The ad reads “Save the Date for an InSpired event.  Celebrate the launch of Spire .  Enjoy live music, cocktails, and appetizers.  Visit our new sales center & view Denver’s most exciting new high rise!”

If you would like to join me at this event, please send an email to ryan [at] 360dwellings.com with “Spire Party” in the subject line.  I will take as many as I can.

Other Spire articles:

Spire Denver Cam

Spire Building Update

Marketing to Start in 2009 for Spire Project

Time to get InSpired

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Ryan Penn founded 360dwellings.com and is a Real Estate consultant serving the Denver, Colorado marketplace.  Ryan works for Buildings & Residences of Denver, a brokerage in downtown Denver specializing in commercial and residential properties located in the downtown and urban neighborhoods of surrounding Denver.

Find Downtown Denver Lofts, Condos, and Townhomes With The Most Advanced Real Estate Search Engine.  Search the Denver MLS now.

OK, so the Stimulus Bill still needs to get pass the Senate, but I would be really surprised if it doesn’t.  The biggest news is for first time home buyers.  They passed a REAL tax credit, $8,000 and it doesn’t have to be paid back.  This is great news for anyone buying Denver Real Estate in 2009.  Below is a summary of Real Estate related items in the Stimulus Bill.

Homebuyers: First-time homebuyers who purchase this calendar year get an $8,000 tax credit which does not have to be repaid like a similar measure last year. This phases out for people making more than $75,000 individually or $150,000 jointly. “First-time home-buyer” is defined as someone who has not owned a home for the past three years. Cost: $6.63 billion.Foreclosures: $2 billion is set for a neighborhood stabilization program that helps areas plagued with foreclosures by buying back properties and preventing blight.

Foreclosures: $2 billion is set for a neighborhood stabilization program that helps areas plagued with foreclosures by buying back properties and preventing blight.

Here are some other notable items for general consumers (heck, if you buy a house, you need a car to get back and forth):

Car buyers: Anyone who buys a new car in 2009 gets to deduct the sales tax. To qualify, buyer must make less than $125,000 individually or $250,000 jointly. Cost is $1.7 billion.

Tax credits: Anyone making $75,000 individually or $150,000 as a family will get refundable tax credit up to $400 per person or $800 per family.

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Ryan Penn founded 360dwellings.com and is a Real Estate consultant serving the Denver, Colorado marketplace.  Ryan works for Buildings & Residences of Denver, a brokerage in downtown Denver specializing in commercial and residential properties  in the downtown and urban neighborhoods surrounding Denver.

Find Downtown Denver Lofts, Condos, and Townhomes With The Most Advanced Real Estate Search Engine.  Search the Denver MLS now.

There may never be a better time to purchase a home in Denver. Houses are devalued, interest rates are at an all time low, and sellers are motivated. I will be hosting a Home Buying Seminar on Wed, Feb 18th at 6:30 PM in Downtown at Denver Fadó Irish Pub. This down economy is a benefit to anyone looking to purchase a home.

You will learn the following:

* Home Buying Process
* Self Assessment (credit, finances, etc)
* Types of homes and what they cost
* FHA government backed loans
* $7,500 govt tax credit
* Market trends (why this is the best time to buy a home)
* Getting pre-approved
* Types of mortgages
* Working with a Realtor
* Denver neighborhoods and the next hot places to live!

This event will be be a blast. There will free drinks, trivia and prizes. Come to learn, drink a pint, and meet new people

****Seating is limited. Please register today at Meetup.com. ****

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Ryan Penn founded 360dwellings.com and is a Real Estate consultant serving the Denver, Colorado marketplace.  Ryan works for Buildings & Residences of Denver, a brokerage in downtown Denver specializing in commercial and residential properties  in the downtown and urban neighborhoods surrounding Denver.

Find Downtown Denver Lofts, Condos, and Townhomes With The Most Advanced Real Estate Search Engine.  Search the Denver MLS now.

Moving can be a pain unless you follow this advice

This is a guest post by Brandon Cornett

Homeowners in the United States sell their homes and move, on everage, every five to seven years. That’s a lot of moving, and it can be a stressful time for anyone. But by preparing for your next move, you can greatly reduce the stress involved and simplify the entire process.

