Recent study finds that Denver is the fourth most literate city in the country

We all know that Denver, Colorado is a wonderful place to live. Denverites not only enjoy panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, white Christmases and healthy lifestyles, but a recent report in The Denver Post confirms that Denver residents are also just plain smart!

The Denver Post reported that Denver, Colorado, is the fourth most literate city in the country. According to the article, Central Connecticut State University recently studied 69 cities’ newspaper readership, library usage, Internet usage, etc., and ranked Denver in the fourth highest spot – ahead of the more traditionally intellectual cities of Boston and San Francisco. Minneapolis, Minnesota, was named the most literate city.

According to The Denver Office of Economic Development, the Denver area also boasts the third-most highly educated workforce in the United States. The Central Connecticut State study found that 36 percent of Denverites hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

For more information on educational opportunities in the Denver metro area or regarding Denver real estate, please contact TeamCox Realtors.

Denver Residents Wake up to Fresh Snow on Christmas Morning!

Denver, Colorado, was truly a picturesque site today as everyone woke up to a completely unexpected snowstorm. And, the snow just kept falling all day! Many Denver area neighborhoods saw up to 6-10 inches of beautiful fresh powder to compliment their Christmas festivities. Believe it or not, snow has only fallen in Denver on Christmas only 13 times in the last 106 years. Today did not disappoint those who were dreaming of a white Christmas.

While the snow created a glitch in holiday plans, it was truly a wonderful Christmas treat and just one more reminder of why we live in beautiful (and white!) Colorado.

Merry Christmas from TeamCox Realtors!

The Good Work RE/MAX Does for the Denver Area and Beyond

TeamCox Realtors is proud be associated with RE/MAX International, which is headquartered right here in Denver, Colorado. While I was recently checking out of the Sam’s Club at the new Southlands Mall, I noticed a cookbook lying on the checkout counter, “Cooking to Make Miracles Happen." The woman behind the counter noticed my interest in the book and informed me that purchasing a copy would benefit The Children’s Miracle Network. How cool. I could satisfy one of my guilty pleasures (owning one more cookbook!) while helping such a worthy cause.
 
I mentioned to the woman that I am very familiar with the Children’s Miracle Network as it is one of the many organizations that RE/MAX International supports. She was not aware that the RE/MAX world headquarters is located in metro Denver at the beautiful new building at Belleview and I-25. While the building usually boasts the American Flag in lights, it is currently festooned in Christmas lights. She knew of the beautiful building since it is a Denver Tech Center landmark,

What most people do not know is the great work that the RE/MAX company founders, Dave and Gail Liniger do for the Denver community.  In addition to the Children’s Miracle Network, the company supports the Wildlife Experience in Parker, Colorado, the renowned Sanctuary Golf Course in Castle Rock, Colorado, primarily is used for charity events, and the Susan G. Komen Cancer Research Center.  

For more information on the benefits of going through RE/MAX for all of your Denver real estate needs, please contact TeamCox Realtors.

Buying Only the Services You Need in the Denver Real Estate Market

A recent article in the Rocky Mountain News, "Buying or selling a home? Forget the traditional realtor - Web takes on the role once filled by real estate agents," suggests that the Internet is the wave of the future for conducting real estate transactions.  

Please Post Information on Great Holiday Light Displays Here!

Christmas has arrived early in eastern Highlands Ranch! The Douglas County News Press reports that a home at 10111 Brady Place in Highlands Ranch is truly a Christmas spectacular. People from all over Douglas County are coming to see this impressive display. According to the article, the home’s Christmas display includes a 15-feet-tall north pole boasting Santa and his reindeer, a Nativity set, a ginger bread home and much more!

Do you know of a truly spectacular holiday display in the Denver metro area? Please share the information in our comments section.

Happy Holidays to you and your family from TeamCox Realtors!

There has never been a better time to dive into the Denver real estate market!

There has never been a better time to dive into the Denver real estate market! Prospective Denver homebuyers were given an extra incentive last week (the week ending November 29th) to take the plunge into the Denver housing market, currently a strong buyer’s market. Nationally, 30-year fixed mortgage rates fell to 6.10 percent from 6.20 percent, the lowest level the lowest rate since October of 2005.

If you don’t already own a home in the Denver metropolitan area, now is the time to buy one! There are many beautiful homes to choose from that boast very attractive price tags. Falling interest rates is just one more component that makes home ownership in the Denver real estate market very appealing. TeamCox Realtors urges you to take advantage of the current Denver housing market’s idyllic situation – a buyer’s market coupled with falling interest rates.

Are you ready to search for your dream home? Please contact TeamCox Realtors for information on buying a home in the Denver real estate market.

