Local establishments

Today's blog will be about local establishments, located in: you guessed it- Cheesman Park.

The first of two that I will be highlighting will be Lik's Ice Cream. Located at 13th and Vine, this little local beauty is an establishment that you have to try! Check out their website here: http://www.liksicecream.com. From what I can read, it is handmade 14% butter fat ice cream, in many different flavors. It starts with vanilla to espresso almond fudge, and everything in between. A great try, and of course, Colorado Local.

The second, several doors away is Wyman's #5. With no actual website, it is the epitome of your local joint. The owner is the proprietor of The Irish Hound, the Elm, Three Dogs Tavern, and Spot Bar and Grill. With decent food, and a variety of beers on tap, there is little you wouldn't like about it. It isn't busy, but pays the rent- which means it is a bar, that is open. If you live in Cheesman or Cap Hill, an easy, safe walk gets you in and out, sans problem.

My apologies on lacking in the blogging field. I have been tied down with the DNC and doing some bike racing. I am sitting at the 2nd place spot in the Summit Mountain Challenge Mountain Bike series, which means I will get a neat photo, if I finish well next week! Hooray!

Thanks for reading!

Ed Martin
Showcase Properties
apexofdenver.blogspot.com
303-875-4450

Marion Street problem fixed!!!

In an earlier post, I reported that a specific lot was completely neglected. It was overgrown, poorly maintained, and a complete eyesore on the block.

Great news!

The lot has been mowed. Still awaiting any development plans or actions, but at least it doesn't look like the Amazon Rainforest anymore.

Short and sweet!

Edward Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
303-875-4450
apexofdenver.blogspot.com

Observations about re-urbanization

With doom and gloom that the news media is feeding you, I have to insert a question:

What if times are great, and we don't even know it? What if this is as good as it gets?

In doing some reading and thinking about the current state of life, real estate, Denver, and Colorado, things may not be as bad as they say. I hate to be a non-believer in the news-media, but in working downtown the other night, people seemed pretty happy to be out.

Like all things, we are interconnected. I have yet to see statistics (unbiased statistics? Everyone has an agenda...there is a statistic for everything) that link the emotional health with news, or anything, for that matter.

When people ask me what is going on with real estate, I naturally back off and let them know that there are a lot of factors to summarize the current, past, present, or future real estate trends.

Just as Best Buy sells electronics, McDonalds sells hamburgers, news-media sells news, many real estate brokers sell homes. There are some markets that are doing better than others. There are some markets doing worse than others.

Many people are on edge about an incoming president, high gas prices, summertime heat, and stressors associated with things like money, house payments, and foreclosures. My advice: be informed and learn as much as possible about these things- it will put you in a better position to make informed decisions and cope with all types of stress, and deal with the ups and downs of a turbulent real estate market.

Thanks for reading!

Edward Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
apexofdenver.blogspot.com
303-875-4450

The Colfax Events Center

In perusing the most recent issue of Life on Capitol Hill, one columnist brought attention to an error made regarding the new Colfax Events Center.

This historic building, built in 1929 (zoned L2-Interdenominational Church with Missionary Emphasis), purchased in 1995, is now being rented for small venue concerts.

This church has embraced the idea of revenue (nonprofit) on the Colfax Corridor. I believe this venue has been used by sponsors like Swallow Hill Music Association and the Tattered Cover. It is a 500 seat auditorium. While I can't see huge name acts on the former playbill, it is just adjacent to the Lowenstein Theatre. The nearest venues from there are the Bluebird Theater.

It would also appear that it is going to be the site of the Velvet Elvis Gospel Revival, which looks to certainly be an interesting act.

The interesting thing about this, is when it comes to space, it is very difficult to find space for anything. In articles and reviews, people are asking why the Church is not restricting use and access?

As the Colfax Corridor grows, they realize that with 5 theaters within 2 miles of each other, they should really 'cash' in on the arts culture along Colfax- with local artists, and a live venue that could be great for any kind of intimate arts atmosphere.

Real Estate value? Neo-urbanization is dependent on the arts, culture, and those who are willing to open their doors (and their hearts) to something people want. Colfax seems to be 'concert row.' It encompasses local acts, the odd, the strange, and the well-known. This is a great addition to Colfax, and I should tell you, also, that it is nearly across the street from the new Esplanade project, on the Church in the City site.

Thanks for reading!

Edward Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
apexofdenver.blogspot.com
303-875-4450

Pedicabs, DNC, other topics!

Hi Bloggers,

In working my side job yesterday, I was pleasantly informed that I made the Rocky Mountain News! I was riding my pedicab on the mall and was asked to have my picture taken. Lo and behold, I made page 7 press. Read the article.
I love it!

In other news, the biggest news-maker has been this debacle of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Just to be clear, there is so much to know about this, so in this post, I will outline the origins and why it is having such a large effect on our real estate market.

Fannie Mae was created by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in 1938, to provide liquidity to the mortgage markets. It received federal funding until 1968, when it was converted to a privately held corporation.

Its use in current day mortgage market is that it provides guarantees (for a charge) of loans, more specifically, of the secondary market. The secondary mortgage market is in a bit of trouble, due to sub-prime lending practices.

It should also be said that the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve (not a government agency, mind you) recently granted low interest loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to sure up confidence in many failing and problematic mortgage backed securities in the U.S. stock markets. It is an interesting political note, as well, that the prohibition of the U.S. Treasury Department to own stock of Fannie Mae, has been removed.

What are the implications for this thing? We don't know, ultimately. We are noticing an enlargement of government power, which won't allow the market to fail, then correct itself. I believe that this may be necessary to get us back to a nursing point, but I am a fan of Laissez-Faire- in other words, the market must correct itself. It has been proven many times over that the second the Government gets involved, it can create a larger mess. I suppose you could make the argument of its similarities of the separation of Church and State...Enter the small business person and entrepreneur, who may just save the world!!!

Thanks for reading! More tomorrow!

Ed Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
303-875-4450

What is the deal with the economy?

Hi bloggers!

