WSJ Says Friday is the Best Day

How much difference does the day you announce your listing matter? According to the Wall Street Journal it could mean thousands of dollars to your bottom line. In the Article “The Best Day to List a Home”  their study reveals that Homes listed for sale on Friday’s have the highest percentage of the actual sales price to original seller’s asking price. 99.1% of that original asking price to be exact.

Home’s Listed on Fridays also reported the lowest days on Market, meaning they also sell faster. Want to know if the second best day is Saturday or Sunday… nope. Tuesdays are the second best day to list a home with the weekends actually among the worst.

Of course we are speaking in small percentages when we say the ratio of sold price to asking price. But when you factor in how large of a number that sales price is a few fractions of a percentage can mean a great deal.

Why Fridays Might be a Magic Day

Is there an explanation for the Fabulous Friday listing phenomenon? The WSJ hinted that people are in better moods on Fridays, perhaps more optimistic. And that optimism translates into a happy pursuit of a home.

This might be true, but we tend to think that most home shopping happens during the week. For those of you who manage a work team you might be disappointed to hear that often people use their work hours to surf for that next dream home. This explains why Saturday and Sunday aren’t great days to list… perhaps no one is surfing.  

But for those who surf on Fridays and get excited about a new home listing… the weekend to go visit that home for a tour is just a day away.

Why Today Might be the Magic Day in Denver

But this study was done in 2012, and it wasn’t focused on Denver.  In today’s Denver market sellers are getting over 100% of their asking price as bidding wars drive buyers to bid above the Seller’s asking price.   

It is amazing the difference only a year can make, and 2013 seems to be operating under a new set of rules.  Our New Era Realty team helps sellers navigate to find an optimal asking price based upon current conditions, and we help our buyers to have the most attractive bid.

And yes… we even help pick the perfect day of the week to list your home.  Learn more about how New Era Realty Team can help you in your home buying or selling process.

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Paul Tamburello credited Lola for making LoHi viable. But Masterpiece and Old Major are setting the pulse. 

A Locator

“When you put your shingle out, you’re saying, this is us.”  - Chef Steve

Five years ago, Steve Allee and Justin Brunson started their partnership in a tiny kitchen in the Lancer Lounge. Water dripped from the ceiling and Brunson, a giant of a man, barely fit in the tiny kitchen. A menu had been made, a business plan enacted and fine sandwiches were being produced and enjoyed. But there was no view, with the exception of the drunks. The Lancer Lounge wasn’t going to cut it. There was a building being erected just on the other side of a new walking bridge that would connect LoHi to LoDo. In a matter of months, a master plan became the Masterpiece Delicatessen.

How it Began

Banking wasn’t really how Steve wanted to live. Speaking with clients over restaurant loans, he realized that the place he reminisced about most was the kitchen. He left Ohio and after finishing culinary school at Johnson and Wells, he reached out to Frank Bonanno who also shared a banking background. At Luca D’Italia Chef Alex Seidel put Steve to pealing artichokes. From then on he was there every day from 3 p.m. till close. There he got his foothold and met Brunson.

Justin grew up in Iowa. After graduating on the Dean’s List with a 4.0 at the Le Cordon Blu in Scottsdale, he worked for Michael DeMaria at the Citadel for 3 years. To escape the Arizona heat, Justin moved to Colorado and started working the circuit.

Pouncing on an opportunity to increase his earnings Steve was given a carte blanche when the owner of the Lancer Lounge got a visit from the Liquor Department. For several months Steve made sandwich wraps before heading to Luca D’Italia for his shift.

During this time, Justin, Steve’s roommate now, was helping Bonanno open Milagros. They began to talk. Justin revealed to Steve that he had always wanted to open a high-end sandwich shop. Steve wanted to bring fine dining food to a more pedestrian level. And so that’s how it began. Masterpiece Delicatessen moved to its present location at 1575 Center Street—a dead zone at the time.

