Denver Tops Top Ten Places to Move in US

There are hundreds of reasons why Denver is such a great city to live. Some may love it because of the 300+ days of sunshine and easy access to the great outdoors, while others may be fans of the growing art, music, and food scene. Whatever your reasons may be, you are not alone in your recognition of why this city is so great. In a recent article on HomeownersInsurance.com, Denver claims the spot as the top place to move in the United States.

This list compiles a variety of criteria to judge the ten cities that made the cut. This judgment was made up of five different factors: rent prices, home values, living costs, transportation, and amounts of activities, or fun. Each of the city’s criteria was given a number from 1-10 and the total was tallied. Denver reigned supreme.

Out of the possible ten, both transportation and living costs scored a perfect 10. Those who drive I-25 during rush hour may question this, but compared to Los Angeles or New York traffic (who scored a one and five respectively), we have it easy. Rent prices scored a four, home values scored a five, while fun rounded out the survey with six points. Denver’s total points came in at 35, higher than any other city in the United States. It beat out cities like Charlotte, North Carolina (a close second), Austin, San Diego, and Phoenix.

With the recent news rolling in as overly positive for Denver, those of us who already call it home can sit back and enjoy its rising popularity!

Denver Real Estate Market Strengthening

There are concrete, solid stats that support everyone’s hopes-the Denver real estate market is recovering. According to the Real Estate Market Trends, released by the Denver Metro Association of Realtors, as of September 2012, there is the lowest inventory per capita that Denver has ever seen. In general, there are only about 2.7 months of inventory and more buyers than there are sellers. And compared to 2001, there are about 20% more people in Denver, but we still have the same inventory levels as 2001. And for the first time since the housing market crash in 2008, the September average sale price has beat levels from six and seven years ago, surpassing those levels from 2005 and 2006. These are sure signs that the market is making a strong comeback! So if you wanting to sell your house, now is the time!

Denver’s Up and Coming Trendy Neighborhood

It is clearly evident that the Highlands neighborhood, west of downtown, is the new up and coming neighborhood in Denver. With new condominiums and row houses springing up overnight, this area is getting a modern update. LoHi (the eastern edge of Highlands) even caught the attention of Men’s Journal, who said that “Colorado’s capital finally has its own Brooklyn.” But what truly makes this neighborhood so appealing is the accessibility to everything one might love about Denver, yet maintaining its own, unique flare. In spite of all of the new development and modern additions, LoHi still clings to its older, cultural feel. The authentic Mexican grocery stores and taquerias still flourish and co-mingle with newer restaurants, like the high-end Mexican place, Lola and the mod-retro, Root Down. Brick brownstones and sleek townhouses fuse with the aged, yet distinguished, character of the existing homes, creating an interesting and diverse climate. And one of the highlights of the area is the pedestrian bridge that directly connects the Highlands to downtown. Crossing over I-25 and connecting 16th Street on both sides, walking from either neighborhood has never been easier. With its easy accessibility, trendy, yet historic, vibe and red hot real estate market, it is no wonder that the Highlands are Denver’s “it” neighborhood.

Charming Congress Park Home!

Listed at: $549,000

-1979 square feet + finished basement 350
-4 bedrooms
-3 full baths

Charming Congress Park home with soaring ceilings, an open floorplan, remodeled kitchen and master bath will not disappoint. 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths, 2 car garage, tons of windows and natural light, and an intricately landscaped yard complete with a flagstone patio and ornamental grasses, this home contains the best of form, function, and a top notch location. Walk to Congress Park, The Botanical Gardens, Cheesman Park, Snooze, Barolo Grill and much much more.

http://www.lizrichardsrealestate.com/1025_Cook.html

Ten Things To Do In Denver

We all have our reasons as to why we love Denver. Maybe it’s the 300+ days of sunshine a year, the short drive to world-renowned ski resorts, or just the amazing food downtown that has to offer. But most people would agree, there are certain things in Denver you have to do before you leave. Here is our Denver Bucket List.