What is the deal with the economy? There are rumblings of all facets of the economy that are in trouble- everything from your large, national banks, to grocery stores, to your favorite and addictive coffee chain. What is going on?

I won't claim to have any answers about what the economy is doing. It would seem that we are in a cycle with pockets of growth and pockets of depression.

Some banks seem to be doing fairly well- like Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.- which boasts a positive outlook, based on their positioning in the current market and intelligent management, is weathering the storm. It also happens to be my former employer.

Wachovia Bank, N.A. is having to cut about 6300 jobs- and showing a large loss of 8.9 billion. Tough stuff. Read the Rocky Mountain News reports.

I am under the opinion that the economic growth that has happened over the last several years has been under the 'discretionary' monkier, giving rise to things like 'organic food' and the coffee addiction that so many people maintain by going to their local Starbucks- which, by the way, is closing 9 of its stores in Colorado, alone.

The pedicab industry is being affected- I am making one-half of the money I was making last year.

It could be argued that we are going through a cleansing period, where the willingness to lend money and spend money is caught between the popular media and the upcoming November election.

Many people are holding their cards close to the vest, because of unsure futures. Whether I agree with this or not, it is a reality that the popular news media is playing a very key role in controlling how people behave. Information is unbiased, but its presentation is not.

So, what will we do? It can be said that the government is growing by the day, like homeland security. Yes, it can be said that the War in Iraq is costing money, but I would be willing to say that the tax rates are doing nothing but going up, which means that the government is the biggest business in town.

What are hot industries? Government contractors, health care, and I dare say smaller, vibrant businesses, like entrepreneurs, start-ups, and local companies. My theory of people buying smaller, more locally, and investing in bikes and public transit, instead of cars and timeshares, things are changing from the last 10 years. With large companies in trouble- like Wachovia, Qwest, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines- all are scaling back.

The silver lining: our capitalism is in a cycle. We are currently finishing a slow 10 year cycle, which may give rise to greater economic period of growth. Something to think about.

Thanks for listening!

Edward Martin
303-875-4450
Showcase Properties Unlimited
apexofdenver.blogspot.com

DNC Housing...You know it is on all of your minds!

Good Day bloggers.

This will be short. In doing some research, the DNC coming to Denver is going to have a huge economic impact on Denver. It will encourage a lot of spending and optimism about our general state and economy. Personally, I think that the case is a little overstated, but it will bring a lot of people to Denver, which is great.

I am planning on renting my place out during the DNC. I am currently charging $450 a night, which I am not getting any bites. Another strategy just surfaced: go to the housing wanted craigslist site. I have posted apartments available on craigslist before, and it has never turned out badly.

nightly rentals are going for $300-$600 in my range, which isn't too much to ask. I would ask: How much is a home worth in a short-term rental market? Check it out.

http://denver.craigslist.org

Thanks for reading!

Ed Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
Apexofdenver.blogspot.com
303-875-4450

The Colfax Corridor- improvements?

Hey all,

The Colfax corridor is obviously the focus of this week's blogging activity. My thought turns to improvements.

In looking at the street-scape of Colfax, it comes to me that improvements are the key to beginning a re-vamping of our favorite main street.

A current look:

The vision statement, courtesy of the City and County of Denver, for Colfax states:

• Colfax Avenue in 2020 will be a multi-modal, commercial and residential “Main Street” that complements and sustains the nearby neighborhoods and encourages walking, biking and transit use. The corridor teems with activity on the street and captures the attention of commuters and visitors.

• Multi-storied, mixed-use buildings with active ground floor uses characterize development nodes at the intersection of major transit routes along the corridor.

• Transportation components include a uniquely Colfax form of enhanced transit, structured parking at development nodes, on-street parking throughout, enticing pedestrian amenities, and plentiful bike racks.
  

• Housing density on the corridor supports transit and sustainable urban growth.

• Urban design integrates an eclectic mix of architectural forms and sustainable building materials which respect the surrounding historic architecture.
  

• Signage is simple and clear.

• Lighting and landscaping reinforce the street building line, enhance building facades as architectural features, and promote a pedestrian oriented environment.
  

• Significant structures have been preserved and adaptively reused.

Colfax welcomes and embraces neighborhood diversity that encompasses a wide variety of ages,
lifestyles, economic circumstances, ethnic groups and family types. Colfax exemplifies the best of what a city can offer: a vibrant, hip, and progressive urban avenue.

You can't get any more direct than this! Take a look at the entire plan here.

Thanks for reading!

Edward Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
303-875-4450
apexofdenver.blogspot.com

After a brief hiatus...

We are back today, folks!

About that lot on Marion (1148), here are some pictures. From front to back, the thing looks as if it has not seen any work since the demolition of whatever home that was there.







As of July 1, an City inspector went out there, and placed the notice. Good thing! I don't know how long the process takes, but the property next door is in wonderful condition- nicely edged and manicured lawn, chairs out back, etc. From the rear, it doesn't look as bad, but still...Sell the thing, or someone gets in trouble.

In other news, I took a walk down Colfax, to discover exactly what makes this street what it is. I was able to contact the master developer of the Church in the City Project, and a family member who happens to be the guy trying to sell the retail. I sent a list of questions, and judging on the response, I have more questions. The most important of these questions is this: What makes Colfax the place to develop and re-develop? What goes into the process of planning and execution?

Other than all of the neat art galleries, funky clothing stores, and fast food establishments, what kind of opportunities does Colfax encompass? What is the starting point and destination for Colorado's Main Street?

I can say that in perusing the sprucing up of property along the Capitol Hill Corridor, you find that it may be sidewalk widening, building of landscaping and bicycle routes, etc. Much of the planning process according to the City and County of Denver, is doing some aesthetic cleaning of signage, curb-driveway development, re-creating a Denver Streetcar system, a parking district, a Colfax Marketing plan- and a total re-design of the street-scape, in landscaping.

More tomorrow!

Edward Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
303-875-4450
apexofdenver.blogspot.com

Property Values and Quality of Property

Hey Bloggers!

