Denver Colorado LUXURY Real Estate

Sounds too good to be true for $169,900?  It should be!  But it’s for real.  This terrific little gem is perfect for those of you who want private outdoor space (have a dog?), a private garage (have toys?), and in a prime location, but without all the commitment of a single family home. What more can you ask for?  It’s walking distance to the heart of The Highlands – 32nd & Lowell, and to Sloan’s Lake. It’s cheaper than rent! This would be a terrific investment property for investors looking for a turnkey opportunity in one of northwest Denver’s hottest neighborhoods.

This cozy West Highlands pad features original wood floors, a newer furnace, newer paint, extra storage, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, all appliances included (inc. washer and dryer), neutral finishes, quiet street. The best part? Mrs. Clean lives here – your next home is move in ready!  It is a garden level cutie – stays EXTRA cool in the HOT summertime.

This is a small community of only 4 units – very quiet, and serene.

I am conducting pre-listing showings for qualified Buyers over the next 2 weeks.  Want to get in before the mad rush of showings begin?  Call me today, Rachel Betz Real Estate: 303-534-5000.

I believe that a career in Real Estate is one of THE ONLY professions that can offer you the potential to achieve pure, financial independence and wealth, without already being wealthy.  Seriously.  Your income is only limited by YOU.  People from all walks of life, and from every educational background can be successful real estate agents.  They can also be horrible real estate agents, and barely scrape by.  What type of real estate agent would you like to be?  If you’re already an agent, what type of agent are you?  If you are not a top agent, would you like to be?  If you are already a successful agent, would you like to achieve even more?  If you want to be a successful agent, and are not currently a Keller Williams agent, we should talk.

Times are changing for me.  Yes, I am STILL selling real estate – I am NOT retiring.  I love my career and clients.  However, I am beginning a new chapter – one of education and excellence.  Have you thought about a career in Real Estate?  I will be mentoring both new & experienced real estate agents.  Do you want your real estate sponsor to be a knight or a Jedi?  I would like to offer you real world education from a Jedi. =) I work at a TERRIFIC company (Keller Williams), with a WONDERFUL team leader (Tammie Daily), that offers inarguably the BEST ongoing education of any real estate company in the industry.

If you think you have what it takes to be an amazing real estate agent, this is it.  This is your opportunity.  And I am offering to help you for FREE. I am looking for a SELECT group of highly motivated individuals, who are go-getters, ethical, personable, service-oriented, hard working, and committed to their own success.  I am not saying it will be easy, but it WILL be worth it.  Your first year (and probably several more years) as a real estate agent will likely demand a 60-80 hour work week – if you are willing to do what I have done.  I’m hoping you will benefit from my growing pains, and squeak by on the lower end of the scale.  BUT, be prepared to give more…and reap the benefits.  I will be your official sponsor, and it will be challenging.  I will have high expectations for you, and I don’t like to be disappointed. Please contact me  to discuss the possibilities if you believe it’s possible for you.

A little spring cleaning goes a long way when preparing your home to go on the market, or simply preparing it for spring & summer festivities.  As the busy real estate season springs into high gear, homes need to be freshened up in order to stand out among the rest.  Please download this great guide to kick-start your spring cleaning & home organization. If you want to list your home for sale, this will get you in gear!  Don’t forget to call me for a preliminary walk through…I can help you with staging and de-cluttering advice to help you get your home in top-notch selling condition.

Although we are officially in a Seller’s market now, it’s NOT time to get lazy! I know it can be tempting to get lackadaisical when the law of supply and demand are in your favor, but you MUST RESIST THE TEMPTATION!  You will get much more money for your home if you follow my advice.  And that’s our goal – to get you the most money possible out of the sale of one of your biggest investments. Your home.  My Sellers know I know how to get them the most money for their home, and you should too!

Download your FREE copy of the Spring Into the Dream Guide: Rachel Betz Homes.com Spring from Rachel Betz Real Estate & Homes.com

Many years ago, Denver’s “Mousetrap” was notoriously known by most Colorado residents as the vicinity where I-25 and I-70 converge – an area stricken with horrendous traffic jams during morning and afternoon rush hours. This location was definitely not seen as a highly desirable place to live or work, but its time has come.

You will likely see Denver homes for sale and other real estate investments around the new development, begin to increase in value.  If you are considering buying a home in the area, now is the time to buy to get your best deal.  Once construction is complete, property values are anticipated to increase exponentially.  While this northwest Denver neighborhood does not yet have the cache of The Highlands or Lohi, it will be a more affordable opportunity for home Buyers, and will offer even more shopping & dining options.  I predict a big jump in Sunnyside home values as a result of its close proximity.  And I’m not alone in this prediction. =) Talk about a walkable lifestyle, 25/70 is it!  Stay updated on all Northwest Denver happenings by following this Facebook page.

