There are many things that remind me that spring is finally upon us. One of them is the release of the Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concert Series line up- and that day is here! Natalie Cole, Barenaked Ladies, B.B. King and Sheryl Crow are just a few highlights of the series that kicks off June 24^th and runs through the beginning of September.  I am proud to say that Perry & Co. is a sponsor of this year’s series.

See the full line up HERE!

Concerts will be held at both the York Street and Chatfield DBG locations. The performances at the York Street location will be complimented by the Dale Chilhuly Exhibit opening June 14^th. The exhibit, set to be the first of its kind, will feature sculptures of all shapes and sizes spanning the entire 24-acre property.

The concert series ticket prices from $50-$90/ticket depending on the show and can be purchased online or in person at the Box Office located at Swallow Hill Music. Ticket pre-sale begins April 14! Are you a member of either the Denver Botanic Gardens or Swallow Hill? Be sure to check the ticket purchasing by membership level schedule. 

Enjoy!

-Courtney Ranson Licensed in the State of Colorado

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There’s a lot real estate talk these days. Whether you are listening to a news story, browsing an article or reading a blog like this one you probably encounter a lot of industry terminology. Do you feel like you know what these sources are really talking about? 

Well enough of just “talk”. Here are five need-to-know, frequently used real estate terms that everyone should know.

Short Sale- the sale of real estate in which the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property’s loan. 

• Occurs when a borrower is behind in payments and cannot pay the mortgage on the property, but the lien holder(s) agree to allow the owner to sell the property at a moderate loss in order to avoid foreclosure and proceeds of the sale go directly to the lender.
• A short sale “selling amount” is less that the outstanding balance of the loan

Shadow inventory- the number of homes that are in some stage of foreclosure, but have not yet reached the markets. 

• Some experts consider shadow inventory as the number of distressed properties not yet listed, but seriously delinquent in foreclosure and owned by lenders

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)- insurance requirement on most conventional loans with less than a 20% down payment

• Payments for PMI are included in your mortgage payment and protect the lender should you default on the loan. 
• On Federal Housing Administration Loans, you pay a Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP), which accomplishes the same purpose

Real Estate Owned (REO) Property- properties owned by a lender after an unsuccessful sale at a foreclosure auction

• REO property lenders are typically a bank, government agency or government loan insurer

Contingencies- Conditions or safety values written into real estate offers and contracts to prevent a buyer from being forced to buy a house that is unsatisfactory.

• Examples of contingencies are: Title Insurance, Title Review, Due Diligence Review, Inspection, Appraisal Loan Conditions and Walk-Throughs
• NOTE: these are specific to transactions completed using a Colorado real estate contract to buy and sell real estate and therefore may be different in other states

Whether you are in the process of buying or selling a home or are just interested in current happenings take your real estate knowledge to the next level and join the conversation!

If you are in the process of buying or selling your home let me share my knowledge with you and ensure that you get the results you want.

-Courtney Ranson Licensed in the State of Colorado

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For many people their 2014 resolution is to stay fit, get healthy and become more active. Now that we are officially into 2014 I thought that I would share some of the many ways to accomplish these goals all right here in the Wash Park neighborhood!

Here's to a happy & healthy 2014 in the neighborhood!

-Courtney Ranson Licensed in the State of Colorado

Whether you are looking to kill a little time during your last day at the office, need some good holiday party conversation starters or are just a holiday fanatic- these are for you. Enjoy!

1. Given the different time zones, Santa has 31 hours to deliver gifts, but his reindeer really have to fly, since that means visiting 823 homes per second. 

2. Where did Santa get his name? The shorthand moniker "Santa" may derive from the Dutch words "Sinterklaas," a name for St. Nicholas, but some believe that it evolved from the working-class British accent pronunciation of St. Nicholas, which sounds like "Saint'ny Claus."

3. The world’s largest Hanukkah menorah - at 32 feet high - can be found during the Festival of Lights in New York City’s Central Park.