There is a property, sitting between 11th and 12th on Marion, which is being neglected! It is across the street from a friend's place, and it is hideous; almost to the point of city enforcement. So, as a concerned citizen, I have contacted the City of Denver about it.

Firstly, I find it hard to believe that a lot is in so much negotiation (especially in Cheesman Park, to be exact 11th & 12th on Marion St.), that it has been completely neglected. I know that there are grumblings of recession and problems with Denver's housing market. But, here is the reason to sell, or maintain a property- so it WILL SELL!

From what I can tell from records, it has either been scraped or never re-assessed for a dirt lot. Pictures to come. As I said, there is no reason to have this kind of blank lot in this area. Pictures tomorrow.

Edward Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
303-875-4450
apexofdenver.blogspot.com

Cherry Creek North Project, a must see!

I came upon 5th and Josephine yesterday, and found the St. John's Garden Project.

The old St. John's Evangelist Church, is going to be the home to 9 luxury residences. A mix of old and new, there is a Denver Square home, 1900's vintage, right next to a church, built approximately the same time.

In the parking lot space, will be the luxury residences, a pool, a fountain, and a Roman-arches inspired unique oasis in the city. Even though this is out of my general area, it is still a great project- it shows that infill and revival is necessary to development in an urban area, even though it is slightly outside of downtown-urban Denver.

Here are some photos. These residences are being offered by Keller Williams, as listed on the sign.

Thanks for reading!

Edward Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
303-875-4450
apexofdenver.blogspot.com

Spotlight on the Esplanade!

Hi today!

Courtesy of Life on Capitol Hill Volume 34, Number 4, July 2008, we found some awesome material!

Firstly, I want to spotlight the 8th and Emerson Project, called "The Terraces." Initially, this space was slotted to be a community garden project, where there would be a variety of flowers and botanical beauty, called the Denver Urban Gardens, or Emerson Community Gardens.

In concern with urban development, it could be seen as an oasis, much like Governor's Park, or even a small version of The Denver Botanic Gardens. The owners of the property passed away, and the interest passed to a trust, making way for Priam Development to build Multi-Family homes, ranging from 1,500-2,000 square feet, with three buildings. Negotiations are out there to approve all three buildings. Read the article here.

This project is still in the approval stages. Mid-July is the hope for final approval of the development. I believe that this property was listed by Fuller Commercial Real Estate. Here is a photo of the current state of the property:
Also from Life on Capitol Hill, St. Charles Town Company has done some interesting transactions, in the past 5 years, on Colfax. The Lowenstein Theatre, home to Twist and Shout, a neat movie house, and home to the Tattered Cover Bookstore, it has purchased several for MS-1 (Main Street-1) zoning. Read about the development here, called The Esplanade.

Developer Charlie Woolley has plans to redevelop the area between 15th and 16th on Josephine, home to the Church in the City and Sunmart.

The new location for Church in the City will be the 1897 Beth HaMedrosh Hagodal Synogague, currently being remodeled for the move.

It has been vacant for many years, reports LOCH. Here is a photo of the remodel.

The project is slated to be under way this summer, with preliminary razing of structures happening in the first few months of 2009. It is also contingent on negotiations with the current tenants, Colorado Free University, Church in the City, and Sunmart.

Here is a mix of vintage, old, and new- the Pinnacle towers overlooking City Park.




More on this, as soon as I find out. Thanks for reading!

Ed Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
303-875-4450
Serving the Apex of Denver
eamart1@yahoo.com

What attracts people to an area like Cheesman Park, Uptown, or Capitol Hill?

Why are people attracted to Cheesman Park, Capitol Hill, and Uptown?

There are many reasons, many of which have been posted here- like proximity to urban centers, diversity of life, safety, etc. But, I have to add in- really cool places to hang your hat, for a good meal, a fine ale, or a cultural center.

Over the last 5-10 years, Central Denver has become a place of cultural wonders. This could be Denver's Museum of Contemporary Art, (located in LODO), the Vance Kirkland Museum (a contemporary of Jackson Pollack),














or the new wing designed by Daniel Liebeskind designed Denver Art Museum, near the State Capitol.

Denver is becoming a wonderful cultural hub, where one can find plays, art, and sports. It is experiencing a restaurant renaissance, and due to the Democratic National Convention spending time here, in August, there is a lot going on in Denver. I do believe that it has potential of becoming something like a San Francisco, but hopefully not as expensive. I implore ye to visit these museums! They have certainly had a lot of money poured into them, and the work is incredible. All of which are different, and you could see them all in a day.

Spotlight on local, cool hang-outs: The Cheeky Monk, located at 534 East Colfax Ave, at Pearl. it is a Belgian Beer House, from the owners of the Royal Hilltop in Aurora. Here is a picture of it. I can also say that it is a great food house, as well. I have yet to engage their full menu, but in Belgium, beer is king. As with wine in France, beer is what Belgians drink.

Where does this involve real estate? It has everything to do with the attractiveness of an area- why people settle in specific areas. Yes, they want a cool place to live, yes they want proximity to that which is 'cool'! But, all said and done, they need places to spend time and money to enrich an area. Places like the museums and the Cheeky Monk are pretty cool places.

Thanks!

Ed Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
303-875-4450

Spotlight on networking, community volunteerism, Capitol Hill!

Hello, bloggers.

In today's installment, I wanted to spotlight on community involvement. Over the last several years, I have been involved with Rotary, Rotaract, The Optimist Club, and The Boy Scouts of America. All have a special component of urban development- volunteerism.

When it comes to networking, especially for young real estate professionals (like moi), it is necessary to build a network of people in whatever capacity is possible. This means staying in touch with previous colleagues, creating a solid customer database, and always prospecting for business.

Urban development is a renaissance in Downtown Denver, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, and Uptown. It is experiencing a movement of younger, professional people moving into urban centers. Community involvement is necessary in these centers because it creates a sense of community and vibrancy. For anyone interested, I would highly recommend Rotary International. I would recommend because it is truly a community group that wants to help, and isn't just a networking-socializing tool- people are there because they want to be there. More about this later.

