The Price of Pearl
by Osman Parvez ---- It's no secret that you'll pay a premium to live in Boulder. The city’s limited growth policy creates scarcity, and the natural beauty and lifestyle of the city win awards, year after year. However, on top of that, downtown Boulder carries an additional premium. Condos along Pearl start at $700-800K for 1,300 square feet and top out at $2-3 million for 2,500 square feet. Just take a look at The Walnut or 1505 Pearl. Location, location, location. Is it worth it? As I’ve pointed out before, work is a key factor in choosing a neighborhood, and [...]
The Verge of Correction?
by Osman Parvez ---- In my last market update, a reader left the following comment. ------ Osman - are we finally, then, on the verge of the correction here in Boulder? Your comments suggest a Buyer's market in 2009, but I do not sense in the listings yet what I am sensing on the street (poor jobs outlook and economic instability). Will Boulder real estate owners lower their prices, or will the lack of inventory (greenbelt, draconian building regs) continue to inflate prices and insulate owners from the bloodbath just outside? --------- It's difficult to get a sense of the [...]
Boulder Condo and Town House Market Update
by Osman Parvez ---- From the current research report, here's a look at real estate conditions for condos and town homes in Boulder. The following is an analysis through the end of December, focusing on sales volume and inventory levels. If you're looking for information on price trends (median price, $/SQFT) or days on market, give us a call at 303.746.6896. We provide our clients with unique insight into market conditions specific to their situation. We can help you make a smarter real estate decision. Inventory - as the chart above shows, inventory levels during most of 2008 tracked below [...]
Boulder Wildfire
by Osman Parvez ---- There's a big wildfire (10 square miles) just north of Boulder, along the foothills. 11,000 people evacuated and some very dramatic imagery is being posted on the web in real time. Here's more on Flickr. Plus the live Twitter feed No word yet on structures destroyed or injuries. Best wishes sent to residents and emergency personnel for safety. image: david.evenson ---- 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 [...]
FasTracks Update: New Options, Survey in January
by Osman Parvez ---- Earlier this week, RTD released a bit of FasTracks news, updating the current status of the program. In August, RTD increased the price tag of FasTracks to $7.9 billion from its original, voter-approved, $4.7 billion cost. Throughout October, RTD held meetings in attempt to gauge public opinion on the state of FasTracks. The following five options were discussed, while assuming that the East Corridor, West Corridor, Gold Line, and US 36 BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Phase 1 would be constructed. OPTION 1 Build what can be afforded by 2017 - This would include the basic assumptions [...]
No Surprise, Council Moves to Kill Downtown Development
by Osman Parvez ---- From the Daily Camera The City Council voted 7-1 late Tuesday night to ask the city’s planning staff to start working in the second half of next year to come up with possible changes to the circumstances in which developers are allowed to exceed 35 feet and go up to the 55-foot ceiling. Completely ignoring soft market conditions, City Council continues to do their best to damage the real estate market and end the downtown renaissance. And I thought President Bush was clueless. Elected leaders, she said, should change the way they think of the space [...]
Council Pushes for New Building Height Limits
by Osman Parvez ---- Looks like City Council is continuing their effort to destroy your property value in Boulder. From the Daily Camera: Builders now are allowed to go up to 35 feet in much of downtown Boulder. Building higher than that — up to the 55-foot limit set forth in the city’s charter — requires permission from the city’s Planning Board. Planning officials considering those requests take into account sketches of the proposed buildings, how the projects will fit in with their neighbors and what kind of contribution they’ll make to pedestrians and “usable open space.” Thus far, the [...]
Green Changes in Boulder’s Building Code
by Osman Parvez ---- We have a ways to go before we balance our use of resources. However, I think that resource conservation and renewal is finally becoming a mainstream issue. Still, to get to where we need to be, we must continue to refine our standards. Last month, Boulder City Council adopted numerous changes to the city’s Green Points Program and Building Code. The changes involve new commercial construction and residential remodels/additions and will go into effect on March 2, 2009. According to the press release, commercial energy efficiency requirements increase by 30 percent… Several new requirements were also [...]