4. Over 1.76 billion candy canes are made each year and December 26th is National Candy Cane Day.

5. The American Christmas Tree Association says that 83 percent of American households who display a Christmas tree will display an artificial tree and an estimated 22 million real Christmas trees will be sold this year. 

6. The U.S. produces an estimated 1 million tons of additional waste per week between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day - including 38,000 miles of decorative ribbon!

7. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa honors a different principle. These principles are believed to have been key to building strong, productive families and communities in Africa.

8. Alabama was the first state in the United States to officially recognize Christmas in 1836, Oklahoma was the last.

9. The single busiest shopping hour for the holidays is December 24 between 3 and 4 in the afternoon.

10. Christmas trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.

Wishing everyone the happiest of holidays!!

-Courtney Ranson Licensed in the State of Colorado

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Source: The Twelve Lists of Christmas (http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/twelve-lists-christmas-10000001703283/page2.html)
Source: Winter Holiday Trivia (http://glo.msn.com/relationships/holiday-fun-facts-7644.gallery#!stackState=0__%2Frelationships%2Fholiday-fun-facts-7644.gallery%3FphotoId%3D74362)
Source: Pine Cone Holiday Party- Conversation Starters Shoppe Tip (http://theentertainingshoppe.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Tip9_PHP.pdf)

With the holiday season in full swing many are contemplating what to do to say “thank you” to those that that make their day go just a little bit smoother. Whether it is the mailman you see rain or shine, your weekend babysitter or the doorman who greets you every morning, holiday tipping is a great way to show your appreciation. 

I searched through some great resources and have compiled some resources and ideas to consider when making your holiday tipping list this year. 

Home Help

Housekeeper- One week’s pay

Garbage collector- $15-25

Gardener- $20-$50

Mail Carrier- USPS regulations state that only non-cash gifts not exceeding $20 in value are allowed.

Newspaper Delivery Person- $15-$25

Kids 

Day Care- gift worth $25 in value

Babysitter- One night’s average pay

Nanny- One week’s pay

Coaches, dance instructors, tutors, music teachers- a small gift & card

School teachers- gift worth $25-$50 in value

• Consider your teacher’s interests and needs and buy a gift card that they could use
• It may be best to contact your school’s principal to see what their rules are in regards to teacher gifts.

Office

Doorman- $25

Janitor- $15-$25

Parking attendant- $15-$25

Office assistant- gift worth $25 in value

Personal Services

Personal trainer- $20-$50

Hair stylist/ Barber- Double your normal tip, or take the total amount of what you normally spend on services during one visit and divide it among those stylists that help you

Manicurist- $15

Tipping Etiquette “Tips”

A Note is Key: Whether you are tipping or not a small note of appreciation still shows that you still took the time to say thank you for their services.

Tip Discreetly: Always give someone a monetary tip in a card & envelope- do not hand them cash. Give to the person by saying “thank you”, no need to tell them out loud that you are handing them a tip.

When to Give: The best time to give your tips is during the month of December before the week of Christmas.

Remember that the true meaning of holiday tipping is to show your appreciation. If your financial situation is such that you are not able give the normal monetary amount this year- don’t worry. Reduce the tip amount and combine with a small gift or search online for some great DIY gifts to give.

Happy Holidays!

-Courtney Ranson Licensed in the State of Colorado

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One of my favorite Denver holiday traditions is the Annual Downtown Denver Parade of Lights. And guess what? It's THIS weekend!

The FREE two-mile parade will take place on Friday, 12/6 at 8pm and Saturday, 12/7 at 6pm and will include all of the usual favorites: beautiful floats, marching bands and Major Waddles himself. 

Here are a few things you must know:

1. The parade began in 1975 which means it is entering its 39th year - a true tradition indeed. 

2. This year's parade line up includes : 12 floats, 8 marching bands, 4 giant balloons, 4 cultural group performances and 2 horse drawn carriages - just to name a few. 

3. Numerous local eateries, including Coohills and Rock Bottom Brewery, are hosting specials in honor of the parade. View them all here. 

4. The event is FREE! If you want to purcahse Grandstand seats, tickets are $19 for adults or $16 for children (afes 2-12). Click here for more information. 

