Hike in South Boulder Today–Mesa Trail

We did a hike today starting at NCAR on the Mesa Trail over to Chautauqua Park.  Came across two rattlesnakes on the trail–could see one (see pic) and we heard one behind some rocks really rattling away.

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Visit to Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado

I don’t get down to Pearl Street as much as I used to.  Took a few pictures there this morning.

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Louisville CO Rec Center Expansion

Here are a few pics of the current expansion in progress:

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Don’t Make this Mistake when Selling your Home

Two homes on the same street sold recently in Louisville, CO.  Both similar in size–one was updated and listed by a Realtor, the other was not updated and not listed by a Realtor.  The updated house listed by a Realtor sold for 105% of list price–bidding war situation.

The non-updated house not listed by a Realtor was sold via word of mouth or one of those buyer letters.  The non-updated house sold for $90,000 less.  If the non-updated house had been listed by a Realtor and put on the market it would have sold for at least $50,000 more than what it sold for.

Make sure to always hire a Professional Realtor to provide a full-service listing when selling your home.

(Disclaimer:  I was not involved in either transaction)

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Real Estate Issues to be Aware of When Moving to Colorado

Based on my experience being a Realtor in Colorado since 2002 here are the major real estate issues you need to be aware of when moving here.

1.  Expansive Soils: Colorado has a lot of bentonite clay in the soil.  What does this mean?  It primarily affects concrete in a home.  The foundation, the garage, the driveway, the walk-way to the house and the sidewalks.  The soil will expand and contract which causes heaving and cracking in all of these areas.  You need to be aware of this.

2.  Open land does not equal “Open Space.”  Open Space is an official term which means the land is owned by any or multiple of these entities–City, County, Township and HOA.  There might be other entities but you need to understand just because the land is open and not developed does not mean it’s designated Open Space.  Open land can be developed so the nice view you thought you had could turn into another housing development or retail center.

3.  Fracking sites and oil companies drilling close to residential areas.  This has become a hot issue in Colorado recently since many oil companies are fracking (a form of drilling for oil) so close to neighborhoods and schools.  Uncapped oil wells are also an issue–a fatal home explosion occurred in Frederick earlier this year where two people in the home were killed by the explosion.

4.  New Housing Developments–there a lot issues here you need to be aware of.

How close are the new housing developments to environmental hazards such as nuclear sites, active landfills, or oil wells?  (location, location, location!!)

Are the new housing developments built in a flood zone?  (Yes, this happens)

What is the water drainage like in the housing development?  Are there issues?  (Yes, this happens. I know of one new housing community which has major water drainage issues)

Appraisal Gap–Builders expect Buyers to make up the difference in the appraisal gap by bringing additional cash to the closing.  Depending on the price of the home this could be substantial–up to $50,000 to $100,000.  Make sure to protect yourself.

5.  Radon Gas–from the basement.  This can be addressed by purchasing a radon mitigation system for a cost of around $800 to $1,500.

6.  Forest fires.  If you buy a home in the mountains or in the foothills be aware of the potential for forest fires.  You will also need to make sure you will be able to acquire full home insurance coverage in these areas.

7.  Flooding and flood zone.  In September, 2013 a lot of Colorado had major flooding. Was the home you’re considering affected?  Was the flood damage remediated?

8.  Meth Houses and Marijuana Grow Houses—this is a serious issue and you’d be surprised to find higher priced homes are affected.

9.   Open Enrollment for Public Schools.  A lot of people say you can get into any school through open enrollment.  This is not true because some schools student enrollment are capped and they will not allow any more students to enroll through open enrollment.  This is an emotional issue–believe me, I know, we’ve been through this a few times with our daughters.

What is the best way to protect yourself to make sure your home and choice of neighborhood is not affected by one of these issues?  Hire a professional Realtor to be your Buyer’s Agent.

Especially when buying new construction, builders say you don’t need a Realtor to represent you but you do, yes, you do.  I have seen too many unfortunate situations where Builders have either misrepresented their product or provided such poor quality in the home and finish that could have been prevented if the Buyer had been represented by a Realtor (Buyer’s Agent).

Why take a chance on your home and your financial nest egg?  If you’re moving to Colorado, hire Mario Jannatpour to be your Buyer’s Agent.

Mario Jannatpour

 You can reach me at “three zero three, nine three one, eight zero zero three.”  Leave a voice mail if I don’t pick up.  Thanks

 

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Weekend Getaway to Crested Butte, Colorado

We went to Crested Butte for Labor Day weekend.  It’s a beautiful place to visit in the summer.  We did some great hikes, ate some good food and our kids got to swim in the hotel swimming pool.  Ha!  We stayed at the Grand Lodge and it was nice.

