A great honor!
Recently I recieved a very nice tip of the hat for my work as a Realtor. I was named as one of 5280 Magazine’s Top Real Estate Agent’s.
5280 Magazine 5 Star Real Estate Agent Award- Jill Schafer
The Five Star Real Estate Program did an in-depth research study in Denver in which they surveyed 10,000 – 50,000 recent buyers (all Denver residents who purchased a home over $100,000 within a 12-36 month period), readers of 5280 Magazine and 250 mortgage and title companies. In the study, these folks were asked to name and evaluate real estate agents with whom they had a direct/personal experience with and were evaluated based on:
- Customer service
- Integrity
- Market knowledge
- Communication and negotiation skills
- Closing Preparation
- Helping Buyers find the right Home
- Marketing a Home being sold
- Overall Satisfaction
The final list of Five Star Real Estate Agents include less than 7% of the real estate agents in the Denver market. I made the final list! I am one of the top 7% of Real Estate Agents in the Denver market!! I do what I do because I love it, but I have to be honest and admit it is nice to be recogonized.
It is made even more special that it is a 5 Star Award and my marketing program is based on a 5 Star plan and 5 Star Service! This past year has been a year of being honored by former clients. Honored by their referrals, honored by their repeat business and most importantly honored by their friendships. To all I have worked with before, thank you. To those I have yet to work with, I look forward to providing you 5 Star Service!– Jill Schafer
Denver-area home resales down 21% in August from 2009 – Denver Business Journal
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Denver-area home resales down 21% in August from 2009 – Denver Business Journal.
RELATED: Denver home prices up 1.8% in June from 2009
RELATED: U.S. home resales plummet 27% in July; at lowest level in 15 years
Denver-area existing homes sold for an average of $268,767, up 7 percent from August 2009 and about even with July 2010, Bauer said. Stand-alone houses sold for an average of $295,516 in August, up from $273,972 a year earlier, but condos sold for an average of $159,382 in August, down from $167,090 a year earlier.
For the first eight months of 2010 through August, Bauer reported closed home resales in the metro area down 1.4 percent from a year earlier.
Existing home sales, or resales, are those of homes that have been sold at least once before. Bauer’s report does not include sales of newly built homes.
The numbers to some degree show the impact of the ending of the federal government’s first-time homebuyer tax credit, for which the deadline for homes under contract to qualify was April 30.
Analysts say the tax credit boosted home sales in the months before the deadline and moved up many purchases that otherwise might have happened in the summer, causing summer numbers to sag more than they would have otherwise.
Bauer, an independent residential broker in Littleton, uses data from Metrolist of Greenwood Village, metro Denver’s Multiple Listing Service, providing home-sale data to real estate professionals.
Read more: Denver-area home resales down 21% in August from 2009 – Denver Business Journal
Related Articles
1 in 7 Homeowners Past Due or in Foreclosure
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MBA Report: 1 in 7 Homeowners Past Due or in Foreclosure
RISMEDIA, August 30, 2010–One in seven homeowners is past due on their mortgage or in foreclosure, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association‘s latest report on home loan delinquencies. The report shows that mortgage delinquencies rose during the second quarter, and overall, one in seven borrowers is delinquent or in foreclosure. That’s up from one in eight a year ago and one in 11 two years ago. Although there was a dip in the share of homes in foreclosure, the report shows that the foreclosure epidemic continues, with millions of homes still at risk.
This data comes on the heels of a report issued this week by the State Foreclosure Prevention Working Group* that shows over 60% of seriously delinquent borrowers are not getting any assistance at all from their mortgage servicing company.
“Does it matter if we’re drowning a little bit less?” asked Julia Gordon of the Center for Responsible Lending, responding to the slight decline in foreclosures. “With millions of homeowners at risk and only a fraction of them receiving any help from their mortgage servicer, it’s time to implement mandatory measures to stop foreclosures and help the housing market recover. In fact, it’s past time.”
