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