tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65140985315967847942024-03-14T02:04:13.240-06:00The Legendary Report by Scott FranklundThoughts and ideas on luxury realty in Colorado & beyond.Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-66648883344556239752009-07-24T10:53:00.005-06:002009-07-24T11:41:19.624-06:00Real Estate Industry Update<strong>An e-report on real estate and lifestyle presented by Scott Franklund </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>News and Views on Real Estate</strong><br />Record low mortgage interest rates improved pending home sales for the third consecutive month, with some benefit now from the first-time buyer tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in April, rose 6.7 percent to 90.3 from a reading of 84.6 in March, and is 3.2 percent above April 2008 when it was 87.5. -- “Pending Home Sales Up for Three Months in a Row,” The <a href="http://www.realtor.org/" target="_blank">National Association of Realtors</a>, June 2<br /><br />“…Italy’s second home market is holding steady, a new report says. Sales volumes of second homes have decreased by 10 percent and supply has increased by 4.2 percent, but prices have seen little change in the last year, according the study of 20 resort markets by the Federazione Italiana Agenti Immobiliari Professionali, Italy’s estate agent association. Resort cities in Veneto, Sicily, Sardinia and Tuscany have actually seen increases…”-- “<a href="http://raisingtheroof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/prices-in-italy-stable-study-says/" target="_blank">Prices in Italy Stable, Study Says</a>,” by Kevin Brass, The New York Times, May 20<br /><br /><strong>What is Luxury?</strong><br />A new study published by the Luxury Institute documents the current “State of the Luxury Industry.” A sample of more than 500 high net-worth consumers found that superior quality (82%), superior craftsmanship (78%) and superior customer service (60%) are the top three requirements of a luxury brand. -- From The Luxury Institute, <a href="http://www.luxuryinstitute.com/" target="_blank">http://www.luxuryinstitute.com/</a><br /><br /><p><strong>An Investment in Luxury<br /></strong>“Extravagant luxury items are being marketed as investments rather than splurges. Smythson of Bond Street produces a handbag made from goatskin, lined in silk which sells for $1,660. The company advertisement calls it ‘this season’s investment accessory of choice.’” -- From <a href="http://www.crmedia-us.com/cms/index.php/wealth-update?start=1" target="_blank">Prestige New York Wealth Update</a>, May 13<br /></p><br /><strong>Featured Home...</strong> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SmnnlSJMSZI/AAAAAAAAAQE/K8LXK7yZRVM/s1600-h/SaintPaul(photoshopped).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362071459072854418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SmnnlSJMSZI/AAAAAAAAAQE/K8LXK7yZRVM/s320/SaintPaul(photoshopped).jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Marque Estate of Cherry Creek<br />478 Saint Paul Denver, CO<br /><br />Impeccable style and sleek sophistication unite in this superb contemporary home sited on a spacious corner lot amidst Denver's prestigious Cherry Creek district. Located at Fifth Avenue and Saint Paul Street, this exquisite property known as "The Marquis Estate of Cherry Creek" is a stone's thrown from Cherry Creek's celebrated upscale shopping, galleries and gourmet restaurants. The home fits its exclusive address as it seamlessly merges clean, linear architecture with floor-to-ceiling glass, exotic woods, stainless steel and natural stone to create a masterpiece of habitable modern art.<br /><br />Drawing upon the principles of Mid-Century Modernism, this one-of-kind residence exemplifies flawless functionality and awe-inspiring contemporary style. To view additional photos and information, please visit <a href="http://www.legendaryhomecollection.com/">LegendaryHomeCollection.com</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-73757983262099966172009-07-13T14:15:00.007-06:002009-07-13T16:36:05.786-06:00The State of Luxury<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SlueUEgKRCI/AAAAAAAAAP0/YG61y-oPuuE/s1600-h/MountainBiker.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SlueUEgKRCI/AAAAAAAAAP0/YG61y-oPuuE/s320/MountainBiker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358050249330541602" border="0" /></a>Aspen. Boulder. Denver. Telluride. Vail. No matter where you go in Colorado, buyers seeking an outstanding quality of life and a high standard of living can find it in many of the state's big or small cities. In this beautiful state, the Legendary Group is engaging buyers from around the world who desire a piece of<a href="http://www.legendaryhomecollection.com/"> Rocky Mountain luxury</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beauty and Quality of Life</span><br /><br />More than 300 days of sunshine make Colorado a mecca for sports and outdoor enthusiasts, from skiers who crave winter's fresh powder to hikers who navigate the Rocky Mountain back country each summer. For those into team sports, there are five major-league teams that call Colorado home.<br /><br />Colorado also has a top symphony, an opera house, historical and other museums, upscale shopping districts, and many pockets of luxurious urban and mountain housing where residents can indulge in a laid-back lifestyle with a scenic backdrop.<br /><br />Education, too, is a priority for Coloradoans. Hundreds of public and private educational options, including free charter schools, give residents the ability to pick and choose their ideal learning environment. Boulder, Colo., in fact, was named in 2008<a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/towns-cities-real-estate-lifestyle-real-estate-top-towns.html">"America's Smartest City" by Forbes</a>, much in part because of the city's commitment to diverse educational opportunities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sustainable Value</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SluegJXZFaI/AAAAAAAAAP8/so_oIxKoxc8/s1600-h/MountainTown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SluegJXZFaI/AAAAAAAAAP8/so_oIxKoxc8/s320/MountainTown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358050456794371490" border="0" /></a>It's a simple, livable, bountiful life in Colorado, and the secret is getting out. In April, Forbes named Denver one of its <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/01/cities-city-ten-lifestyle-real-estate-livable-cities_slide_6.html?thisSpeed=15000">Most-Livable Cities</a> in America. The capital city also was listed alongside three other Colorado cities (Boulder, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs) on <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/25/best-cities-careers-bizplaces09-business-places_lander.html">Forbes'20 Best Places for Business and Careers</a> list.<br /><br />The recession has hit housing hard in every area of the country. A recent Forbes report ranked the 25 largest U.S. metro areas on the basis of change in price per square foot, frequency of real-estate transactions, and how evenly distributed home-sales activity is in a metro area. Guess which metro area topped the list? Denver.<br /><br />Overall, the state is poised to be among the first for economic recovery. Denver, in particular, is rated as the <a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/30825142#30825142">No. 1 American city on the edge of recovery</a> based on: job growth, growing population, good weather, first-time buyers, no overbuilding, vital downtown, educated population, slowdown in foreclosures.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Attainable Luxury</span><br /><br />Despite its extreme desirability, however, Colorado's luxury pricing trends have remained realistic and feasible for the average luxury buyer. In the <a href="http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/7/forbeslife-cx_richzipcodes08_Most-Expensive-ZIP-Codes_State_11.html">Forbes Luxury Housing Index</a>, which tracks America's most expensive ZIP codes based on median housing prices, Colorado has only three ZIP codes in the Top 100 list. All of those ZIP codes are in Pitkin County, home to world-class ski towns Aspen, Snowmass and Snowmass Village.<br /><br />The luxury real estate market is changing rapidly. Whether you're a seller, a buyer or a real estate broker, learn how you can proactively keep pace with luxury home trends and technology in Colorado and beyond. Contact Scott Franlund at 303.440.4999 or <a href="http://www.blogger.com/info@LegendaryGroup.com">info@LegendaryGroup.com</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-91264974491807103972009-06-25T11:23:00.007-06:002009-06-25T11:43:52.178-06:00Selling A Colorado Oasis … to a Coastal Buyer<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SkOzv8_9YBI/AAAAAAAAAOs/8M65NKiiDuw/s1600-h/952_Rembrandt_night_1_sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351318418655895570" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SkOzv8_9YBI/AAAAAAAAAOs/8M65NKiiDuw/s320/952_Rembrandt_night_1_sm.jpg" border="0" /></a>For Jan Johnson, selling her 35-acre property in the foothills of Boulder, Colo., was a gut-wrenching decision. Not only had she lived in the home for 15 years, but she had painstakingly developed the acreage, artistically designed and built the home to complement its breathtaking natural views, and managed every detail of the pristine landscaping. "I felt as though I had created a piece of fine art that no one would fully appreciate as much as me," Jan says. </div><div align="left"><br />Still, the time was right in Jan's life to move on to other endeavors. The economy, however, wasn't so supportive. At a time when Jan needed to sell her unique property at the best price possible, local luxury homes were taking up to four years to sell. Given the distinctive nature of the property, she needed to find that one-of-a-kind buyer who would not only understand the artistic features the property offered, but would fall in love with the striking architecture and overall location as well. </div><div align="left"><br />When her agent suggested she market the property on a global level through LegendaryHomeAuction.com, Jan was intrigued. She couldn't imagine that a buyer outside of Colorado could be found, let alone found quickly, but she trusted the recommendation and signed up for the auction.