October 2010 
There are 17 blog entries for October 2010.
Want the Best Halloween Loot? Top 5 Best Denver Neighborhoods for Trick of Treating
Friday, October 29th, 2010 at 10:01am. 96 Views, 0 Comments.
As a kid, Halloween changed for the better when my brother got his first car. He drove us to the “best” (aka wealthiest) neighborhoods for trick of treating because, rumor had it, they often handed out full-size candy bars. Of course, the houses were huge and far apart. So sure, we scored some great treats, but lacked the volume of a more “walkable” neighborhood. Now Zillow, the real estate web site, has used a very specific formula to calculate not only the best cities in the country for trick or treating (Denver is 5th in the nation) but has even gone as far as determining the best neighborhoods for gathering up the best in both quality and quantity. The top 5: (1) Cherry Creek, (2) Hilltop, (3) Congress Park (4) Wash Park and (5) Country Club. Happy…
Congrats Paul and Calen!
Thursday, October 28th, 2010 at 11:24am. 62 Views, 0 Comments.
Congratulations to Paul and Calen who have both been recognized as Five Star Real Estate Agents by 5280 magazine! The Five Star program recognizes agents who consistently exceed client expectations and achieve the highest in overall customer satisfaction. Paul and Calen were evaluated by their customers and real estate industry professionals and scored based on overall customer service, integrity, market knowledge, communication, negotiation skills, closing preparation, marketing and helping clients find the right home. "We're honored to be recognized by our clients and our peers," said Paul. "Thanks to all of our Metropolitan Group clients who participated in the survey, and thank you for your continued business."
Denver Ranked 5th Smartest City in the Nation
Wednesday, October 27th, 2010 at 3:39pm. 46 Views, 0 Comments.
Now here’s something to brag about. In a study of US cities with population over 1 million, Denver ranked the 5th Smartest City in the country. Factors that put us on the top of the brainiacs list include percentage of the population with bachelor’s degrees (25%), percentage with graduate degrees (13%) and the number of adult non-fiction book sales (more than 4 million!) . Other factors considered include number and quality of educational institutions. To read more, click the link below.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-10-24/ranking-americas-smartest-and-dumbest-cities/
Winterizing? Quick Tips to Save $
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 at 3:33pm. 58 Views, 0 Comments.
A couple of cold days in Denver serve as a red flag reminder that it’s time to winterize! Depending on the size of your home, winterizing can be costly. Click the link below for a few tips to keep costs low – saving you a few bucks for a hot drink and a warm blanket! Thanks for stopping by!
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/money/saving/have-on-winterizing-home-00000000045337/index.html
Existing Home Sales Climb Two Consecutive Months
Monday, October 25th, 2010 at 10:12am. 58 Views, 0 Comments.
In September, the sale of existing homes increased by 10% over the previous month, according to the National Association of Realtors. This is the second month in a row sales have increased, exceeding expectations and offering a glimmer of hope for a continued housing recovery. To read more, please click the link below. Thanks for stopping by!
http://money.cnn.com/2010/10/25/news/economy/existing_home_sales/index.htm
Still believe in the American dream of homeownership?
Thursday, October 21st, 2010 at 12:58pm. 58 Views, 0 Comments.
Most Americans do, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors. The survey found that a majority of Americans say that homeownership is still a good financial investment even given current economic conditions. More than half also say that now is a good time to buy. To read more survey results, click the link below. Thanks for reading!
http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/housing_opportunity/resource_center/pulse_survey_2010
Paint-On Granite Duplicates the Look at a Fraction of the Cost
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 at 10:37am. 48 Views, 0 Comments.
Love the look of granite but can’t bring yourself to fork over thousands per slab? Check out granite paint kits. They duplicate the color variations and flecks of real stone at a fraction of the price. You don’t get the same durability of true granite, but for a quick, affordable kitchen update – the photos are pretty convincing that paint-on granite may be a good alternative. To read more, click the link below. Thanks for stopping by!
http://www.denverpost.com/grow/ci_16044830
The Cinderella of Mortgages?
Friday, October 15th, 2010 at 11:40am. 44 Views, 0 Comments.
The FHA 203(k) loan has been around since 1978 but according to many, has been underused and overlooked. Unfortunate given its strengths. It’s a loan program that gives buyers the benefits of an FHA loan – 3.5% down, good rates – with the added bonus of being able to roll some of the cost of rehabbing or renovating a property into the principal loan amount. This is a great option for buyers looking at foreclosed or neglected homes, although there are, of course, limitations and restrictions. For more on 203(k) loans, click the link below or send us an email!
http://www.denverpost.com/realestate/ci_16278045
“Imagine Fighting for Your Home While You’re Fighting for Your Country”
Thursday, October 14th, 2010 at 11:12am. 49 Views, 0 Comments.
The National Association of Realtors®’ HouseLogic has launched a Facebook Causes campaign to increase awareness and raise funds for USA Cares, a nonprofit organization that helps active duty military personnel, veterans and families with counseling and financial foreclosure assistance. Every time a Facebook member ‘likes” the Operation Home Relief Cause page on Facebook, HouseLogic will donate $1 to the organization and will match any donations made USA Cares up to $20,000. A simple way to help the men and women who do so much for us. To visit the Operation Home Relief Cause Facebook page, click here http://apps.facebook.com/causes/532222
For more on the campaign, follow this…LoDo Named Among America’s 10 Great Neighborhoods
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010 at 2:08pm. 48 Views, 0 Comments.
We don’t need a professional organization to tell us, but it is sure nice to hear time and time again – LoDo is a great place to live, work and play. The American Planning Association today named LoDo among its “Great Places in America: Neighborhoods” for 2010, recognizing the area for its leadership as much as for its social and visual appeal. To read more, click the link below.
http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/