Living in Colorado - January, 2019

5 Ways Millennials Will Affect the Colorado Housing Market Over the Next Ten Years

A change is coming to the Colorado housing market and millennials are at the forefront of that wave. Millennials make up the largest part of the United States’ workforce, but are moving and purchasing homes at the lowest rate of any generation in years. What are the factors in this seeming contradiction and what does it mean for the Colorado housing market going forward? And most importantly, what does it mean for millennials looking to purchase a home in Colorado today?

Who Are Millennials?

Millennials are defined as anyone who was born between 1981 and 1996. That would make them between the ages of 22 and 37 today. This generation was old enough to remember the 9/11 terrorist attacks, they were in high-school or college when the first iPhone…

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Want your house to sell for more? Think about adding one of these.

Contrary to popular belief (and local new construction) homebuyers still want bathtubs.

Yes, yes, we’ve all been told that "bathrooms and kitchens sell houses." But according to an illuminating new survey from realestate.com, one particular bathroom feature is a real deal-maker: a claw-foot bathtub.

For real? Yep, per the survey's participants, homes that had a claw-foot bathtub in the listing sold, on average, for 29 percent above asking price. That's some serious ROI now, folks. 

We were honestly surprised, too: We would have expected a more modern amenity (like a rain head shower or trendy tiling) to be the hot ticket item. But it just goes to show ya that some classic character features have real staying power—especially…

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Just Listed: Ranch Home in Green Mountain with Mountain Views

Highly desirable location, easy living ranch floorplan with full finished basement and plenty of light.

Mountain views! Surrounded by thousands of acres of open space - Green Mountain, Bear Creek Lake Park. Minutes from Red Rocks Amphitheater. Great Jeffco schools! Beautiful hardwood floors, granite kitchen countertops, gas insert fireplace for instant warmth on cold winter nights. New stainless steel kitchen appliances. Stainless steel dishwasher to be installed by Feb. 5. New carpet in main floor bedrooms. Brand new roof and gutters. Brand new garage door and opener. Central air, forced gas heat and whole house fan for summer sleeping! Large basement rec room. One of the biggest backyards on the block, with trex deck and stamped concrete patio…

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Builders Betting Big On Luxury Townhomes As Millennials Eye Homeownership

NAHB consumer preference data suggests that like prior generations, Gen-Xers and Millennials desire homeownership, and for a variety of reasons, townhomes fit the bill.

All those cranes that you see around Denver are also a common sight in cities across the country...and along with new apartment buildings, hotels, and other commercial construction...many of those projects are Luxury Condos aiming to accommodate homebuyers who want a single-family feel with better walkability. They are also looking for amenities like rooftop pools and decks, concierge services, and lock-and-leave ability to accommodate frequent travel.

According to Forbes:

“They want a suburban-type feel, but the one thing that may have changed, particularly for Millennials,…

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Just Listed: Vintage Rowhome in Curtis Park with Exposed Brick and Beautiful Updates

Welcome home to this vintage rowhome with everything you have been looking for.

Whether you want to move in and enjoy the versatile layout filled with urban charm...or create an additional income stream with a low-maintenance rental...this historic home has you covered. From the exposed brick walls to the private outdoor space, and from the remodeled kitchen with gorgeous countertops to the gleaming hardwood floors and open layout, this space is ready for a night in with the girls, a quiet night in with the fam, or a warmup cocktail before a night out on the town. Whether you're taking the light rail Downtown or walking to your favorite RiNo restaurant, heading to the dog park or looking for an easy commute to work...you are going to love owning this…

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Just Listed: Updated Loft near Coors Field with Rooftop Deck and Underground Parking

DOWNTOWN LIVING AT ITS BEST IN THE HISTORIC STADIUM LOFTS!

You are in the middle of all the downtown fun in this gorgeous loft located next to Coors Field. Hardwood floors, exposed brick, huge windows and soaring ceilings bring in an abundance of natural light. Updated with new countertops, stainless steel appliances, new light fixtures and modern bathroom. The spacious open floor plan is made for entertaining. A bonus is the amazing rooftop deck, with 360 degree views of the city and mountains. Nightime views enjoying a glass of wine are absolutely magical, and you won't want to miss the fireworks that explode overhead.

The HOA includes cable, water and maintenance. 1 underground parking space and storage unit in the heated garage are included.…

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Just Listed: Custom Home in Genesee with Expansive Views and Idyllic Mountain Setting

From the moment you enter, you will feel the love that has gone into the many custom projects throughout this home. The custom kitchen was designed for beauty and function, and includes a pantry built with reclaimed wood. The open and bright family room has a soaring stone mantle and wood burning stove which adds character and warmth. Large windows offer views of both the surrounding foothills and the city lights at night. The master bedroom is a true retreat with a custom wall featuring the same reclaimed wood used in the lower level. The adjoining master bath is spacious and offers a large walk in closet. Three lovely secondary bedrooms share a large bath on the upper floor. The walkout basement is fully finished and offers space for many…

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Cost vs. Value: The Home Improvement Projects With the Highest ROI in 2019

Remodelers across the country took a hit last summer as the cost of building materials spiked dramatically, and the picture for 2019 isn't much rosier. 

The percentage of return on investment (ROI) is projected to trend downward for all the replacement projects listed in Remodeling magazine's newly-released Cost vs. Value Report.

Larger indoor remodel projects took a hit as well, but weren't impacted as greatly as replacement projects as they rely more on labor costs rather than material costs.

"With the increasing costs of building materials and labor, we urge remodelers to think like real estate professionals first,” says Clayton DeKorne, editor-in-chief of Remodeling magazine. "When you adjust your focus to think like a broker first, you…

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You can buy a house on southern Italy's beautiful island of Sicily for less than the cost of an espresso.

Looking for a dose of instant sunshine to help you through the winter?

This latest deal out of Italy could be just the warm jolt of vitamin D you need.

As of right now, you can buy a house on southern Italy's beautiful island of Sicily for less than the cost of an espresso.

Sambuca, a hilltop town with views over the Mediterranean island and nearby beaches, has placed dozens of dwellings on the market for €1, or just over a dollar.

The deal is aimed at reviving a community that, like many other rural spots in Italy, has suffered from depopulation in recent years as residents move to bigger cities.

It's not the first Italian town to lure in outsiders with tempting offers but, say local officials, Sambuca is scrapping red tape to make…

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Student Debt Is a Driver of Low Millennial Homeownership

American homeownership has been on the decline, and Federal Reserve researchers point to the high cost of college as one culprit.

According to Bloomberg, just 36 percent of household heads between 24 and 32 years old owned homes in 2014, down from 45 percent in 2005. At the same time, average student debt per capita rose to an inflation-adjusted $10,000 from $5,000 in 2005.

About 20 percent of the decline in homeownership among young adults can be attributed to that increase in student loan debt, the authors estimate, making such borrowing an important, but not central, driver of the decline. Some 400,000 more young people would have owned homes in 2014 if debt burdens hadn’t risen.

Why does this happen? It’s partly because higher student…

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