1. Attend a Rockies game on a perfect summer’s evening. There is nothing more American than enjoying a beer and a hot dog, while watching America’s favorite past time.
2. Be sure to stroll through the Botanic Gardens when the flowers are in full bloom.
3. Eat to one of the participating restaurants during 5280 Restaurant Week. For one week, over 90 amazing restaurants offer a meal for two for just $52.80. It is a great deal at some of Denver’s best eats.
4. Drink your fill at Denver’s own, Oktoberfest. It is one of the largest of its kind in the nation and promises a good time, time-honored German heritage, and more beer varieties than you can imagine.
5. Gather the family together and spend a few days at A Taste of Colorado, the annual festival offering a variety of musical performances, local food vendors, and artisan booths. Located in Civic Center Park, the city practically shuts down for this event.
6. Take a stroll up 16th Street Mall when all of the street performers are out. It is free entertainment and the perfect place to people watch.
7. Spend a few hours in the Museum of Contemporary Art. Offering a different array of art than your typical museum, this experience is unique to Denver. And the building alone is worth seeing, designed by famous architect, David Adjaye.
8. Go on a Denver brewery tour. Colorado has one of the largest beer cultures in the country and is home to the nation’s largest brewery, Coors Brewery in Golden. But there are plenty of others in Denver that are sure to broaden your beer horizon.
9. Catch a show or ballet, or even a concert, at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. Showcasing some of Broadway’s finest plays, this gorgeous theater is a timeless experience. With famous shows on a regular basis, there is something for everyone.
10. Go to any of the bars, dance clubs, shops, or restaurants on Denver’s chic, Larimer Square. With Victorian buildings and a trendy appearance, this street as been one of Denver’s hot spot areas for over 40 years.

And because Colorado itself is so great, here are a few other things you have to do around the state:
• Attend a concert at Red Rocks. This is a must and with hundreds of concerts each year, there is no excuse.
• Hike the Maroon Bells in Aspen. The area offers trails and hikes of all difficulty level and views to die for.
• Go skiing. Colorado is known for its ski resorts and for a good reason-they are some of the best in the world!
• Take a trip down to the Mesa Verde National Park and see the cliff dwellings that date back to 600 AD.

Colorado Homes Prices Up 7.3%!

In the U.S. over the last year, homes prices have jumped up a staggering 3.8%. This increase is reason for cautious optimism, considering how weak the real estate market has been. And this is the biggest year-over-year increase in the last six years, a Denver Post article reports.

Ready for some better news? Colorado’s home prices are up 7.3%, ranking as the fifth state with the biggest gains. It falls behind Arizona, Idaho, Utah, and South Dakota. Since July 2011, Arizona’s home prices have risen nearly 16.6%.

Although the housing prices remain below where they were in April of 2006, the market has been slowly recovering in 2012. Builders are starting work on more homes, the sales of new and previously occupied homes are up, and mortgage rates are close to their lowest levels in the past 60 years. The recovery may be slow, but it is happening!

16th Street Mall to be Renovated

Earlier this year, RTD submitted close to $70 million in Federal grant applications, hoping to receive a fair portion of that to fix-up and renovate parts of the 16th Street Mall that are in dire need of some attention. According to the DenverUrbanism blog, in late July, RTD learned that they have been awarded nearly $8 million for the project!

This money will target the blocks between Market and Larimer Streets, Larimer and Lawrence Streets, and the block and a half area between Court Place and Broadway. Each section will get a full reconstruction, all the way down to the sub-base, but they will also receive an aesthetic update, with new trees, surrounding tree pits, and fountains throughout. New pavement will be laid, as well as new water and lighting utilities.

Although this money will go a long way, RTD’s application for funding for new mall shuttles and zero emission buses was denied. So instead, the project will focus on the stationary elements of the mall. Thousands of people use the pedestrian mall on a daily basis, so this project can only help to elongate the life of this historic, Denver icon.

You just bought your first home...now what?

Buying your first home is undoubtedly one of the most exciting events in one’s life. But sometimes, it can seem overwhelming. A local homebuilder, Allen Shulman, with over 25 years experience, decided to help “rookie homeowners” by putting together “The New Homeowner Guide “, a book that explains the basics of home care.

In a recent Denver Post article, Shulman explains some of the important tips in home maintenance and how to settle comfortably into that brand, new property:

If you spend now, you’ll save later: By spending a few dollars on a tube of bathroom caulk and replacing that around the walls of your bathtub, you can help to prevent water damage and avoided an ugly bill upwards of $10,000. Shulman teaches how small, immediate maintenance can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Just because it “works,” doesn’t mean it works: Even though your dryer may turn on and appear to operate normally, clogged dryer ducts cause your appliance to use up more energy and boost your energy bill. But most people never inspect these ducts and thus, never know about the problem! By regularly maintaining the dryer ducts and connections, you can avoid a hefty energy bill.