* Link to State Working Group report: http://www.csbs.org/regulatory/Documents/SFPWG/DataReportAug2010.pdf
Related Articles
- US foreclosures fall but new delinquencies rise-MBA (reuters.com)
Long-Term Mortgage Rates Fall for the 9th Week
Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), and for yet another week, fixed-rate mortgages reached record lows, while the 5-year adjustable rate remained tied at its low for this survey. (The 30-year fixed-rate survey began in 1971, the 15-year began in 1991, and the 5-year adjustable in 2005.) The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.36 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending August 26, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.42 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.14 percent.
Denver luxury-home sales spike in June – Denver Business Journal
It’s Happening! The wealthy are starting to open their bank accounts and take advantage of the fabulous prices and record low interest rates to change homes, upgrade properties or just move! Denver luxury-home sales spike in June – Denver Business Journal. If you are interested in buying one of the fabulous luxury homes on the market, give me a call and I will be happy to help you through the process! Jill Schafer, 5 Star Service 720-422-0950!
Car Lover’s Dream Homes
5700 Piedmont Dr. Cherry Hills Village
Check out 46124 Black Spruce Lane east of Parker in Amanda Pines Estates. It’s a seven bedroom, five bathroom home and the marketing says “Need to Sell Quick. Make an Offer! Short Sale approved” But for you car lovers, it is the 2700 sq foot heated Garage/Barn/Shop that makes this property extraordinary. That is more room for the cars than the average sized home has for people! This home and its 8 car garage is currently priced at only $550,000.
I know you car aficionados’ like to keep your vehicles looking good! At 5835 S Franklin St in Greenwood Village, you’ll find two separate 3 car garages and an indoor car wash! This four bedroom, 7 bathroom home on more than an acre is currently for sale for $1,395,000.
I know it isn’t always just cars that draw the attention of motor heads. If you find yourself yearning for life on the open road and an RV is your choice of travel, you can buy a place to park it as well as 15 acres and a beautiful home in Sedalia. 1645 Big Bear Dr. and its oversized garage with RV door is priced at $1,595,000. Views of the Plum Creek Valley are the added bonus!
Do you dream of a garage nice enough to host a formal party? Check out this checkered floor beauty at 1 Thoroughbred Run in The Polo Reserve in Columbine. Space for eight cars with glass garage doors looking out on the two plus acres of land all for $1,599,000.
If acreage isn’t your thing, and instead you prefer walking to art galleries, fabulous restaurants and the best shopping in town, you need to see 216 Clayton in Cherry Creek North. It is more than four thousand square feet on the 3rd floor waiting for your personal touch. For just over three million dollars, it can be yours with room for six cars! A rare find in the city!
The home at 6234 North Crowfoot Valley Road is for the serious car collector with space for 25 cars! You’ll love driving your beauties up the one mile long driveway to this gated estate. All 75+ acres are included for $5,500,000.
Just like to look at your cars and aren’t really into driving, 4855 S El Camino Drive, Cherry Hills Village has room for 12 vehicles to rest while your driver takes you around in the limousine. There is a garage space for the limo when you get back to your $7,995,000 home!
8021 Spruce Mountain Road, Larkspur, CO
If a limousine isn’t fast enough, take your own private plane and land it on your own 5,000 foot long runway. Don’t worry, your plane won’t get cold during our Colorado winters. 8021 Spruce Mountain Road in Larkspur has its own heated airplane hanger. When you have nearly 200 acres and a 10,000 square foot home, a plane might be necessary to get around! It can be yours for just $15,000,000. No matter what your dream garage looks like or how many vehicles it fits, I can find it for you in south metro Denver and its neighboring suburbs! I’ll even let you pick me up in your favorite cruiser. You drive, I’ll navigate.
