It’s an exciting time when you’re exploring the neighborhoods of Denver for that perfect home to call your own. With all the options it can take a bit of time too. Sadly, your time can also be wasted by unprofessional agents who don’t inform you of everything you need to do to close the sale of your new home.

Don’t worry; when you’re dealing with professionals, you’ll get all the facts you need. So, here are the steps a buyer needs to take to bring his new home to closing.

Sadly, your time can also be wasted by unprofessional agents who don’t inform you of everything you need to do to close the sale of your new home.

1. Pay earnest money funds.
These funds are used as the down payment at closing. With the payment there must also be an order regarding who will hold the deposit, whether interest is to be accrued, and conditions of release of funds.

2. Submit the final mortgage application.
You will need to allow extra time to get loan approval in the current climate where falling interest rates are causing many people to apply for refinancing of their existing mortgages.

3. Arrange the home appraisal.
An appraiser will inspect the home and then compare it to other properties that are similar in features and condition to arrive at a value for your new home.

4. Ask for a property survey.
The size and shape of the buildings that are located on the lot, and the boundaries and location of the property will be ascertained during the survey.

5. Call for an inspection into the general condition, as well as other defects.
An inspector will also check for the incidence of lead, radon, earthquake, and termite infestations. Get the inspection done quickly after ratification of the agreement to allow the seller time to fix defects or to come to another agreement.

6. The mortgage company will check the accuracy of financial and employment information you supplied.

7. Homeowners’ and hazard insurance is required by lenders.

8. Get title insurance.
Defects in title can cause a property to become unsaleable, but title insurance creates security for the buyer. Here are some of the causes of title defects:

• Forged documents
• Misfiled documents — deeds, liens, mortgage
• Confusion caused by similarities in names
• Incorrect marital status

9. Secure a loan commitment.
The settlement date is confirmed once the escrow agent is informed of the loan commitment.

10. Coordinate the transfer of utility accounts.

11. Inspect the home one last time with your agent.
Make sure that the home is in the condition you expect it to be and agreed to.

An inexperienced agent can cause headaches and delay the process when buying a home, but our professional agents and streamlined processes make it easy for you to buy a home.

Save time with your Denver home search today by requesting our innovative Denver Hot List.  You will get access to the latest homes in Washington Park, The Highlands, Plat Park, and more directly in your email.  No more wasting time visiting homes that are already sold, you will get access to ALL available homes in Denver.

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The popular neighborhood of Washington Park has its adjacent park that goes by the same name to thank for the rapid growth it went through at the turn of the last century. Today, this is still a major draw card for people who move into this community that has managed to reinvent itself over the years.

A German landscape architect, artist if you ask me, Reinhard Scheutze, designed the park initially in 1899. Over the years others have contributed, but they have always stayed true to the original ideas expressed by Scheutze.

Today this is still a major draw card for people who move into this community that has managed to reinvent itself over the years.

The two lakes we find there today, Smith and Grasmere lakes, were put there from the earliest days, as were the willow trees that line the lakes’ feeding ditch. South of Smith Lake one can still see the large meadow edged with a grove of trees that formed part of the original design.

Real estate development started in the early 1900s. The earliest homes were built according to the Craftsman architectural design with their typical low-pitched roof lines and deeply overhanging eaves, and also Bungalow designs; these are either single story or have a second story built into a sloping roof, normally with dormer windows.

Also dating from this period are Italianate designed homes with equally low-pitched roofs, but also with imposing cornice structures, tall first floor windows, angled bay windows, and signorial towers.

A design style that originated in the Midwest, the Prairie School, can also be found in Washington Park. These homes have prominent horizontal lines that emulate the prairie landscape. Craftsmanship and the disciplined use of ornament were especially important to this school of architecture.

The single story bungalows found in Washington Park are generally more intimate and start off from 2 bedrooms and1 bathroom, but these homes can be over 1,800 square feet in size.

Larger two-story homes come in different architectural styles. Newer homes can offer as much as 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and range over 5,400 square feet.  Real estate development still continues in Washington Park today, with a result that modern homes, condos, and townhomes can also be found.

When you are ready to start exploring all that Washington Park and the rest of Denver has to offer, you can do so quickly and easily. Save time with your Denver home search today by requesting our innovative Denver Hot List.  You will get access to the latest homes in Washington Park, directly in your email.  No more wasting time visiting homes that are already sold, you will get access to ALL available homes in Washington Park.