The revitalization of the Mouse Trap area is supported by major three factors:

• First, the reconfiguration of I-25 and I-70 over the course of many years, which has alleviated many traffic jam problems.

• Second, Denver’s extensive Light Rail expansion plan. The design is a 12-year, $6.5 billion dollar project that is currently under construction, and will expand on previous public transportation projects in the area both in and around the Mouse Trap.

• Third, a $100 million project proposal submitted by real estate development company Ascendant Development that will create and build a mixed-use campus area consisting of a combination of multi-family housing, professional office space, design studios, restaurants, conference and event venues, and retail stores on the site of the old Denver Post printing plant (northwest of 25/70 interchange).

Ascendant Development purchased the parcel of land in 2008 for $17 million from the Denver Newspaper Agency, and plans to complete the entire development project in three phases. The first phase should be finished in late 2014.  This development is just one more example of Denver’s continued growth, expansion, and desirability.  The phased, mixed-use development is planned to include residential living, terrific designer shopping options, other retail, and office space.  There are plans for a dynamic live/work type of atmosphere.

The old printing plant area consists of a 41 acre parcel that is slated to be designed by a distinguished architect by the name of Brad Cloepfil, who is best known in the Colorado region for drawing the architectural plans for Denver’s Clyfford Still Museum.  Mr. Cloepfil’s architectural firm is also responsible for designing many prestigious projects such as the expansion for the Seattle Art Museum in 2007 and the renovation of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City in 2008.

Interested in buying a home for sale around the future Denver 25/70 Development?  Start searching for homes now, and call me for an appointment: Rachel Betz Real Estate 303-534-5000.  Visit the 25/70 official website.

I’m so proud to announce our stunning luxury Gaudi – esque, Dr. Suess loft will be showcased on TLC!

View the original property profile for 628 14th St. -3A Denver, CO 80204 and the panoramic virtual tour showcase.  AND check out the stunning home showcased on pages 32-41 of the January 2013 issue of Urban Home Magazine.

SURREAL ESTATE Premieres May 18 at 10/9c on TLC
In this one-hour special, viewers will meet enthusiastic homebuyers in search of one-of-a-kind properties that appeal to their own highly unique tastes. With the help of their savvy realtors, buyers will take a look at an array of different properties – such as a house in the shape of a Pyramid, a converted missile silo, and a home whose interiors are loosely based off of a Dr. Seuss adventure. But it doesn’t take long for both realtor and buyer to realize that finding the perfect place to call home isn’t always as easy as it seems.

Do you have a unique luxury home you would like to sell?  I develop custom, one-of-a-kind marketing strategies for each property, to get it sold for the highest possible price.  I would love to sell yours!  Rachel Betz Real Estate 303-534-5000

Fifth Annual “RED Day” Set to Lend a Hand in Denver CO

Keller Williams Realty Downtown LLC, is part of a community service initiative across the globe

Denver CO, April 11^, 2013—Keller Williams associates will be taking the day off on Thursday, May 9, 2013, but it will hardly be a day of rest. Associates with the Keller Williams Realty Downtown office have chosen to “Give Where They Live” as part of RED Day, one of the biggest events in the real estate industry.

Short for “Renew, Energize and Donate,” RED Day was created to unite Keller Williams Realty offices and associates in an international day of service.

As part of the RED Day effort, Keller Williams Realty Downtown has chosen to spend the day with Extreme Community Makeover in the La Alma area.  Extreme Community Makeover coordinates volunteer teams to partner with underserved people to improve their own homes and neighborhoods. These projects build safer environments; cultivate community among residents, neighborhoods, and networks of local resource providers; and connect residents to a permanent path towards healthy, hopeful, and stable lives. http://www.extremecommunitymakeover.org

“This event is an entrenched part of Keller Williams Realty’s culture and displays the extraordinary effect a company can have when individuals come together to work as a team for the greater good of everyone,” said Team Leader Tammie Daily  “Last year, we worked along side ECM to improve the look of buildings walls, removing graffiti. We can’t tell you what an impact it made on each of us personally – it felt so great to give back to the community we know and love.”

Since the first RED Day in 2009, Keller Williams associates have given almost a half million hours of community service through activities ranging from food and blood drives to cleaning up trash in public parks, revamping gardens at nursing homes and rebuilding homes and schools for community members in need. To this day, it is one of the largest events in the real estate industry.

For more information about RED Day, visit (www.kw.com/redday.)

The Keller Williams Realty Downtown LLC  Market Center, located at 901 Auraria Parkway Ste #301, is a full-service real estate firm with143 sales associates.

