Howdy Slim!
by Osman Parvez Last week we had family visiting. I admit, it was an all out recruiting trip to convince my soon-to-be Physician brother and his wife to consider Colorado their future home. In theory, an easy task given they've already served 3 years of a 4 year mandatory sentence in Buffalo, New York. Unfortunately, the jury is still out as to where they'll settle and his next rotation is scheduled for Worcester, MA. Something about being closer to family (what am I, chopped liver?). One of the things my brother noticed was how thin most people seem in Boulder. [...]
Cruise on This
by Osman Parvez Ok, this doesn't have much to do with the analysis of the Real Estate Market in Boulder. Consider it a small window into our creative community instead. Last night I, along with some friends, enjoyed the weekly cruiser bike ride that occurs every Thursday in Boulder. Except instead of the more typical 250 to 300 or so riders during the peak summer months, 650+ people were on the ride. Imagine a massive parade of people (and pets) on two, three, and four wheels in all manner of mostly red, white, and blue dress cruising through the streets [...]
Addicted to the Outdoors?
by Osman Parvez Me too. According to Fortune magazine, Boulder is the place to retire. The draw: With over 300 sunny days a year, more than 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, 43,000 acres of preserved open space, the Rocky Mountain National Park in its backyard, and a river popular with fly-fishers running through it, Boulder defines the great outdoors. ---- 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 [...]
May, 2006 – Boulder Sales Analysis (Preliminary)
by Osman Parvez It's been a few days since I last blogged. Real estate activity with clients and terrific weather have kept me from the task. For those of you unfamiliar with Boulder in the summer, there's always something happening outdoors (today's adventure) So what's happening in the market? Here's a sneak peak at Boulder's sales numbers for May and how current inventory is shaping up as we move into the peak summer selling season. The good news is that the sluggishness of April and March seems to have dissipated. The market in May was very similar to May of [...]
Weekend Events
by Osman Parvez Ahh Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start to summer. The Farmer's Market is in full swing, the flowers are blooming on Pearl Street, and Boulder Outdoor Cinema is almost ready to kickoff a new season. Here's a few weekend events to check out. The Bolder Boulder. This is Boulder's annual Memorial Day 10K race. 50,000 partipants are expected to take part. In teams or alone, this event brings thousands of people to Boulder to enjoy the sunshine, watch individuals and teams walk, run, and jog the race course. Truly a centerpiece event in Boulder. The 19th Annual [...]
This Weekends Events
by Osman Parvez In addition to Carmina Burana (did I mention I'm singing?), here's a few more ideas for this weekend. Friday (5/19) and Saturday (5/20) is the 8th annual Kitchens on Fire Tour. It's a two-day, self-guided tour (10am to 4pm) of eight Boulder kitchens for the aspiring chef, designer, home re-modeler or anyone interested in seeing spectacular kitchens. Tickets are only $15 and proceeds support the Dairy Center for the Arts. Saturday, May 20th is the 4th Annual Boulder Cleanup Day. Volunteer a few hours of your time to help beautify Boulder and then celebrate with all the [...]
Sing, Dance, and… Fly?
by Osman Parvez This coming weekend, The Ars Nova Singers and the Frequent Flyers Dance Company will be performing Carmina Burana at CU's Macky Auditorium. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, May 20th at 8:00pm and Sunday May 21st, at 2:00pm. Why am I posting about this? Well, because I'm one of the aerial dancers! No, no. Just kidding. As a kid, I struggled to climb the rope in gym glass. You'll find me with both feet firmly on the ground as I sing with Ars Nova. If you haven't planned your weekend as yet, give this performance a shot. I [...]
Today’s Reading
by Osman Parvez Looking for a local real estate news update to keep you awake this Monday morning? Here's a few articles that caught our eye... Commercial real estate is picking up along the US36 Corridor. Investors have pumped more than $153MM into office space, including the $35MM purchase of The Views office complex in Interlocken last month. Other projects in the works include Deepak Chopra's $40MM condo and health spa located next to the Westin Hotel and a $200MM residential and retail community by California based Pacific Builders. Don't want to hire a general contractor for that dream home? [...]
Open Space Funding
by Osman Parvez Boulder is stepping up acquisition of open space land. This coming Tuesday night (5/2/06), City Council will vote to authorize a $20.1MM bond issue to fund the initiative. Voters previously authorized the city to issue up to $58MM in bonds in a 1997 ballot measure and after the issue of the $20.1MM, the city will have remaining authorization for $4.8MM. Here's the City Council Agenda Item on the bond issue. According to the Daily Camera, the funds will be used to purchase land in four areas: A series of parcels in and around the city of Boulder [...]
Big Boxes and Boulder
by Osman Parvez Another Big Box in Boulder? Well, probably not. A recent poll surveyed residents on a new "Big Box" retailer in Boulder. 35% of respondents (registered voters who live in or near Boulder) wanted another Big Box in Boulder while 48% opposed the idea. The survey came after Leo and Terry Palmos, the owners of property at 28th Street and Jay Road, indicated that they'd like to see their property annexed for a Big Box store. Last year, City Council asked planning staff to find sites for a big-box retailer within city limits as alternatives to the Palmos [...]
A Wall of Water Hits Boulder
by Osman Parvez If you happened to be in Boulder yesterday morning, you may have heard the sirens. Boulder was practicing for a flood evacuation. While there is little statistical chance of a massive flood rampaging down Boulder Canyon into the City of Boulder, on July 31, 1976 just such a flood did occur nearby. The Big Thompson Flood killed 145 people, destroyed 418 houses, and caused more than $40 million in damages - in about two hours. Whether or not you live or work in the flood zone, have a plan for you and your family including a safe [...]
The Bubble – Should You Worry?
by Osman Parvez With all the doom and gloom housing scenarios sprouting on various blogs and being carried by the national media, it's easy to feel pessimistic. You might even start to think the Sky is Falling. Well, should you be worried about Boulder real estate? Are you even wondering if you should sell your property and rent while the market sorts out? The answers lie in research about your local real estate market. Unless you live in Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Miami, don't base your real estate decisions on (often sensationalized) news blurbs about rising inventory and slowing sales [...]
Historic Preservation Flouter Goes to Jail
by Osman Parvez The Daily Camera is reporting that a Mapleton Hill homeowner was arrested for violating historic preservation ordinances. For those of you that wish to avoid going to the slammer, you may want to read about the options for maintaining/improving your historic windows. ---- 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 always, your referrals are deeply appreciated. [...]
Cultiva!
by Osman Parvez Boulder Valley Rotary is volunteering to help out the Cultiva! program tomorrow morning (Saturday, April 8th at 9am) at the Hawthorne Community Garden in North Boulder. I'll be there and would like to invite you to join us. If you're in the mood to exercise your green thumb, please come on out to help. For more information or directions, call me at 303.746.6896 p.s. The weather looks good, so don't forget your sunscreen and work gloves. ---- Like this analysis? Subscribe to our client research report. Want to get blog updates via email? Click [...]
Speak Your Mind
by Osman Parvez I attended the CBS4 sponsored Community Forum at Boulder High School on Tuesday night. It was a very interesting presentation of ideas from the community and the CBS4 people did a great job moderating the discussion. It reminded me a bit of Nantucket's Town Meetings, but with a little less drama and no voting. Summary: A resident of Mapleton Hill spoke out for something to be done with the closed Mapleton Elementary School. School Board President Helayne Jones was present to respond, noting declining enrollment as the primary factor driving the 2003 school closings. Also, according to [...]
