Denver new homes

Denver, the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains," is also the capitol of Colorado and the state's center of business and government. Tourism is still one of the biggest components of Colorado's economy, and Denver offers easy access to some of the premier snow and golf vacation resorts in the country. Diversifying the economy with technology caused a housing boom in the late 1990s. With the tech bust, housing has slowed, but it could well be taking a short breather.

"In 2000 and early 2001, selling a home in Denver was about as easy as putting a 'For Sale' sign in your front yard and waiting for buyers to come in droves," says Realtor Laurie Erb. "The economy was hot, high tech jobs were plentiful and, as a result, homeowners got top dollar and plenty of offers . Not any more. Like the jobs that fuel home buying, the days of easy sales are gone."

That could result in a mixed market for spring homebuyers. "There is a strong demand for homes in all price ranges if the home is priced correctly," advises Erb. "However, homes in marginal locations or in less than perfect condition must be priced lower in order to sell ."

Agrees Realtor Sue Hartwell, "The market can be divided into three categories, which have different trends in each. The very high end has experienced a slowdown since April 2001 ; but since the beginning of 2002, it is back in action again ! The mid-range market has slowed with the exception of people relocating into the state. However, if a property is priced correctly, it still sells quickly. The lower range market has continued to remain strong, due in part to interest rates remaining at record lows."

"In the Denver metro area," says Realtor Ann Roadarmel, "sellers are feeling a downward pressure to lower prices. Homes for sale are still above prices a year ago ; but when compared with prices a couple of months ago, they have decreased.

"Denver is still lagging in recovering from the recession," she adds. "Denver lost 35,000 high tech jobs over the past year and is slowly recovering from those layoffs . Commercial real estate is also seeing an increase in vacancies, especially in the uptown area of Denver. However, in the lower downtown area vacancy rates are at 5%. According to the Denver Business Journal of May 5th, this could be as a result of easy access to and from I-25 to the lower downtown area ."

Is there a chance at a quick comeback in prices ? If any city can come back, it's Denver. The city has too much going for it, say Realtors.

Consider this list compiled by Team Cox:

Say the Coxes, "The Denver-metro real estate market now appears to be weighted in the buyer's favor. There has been little or no appreciation in homes during the past six-month period. For a buyer entering the housing market, this is good news when coupled with the historically low interest rates . If a move-up buyer finds he or she has not received anticipated appreciation on his or her current home, it will be a significantly offset by the lack of appreciation on a new acquisition . With a 35% increase in supply, most buyers are unhurried and want to see everything on the market."

To Know Before Chosing a Lot:

Before you build your dream home, it's wise to spend some time considering the ground on which it will stand. The perfect location involves more than just an address - it's everything from the quality of the soil under your feet to the view of the sunset from your back porch.

First and foremost, consider your lifestyle. "The consumer needs to know what they want now, and five years into the future," advises Nikki Villarreal, marketing director for , one of the nation's top ranked home-building companies and recent winner of the Texas Association of Builders Star Award. "Also, they should have some idea about how long they plan on living in this house."

If you have children, for example, you'll want a yard that provides a level playing space. If you don't have children, might you have them during the time you plan on staying in the house? Or will you soon be an empty nester wanting to simplify your life with a low maintenance yard ? If you are a gardener, you'll want to consider if the lot has good sun exposure. By answering these questions, you'll be able to narrow your choices down to what's best for your present and future lifestyle.

Look and Listen to the Land

Homebuyers need to be aware of not only what's on their perspective lot, but also what's next to it. When looking at the adjacent properties consider zoning, power lines, and privacy. For example, if your lot is a corner lot, it may offer more space but less privacy than you'd like. Look and listen to the roads that border your property for traffic noise and safety, a particular concern for families with young children . Ask the builder or sales counselor about easements for underground utilities and sewers, in case you have plans for an in-ground pool or other enhancements in the future . "If you are looking in a new home community, every lot will have an easement. There's no way around it. Make sure you have open communication with the builder so you are aware of where the easements are," says Villarreal.

A House with a View

A lot with a view may cost you a bit more, but typically the resale value of the home will be higher as well. However, an outstanding view may have other costs as well. A sloping lot may give you an opportunity for a walkout basement, but it could limit your space for a deck or addition in the future . Likewise, a driveway with a steep incline may make it difficult to drive during certain seasons of the year if you are building a home where snow and ice are an issue . While drainage isn't usually a problem for a sloping lot, soil erosion can be. And consider if your new home plan will work on the existing terrain or if you 'll need to adjust the landscape before you begin building . Fortunately your builder will be able to help you find a lot that fits your plan, or vice versa.

Get the "Dirt" on Soil

The quality of the lot has as much to do with what you can't see, as what you can. "Know what's below the surface. Is it all rock?" suggests Terry Russell, president of , a leading builder of move-up homes in the Southeast United States and winner of more than 375 awards for excellence. The type of soil is also a consideration, especially if you are responsible for your own sewer and water. "Soil structure varies from site to site, even within the same community," says Sedlak. "Before a builder can sell a lot, he's responsible for having the soil checked for contaminants, erosion and water table -- tests which can be a costly if a homebuyer chooses to build on their own lot."

No Home is an Island

Finally, take a good look at the entire neighborhood. The streetscape is an important aesthetic aspect of your individual lot - do you like what you see when you look out your windows ? Ask yourself whether it has the feel you want, if this is a neighborhood you'll love to call home. If you follow these suggested ground rules, chances are you'll want to lay roots there for a long time.