Getting a Pulse on a Denver Neighborhood

“I’ve always found that neighborhood diversity shines through its restaurants.”  - Chef Justin

Five years ago, when they opened Masterpiece, Justin saw the character. It reminded him of San Francisco. The hilliness, cool houses, the view of the city and how accessible it was. “LoHi has that right-outside-of-downtown-hip feel to it. And every neighborhood needs substance.”

The type of people Steve and Justin were dealing with were food savvy people, young, hip people with discretionary incomes who frequented different places in town and had an understanding of good restaurants and quality food.

People remember when they were doing the tile work at Masterpiece; their kids were being born then—now they’ve grown up. “I feed some people there five times a week. I feel like somebody’s mom. I know the costumers by name.” Justin says.

The bar has been set high. Restaurants coming into the neighborhood today have to live up to certain expectations. “We manage our business kind of in reverse of most business models.” Steve said. “Whatever money falls to the bottom line, that’s what we’ll pay ourselves. Most businesses say they want a 15% margin at the bottom and they cut their brands. We look at it differently. This is the plate of food I want to put out there. We pay attention to the ingredients and the proper technique over and above the bottom line. This is how you become the go to place.”

Seafood, Swine and Wine

“Feeding the community—this is what I do.” - Chef Justin

Old Major is an upscale neighborhood bistro, with an upscale bar look. Old Major, a character from George Orwell’s book, features paintings by Paul Vismara that portray the characters of Animal Farm.

“I like how the animals revolted against the farmers. We’re revolting against factory farmed animals.”

Old Major’s menu is bought from local farmers who sell locally raised and assembled meats. They use as much local food possible and sustainable seafood. For Justin it’s about doing the right thing—feeding the community healthy food.

“This was the food I wanted to eat, so it’s the food I cook.”

But it’s not just the fine foods that have been assembled. Justin’s staff is also a carefully chosen assortment of talented chefs, bartenders, servers and managers recruited from the best restaurants around town.   

“You’ve got to make a neighborhood [restaurant] a place that is inviting and comfortable for your neighbors.”

If you’d like to become part of Steve and Justin’s exciting neighborhood, call New Era Realty, they’ll set you up.

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The Most Important Meal of the Day

You have heard the saying before, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. If that is true, then every neighborhood should be striving to have the best breakfast spots in Denver for their residents to enjoy.

Celebrating their 7 year anniversary this week Snooze puts the BallPark neighborhood in perhaps the most coveted Breakfast Neighborhood spot. This downtown Denver eatery has won “Best of Denver”, readers choice, and almost guarantees an hour or more wait every Saturday and Sunday as folks line up down the block to sample their breakfast treats.

Sassafras Hits LoHi West

Not to be outdone, Lower Highlands continues it’s quest to rule the Denver Neighborhoods when it comes to great food and drink. This time the neighborhood residents are celebrating two new additions that have everyone talking in terms of Breakfast.

First, Sassafras has built a huge following for it’s Southern style Breakfast fare. From their Duck based sausage gravy with biscuits to their chicken fried eggs and Buffalo Hash, the menu is one long list of delicious and unique offerings.

We do highly suggest you plan for a nice run around the neighborhood the afternoon AFTER you enjoy Sassafras. We don’t know the calorie count on duck fat sausage gravy, or the chicken fried egg but we are fairly certain it’s not light fare.

But then again, it’s the most important meal of the day for a reason….. we have all day to burn it off.

The Universal Hits LoHi East

Balancing out the neighborhood, The Universal opened it’s doors on the opposite side of LoHi on 38th Avenue. With a menu that includes Braised Pork Cheeks, Jalapeno Grits, and Custard Toast with house made sausage, The Universal is attracting the other half of Denver to wait in line on Saturday’s and Sundays.  

This border of LoHi has been going through it’s own expansion of great eateries including Lou’s Fine Food and more. Why is this important…

Because LoHi is expanding it’s reach in both directions.

Affordable Condos in LoHi

LoHi is certainly one of the most sought after addresses in Denver.  What many don’t realize is that home prices and greater values can often be found just a block or more from what was once considered the classic LoHi neighborhood.

