Why We Celebrate Labor Day and What To Do in Denver for the Holiday Weekend

Hard to believe September is already here it feels like we were just gearing up for a hot summer (and yet we are still having some of those hot summer days!). To start off the beginning of fall we know we start the month off celebrating Labor Day that always lands on the first weekend of September. When I was younger, I always knew my summer was over after we celebrated the holiday because it meant back to school but today, kids head back to school a few weeks before Labor Day, I guess we were lucky back in the day!

Labor Day is a public holiday celebrated in the United States, which honors the American labor movement and all the contributions workers have made to make our country great. This is a day we honor those workers who came before us and the workers of today who continue to build on the foundation of everything the United States stands for as a prosperous and strong country.

Many people try to get out of town for the holiday weekend, which we always recommend as a last hoo-rah to the end of summer. But if you are staying in Denver this weekend, here is a list of fun activities for you and the family to enjoy over the long weekend besides all the cookouts and pool times already scheduled.

Riot Fest & Rodeo – National Western Complex

If you are a music lover, Riot Fest is always one for the books with their incredible lineup that includes Jane’s Addiction, The Original Misfits, Nas, Fitz & The Tantrums and Death Cab For Cutie just to name a few. Because of the location they are rocking a rodeo theme this year plus a bbq cook-off. Might be hard to grab tickets but if you can get some this is not an event to be missed!

Taste of Colorado – Civic Center Park

If you like to eat a variety of food this is the place for you to be this weekend. Over 500,000 people make their way to Taste and it’s because they want to try some of the 50 area restaurants and food trucks that pop up at Civic Center Park.

Phish – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

I probably don’t even need to put this on here because Phish fanatics have had their tickets for a long time now. But if you have never experienced a Phish show, it is one for the books and they are here playing three nights over the holiday weekend.

First Friday Art Walk – Denver’s Art Districts

Denver has an ever-growing art community and they love to showcase local talent every first Friday of the month with art walks found on Santa Fe, RiNo and the Highlands. Enjoy food and drinks as you make your way up and down the streets and galleries all open for the public to enjoy the art of many Coloradians.

Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks – Coors Field

There is nothing quite like a baseball game for the holiday weekend is there? Gather up your family or a group of friends and head to Coors Field to cheer on the Colorado Rockies as they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Colorado State Fair – Colorado State Fairgrounds

The Colorado State Fair is going on through September 5th so make sure to get the family and head on down to the fairgrounds. See animals, eat amazing food, ride carnival rides and enjoy art exhibitions.

There is so much to do over this holiday weekend and we encourage all of you to be safe. Have a great Labor Day weekend whatever your plans and here’s to a good start to the fall season!

What Exactly You Pay For When You Hire A Realtor

One subject matter that can be hard to discuss between clients and agents in real estate is the matter of compensation. No one likes to talk about money that much, or what a buyer/seller is going to have to bring to the table with it comes time to pay the agents for their services. I find when I discuss my fees with clients I like to break it down into a few realities and truths that many people do not know about agents:

·      We receive no hourly salary – Time is our greatest commodity and when we are working for you we are investing countless hours taking you to see homes, having open houses, writing up contracts, getting on the phone with other agents, inspectors and other real estate people. We spend seven days a week working for our clients to make sure a transaction runs smoothly from the acceptance of the offer to the closing day. We are in a career where we spend hours upon hours helping clients and will only be paid if and when we close the deal. If we do not close, no matter how much time we spent on your real estate endeavor, we do not get paid. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

·      We split our commission with other people – A lot of clients see the commission rates anywhere from 3%-10% and sometimes question why the amount for the agent. Well the truth is, we have to split our commission with everyone involved in the real estate transaction. First, between the real estate companies involved in the transaction. The company with the closing agent will then pay out that agent and the rest will go to the real estate firm to help pay taxes and business overheads. They also use their portion to help market your home, media and other social platforms to help give your house the best chance to be sold. Remember, both agents get paid, the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent all comes out of one commission. When explained that way, it is easier to see why a percentage may appear high but actually is being divided when the real estate deal is done to cover everyone’s expenses that was involved in the transaction.

