Happy Days are Here for West Side Residents as RTD Lightrail Opens!

By Kristal Kraft Denver Realtor | Published: April 26, 2013

RTD FasTracks Metro Denver Real Estate News

It’s been a long time coming, but today the West Rail Line opens for service. This newest addition to the RTD Lightrail runs between Denver’s Union Station and the Jefferson County government Center in Golden.

Residents and visitors to the area will be able to ride the rails for free on Saturday while enjoying the neighborhood celebrations at each station.  No doubt this will be a memorable event for kids and adults.  The addition of rail transportation to Metro Denver is historic and exciting.

There are still investment opportunities for developers along the 12.1 mile West Corridor line.  Much of the opportunity revolves around the 13 stations that are considered to “destinations” for hundreds of employees, students and commuters. A few recognizable destinations are:

  • Downtown Denver
  • Elitch Gardens
  • Pepsi Center
  • Auraria Campus
  • Mile High Stadium
  • Belmar
  • Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
  • Westland town Center
  • Oak Employment Center
  • St. Anthony’s Hospital
  • Denver Federal Center
  • Red Rocks Community College
  • Jeffco Government Center

TOD’s short for Transit Oriented Developments are planned along all the RTD Corridors in the Metro Area.  When complete Denver will have a total of 122 miles of new commuter rail and light rail tracks.  There will be an additional 18 miles of bus rapid transit service and 21,000 new parking spaces at rail and bus stations.  Also planned is redirected bus service for easy, convenient bus/rail connections.

It was 6.5 years ago since the Southeast Rail Line opened.  I was there for the historic moment when the train broke thru the banner!  See my blog photos I remember how exciting it was as it occurred to me I was witnessing history!  So folks, grab the kids, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, friends and neighbors.  Go enjoy a day of celebration and be a part of history.  Let’s be happy we live in Colorado!

 

 

Posted in Current Events | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

How to Buy a Home

By Kristal Kraft Denver Realtor | Published: April 16, 2013

The process of buying a home can be confusing. Here is an infographic explaining the options to consider when buying a home.
There are several types of mortgages available to buyers, which one to select depends upon your objective.  Consulting with a REALTOR who understands the differences and a trusted mortgage professional is the first step in determining the best way for you to finance a home.

First time home buyers will also discover there are programs available in each county that offer education and in some instances help with closing costs.  These programs change frequently, the best way to find out if you qualify is to call me.  I welcome your call.  Kristal Kraft at 720-279-4599.

How To Buy A Home : Infographic from The Mortgage Reports

Homebuyer assistance via The Mortgage ReportsA

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Denver Real Estate & Relocation Recognized in Top 100

By Kristal Kraft Denver Realtor | Published: April 14, 2013

Good news for Denver Real Estate and Relocation this week!  This site was included in the Top 100 Real Estate Blogs to follow in 2013!  Yeah!  Recognition is nice, but being included in some very fine company is even better!

My real estate friends across the country were included too:

A big shout out and a pat on the back to Maureen Francis who writes the MiOaklandCounty site.  Few people know, buy Maureen was instrumental in helping me learn to blog on WordPress, when back when I first started!  I’m thrilled to see her on the list!

Irina Natchaev from Pasadena Views and Sharon Paxson of Newport Beach both write for the California Real Estate market.

Debe Maxwell hails in from the east coast with her Let’s Talk Charlotte Real Estate Blog.  Anita Clark writes the Warner Robins Real Estate in Georgia.  All these ladies are awesome Realtors who work hard to maintain informative blog/websites for the benefit of the real estate consumer.

Another favorite  blog that isn’t about real estate, but supports Realtors by helping them understand WordPress is  the Real Estate Blog Lab, written by Dave Smith.  Dave is a super Geek who can whip up a WordPress site in a jiffy!

Congratulations to all and thanks also to Coupon Audit for the kudos!

