My Favorite Flood Evacuation Video
by Osman Parvez This is what it looked like when three Boulder residents evacuated from Four Mile Canyon. My favorite flood video by far. Thank you Connor Wall, Will Adams, and Knutzen Hoff. --- Like this analysis? Subscribe to my research. Want to meet me in person? Attend a Boulder Real Estate Meetup. Ready to buy or sell? Call me at 303.746.6896.
Pending Sales and Inventory Availability [Market Update]
by Osman Parvez Here's a quick look at pending sales and inventory availability across Boulder County. The key metric: Percent of inventory currently under contract. The chart above shows inventory of homes under contract with a buyer for Boulder, Boulder Attached Dwellings (town homes and condos), Longmont, Superior, Louisville, and Lafayette. Perhaps a surprise to many, Boulder has 40% under contract; less than adjacent markets. Louisville is leading the region with 61% under contract. If you're a buyer, flip that around. Boulder has more available inventory than any other local [...]
Southern Sun vs. Frasca: The Impact of Rising Rates on Boulder Real Estate
by Osman Parvez A few thoughts on the impact of rising rates on Boulder Real Estate. First Some Basics Via a monetary policy called Quantitative Easing, the Federal Reserve has been the primary purchaser of mortgage backed securities since 2008. This tool is in addition to their traditional lever over the discount rate. The Fed buying vast quantities of mortgages is the primary reason that mortgage rates have been so low, falling from an average of 6.03% in 2008 to 3.66% in 2012 (data). The Path to Higher Rates Last week, the Fed [...]
Showings for the Weekend? [Listings]
by Osman Parvez Yay! The weekend is upon us and there is a pile of new inventory. What's worth seeing? Let's walk through it. A quick search of the MLS shows 24 new listings hitting the Boulder market since Monday. I removed 13 of those listings because they're either refreshed old inventory or spec projects (i.e. imaginary houses). That leaves 11 worth your consideration for this weekend's showing schedule. I think 8 are worth a look. Let's take a closer look (all the listings). Ready for showings? Let me take you to see these properties this weekend. Call me at [...]
The Patron Saint of Real Estate? [Listings, Not So Hot]
by Osman Parvez --- I was wandering around Grand Rabbits in Boulder the other day, shopping for my niece and nephew's presents, when I came across this little gem. Take a look.... That's right. For only $5.99, you can have your very own Patron Saint of Real Estate. I suppose, if you're having trouble selling your house it certainly can't hurt to appeal to a divine power. In addition, you might consider calling a seasoned and experienced Realtor with a proven track record. You know, just saying... Anyway, since we're on this topic, let's look at a few listings [...]
Hot Or Not? [Fresh Listings]
by Osman Parvez Let's take a look at fresh houses and condos hitting the Boulder real estate market. Yes, new listing do hit the market even at this time of year. Of course, you have to sift the refreshed listings out. Oh look, I've done it for you. 2727 Folsom Street (link) - This is a nice option for a young professional or student. It might make for a nice executive apartment, a commuter reprieve or home away from home. With just 570 SQFT, be prepared for a minimalist lifestyle but it's a cheap way to [...]
Listings Worth Checking Out
by Osman Parvez In Boulder, inventory of available houses begins to build in January. As selection grows, more buyers also enter the market and competition for the most desirable houses is likely. It's important to pay attention. This morning, I sifted through the new listings in Boulder. I removed the obvious dogs (bad locations or other problems) and came up with a few worth a visit. I'll be scheduling previews for the weekend (assuming no forecast powder). Call me if you'd like to tag along. 303.746.6896. Remember, the only way to feel confident about the offer you're making is [...]
The Peloton a Value Investment? [Notable Sale]
by Osman Parvez Right now, I'm reviewing sales from last month for my upcoming research report. We usually put a handful of notable sales in our research report on Boulder real estate, but there were too many in December, so I've decided to publish a few on this blog. Why Notable The intention behind House Einstein's notable sales is to help you understand market conditions. Whether you're buying or selling, we believe knowledge of the market will help you make a smarter decision. As a seller, perhaps it will give you a reason to negotiate with that lowball offer [...]