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Five Points is one of Denver’s older neighborhoods. It is generally defined as the area bordered by Park Avenue, Downing Street, Stout Street and Tremont Place. It is about one mile northeast of downtown.

The housing stock in this neighborhood is a mix of graceful Victorians, luxury lofts and other new residential development.

Five Points boasts one of the few predominantly African-American commercial corridors in the US. This area is sometimes called the “Harlem of the West”, since many jazz legend played at clubs in the area, including Billing Holiday, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington.

The housing stock in this neighborhood is a mix of graceful Victorians, luxury lofts and other new residential development. It’s certainly a place where the past and the present rub elbows to create a lively community.

Right now there are several homes for sale in the Five Points neighborhood. Glenarm by Summit Legend has new construction townhomes with three bedroom, 3.5 baths and two car garage. They are very energy efficient and are Energy Star qualified. They include a PV solar system and large windows to capture natural light.

One Lincoln Park has a variety of home sizes and layouts to meet your needs, with one-, two- and three-bedroom homes. They have great interior treatments like ten-foot ceiling, radius curtain wall glass, modern stainless appliances, gas cook tops and more. Everything about One Lincoln Park is luxury, luxury, luxury.

Aside from new construction, there is also older housing stock available, including some properties that would be great for those who want to take on a fixer-upper or work on deferred maintenance. For example, there is a 1,800 square foot home with two bedrooms and two baths listed for around $175,000.  A one bedroom, 1.5 bath home is available on Champa Street that makes home ownership well within reach.

Aside from the housing options in the Five Points, the neighborhood has some great shopping and community events. Welton Street runs along Five Points and has over 75 businesses, including boutiques, salons, and restaurants. The annual Juneteenth celebration is a parade and festival commemorating the emancipation. This four-day event attracts over 100,000 attendees.

With interest rates at an all time low, this is a great time to buy. When you are interested in living in neighborhood steeped in history with a mix of old and new homes, give me a call. I specialize in matching my clients with the perfect Denver home, including first time Denver buyersand seasoned buyers. I invite you to sign up for my HOT LIST of properties to stay up to date on new and resale properties.

including first time Denver buyersand seasoned buyers. I invite you to sign up for my HOT LIST of properties to stay up to date on new and resale properties.

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Exciting things continue to happen in Denver’s Stapleton community, where living, working and playing all occur in one great master-planned community. The community of Stapleton is the site of the old airport. It is 7.5 square miles of planned redevelopment and it was in the top 10 of best selling master-planned communities in the US in 2010.

Exciting things continue to happen in Denver’s Stapleton community, where living, working and playing all occur in one great master-planned community

At build out there will be 12,000 planned homes and apartments, 10 million square feet of office space, and 1.5 million square feet of planned retail space. There are nine home builders working in Stapleton with a mix of products, from flats and row homes, to duplexes to single family residences.

One such home development is Central Park West, which is offered by David Weekly Homes. These are great three- and four-bedroom homes that are all about sustainability and energy conservation.

These homes range from approximately 1,800 square feet to nearly 2,220 square feet. This provides plenty of space for growing families, a home office or a dedicated workout space. All homes are two story and feature at least two full baths as well as a two car garage.

The layout of the homes includes a great room concept where the family, kitchen and dining room flow into each other. This makes it easy for family members to spend time together, even when they are in different areas of the home. The kitchens include an island feature, which is sure to be the social hub of the kitchen. Upstairs laundry hookups put the convenience where you want it. No more hauling dirty laundry down multiple flights of stairs.

These homes are located in the Stapleton master-planned community which features an incredible amount of park space and green belt areas. This includes areas for baseball, basketball, a community center, Dog Park, fitness center, pools, playgrounds and more.

The central location of these homes makes it easy to access I-70. You are just a ten minute drive from Downtown Denver and 20 minutes from DIA. The Rocky Mountains can be reached in about half an hour.

Public transit is a breeze to use for those living at Stapleton. There is a popular RTD bus station and plans are in the works to bring light rail from downtown to Stapleton and to DIA. Pedestrian and cyclists were taken into consideration in the design of the community with walkable community design, sidewalks, and trails.