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About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.:
Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the largest real estate franchise company in the United States, with approximately 700 offices and 80,000 associates around the world. The company has grown exponentially since the opening of the first Keller Williams Realty office in 1983, and continues to cultivate an agent-centric, education-based, technology-driven culture that rewards associates as stakeholders. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties. For more information or to search for homes for sale, visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com). For more information about KWWorldwide, please visit (www.kwworldwide.com).

6,000 Residential Units Added or Under Construction in Downtown Denver Over Course of Past 5 Years

The Denver residential Real Estate Market is undergoing an incredible transition.  Denver is rapidly becoming known across the globe as a World Class City, and it continues to grow exponentially with more than 6,000 residential units either added or under construction in the Downtown Denver area alone over the past five years. But not only is the residential sector growing, the commercial, hotel, and entertainment realms have also seen extensive progression. Since 2007, there have been more than 2 million square feet of office space added or currently under construction and more than 2,000 hotel rooms added or currently under construction in Downtown Denver. Essentially, private and public real estate investments in Denver’s urban core have been vigorous and currently, they show no signs of slowing down!

Perform a map search of all residential new construction homes now.

Another terrific article was done by Denver Infill about the Downtown Denver Residential Boom.  Be sure to read it too.

According to the Downtown Denver Partnership, an organization dedicated to enhancing Downtown Denver by focusing on Leadership, Environment, Experience, Jobs, Connections and Housing, there is much evidence that the area is currently in great economic shape in terms of real estate. Following are some of the statistics published in their second annual State of Downtown Denver Report:

• Downtown Denver is the hub of the region.
• There are approximately 112,000 individuals employed in Downtown Denver.
• Approximately 17,000 people live in Denver’s urban core and 65,000 people live in the neighborhoods surrounding the city’s center. Also, 44,000 students are currently enrolled in Downtown Denver’s institutions of higher learning.
• Aside from residential growth and development, there have been $3.6 billion in non-residential public and private real estate investments in the past 10 years, and more than $1 billion more are slated for 2013-2014.

The Map
The Denver Downtown Partnership recently published a “Downtown Denver Developments 2007-2013” map that illustrates private and public investments in Denver’s urban core over the past five years. The purpose of the map is not only to allow current and potential residents and business owners to have an easy-to-navigate record of the real estate projects in the area, but it also provides information to future potential real estate investors. The map assists individuals and investors in identifying development trends. It also serves as a guide to anyone simply wanting to know more about Denver’s real estate development progression.

The development categories on the map include:

• Entertainment & Culture
• Government & Academic Institutions
• Hotel
• Hotel + Residential
• Office
• Office + Residential
• Residential
• Transportation & Public Realm

Following are the number of projects indicated on the map by year: 

• 2007: 10
• 2008: 12
• 2009:  5
• 2010:  9
• 2011:  6
• 2012: 10
• Currently Under Construction: 20

The mere fact that more than 6,000 residential units have been added or are currently under construction in the Downtown Denver area is impressive. A few of the most significant projects include One Lincoln Park, One Riverfront and Glass House Denver. If you are interested in learning more about living in one of Downtown Denver’s newest and most desirable real estate locations, or if you want more information about exciting projections related to future real estate development and advancement in the Downtown Denver area, contact me today! I have extensive knowledge regarding all Downtown Denver neighborhoods – both new and old!  Rachel Betz Real Estate 303-534-5000

Rachel Betz, Denver, Colorado Realtor will be featured in an upcoming issue of 2013 Top Agent Magazine.

Top Agent Magazine features articles highlighting real estate agents and firms, as well as industry expert editorials focusing on the business of real estate.

The magazine seeks out the most successful and unique Realtors and companies Nationally and Internationally to profile their accomplishments in in-depth feature stories. These stories highlight their production, community involvement, and industry involvement. The magazine continues to feature “up and coming” industry agents who bring a fresh perspective to the marketplace.

The featured industry experts help agents with their sales and marketing, education, finance, and business strategies. In addition, Top Agent Magazine includes motivating articles about the newest trends and products in the marketplace, which allow readers to learn how to bring their own careers to the next level.

Contact Rachel Betz directly for all your metro Denver Real Estate needs at: 303-534-5000

Search for your next home in the Denver metro area now!

The Metro Mayor’s Caucus and the City and County of Denver recently announced the launch of a new $15 million grant program to help low and moderate income individuals and families purchase homes within the city boundaries of Denver, Edgewater, Littleton (city only, not Douglas County), Dacono, Sheridan, & Arvada (just added). Check back daily, as more cities will be added to the program in coming weeks.