Secondly, I did a Capitol Hill Real Estate tour yesterday, which started on Logan and went all the way to Franklin, roughly 15 blocks. I saw homes I didn't know existed and a community that was incredibly interesting.

Take a look at two houses, directly across the street from each other. These are undoubtedly the same builder. I am positive this was some prominent Denver historical figure. But, what this tells me is that there are wonderfully valuable homes or converted condominium projects that add to the character of an area.
Why are these two homes so valuable? There is aesthetic value in these homes, which is what sells them. But why do people keep these homes? Because they offer an urban oasis into historical sophistication, and they grab so many elements of a city-dweller.

These dwellers don't need an entire yard, or their very own garage. These dwellers need some space, but are aware of their restrictions. They are aware of the costs of living where they do, but don't mind paying for it. They like the idea of an easy commute or a work from home scenario.

Business opportunities abound, like this one in Cheesman Park, right next to The Park Tavern. This is right next door to a Laundromat, and has been remodeled. It could be any variety of things, considering there is a grocery store right across the street, a tavern next door, a couple of restaurants right near by. What does this area need? Maybe it needs a real estate office? Maybe it needs a bookstore? Maybe it needs a bona-fide coffee shop. These are all great businesses, especially given that it is directly next door to a Laundromat.

Thanks for reading! More on the Capitol Hill house tour tomorrow. Then, the Fourth of July weekend. I am going to try to post Thursday, but take the weekend off, more than likely. Here is a wonderful 4th of July festival, in Fort Garland, outside of Alamosa. The most striking thing to me was a 19th Century baseball game, in Victorian era baseball uniforms. Awesome!

Thanks for reading!

Edward Martin, Real Estate Professional
Showcase Properties
303-875-4450

Spotlight on Single Family Homes!

Good Day all.

Many people think of my four zip codes as small homes (1,000 square feet or less), condominiums, or townhomes. Single Family Homes are important to our urban development- simply because it adds an additional demographic of people to our new-urbanization. I think of a single family as a free-standing building, not a condominium or townhome. A duplex could be considered a single family home. A triplex is venturing into condominium territory.

Courtesy of Trulia.com, there are 121 single family residences for sale in the 80218 zip code. There are 115 single family residences in the 80203 zip code. There are 361 homes listed for the 80205 zip code. Keeping in mind the sizes of the zip code areas, 80205 certainly has more geographical area than 80218 or 80203.

Nevertheless, single family homes are a great indicator of new-urbanism. Many of the homes are remodeled, more than likely an 1880-1950 vintage. Some of these homes have the Queen Anne style, others are ranch-style homes, built after World War II. The 80205 zip code includes Hyde Park and Five Points, Whittier, and Curtis Park, the area known as Denver's first actual neighborhood. Here is Denverinfill's take on Curtis Park and Whittier The square footage is roughly $120-170 psf, for single family homes.

Take a look at this beautiful stone single family residence, located at 35th and Marion. This home was built by an Irish immigrant, per the listing information, which is a part of Denver history.
This listing is for sale for $317,000, as of today. It is located in 5280's newest-hottest neighborhoods. I think I can also say that Five Points is one of Denver's only neighborhoods that survived the 1960's and 1970's destruction of historic buildings, and maintains some truly wonderful architectural history.

The 80203 zip code is truly Capitol Hill, and its listings are small bungalow style, with the exception of one home, which has been meticulously restored, with 9 bedrooms. It is being offered at $850,000. There is a tin ceiling and a carriage house- superbly done.

The 80218 zip code is going to encompass Country Club, Cheesman, and some of West Washington Park. For all intensive
purposes, we are going to stick to my favorite part, Cheesman.

There are still many homes that are affordable in these zip codes, especially in the bank-owned and foreclosure realm. The 80218 zip code has a lot of more contemporary homes, so it is more likely that you will find updated kitchens, and more contemporary models and furnishings. The days of cheap houses (unless you want to deal with remodeling a home) are coming to an end, for this area. If you absolutely want to buy here, buy a townhome of condo, or find an investment opportunity with a business partner.

Great stuff! I was speaking with my tenant, Jeff, who has done a great job with maintaining my condominium at 1401 Franklin. He is an aviation nut, and in looking at some historic maps, he found pictures of my building, probably dating back to the 1920's. More to come on this!

Best,

Ed
Showcase Properties
303-875-4450

The Perrenoud- 836 17th Ave.

Uptown and Swallow Hill Historic District!

Hello Bloggers. Today's spotlight is on The Perrenoud, located at 836 E 17th Ave. Built 1901, it screams Neo-Classical Victorian apartment house- something you could find in New York or Boston. I fell in love with this building about 3 years ago, with a client. Units seem to be valued anywhere from $350,000 to $500,000.

These units are all very spacious units, ranging from 1-2 bedrooms up to 3-4 bedrooms- about 1200-2000 square feet. This building was built in 1901, supposedly by 3 sisters, from Switzerland. History is a little spotty on this landmark, but it is a beautiful building. The architecture is amazing, beyond anything else.

Enter the building, and notice the restored angel stained glass atrium skylight, four stories above the circular lobby. In bewilderment, you actually feel like you are in a museum. The handrails and tap of the floor is not unlike walking through a church.

This is a church of urban existence, enduring over 100 years of history. The vintage penny tile design, embedded in the floor is a welcoming of new and old, to all who enter this building. It states 1900's Queen Anne elegance.

As you walk through the lobby, you find that there are two ways to get to your second, third or fourth floor apartment. You can haul your goods up the several flights of stairs, or you can take the functional birdcage elevator, of 1901 vintage. It is fully functional and fully operational. What a work of art, seen in the lower right corner of this photo.------------------------------------------>

The Swallow Hill Historic District has been in existence since 1988. Quite a few of the buildings in this district are designed by Frank Edbrooke, a very well known Western Architect, with two of his major works being the Brown Palace Hotel, and The Oxford Hotel. His residence is one block away from the Perrenoud. I am a huge fan of the Swallow Hill Historic District!