Here are some tips on how to do that:

1. Get the Right Materials

Some moving companies will come and pack up your belongings, if you pay for that service. But if you’ll be doing your own packing, you will need to obtain the following supplies:

* Boxes *
* Packing tape
* Black markers for labeling
* Scissors
* Newspaper or newsprint for cushioning
* Moving blankets (for high-value furniture items, mirrors, etc.)
* A pocketknife (they always come in “handy”)
* Some plastic storage bins (Rubbermaid, Sterilite, etc.)

* You may be able to get some boxes from your local supermarket, if you go in and ask the manager on duty. This works 90% of the time. You can also buy boxes (include specialty items like wardrobe boxes) from your nearest U-haul rental place.

2. Get Rid of Items You Aren’t Taking

A garage sale is one of the best things you can do before moving. It’s a way to purge your home of unwanted items you don’t plan to move with you. You can also donate unwanted items to your local Goodwill drop-off. The sooner you do this step, the easier your packing will be.

3. Label Boxes Appropriately

Many people think they can remember which items are in which boxes after they reach their move destination. But this rarely works. On the outside, a box is a box. So you should label each box with its contents, being as specific and thorough as possible. It’s also a good idea to put the room in big letters at the top (kitchen, master bedroom, etc.). That way, you or your movers will know where to put things on move-in day.

4. Back Up Computer Files

Before shutting down and packing up your computer, it’s a good idea to back up your files. In the unfortunate event that your computer was damaged during transit, you would at least have all of your important files.

Make back-ups of computer files and determine how you will move this delicate equipment.

5. Make Use of Luggage Items

Don’t just throw those suitcases in your car empty. Pack them with as many clothes as you possibly can. The same goes for duffel bags and other luggage items you might have. It will save space and reduce the number of trips when loading and unloading.

6. Segment Your Most Needed Items

Make a list of things you’ll need during your move — clothes, toiletries, medications, pet foods, etc. Pack these items separately into an “Open First” box (if you’re only moving locally). If you’re moving long distance, keep these items with you (as opposed to putting them onto the moving truck).

7. Choose a Reputable Mover

When researching moving companies, ask friends or family if they can refer a mover they have used. Check to see if the mover is a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Ask the moving company if they have any complaints filed against them, or just check their BBB record online.

8. Conduct a Room-by-Room Check

Before your final departure from the home you’ve leaving, give each room a final once-over for forgotten items. This is especially important for out-of-the-way areas like basements, tool sheds, attics, etc.

9. Unpack in Room-by-Room Fashion

Before you begin unpacking in your new home, be sure to move all of the boxes to their destination rooms (kitchen, master bedroom, etc.). You did label those boxes, right? Properly positioning boxes prior to unpacking will reduce confusion as well as clutter.

* Copyright 2008, Brandon Cornett.

About the Author: Brandon Cornett publishes a number of educational websites for consumers. He is the creator of this real estate information website as well as the Home Buying Institute.

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Ryan Penn founded 360dwellings.com and is a Real Estate consultant serving the Denver, Colorado marketplace.  Ryan works for Buildings & Residences of Denver, a brokerage in downtown Denver specializing in commercial and residential properties  in the downtown and urban neighborhoods surrounding Denver.

Find Downtown Denver Lofts, Condos, and Townhomes With The Most Advanced Real Estate Search Engine.  Search the Denver MLS now.

CultureHaus Art of Passion Event

The brokerage I work for, Buildings & Residences of Denver is the platinum sponsor at an upcoming CultureHaus event.  CH is a great organization and this is always a fantastic event.  Make sure to get your tickets soon as this event did sell out last year.

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Celebrate with CultureHaus at our Banner Event of the Year!  The Art of Sculpture in a truly unique urban setting at Redline.

We see artistic expression everyday through sculpture. Sculpture is a product in a level of refinement and artistic sensitivity of the artist. We appreciate the beauty of the three dimensional art form and how it is infused with life and spirit by the artist. On Saturday, February 7, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. experience and enjoy the Art of Sculpture with artists, friends and other art enthusiasts.