The program was designed to enhance and help build the local economies in these cities, and also to provide much-needed financial assistance to prospective homebuyers who may otherwise be unable to afford a down payment.  Many homebuyers who can afford to make their own downpayment are also taking advantage of this program.  It’s an incredible opportunity for any Buyer who can qualify! The most significant aspect of the program, entitled “Metro Mortgage Assistance Plus,” is that it provides recipients with down payment and closing cost assistance of up to 4 percent of the value of the loan that will be used to pay for the property. Furthermore, the funds do not have to be paid back to the program!  It’s like receiving a free money gift!

The program is slated to be ongoing through December 2014, and funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. And while the program is currently only valid on homes purchased within the cities of Denver, Edgewater & Littleton (city only, not Douglas County), Dacono, Sheridan, & Arvada.  The Denvergov.org website notes that additional Metro Mayors Caucus jurisdictions are expected to join the program in the future.

Qualifications – You do have to qualify for the Metro Mortgage Assistance Plus program in order to receive it. The top qualifying factors are the following:
Income – Your income must be less than $91,100 for households with two or fewer people (and less than $103,000 for households with three or more people).
Credit – You must have a minimum credit score of 640 (and slightly higher if you are considering the purchase of a manufactured home).
Debt-to-Income Ratio – The maximum debt-to-income ratio allowed for this program is 45.
HUD Education – You must be willing to complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course.
Money for Closing – While the program provides significant assistance with  down payment and  closing costs, you must be able to bring a small down payment – - equal to one half of one percent of the total mortgage – - to the closing.
Primary Residence – The program does require that the homebuyer(s) use the property as his/her/their primary residence.  Unlike many other popular and well-known mortgage assistance programs, this particular program does not have any type of first-time homebuyer requirement. Additionally, the program allows for the purchase of a single-family detached house, a condominium or townhome, a duplex, or a manufactured home.
Mortgage Lenders – I can connect you with a terrific mortgage lender who can best assist you with the Metro Mortgage Assistance Plus program.  Call me for a great lender referral. Contact me if you would like additional information on the Metro Mortgage Assistance Plus program! If you are looking to purchase a home in Denver or Littleton, and if you think you may meet the criteria of this program, I will assist you through every step of the process.  Rachel Betz Real Estate 303-534-5000.

Wouldn’t it be nice to find a Denver loft or second home that is within walking distance to just about anything you could possibly ever need or want? These days, one of the definitions of high-end real estate is a home that is not only filled with luxurious amenities, but one that is also located within walking distance to restaurants, bars, libraries, parks, grocery stores, and schools.

For the benefit of people searching for a new home, a website called WalkScore was developed. The site has assigned almost every residential address in the United States a score based on its proximity to certain conveniences. Viewing the walk score of your current residence is easy! Simply visit the Walk Score website, enter your address in the box under the words “Get Your Score,” and then click GO. The website will provide you with a number between 0 and 100 based on the address you entered. The closer the address is to the number 100, the more “walkable” it is. In other words, a number close to 100 means that particular home is situated so you can walk (instead of drive) to shopping areas, entertainment venues, and other places where you might have to run errands.

Websites such as WalkScore are advantageous to potential home buyers for several reasons. The most obvious benefit is that it gives you the opportunity to rate any address (such as a home you are thinking about purchasing) for its walkability.

Why is Walkability Important?

There are several reasons people want to purchase homes with high walk scores. Walkability provides a certain level of convenience that is not necessarily available in rural or sparsely populated areas.

Walkable real estate is also significant for the following reasons:

• Walkabilty is important because it has environmental benefits: When you can walk to the store or library, it means you don’t have to drive. This cuts down on pollution.
• Walkabilty is important because it saves money: When you don’t have to drive, you save money on gas.
• Walkabilty is important because it is good for your health: Studies have shown that people who walk to complete basic errands instead of drive are in better health and weigh less.
• Walkabilty is important because it can reduce the stress associated with driving: When you don’t have to drive in traffic to run simple errands, your stress level is lower.
• Walkabilty is important because it promotes a sense of community: People who walk are more likely to see and interact with friends and neighbors who are also out walking.
• Walkabilty is important because it promotes the utilization of public transportation systems: When a person can easily walk to access public transportation, these systems are used more frequently.

Homes that have high walk scores are not limited to Denver ballpark lofts or condominiums in Cherry Creek North. There are several new construction areas and established neighborhoods in the Denver Metro area that feature the “New Urbanism” concept. New Urbanism “promotes the creation and restoration of diverse, walkable, compact, vibrant, mixed-use communities composed of the same components as conventional development, but assembled in a more integrated fashion, in the form of complete communities.”

Want more information on Denver neighborhoods that promote the New Urbanism philosophy? Hope to find a place to live with a walk score close to 100? I can help you target a premier Denver loft, a luxury residence, a second home, or any residential address that meets all your walkabilty requirements!