Denver metro area. Some options are condo’s or townhomes, some are single family homes that may need some work or may be bank owned deals. It really depends on what level your first home will be. There are still options available, even with the recent credit crunch. You definitely need to be working with a trusted mortgage professional that will counsel you on the loan programs that will best fit your lifestyle and goals. Just remember what I said earlier, look for what you can comfortably afford, not as much as you can qualify for, there is a difference!

If you need help finding qualified mortgage professionals, just let me know. I have established relationships with a number of mortgage pro’s that will do just that. Keep your best interests in mind and work to find you the best solution to owning your first home. Give me a call anytime, I’ll be happy to help.

Steve Scheer,

Denver Real Estate

This fabulous home in Littleton, CO is now available! Click on the tour below!

7445 South Kendall Blvd., Littleton CO 80128

Click here to view entire flyer & tour for this Littleton Home

MLS# 764088 – $354,900

5 bedrooms – 3 Baths

Approximately 2300 square feet

Click Here to Search Highlands Ranch real estate & all Denver Property Listings

For more information on this Highlands Ranch home, Contact…

Steve Scheer, REALTOR®

with REMAX Masters, Inc. – Greenwood Village, CO

Denver Real Estate – Denver & The Suburbs

720-849-6101

Highlands Ranch Real Estate Market Trends

The short answer is the real estate market in Highlands Ranch is not as bad as much of the country.  Even compared to the Denver Real Estate Market, areas of Douglas County, CO have fared better than the rest of the Denver Metro area and Highlands Ranch has helped sustain that.  Things are not all rosy still – there have been drops of course.  But folks in Highlands Ranch as a whole have not seen as significant changes as other areas.

By the numbers for residential single family statistics it looks like this:

So what does all this mean?

• Homes Sales volume in Highlands Ranch is down around 20%. Far fewer homes sold in 2008.
• Days on market are about the same. There was only a slight increase from 2007.
• Home values in Highlands Ranch, CO are down only about 3%. We would like to see them up, but not nearly as bad as 19-43% like some areas in the U.S.
• Sellers are getting closer to the original list price.  Sellers know it’s competitive
  and are pricing their homes for sale up front accordingly.

Are you looking to sell or buy in 2009?  Just give me a call, I would love to help you negotiate at the right price.  Feel free to start to search for your new Denver area home right now on my map based Denver Homes Search.

Source: Statistics gathered from Denver MetroList.

I have written a few times in the past about how great the trail system is throughout Highlands Ranch Colorado and how the trails in Highlands Ranch even connect to other areas such as through the Highline Canal the East West Trail and the Back Country Wilderness. 

On any given day throughout the entire year you can see a great number of people enjoying Highlands Ranch living on the trails – whether its a parent with a stroller, a jogger, a bike rider or a group of children taking their first nature walk.

But the trails in Highlands Ranch are for more than just recreation.  They are for transportation!  This has really come to light for me much more lately as my oldest child is getting a tad more freedom.  For example, our home is approximately .8 of a mile from one of my oldest children’s friends house.  And to get there on a bike or by foot by following the roads – he would have to travel among the busy road of Highlands Ranch Parkway, something his mom is not keen on.  He would also have to cross about 7 intersections.  She put her foot down to that. 

But Highlands Ranch is so well connected he can take the trail over that connects our neighborhood to his friends.  By popping on the trail, he crosses one residential street with minimal traffic and is there is a flash – we get the "call me when you get there call" within about 4 minutes. 

The fact of the matter is, Highlands Ranch is very well connected that way.  Numerous neighborhoods are connected together through the wonderful trail system – allowing easy access to neighborhoods, parks, rec centers and more.  In fact – the trails even make it possible for some to commute regularly by bike to jobs – allowing access to RTD stations, and even downtown and into the DTC. 