·      Our commissions = Our salaries – This last discussion is always tough because when it comes to my clients; I want to do my best for them as a real estate agent. And when it comes to my commission, there is a little room for negotiation but for the most part, I have set prices for a reason. It would be like if your boss came into your office tomorrow and said hey, I want you to do all the work you are doing and maybe a bit more, but I’m going to cut your salary by 20%. What would you do in that situation? You would be one unhappy camper and would probably start looking for another job. That’s the same for us agents, you may not see all the work we do behind the scenes but I have spent countless nights working well into the wee hours to make sure my clients buy or sell their homes in the best way possible. You are paying for experience, you are paying for my time, you are paying me because you know that I care immensely about each of my clients and will work ultra hard to make sure everything happens the way it should in any real estate transaction.

No one likes to talk about money and payment but I also want to educate my clients so that when the time comes they will know what to expect. Just remember, anyone can pay an agent, make sure you have a great agent working for you so you know your money is going towards everything you want in your real estate endeavors. Feel free to contact me today and let me help you with your next real estate purchase or sell. 

Why Denver is the Perfect Place for Young Entrepreneurs

If I were to tell you that Denver ranks pretty high in the country for places that young entrepreneurs are moving to, would that surprise you? Probably not because we all know that Denver is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and with our outdoor playground in our backyard, the work/life balance here attracts hard workers from all areas. Recently, Denver was ranked 9th in the nation of best cities for young entrepreneurs based on the four criteria of young adult influence, educational attainment, population growth and tax environment by MoneyRates.com.

The rate at which this city is growing will not slow down anytime soon and the types of jobs that the city has to offer is bringing more and more talent to Colorado. Young entrepreneurs see Denver as a place to set up shop because they don’t have the excessive cost of living, a great pick of potential workers and they get to live in one of the most beautiful states in the country. Also the location of Denver is idea for work, it is not too long of a flight from California or the Midwest (New York is always a bit of a long flight but hey, for the view of the Rocky Mountains I think many people will take the three + hour flight).

When many of these young entrepreneurs come to Denver they are looking for a place to set up shop or even a place they can use as a live/work space. One thing I would recommend is to look into the extensive selection of lofts this city has to offer that are ideal as live/work spaces. Since 2005, I have been specializing in lofts, specifically those in the downtown area, and my website AllDenverLofts.com is a great place to start looking for any young entrepreneur looking to move to Denver. Not only will you have a spot to work and live, but you will also own property here in Denver that is always a great investment. I constantly tell my clients that the greatest investment anyone can make for themselves in Denver right now is in real estate and the facts and numbers that recent studies have shown continue to prove that point.

If you are an entrepreneur looking to move to the Denver area sometime soon or anytime in the future, give me a call or email today and let’s set up a time to chat about the choices you have when it comes to looking for the perfect life/work space for your business.

Live/work Loft At The Bolt Factory - Listed By: Phillip Svabodo, Blue Shift Real Estate  $5000/MO

8/26/16

July % Of Sold Properties By Financing Terms

Provided By DMAR's Market Trends Cmmittee

The Most Expensive Houses in Denver

It is safe to say that there is quite a range of houses in the Denver housing market these days. From small bungalows and apartments ranging from $250-$400K to multi-million dollar homes that can cost up to $1,000/sqft or more Denver is full of homes of all price ranges.

A lot of the million dollar homes in Denver have that price point not only for the extensive home built on the property but also for the property itself. Many people love Colorado for the scenery and when they are looking for a spot with a view that is exactly what they are paying for with these homes. Watching the sunset over the Rocky Mountains or the sun rise over downtown Denver every morning is what many homebuyers are looking for, they want the luxury home along with the million-dollar-view each and everyday.

The one area of town that hosts a lot of these beautiful homes is the Cherry Hills Village neighborhood. The homes found in this neighborhood are said to be some of the most expensive in the city with a median home value of around $9.5 million. But other neighborhoods are catching up quickly for example you can find some stunning modern homes popping up in the Tennyson and Highlands neighborhoods which is attracting more and more homeowners who want to stay close to the city.

These stunning million-dollar homes will continue to be a must have for many Denverites and that is where I come in. As many of you know I joined Kentwood a few months ago and while I work with buyers and sellers of all price ranges, one thing Kentwood is known for is luxury homes. Like I tell any of my clients, buying and selling a home is a lot of work and you need to have an agent whom you trust to handle all your business. As a certified real estate agent with many years of experience, I am confident in my ability to help you buy and/or sell your million-dollar home with as much ease as possible. These beautiful homes with even more beautiful views can be yours and I want to help you find the home of your dreams. Feel free to shoot me an email or give me a call today and let’s set up a time to grab coffee and talk about what it is I can do as your agent and what it is you are looking for when it comes to finding that perfect home with the best view. 

Kentwood City's Lobby/Reception Area.