Our clients who bought homes or condos around the heart of LoHi earlier (and at great prices) are finding that the boom of great restaurants, bistro’s and development have come to meet them. As that reflects in their property values, the growth and expansion of LoHi is building a great base for a wonderful lifestyle.

Your dream home could be just around the corner, literally, from the area you originally thought of us as LoHi for a much more attractive price.

Contact anyone on the New Era Realty Team today and see you at breakfast… and then on the treadmill.

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Ballpark Neighborhood is Buzzing

If there is one topic on everyone’s mind this time of year it is April 5th‘s Opening Day for Coors Field.  Grab your friends, grab your family, and head to the Ballpark Neighborhood for Denver’s Celebration of the Rockies Season Kickoff.

But that’s not all that has people buzzing about the exciting Ballpark Neighborhood for it was recently announced in the Denver Post that a new restaurant will be opening this fall.

Lower48, an new eatery is planned to arrive in Ballpark this fall.  What makes this a particular restaurant to follow is the name and pedigree behind the person opening it.

Mario Nocifera is bringing his experience from Boulder’s famous Frasca Restaurant and that should mean great things for Lower48.  From the Denver Post Article “Lower48, with Frasca Food and Wine alums behind it, to open in Ballpark this fall” we learn that Lower48 will be occupying roughly 3800 square feet at the base of the residential tower 2020 Lawrence.

Is that the only buzz in Ballpark this month.. not even close.

VIEWHOUSE opens it’s Rooftop Deck

Earlier this month ViewHouse at 2015 Market Street held it’s grand opening. As the name implies, the View House offers a massive rooftop deck to take in the sights of Denver while relaxing… and I’m sure it is no coincidence they scheduled to open just in time for the Rockies Kickoff and the beginning of spring “sit on the deck with a tasty beverage” season.  

Their opened on March 14th to supporters of the Ballpark Neighborhood Association for a quick preview before the general public got their taste on March 15th.  

This makes just two of the many new restaurants that have taken hold in the new Ballpark Neighborhood over the past few years… and the real estate development has certainly followed.

Ballpark Real Estate both Historic and Modern

The Ballpark neighborhood has been a flow of new Real Estate Development projects ranging from modern townhomes to mid and higher rise condo developments. For those more focused on historic lofts the Ballpark neighborhood’s origins began with the huge open loft spaces and warehouse projects that we often think of for urban living.

And it never hurts that these residents can enjoy a short walk to a Rockies Game.  

Lookout Denver!  The Ballpark Neighborhood is heating up.

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Take me out to the ballgame. Take me out with the crowd. Buy yourself a condo or loft in the Ballpark Neighborhood and you’ll be able to root, root, root for the Rockies from the comfort of your luxury loft’s ballpark balcony. With spring training winding down and the Colorado Rockies preparing for their return to Coors Field for opening day on April 5, it is a prime time to steal a deal on true urban living in a Ballpark Neighborhood loft or condo.

Within Walking Distance to the Rockie Dog and Neighborhood Summer Attractions

With Coors Field as your front yard, some of Denver’s best restaurants and clubs around the corner, and the famous Rockie Dog (foot-long hot dog with grilled peppers, kraut and onions) within blocks from your doorstep, the Ballpark Neighborhood offers a fun, upbeat and active lifestyle that is unique to this Downtown Denver neighborhood. Anchored by Coors Field on the south and neighborhood boundaries that include 18th Street, Broadway, Blake Street and the Central Platte Valley Rail Yards, this urban industrial feel neighborhood is within walking distance to some of Denver’s favorite summer activities and attractions. From walking to Colorado Rockies baseball games and enjoying a Rockie Dog with a cold Colorado microbrew beer and panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, to finding urban gems at The Ballpark Market and fresh produce at the Larimer Street Market, the Ballpark Neighborhood thrives with pedestrian friendly activities.