Where does this fit into real estate? Apart from beauty and an appreciation of fine architecture and art, these types of buildings serve valuable purpose in urban planning. They create character, a 'buzz'; They attract people of similar interests into one area. These areas cause us to think about our mixes of old and new.

Buildings like the Perrenoud are well built and have kept their character over a long period of time. This brings us to sustainability: while these buildings may be expensive to maintain, and aren't 'green' certified buildings, they are absolutely functional and stand a test of time. Far beyond that, there is some nostalgia and elegance to these areas- Cheesman Park, Capitol Hill, Uptown, Swallow Hill, City Park.

Our connection to history must coincide with our functional needs to live, grow, and progress. But that connection to this history must keep a certain tradition, or at least the memory, thereof.

I believe that people move to areas like this for a variety of reasons- proximity to an urban center, ease of transit, and a diversity of people. There are economic opportunities to be had, and urban centers have traditionally been the starting hubs of small business and entrepreneurship. The connection of buildings like the Perrenoud and its surrounding area is necessary for our new-urbanization.

Thanks for reading!

Ed
Showcase Properties
303-875-4450

Addition, Correction!

Just so you know. There is a difference between Colfaxave.com and Colfaxavenue.com

While they function as parallel sites, they are different. Make this distinction. Also, the news about the Denver Detour, was taken from Colfaxavenue.com.

Colfaxave.com is the Business Improvement Entity for Colfax. Glad I caught that one!

ed

In interest of urban development and Generational Shifts

Good day!

Yesterday, I skipped the blog, in hopes of finding inspired material for today's blog. I came across some pretty good stuff.

Firstly, I found colfaxave.com, which seems to be another site about all things Colfax. I have learned that the former location of the Denver Detour Bar, will be the site of an 8,000 square foot retail and 99 unit housing collaborative- for chronically homeless people. My understanding is that it will address the ever-growing homeless population of Denver- to move to more stable housing. It will be under the name of The Renaissance Uptown Lofts, operated by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.

My second topic has to do with generational shifts. I have been noticing a very interesting shift of homebuyers entering the market. In our last 20 years, we have seen mass production of things like cars, Starbucks Franchises, and Walmart-ization. These are all signs of a growing economy and a maturing set of businesses that seem to grow and continue to grow. But, we may be coming into an interesting shift in business.

It would seem to me that the Generation-X and Generation-Y are at a crossroads. These generations have been raised on technology and raised on mass consumption. However, now we are seeing a more personalized style of business- greater focus on the customized individual and a furthering away from mall-shopping home buying. These two generations (at least the latter halves) are the re-urbanization generations. They want customized service without the smarmy business card photos and the junk-mail mailers.

Take this as you may, but there is a lot of talk about how to reach the new homebuyer and seller. The key- networking and relationship building. It has nothing to do with email blasts and articles. It does have to do with Facebook, Myspace, Craigslist, LinkedIn, and a personalized email. No one wants to feel like they are a number, and in a community like re-urbanized Denver, it is possible to feel more community-oriented than in the suburbs. Lest we say that the suburbs offer larger house for less money, but urbanization offers proximity housing, with a real touch of community development. People also want to feel a part of something. Suburbia offers this, but your urban centers are the hubs for this.

I reserve the right to say I am wrong, but my opinion is that with the world embracing technologies that make business easier, there are people who embrace that, but actually prefer an easier way to do business. My opinion is also that the most recent cries of recession, foreclosures, and mass media programming, I hope to think that people are beginning to trust those people WHO THEY KNOW will do good business.

Sally Forth!

Ed
Showcase Properties
303-875-4450

1600 Colfax Ave- Update

Good day!

I have a bike race in the mountains, but I have to post something today. Here it is:

I called the Bordy Real Estate company, owner of 1600 E Colfax. I took a few pictures of the backside, and found out a few things.

This property is zoned as MS-1, which I will assume is mixed use. It is being LEASED, as is, and can be virtually anything. The stats, which may be subject to change: 6,000 square foot building, the agent gets about 3 calls a day on it. He is leasing it for $2,500 per month, which works out to be about $2.40 per square foot. It was formerly a flower shop, vacated about 4 years ago.

Thinking about opportunities, I see a couple of things going on here. Firstly, parking is going to be necessary. I do not know who owns this parking lot, or if it comes with the building, but this will be necessary for success. Secondly, it is going to need a boat-load of work- I would say anywhere from 50-100K in capital improvement- inside and out.

I see a Mexican Cantina here. It has a bunch of space, it would be grand for an outdoor patio on the lower floor and the upper floor. The top could be the residential unit, with deck. This would give the residential and commercial feel on Colfax.

I see a venue very similar to Mezcal, sitting at Colfax and Adams. This building is so unique! It was built in the early 1900's. I love the location, so I am going to do some entrepreneurial work and try to find someone to buy or lease the location!

Directly across the street is the First Bank- a completely newly-built banking hub. This lot sat completely vacant for at least 3-4 years, then they built a great new facility. It could also be a grocery-convenience store. But, whatever goes there, it must be ready for traffic passing by quickly.


That is all for the day. Keep your eyes out for any other business opportunities.

Ed
303-875-4450
Showcase Properties Unlimited

Eye at the Apex- 1600 E Colfax Ave.

With Colfax being redeveloped, the Apex has a great opportunity at the corner.

Formerly Fanny's Flowers, this property seems to be a great opportunity. It is vacant, and is a bit of an eyesore. I was thinking a bar/restaurant mix- just as a rooftop patio, or a mixed use building- maybe a small grocery store below, and a living unit above.

Doing a little work on one of my favorite websites- photoswest.org, I was able to find a picture of the property a few years back.

The date on the photo is 1989. I doubt that this photo was taken in 1989, especially seeing the vintage neon signs and the vintage car in the nearby parking lot.

However, I also have a photo of 1928 Denver, right at the Apex, courtesy of Denver Public Library, Western History Collection., right below.

This is re-urbanization! Colfax is a great artery through Denver (26.2 miles of it...). In searching public information of this property (The City and County of Denver allows a person to see chain of title on a given property), I was able to figure out that the property is assessed at a value of about $400,000- annual taxes on it are about $9100. My guess on the purchase of the building: $500,000.

