Between Denver and Boulder Colorado – Local Tidbits & Real Estate News April 2010

Joetta’s Neighborhood Newsletter

Hello, Friends & Neighbors!

I’ve got to say – real estate continues to be a fascinating field to be in as we enter spring 2010! So many changes, it’s hard to keep up. If you plan to buy or sell a home this year, be sure to hire an agent who is not afraid of change, is able to keep up, and who works hard!

There are 18 homes listed for sale in Arvada between $300,000 and $325,000. But only four of them have at least 1/3 acre lots. And only two of those have at least 2,000 square feet. One of them is a HUD home and the other is my listing. I can’t wait to see who will be the lucky person who gets to move into this wonderful home! Read more about it on page 3.

And I have a listing in Parker. I find that a lot of people really like Parker, and I can see why. It’s all about lifestyle. Plus, homes are less expensive than you’ll find in the westerly parts of the Metro area. The home I have listed is gorgeous and priced to sell!

One more to highlight – a home in Thornton. This is a wonderful, clean move-in-ready home with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Vaulted ceilings and lots of light.

Check out my listings on page 3 – it would be so fun to sell one to a newsletter reader!

Trifecta of Blessing

I’m so excited about this, and I’ll bet you’re wondering what I’m talking about!

On Sunday, May 2 you can purchase unique products hand made in Africa, and your purchase will help women make a living and provide for their families.

They’d Make Great Mother’s Day Gifts!!

Part one of the ‘Trifecta of Blessing’ – wonderful bags made by Kenyan women from Kenga cloth. They have lots of inside pockets and come with a smaller purse and a DVD telling the story of a Kenyan woman who is part of the Global Bag Project. The Global Bag Project is a new endeavor, and I am excited to be one of the first helping them get these bags out there, and hopefully sold. There are two sizes, nearly every one is unique. (The Global Bag Project teaches the women to make the bags and provides a sewing machine.) Purchases are partially tax deductible.

Part two is – Beautiful beads, hand-made in Africa from colorful paper. You have to see these lovelies. A friend of my daughters’ is involved with the organization distributing these, and she will be there, helping me. So come by and meet Caley and pick up something pretty for yourself or another deserving lady (mom?).

Part three is your opportunity to help local students who have the additional challenges of homelessness. Most of them are homeless with their families, and there are hundreds of them in Jefferson County. I met with the liaison a few weeks ago, and she said one thing that would really help make their lives a little easier is hygiene products. So if you come by please bring something for the local kids – deodorant, shampoo, soap, lotion – you get the idea!

Feel free to bring a donation by for the kids even if you don’t want to shop. In fact, you can drop these items off at my house (near 80^th & Wadsworth) or my office (9035 Wadsworth Suite 2000) any time, just call or email me for details.

Donations to purchase sewing machines for the Global Bag Project ladies who are waiting for their chance to get started are also welcome.

This is all happening at my house, which is near 80^th and Wadsworth – 8031 Allison Place. If the weather’s nice it will be in the front yard, otherwise I’ll move it indoors. So come by, bring friends, get something unique and be a blessing! Just drop in anytime between noon and 5:00 pm.

If you can’t make it then but you want to see the bags and beads, call and I’ll work something out for you.

Input from Readers

A question from Susan: “Those guys that come around in pick-up trucks with a freezer in the back and offer to sell you steaks and other meats at a great discount — is that even legal?!?  Sorta creepy that they’re selling *meat* — who knows how old it is, how many times it’s been frozen and thawed and frozen, etc.!?! What the heck?!?”

To me, this is one of the most amazing and quirky oddities about living in the suburbs. I first had it happen when we lived in South Carolina, and I have no idea what – if any – quality control is in place.  So I called the always-helpful folks at the City of Arvada.

Answer from the City of Arvada Code Enforcement: It is legal if they have a sales tax license, and if they go door-to-door, not park in a lot or something. However, no government entity is checking the meat for freshness, quality, or animal of origin (I added that last part!).

Did you know you can get Amber Alerts texted to your phone? What if you were out and about, on the road, and you were the one who spotted a vehicle carrying an endangered child? Just text the word AMBER followed by a space and your 5-digit ZIP code to 26237. It will automatically sign you up. Or, sign up at http://wirelessamberalerts.wirelessfoundation.org/howwirelessamberalertswork.htm

My tip of the month is for those who like to know what’s going on, crime-wise. I signed up at the web site below to receive alerts of crime reports within five miles of my house. It was nice to keep an eye on for a while, turns out nearly all the crime reports were at the outer edge of that 5-mile limit. I always thought I lived in a pretty good area. Now, I know I do! http://spotcrime.com/

Going-on in Arvada

There will not be a Curbside Cleanup program in 2010. The budget for the program is $250,000 (wowza!). Budget permitting, the City Council may allocate the necessary funds to conduct the program in 2011.

Historical Society Yard Sale

Arvada’s Historical Society helps make Arvada the unique and fun place that it is! 2010 Yard Sale dates are April 30th and May 1st, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Arvada Flour Mill back yard (5590 Olde Wadsworth Blvd). Donations will be accepted from 11am to 6pm starting April 25th – 28th.  We would appreciate your unwanted, gently used, and still working items.

My Listings

I had one listing come and go so fast, I didn’t even get to write about it! The address is 6994 Carr, Arvada, if you want to look it up on Google and read all about it.

Another listing in Arvada is 10040 W. 74^th Place. It’s a big bi-level on a huge lot, beautifully remodeled and just a pleasure to experience. The custom kitchen was designed to take advantage of the light and the views, opening onto the wrap-around deck. Wood floors, custom tile, walkout lower level, room to build more garage or barn (zoned for horses – call for details). $318,000 MLS # 866653 Check out the property web site at: http://10040w74thpl.ePropertySites.com

My listings are more spread out than usual right now – the next one is in Parker. This is a wonderful, sunny, clean, move-in-ready home with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, an open kitchen with pantry and island, deck and patio for enjoying the backyard with no neighbors directly behind. 11013 Blackwolf Dr., $228,000 MLS #80138

Property website is: http://11013BlackwolfDr.ePropertySites.com

And listing #3 is in Thornton. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac, this ranch-style home has vaulted ceilings, all appliances included, 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom on the main floor plus an unfinished basement. 10871 Albion Pl., $60,000 MLS #874903 http://10871AlbionPl.ePropertySites.com

That’s it – I will only carry three active listings at a time, because I want to give each client the full service and unhurried attention they deserve.

If you have input for, or a response to, this newsletter, I’d love to hear from you.

Joetta Fort~ Metro Brokers ~ 720-353-8031 ~ Joetta.fort@gmail.com