Art of Sculpture
at RedLine  (an urban laboratory of contemporary art)
2350 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO | Google Map

- Attendees will step into a three-dimensional environment that features sculpture in many forms-from traditional stone to food sculptures

- Artist Theresa Ferg Brownback will be demonstrating the Italian style of portraiture using a live model

- Live Ice-carving performance by Gavin Monteath

- Enjoy live entertainment, a silent auction, and interactive sculpting sessions

- Admission includes all beverages, food and entertainment

$45 for non-members | $35 for members

Purchase your tickets for this event here

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Ryan Penn founded 360dwellings.com and is a Real Estate consultant serving the Denver, Colorado marketplace.  Ryan works for Buildings & Residences of Denver, a brokerage in downtown Denver specializing in commercial and residential properties  in the downtown and urban neighborhoods surrounding Denver.

Find Downtown Denver Lofts, Condos, and Townhomes With The Most Advanced Real Estate Search Engine.  Search the Denver MLS now.

Check out the Spire Denver Cam

Posted by Ryan Penn, Denver Real Estate Consultant, Jan. 20th, 2009

I didn’t notice this the first time I was at spiredenver.com.  They have a construction cam showing real time progress of the construction of the Spire Building

You can check out the cam directly here: Spire Denver Construction Cam

Still no word on when we are going to get a sneak preview and when sales will officially begin, but the last I heard was that sales will officially begin in March 2009.   So, while we are waiting, at least you can tune into the cam to see the latest.

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Ryan Penn founded 360dwellings.com and is a Real Estate consultant serving the Denver, Colorado marketplace.  Ryan works for Buildings & Residences of Denver, a brokerage in downtown Denver specializing in commercial and residential properties  in the downtown and urban neighborhoods surrounding Denver.

Find Downtown Denver Lofts, Condos, and Townhomes With The Most Advanced Real Estate Search Engine.  Search the Denver MLS now.

Posted by Ryan Penn, Denver Realtor, Jan. 15th, 2009

Below is an interesting article that was printed today in the Rocky Mountain News.  Compared to other markets, Denver homes are holding their value better.

“Home prices in the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area have less than a 1 percent chance of declining in value during the next two years, according to a national report released Wednesday.

The report by PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. could help accelerate an expected surge of real estate investments by savvy buyers looking for bargains, said one local expert.

“In the last couple of weeks, I have been hearing that some very large and fully capitalized hedge funds and opportunity funds are aggressively wanting to make deals in Denver,” said Mike Rinner of the Genesis Group, which tracks Front Range housing.

“The kind of national press from the PMI report about Denver being a low-risk area, as far as declining values, is going to make these investors want to make their moves sooner rather than later,” Rinner added.”

Read the rest of the article here: Metro Denver Housing Holding It’s Value

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Ryan Penn founded 360dwellings.com and is a Real Estate consultant serving the Denver, Colorado marketplace.  Ryan works for Buildings & Residences of Denver, a brokerage in downtown Denver specializing in commercial and residential properties  in the downtown and urban neighborhoods surrounding Denver.

Find Downtown Denver Lofts, Condos, and Townhomes With The Most Advanced Real Estate Search Engine.  Search the Denver MLS now.

Blogs are a great resource for buyers and sellers

Posted by Ryan Penn, Denver Realtor, Jan. 12th, 2009

Real Estate blogs are becoming increasingly important for those who are buying and selling homes in the Denver area.  They have become such a great resource for headline news, links to newspaper articles, Real Estate market trends, and advice on things ranging from home staging to curb appeal.  Below is a list of all of the relevant Denver Real Estate blogs, just make sure to come back to 360dwellingsblog.com.

http://www.larryhotz.com/blog

http://www.kristalsellsdenver.com/denverdwellings

http://www.centraldenverblog.com

http://activerain.com/blogs/brianburkeis

These are just a few of the many Denver Real Estate blog sites, but I think they really showcase some of the finer blogs the Mile High City has to offer.

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Ryan Penn founded 360dwellings.com and is a Real Estate consultant serving the Denver, Colorado marketplace.  Ryan works for Buildings & Residences of Denver, a brokerage in downtown Denver specializing in commercial and residential properties  in the downtown and urban neighborhoods surrounding Denver.

Find Downtown Denver Lofts, Condos, and Townhomes With The Most Advanced Real Estate Search Engine.  Search the Denver MLS now.