<br /><br />Within weeks, a cash buyer from Florida surfaced and the property sale was closed. "That buyer would never have seen the property if not for the auction format," Jan says. In the end, it was two simple yet infallible real estate tactics that sold the property: exposure and photos. The means to the end, however, was a pooled advertising fund that allowed Jan's property to be marketed on a national and global scale with minimal cost to her. Jan can't stop talking about the positive experience she had with LegendaryHomeAuction.com. "I find myself telling the story almost every day about the sale of my home and the experience with [Legendaryhomeaction.com]," she says.<br />Are you frustrated with the results of traditional real estate marketing campaigns? Sell your house via a national and global campaign like Jan did. Take the first step by contacting <a href="http://www.legendaryhomeauction.com/" target="_blank">LegendaryHomeAuction.com</a> at 303.440.4999 or <a href="mailto:Lauren@legendarygroup.com">mailto:Lauren@legendarygroup.com</a></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SkO0Cn2ZWCI/AAAAAAAAAO0/cMbCEQA5RqY/s1600-h/952_Rembrandtnight_7_sm.jpg"></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351321474151900770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SkO2hzm-ZmI/AAAAAAAAAPE/eDdTr51Ig3Q/s320/952_Rembrandtnight_7_sm.jpg" border="0" /> <div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SkO0REpwz1I/AAAAAAAAAO8/ZiC3FdTiO_M/s1600-h/952Rembrandt_night_3_sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351318987645964114" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SkO0REpwz1I/AAAAAAAAAO8/ZiC3FdTiO_M/s320/952Rembrandt_night_3_sm.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="left"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-10376293846039267892009-06-09T11:46:00.007-06:002009-06-09T12:00:22.859-06:00A Golden Opportunity<div><div>In a turbulent economy, many individuals and households across the country are forced to take a cold, hard look at lifestyle habits and sort out luxuries from necessities. When it comes to big-ticket items like vacation homes, this prioritization step is particularly true. For some, the vacation home is among the first luxuries to take a backseat to everyday needs.<a href="http://www.updatefrom.com/legendary_home_auction/0905/images/the_peaks.jpg" target="_blank" rel="lightbox"></a><br /><br /><div><div></div><div>This scenario has no doubt impacted sales volume in resort markets where second-home sales comprise a bulk of the area's real estate transactions. With an over-saturation of vacation and investment homes on the market, sellers are finding it tough to sell quickly and for an optimal price. This is true even in markets that have enjoyed years of pricing trends that favored sellers.</div><br /><div><strong>Luxury holds its value</strong> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/Si6h05B2ztI/AAAAAAAAAOc/OvqVvVtuLfU/s1600-h/CD+019-102.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345387737769234130" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/Si6h05B2ztI/AAAAAAAAAOc/OvqVvVtuLfU/s320/CD+019-102.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In Colorado's key resort areas such as Aspen, Vail and Steamboat Springs, the luxury housing market has changed rapidly since 2005. Even in a fluctuating economy, luxury homes in these markets have proven to be a viable asset.</div><br /><div>In Aspen, for instance, the average vacation home sold for an average of $2.5 million in 2005. In 2008, that average jumped to more than $6.6 million. In Vail, buyers in 2005 could snag a resort property for less than $1 million. In 2008, the average jumped nearly 50 percent to $1.4 million. In Steamboat Springs, though, the change has been more gradual. Steamboat's average sales price in 2005 was about $600,000; in 2008, comparable properties could still be purchased for under $1 million. </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>An excellent time to buy … and a new way to sell<br /></strong>Despite the upward pricing trend in nearly all resort markets, buyers are discovering that a flood of second-home inventory means great deals on icon properties are out there.<br />Sellers are clamoring for buyers' attention, and the savviest of sellers are finding that marketing methods that rely on localized resources like the MLS simply aren't cutting it. Rather, many luxury sellers are finding value-driven buyers for their homes via a global platform that accelerates the luxury home marketing and sales process. With <a href="http://www.legendaryhomeauction.com/" target="_blank">LegendaryHomeAuction.com</a>, for example, buyers and sellers unite to buy and sell distinctive properties via live, real-time online auctions.</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/Si6iQJArSoI/AAAAAAAAAOk/_OQ6-2KVCjE/s1600-h/Breckenridge_17_LoRes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345388205915720322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/Si6iQJArSoI/AAAAAAAAAOk/_OQ6-2KVCjE/s320/Breckenridge_17_LoRes.jpg" border="0" /></a>The online auction process — particularly the application of real-time technology — is proving to be a highly viable alternative to the traditional real estate sales process. Sellers say they are able to more quickly liquidate their second homes, which at the same time typically translates to exceptional values for price-conscious luxury buyers. </div><div><br />Although second home purchases did fade in 2008, the long-term demand actually looks quite favorable according to a report released in March 2009 by Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors. </div><div><br />In March of this year, the NAR reported that Yun's research indicates that large numbers of people are in their prime years for buying a second home. Currently, 39.2 million people in the United States are ages 50 to 59 — a group that dominated sales in the first part of this decade. An additional 44.8 million people are between 40 and 49, and another 40.7 million are 30 to 39. </div><div></div><br /><div>The NAR reports:<br />"While economic factors can affect sales from one year to the next, the fundamental demand from these large population groups will remain," Yun said. "Given that most people become interested in buying a second home in their 40s, the bulge of population approaching middle age should drive the second-home market over the next decade."</div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/Si6hWu8SS0I/AAAAAAAAAOU/v_9ixYbzvqQ/s1600-h/02.Temple_Summer_05_LoRes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345387219665439554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/Si6hWu8SS0I/AAAAAAAAAOU/v_9ixYbzvqQ/s320/02.Temple_Summer_05_LoRes.jpg" border="0" /></a>For sellers, those demographics translate to a ready pool of buyers. The bottom line for buyers who can afford to step into the luxury home market: their stars have aligned — the timing is superb for locating a motivated seller with a one-of-a-kind resort property. And, thanks to innovative online methods that streamline and accelerate the luxury real estate transaction, you don't have to scour local MLS outlets to do it. </div><div></div><br /><div>Whether you're a seller, a buyer or a real estate broker, learn how you can proactively keep pace with luxury home trends and technological innovations. Contact <a href="http://www.legendaryhomeauction.com/" target="_blank">LegendaryHomeAuction.com</a> at 303.440.4999 or <a href="mailto:Lauren@LegendaryGroup.com">Lauren@LegendaryGroup.com</a></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-67219124190160575302009-05-27T12:41:00.002-06:002009-05-27T12:47:21.812-06:00DENVER, COLORADO – AT THE FOREFRONT OF AMERICA’S HOUSING RECOVERYNot all cities are equal. In this tough economy, some locations are thriving while others continue to fail. According to the <a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/30825142#30825142">Today Show on MSNBC.com</a> Today’s Real Estate segment, extensive country-wide city evaluations were conducted in order to gather details regarding cities that are on the edge of recovering.<br /><br />Denver, Colorado is rated number one in the nation as the place to live, as well as the state where the housing market is most likely to recover. The rating was based on eight recovery potential characteristics that include: job growth, growing population, good weather, first-time buyers, no overbuilding, vital downtown, educated populations and foreclosures that occurred earlier in the recession time frame. To learn more about the housing market, watch Today’s Real Estate by clicking <a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/30825142#30825142">here</a><br /><br />In addition to Denver rating number one in recovery potential criteria, the state of Colorado offers diverse cities with vibrant downtowns, unbeatable park systems, and highly educated populations. And not to be forgotten is the unbeatable Colorado weather with an average of 300 days of sunshine each year.<br /><br />To learn more about Colorado properties, visit <a href="http://www.legendaryhomecollection.com">Scott Franklund's Legendary Home Collection web site</a> offering unique homes and unparalleled service or the <a href="http://www.legendaryhomeauction.com/">Legendary Home Auction web site</a>, which showcases luxury estates highlighting the beauty and distinction of each property.