 

 

 

top100

 

Posted in Life After Real Estate | 3 Comments

Fresh Tracks in Denver

By Kristal Kraft Denver Realtor | Published: April 4, 2013

FreshTracks-RTDLIghtRail-KristalKraft-w Referring to Fresh Tracks in  Colorado typically has something to do with snow.  These fresh tracks are preparing to serve the suburbs of the Western Corridor of Metro Denver. They are the RTD Lightrail tracks that go from Union Station in Lodo west to the Jefferson County Building in Golden.

The West Corridor gives access to some vary significant work/education centers and neighborhoods.  Including:

  • Auraria Campus
  • Denver Federal Center
  • Mile High Stadium
  • Jefferson County Government Complex
  • Red Rocks Community College
  • St. Anthony Medical Campus
  • Union Station

The convenience of easy transportation for the West Metro Denver population has been anxiously awaited.  Development opportunities for investors is still very strong along the line as plans are still emerging.

RDT-LIghtrail-KristalKraft2013-3

The future of real estate along this line is very rosy. We will see Transit Oriented Developments (TOD’s) along the line, shopping, restaurants, lofts, condos, apartments attracting the commuter who wants to like near the rail. Metro Denver has already seen TOD’s along the Southeast & Southwest Corridors.  Considering the current shortage of housing we are experiencing, these TOD’s will be a welcome addition to the West Corridor real estate market.

DenverSkylinefromFedCenter-KristalKraft

Yesterday when I toured the line, the efficiency of the travel was most evident.  One thing I think the RTD people missed was having an upper deck on the train.  It would be nice to sit in a all-window car to enjoy the spectacular view!  Every direction had an interesting focus, from the Denver Skyline, to the Rocky Mountains, south, west and north!  Of course being entertained with the wonderful view would probably be cause for forgetting to get off at your station!

 

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Home Owners – The Time to Sell is Now!

By Kristal Kraft Denver Realtor | Published: March 29, 2013

SlimPickensDenverRealEstate-KristalKraft

Denver Real Estate News

Housing inventory is down, buyers of homes are having a hard time finding homes to look at, much less purchase.  This may be news to many, because it seems just a short while ago we couldn’t see the end of distressed homes and other homes coming on the market.  Well those days are gone!

If you are a homeowner that became a landlord because there was no other choice, your time to sell may be here!  Values are increasing in Metro Denver.  If your mortgage was “upside-down” before, that has changed or is in the process of changing.

Don’t wait!

The dynamics in the market could be short lived.  Currently we have extremely low interest rates with many buyers wishing to take advantage of them.  If the rates go up (an they will!) the purchasing power of buyers will go down.  This effects the sale amount buyers can afford, and ultimately it will effect the increasing values that we see now.  We don’t know when interest rates will go up, but when they do the market will slow down.

Are you a reluctant Landlord?

If you have a rental home that you would like to sell, but it is leased, you can still sell your rental, lease and all to a buyer.  We have buyers ready and waiting!

If your tenant’s lease is going to be up soon, we can work together with them to have a closing that compliments the end of their lease.

Scarcity & Demand = Good News for Sellers!

Whether you are a homeowner who is looking to move up, downsize, short sell, reluctant landlord waiting for the right time, now is a good time to sell.  The lack of inventory in the market means buyers are competing, they come prepared to pay more than the next guy, they tend to not ask for the picky things to be fixed and they appreciate the opportunity to own a home.  A homeowner couldn’t ask for a better situation to be in.

Just need to talk?

Having solid information before you make your decision is important.  I can help you.  Let’s talk about your options, is it truly the time to sell? How much is your home worth in today’s market?  How much will it cost to sell your rental home?  These questions can be answered, just call.  I welcome your call.

P.S. If you haven’t seen your rental in a long time, perhaps you’d like a picture?  Call me.  I’ll drive by and email you a photo of your rental.  It’s nice to know all is well!

 

Posted in Selling Your Home | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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  • Welcome to Denver Dwellings where I write about Denver real estate trends, where to live, eat, play and how to buy or sell a house in Colorado. This part of the world is where I call home, it is a place I love and I hope that joy shows through!