Swimming for a bargain in Denver Metro Real Estate
Who needs crowded recreation center pools when you can buy a house with one in your backyard for a great price right now in south metro Denver. There is nothing like a dip in a cool pool on a hot summer day! Pools at community centers are packed this time of year with kids & families going for the entertainment or for swim team or lessons. There is something about the water that draws many of us. But you know the routine of packing everyone up and making sure you have all the towels and toys and sunscreen can make you exhausted before you even dip your toe in the water. Wouldn’t it be great to just walk into the backyard and enjoy a swim without all of that hassle? Right now there are a number of great homes for sale in Denver and the southern suburbs with swimming pools.
34756 Wagon Wheel Trail, Elizabeth, CO
And it isn’t just for the rich anymore! You can spend as little as $225,000 for a brick home with a 9’x28′ lap pool in Southwestern Denver or choose a tri-level home near the new Streets of Southglenn in Centennial with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths and a pool in the back surrounded by stamped concrete for less than $270,000. There are homes with pools available in every style. Perhaps a traditional two story built in 1997 with a gourmet kitchen with granite counters and a hot tub and swimming pool is more what you are looking for? You can find one for $469,000 in Governor’s Ranch in Littleton.
Some people say it isn’t warm enough in Colorado for outdoor swimming pools so if you want year round swimming, there are even homes with indoor pools for sale. In eastern, Centennial there is a home you will never have to leave to enjoy your favorite activities. 6752 S Himilaya Way in the Antelope neighborhood includes an enclosed pool, billard room and two out buildings for the horses you are allowed to have on site. This four bedroom, four bath home is on 2.3 acres and everything has been updated for the amazing price of $475,000! Or maybe you want to slip out of bed in the morning right and swim in your birthday suite. A home in Greenwood Village has a staircase from the master bedroom to the indoor pool and more than 3700 sq feet. 5771 S Hannover way is only priced at $575,000.
If you like swimming and cars- I’d be happy to show you the home east of Parker that includes a pool and 5 car garage! It was remodeled in 2006 and has two master suites. Even the animals will love 10719 E. Arrowhead Lane. For $738,000 you get nearly 10 acres plus a 6 stall barn and a greenhouse!
Maybe a home closer to the action is more your style. There is a great home for sale near the University of Denver with a backyard that will remind you of your last trip to the islands. With a tiki bar, swimming pool and hot tub- this home is great for summer fun and even the inside makes you feel happy with an interior done by an artist including purple, red, yellow and lavender walls! 1911 S. Milwaukee Street is definately the place for someone who enjoys life and at $525,000 there could money left over to cover the beverages for all of the parties this home screams for you to hold!
If you want to take a step back in time but still have all of the amenities of today PLUS a pool, you will love the beautiful 3 story Victorian in West Washington Park. Maybe you saw 128 Sherman Street when it was included on the Wash Park Home Tour. If you fell in love with the 1892 beauty with its 3 fireplaces, library and gorgeous gardens then, you can own it now for $619,000!
If your preference runs a little more modern, maybe 606 E. Belleview Avenue in Greenwood Village is for you! This private gated & walled retreat includes fir beam ceilings, floor to ceiling windows, floating cabinets in the remodeled bathroom with a vessel sink and a mid century modern feel that is not found often on a lot that is .73 acres! The pool comes with a diving board and slide and the whole amazing property is available for under $700,000!
If you like a deal & tennis too, you can have both a pool and tennis court, an 8 stall horse barn, hot tub and views of the front range on 4.5 acres. The property at 6121 S Olathe St. in Centennial is a corporate relocation and the listing says to BRING ALL OFFERS! It is currently priced at $725,000 and also includes a killer kitchen and is located in the Cherry Creek school district!
In all of Denver and the southern suburbs there are currently 41 homes on the market, under $800,000 with swimming pools! Having your own pool isn’t just for the super rich any more. If you are dreaming of the luxury of a pool on your own property. Give me a call, I would be happy to grab the sunscreen and a towel and show you any of the above mentioned homes or any of the other homes with swimming pools! What a way to spend day! Jill Schafer, Realtor, The Kentwood Company at Cherry Creek 720-422-0950
For Sale: 3BR/3BA condo in Aurora, CO, $169,000 but views are priceless!
