Stapleton Denver Real Estate Market Reports and Neighborhood Information

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2010-09-30T14:01:00.000-06:00

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Stapleton Real Estate Time Capsule Opened

2010-08-25T17:52:00.000-06:00

A Blast From The Past!

I thought it would be fun to share my Stapleton Denver Real Estate Market Report as detailed in a message to a prospective (now current) Stapleton homeowner. Also, by reading this you will get a feel for how I work (as a real estate professional in Stapleton) and my approach. This was my assessment of the Stapleton Real Estate Market in November of 2007. It is now long past 2007 but looking back and comparing my thoughts to where the Stapleton real estate market is now is cool. Check it out:

Hi Matt,

No problem (last night), I understand what it's like to have your hands full with kids, dogs, etc. Once you have a good idea of the financial aspect you will be more comfortable when it comes time to decision making. I understand you are under no time constraints to buy, and that is good when speaking to the local market as a whole. Stapleton, as you know, is a unique community and is continuing to put up impressive numbers. I collect market data mostly via a subscription to a market analysis firm, Metrostudy and other reliable sources like Metrolist. I attended the Metrostudy 3rd quarter 2007 meeting 2 weeks ago and learned, amongst other things, the builders in attendance with new construction developments throughout the state were all envious of the select group of builders in Stapleton. Builders big and small rely on Metrostudy as they are the most respected and valuable information source for the home building industry. As I mentioned, I provide several groups with in depth Stapleton market analysis and statistics (I meet with all of the builders representatives in Stapleton once a month in a closed door sales meeting, local newspapers and the list is growing). Here is a portion of my findings to date:

1. Stapleton is the top ranked master plan community in the Denver Metro area on an annual basis as it pertains to new construction starts, closings and vacant developed lots. Recent numbers for 3rd quarter 2007 show Stapleton leading the pack with gains in all categories from last quarter. Also, Stapleton is ranked #1 for Denver sub markets in annual starts and closings for detached homes. Sub markets include areas like Aurora South, Castle Rock and the like. Due to the number of sales and size of Stapleton it was classified as it's own submarket.

Translation

Stapleton is tremendously well balanced and is the top ranked community in this category and many others. Due to the high standards put in place by Forest City new construction homes continue to sell and they are well prepared for the demand of new lots with which to build upon in the near future. Year to year and even quarter to quarter base sales prices continue to increase at a decent rate. I say decent, and this is good. In other developments in the past builders have dramatically increased base sales prices over the period of a year and have used large incentives and other teasers to keep the recorded sales prices high when in reality the homes sold for far less and once the buyers have taken possession the home is most likely to encounter a large correction in market value, which is due to the fact that other owners in the community that have to sell their home before they would like to can't compete with the incentives the builders are offering and the appeal of a newly constructed home with the buyers personal touches. Over inflated sales prices coupled with artificially high market valuations, due to lax appraising standards, prevented homeowners from selling, refinance, take out a 2nd mortgage or open a home equity line of credit. When this occurs you can rest assured these communities’ resale home valuations have declined greatly. This scenario we see so much around us is exacerbated due to other looming problems facing the market today; adjustable rate mortgages resetting, monthly mortgage payments skyrocketing and homeowners having no equity in their home or in most cases owe more than the home is worth. This all leads to a large number of foreclosures which eventually sell and for considerably less than the home was purchased for and is really worth.

2. Median base price of single family homes (new construction) has increased in Stapleton by 3% over this time last year and is roughly $425,000. With an overall number of 140 total homes sold in the past six months with an average sales price of $464,076.

3. Stapleton is also in the top 10 sub markets for "Finished Inventory Months of Supply" coming in at under 3 months, healthy . The number of finished homes are low and on pace to sell. Equilibrium range is just under 2 months.

Some data specific to New Town: the average New Town base price (new construction) as of the end of the 2nd quarter '07 is $434,650 for a 2,164 square foot home or $201.42 PSF (price square feet). The Clayton model on 28th Avenue is 2,167 SF with a PSF of $195.31. Other factors to consider when deciding to buy an existing home versus a new build includes living in an established neighborhood and for less money then it would cost to build a similar property that will be ready in the future.

Now who's rambling??:)

Stapleton is obviously a great community and has purposefully grown at a rate that would insulate homeowners from some of the described scenarios above. Yes, other properties will be available in the near future. My main purpose in sharing this info with you was because I thought you might like to see detailed market stats for the community you are most interested in purchasing. Secondly, I wanted you to know, factually, Stapleton is truly an exception to the market right now. You stated in a previous email to me:

"We need to take advantage of the fact that the market is in our favor and we can afford to be patient." While this is true for the overall Denver market, it isn't so much for Stapleton. Many buyers are taking this approach in the local Denver market as a whole and rightfully so. Past sales in Stapleton are strong and things don't appear to be changing anytime soon. If anything, market stats show home prices only increasing, new and resale. With this being the case, and you find a home that has all or nearly all of the features you desire and it is within your means financially I believe buying now is a good decision".