5. The forecast is expected to be verrrrrry chilly. For those who have been before you know this means some extra layers, ear warmers and some wam beverages are a must. 

To view the parade map, tips on parking and to learn more about this event click here. You can also LIKE the event on Facebook. 

Enjoy!

-Courtney Ranson Licensed in the State of Colorado

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 Customize Your Search for Homes: Denver Real Estate

Market demand continues to surpass the demand last year for home sales.  Inventory is still tight but sales rose with 20% more homes sold over this time last year.  Average home prices throughout the city are up by 10%. Days on market - a statistic showing the time lapse between a listed home and when it goes under contract - was substantially down from last year:  an average of 51 days for single family homes, down from 79 days last year; and 48 days for a condo in 2013, compared to 81 days last year at this time.  

What does this mean to you?  Most statistics in the news are a macro look at the marketplace, but statistics are more meaningful when you look closer to home.  We divided the city by map area and reported supply (months of inventory) and average prices for each area below.  

Click on your area for a snapshot of what happened there over the last three months. 

Denver Northeast (City Park, Park Hill, Stapleton and other neighborhoods)- the average detached single family home price rose by nearly 15% in the past year.

Denver Northwest (Highlands, Sunnyside and others)- the average price of an attached single family home (condo/multi-unit) went down, while average prices for detached single family homes went up.

Denver Southeast (Wash Park, Cherry Creek, Hilltop, Lowry and others)- there is less then 2 months of supply of attached single family homes and the average price went up 9.1%.

Denver Southwest (Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Grant Ranch and others)- the average price of a detached single family home went up 23% from last year.

Downtown Denver- the supply of attached single family homes is approaching 4 months - a balanced market -and the average price is up nearly 10%.

South Suburban (Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, Littleton)- the average price of an attached single family home was up nearly 12%.

Highlands Ranch- the housing supply is under 2 months for both attached and detached single family homes.

Douglas County/Castle Rock- the average price of a detached single family homes was up 11.5%.

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Happy November everyone! The beautiful fall season continues and the holidays are just around the corner. I compiled some great local events and happenings this month, hope you enjoy!

Denver Arts Week- November 1-9

• Cherry Creek North’s Second Saturday Celebration- Saturday, November 9th

Many of the district’s galleries, restaurants, shops and spas will have special demonstrations and specials in honor of Denver Arts Week. See the full list of participating Cherry Creek North businesses and their celebrations here. 

Fit for Fire 5K- November 3rd

The Fit for Fire 5K will be held Sunday, November 3^rd at Wash Park. This event includes a Kids Siren Scamper at 8am, the 5K run at 9am and the walk beginning at 9:10am. Fit for Fire benefits Friends of Denver Fire Department and the Denver Fire Fighter’s Burn Foundation.  Learn more and register for this event here.

40^th Annual Turkey Trot- November 28th

It may not be until the end of the month but the Annual Turkey Trot is one of the most anticipated events of the year for many loyal participants! Entering its 40^th year the Turkey Trot will again benefit the Mile High United Way and be held on, when else, Thanksgiving Day. Participants can run, walk or “trot” the four-mile course or enjoy the Family Fun Run. Learn more and sign up today here. 

Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens- November 29th

Enjoy the Denver Botanic Gardens with over one million lights strung throughout. You can also enjoy strolling choris, warm drinks and treats and synchronized lights to holiday music in the amphitheater. Learn more here. 

-Courtney Ranson Licensed in the State of Colorado 

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In my opinion, one of Wash Park’s greatest traditions is all of the races that are hosted there annually. Whether you are a true running fanatic, wanting to support a charity or organization or simply just enjoy getting dressed up for the occasion (Scream Scram anyone?) these events are loved and celebrated by our city. Many of these races are entering their second and even third decades allowing multiple generations to enjoy them.

Here is a "running" list (no pun intended) of a number of these annual races and events, along with any fun and interesting facts. I hope to continue to update this as I learn of more and as 2014 event details are released.  