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-64197310360854658642009-04-29T14:29:00.000-06:002009-04-29T14:31:04.688-06:00Eat, Drink, Relax, and Enjoy The Best of Life<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; ">Nestled high on a mountainside overlooking the city of Boulder, the <a href="http://www.flagstaffhouse.com">Flagstaff House Restaurant</a> provides world-class premier dining just five minutes from downtown Boulder. Offering an award-winning extensive 20,000-bottle wine cellar, comprehensive wine list, detailed service, and world-class food selections, the Flagstaff House Restaurant provides an opportunity to delight your senses.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial">It’s just one of the many luxurious dining experiences Boulder has to offer. The Flagstaff House Restaurant, along with other Boulder restaurants, have been rated as one of the top five cooking demonstrations options in Colorado by <a href="http://www.sunset.com/travel/rockies/perfection-in-boulder-00400000012202/">Sunset Magazine</a>.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial"><a href="http://www.frascafoodandwine.com/">Frasca Restaurant</a>, located in the city of Boulder on Pearl Street, is run by Master Sommelier, Bobby Stuckey and Chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson. Recently featured in <a href="http://www.frascafoodandwine.com/pdf/press/FRS_FoodWine_010009.pdf">Food & Wine Magazine</a>, Frasca Restaurant offers exquisitely prepared cuisine and a boastful 200 bottle comprehensive wine list. With meticulous attention to detail, Frasca Restaurant provides elegant dining with a welcoming staff.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial">If you are searching for a more casual spot, <a href="http://www.raddatrattoria.com/">Radda Trattoria Restaurant</a>, located in Boulder, is inspired by the culture and cuisine of Tuscany, Italy. This delightful destination provides Italian food as well as an organic focus and offering.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial">Boulder is a town of only 100,000 people, but it offers a destination stop for world-class dining, luxury living options, in addition to countless outdoor activities, superior education facilities, and diverse communities.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-66050727461949384942009-04-08T05:45:00.008-06:002009-04-08T14:03:45.322-06:00Denver Among America's Greenest, Most Livable and Most Popular CitiesWhen it comes to green living, <a href="http://www.LegendaryProperty.com">Boulder</a> gets five stars for its commitment and ingenuity as I discussed in my last post. But it should be noted that as far as major metropolitan areas go, Denver ranks among the most environmentally friendly cities in the nation (as well as one of the most desirable to call home).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.forbes.com/media/2009/04/06/04-Denver-Wells_Fargo_Center.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 340px;" src="http://images.forbes.com/media/2009/04/06/04-Denver-Wells_Fargo_Center.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The Environmental Protection Agency recently released results of a study that sought to determine <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/06/americas-greenest-skylines-lifestyle-greenest-skylines.html">America's greenest skylines</a> as reported Monday on Forbes.com. A city's ranking was determined by the number of Energy Star-certified commercial buildings and manufacturing plants.<br /><br />Denver ranked as having the 7th greenest U.S. skyline with 109 Energy Star-certified buildings including the signature "cash-register looking" building that is the Wells Fargo Center. <br /><br />According to the EPA, a total of 6,200 buildings have been awarded the Energy Star designation nationwide for an annual utility savings $1.7 billion for those buildings.<br /><br />In the past week, Denver also has garnered attention in two other notable categories on Forbes.com's real estate section:<br /><ul><li>On April 1, Denver was named No. 11 in Forbes' list of <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/01/cities-city-ten-lifestyle-real-estate-livable-cities_slide_6.html?thisSpeed=15000">America's Most Livable Cities<br /><br /></a></li><li>On March 30, Denver was ranked No. 10 in Forbes' list for <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/30/americans-moving-cities-lifestyle-real-estate-relocating_slide_2.html?thisSpeed=15000">Cities Where Americans Are Relocating</a>.<br /></li></ul>That's good news for Denver's real estate market!<p> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-59490641595406766552009-04-02T11:05:00.012-06:002009-04-02T11:57:00.114-06:00It's Green Year-Round In Boulder, ColoradoEven on those rare days when the Flatirons are socked in by clouds and the ground from Pearl Street to <a href="http://www.chautauqua.com/">Chautauqua Park</a> is covered in a blanket of snow, green is everywhere in <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder, Colorado</a>. By 'green' I mean eco-friendly ... a badge that Boulder has proudly worn even when "being <a href="http://www.chautauqua.com/photos/audls.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px" alt="" src="http://www.chautauqua.com/photos/audls.jpg" border="0" /></a>green" wasn't a coast-to-coast corporate mantra. For example... <ul><li>Did you know that the Boulder Community Foothills Hospital is the first LEED-certified hospital in the country?</li><br /><li>Did you know that Boulder's 29th Street shopping district has designated preferred parking for hybrid vehicles?</li><br /><li>Did you know that CU-Boulder's Folsom Field is the country's first zero-waste collegiate football stadium?</li><br /><li>Did you know you can take a self-guided telephone tour of Boulder's commitment to green living?</li></ul><div>I discovered these facts in a 16-page guide produced by <a href="http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/">Boulder's CVB</a>. It's called <a href="http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/docs/Leading%20the%20Way%20in%20Green%20Guide.pdf">"City of Boulder and Boulder County: Leading the Way in Green from Science to Sustainability"</a> and is worth reading if you ever doubted Boulder's status as a 'green goddess'. Most relevant to the <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder real estate</a> industry is page 4 of the guide that discusses critical initiatives affecting property owners and builders...height restrictions, Boulder's mandatory 'Green Points Building' program and Boulder's approach to growth as its quality of life attracts droves of outsiders. </div><div><br />It's interesting reading no matter which side of the fence you're on when it comes to Boulder's bold approach to being green!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-81300721525817271442009-03-31T15:02:00.004-06:002009-03-31T15:39:57.541-06:00Four Colorado Cities Among Forbes.com's "Best Places" ListAnyone who lives on Colorado's Front Range should be proud (and relieved) at Forbes' release of its latest "best places" list titled "<a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/25/best-cities-careers-bizplaces09-business-places_lander.html ">Best Places for Business and Careers</a>." While <a href="http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/1/2009/2798.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px" alt="" src="http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/1/2009/2798.jpg" border="0" /></a>Raleigh, North Carolina, snagged the list's top spot, Colorado is well represented in the Top 20. In fact FOUR out of the Top 20 cities ranked by Forbes are located on Colorado's Front Range (that puts Colorado second only to North Carolina, which had 6 cities among the Top 20).<br /><br />In order of ranking, Colorado's honorees are:<br /><ul><li>No. 2 - Fort Collins - 55 miles northeast of Boulder </li><li>No. 10 - Colorado Springs - 96 miles southeast of Boulder</li><li>No. 14 - Denver - 26 miles southeast of Boulder</li><li>No. 20 - <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder</a></li></ul><p>The rankings were determined by each city's collective ranking in four major categories: 1) the cost of doing business; 2) projected job growth; 3) educational attainment; and 4) metro area population.</p><p><a href="http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/1/bizplaces09_Boulder-CO_2798.html">Click here</a> to read Forbes' data that led to Boulder's 20th place ranking.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-25300768765042506202009-03-26T21:24:00.016-06:002009-03-27T11:08:49.703-06:00Rozena Estate Offers Prime Opportunity for Lakeside Luxury, Acreage in Boulder County<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5836/photos/IMG_0913.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 327px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5836/photos/IMG_0913.jpg" border="0" /></a>It's hard to think about canoeing in the shadows of Longs Peak or lakeside entertaining when you're digging out from a rare but intense Colorado spring snow storm. But the moisture is welcome, and in a matter of weeks some of Boulder County's most glorious estates will be in full bloom and in prime showing condition.<br /><br /><div><div></div><div>One such property is a lakeside gem located at <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5836">7381 Rozena Drive</a>. Rozena is a very private, view-oriented street in the more rural quadrant of northwest <a href="http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/index.htm">Longmont</a> where available homes are highly desired but rarely offered. This particular home is an <em>incredible</em> find with 3.5 acres, dead-on Longs Peak views and a private patio deck that leads right to the shoreline of <a href="http://www.fishingworks.com/lakes/colorado/boulder/hygiene/burch-lake/">Burch Lake</a>, a tranquil private haven for non-motorized boating, angling or just pure outdoor relaxation. <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5836/photos/IMG_1383.