It’s hard to imagine that Montclair was once considered one of the original suburbs of Denver. But as the city of Denver and its surrounding communities expanded outward over time, the historic district of Montclair now feels like an urban neighborhood, just minutes from the center of the action in downtown and the shopping and dining in nearby Cherry Creek and Stapleton. With its proximity to all that the city has to offer, along with its own local businesses and restaurants, Montclair attracts new residents while retaining its existing ones.
If you’ve been following Montclair’s market trends and are considering purchasing or selling real estate, here’s a chance to know the neighborhood a little better. The following data for Montclair Neighborhood Denver, CO was compiled over several years, from 2000-2013, and is meant to give a general picture of the area:

• Geography and demographics – Montclair occupies a total area of 0.748 square miles, with a total population nearing 4,500. It’s bordered by East Colfax Avenue to the north, Quebec Street to the east, East 6^th Avenue to the south, and Colorado Boulevard to the west. Montclair has a higher population density than Denver with 6,000 people per square mile to Denver’s 4,235. The average age of the residents hovers around 33.5 for males and 35.5 for females, with slightly more female residents in Montclair than males.
• Household data – The average household size in Montclair is 2.5 people with 38 percent of residents belonging to family households. Montclair’s average household income in 2013 was $79,092, higher than Denver’s average household income of $51,089 in 2013. Over half of Montclair’s residents were born in another U.S. state, with Colorado-born residents making up around 38 percent of Montclair’s population.
• Housing prices – Most detached houses in Montclair were built between the years of 1940 and 1949. In 2013, the average estimated price of a detached house in Montclair was $505,881, compared to Denver’s average detached house price of $347,251. For the same year, the average estimated price for townhomes or other detached houses in Montclair was $190,245, compared to Denver’s average detached home or townhouse price of $303,633. And Montclair’s median rent in 2013 was $957, compared to Denver’s median rent of $831 for the same year. (See current market trends in Montclair).
• Owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied – Just over 77 percent of the units in Montclair have a mortgage. The majority of owner-occupied houses or condos in Montclair are detached with 9 rooms or more and with bedrooms numbering between 2 to 3, while the majority of renter-occupied apartments are attached with an average of 3 rooms and with bedrooms numbering between 1 to 2. Owner-occupied homes or condos have 1.8 cars or vehicles while renter-occupied apartments have 1.1 cars or vehicles.

Because Montclair is an historic community, you can find a variety of styles of architecture here, including Victorian and Queen Anne. And it’s also a family-friendly neighborhood with several parks and schools.

For more information or for guidance on buying or selling a home in Montclair, contact the local real estate experts at Elevation Realty.

Moving to a new place can be very exciting, but getting your current home sold can cause a number of headaches - especially if you are not properly prepared. Before you make it official, consider these six common mistakes many homeowners in Hale might make when selling their home:

Selling Too Soon
It should go without saying that selling your home is a big decision. It can take weeks or months to sell your home, so it is important that you make sure you have done your homework and put in some serious thought into before making the plunge. Understand why you want to move and make sure you know what the current housing market is like before putting up that “For Sale” sign.

Too Much Upgrading
Everyone wants to create the home of their dreams by adding customizations and upgrades. However, if you upgrade your home beyond the other comparable properties in the area you could end up losing money in the long run. It can be helpful to consult with a local real estate agent if you want to determine whether your potential upgrades are inline with the neighborhood standards.

Neglecting Repairs
On the flip side, selling your home before is physically ready can be detrimental. Before listing your home, complete any necessary repairs, such as bad plumbing, damaged walls, or a leaky roof. If you want to increase the chances of your home selling quickly, consider cosmetic updates like repainting, replacing worn out appliances, and carpeting. And do not forget to thoroughly clean, declutter your home, and maintain the yard.

Improper Pricing
Your first instinct when pricing your home might be to base it off of how much profit you would like to make. But in order to determine the right price you need to know what comparable properties are listed at and how much they have recently sold for, as well as the condition of your home and the official appraisal. Setting your price too high is likely to increase the amount of time it spends on the market, which will ultimately cost you more in the long run.