For Sale: 3BR/3BA Single Family House in Aurora, CO, $169,000
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“Ahhh mom, why do we have to walk to get lunch?”
It is the first week since school let out and let the whining begin! “I’m hungry.” “Can I have a friend over to hang out? ” “When can we go to the pool?” I know children are inquisitive but its amazing how they only hear the answers they want to hear and otherwise they just keep asking, hoping they will get a different answer! Or is it just my two boys who are so persistant?
We are blessed to live in one of Denver’s best family neighborhoods. Some call it Observatory Park or University Park ,but technically, my street, south Jackson Street between Iliff and Yale, is part of University Gardens and is, in my mind, a little piece of paradise in the city. It is a tree-lined stretch of street with no cut through side strees covered with homes on large lots. There are no sidewalks, but in the early summer we have rows of orange poppies and in the heat of August, the huge trees give a welcome respite from the heat. So it is a popular street for walkers, runners and bikers. The weather always seems better here than anywhere else in the metro area. We are just 10 minutes from Downtown Denver, 10 minutes to the Denver Tech Center and right near the University of Denver. I truly believe it is a slice of heavan on earth!
I was working from home with my sons, who are now out of school for the summer, hanging out with me. I thought it would do us all good to take a break at lunch and go for a walk. Pulling an eleven year old away from video games and a 13 year old away from whatever project he was building in the garage is not an easy task to start with, but to go for a walk to a new local restaurant was really a challenge! They couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t just drive ‘thru’ and bring it home!
We left the suburbs because everything was all about driving- even though we didn’t have to drive far in my old Littleton neighborhood of Southbridge, there really wasn’t a ‘walk to’ restaurant near us so we always drove, everywhere, to everything. I love living where you can walk to things. The University neighborhood Walk Score is 75,. From my house on S. Jackson St. it is 86! Have you checked out your Walk Score. It is a great tool to see where things are located near an address. Type in the address and it lets you know how close important things are like restaurants, grocery stores, schools, parks, bars, the library etc. The scoring goes to 100. Enter your address and see how your home scores.
Does the 86 impress my sons? No, but their Grandma happened to come by so she joined us on our 6 block walk to the new Pei Wei Asian Diner off of Colorado and Buchtel Boulevard and all were impressed with the food! One way to speak to adolescent boys is through their stomachs! The quick stroll allowed us to enjoy one of Denver’s fabulous sunny days. It also gave my oldest a chance to once AGAIN make an argument about why he should be allowed to adopt snakes and for me to see it had been too long since breakfast for my youngest! That is where the whining came in!
Full after eating Pei Wei
It was a tasty lunch. My boys wolfed that food down so fast there was hardly time for the steam to dissipate from the dish. Even better, Grandma picked up the check! It was a nice inter-generational activity for all of us. Pei Wei opened quietly in April at this location, but seems busy everytime I have driven by. Its always good to have new development in a neighborhood and we wish them well.
On the walk home, everyone was in a much better mood, (amazing what a full stomach will do for your attitude.) Not one of us whined! I was thrilled, not just because I loved my sesame chicken, but because, for me that is what life is about, living in a neighborhood where you can walk to what you need, on a block with fabulous neighbors surrounded by the beauty of nature. It was fun to catch up with Grandma and even more fun to spend the time with my boys. So a short walk, a little lunch and the whining was gone! I couldn’t have done that in my old home in the suburbs, that’s for sure. Your home needs to function to fit your life, the neighborhood needs to meet your needs. If it doesn’t, now is a great time to find one that does! Rates are incredilby low. Denver is touted as having made the turn around. I provide the 5 Star Advantage you need to help you find the area that fits your lifestyle as well as one that is most likely to improve in value! Who knows, it maybe just a short walk away!I promise to keep the whining to a minium.
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