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 387px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px" alt="" src="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5836/photos/IMG_1383.jpg" border="0" /></a>There's also more than 80 mature trees and shrubs on the landscaped grounds creating a year-round private park.<br /><br />Built in 1988 and completely remodeled in 2002, the 3-bedroom, 4-bath home offers 4,530 square feet of sprawling yet livable luxury that is centered around its amazing water and mountain views. The home's design is Mediterranean in nature, and it boasts a host of unique features including a private spa area and a sauna. </div><a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5836/photos/IMG_0948(edited).jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 336px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 247px" alt="" src="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5836/photos/IMG_0948(edited).jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><br /><div>There are very few <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">properties in Boulder County</a> that have private lake frontage, and those that do often are priced $2.5 million or higher. This stunning lakeside property is offered at $1.749 million. For a virtual tour of this Rozena estate, <a href="http://www.spotlighthometours.com/tours/tour.cfm?tourid=14686">click here</a>. For a private in-person tour, call me at 303-440-4999 or <a href="mailto:scott@legendaryproperty.com">email me</a>.</div><br /><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-48676476534038557062009-03-24T10:24:00.004-06:002009-03-24T10:36:30.616-06:00Boulder's Rental Market Thriving Despite High Rent RatesI specialize in <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder, Colorado, real estate</a> sales -- not rentals. Nevertheless, it's interesting to look at rental data and see how it compares to neighboring cities in Colorado.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/galleries/2008/moneymag/0807/gallery.bplive_mostsingles.moneymag/images/boulder_co.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 255px;" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/galleries/2008/moneymag/0807/gallery.bplive_mostsingles.moneymag/images/boulder_co.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Just how desirable is Boulder and what are home-seekers willing to pay for a <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/search.aspx?sprice=0&eprice=1000000000&city=2&agent=0&keyword=">Boulder address</a> and the incredible lifestyle that Boulder offers its residents?<br /><br />Plus, there is always a good chance that today’s renters are tomorrow’s buyers, so it’s good for me to keep a pulse on the Boulder rental market. And that market is on fire!<br /><br />While vacancy rates in the Denver-metro area hit a two-year high by December of 2008, the vacancy rates in Boulder and Broomfield counties declined from 5.9% in Q1 of 2008 to 3.9% in Q4 2008. Rentals are hard to come by in Boulder and that means they aren’t cheap either. The average rent for apartments in Boulder and Broomfield counties has jumped 18% since late 2007 to $1,453, which is the highest on the Front Range. Denver’s average apartment rent is $995. This data all pertains to apartments rentals and its surge likely can be attributed to a thriving student population at <a href="http://www.colorado.edu/">University of Colorado</a>. The University’s largest freshman class in years is currently in the dorms and looking for off-campus housing for the 2009-2010 school year.<br /><br />With interest rates low and resale inventory plentiful, it’s a prime time for CU parents who may be thinking of purchasing a Boulder rental for their college-aged kids. Our office at <a href="http://www.sothebysrealty.com/">Sotheby's International Realty</a> is located in the heart of <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/offices/">Boulder</a> at 1500 28th Street. Our team's native knowledge of Boulder can be a great tool for those considering the purchase of a rental investment. Call us at 303-440-4999, <a href="mailto:scott@legendaryproperty.com">email us</a> or stop by our office today.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-59142232054830930072009-03-19T05:52:00.017-06:002009-03-19T16:26:44.183-06:00Boulder Area Horse Properties Rare But Not ObsoleteWith land at such a premium in and around Boulder County, properties that have substantial acreage, a sophisticated home <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">and </span>equestrian amenities are few and far between. But they do exist, and I have some fantastic horse properties listed in various price ranges. Here's a brief snapshot of a few great opportunities to own <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">luxury equestrian properties</a> in or just outside Boulder County:<br /><div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br /></div><strong>5310 Caribou Springs Trail</strong> sits on more than 6 acres within the esteemed <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5324">Caribou Springs Ranch,</a> a gated luxury community just north of Boulder in east Longmont. In addition to great views and a spectacular 6,230-square-foot home with incredible Colorado-style interior finishes,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5324/photos/caribou_night%201.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 236px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5324/photos/caribou_night%201.jpg" border="0" /></a> the property also offers multiple fenced pastures to accommodate horses. There's a guest house, too. What draws a lot of horse enthusiasts to Caribou Springs Ranch is the community's optional shared horse barn with ranch manager who can care for your horses while you're away. There also is an extensive network of recreational trails that encircles the community...and phenomenal views of Boulder's foothills. It's a horse haven with convenience and security all rolled into one. Priced at $2.495 million. <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5324">Click here</a> for more details.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a href="http://www.thephoenixranch.com/"><strong>The Phoenix Ranch</strong></a>, just east of Caribou Springs Ranch, is more than a fabulous horse property. It's an "everything" property. For the truly discerning luxury buyer, there's not a finer estate in <a href="http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/">Boulder County</a>. With 40 lush acres, an exquisite 10,000-sq<a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5843/photos/Barn2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 311px; HEIGHT: 209px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5843/photos/Barn2.jpg" border="0" /></a>uare-foot residence, a 5,000-square-foot heated barn, a custom in-ground pool, tennis courts, basketball courts and county approval to add even more equestrian amenities, The <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5843">Phoenix Ranch</a> is among the most rare luxury properties in Northern Colorado let alone Boulder County. I've created a separate website for this property. Visit it at <a href="http://www.thephoenixranch.com/">http://www.thephoenixranch.com/</a> to view a slide show and get more details. The Phoenix Ranch is offered at $8.195 million.<br /><br />Just east of the Boulder County line in western Weld County is <a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5453">1767 WCR 20.5</a>, a charming acreage that offers 11+ acres with mature landscaping, a large private pond, superb<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5453/photos/Weld_1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5453/photos/Weld_1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>mountain views and completely fenced horse pastures. The property includes a 2-story home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, covered porch & many interior updates. Outbuildings include a separate office/studio, equipment shed and oversized 3-car garage/workshop. Offered at $989,000, and owner carry is available with negotiable down payment and terms. <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5453">Click here for details</a>.<br /><br />These are just a few among the collection of properties I have in my inventory of luxury homes and estates that currently have or could easily accommodate horses and equine amenities. Looking for the perfect land/home package to suit you and your horses' needs? <a href="mailto:scott@legendaryproperty.com">Email me</a> or call me at 303-443-6161. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-44202999148242810422009-03-16T06:11:00.008-06:002009-03-16T07:31:10.132-06:00New To the Market: Boulder Home Features Priceless Views, Stunning LocationThanks to everyone who came out for yesterday's open house tour in <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Niwot and Boulder</a>. It was great to get a taste of Spring activity and experience some momentum heading into the busiest season of the year!<br /><br />There's one special listing that wasn't on the tour but certainly is worthy of a luxury buyer's attention. I just listed it week and it is <span style="font-style: italic;">spectacular</span>. It's located at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2695+Lafayette+Drive++Boulder+CO++80305">2695 Lafayette Drive</a> in south Boulder, a thriving area where pop-tops and scrapes are revitalizing the neighborhoods once reflective of the 1960s and '70s. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5847/photos/2695%20Lafayette_5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 227px;" src="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5847/photos/2695%20Lafayette_5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This home, just shy of 7,000 square feet, rests on a .63-acre lot perfectly positioned to capture unobstructed views of Boulder's cityscape and mountain range...Flatirons included. Anyone who knows anything about <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5847">Boulder real estate</a> understands the rarity and value of such a view corridor, and this home has one of the best in the city of Boulder.