Back on the beat!

Good Day, Bloggers!

So much has happened in six months- various companies have gone bankrupt, layoffs have ensued, unemployment lines have done nothing but gotten longer! What is the silver lining?

In my three years in real estate, I have taken my licks- moreso in the panic driven self-employment scheme, and seeking comfort in corporate America and a steady paycheck. But, I must divert away from comfort only and seek opportunity. Lo and behold, it has come in small pieces to me.

I am currently working about 4 real estate deals. One is an old friend...lesson: NETWORKING. She and I have been friends since middle-high school-ish. She is not a first timer, but has a few plans in the works to get a post-grad degree, and I think she trusts me. We have scoured Cap Hill and Highlands for a hip, young place, and we are ready to drop an offer on a cool place near Colfax and Emerson.

Looking at the inventory in 80218, 80206, 80203, 80202, and all of the zip codes that include Potter Highlands and Highlands Square, there aren't massive homes for sale. They are slightly below listing prices, and if they are foreclosures, they require a decent amount of work.

The second deal that I am working is from a CRAIGSLIST posting! I was asked to put a property at 1534 High Street on CL to get a buyer. I had a couple of great hits, and one young lady took me up on looking. In scouring the same area, there were some really good deals to be had, with little work needed. This one is a little harder to nail down. When I showed her the Highlands condo at 3145 Tejon, she fell in love with the neighborhood. The good news: Homes are on the market longer, and the inventory is up. Better news: Prices are pretty good. They might get better, they may get worse. Real estate is an investment just like the stock market. I recommended some good lenders to her, and here she is, contacting them.

Deal #3: Investor. We submitted an offer on a home well below list price- bank owned, near Federal and Mississippi. We were on the low end of 12 offers. Someone is buying real estate. I am going to show more property today, hopfully find something. He wants something he can fix. The kicker- I have seen the boulevard of broken dreams and foreclosures. Great stories of horror in walking into wrecked homes, which only an investor would like. You see: Opportunity requires some backbreaking work. The listing at 3503 Tennyson only needs about 10-20K put into to make it a great rental, or first home. FYI: The price has been dropped ANOTHER 14K since I showed it last week. The bank is going to entertain any REASONABLE OFFER! Buy! Buy! Buy!

Deal #4/4.5: Deals that are going to take a little time. My brother. Ben, buy a house. I don't care if I have to rent a bedroom from you. Now is such a great time. Another lady: soon to be divorcee, wants to buy a place to replace the place her not-so-nice ex was going to sell. This one will be creative because (DARTH VADER MUSIC): Self employment. There is a way to get the deal done. Just a matter of time.

On to pressing matters: 1400 block of Franklin was posted as a home that was being renovated. It was vacant and terribly downtrodden for a very long time. Investor came in, rehabbed it and now, listing 4 units for: 299,900. I believe it was purchased for $750,000. ROI: roughly 62.5%. I would say this area is great. Buy one here now.

See previous posts on 1400 Franklin. You will be amazed as to what they have done.

More tomorrow! Happy New Year!

Edward A Martin
Showcase Properties Unlimited
303-875-4450

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!

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!