Things you don’t see CAN hurt you: Some seemingly invisible things-like mold, radon, and termites-can cause major problems for both you and your house, if you don’t know that they are there. Radon is an odorless and tasteless gas that can cause serious health issues, like lung cancer. And termites, although small bugs, can cause extensive damage to the structure of your house. But you’ll never know if any of these invisible dangers are there unless you get your home tested. A simple test can save you big bucks!

Check out Shulman’s company, BrightNest, for other expert tips and relevant reminders to help make your new home the best it can be!

HGTV Host Gives Advice for High Style on a Low Budget

Sabrina Soto hosts HGTV’s “The High Low Project,” a show where she helps people find affordable solutions to add cool, unique design elements to their homes. A recent article in the Denver Post highlighted some of Soto’s secrets and advice on finding bargain items and creating stylish settings.

• Bargain shop. Soto's favorite haunts are thrift stores, but she also frequents online auctions, Craigslist, etsy.com, Overstock.com, Target, and HomeGoods.
• Look for new uses for common items. Next time you see an old birdcage, imagine, ooh, a cool chandelier. Likewise, when you find an ugly glass table at a thrift store, buy it for the glass, which is often worth more. Put the glass on a new, fun base. Look twice at ugly lamps. Many can be transformed with a new shade. Buy bad art if it has a cool frame.
• Read the reviews. Because pictures can be deceiving, when buying a product online, read all the customer comments. "When I've made a mistake, or been disappointed in an online purchase, I often find the warning was in a review," she said. "Right there, it will say, color not as it appears! Now I religiously read them."
• Search for design features, not names. When searching for low-cost alternatives to high-end-looks, don't search for the item by store name. For instance, don't search Restoration Hardware Tufted Headboard. Search for tufted headboards with bronze nail heads. "You may find one that has the same character, only it's covered in microfiber not Belgian linen, and it costs a lot less. Also try searching by manufacturer, not store, and see if the item shows up elsewhere for less,” says Soto.
• Only make what you can't find or afford. "I'm very time-sensitive," says Soto, whose first choice is to find ready-to-go deals locally. When she can't, she shops online. If she still can't find what she wants, then she gets crafty.
• Worst corners to cut: Spend real money on upholstered items that look and feel good, said Soto, who doesn't like to buy upholstered items used, unless they were very gently used. She has bought bargain furniture off of film sets where they were used for a shoot.
• Best corners to cut: Wood furniture. "The most awful looking pieces can be sanded down and painted." She talked a friend, who was expecting a baby, out of buying a vintage wood dresser for her nursery that cost over $1,000. "It's insane to spend that on nursery furniture." Instead, Soto told her friend to buy an unfinished dresser and paint it high-gloss teal like the dresser she wanted. The friend reluctantly took her advice. They added vintage knobs from Anthropologie, "which we spent a little money on," and it looked gorgeous — for $125.

Natural Bamboo Artwork at the Denver Botanic Gardens

The Denver Botanic Gardens is always a great weekend destination to escape to and surround yourself with natural beauty. This Garden’s signature exhibition for the summer is Kizuna: West Meets East, which highlights two prominent installation artists working in bamboo: Tetsunori Kawana and Stephen Talasnik. Using different working methods, both artists employed this versatile natural material to create large site-specific works for the Gardens.

Related to this exhibition, the Denver Botanic Gardens will unveil the newly expanded Japanese Garden, Shofu-en, with the additions of the new Bill Hosokawa Bonsai Pavilion and Tea Garden in June. These expanded areas will feature living displays that illustrate the diversity of bamboo species.

If you’re planning a visit to see the bamboo exhibition, here are a few things to keep in mind:
• Kizuna Exhibition Tours: Join docents on an interpretative walk to explore and appreciate the works of Kawana and Talasnik. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact tours@botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3539.
• Japanese Tea Ceremony for Families: Saturday, July 21, 2012 - 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Come experience the centuries-old Japanese tradition of chanoyu - the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Discover the four principals that guide a ceremony, learn about the purposeful design of the Ella Mullen Weckbaugh Tea House and observe a real tea ceremony. Cost is Member Adult/Child $30 or Non-Member Adult/Child $35.
• Bonsai Workshop for Families: Saturday, August 4, 2012 - 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Bonsai is an ancient Japanese art form where miniature trees are grown in containers. Come explore a variety of bonsai in the new Bill Hosokawa Bonsai Pavilion, discover the techniques used to form bonsai and start your own jade plant bonsai to take home. Cost is Member Adult/Child $30 and Non-Member Adult/Child $35.