Do It Yourself Projects to Help Sell Your Home in the Denver Housing Market

Should we repaint the walls? Wow, I wish I had a dime for every time we have heard that question.  While primary colors are usually a huge turn off (think any color in a national flag, including white), IBM beige will also not sell a home.  In the metro Denver real estate market, we still see way too much beige carpet and eggshell paint on the walls. 

What is the answer?  There should be enough color to contrast the wood work and flooring.  Rich neutrals such as sage green or a warm merlot are warm, sophisticated, yet still neutral.  The goal is to add a bit of drama while still staying in a neutral zone that will go with most buyers current furnishings. 

If you have questions about low cost, effective things you can do to help in the sale of your home, please feel free to give a TeamCox member a call.  We will happily advise you.  If you have your own low-cost ideas to share, please feel free to post a comment to this blog.

Experts Predict a Dry Winter in Denver

The decorations are up (for some of us!) and we are ready for a traditional Colorado Christmas but there is one problem.  Where is all of the snow? So far, the Denver area has seen very little snow even though November is typically one its snowiest months.

We all remember last winter (2006-2007) when a whopping 45 inches of snow fell between December and January. Everyone was trapped in their homes for days - unable to complete their holiday errands or attend Christmas events. Should we expect the same out of the upcoming holiday season?

According to a recent story that aired on Channel 7 News (KMGH Denver), this winter is expected to be much drier than last winter despite the fact that there is a La Nina developing in the Pacific. The story featured an expert with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association in Boulder who predicts that most of Colorado will remain dry this year since the storm track is pushing north. While last winter seemed to contribute enough snow for the entire decade, our state has been considerably dry over the past ten years with only three seasons posting above average snowfall.

While all of this is good news for those of use who dread the hassles of winter weather, it is bad news for Colorado’s ski resorts and for our state’s water supply. So, keep dreaming of a white Christmas and hopefully some snow will come!

For more information on the weather and climate in Denver, Colorado, please contact TeamCox Realtors.

Some of the Many Things to be Grateful for on Thanksgiving

What Am I Thankful For…

At the risk of sounding cliché, there are so very many things to be grateful for all year.  We simply do not take enough time to think about them and to put them down. We should all make a practice to take a few minutes each day and enumerate some of the many things for which we are blessed. 

• In my case, I am first and foremost so happy to have good health.  No one in my immediate family of three or either of our parents is ill and that means almost never.  Amazingly, I have never had a headache. 
•  I am thankful for the tranquility of family and the comfort of a nice home. 
• A refuge at the end of the day and a long marriage who affords me someone to confide in at all times. 
• Who would not be grateful for the Colorado azure skies and the warm November autumn that is a stark contrast to the winter of 2006-2007? 
• I am so very grateful not to have a child fighting the war on terrorism and pray for every parent that does.  I send a special prayer to every soldier for their safe return. 

As we sink deeper into the Fall of 2007, there is so much to be thankful for…These are only a few, but certainly the ones that seem most relevant to me. TeamCox Realtors wishes you and your family a very special Thanksgiving.

Accredited Counselor of Real Estate

In its current state, the real estate commission structure is a bit antiquated and we are in the process of exploring new ways to make our fees more palatable to the consumer. Recently, I completed the ACRE on line certification (Accredited Consultants Real Estate).  While others may call themselves real estate consultants, nationally there are less than 100 Realtors that have actually completed and passed the course requirements. 
 
Those of us that have listened to the public are well aware of their discontent with the current system of charging a percentage of the sale as our commission.  Accredited Consultants of Real Estate Acre™ have developed alternative plans to satisfy not only the publics demand for a different approach  to a very old system of remuneration but one that satisfy the needs of the real estate practitioner as well.

Most of the public truly believes that every buyer that gets into our car and every for sale sign that goes up results in a 6% commission.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Statistically, the average agent closes 4.4 transactions each year.  The average commission is under $6,400.  Most agents certainly are not getting rich in this business and a full service agent’s expenses can be enormous The traditional commission is based on all of the time and expense put forth on the sales that never happened.  To mitigate this risk, we now offer our clients viable options.  We are not talking about discounting.  Discounting, for the most part, is less price, less service.  There will always be someone that will underbid the last person in every industry.  Discounting does not work because the discounter still has the inherit risks of the transaction not closing.  The discounter then has less reward and still all of the risk.

What is the answer?  We think the answer is to offer the consumer choice while minimizing our risk of never getting paid.  That choice is in the form of an upfront retainer.  A fee collected at the beginning of our relationship that will cover our expenses.  A fee the will be fully credited to the buyer or seller on the settlement statement when a transaction closes.  Along the way, we also charge an hourly fee just as any reasonable professional that wishes to stay in business would.