[audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/denverhomepro/Best_Places_to_Live_in_Denver-Wheat_Ridge.mp3]
Download This Episode

Out in the western suburbs of Denver is a town called Wheat Ridge. Wheat Ridge is located west of Denver and is bordered by Kipling on the West to about Sheridan on the East side. It goes from about 32nd Avenue on the south to I-70 on the north side. This is a great little community with a lot to offer:

• a nice little old town, downtown area right at 32nd and Wadsworth it goes over to Sheridan

• lots of little shops

• restaurants

• a point of interest is the best bike shop in Denver, which is ‘Wheatridge Cyclery’

If you’re interested in looking in Wheat Ridge, in any of these surrounding areas, you can visit www.EasyDenverHomeSearch.com Search by map, using the streets I mentioned or just put in the city of ‘Wheat Ridge’ in your search criteria. Either way, there’s plenty of homes to choose from.

Wheat Ridge has an average sales price of about $249,000 and it’s only down about 10% over the past 15 months. The foreclosure rate is high in some parts, as high as 47-48% but in the heart of Wheat Ridge, it’s actually very low. There’s good deals to be had, regardless of the part of town, and it’s certainly an area worth checking out.

If you have any further questions, you can contact me directly 303-526-2606 or drop me an email Sam [at] SamWilsonGroup.com

Thanks! Until Next time

[audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/denverhomepro/Best_Places_to_Live_in_Denver-Arvada.mp3]
Download This Episode

In the Western Suburbs of Denver there is a city named Arvada. Now, Arvada has about 12, maybe 15 different neighborhoods in it and there’s even smaller neighborhoods beyond that. There’s really too much information to cover all of Arvada but let me give you some general guidelines and, as always, if you’re interested in more information you can call me directly at 303-526-2606 or drop me an email Sam [at] SamWilsonGroup.com

Here’s some good information about Arvada.

First of all, the average sales price is right around the low $200,000’s. You can find properties in Arvada from the high $100,000’s all the way to the million dollar range. It just depends on what area you want to be in. Arvada runs from about I-70 on the south, all the way up to Stanley Lake and about 100th Avenue on the north end. Then it runs from the east side of Wadsworth all the way over to the West at Simms.

You can see this is a very big city on the map and there’s obviously a lot to choose from. There are foreclosures all over Arvada in all different price ranges. There are neighborhoods that are extremely stable – they haven’t had any foreclosures in the past 2 years. These are holding their values quite nicely.

Again, there’s just too many neighborhoods to get into, but I often get requests for Arvada and would love to take you through the city and give you ideas, based on the different price ranges. It features:

• a great little old town area right at 58th and Wadsworth – you just head to the West at 58th
• all kinds of great little shops
• restaurants
• coffee shops
• art

It’s just a great little community, especially on the weekends!

If Arvada is a city you’re interested in you can use www.EasyDenverHomeSearch.com to search for homes by the map area, using the streets I described or you can just put in the city of Arvada and price range you prefer.

Until Next time

[audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/denverhomepro/How_to_Fire_Realtor.mp3]
Download This Episode

How do you fire a Realtor? This is a controversial topic and a follow up to a previous blog I’ve done about, ‘How To Hire A Realtor’. Just like any employment situation, sometimes things don’t work out. If you’re not having a great experience with your current Realtor, this is not for you. This is not intended to interfere with your current relationship with the Realtor. I’m sure you’ll be successful at finding the property that meets your needs.

This is more for people that are starting the process. Because once you’re in an agreement with an agent, there’s very limited things you can do anyway. I cannot give legal advice, you really should seek advice of an attorney if you’re in that situation where you’re unhappy with the agreement or the working relationship.

This information is for people that are:

• considering hiring a Realtor, or

• considering buying a home and are concerned about signing a listing agreement with that agent or otherwise known as a Buyer Agency Agreement.

Sure you should be nervous, this is a huge commitment. That’s why you have to talk about it upfront. It’s fine to sign a Buyer Agency Agreement, in fact, you’d rather have one as a buyer because then the Realtor is in your corner fighting for you every step of the way (that’s our job!). We’re not going to get paid until you buy and close something, so it’s a win-win situation. It really helps to have the advice, especially in this fast, changing market.

Talk to the agent upfront about what their terms are for terminating a contract. A lot of agents will tell you that you’re locked in for 6 months for better or for worse. I don’t believe in that. This isn’t marriage, this is just an employment agreement, just like you have at your job or with your company. Let’s have some terms upfront. I’ll put in writing that you can terminate my agreement at anytime for any reason before we get under contract.

That works both ways, that’s for both of us. Let’s face it, if we haven’t met before, or if you weren’t referred to me or I wasn’t referred to you, then we’re both taking a chance, right? So, I’ll be happy to talk to you about how to do this and to make it very safe for you a very easy process so there’s no discomfort, should, you know, something arise where you feel like you want to head in a different direction. I’m fine with it. I think we both would be. So, if you want more information, or your free 1-hour consultation, call me at 303-526-2606 or email me Sam [at] HomeSam.com.   In the meantime, if you want to check out all the new and great listings in the Denver area, visit my website www.EasyDenverHomeSearch.com

Until next time