Pre- and Post-Game Ballpark Hangouts

While peanuts and Cracker Jacks are every beloved baseball fan’s game day food of choice, the Ballpark Neighborhood features a wide-range of restaurants, dance clubs and brewpubs that combine ballpark cuisine with endless rooftop patio, dining and entertainment options. And, since Denver is known as the Napa Valley of Microbrews, the Ballpark Neighborhood is home to a handful of local breweries and taverns with extensive lists of beers on tap for residents to enjoy. The Great Divide, Breckenridge and Flying Dog breweries all have locations in the Ballpark Neighborhood, while the Blake Street Tavern and Falling Rock Tap House also offer extensive and unique tap walls to satisfy beer enthusiasts and Rockies fans alike.

Mix Work with Play for a True Urban Lifestyle in the Ballpark Neighborhood

You know you’ve made it in the majors when you can work and live in the same building or within a few blocks of each other. The Fire Clay Lofts at 3195 Blake Street offers 164 units of adaptive live/work space that makes balancing work and home life a homerun. The residential line-up in this area also features historical rail yard warehouses and industrial buildings that have been converted to classic, upscale loft properties that offer steel and brick construction, like the 2245 Blake Street Lofts (14 units) and Zi Lofts (39 units) at 2229 Blake Street, as well as contemporary designed interiors and high-class amenities that are perfect for a contemporary home office set up.

Within walking distance to Coors Field, these Ballpark loft locations make it very convenient to skip out of work early on a Friday afternoon to catch a summertime Rockies game with friends and co-workers or bring the family to a weekend baseball game full of kids’ sports activities and various sightings of the famous mascot, Dinger. Living in the trendy, upscale Ballpark Neighborhood offers the perfect mix of work, family life and play.

If you are looking for a fun, upbeat, trendy neighborhood to call home this summer, the Ballpark Neighborhood in Downtown Denver may have the perfect loft or condo to fit your lifestyle. For more information on this active, urban neighborhood, contact the condo and loft experts at New Era Realty today.

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30 New B-Cycle Stations

This past Monday Denver B-Cycle opened its wheels for their fourth season Downtown. But they didn’t just reopen, they reopened with 30 New Stations in and around the city.

We had originally hoped this weekend would be filled with sunny skies and warm temperatures so everyone could take their first weekend ride.  But mother nature has other plans for us it seems.

Still, it is worth noting that the Denver B-Cycle movement, regardless of weather, has been a huge success. Station density in LoHi, Riverfront Park, LoDo and the many great neighborhoods have allowed the Bike Sharing movement to take off.

A Convenient Car Free Option

For our Downtown Denver condo and loft residents, the B-Cycle system creates a convenient car free option for daily transportation or those days when parking is simply not fun. If you want an example just picture parking on Rockies Opening Day.

The planned locations are intended to allow Denver residents easy access to such high-profile locations as the Zoo, the Museum of Nature and Science and the Auraria Campus, and also in neighborhoods within pedaling distance of a bus or light-rail stop.

New B-Cycle Stations mean more Access and more Value

It is an expanding network that means more and more… If you want to live car free in Denver you don’t have to live downtown. In fact Denver B-Cycle executive director Parry Burnap was quoted in that same Denver Post article stating, "We will be able to connect students to downtown and other parts of the city,"

Their intention of connecting light rail and B-Cycle isn’t just a benefit for students, but also for real estate in the area. "Location - Location - Location" doesn’t only mean what you can walk to outside your door. It also means what you can easily access...

Each new light rail station, B-Cycle Station, and shuttle stop means your home or condo might have just gotten more valuable through what it has access to. Cheers B-Cycle and congrats on adding to our great city. We look forward to cruising around town to check out your new locations soon.

To learn more about what your home could be worth and if a B-Cycle or Light Rail Station is planned in your area contact anyone on the New Era Realty team today.

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Denver’s Real Estate is in the news

If you follow the Denver Business Journal, as we do, Denver’s amazing real estate market is continually in the top stories.   This week is no exception as the article “More good news for Denver area home sellers”  shares the details about how. One of the most interesting statistics from the article shares the following.