“We Should Have Changed the Code Months Ago”
by Osman Parvez ---- Is City Council Against Property Rights? The Camera is reporting on City Council's efforts to block the redevelopment of 1580 Canyon, formerly Robb's Music. Council voted yesterday to review an already approved decision to allow the property owner to build a 54 foot tall building on the site. From the article: Developers received approval from the city's Planning Board last month to tear down the existing building on the site and put the four-story, 54-foot-tall structure in its place. Before yesterday's meeting, Councilwoman Susan Osborne sent an email (on a public list) to colleagues rallying support. [...]
BluePrint Boulder 2008 – Saturday, November 8
by Osman Parvez ---- What: Blueprint Boulder 2008, an urban planning forum for Boulder's future Where: The Boulder Municipal Building (City Hall, 1777 Broadway, on the S.W. corner of Canyon and Broadway) When: Saturday, November 8, 2008, from 9am to 3pm Who: All members of the public, especially those interested in the future of Boulder's Neighborhoods Cost: Free Contact: Scott Rodwin, 303.204.8556 or scott@rodwinarch.com Blueprint Boulder 2008: In Search of a Common Vision for Blueprint Boulder 2008 will host an open public forum. Blueprint Boulder is a free, privately organized, non-profit, grass-roots event rooted in the questions "How do we [...]
Pop and Scrape Survey Now Due
by Osman Parvez ---- Just a reminder to Boulder residents. The Pops and Scrapes Community survey must be postmarked by tomorrow. Or you can deliver it personally to RRC Associates, 4940 Pearl East Circle, Suite 103. Property owners in affected neighborhoods should have received this a few weeks ago via postal mail. If you have plans to improve your property, care about the impact of development on our community, or simply want to protect your property's value, I strongly encourage you to fill-out and return the survey. For those curious about the contents of the survey, I scanned my copy. [...]
The Pops and Scrapes Survey
by Osman Parvez ---- If you own property in the City of Boulder, check your mailbox. You've probably just received your Pops and Scrapes Survey. To protect the potential use of your property and its future resale value, it's very important to respond. However you feel about the issue, it's critical for city officials to hear from a representative group of homeowners, not just those with strong feeling about home expansions. I've been to the workshops and meetings about this issue. City Council intends to move on it as soon as possible. Your survey must be postmarked by November 7th. [...]
The Peloton – An Owner’s View
by Osman Parvez ---- So what's it like to actually live at the Peloton? An owner sent us the following: Hi House Einstein - I was reading some of your blogs about The Peloton. If you'd like the views of an actual resident . . . My wife and I moved there in June, and we adore it. The Community Center is awesome. Our neighbors are wonderful and we are "gelling" into a very caring community. The HOA dues, while expensive, cover almost everything - and electric bills are minimal. Overall, cheaper than the cost of utilities and a club [...]
Washington School Development – What’s Next?
by Osman Parvez ---- This just in from the City... ---------- Wonderland Hill Development Company (WHDC) will host a public open house to present the Washington Village revised site design from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, at Washington School, 1215 Cedar Ave. Representatives from WHDC will be available to answer questions after the presentation. The city will begin its review of the site review application on Monday, Oct. 6. At that time, city staff will post the revised site review application on the city Web site for public review. Interested parties will be able send comments to [...]
The Peloton – Photo Tour and Impressions
by Osman Parvez ---- Last month, residents finally started moving into The Peloton. With phase one's recent completion, we headed down to The Peloton to take a look at a few units. Phase one includes the two east buildings with about 200 residential units, and the three floor community building. Shots of the exterior were posted with the development map update, and we've posted two new sets of the interiors of a loft and two bedroom. Note that the units do not come furnished. The loft is 956 square feet and priced at $409,400. The two bedroom is 1,673 square [...]
Welcome to House Einstein
Locations, Due Diligence, Negotiation
Testimonials
Osman was a refreshingly honest realtor. He stressed through the entire process that his goal was to make me happy with my home purchase. I greatly appreciated the fact that he never shied away from pointing out the negatives as well as the pluses of different places while leaving the final decision up to me.
We can highly recommend Sophie. Her attention to detail and communication skills are great. Our home was in area that most realtors are not familiar with, but Sophie took extra time to get to know the neighborhood in order to give us quality service. She also brought in a professional photographer to make our home look its best. Even though the listing was in winter, the house sold quickly. With Sophie’s business and people skills, we have no doubt she will be a top realtor in the area.