 Scream Scram- October 18, 2013

• Benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver
• Post-race fun includes a "Trick-or-treat" Street and Costume Contest
• Read a previous DWP blog on the Scream Scram HERE. 

Turkey Trot- November 28, 2013

• Celebrating its 40th year
• Benefits the Mile High United Way
• In 2012 over 9,500 runners & walkers participated with over 47 states represented
• Read a previous DWP blog on the Turkey Trot HERE. 

Jingle Bell Run- December 8, 2013

• Benefits the Arthritis Foundation
• Recognized as one of the "Most Incredible Themed Races"
• Warm but festive attire is a must. Reindeer antlers are popular. 
• Read a previous DWP blog on the Jingle Bell Run HERE. 

Resolution 5K- December 31, 2013

• Celebrating its 28th year
• Costume contest
• Great apres-race party at South High School to kick off your New Year's Eve celebrations

 RUNDENVER Race Series- December 2013-March 2014

• Five, 5K races- 3 of which are at Wash Park:
• Jan. 19- Polar Bear 5K 
• Feb. 2- Super Bowl 5K
• Feb. 9- Valentine's Day 5K

Wash Park Pub Run- April-October

• The perfect weekly series. Every Wednesday this group meets at the Whole Foods Wash Park, runs the park and ends at the Pub on Pearl where they receive a Free Beer and catering from Whole Foods

Furry Scurry- First Saturday in May

• While many Wash Park races are pet-friendly, this one really is all about them
• Benefits the Denver Dumb Friends League
• More than 150 pet vendors and sponsors make up the post-race "Flea-less Market"
• Read a previous DWP blog on the Furry Scurry HERE.

Arthritis Walk- May

• Benefits the Arthritis Foundation
• Raised over $115,000 in 2013
• Read a previous DWP blog on the Arthritis Walk HERE. 

Donor Dash- July

• Benefits the Donor Alliance
• Signature balloon release at the end of the race honors donor families, recipients and transplant candidates

It's really amazing to think of how many people have come together over the years for these events. Here's to many more!

-Courtney Ranson Licensed in the State of Colorado

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At the beginning of the month, our fabulous state celebrated its 137^th birthday. In honor of this grand occasion, and because I myself am a Colorado native, I decided to research and see if I could find some facts about my beloved city and state that I didn’t know before. 

Here are some of my favorites:

- There were originally three separate towns, with three separate names, where Denver now stands. In 1859, the other names were dropped in return for a shared barrel of whiskey.

- Denver is one of the few cities in history that was not built on a road, railroad, lake, navigable river or body of water when it was founded. It just happened to be where the first few flakes of gold were found in 1858.

- "Beulah red" is the name of the red marble that gives the Colorado State Capitol its distinctive splendor. Cutting, polishing, and installing the marble in the Capitol took six years, from 1894 to 1900. All of the "Beulah red" marble in the world went into the Capitol. It cannot be replaced, at any price.

- Colorado is the only state in history, to turn down the Olympics. In 1976 the Winter Olympics were planned to be held in Denver. 62% of all state Voters choose at almost the last minute not to host the Olympics, because of the cost, pollution and population boom it would have on the State Of Colorado, and the City of Denver.

- Colorado contains 75% of the land area of the U.S. with an altitude over 10,000 feet.

- Every year Denver host the worlds largest Rodeo, the Western Stock show.

- Colorado is the third fastest growing state in the last decade.

- Denver has the largest city park system in the country, 90 golf courses and 650 miles of paved trails.

- The federal government owns more than a third of the land in Colorado.

- 75% of the land area of the United States with an altitude over 10,000 feet is in Colorado.

What's your favorite Denver or Colorado fact?

-Courtney Ranson Licensed in the State of Colorado

Source: Denver Facts (http://www.denver.org/metro/facts)
Source: Colorado Facts & Trivia (http://www.50states.com/facts/colorado.htm#.UhKWJ-CkK0s)
Source: Interesting Facts about Denver, CO (http://www.maureenforhomes.com/Facts.html)
Source: Colorado Facts (http://lovedenvercolorado.com/Denver-Colorado-Information-Facts.aspx)