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5847/photos/2695%20Lafayette_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 224px;" src="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5847/photos/2695%20Lafayette_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The entire home was restored in 1998, thus giving it modern appeal and amenities while maximizing its views from the inside out. Today the home boasts 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, a state-of-the-art home theater, 2 offices, a sauna, a basement-level rec room with bar and salt water aquarium, a large craft room, luxury master bath, a 2-sided fireplace in the master suite and bath, a wood burning fireplace in the great room, a sun room and so much more. The home is enveloped in lush landscaping, flower gardens and expansive outdoor entertainment areas.<br /><br />This home and its stunning location are offered at $3.499 million. It's truly one of the most view-oriented residences in Boulder County. <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5847">View more photos</a> or <a href="mailto:scott@legendaryproperty.com">email me</a> to schedule a private viewing of this masterpiece Boulder home.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-45576594748262094552009-03-12T07:46:00.017-06:002009-03-26T21:41:57.714-06:00Boulder Real Estate Trends: A Historical Look at Price Per Square FootWith such turbulence in the real estate market, it can be hard to follow pricing trends week to week. The average listing price in Boulder, for example, fell by more than $30,000 in the last 4 weeks. Of course, that can be attributed to a range of factors including some of Boulder's high-end inventory going off the market due to a successful sale or sellers withdrawing their homes from the market.<br /><br />Real conclusions on the <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder real estate</a> market can be drawn by looking at what the more recent data shows compared to data that spans a significant period of time. I also think it's helpful to look at a common denominator like price per square foot. In a college town like Boulder, there exists a wide range of inventory from 1-bedroom bungalows to college condos to large multi-million-dollar residences.<br /><br />Because my team at Boulder's <a href="http://www.sothebysrealty.com/">Sotheby's International Realty</a> office primarily specializes in <a href="http://www.legendaryhomecollection.com/">luxury real estate</a>, I am most curious about the price-per-square-foot statistics of Boulder's larger homes that fall into the upper pricing tier.<br /><br />Below are two charts that show the average price-per-square-foot trends of 4-bedroom homes in Boulder over the last 5 years and over the last 12 months:<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0pt auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><a href="http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Boulder-Colorado/market-trends/" target="_blank"><img src="http://graphs.trulia.com/real_estate/Boulder-Colorado/graph.png?version=141&%20type=qma_price_per_sqft&city=Boulder&state=CO&exclude=1%7C2%7C3%7Call&period=5" alt="Boulder average price per square foot" width="300" height="125" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.trulia.com/sold/Boulder,CO/" target="_blank" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Tahoma,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></a></div><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0pt auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><a href="http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Boulder-Colorado/market-trends/" target="_blank"><img src="http://graphs.trulia.com/real_estate/Boulder-Colorado/graph.png?version=141&%20type=qma_price_per_sqft&city=Boulder&state=CO&exclude=1%7C2%7C3%7Call&period=1" alt="Boulder average price per square foot" width="300" height="125" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.trulia.com/sold/Boulder,CO/" target="_blank" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Tahoma,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></a></div><br />The 5-year chart shows slow, consistent growth over time with a major spike in late 2008 due to a few significant luxury sales that slightly skew the data. The 1-year chart, though a bit sporadic in appearance, shows that price-per-square-foot for Boulder homes has varied by no more than $29 per square foot in the last 12 months. Despite a very volatile market, the Boulder real estate market has held its own in terms of price per square foot, and that is an encouraging sign as we look ahead.<br /><br />Just for some perspective on how stable the <a href="http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Boulder-Colorado/community-info/">Boulder market</a> has proven to be, here's a chart that shows what the Scottsdale, AZ, real estate market's price-per-square-foot stats look like in the last 5 years. Its price-per-square-foot has bounced between $167 and $1081...and today is back where it started 5 years ago at $167. (I realize Scottsdale is a larger market than Boulder but it's average listing price and sale price have historically been quite similar):<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0pt auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><a href="http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Scottsdale-Arizona/market-trends/" target="_blank"><img src="http://graphs.trulia.com/real_estate/Scottsdale-Arizona/graph.png?version=141&%20type=qma_price_per_sqft&city=Scottsdale&state=AZ&exclude=1%7C2%7C3%7C4&period=5" alt="Scottsdale average price per square foot" width="300" height="125" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.trulia.com/sold/Scottsdale,AZ/" target="_blank" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Tahoma,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-74798672117790405042009-03-12T07:04:00.004-06:002009-03-13T07:40:39.239-06:00This Sunday's Luxury Home Tour to Include 5 Incredible Legendary Properties<div style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Boulder real estate's Spring sales season is here and we're kicking it off this Sunday, March 15th, with a luxury home tour featuring 5 of my premier listings.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.fullerproperties.com/docs/March15-Home-Tour-PDF.pdf">Sotheby's Spring Home Tour</a> runs from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >(</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">each of my properties will be open at 12 p.m.</strong></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > but some of the tour's Denver properties open at 1 p.m.)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> and include the following luxury residences represented by <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/meet/">The Legendary Team </a>at Sotheby's International Realty:<br /><br /></span><ul><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>6470 </strong><strong>Cherry Court,</strong> Somerset Estates, offered at $3.95 million; preview it online at <a href="http://www.6470cherrycourt.com/">http://www.6470CherryCourt.com</a>. For directions, <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=6470+Cherry+Court++Niwot+CO++80503">click here</a>.<a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5845/photos/6470CherryCourt_hiResGrass.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 202px; height: 141px;" alt="" src="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5845/photos/6470CherryCourt_hiResGrass.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></li><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>6522 Legend Ridge Trail,</strong> Legend Ridge, offered at $1.595 million; <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5846">click here</a> to preview it online. For directions, <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=6522+Legend+Ridge+Trail++Niwot+CO++80503">click here</a>. </span></li><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>8215 Cattail Drive, Somerset Estates</strong>, offered at $2.995 million; <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5830">click here</a> to preview it online.<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=8215+Cattail+Drive++Niwot+CO++80503">Click here</a> for directions.<br /></span></li><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>6359 Snowberry Lane, Somerset Estates</strong>, offered at $5.4 million; <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5537">click here</a> to preview it online. For directions, <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=6359+Snowberry+Lane++Niwot+CO++80503">click here</a>.</span></li><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5537/photos/Dusk1z_reduced.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 223px; height: 150px;" alt="" src="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5537/photos/Dusk1z_reduced.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>1385 White Hawk Ranch Drive,</strong> White Hawk Ranch, offered at $1.795 million, <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5829">click here</a> to preview it online. For directions, <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1385+White+Hawk+Ranch+Drive+++Boulder+CO++80303">click here</a>.</span></li></ul></div><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><div style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:100%;">This tour will showcase several of the most opulent custom homes currently available in Boulder County. We hope you join us in kicking off what we anticipate will be a very busy and prosperous Spring 2009!