I can only gather that there was a personal representative's deed, which probably means that the owner of Fanny's flower shop passed away and title was ceded to a close family member. I think I am actually going to ask to view this property and see what is going on inside of it.

The building itself was built 1903, which makes it a true Denver Landmark. Now, we have to get an owner or a tenant in there! It is 5000 square feet inside. I would imagine it is top and bottom. If mixed use was the option, there would be a bit of a zoning change battle. I see so much opportunity here! It has every bit of opportunity that the Lowenstein Theatre had, and Tattered Cover and Twist and Shout moved there! I like this property, a heckuva lot!

For ye who do not know the difference in Cheesman Park, Wyman's, and Uptown, there are 5 zip codes that peak my interest: 80203, 80205, 80206, 80209, and 80218. My favorite area, as you can guess is Wyman's Historic District- which is in Cheesman Park. Nevertheless, check out these zip codes and get an idea as to what is going on in real estate.

This does it for today! I am going to check out this property and get some ideas!

ed

On the beat!

One of my jobs is to be informed about a particular area. It matters, when you are selling real estate to know what is going on at a particular property.

I decided to do a little detective work on a property, which was an eyesore for at least 4 years. It had warning signs, asbestos signs, and all sorts of nastiness associated with a declining value property.

At the Apex, I found a property that fit in perfectly in my interest of urban renewal. Supposedly a 4 unit, victorian (neo-classical) style, with painted Ionic columns. I am not sure of what went down for this deal, but rest assured, public records tell me that it was purchased in May for about $540,000, by a holding company.







You can really tell that the workers inside were there to make the thing look great. Along the same lines as the urban renewal, you look for remodels and completely gutted homes as a sign of buying right.




I am going to see what I can do to contact these remodelers and try to get in on the deal- at least find out what is happening with this property. Here is a peek inside:







This post is a little picture heavy, but in concern with getting to downtown on time, I must be going. More on Monday!

ed

Cheesman spotlight-

Browsing my favorite free advertising medium (http://denver.craigslist.org), I decided to spotlight one really great property in Cheesman.

This property is on the market for almost $500,000. It is 4 Bed, 2.5 bath, remodel. This property appears to have been built in the 1890's. It is a Victorian home in Cheesman Park. It appears to have a great open floor plan, stainless appliances, and apparently, remodeled everything. View the ad here.

You are going to see more of these remodels, if you haven't seen them already.

Have a great day!

Denver is doing great!

Hello Denverites!

Our 80218 corridor seems to grow larger, by the day. I believe that this is because of the transient and interconnected nature of a city.

In doing my rounds of talking and schmoozing, I have come across a few very encouraging things, for once. Your mass media is feeding quite a bit of 'scary' information about hellfire and doom of the American experience. The truth is that the United States isn't all gloomy.

In talking with a lender today, he said that he is actually seeing some more relaxed restrictions on conventional loans. This means that over the last year, conventional loans have been harder to get, namely Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans. Supposedly, the requirements have been very difficult, more specifically, in the realm of down payments. The most recent word on the street is that the key to getting into a home is to go through the government FHA or CHFA homeowner programs.

Back to the original idea of this post. What makes up this city of new urbanism? What kinds of things are encouraging and bringing people to Denver? As mentioned two days ago, we are noticing a great influx of activity in Denver. In working in another capacity downtown (being a pedicab driver downtown) on Tuesday night, there were people everywhere! There was a filmshoot being done right in the middle of the 16th Street Mall! This is a sign of vibrancy to me!

What else contributes to vibrant, urban living? Is it geography? Is it multiple places for things like mixed use development? One must keep in mind that there is quite a bit of change going on in Denver, but it isn't all new construction! Updating older, gentrified buildings is one indicator. I also believe that urban living is not only urban (downtown areas, mixed use, commercial real estate), but residential areas nearby an urban center. Neighborhoods are the sensory receptors of our urban areas.

A mortgage broker told me once: if you are looking at buying a home, it should be on a block where there are things like dumpsters in the street, for remodels. Look for quality of homeownership- flowers, landscaping. As I said- buy right. As a real estate professional, you have to look at the opportunity, not the current condition. Opportunity must be seized!

On the cool website section of the day, is the music festival everyone loves to talk about: The Mile High Music Festival. I am not a huge fan of these gatherings, but they are indicators of larger name musical acts coming to Denver for a 2 day event, which includes big name acts like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Dave Matthews Band, and John Mayer.

The medium name acts are what I am more interested in, but when it comes to bringing revenue and people to Denver, to experience Denver, I am a huge proponent. The festival is located at Dick's Sporting Goods park, near the new Colorado Rapids soccer stadium. It is also touting its environmental impact. Seeing how it is 30 days before the Democratic National Convention, it will no doubt be a primer for people to exercise their rights and become all fired up for the convention.

Spotlight on 80218- Capitol Hill and its resources

Good day, bloggers.

Spotlight on 80218- In case you all didn't know, this is the Cheesman, Uptown, and Capitol Hill.

According to Trulia.com, a newly rediscovered website, there are 104 homes for sale in the $75,000 to $200,000 price range. These are mostly condominiums, ranging from 500-1000 square feet. I did see quite a few properties in the foreclosure process, which is a sign of the times. Buyers and Investors of Denver, bring hard money- unless you know someone in the banking industry.

Another facet of Trula.com was that they can actually crunch necessary statistics for you- by the week. This is truly a great tool, some great updates regarding growth and trends in the Capitol Hill, Cheesman (NO 'E'), and Uptown neighborhoods.

As far as homes for sale in the 80218 neighborhood, with no price range, there are close to 300 homes for sale in this area. In looking at the statistics, prices throughout the area have gone up and down over the last several months.

They have heavily fluctuated, which is indicative of our economic times- sometimes things are good, other times, the economy is bad. There is such a thing as stable growth, but stable growth cannot always sustain itself.