“CoreLogic Inc.’s most recent home price index report, covering January sales, shows sale prices increased 11 percent in January from a year earlier. “

Eleven percent is a huge number for a one year gain and it reflects just how strong the Denver Real Estate market has become.  Downtown Denver condo and loft residents have watched as the inventory of distressed or bank owned properties has dwindled allowing market prices to rise. Sellers, it’s a great time to list your homes and condos.

In this Market you can Buy with Confidence

But sometimes all the news talking about a “Seller’s Market” doesn’t help potential buyers understand how that change will affect them. So we thought we would spend a few minutes talking about how Buyers can approach today’s Denver Real Estate Market with confidence.

Some neighborhoods such as Denver’s Riverfront Park, LoHi and Upper Downtown are seeing a new version of the listing process.  Properties being put on the market are often flooded with multiple offers up to and in excess of their asking price. But it isn’t always about the price. Often times sellers can be more interested in an offer with more attractive terms such as an earlier closing date or more rapid inspection period.

Downtown Denver Experience Matters

In this market, the skill and expertise of your buyer’s representation is critical. Our team at New Era Realty is focused on ensuring our buyers the highest quality of professional service. Here are just a few reasons why Downtown Denver expertise is so critical.

• There are still great values to be found in even the most sought after neighborhoods, but it is critical to be timely. The New Era Realty team utilizes technology and our “feet on the street” downtown presences to make sure we are aware of new activity for our clients immediately.

• Crafting the best offer benefits from experience. In a market where multiple offers might come in for a particular property knowing what is important is essential.  

• Knowing what market values are is equally important. We want our clients to find their dream home but we also want to make sure it’s not just about “Winning” a bidding war. Our expertise focuses on knowing what is a good offer and what isn’t, or how to save money on the purchase by preparing our buyers to offer other attractive terms than just price.  

Of course every client has different goals, needs, and priorities. Contact anyone on the New Era Realty team today and learn how we can assist you in your Downtown Denver condo and loft goals.

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Imagine living in one of 21 condominiums designed by the famous Chicago based Kujawa Architectural firm. Your apartment is custom built, an expression of modern architecture showcasing avant-garde European finishes that allow for large windows that flood your home with natural light onto hardwood floors. Your kitchen is an open layout, European style hardwood cabinetry, Quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances.

The Soul of a Neighborhood

Imagine your neighborhood is one of Forbe’s “America’s Hippest Hipster Neighborhoods” where the air buzzes with a sense of artistry, of something of a higher human scope rendered when you enter places like the Village in New York City or Trastevere in Rome, Italy. Your neighborhood is a hodgepodge of cultures, the soul of your neighborhood, a borough, not just a zone within a city. You’re surrounded by boutiques, galleries, fine dining restaurants, well known cafés of brick and mortar.

Music, Arts, Cafes, Breweries, Gourmet Dining — All at your Doorstep

Now realize you are located in Northwest Denver at Clay 28th Residence located between Highland, LoHi and Jefferson Park on Clay and 28th. You stroll to the city center for an Opera at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts or bike to LoHi for a concert at the annual LoHi Music Festival, cheer the Broncos on at Mile High. You meander your own streets through street fairs, the Navajo Street Art District, Denver’s officially designated arts district. You can have a cappuccino at many of the cafés since your area has the third highest number of coffee shops per capita, not to mention breweries or to have a panino at the famous Masterpiece Delicatessen, a plate of pasta at Trattoria Stella or sushi at Sushi Sasa. Perhaps you’d prefer a pizza at Protos or a beer at your local bar the famous My Brother’s Bar. All within walking or biking distance.

All of this and Everything Colorado

All of these places are historical, highly rated and on par as fine dining, charismatic and picturesque locals. Except, the Clay 28th Residence hold a charm that none of those other cities hold; the Colorado charm. The safer city life of Denver, the fine and friendly people of Colorado, the 300 days of sunshine, only a few minutes from world famous ski resorts in the prestigious Rocky Mountains within a wilderness where you can camp during the summer.