Trends in Home Designs:

Did you ever visit relatives or friends in another state and notice that homes seem to be designed and constructed differently than where you live?

Rebecca Wood, manager of analysis for the Irvine, California-based Meyers Group, one of the largest real estate information sources for homebuilders, says that new homes tend to reflect not only demographic preferences for style, but regional weather and lifestyle differences, whether it be urban, suburban, or rural.

Weather Makes a Difference

"Areas like the Northeast and the mid-Atlantic are not as conducive to stucco construction because of weather extremes, going from cold winters to hot, humid summers, where stucco doesn't hold up as well," says Wood. "Homes there tend to have brick or stone exteriors, or composite or vinyl siding, easily maintainable and resistant to wood rot ."

Likewise, homes in areas prone to flooding or hurricanes are often required to be constructed at a certain elevation above flood zones and builders must use "hurricane clips" to secure roofs to a structure.

Weather notwithstanding, it is interesting to note that buyers seem to favor what has been the area's traditional home style as well. Indeed, understanding regional preferences is extremely important to homebuilders. For example, a Texas homebuilder was marketing new homes designed with Mediterranean (stucco with tile roof) exteriors .The builder discovered that although potential homebuyers loved the floor plans, they tended to buy from the builder down the street . After much research, the builder decided to completely overhaul the homes' exterior to a more traditional brick styling. Subsequently, people started buying them.

Indoors Reflects Outdoors

Floor plans can differ greatly with where homes are built as well. Wood notes that entertaining tends to be indoors and more formal in the Midwest and Eastern US. while there is more casual indoor/outdoor variety out West, also affected by regional weather.">"> As for floor plan flow, many new homes in the East, South and Midwest still display distinctly separate living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens, where in the West and parts of Florida, open floor plans still dominate, with kitchens open to family rooms and living room/dining room combinations incorporated into the plans .

Indoor/outdoor living has changed somewhat over the years, according to Wood. "Homes in seasonal weather areas used to routinely include screened-in porches and patios, which became a sort of family room in good weather," said Wood. "This isn't done as much any more, because most homes now include air conditioners all over the country and not just in the Sun Belt. The screened-in or covered patio has now become a luxury and an extra."

Basements are traditionally included in new homes in many parts of the US. On the West coast, however, basement homes are the exceptions, not the rule. Instead of basements, homes with three and even four-car garages are popular. "For many homebuyers who are used to basements, it's just not the same," said Woods, "Basements can be used for out-of-view living, recreation or storage, and people in these areas love them for the versatility they offer. Somehow they feel that garages should only be used for cars," she muses.

Future Proof:

"Futureproofing" is one way to ensure a new home won't become obsolete in an age of ever-emerging technology and expanding lifestyle choices. By making wise choices concerning the infrastructure and interior options, you can protect your valuable financial investment and invest in your personal future .

"Futureproofing a home involves thought and planning. First, you have to think down the road a little bit and consider how you will use this home. A lot depends on where you are in your life. Location is important when you think about the future. If you aren't interested in the school systems in an area, the next buyer might be," says Doug Fenichel.

Fenichel is the director of public relations with the New Jersey-based , which designs, constructs and markets single family homes, townhouses, and condominiums in planned residential communities throughout the Northeastern United States, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, California, Texas and Tennessee.

When planning your future, ask yourself these questions :

Invest in an extra room in your floor plan, Fenichel advises, so you have room to grow even if you see no reason for the additional space at the present time. For example, a basement can be finished off and turned into workout studio, or family or recreational room."> Likewise, a loft can become a great place to set up an office, or serve as a play area for children . And an extra bedroom can be transformed into a library or home theater.

Connecting to the Future

By far, the number one futureproofing option is structured wiring systems that will connect today's home with the future, says Barbara Fowler, Design Gallery manager with , located in Albuquerque, New Mexico."> Sivage Thomas Homes is a Diamond Builder (awarded for excellence in customer satisfaction) and in 1999 was recognized as America's Best Builder by Builder's Magazine .

Creating a high-tech infrastructure is the best investment today's homebuyer can make. While there are typically a number of home networking packages builders offer, it's vital to opt at least for the basic system package.

"Families are nesting more. They are spending more time together in their home. A well wired home affords family office and communication capability, and home entertainment. You can't do this after you move into a house. Homeowners need to think through their priorities and what they enjoy. Entertainment and technology are the two most important features for new homebuyers today," says Fowler. "Even if the family doesn't yet have the entertainment theater or audio equipment yet, you can't put this system in later ."

Specifically, such structured wiring systems can provide for present or future multiple plug-and-play access points for, multimedia, phone, computer networking, and high-speed Internet access. Technology is important for another reason as well: family safety. A security system buys peace of mind. In addition, a Family Safety Camera system, with cameras placed throughout the home, as well as outside, allows parents to keep an eye on children, and on the outside world .

Longevity and Adaptability

"The goal of futureproofing a home is to ensure the longevity and the adaptability of the home," says Kara Opanowicz, director of the Home Design Gallery for , which is located in Edison, New Jersey. Choose long lasting building materials, such as roofing that has a 25-year warranty. The same principle is true for futureproofing the interior of the home. Choose enduring materials that have a timeless appeal.

These interior options work toward the long life and value of a home," she says. "Hardwood floors develop a wonderful patina with age, granite is indestructible, and Corian, if damaged, can be easily repaired .

Without a doubt, storage space, while not an issue for some new homeowners, becomes a universal issue over time as people acquire more and more things, says Opanowicz. Opt for an attic, storage closets in the garage, and closet organizers that can double the storage capacity of any closet .

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