Another Reason to Love Denver:

Yves Saint Laurent Exhibit at DAM

Few names top the list of fashion icons like Yves Saint Laurent. The French-born designer is often described as one of the most influential designers in the last fifty years and upon his death in 2008 at age 71, the New York Times described him as “the designer who arguably did more to advance fashion than any other of his generation pointed the way to the future by consistently reviving the past. His enduring fascination with more gracious or, perhaps, more vital times, informed his refined, theatrical aesthetic and made him the most influential designer of his day. His celebrated fashions of the '60s and the '70s continue to inspire younger generations.”

To celebrate his life, a sweeping retrospective of the designer’s 40 years of creativity, Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective features a stunning selection of 200 haute couture garments along with numerous photographs, drawings, and films that illustrate the development of Saint Laurent's style and the historical foundations of his work. And the Denver Art Museum (DAM) happens to be the only venue in the U.S. that will be hosting the exhibit.

Organized thematically, the presentation melds design and art to explore the full arc of Saint Laurent’s career, from his first days at Dior in 1958 through the splendor of his evening dresses from 2002. The exhibit runs through July 8 at DAM, so plan your trip there soon to catch a glimpse of this once-in-a-lifetime presentation.

If you’re planning a night out to see the exhibit, you might also consider making reservations at Palettes, the on-site restaurant at the museum. In honor of Yves Saint Laurent, the restaurant is featuring a three-course prix-fixe Retro-French Tasting menu for $26.

Planning Your Produce Shopping at Denver-Area Farmers Markets

For those looking to do their spring/summer produce shopping at Denver-area farmers markets, there are three main ones to consider visiting:

1.) CHERRY CREEK FRESH MARKET
Saturdays, May 5 – Oct 27, 8 am – 1 pm
& Wednesdays, Jun 20 – Sep 26, 9 am – 1 pm
1st Ave. & University Blvd.
2.) CITY PARK ESPLANADE FRESH MARKET
Sundays, May 13 – Oct 28, 9 am – 1 pm
E. Colfax Ave. & Columbine St.
3.) STAPLETON FARMERS MARKET
Sundays, Jun 17 – Oct 14, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
E. 29th Ave. & Roslyn St.
These three markets are overseen by an organization called Colorado Fresh Markets, and have been referred to as the "Cadillac of farmers markets among nearly 50 markets throughout Colorado" according to Colorado Biz Magazine.

With a dedication to supporting local Colorado farmers, shoppers will find great selections of fresh produce and other amazing food. And to help you plan your shopping, Colorado Fresh Markets also offers a crop calendar that lists out when certain produce is in season.

Cherry Creek North Development Project Put on Hold

A recent Denver Post article said that a proposed redevelopment along Columbine Street in Cherry Creek North is on hold while Denver finalizes the area plan for the neighborhood. According to the article, the proposed project by Western Development set forth plans for “an eight-story, 70,000-square-foot office building on the northeast corner of Columbine and East Second Avenue. The $100 million development would step down gradually as it approaches Third Avenue, where a three-story building would include about 80 condos. The development also includes 38,000 square feet of retail space.”

Western Development is facing opposition from the Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Association, in terms of building scale, traffic and parking associated with the project. The Association will be hosting a General Resident Meeting on Tuesday, May 22th at 7pm at the Daniels Fund Building. The Meeting will provide residents with highlights of the Cherry Creek Area Plan and present specific information from two of its important working groups 1) Urban Form and its work on BID zoning modifications and 2) Transit with its views on future Cherry Creek transportation issues and improvement recommendations.

Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concert Series

There’s nothing like a gorgeous summer night in Denver set to some live music in an amazing setting. Maybe throw in some wine and cheese too. All of these things come together at the Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concert Series and this year’s line-up is pretty stellar with music that runs from classic R&B to traditional South African harmonies.Tickets went on sale Monday for Garden members and then open up to the general public on May 1. Here’s the line-up of concerts:• July 11—Nanci Griffith with special guest Greg Brown• July 16—Marc Cohn with special guest Joan Osborne• July 17—Natalie Merchant with the Colorado Symphony• July 23—Al Green• July 25—Mary Chapin Carpenter• August 6—Diana Krall with special guest Denzal Sinclaire• August 9—Ladysmith Black Mambazo and The Johnny Clegg Band• August 10—Shawn Colvin and Loudon Wainwright III• August 16—Kenny Loggins• August 17—Wynonna & The Big Noise• August 21—Gipsy Kings• August 30—Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers with special guest Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers• September 7—Pat Metheny Unity Band
And if you don’t feel like packing your own food, pre-order a meal by Catering by Designs and you’ll have an amazing basket of culinary delights waiting for you at the concert.