This means that as a real estate professional, you have to be frank and honest about your business and be able to speak about the bigger picture in buying real estate- buy right, and limit your speculation, and cater to the goals of your client. Money is a motivator, but if you do good business, good business will never let you down.

The next website that you really should use is Zillow.com. This site gives a great look at not only sold comparables, but also what is on the market. With enough information, a buyer or seller can make an informed decision about their home. By Zillow, there are about 276 recently sold homes (within the last 6 months) in the 80218 zip code.

Let's talk about Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill, once known for its residents Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, was cultivated as the location of Denver's 19th Century Elite.


It is one of Denver's more popular and densely populated areas, it is a great mix of urban culture and urban renewal. It is nearby Downtown Denver, and is the location of numerous historic mansions, namely the 'Unsinkable' Molly Brown House(known for her heroism on the Titanic, amongst other things).

Many people do not know that Mrs. Brown had a home located in the farmlands of Bear Creek. It was her summer home, built in 1897. It gave the Browns a much needed retreat from Denver society- which never truly accepted them. It is named the Avoca Lodge. The address is 2690 S Wadsworth Ave, in Denver. Worth a visit.

As for the site recommendation today, I highly recommend http://www.hauntedcolorado.net. If you like Denver history, check this one out. It has everything from the Brown Palace to the Molly Brown House, and everything 'haunted' in between. It isn't Halloween yet, but it is still valuable. Who knows. You might buy a haunted house.

Congress for New Urbanism Update!!!

Courtesy of Denverinfill.com, the Apex blog has learned that the Congress for New Urbanism will be hosted by Denver in 2009. With all of the things that are happening in Denver- it would seem that Denver really is becoming a place with things happening.

There is a burgeoning art culture, film culture, and events specifically planned here. The NBA All Star Game was here several years ago. I am excited to see what else is coming- such as the Democratic National Convention and the CNU.

This one is short, but I can say that Central Denver is starting to benefit from all of the urbanization and the cultural centered activities that people are taking advantage of. If you ask any transplant, they can't get enough of Denver- I love it too.

Thanks for reading!

The Center of Denver Comprehensive Planning- Colfax Avenue.

Good Day!

After a long weekend of bicycle racing, beaver-pond fording, backpacking, skiing, and a beautiful Australian Cabernet blend (with Rib-eye steak), I am ready to blog again. Yes, I did all of these things in these last 3 days. I suppose this is what Colorado is all about...

When it comes to urban planning and neighborhood planning, there are many things to consider. I believe that Denver's new urbanization is creating a city which is on the cusp of being progressive, sustainable, and vibrant. These are buzz words, but in reality, urban planning is exactly this.

I want to introduce the public resources that people can use to determine where to move, and why. Central Denver is quickly becoming a place where urban plans are becoming the norm- how we want our city. Enter website: Denver Small area plans.

Following in the same vein as Denver Infill.com, we are seeing the revitalization of places gentrified and newly urbanized- and a planning process as to what is the best use of the land for the present and future. Typically, these plans have components of transportation, land use, pedestrian use, and future planning.

One of the best sites that gives a person a great introduction to urban planning is The Congress for New Urbanism. These sites also give a real estate person something to show progress and a true future of an area.

Places like Portland, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, and virtually any other city in the USA have embraced this idea of architecturally sound, quality planning. This is not to say that this has not been a standard, but it does tell your real estate professional that cities are hubs for new or re-urbanization.

The master planning of Denver is absolutely vital to its growth and sustainability. A perfect example is the redevelopment of Colfax Avenue.

Under the authority of the Colfax Business Improvement District and a cooperative effort with the City and County of Denver, this the main transport vein of urban Denver is bustling with mixed-use updates, new buildings, changes to infrastructure, and a new-bohemian character that speaks of revitalization and a vitalization of the urban centers.

The East Colfax plan gives a 26.2 mile account of revitalizing Colfax, courtesy of the City and County of Denver. View the plan here. The Mixed Use plan, courtesy of the CBID can be viewed here.

I believe that the urban plans should also speak to the necessary vibrancy and diversity that the area must have in order to continue to sustain growth, popularity and development. It cannot turn into a suburbanized track-mall area, where large corporate business takes over the character of the area.

I suppose you could use the Haight-Ashbury area in San Francisco an example. There are differences between Denver, and Haight-Ashbury. For our purposes, Haight is being used as an example of vibrant and diverse urbanized life.

It has diverse population, small business, mixed use development (characteristically built in the Victorian era and style), and a vibrant culture affiliated with it- namely the arts (visual, performing) and many different restaurants, cultures, and food.

The area itself is sometimes affiliated with the San Francisco Hippie movement, but for all intensive purposes, it is a good example of vibrant urbanization.

Thanks for reading! The last tidbit that I will leave today is an article I found on the 9news website: Colfaxlove.com. Taj Moore fell in love with Colfax the second he stepped foot on it. Read the article here. The goal of this site is to bring lovers of Colfax to the street itself. Enjoy!

Best!

Ed Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
303-399-5777

FHA Limits.

I just came across a great article on FHA loans. Please read.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060902645_pf.html

Foreclosures in Denver, etc.

Good day Bloggees!

Today's post will be fairly short, and sweet. It has to do with a very close thing to every dealmaker's heart- the latest and greatest on foreclosures.

Colorado state legislation just changed the Foreclosure laws in Colorado, which means:
1. Colorado is a Public Trustee state. This means that a Non-Election of Demand (NED) is filed with the public trustee, starting the foreclosure process.
2. All things said and done, the changes to Colorado Foreclosure Law is this: instead of the sale taking place no less than 45 days and no more than 60 days to the Public Trustee. However, under the new law, the owner has a longer period of time to cure- no more than 125 days. The new law also takes away a redemption right after the sale. Here is a good explanation of this new change: http://www.cohoalaw.com/money-matters-the-new-foreclosure-laws-and-the-right-to-cure-and-redeem.html

Any Title Company and Title Rep will be able to explain this process.