</span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-54678193178282149312009-03-09T09:58:00.001-06:002009-03-09T21:15:42.306-06:00Legendary Home Auction Offers Innovative Alternative to Buying/Selling Luxury in Denver & Boulder<a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5786/photos/image006.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 317px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px" alt="" src="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5786/photos/image006.jpg" border="0" /></a>In today's luxury housing market, ingenuity and innovation are critical in bringing together buyers and sellers for a succesful real estate transaction. That is why I am extremely excited to announce something I have spent more than a year developing and refining in anticipation of a Spring 2009 launch...<br /><div></div><br /><div>The Legendary Marketing Group at the Sotheby's International Realty office in <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder, Colorado</a>, is taking the buy-sell experience to a new level with the <a href="http://www.legendaryhomeauction.com/">Legendary Home Auction</a>. With an unprecedented online auction forum that cost close to $800,000 to build and 18 months to launch, the Legendary Home Auction will expose some of Denver and Boulder's finest luxury homes and estates to qualified buyers around the world.<br /></div><a href="http://www.legendaryhomeauctions.com/images/bgThumb-6.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryhomeauctions.com/images/bgThumb-6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>As proud <a href="http://www.sothebysrealty.com/">Sotheby's International Realty</a> affiliate brokers, the partners in Legendary M<a href="http://www.legendaryhomeauctions.com/images/bgThumb-5.jpg"></a>arketing Group will provide connoisseurs of luxury real estate an auction opportunity similar to the auction methods used for hundreds of years by the renowned Sotheby's Auction House. By providing a professional forum for motivated sellers and qualified buyers, we are accelerating the marketing process that successfully achieves fair market value for properties within a determined timeframe and on a non-contingent basis.<br /></div><br /><div><strong>Stay posted!!</strong> We have sought out and pre-screened some of the Front Range's most elite residences that fit the profile of a luxury auction property. For more information on the homes slated for the Spring Auction or to get information on how to add your home to the auction, please register at <a href="http://legendaryhomeauction.com/">http://legendaryhomeauction.com/</a>. You may also email us at <a href="mailto:info@legendaryhomeauction.com">info@legendaryhomeauction.com</a>.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-14374371759800494332009-03-06T12:58:00.004-07:002009-03-06T13:47:54.072-07:00Boulder Real Estate Faces Housing Size Dilemma<a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5832/photos/2620%20Kohler%20rear%20house%202[1].jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5832/photos/2620%20Kohler%20rear%20house%202[1].jpg" border="0" /></a>There's a hot button issue in the <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder real estate</a> and housing worlds. Locals know it as the <a href="http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/mar/04/pop-and-scrape-limits-get-endorsement-boulder-lead/">"pop-and-scrape" topic</a>. It's a common site in Boulder's old single-family neighborhoods such as the Newlands: Original homes are being bought for the land they sit on then torn down or massively rennovated sometimes leaving the neighboring old homes in their shadow. The challenge for Boulder City Council is to address the mounting concern by area residents without infringing on personal property rights.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Boulder City Council agreed on Wednesday on a set of regulations that may force builders to adhere to new limits on the percentage of a city lot that’s covered by finished square footage of a new home and to limit the length and height of outer walls. </div><br /><div></div><div>So what about those who have already spent thousands of dollars and hours of energy coming up with architectural plans for their <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder dream home</a>? What if their plans match the regulations set forth at the time they commissioned an architect to draw the plans but now suddenly their house is too big for the proposed regulations? Boulder Planning board discussed a "hardship" exemption for these cases but then expressed fear that builders would use this as a loophole and the initial problem will rage on. </div><div></div><br /><div>It's an issue that will continue to evolve as Boulder implements new programs aimed at managing growth and preserving the authenticity of its older neighborhoods. The City of Boulder has created a <a href="http://bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9051&Itemid=22">website</a> explaining the housing size limitation issue. If you follow Boulder real estate, it's a great resource for understanding what the future of Boulder housing may or may not look like. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-63176403510771620462009-03-04T06:49:00.007-07:002009-03-04T17:21:23.081-07:00Luxury and Value Just Minutes From Boulder in White Hawk Ranch<a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5829/photos/1385_white_hawk_ranch_drive_MLS_HID482421_ROOMfrontviewhouse1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5829/photos/1385_white_hawk_ranch_drive_MLS_HID482421_ROOMfrontviewhouse1.jpg" border="0" /></a> If you're headed out of <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder</a> going east on Arapahoe Avenue (Highway 7) before you get to the town of Lafayette you'll pass by a stunning luxury community tucked far off the beaten path and perfectly sited to capture those classic views of the <a href="http://www.totalboulder.com/resources/52.html">Boulder Flatirons</a> and snow-capped Indian Peaks. The community, which boasts a Boulder address and feeds to Boulder Valley schools, is called <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1385+White+Hawk+Ranch+Drive+++Boulder+CO++80303">White Hawk Ranch</a> and it's home to some of Boulder County's most architecturally stunning homes.<br /><div><div></div><br /><div>One of my premier Boulder listings, <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5829">1385 White Hawk Ranch Drive</a>, is no exception. Located in the heart of White Hawk Ranch, this 8,174-square-foot home and it's 1.2-acre lot represent Colorado contemporary style at its finest with walls of windows, soaring ceilings, handsome hardwoods and a floor-to-ceiling great room stone fireplace. Designed by Boulder architect Karl Whitten, the unique floor plan offers the spaciousness of a ranch-style home but as you descend from the main level down the home's central spiral staircase, you are suprisingly welcomed by cascading levels that offer a balance between recreational spaces and private areas like bedroom suites. </div><div></div><br /><div>The centerpiece of the kitchen is an incredible work of art – a hand-crafted hood designed by mathematician and Boulder business owner Demetri Coupounas and made by Boulder metal artist Jessica Adams of <a href="http://www.livingdesignstudios.com/">Living Design Studios</a>. Constructed of copper, iron, bronze and stainless steel, its geometric design represents the concept of “Phi,” the golden mean most famously discussed in Dan Brown’s <em>The DaVinci Code</em>. <img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5829/photos/1385_white_hawk_ranch_drive_MLS_HID482421_ROOMkitchen10.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><br /><div>As beautiful as this sprawling 5-bedroom, 6-bath White Hawk Ranch home is, what's truly stunning about it is it's price. This 8,174-square-foot home on more than acre is priced at only $1,795,000. Compared to recent sales in <a href="http://www.homesteadmgmt.com/WhiteHawkRanch/outside_home.asp">White Hawk Ranch</a>, that's almost $100 per square foot less than the average price per square foot of homes recently sold in the community and more than $500,000 less than White Hawk Ranch's average sales price. I'm excited for the fortunate buyer who discovers this amazing home at a below-market price. </div><div></div><br /><div><a href="mailto:scott@legendaryproperty.com">Email me</a> for more info on this home or others in the Boulder area.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-24178220676540069382009-03-02T09:11:00.008-07:002009-03-02T11:27:12.997-07:00Denver's Real Estate Market Fairing Better Than Most U.S. Cities<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SawjaNvdheI/AAAAAAAAANc/dQZSfss39AA/s1600-h/Denver+Capitol+Buildign.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308656994035271138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FfEALJUnlZo/SawjaNvdheI/AAAAAAAAANc/dQZSfss39AA/s320/Denver+Capitol+Buildign.jpg" border="0" /></a>Is Colorado's real estate glass half full or half empty? While homeowners from <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder</a> to Denver and up and down Colorado's Front Range are hurting along with the rest of the nation, it's true that we're in a much better spot than those around the country. As reported last week in the <em><a href="http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/02/23/daily22.html?ana=e_du_pap">Denver Business Journal</a></em>, Denver's 2008 housing price decline was the smallest of all 20 major U.S. cities tracked by Standard & Poors. According to the S & P report, which is <a href="http://www2.standardandpoors.com/spf/pdf/index/CSHomePrice_Release_022445.pdf">available online</a>, Denver's average price of existing homes fell 4 percent between December 2007 and December 2008. This was less than the other 19 cities in the study including Phoenix (which suffered the greatest with a 34% price decline), Las Vegas, Dallas, San Francisco and Boston.