Not Advertising
To attract the highest amount of interest possible it is smart to utilize a variety of advertising methods. There are a number of options, including classified ads, online listings, newspaper ads, open houses, social media, microsites, and virtual tours. These are all valuable ways to get the word out about your home and attract potential buyers.

Choosing the Wrong Realtor
Working with the right realtor can provide many advantages when selling your home. A quality real estate agent will have a deep understanding of the market, be able to help you price your home, and help you attract buyers. While many people have a friend or family member who is a licensed realtor, it is vital that you do your research and hire someone with the proper experience to help you sell your home quickly and efficiently.

If you are considering selling your home, give Elevation Real Estate a call. We have the experience necessary to make help you sell your home without all the hassle.

When you are ready to buy a new house, it is easy to get caught up in what your “dream home” will look like. But choosing a neighborhood is even more important than choosing a house.  Whether you are considering University Park, Denver or not, how do you choose the right neighborhood for you? It takes a little planning and research, but by following these steps you will be well on your way to finding the neighborhood of your dreams.
 
Make a Wish List
Before you start looking at neighborhoods, make a list of the things you want from your ideal neighborhood. Do you want a single-family home or a condo? Are you willing to commute? Do you want to live in a new neighborhood or a historic one? How important are the schools to you? Also consider what your current neighborhood is lacking, as well as things you don’t want in a neighborhood. Once you have your list describing your ideal neighborhood, make sure to highlight which aspects are deal breakers and those with which you might be willing to compromise.
 
Start Researching
Now that you know what you are looking for, it is time to find some neighborhoods that might be a good fit. Start by deciding on a specific area or two – perhaps one that is close to your job, then do some digging. Start with things like school information, crime statistics, tourist attractions, parks and recreation, and any neighborhood associations. See if the neighborhood you are considering has any sort of website or events page to get a better idea of what living there might be like.
 
Scope it Out
Once you have found a neighborhood you think might be a good fit, it is time for a visit. You may think simply driving through the neighborhood will be enough, but if you are considering living there you will want to make sure you know what the area is like at different times of day. If possible, set aside an afternoon to get to know the neighborhood personally.
 
As you peruse the area there are a number of things to consider. Are the houses and businesses maintained? Can you picture yourself going through your normal daily routine? Are there any unexpected sounds or smells in the area? Try chatting up the neighbors and local businesses to see what they think of the area. And be sure to watch for warning signs, such as vandalism or a large number of “For Sale” signs. If there is just something that feels off about your prospective neighborhood, trust your gut.
 
Find Your Home
Once you have decided on a neighborhood, it is time to start looking at potential houses. Use a mortgage calculator to figure out about how much you can afford, then start searching for homes in your price range.

If you are ready to start your home search, contact Elevation Realty. We pride ourselves in providing the personalized attention and dedication needed to help you find the home of your dreams. 

When selling your home, you want to make sure it shows well to potential buyers. This often means making a few key updates. However, those updates do not need to break the bank, as illustrated by these 25 quick, cheap and easy home sale tips. Below are the five best ways to increase the value of your Observatory Park home without investing a large amount of money.
 
New Coat of Paint
 
Generally one of the easiest and least expensive updates, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a room. However, do not feel like you have to paint the whole house. Go through each room in your home and determine if the walls simply need a good scrub or if new paint is required. When choosing paint colors, stick with neutrals like greys and beiges. These colors tend to be appealing to the majority of people and will likely go with most of your decor. It is also smart to consider painting any brightly colored rooms as those tend to be off-putting or unappealing to potential buyers.
 
Improve Your Flooring
 
It is not generally suggested that you replace flooring in your home right before you sell since it is likely the new homeowners will want to choose their own flooring anyway. However, a deep cleaning can go a long way to sprucing up the appearance of your existing carpets. You could even opt for a few inexpensive area rugs to make the space feel fresh.
 
