US News & World Report lists Denver’s Children’s Hospital on honor roll of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals. http://ping.fm/Ebw5m

At $68mil., BootJack Ranch in SW Colorado is 7th most expensive home for sale in the nation according for Forbes mag. GO CO! http://ping.fm/AUE90

Get up to $500 rebate from Xcel Energy for installing approved A/C system in home. http://ping.fm/0PXSj

Forbes mag. says Denver has most growth potential & is THE BEST city to buy a home now. http://ping.fm/3D3cf

A New Wave of Code Enforcement?

If the city of Arvada is any indication, there just may be a new wave of building code enforcement by municipalities. As the article in The Denver Post indicates, http://www.denverpost.com/businessheadlines/ci_12652542, Arvada has recently flagged 15 homes for noncompliant remodeling projects, some done decades ago.

It seems a great way for municipalities struggling with reduced revenue and to-the-bone budget cuts, to raise a much needed infusion of cash. Will other cities and counties soon jump on board? I suppose we shall see soon enough.

To do so may provide temporary, but limited relief to the municipalities, but more importantly, could very well suck the wind from the sails of our struggling, but seemingly recovering real estate market, as sellers are prevented from selling a “tagged” property and buyers flee to either other “clean” properties or leave the market altogether with the added fear and pressure of government sanctions looming overhead.

Where is the sense of fair play when municipalities use unwary homeowners to relieve their budgetary woes, especially when these owners are sometimes two or three purchases removed from the original misdeed (failure to obtain the construction permit)? Are the homeowners really bona fide purchasers, innocent and unknowing about the updates done sans permits? Or, as the Post article seems to indicate, do they turn a blind eye to such things in order to enjoy a lower property tax rate?

So many questions, with so few answers. Perhaps the biggest question raised by all this is whether the city of Arvada may have singlehandedly succeeded in completely reversing the delicate economic and real estate market “recovery” in the metro area, which was seeming to eek out some much needed positive, forward movement.

Caveat emptor, let the buyer beware… ::SIGH::

Denver residents pulled 1,234 bldg permits for home-imprvmnt construction during the 2 wk Home Renovation Bonanza & saved $85,774 in fees. http://ping.fm/yYMjS

Events This Weekend In Denver

As we slide into summer, activities around the Denver metro area are picking up. This weekend offers a number of bargain activities to choose from. Here’s the list:

Friday through Sunday, 6/12 – 14:

Is the 34th Annual Denver Public Library Used Book Sale. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily (except Sunday is only until 3:00 p.m.), at 14th and Broadway.

Saturday, 6/13:

East Montclair Neighborhood Association holds its annual neighborhood-wide yard sale from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the grounds of Ashley Elementary School, at 1941 Syracuse Street. There are sure to be plenty of bargains to be had, and you are welcome to stop by my booth/table to get the 411 on the East Montclair neighborhood, including homes currently on the market and recent sales;

Saturday & Sunday, 6/13-14:

Stapleton’s Central Park is the location for the Taste of Puerto Rico.  There you will find sun, fun, food and music.  They will also be honoring the late “Father of Salsa,”  Frankie Ruiz.  The festival will go from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.  For more info and a map go to: http://www.atasteofpuertoricofestival.com/events.html

Denver’s Summer Art Market is hosted by The Art Students League of Denver and will showcase the work of over 250 local artists at 200 Grant St. in West Washington Park.  The sale will go from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. daily.
Visit  The Art Students League of Denver’s web site at:  http://www.asld.org/

Whatever you decide to do, get out and enjoy your community!  Make it a great weekend.

Denver Home Renovation Bonanza Update

“Home Renovation Bonanza” in Denver results in 291 FREE permits being issued in the first week. 1 week left to get yours.

Go to this Denver gov web site to find out what home projects qualify for the free permit and how to apply: http://ping.fm/h9fSe

Denver’s Signs of Recovery

Denver home sales are UP 7%.  This is the fourth month-to-month rise, with the median price for single family homes also UP 4.8%, and inventory DOWN over 21% from this time last year! Do you think our market has bottomed out?  http://www.denverpost.com/businessheadlines/ci_12532585

Denver Housing Authority Home Fair

Attn: Prospective Home Buyer, Current Homeowner or Owner in delinquency or foreclosure, go to the Den. Housing Authority home fair on 6/13. http://ping.fm/TYpsL