11/9/2007:

Hey Colby,
Thanks for the photos. Let us know when we can take a look at this place and the one on Yosemite.
I apologize for cutting things a bit short on the phone last night. I had my hands full. Just to reiterate - if we found the right place at the right price, we could jump at it. The reason I hedged at saying we could do it for this house is that the price is a stretch for us. When we see you on Saturday, we should have a better idea where we sit in that respect. I'm rambling, but I also wanted to say that we appreciate your attention to our search. It’s a great thing, as long as we all take the position that we are under no time constraints to buy. Thus, we need to take advantage of the fact that the market is in our favor and we can afford to be patient.
Thanks again!

Matt

Stapleton Real Estate Time Capsule Opened!

2009-09-07T14:15:00.012-06:00

A Blast From The Past!

I thought it would be fun to share my Stapleton Real Estate Market Report as detailed in this email to a prospective (now current) Stapleton homeowner. This was my assessment of the Stapleton Real Estate Market in November of 2007. Check it out:

_________________________________________

Hi Matt,

No problem (last night), I understand what it's like to have your hands full with kids, dogs, etc. Once you have a good idea of the financial aspect you will be more comfortable when it comes time to decision making. I understand you are under no time constraints to buy, and that is good when speaking to the local market as a whole. Stapleton, as you know, is a unique community and is continuing to put up impressive numbers. I collect market data mostly via a subscription to a market analysis firm, Metrostudy and other reliable sources like Metrolist. I attended the Metrostudy 3rd quarter 2007 meeting 2 weeks ago and learned, amongst other things, the builders in attendance with new construction developments throughout the state were all envious of the select group of builders in Stapleton. Builders big and small rely on Metrostudy as they are the most respected and valuable information source for the home building industry. As I mentioned, I provide several groups with in depth Stapleton market analysis and statistics (I meet with all of the builders representatives in Stapleton once a month in a closed door sales meeting, local newspapers and the list is growing). Here is a portion of my findings to date:

1. Stapleton is the top ranked master plan community in the Denver Metro area on an annual basis as it pertains to new construction starts, closings and vacant developed lots. Recent numbers for 3rd quarter 2007 show Stapleton leading the pack with gains in all categories from last quarter. Also, Stapleton is ranked #1 for Denver sub markets in annual starts and closings for detached homes. Sub markets include areas like Aurora South, Castle Rock and the like. Due to the number of sales and size of Stapleton it was classified as it's own submarket.

Translation

This Just In! Stapleton Denver Real Estate Market Report Due Out Soon.

2008-01-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

The new year is upon us and my Stapleton real estate report will be sent out soon (as Kent Brockman was nice enough to share with us on the Springfield Evening Newscast).

I am plugging in the last few figures I feel are important to share. When finished I will post my report entitled:

"The State of Stapleton Denver's
Residential Real Estate Market"

This will include indepth new home construction and resale home data. The report is built in part with information from many different big hittin' industry sources; MetroStudy, Forest City Stapleton, Metrolist, interviewing many builders in Stapleton and spending a large amount of time in the neighborhood speaking with residents, real estate brokers and store owners. You would be amazed what you can learn just by gabbing with others on 29th Ave! Gourmet Realty and S. Robert August and Company were also great in helping piece this report together. Thank you all!

Keep your eyes out for my upcoming Stapleton Real Estate report. It is informative, eye-opening and packed full of fresh Stapleton real estate market data you can't get anywhere else.

In the meantime, if you have specific Stapleton real estate orientated questions please send them to me and I will try to answer them individually or include in my report.

Colby Fitch

Memo To Stapleton Residents: Dust Off Your Holiday Lights

2007-11-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year! Christmas lights and displays abound! If you were one of few forward thinking individuals you hung your lights weeks ago when the weather in Denver was downright hot. Regularly in the mid 70's. But does decorating your home in weather more akin to Palm Beach break with tradition or the spirit of the Holiday Season? I believe so. There's something about hanging your lights on a blustery and bitter late fall weekend. Perhaps the inherent risk, and adrenaline rush, of slipping from my roof to the frozen tundra below is the reason I choose the worst possible weather conditions when taking a run at this wintry right of passage. I suppose climbing to high places and crawling across iced laden shingles and eaves is an actual self confirmation of my manhood. I need to look into this.

I noticed several Stapleton residents out taking advantage of the weather to deck their homes with Holiday Cheer on a recent weekend day. However, the majority of us were enjoying the newly opened Central Park. What a place!

I'm sure the Stapleton Neighborhood and it's hip new homes will rank right up there with any Denver area communities when it comes to outdoor Holiday displays. I encourage you to submit to this blog your favorite home or block. I will post the results.

In addition to the sparkling displays you'll find in the neighborhood the Symphony In Lights at Stapleton Northfield will take your breathe away. The dazzling 250,000 lights set to the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is sure to get you in the Holiday mood (and maybe spend a few bucks in a wide array of fine stores in Northfield).

Get out and enjoy the lights and Holiday displays in the area. Stapleton has no shortage of them. This is a wonderful time of year and I wish you and your loved ones a happy and blessed Holiday season.