Now of course I am not saying all kids should start wandering to their friends on the trails – you have to make decisions on what’s best for your child – not only because of obvious concerns but remember that there is at times wildlife in Highlands Ranch including coyotes at times and even rattlesnakes here & there.   If your kids are goign to travel on the trails without a parent, you definitely need to decide on your own when your kdis are ready for that.  In the meantime, walk them there using the trails – you’ll enjoy it too – not only will it be closer, but you will generally enjoy a beautiful stroll!

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Search all Denver & Denver Suburb Homes Here

Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Highlands Ranch Living – Highlands Ranch Trails Are For More Than Just Recreation 9/27/2008~

 Steve Scheer is a REALTOR® in the Denver area – serving Denver Colorado and the south suburbs including Denver, Highlands Ranch, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, Littleton, Lone Tree, Centennial, Parker, Englewood, Aurora, Castle Pines North, Castle Pines Village, Castle Rock.  Steve is a Denver native and has been licensed in CO since 1994.

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Denver real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101. 

I was a little surprised to read an article in the Highlands Ranch Herald this week that the HRCA is now taking memberships from those outside of the Highlands Ranch HOA boundaries for membership.  You can read that article here.

Its not the idea that surprised me, I have heard this idea kicked around in thought speculation for some time now.  But I was surprised that it has started so soon. 

HRCA has begun a program that they are offering up to 200 memberships for people to join.

Highlands Ranch is almost built out – that is no surprise.  So at some point in the non so distant future homeowners dues will come in from existing homes only and growth will no longer be an issue.  So increasing revenue without memberships would really only come from increasing dues – so this also seemed like a logically alternative.

How do I feel about it?

Actually I am ok with it.  I think 200 memberships is a good number to try out.  I know there are times of day where the Rec Centers in Highalnds Ranch can be crowded and I know that my wife always mentions that the outdoor pools in the summer are a bit crowded form time to time – but overall I feel that it is manageable to increase revenue in this fashion.

Here are just a few examples:  My daughters basketball league was canceled this summer due to not enough players.  There are times mid-morning when at least half of the exercise machines in the Westridge Rec Center are not being used when I am in. 

I do like the idea that they are thinking of alternatives instead of just raising dues.  It shows that many folks are really looking at alternatives instead of just blanket increases.  I hope innovative thinking continues.

By the way, I am not sure how many have purchased memberships yet.  It would be interesting to know how its going in a few months or so.

If you are planning to sell your Denver home this fall or winter, here is a quick tip for getting a home on the Denver real estate market from October – March, particularly if you have a gorgeous yard.

Take out your camera and snap a few photos.  Your beautiful garden with perennials, flowering bushes and the like.  If your yard is covered in snow during showings, and your landscaping is a true gem, it can be nice to show off what is buried below the frozen ground. 

If you have photos like this at your fingertips come December, your Denver Realtor will thank you.  Your future potential buyers will thank you too.

Firelight is a community in Highlands Ranch, CO.

Located in the Southridge area – Firelight is known for its higher location – some of the homes are actually on the highest lots in Highlands Ranch.  This of course provides really terrific views form many homes in Firelight of both the front range and downtown Denver.  Some folks even enjoy the sparser twinkling of the Denver Tech Center.

But one of the really nice parts of Firelight is its proximity to the Back Country Wildnerness Open Space.  The homes that back to The Back Country Wildneress truly are something to see. 

You look out back, and there it is.  Colorado. 

Its not your average open space – its really something else.  It has rugged hills and valleys that leave you to feel that you are light years away from the hustle and bustle of chaotic life.  Even those that may not back to the open space, its a mere hop, skip & jump to enjoy the trails and Colorado outdoors of the BackCountry Wilderness area from Firelight.

The photos in this post are all taken from the backyard of one of my current listings in Firelgiht – Highlands Ranch.  From your back door you are at the edge of the BackCountry Wilderness.  If you would like more information on this listing, click here: Highlands Ranch Real Estate For Sale – 2932 Newbury Court, Highlands Ranch Colorado