So many people have caught the fever of buying incredibly low ("hey, I am looking at a deal! I want a full list of foreclosures!") Foreclosures are a difficult piece of the real estate market. I like to call it the Boulevard of Broken Dreams. The radio and newspaper ads aren't lying, but anyone looking for lists of foreclosures, it isn't like a list of doctor's offices.

Now is a great time to buy, but trying to find a "steal"- you may not want to subject yourself to the headache.

There are a lot of time frames and laws that you need to follow to make sure it is done correctly. Additionally, people are not quite ready for what they walk into. Many foreclosures are a result of poorly structured loans. Someone said that the current market conditions took renters, made them homeowners, then made them renters again. This is exactly true.

The foreclosure process is painful, and really difficult. Other than the legal and real estate side of things, there is a lot to consider. How much work are you going to put in to this home? Do you want to put this much work in this home? Is it possible to even subject yourself to the kind of things you will find in a foreclosure?

This picture was taken yesterday at a foreclosure. About $40,000 (that is right, I said 40) worth of work needed to be put into this house. This picture was taken of the boiler, which was completely rusted out. A new boiler needed to be put into a tiny crawlspace, littered with rat droppings. The plumber working on this thing said: "I will not do this boiler, nor subject my employees to this kind of envionment." 'Nuf said.

You can find certified foreclosure experts, but make sure they have an active real estate license, and make sure that they know what they are talking about.

Thanks for reading- I am heading to the mountains to do some ski-camping! More on this stuff later!

Ed

Apex of Denver- Spotlight on Transportation

Good Day!

Today, I began to think about transportation in Cheesman, Capitol Hill, Uptown, etc. As mentioned yesterday, 60+ years ago, people were walking to work, riding bicycles into urban areas, and taking public transportation.

As mentioned yesterday, with the suburbanization, people began to buy cars, motorcycles, and hence, we are in a bit of a pickle, when it comes to dependency on oil. Highways are well-funded, and seemingly getting wider. But what about the urban centers?

I experienced a great thing yesterday. In my spare time (of which there is none), I am a pedicab driver. I have been riding pedicabs for 4 years. In the downtown area, people commute on all things wheeled- skateboards, bikes, wheelchairs, etc. Pedicabs have long been a staple of urban transit, specifically, in India and China. As of the early 90's, Steve Meyer, owner of Main Street Pedicabs, capitalized on an idea of having urban transportation, in a unique way.

As a pedicab driver, we provide transportation for short distances. We are never in competition for horse-drawn carriages or taxicabs. Cabs do not want to drive a short distance and horse-drawn carriages are more of a novelty than anything. In the downtown micro-economy, Pedicabs are the perfect mix of pedestrian vehicles disguised as cars. http://www.pedicab.com

My trip into downtown got even better- a 10 minute bike ride on my spiffy road bike on the Cherry Creek bike path. It was a seamless transport, clipping along at a good 25 mph. My brother followed me downtown and rode his bike to the Colorado Rockies baseball game. Lets examine the effectiveness of transportation, in the context of Central Denver.

One of the reasons I named this blog the Apex of Central Denver, is because the neighborhoods that I love so much are Cheesman Park, Capitol Hill, Hale-Mayfair, City Park, and Uptown. All of these areas are close to Downtown Denver, all of which being a maximum of 3 miles- which would make an easy commuting bike ride to 15 minutes.

The embraceable idea of bicycles as "green" transit is a little far-fetched, in my opinion. "Green" seems to be the hot marketing thing, which I don't necessarily like. I think that if The Cosmopolitan has now changed its latest summer colors to green, and people are buying it, the message is being perverted. But, I only change things I know how to change.

Riding a bike just makes sense. It takes relatively little money to maintain, fix, and operate a bicycle. You aren't pouring money into a car that eats oil, tires, and other things. You can find a bicycle for under $500, which is perfectly functional, and fun. For the money, $500 car repairs are far more headache-worthy. If you are a garage-craigslist junkie, look at http://denver.craigslist.org.

The next step up would be a mo-ped, Vespa, Scooter, or one of those really cool old trail motorcycles- these are also very easy to get into for under $2000. Unless your job requires you to drive, take a bike. It will make things much easier for you.

I am not advocating the jettisoning of one's car. I am a proponent of things that just make sense, like being able to have a vehicle that gets me to my favorite mountain biking or skiing spot. However, as an urban form of transit, it is almost moot to have a car.

Ahhh! The all important weather question. In Minneapolis, there is a movement to ride a Snow-bike. I am told that anywhere a snowmobile can go, a snow-bike can go.

Knobby tires, studded tires, and frame materials that resist corrosion (like my favorite, Titanium, or steel) are all alternatives. If it snows 3 feet, no one is getting to work. Don't give me the "reliable car" excuse.

Below is the photo of a company near and dear to my heart- Surly. They make primarily steel bicycles. This little gem is the Surly Pugsley model. It is a super-strange modified frame that requires special parts. However, notice the large, studded tires, and the 4" of snow on the ground. Enterprising? Yes. Absolutely.

A friend of mine said: Metal is too expensive to just go throwing away- FYI, I found 2 perfectly usable bikes in the garbage yesterday...

Bikes just make sense!
Here is where this ties to real estate. With new urbanization, people are starting to think about taking bicycles to work. They want a reliable form of transit, with low cost. A one car garage, off-street, or on-street parking might be a viable alternative. One must be careful of those parking restrictions, though.

However, a bicycle can be stored, locked, and secured within a relatively small space. It doesn't take an entire half-lot to store. In urban space restrictions, a bike just makes sense!

With current lending trends and the careful screening of buyers, sellers, and borrowers,
people are hopefully speculating smarter on their investments, therefore, buying within their means.

Therefore, these people are buying property in which they can afford the payment and maintain a reasonably good, stable lifestyle. My point is that for all of the foreclosure reports your popular media is feeding you, there are good people out there certainly buying within their means.

In perusing current foreclosures in Colorado, a majority of the mortgages and properties filed with the Public Trustee, are properties where few, if no principal payments are made. Lesson: buy within your means. And, I should add, buy smart. Always buy smart.

Thanks for reading!

ed