Did I mention your posh apartment consisting of one, two or three-bedrooms on an open floor plan with 10’ ceilings, underground, secure, and covered surface parking and a common deck area?

The first closings are projected for Spring 2013. Check out what you don’t want to miss by staying in touch with us.

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The first steps are underway to transform a once vibrant, but now stagnant, CU hospital complex into a newly remodeled, renovated and redeveloped upscale, urban community.

The University of Colorado complex at 9th and Colorado has been a landmark in the Denver community since it opened its doors to advancing medicine and caring for patients in 1965. Since closing its doors more than six years ago, the medical campus that was once full of daily hustle and bustle has since turned into a large, vacant and stagnant 28 acre property.

The Stage is Set to Move Forward

After much community, developer and real estate discussions over the past few years, the old CU hospital complex will be moving forward to a new stage of growth and redevelopment with plans for new retail and real estate projects to transform the area into a newly vibrant, urban establishment.

A recent article in the Denver Post reported that plans will finally be underway this month to redevelop the old CU hospital complex at 9th and Colorado with the first round of demolition scheduled to start on March 15. The proposed plan for this mixed-use residential, commercial and retail development will include:

• A full-service, urban format King Soopers grocery store.

• A senior living housing facility.

• A hotel and retail stores.

• An upscale apartment building.

New Construction in Denver to Start Late Summer

The construction of the upscale, urban living Broadstone at 9th Apartments building is projected to start in late summer around August 1. This four-story luxury apartment building will include 324 units that will be designed for city dwellers who enjoy the culture and amenities of Downtown Denver living.

To read more about the latest proposed retail, commercial and residential developments at 9th and Colorado, visit Denver Post article on the 9th and Colorado project here.

For more information on finding the perfect Downtown Denver condo, loft or luxury apartment to fit your active urban lifestyle, contact the condo and loft experts at New Era Realty today.

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LoHi Continues to Develop

The Lower Highlands was our focus for February including a day by day tour of the many great LoHi Denver new condo, loft, and home developments underway. Of course we can’t speak of LoHi without discussing the many great restaurants and dining options of this amazing Denver Neighborhood.  

Our LoHi month also included the start of our Best Restaurant in LoHi contest where we give you a chance to vote for your favorite dining destination. The contest ends on March 15th (so enter now to win $100) and we thought we had all the great dining options included.

But then again, this is LoHi, and if you just wait a week or so another great dining destination is bound to open. And that is just what happened.

So today we added Old Major to our list of LoHi Restaurants in the contest. 

Old Major opens on Tejon

Old Major opened its doors on March 6th at the intersection of 33rd and Tejon next to the Denver Firehouse Church and across the street from the New Jezebels Restaurant. From a real estate perspective, you can see that LoHi’s breadth of restaurant choices is continuing to expand toward 38th giving Downtown Denver condo and Downtown Denver loft residents a larger area to find a dream home in with great walkable amenities.

Old Major is brought to us by chef Justin Brunso with a menu broken into 5 core sections. The menu starts with small plates and then continues with the core areas of the Butcher (meats), the Farmer (vegetarian and salads), and the Monger (seafood) and wraps up with the final section of delicious sides. What can you find in sides… here’s just one example: Duck Fat Fries.  

Those with a sweet tooth don’t despair. Desserts weren’t left off the menu, they simply got a menu of their own. Pastry chef Nadine Donovan created menu to match the 5 core menu areas with 5 desserts targeted to match each entry section.

Win $100 and Dinner on us

You can see why we had to modify our Best of LoHi Restaurant Contest to include this new offering.    

With an office in LoHi, the New Era Team gets to watch first hand as this exciting neighborhood continues to evolve. The growing density of new real estate developments give us a chance to find a match for any clients goal. Whether your preference is a modern and hop loft, urban townhome (a new 14 unit luxury townhome project is underway), or a historic Denver square the New Era Realty team is here to help.

And of course, if you need a tip on where to dine in LoHi just give us a call. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite restaurant in LoHi. We would love to treat you to dinner if you win.

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