<br /><br /><div><div>The report also looked at monthly price declines from November 2008 to December 2008. Denver's 1.5% decline was second only to Boston's 1.3% decline.</div><div><br /> </div><div>So while I consistently caution sellers not to expect the returns we saw in years passed (Denver's housing prices peaked in 2006), I think we're fortunate to be in or near a major city that demonstrates some resilience even in the toughest of times. We're not bullet proof by any means, but we're certainly standing up to tumultuous conditions better than most. </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5787/photos/Front.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5787/photos/Front.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Another bright spot for area residents as we kick off the month of March: Today in Boulder it's 68 degrees, sunny and dry. [Don't tell that to those from New England to Atlanta who are expecting up to a foot of new snow in the next 24 hours!]</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-24521369238842276122009-02-27T08:02:00.011-07:002009-02-27T09:34:57.214-07:00A Look at Homes Sales in the Boulder Mountain Areas<a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5215/photos/355%20Mountain%20King%20Living%20room.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 199px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5215/photos/355%20Mountain%20King%20Living%20room.jpg" border="0" /></a>I'm back to sales stats today...this time taking a look at <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/search.aspx?sprice=0&eprice=1000000000&city=2&agent=0&keyword=mountain">Boulder mountain properties</a>. There's one word that really sums up mountain sales: stagnant. From January 2008 to this January, nothing really changed in the Boulder mountain market. Sales volume and price dropped slightly while inventory rose slightly. The only dramatic difference was the decrease in 'days to contract' for mountain properties, but with only 10 sales included in the average, I have a hard time drawing any real conclusions or predicting any trends from the data.<br /><br /><br />Here are the sales statistics for residential sales in the mountain areas of <a href="http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/">Boulder</a> (January 2008 compared to January 2009):<br /><ul><li>10 homes sold in January 2009 compared to January 2008 (a 9.1% decrease)</li><br /><br /><li>Inventory increased 2.2% from 272 active listings in January 2008 to 278 in January 2009</li><br /><br /><li>Median sales priced was down 3.2% in January 2009 compared to a year prior. The median sales price in January 2009 was $324,500 compared to $335,115 in January 2008</li><br /><br /><li>Average sales price fell 1.1% in January 2009 compared to a year prior. The average sales price in January 2009 was $391,100 compared to $395,601 in January 2008</li><br /><br /><li>The average 'days to contract' decreased by 40% from 207 days for homes that went under contract in January 2008 to 124 days in January 2009. </li></ul><br /><p>Historically Boulder mountain properties have required a little extra time and effort to sell compared to their urban counterparts. Their location off the beaten path and the threat of those rare Colorado winters when mountain residents are 'snowed in' make the buyer pool for Boulder mountain properties smaller than for city properties. But for those who crave the mountain lifestyle, one can certainly get a lot of home and land for their money compared to c<a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5215/photos/355%20Mountain%20King%20Road%20Exterior%20Front.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5215/photos/355%20Mountain%20King%20Road%20Exterior%20Front.jpg" border="0" /></a>ity properties. One of my most unique and pristine luxury mountain properties, <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=355+Mountain+King+Road++Boulder+CO++80302">355 Mountain King Road</a>, offers 115 acres of protected forest land and an impeccable 5,600-square-foot custom mountain home with incredible views from every direction all for $2,995,000. <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5215">Click here</a> to view photos and read more about this rare and incredible property.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-51468528309682078432009-02-25T08:19:00.009-07:002009-03-04T15:51:10.511-07:00Legendary Home Collection Unveils Spectacular New Estate in Niwot/Boulder County<a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5845/photos/6470CherryCourt_hiResGrass.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5845/photos/6470CherryCourt_hiResGrass.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5845/photos/photo_high_203705.jpg"></a>I'll get back to examining sales stats later this week but today I have to share a new listing that I have been very anxious to introduce to the market. Just completed and one of the last new homes in Niwot's Somerset Estates (and certainly one of the finest), <a href="http://www.6470cherrycourt.com/index.html">6470 Cherry Court </a>is an extraordinary luxury residence with incredible finishes, a functional layout and phenomenal outdoor spaces that capture unobstructed views of Boulder's Flatirons, Rocky Mountain peaks and Boulder County's lush open space corridor that encircles <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5845">Somerset Estates</a> and backs to this property's 1.2-acre site.<br /><br /><div><br /><div>Built by Boulder-based LELA Design & Construction, this home boasts nearly 10,000 square feet on three levels and unites superior state-of-the-art construction with an authentic and tasteful Old World elegance. It represents a perfect balance of everyday living spaces and more formal entertaining areas...like the lower level's rich cherry wood bar topped with Green Rainforest slab marble, the home theater or the large wine cellar with insulated cherry door and stone flooring. Level by level, I walked through this home in awe of the attention to detail and the level of custom finish work gracing its every room, every window, every ceiling and even its sprawling outdoor spaces.<br /></div></div><div><div><a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5845/photos/photo_high_203703.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5845/photos/photo_high_203703.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I have listed and sold several homes by LELA Design & Construction and am consistently impressed with their company's ability to merge the architecture, the home site, the finishes and the home techonlogy into one seamless masterpiece that is as timeless as it is modern. </div><div><br /> </div><div>Priced at $3,950,000, I would encourage any luxury buyer who is in the market for a true one-of-a-kind estate in the Boulder area to consider 6470 Cherry Court. It's an awe-inspiring property from the inside out and is just minutes from <a href="http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/">Boulder</a>.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-23886874050247487432009-02-23T09:33:00.009-07:002009-02-23T10:17:11.105-07:00A Glipmse into Sales Stats for Boulder County's Outlying Areas<a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5846/photos/photo_high_204621.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px" alt="" src="http://legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5846/photos/photo_high_204621.jpg" border="0" /></a>As mentioned in my last blog entry, I have been taking a hard look at <a href="http://www.bouldercounty.org/">Boulder County</a> sales statistics to see how this January's data compared to that of January '08. Last Friday I looked at the sales stats as they relate to single-family residential home sales within the City of Boulder. Today I want to share the same statistics for the area known to Realtors and by the MLS as 'Suburban Plains'. This area includes the outlying/rural areas of Boulder and Longmont (not within the city limits) and includes all of <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/search.aspx?sprice=0&eprice=1000000000&city=18&agent=0&keyword=">Niwot</a>, a prime luxury residential market...<br /><ul><br /><li><strong>Sales volume is down 39%:</strong> Last January, 18 homes sold in Boulder County's suburban plains area compared to only 11 this January.</li><br /><li><strong>Average 'days to contract' increased 14.6%:</strong> Homes that went under contract in January 2008 waited an average of 82 days before going under contract; this January the average 'days to contract' was 94.</li><br /><li><strong>Available inventory is up 23%:</strong> Last January there were 187 active listings in the suburban plains district; this January there were 230.</li><br /><li><strong>Median sales price increased 1.3%:</strong> This area's median sales price in January 2008 was $390,000 while in January 2009 it was $395,000.</li><br /><li><strong>Average sales price up 42.2%:</strong> The average sales price of the 11 homes that sold in January 2009 was $665,949 compared to January 2008's average of $468,378. The sharp increase in average sales price without a sharp increase in median sales price can be attributed to a few significant high-end sales this January.</li></ul><p>I hate to sound repetitive but my advice for homeowners in Boulder's suburban plains is the same as it is for those in the <a href="http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/">City of Boulder</a>. You must be realistic when selling during a downturn in the market. You should be priced competitively to garner the attention of today's buyers and you should be in the mindset that you likely will have to be negotiable to get your home under contract. Today's buyer is not always looking for the best home but rather the best deal. </p><p>Pictured above is a listing I have in Niwot's luxury community of <a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/communities/">Legend Ridge</a>. This home is priced at $1,595,000, a real value for more than 7,500 square feet and a .8-acre homesite...