When you are interested in visiting some of the available homes in Stapleton, I would be happy to show you around.

home, including first time Denver buyersand seasoned buyers. I invite you to sign up for my HOT LIST of properties to stay up to date on new and resale properties.

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Before you know it, February 14^th will be upon us. Now is a great time to secure special reservations related to Valentine’s Day in Denver. As far as what to do, fine dining is often what comes to mind. Denver certainly has a great selection of well-rated restaurants, but I want to recommend a few non-traditional things.

Now is a great time to secure special reservations related to Valentine’s Day in Denver.

Carriage Rides

Downtown Denver and LoDo are two great areas that can be fun to explore via carriage. Irish Rose Carriages provide romantic carriage rides which offer plenty of opportunities for you and your sweetie to snuggle under a blanket and enjoy the city light. There are different routes to choose from and including a LoDo tour. The carriage horses are stately draft breeds, including Percherons, Belgians, Clydesdales and Suffolk Punch.

A Day of Relaxation

A day, or even half day, at a Denver area spa is a great way to spend time together as a couple and also relax and refresh. Most spas can put together a couple’s package that includes a couple’s massage, soak bath and special treats like chocolate covered strawberries and champagne.

Stellar Sunsets

Cocktails and a sunset can be a nice variation on the typical fancy dinner. Denver, with its location near the Rocky Mountains, is great for catching beautiful sunsets. The Peaks Lounge is a great place to grab a drink and watch nature’s special sunset show and the city lights.

Tea Time

Yes, that is tea time, not tee time. We are talking a leisurely tea, not a golf date. The Brown Palace has an Afternoon High Tea in their lovely atrium lobby. Your date will be treated like royalty and there is something fun and relaxing about the pace of tea. Plenty of time to talk, hold hands and enjoy the atmosphere. You’ll nibble on scones, tea pastries, and tea sandwiches. The Devonshire cream is shipped directly from England. Raising your pinky when you drink from your tea cup is totally optional.

Get Cooking

Kitchen Table Cooking School is offering a special couples cooking class for the holiday of love. It’s a hands-on experience and they are featuring a special French-themed cooking class on February 9. The evening includes a glass of champagne, appetizers, and wine pairings with some of the courses. It’s a fun twist on dinner out, in that you will actually be helping cook the dinner.

These are just some fun ways that you can make this Valentine’s special. It is the unique opportunities like this that makes Denver such a great place to live. I specialize in matching my clients with the perfect Denver home, including first time Denver buyersand seasoned buyers. I invite you to sign up for my HOT LIST of properties to stay up to date on new and resale properties.

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Now that we are in 2012, it’s a great time to look back at 2011 and see how things went in the Metro Denver area for the past year. To say that real estate has been a roller coaster over the past couple of years would be an understatement.

When you are ready to make the jump and get your house listed, or you just wonder what the current value of your home may be, I can help! 

The Denver Post recently reported that home sales edged up last year compared to 2010, but that home prices dropped over all. According to Metrolist, Inc., in 2010 there were 49,313 homes under contract and 38,818 closed with a median residential closing price of $235,000. In 2011 there were 47,373 homes under contract and 39,387 closed with a median closing price of $230,000.  So while the median price dropped by about two percent, the number of homes closing inched up a bit. Overall, home sales were up 1.5 percent from 2010 to 2011. This data excludes condo and townhome sales.

Something interesting pointed out in the article was that the overall inventory on the market is low. This is probably related to buyers waiting to list their homes until prices come back up and also the fact that people tend not to list around the holidays.

There is also a buzz out there about shadow inventory that may come on the market. This refers to foreclosed homes that banks are holding on to instead of putting them on the market. Some industry experts think there could be homes flooding the market come spring, as banks list these foreclosed homes.

For those sellers that do have their house on the market, particularly below the $200,000 price point, this translates into multiple offers and less competition for the buyer’s attention. The articles also noted strong movement in the $500,000 home range.

Seeing strong movement, at least in a few price points, is encouraging news. I know some people have been waiting to list their homes until after the holiday season and start of the New Year.

When you are ready to make the jump and get your house listed, or you just wonder what the current value of your home may be, I can help!I would be happy to provide you with a value of your home. I can also provide you with a copy of our marketing plan that we perform for Denver sellers.