One negative it is a long-trip for a 3/4 day weekend.  Door-to-door it’s a 5 hour drive–mainly because of traffic and most of the trip is on single lane highways.

Hiking around Lake Irwin

Hiking around Lake Irwin

 

Lake Irwin

Lake Irwin

 

Our Weekend Group

Our Weekend Group

 

Lower Loop Trail by Peanut Lake. My youngest daughter throwing rocks.

Lower Loop Trail by Peanut Lake. My youngest daughter throwing rocks.

 

Crested Butte Mountain

Crested Butte Mountain

 

If you’re moving to the Boulder/Louisville/Lafayette/Superior/Niwot/Erie area and you need a Realtor who specializes in helping Relocation Buyers I can help you.

Mario Jannatpour                                                 Mario Jannatpour

 

alliancenum1noweb

 

 

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The Louisville, Colorado Real Estate Market Has Reached its Peak!

This is my opinion—-

I’ve noticed this year a number of homes in Louisville have gone on the market well over $1M but not many of them are selling at that price.  A lot of Sellers have been pushing the envelope listing their home in the $1.2M to $1.5M range in Louisville, Colorado.  Since January 1st of this year only one resale home in Louisville has sold for over $1M and it was just barely at $1,013,824. (The newly built houses on Hutchinson Street were all listed below $1M but some of them did sell over $1M once all updates and finishes were chosen.)

I am predicting a slow down in the Louisville Colorado real estate market next year.  A few factors–election year with candidates that make everyone nervous–builders are building like crazy so supply is going to catch up with demand–and we’re going to start seeing a lot of people moving out of Louisville and buying new construction in Lafayette/Erie areas so this will increase the resale supply in Louisville.

Louisville has reached its peak.  It’s still going to remain a good investment but no one is going to pay over $1M for older homes which are not updated.  Better options in Boulder/Niwot/Erie at those prices.  Two years ago I helped a Buyer buy a newly built home in Old Town Louisville for $1.1M.  I don’t see many homes like that on the market this year in Louisville.

If you have any thoughts feel free to contact me to share your opinion.

Mario Jannatpour

Mario Jannatpour

 

alliancenum1noweb

 

 

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New IKEA Store in Broomfield, Colorado

It was reported this week by the Denver Post that IKEA is going to build a 2nd store in Colorado.

The first store is located in South Denver close to the Park Meadows Mall off of I-25.

The new store is going to be located at the NW corner of I-25 and HWY 7.  Highway 7 turns into Baseline Road in Lafayette as you head west towards Boulder.  The new IKEA store will be a 25-30 minute drive from Boulder—20 minutes from Louisville and Lafayette.

I took a few pics yesterday of where the new IKEA is going to built.

New Ikea Store in Colorado--corner of HWY 7 and I-25

New Ikea Store in Colorado–corner of HWY 7 and I-25

New Ikea Store in Colorado--corner of HWY 7 and I-25

New Ikea Store in Colorado–corner of HWY 7 and I-25

 

alliancenum1noweb

 

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Awesome South Boulder Hiking Trail

From Table Mesa Drive take up past Broadway.  Turn right on Stanford Drive (in front of King Soopers)  Stay on Stanford, veer to right past apartments.  Stay on Stanford and go all the way to the top, it will turn into Kohler Drive.  Turn right when road ends and park at Trailhead on Deer Valley Road.

I recommend you hike in the morning because generally the skies will be clearer because it usually gets cloudy in the afternoon.

Hike to the left and get on the maintenance road and then keep going west.  You’ll be on Skunk Canyon Trail and you hike straight towards the mountains.  Amazing views of all the Flatirons.  Skunk Canyon Trail goes all the way to Mesa Trail on top and you’ll be very close to the Flatirons.

It’s a beautiful hike and also great exercise since you’re going straight up.  Your heart will start pounding for sure and if it’s hot you will sweat.  Going up and down takes about 60-75 minutes.

Then afterwards you can have a nice lunch in South Boulder.

See some of the pics–you can click on each pic to get a better resolution:

Skunk Canyon Trail

Skunk Canyon Trail

Skunk Canyon Trail Loop Back

Skunk Canyon Trail Loop Back

Beginning of Skunk Canyon Trail

Beginning of Skunk Canyon Trail

View of Bear Mountain

View of Bear Mountain

Great Blue Sky Day for a Hike

Great Blue Sky Day for a Hike

Made it Top, on Mesa Trail

Made it Top, on Mesa Trail

 

alliancenum1noweb

 

 

 

 

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Colorado is Pretty Close to Hawaii

We went to the Big Island over Spring Break recently. It was a great family vacation. From Colorado, Hawaii is about 6-7 hours of flight time. You can fly through Phoenix, San Fran or LA.

Here’s a video I took from our condo:

alliancenum1noweb

 

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