<a href="http://legendaryproperty.com/details.aspx?property=5846">click here</a> for details on this property.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-28003078796452538432009-02-20T11:27:00.013-07:002009-02-20T13:46:01.357-07:00Boulder Real Estate Sales Statistics: Comparing this January to lastWith the first full month of 2009 behind us, we finally have some solid data that we can use to draw some comparisons between the <a href="http://www.legendaryhomecollection.com/">Boulder real estate market </a>today and the Boulder real estate market a year ago. My team and I have spent a lot of time this week analyzing the data and what it means for the sellers and buyers we work with in the Boulder real estate market every day. Here's a brief snapshot of single-family residential sales statistics for the <a href="http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/">City of Boulder</a> and some generalizations that can be made from this data:<a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5789/photos/Mapleton%20New.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5789/photos/Mapleton%20New.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><ul><li><strong>Sales volume is down 50% despite a 10% increase in available inventory:</strong> The total number of single-family residences sold in January 2008 was 40 compared to only 20 in January 2009, and that's not because there are fewer homes on the market. The number of active listings last January was 331 compared to 363 this January...a 10% spike in available inventory.<br /></li><br /><li><strong>Homes are taking 41% longer to go under contract:</strong> For listings that went under contract in January 2008, the average number of days between the time a property went on the market to the day it went under contract was 93. This January, listings were on the market for an average of 131 days before going under contract...that's 41% longer than last years 'days-to -contract' average.<br /></li><br /><li><strong>The median and average sales prices have increased despite market conditions:</strong> Despite all the bad news, the Boulder housing market continues to make lemonade out of lemons. The median sales price for homes sold in January 2008 was $585,000 compared to $635,900 for homes sold in January 2009. That's an 8.7% increase. The average sales price jumped 15.8% from $685,002 in January 2008 to $792,946 in January 2009. </li></ul>The bottom line is that homes are still selling in Boulder and thankfully the Boulder housing market hasn't experienced the horrible depreciation that other luxury markets around the country have seen. But I strongly caution sellers in today's market not to assume Boulder is immune to the nation's economic crisis. Sellers must have realistic expectations and a lot more patience than they're used to having if they've sold homes in Boulder before. I've been in this market long enough to remember the days when I put a sign in a yard and rushed back to the office to respond to messages from serious buyers wanting to see the home. Those days, at least for now, are gone.<br /><br /><p>There's no magic formula that will make a home sell overnight...it's all about having the best home at the best price. Buyers are out there but they are a sophisticated breed. They are looking to buy because they know there are deals to be had. If you're thinking of selling but aren't willing to deal, my advice is to sit tight. Boulder will fair this storm better than most cities and sellers will again have the upper hand, but that's just not the market we're in right now. </p>In my next few blogs I'm going to look at these same sales statistics for areas outside of Boulder....Longmont, Niwot and the mountain areas in Boulder County. It's amazing how just a few miles from the city of Boulder can have completely different sales statistics...more on that to come!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-90470074811309343012009-02-18T07:45:00.013-07:002009-02-18T10:10:30.947-07:00Boulder's Green Reputation Earns Presidential PraiseDenver was in the national spotlight yesterday when President Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus bill at Denver's Museum of Nature and Science. But for us Boulder residents, it was great to see <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder</a> earn some national stage time as the poster city for a greener future. Boulder businessman Blake Jones, who is the <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5801/photos/dining%20room%202%20DSC_0012_14_17_19_20.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5801/photos/dining%20room%202%20DSC_0012_14_17_19_20.jpg" border="0" /></a>President and co-owner of Boulder's <a href="http://namastesolar.com/">Namaste Solar</a>, actually introduced President Obama and gave him and the Vice President a tour of the solar panel system that Namaste Solar installed at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. During his speech, President Obama acknowledged Boulder as "a community that is on pace to be the world’s first Smart Grid city."<br /><br />Boulder's commitment to being a green city has certainly impacted the process (and cost) of home building and remodeling in Boulder. The city of Boulder was the first municipality in the United States to mandate a residential green code. That was in 1996 and the code was revised in 2001. Boulder City Council adopted the <a href="http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208&Itemid=489#BOOK">Boulder Green Points</a> ordinance in November 2007 and it went in effect a year ago this month. Last November, new requirements were passed that increase energy efficiency in new commercial construction and residential remodels and additions. These requirements go into effect March 2.<br /><br /><br />While many home builders I work with have felt the financial pinch of the Green Points ordinance (it does cost more up front to build green), the silver lining - or should I say green lining - of Boulder's green building movement is a healthier and more sustainable city that will be among the nation's most desirable places to call home. Thus, Boulder will see a stable and growing real estate market and be a mecca for energy-related job opportunities.<br /><br /><br />Lastly, Boulder's environmental charge has helped inspire some incredible architecture and design that reflects the innate beauty of Boulder. I recently sold <a href="http://www.boulderglasshouse.com/">'Boulder's Glass House'</a> (pictured above) and have several other <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/search.aspx?sprice=0&eprice=1000000000&city=2&agent=0&keyword=">premier listings</a> that are prime examples of the emergence of 'eco-architecture' in and around Boulder.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5786/photos/image006.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px" alt="" src="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/files/properties/5786/photos/image006.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514098531596784794.post-85644628005825599492009-02-16T05:48:00.006-07:002009-02-16T06:43:53.394-07:00Boulder Valley Schools Help Strengthen Boulder Real Estate MarketHow do Boulder schools stack up to those in other Colorado communities? That's an important question for those considering a move to the <a href="http://www.legendaryproperty.com/">Boulder area</a>. The <a href="http://bvsd.org/schoolfinder/Pages/default.aspx">Boulder Valley School District </a>is home to 55 public schools that collectively service roughly 30,000 students grades K through 12. While the factors that constitute a "quality" school are rather subjective and vary from family to family, Colorado's measuring stick for school performance is the CSAP test (Colorado Student Assessment Program). In 2008 CSAP tests, Boulder Valley School District students outperformed Colorado as a whole in math, reading and writing no matter the grade level. <a href="http://www.trulia.com/graph_school_district_test_scores.php?did=800144876&grade=3"></a>These charts show how Boulder Valley School District test scores compared to Colorado scores in grades 3, 7 and 10. [Boulder's scores are marked in <span style="color:#00cccc;">BLUE</span> while Colorado's scores are in <span style="color:#cc66cc;">PURPLE</span>].<br /><p><br /> </p><p><a href="http://www.trulia.com/graph_school_district_test_scores.php?did=800144876&grade=3"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.trulia.com/graph_school_district_test_scores.php?did=800144876&grade=3" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.trulia.com/graph_school_district_test_scores.php?did=800144876&grade=7"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.trulia.com/graph_school_district_test_scores.php?did=800144876&grade=7" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.trulia.com/graph_school_district_test_scores.php?did=800144876&grade=10"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.trulia.com/graph_school_district_test_scores.php?did=800144876&grade=10" border="0" /></a></p><p>There also are a number of highly regarded private schools in the Boulder area for parents to consider. <a href="http://bouldercountryday.org/index.html">Boulder Country Day School</a> and <a href="http://www.dawsonschool.org/home/">Dawson School </a>are both highly regarded as some of the best private institutions in the Northern Colorado area and even the state. In fact, Dawson School was recently named by Business Week Magazine and GreatSchools.net the No. 1 Independent School in Colorado in the Parents' Choice category. </p><p><br /><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Scott Franklund
Founding Broker
Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, Boulder
Scott@LegendaryProperty.com
303.443.6161</div>Scott Franklundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06674094790131807042noreply@blogger.com0