Fresh Listings, Why or Why Not [Get ‘Em Hot]
by Osman Parvez Over the last two weeks, over a hundred new properties have hit the market. This should make Boulder real estate shoppers happy. Let's take a look at a few. Not the Bargain Bin at Nordstrom Rack First of all, the following listings are truly new to market. None have been on the MLS for more than 2 weeks so they've haven't been picked through by every buyer in Boulder (yet). I've hand selected them for a variety of reasons (explained below). If you're shopping for real estate in Boulder, add these to your list. [...]
New Meeting Date for Pops and Scrapes Ordinance
by Osman Parvez ---- The date for the Planning Board meeting on the language of the ordinance has changed. The new meeting date is July, 9, 2009. If you care about the impact of new, far more restrictive house size limits on Boulder, please consider attending. The city of Boulder Compatible Development in Single Family Neighborhoods project and proposed ordinance language will now be heard at Planning Board on Thursday, July 9, 2009. The meeting begins at 6pm at 1777 Broadway (City Council chambers). Please note the date change as the hearing was previously scheduled for next Thursday, June 18, [...]
No Surprise, Council Draws Legal Fire on Pops and Scrapes
by Osman Parvez ---- From the Daily Camera: ...the law offices of Packard and Dierking has been retained to figure out how to "prevent or revoke any unfavorable actions" that the Boulder City Council might take to prevent so-called "pops and scrapes." What did Council expect to happen? Residents of Colorado traditionally hold a strong view on property rights. The council, for more than a year, has floated the idea of lowering the allowable floor-area ratio to curb redevelopments that are out of scale with established neighborhoods, prompting impassioned responses from residents on both sides of the contentious issue. [...]
Grandview Brouhaha: City Council Sends a Message
by Osman Parvez ---- Here we go again. Despite a deepening budget shortfall and the strong threat of higher taxes and fees being imposed on Boulder residents, City Council seems determined to run up legal bills by jostling with CU over redevelopment of Grandview. The facts: 1) As a state entity, CU is not subject to the City's building rules. 2) CU identified Grandview as a logical area for expansion of campus a long time ago and began acquiring properties in the early 60s. In 1990, CU's Master Plan suggested that most of the acquired buildings in Grandview should be [...]
Quick Look: Boulder Market Update
by Osman Parvez ---- The data is still preliminary, but it looks like sales volume in Boulder improved slightly in May with a year over year decrease of 37% and 40% for houses and attached dwellings, respectively. Stay tuned... the full Research Report will be available before the end of next week. ---- Like this analysis? Subscribe to our client research report. Want to get blog updates via email? Click HERE. Ready to buy or sell? Schedule an appointment or call 303.746.6896. You can also like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.As [...]
Council Set To Massively Increase Taxes on Development
by Osman Parvez ---- As if the draconian new neighborhood compatibility rules aren't enough to kill your remodeling plans, Boulder City Council is trying yet another approach. From Sunday's Daily Camera: "Beginning next year, building a new home, an addition or a business in Boulder could cost a lot more if the City Council decides Tuesday to move toward changing the way new development is taxed." In addition to excise taxes on development, the new scheme would assess a fee based on... you guessed it, house size. "For the first time, such fees would be based on the square footage [...]
Real Estate Meetup – June 1st
by Osman Parvez I'm finalizing the line up for this Monday's Meetup. If you'd like to present, give me a call at 303.746.6896. Topics should be educational for those interested in Boulder real estate (buyers, sellers, owners, or renters). The format is 5 minutes for your talk and 5 minutes for Q/A. The reason for the tight format is to keep the meeting interesting for participants. A few past presentation videos are archived HERE. Date: Monday, June 1st Location: 1942 Broadway (SE corner of Broadway and Pearl) Agenda: 7-7:30 networking 7:30 to 9:00 [...]