Kitchen Improvements
 
They say kitchens sell houses. It may seem overly expensive to update your kitchen before putting your home on the market, but a few key updates can make all the difference. Start by updating the faucet set, cabinet hardware, and light fixtures. A fresh coat of paint is a great way to update and refresh existing cabinets. You could even go so far as to replace the cabinet doors and door fronts or remove them to make it feel more open. If your appliances are outdated or mismatched, replacing them with new matching models might be a smart option. You want to make sure your kitchen is as inviting and appealing as possible since this room can be the deciding factor for many homebuyers.
 
Bathroom Updates
 
Second only to the kitchen, the bathroom is another important room to update. Luckily, you do not need to spend much to make a big impact in this small space. A new toilet seat and pedestal sink can make a bathroom feel new again. If your flooring needs replacing, consider using vinyl tiles that are easy to install. If your tub and shower have seen better days, it might be time to either re-grout or simply opt for a prefabricated tub and shower surround. These options are considerably less expensive than refinishing a tub or replacing tile. New fixtures make a big difference in the bathroom, as well. And make sure the lighting in the bathroom is nice and bright for the best experience.
 
Enhance Curb Appeal
 
When selling your home, it needs to make a great first impression. Most yard maintenance will not cost you anything. Be sure to keep the lawn mowed, the shrubs and trees trimmed, the flower beds weeded, and all walkways cleared. If you want to make additional improvements, add a new mailbox, porch light, new door hardware, and some potted flowers to create a truly inviting appearance.
 
With simple updates like these your Observatory Park house will be ready to sell in no time. If you’d like a home evaluation, fill out this form to get a better idea of the value of your home.
 

Everyone knows that the first impression is the most important one, and the same goes for your home. When you’re trying to sell your home, don’t underestimate the value of staging. An investment in home staging helps sell your home faster and the best part is it doesn’t have to take a large amount of time and money. Below are five Lowry real estate staging tips to help you sell your home.

Improve Curb Appeal
Start by washing the walkways, siding, and windows. Next, don’t forget to weed and mow the lawn. And no matter what size it is, make sure your front porch is inviting by adding a new doormat and perhaps some potted plants. Planting additional flowers or greenery in your front yard is also a great way to boost its curb appeal.

Do a Thorough Cleaning
You want to make sure that your home is sparkling clean when showing. This should include deep cleaning tasks like steam cleaning the carpets, washing the walls and baseboards, scrubbing any grout, and basically making sure every corner of your home is spotless. Be sure to stay extra vigilant of any pet odors.

Remove Personal Items
Once your home is beautifully clean, your next step will be to depersonalize your home. Many people struggle with this step because they are emotionally attached to many of the personal items in their home, but if there are several photos of your family members and lots of personal memorabilia, buyers will have a hard time seeing themselves in the home.

Get Rid of Clutter
This might be the most important step you can take when staging. Take a good, hard look at your home and be ruthless about what needs to stay and what can be stored away while you’re showing the house. If you can live without it, it should go. Clean surfaces and organized storage spaces are very appealing to prospective buyers. But don’t go so far as to make your house feel sterile. Keep key elements around to make it feel lived in, such as fresh flowers, a bowl of produce, or throw blankets.

Create Good Lighting
Great lighting can be a huge selling point for your home. Maximize natural sunlight by making sure your windows are clean and opening or removing drapery. Another great trick is to switch out your current light bulbs for ones with higher wattage -- 100 watts per 50 square feet of space is ideal. And make sure you include more than one light source in every room by adding lamps or simple pendant lights wherever you can.

Carefully Placed Furniture
In addition to removing any unnecessary furniture, spend a bit of time getting creative and rearranging your furniture to maximize the space. Moving furniture away from walls and creating conversation spaces by grouping chairs and sofas together is a great way to add appeal to your home and make it feel more inviting.

Remember, when you’re selling your home it is important that you are always ready to show. The last thing you want is to have to do a mad dash to try to get your home ready for a buyer that would like a tour. If you’re ready to sell your home, contact us today and let us use our expertise to help you.