More Affordable Housing – So it is Written, So it is Not Done
by Osman Parvez ---- The City currently requires 20% of a new development to be affordable, or for the developer to pay the city a fee of $110,000 to $119,000 for each one not built. According to the Daily Camera, City Council thinks this isn't good enough and wants more affordable housing in our community: Developers should either build more affordable-housing units alongside the rest of the homes in their Boulder projects, or put more money into the city's affordable housing fund, elected leaders said Tuesday night. Most developers are paying the fee instead of building affordable housing, so the [...]
Historic, Really?
by Osman Parvez ---- Here's a look at how at how efforts to (further) limit house sizes are conflicting with property rights. For about the past year, I've been attending City Council meetings on the issue of pops and scrapes (now called incompatible development). At the public hearing portion of these meetings, certain members of the Landmarks Board regularly speak up (supposedly representing themselves) about the need for stricter regulations on house sizes. At a few of these meetings, I've noticed these same Landmarks Board members seem to have organized like-minded residents to speak from the same position, thus creating [...]
Compatible Development Update (Pops and Scrapes)
by Osman Parvez ---- First a quick review. This issue is about community reaction to large new or remodeled homes on small lots. When Boulder City Council met in January of 2008, they identified this as being a high priority and tried to implement an emergency change to the maximum allowable floor area ratio (FAR). Due to public outcry over the lack of process, City Council backed off and brought on a team of consultants (led by Winter and Co) to develop a community process to reach consensus. The issue is now once again at the forefront of City Council's [...]
An Interview with Greg Sherwin, Founder of Boulder Creek Community
by Osman Parvez ---- Boulder Creek Community is the brain child of Greg Sherwin, a long term Boulder resident. We happened to catch Greg one early morning and sat down to ask him a few questions. Q. What gave you the idea to create a co-housing community in Boulder? A few years ago, I examined my life and wanted to know if my purpose was something more than what I had been doing. I had been a successful real estate broker, owner and rental manager for 30 years and was just starting a new career in psychotherapy. But after all [...]
Profile: Boulder Creek Community
by Osman Parvez ---- Launched in 2007, Boulder Creek Community consists of 13 units within Gold Run, an established town home and condo development. It's a cohousing community, unique because it features privately financed affordable housing and isn't a new build development like many other cohousing communities. Located in central Boulder along Boulder Creek, the Boulder Creek Community is the result of a year long vision quest and more than two years of development. There is nothing else like it in Boulder, possibly nothing else like it in the country. KEY BENEFITS Healthy blend of community living and personal privacy An answer to [...]
Boulder Real Estate Meetup – March 2009 Presentations
by Osman Parvez ---- Here are the confirmed presentations for tomorrow's Boulder Real Estate Meetup. It starts at 7pm. Please RSVP by clicking the link above. I hope to see you there! Jeff Anderson - Aqualine Services. 7 Facts on Sewer Line Replacement. Root intrusion is common and many homeowners in Boulder deal with annual sewer line clean-outs and costly repairs. Jeff's company offers a more affordable alternative to full line replacement. After careful research, I even used his service on my own house. (ph: 303.775.2797) James Clark - Wells Fargo. 5 Things You Should Know About The Current Mortgage [...]
The “New Hill”: 2009 Edition
by Osman Parvez ---- On Monday, the Daily Camera reported on the efforts of “The New Hill Co.”, who has created a future vision of the University Hill area. Walsh and Riggle make up The New Hill Co. For the past three years, they’ve worked as consultants for two property owners on the Hill: Boulder Hilltop Properties, which owns 1143 and 1155 13th St., and 1314 COEU, whose principals own property between 13th and 14th streets and College and Euclid avenues. The report the company produced — “The Hill Commercial Context Study” — envisions University Hill anchored at the north [...]
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 [...]