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Denver has a great mix of neighborhood, and there is sure to be one that is a perfect fit for you. The Cherry Creek neighborhood is a great blend of tree-lined streets and new condo development, all in and area that boasts great shopping and recreation.

The neighborhood is locate in the south-central portion of Denver and got its name from the meandering Cherry Creek. The creek serves as the southern boundary of the neighborhood, East Sixth Avenue on the north, University Boulevard on the west and Colorado Boulevard on the east.

The neighborhood dates back to the late 1800’s when it was purchased as a 320-acre town site. It was initially known as the town of Harman, which is a nod to one of the community’s founding fathers, Edwin P. Harman. The town annexed into Denver in the late 1800s and evolved into an original mixed-use neighborhood.

There are two excellent shopping areas in the neighborhood The Cherry Creek Shopping Center serves as a anchor for the neighborhood and features a variety of upscale shopping options. This shopping center has over 160 stores with 40 stores that are exclusive to the area, including Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, and Nieman Marcus.

The other shopping district is the Cherry Creek North area (CCN). CCN is a lively blend of retail, dining and mixed-use. There are unique boutiques, art galleries, salons, spas and a large mix of restaurants and taverns. This area also has office building, hotels and growing residential community.

There are a variety of neighborhood events in Cherry Creek. From community blood drives to live theater to a very popular restaurant week in early spring. There is an art festival around the 4^th of July as well as a food and wine festival at the end of summer and special holiday-related activities.

There is great public transit in the neighborhood with give different bus lines servicing the area. Plus, there is a walking and biking path along Cherry Creek that provides a nice setting to stroll, walk the dog or ride you bike.

Housing in the neighborhood is a blend of classic older homes along tree lined streets as well as newer condominiums which have brought more residents in to the area. Several condo communities have active listings, including 150 Madison, 25 Downing, Harmans and Polo Club.

With interest rates at an all time low, this is a great time to buy. If you are interested in living in a lively neighborhood like Cherry Creek, please give me a call. I specialize in matching my clients with the perfect Denver home. Don’t forget to sign up for my HOT LIST of properties to stay up to date on new and resale properties.

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Construction has just finished at 150 Madison in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood. These condominium homes combine elegant old world style with modern conveniences to create a truly unique residential product.

The Cherry Creek neighborhood is located in the south-central area of Denver and is a mix of tree-lined residential streets and dense urban development. Two shopping districts are in the neighborhood, including the upscale Cherry Creek Shopping Center and the main shopping area at Cherry Creek North, which teems with galleries, boutiques, spas, salons, and restaurants. Fillmore Plaza is pedestrian oriented and is the home to numerous community festivals and events.

The condos at 150 Madison are 2 bedroom/2 bath, with some 2 bedroom/3 bath styles. Sizes range from 1,255 square feet to over 2,600 square feet. All homes are single level, which means no interior stairs to content with. The master suite has attached master bath with dual sinks, tub and shower.

Due to the design of the overall community, first and second floor condos features two walls of windows and all are corner units.  Third floor penthouses have three walls of windows and do not share any walls with adjacent homes. Each unit has a walk out patio off the living area, which provides for a natural extension of interior spaces and a chance to enjoy the fresh mile-high air.

Interior touches in the homes include dramatic entrance rotunda foyer, soaring ceilings and barrel vault accents. Luxury finishes are throughout the interior, including a fire lace, natural hardwood and stone flooring. Those who enjoy cooking will appreciate the upgraded kitchens with a stainless steel appliance package in the kitchen, including a six-burner cook top, wine chiller and warming drawer. There are slab counters, creative back splashes and thoughtful details throughout. The homes are Bang & Olufsen smart wired so you will be ready to go with all or your electronic needs.

There are homes ready for move in at 150 Madison. The central location of these homes near great shopping and recreation opportunities makes them very appealing. With interest rates at an all time low, this is a great time to buy. If you are interested in a residential development that blends old world with luxury treatments, please give me a call. I specialize in matching my clients with the perfect Denver home. Don’t forget to sign up for my HOT LIST of properties to stay up to date on new and resale properties.

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Denver has a wide diversity of neighborhoods, but one of the liveliest is LoDo, a nick name for the Lower Downtown Historic District and mixed-use neighborhood. This is the birthplace of the city and has evolved in a fun, hip and lively part of the town.

