Real Estate in Denver and the Suburbs

These statistics represent the real estate market activity in Highlands Ranch for the zip code of 80129 (for 1/1/2010 – 2/1/2010).

This is one of three zip codes which make up Highlands Ranch.  These statistics are for single family residential, detached homes and not condos or townhomes.

(Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period 1/1/10 – 2/1/10.  Note:  This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist, Inc. does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy.  Data maintained by Metrolist, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.)

According to the data on the table above, active sellers are pricing their homes in line with those that have gone under contract.  There is a bigger difference in values when looking at sold home prices and price per square foot versus active and under contract homes.  This can be accounted for in the wide price range for this zip code.  This price range is reflected in the lowest and highest columns and there is a big shift.

Pricing is important in this market segment of Highlands Ranch as it is everywhere in the Denver real estate market.  The absorption rate for this month only is just under 7 months of inventory! So, if you have a home in this zip code and you want to sell in the next 45-60 days then you definitely need to pay attention to pricing and continue to keep up on the market trends for this segment.

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.

Interested in more information about Highlands Ranch?  Read More:
Highlands Ranch Get a New Sherriff Station
Living in Highlands Ranch – New Trash & Recycling

Steve Scheer, Denver Realty Partners
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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 or email at sold@SteveScheer.com .

Ok.  January is now past us and we are well into the new year. So what is happening in the Denver real estate market?  Is buying a home in Denver or the suburbs a good idea this year?  Maybe buying investment property in Denver?  Let’s take a look at a few resources and real estate trends and get some perspective.

One highly regarded source of real estate trends and statistics is the Case-Shiller Index.  The recent figures coming from this report show that Denver is one of only 4 US cities in this 20 city composite that show a year over year increase in values from November 2008 through November 2009.  Some may argue that these figures were taken for the period just prior to the extension of the home buyers tax credit and that these gains may only reflect buyers trying to beat the previous deadline for this credit. However, the Denver real estate market has shown signs of relative strength for awhile with a flattening out of major price declines and I am bullish on the recovery.  This certainly is not going to be a quick rebound, rather a slow but overall positive gain.

The Case-Shiller Index certainly isn’t a definitive answer to the Denver real estate market’s statistics but it gives us an idea of local Denver real estate trends.  In looking at the MLS statistics taken from Metrolist, these figures show an overall decline in the median sold price of single family listings(Residential and Condo) for the Denver Metro area of only 0.8% year over year from December 2008 to December 2009.  Slightly different than the Case-Shiller and takes in to account this past year’s holiday season.

Of course, this reflects overall real estate activity and prices differ from area to area and price range to price range.  However, with values nearly stable and trending upward, I think it is time to reinvest in Denver real estate whether that is buying your own home or investment property.  If you need help identifying a home for your next purchase, give me a call or email and I would be happy to help.

Steve Scheer, Denver Realty Partners
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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.

I spend my share of time traveling in and around Highlands Ranch and the south metro Denver area every day.  I pay attention to both residential housing and commercial development.  Although I don’t really broker commercial real estate, I know it is important to have a sense of the commercial market as it can often impact the quality of life for the communities I specialize in such as Highlands Ranch.

Recently, ground has been broken for commercial building in Highlands Ranch. This is basically at the corner of Highlands Ranch Parkway and Ridgeline, just west of the McDonald’s and Starbucks in Westridge.  This is going to be a new Douglas County Sheriff’s substation.  You can read  more about this here.

The bulk of the population in Douglas County resides in Highlands Ranch and the very northern boundary of the county.  It seems to make perfect sense to have a state of the art facility here to serve and protect the citizens.  You can keep up on all the latest information from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Steve Scheer, Denver Realty Partners
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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.

Some good news for Denver real estate investors and buyers. HUD has eased the requirement of the “90 day rule” which required a seller to have held title to a property for at least 90 days prior to being purchased by a buyer using FHA financing.  HUD had previously allowed homes owned by foreclosing institutions to waive this rule.

This change can now allow investors and buyers to take advantage of buying homes for resell to an FHA buyer, even within 90 days!  There are, of course, certain stipulations to this waiver which you can read here.

However, this is more great news from FHA that it intends to look for ways to continue to support a housing recovery. The waiver begins February 1, 2010 and extends for one year at this time.  If you feel you qualify and want more information on how to take advantage of this opportunity, let me  know and  I can get you started in the right direction.  There are still a lot of investment opportunities in the Denver real estate market.

Steve Scheer, Denver Realty Partners
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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.

Yesterday I had the privilege of giving some of my time to volunteer at the Volunteers of America Mission in Denver.  Along with some of my real estate colleagues from Highlands Ranch and the Denver area, we were able to help this wonderful mission during the lunch time meal.

The VOA mission is located near downtown Denver and serves many of those in need from the community.  Some of my colleagues and I spent our time helping to stock the food supply room with the generous donations from all over the community.  What seemed to me to be a good size supply of food was really only a week or less according to the man in charge.  Sadly, this truth brings home the realization that we all need to do what we can to help each other out.  This economy has many struggling and others wondering how we can help.  One thing these organizations can always use is our time and talents.  Each of us has some to give.

There are food banks, shelters, churches and missions all over in every community that need our help.  All of them can use donations and volunteers to help care for our communities and the people that need us most.  I look forward to helping in the future and I hope that you’ll consider doing whatever you can in your own community.