There are lots of activities to do in LoDo, including shopping, dining and visiting arts and entertainment venues. Coors Field, home to the Colorado Rockies is located in LoDo. The Denver Center for Performing Arts also calls LoDo home. This is the venue for touring Broadway shows and musical, as well as student education program. Elitch Gardens is a 70-acre theme park in downtown that features a variety of thrill and water rides. LoDo is also home to the Children’s Museum of Denver which hosts rotating exhibits, events, classes and programs for kids of all ages.

The dining options in LoDo are pretty incredible. There are over 100 restaurants, cafes and bars, featuring a variety of cuisine options; you can get just about any food or drink to quell you hunger and thirst.  A vibrant merchant association keeps shopkeepers connected and neighbors informed of local happenings.

The presence of a variety of housing options in the LoDo area, it has become a bustling residential community as well. Soaring lofts offer great views and creative interior spaces. New condo projects have infused new life into the area and offer a variety of home sizes and layouts to me everyone’s needs.

LoDo is the most walkable neighborhood in Denver and has a Walk Score of 97/100, which qualifies it as a “walker’s paradise.” This means that daily errands do not require a car. The ability to live car free is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and also to save costs. The neighborhoods high Walk Score is due to the proximity to work, dining, shopping and entertainment options. Additionally, public transit is nearby to take residents to areas outside of downtown if needed.

LoDo continues to grow and thrive as a mixed-use neighborhood, putting all the needs at resident’s fingertips. Are you ready to live in a vibrant, historic and walkable community? With interest rates at an all time low, this is a great time to buy. I specialize in matching my clients with the perfect Denver home, including first time buyer and seasoned buyers. Don’t forget to sign up for my HOT LIST of properties to stay up to date on new and resale properties.

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The downtown Denver skyline is changing due to the development of new high rise condos. One Lincoln Park is a luxury condominium project by locally-recognized infill development experts, the Buchanan Yonushewski Group. The focus on One Lincoln Park was to create a condominium community that was very different, with an emphasis on high quality and luxury amenities for residents.

One Lincoln Park is centrally located and is within easy walking distance of shopping, dining and entertainment options. Once you are home, there is no need to get back in your car. One Lincoln Park is all about enjoying an active neighborhood lifestyle where you can live, work and play all in the same place. The community scores 89 out of100 on the walkability index.

We’ll get to the details on the homes, but first let me tell you about the great community amenities at One Lincoln Park. Amenities at One Lincoln Park are all about making things easy for you. The building features front desk staff, a guest suite, glass fiber optic technology, and an Owner’s Club suite with flat screen TV. You will love the on-site fitness center that includes state-of-the art fitness equipment. Enjoy a dip in the Infinity edge pool, or relax by the outdoor fireplace and barbeque while you stargaze and enjoy and that fresh Colorado air. Entertaining at One Lincoln Park is easy.

One Lincoln Park has a variety of home sizes and layouts to meet your needs. One bedroom residences have 1 or 1.5 baths and range from 737 square feet to 1,156 square feet. Two bedroom residences have 2 to 2.5 baths and start at 1,100 square feet and go up to over 1,800 square feet. For those needing more space; the three bedroom residences go have up to 2,600 square feet, some with an additional study space. All units come with a beautiful terrace to enjoy city views. There are five high-speed elevators in the building, with a private elevator for town homes and penthouse homes.

Interior treatments enhance these luxurious homes. Residences feature ten-foot ceilings, solid core interior doors, radius curtain wall glass, beautiful hardwood flooring, outdoor terraces, and storage space. The gourmet kitchens feature European-crafted cabinets, modern stainless steel appliances, gas cook tops, slab stone counters and large eat-at islands. The bathrooms are equally luxurious with a 5-piece master bath, ceramic tile floors, and glass mosaics with Ann Sacks penny tiles.

With interest rates at an all time low, this is a great time to buy. If you are interested in a high-rise home that blends a great location, with plenty of amenities and luxurious treatments, please give me a call. I specialize in matching my clients with the perfect Denver Home, including first time buyers and seasoned buyers. Don’t’ forget to sign up for my HOT LIST of properties to stay up to date on new and resale properties.

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