By David Bromberg, MNI Vice President
It is springtime in the hood and everything is blooming – yards are greening, tulips are out of the ground and real estate yard signs are sprouting.
As we enter the traditional busy season, we are coming off the government stimulus. The deadline to be under contract to qualify for the tax credit was April 30th and the transaction had to close by June 30th. Although we are not past the closing deadline to be able to see the full effect of the stimulus, there are indications that the market has been busy. In the metro-area, the number of homes placed under contract in April was 27% higher than April 2009 and up 12% over March 2010. Home sales were up 23% over April 2009 and 13% over March 2010.
In Mayfair, there have been 36 closed transactions in the neighborhood through April with an average 100 days on market compared to 33 closings and 111 days on market in 2009. It will be interesting to see what May and June closings look like – there are currently 43 homes under contract that have been on the market an average of 83 days. I believe that the momentum will continue and that we will not have the “Cash for Clunkers” effect of slower sales. Buyers are still out looking and sellers need to be patient and ensure that their home shows its best and is properly priced.
The business/commercial market is showing positive signs too. The number of advertisers in this issue of the Mirror is the highest since I’ve been involved with ad sales. There is another phenomena happening – the “greening” of Colfax. Medical marijuana dispensaries are opening along the Fax. There are three shops between Elm and Forest and more as you continue down the street. While some may not agree with the industry, and how the city and state are trying to manage growth, the fact remains that at this time, the dispensaries are occupying once vacant space.
Just as we enjoy and/or endure the changing seasons, we will manage through this real estate cycle.
David Bromberg is a licensed REALTOR.
By Angelia McLean
What better way to spend a beautiful summer day then strolling through delightful gardens on the 10th annual Park Hill Garden Tour? This year’s rain or shine event scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. has a collection of gardens with a variety of features you don’t want to miss.
Gardens with flowers, vegetables, and trees of course but come see how homeowners create secret oases in which to entertain, find a moment of peace or continue the growing season all twelve months. Water features, hardscape, urban farming and community gardening, composting and bees all are elements of the variety Park Hill Garden Walk offer you this year.
Gardeners will be on hand to share their passion for gardening so bring your notebooks and fill it with great ideas. The Park Hill Garden Walk gardens will also be host to 8 local artists sharing their work.
Want to get involved? Volunteers are needed for 3 hours shifts either 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 to 4 p.m. and receive a complimentary ticket and a chance to meet people who share your love of city, our people, and our gardens! Contact Angelia McLean, Garden Chairperson at 303.579.0334 or angeliamcleandesign@yahoo.com, or Volunteer Coordinator Helen Quinn at 720.335.3817.
Tickets are on sale through the Greater Park Hill Community office, King Soopers, Moss Pink (4615 E. 23rd Ave. Denver), and online at www.gphc.org. Tickets are $15 for adults (age 15+), or $10 for seniors (+65). Show your receipt at the garden addresses provided and receive your map and collectible button. Call 303.388.0918 for more information.
By Mike Magluilo, Tutor Doctor
Studies by Johns Hopkins University and the University of Missouri have found that children typically forget between one and three months’ of schooling during the summer. Math, spelling and writing skills suffer the most, while reading is least affected by the break. Some other interesting statistics to consider:
• ALL students experience learning loss when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer.
• Only about 10% of students nationwide participate in summer school or attend schools with non-traditional calendars.
• Nearly 60% of students want to be involved in a summer program that “helps kids keep up with schoolwork or prepare for the next grade.”
• Teachers typically spend between four to six weeks re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer.
To help your student avoid summer learning loss, have fun, and leave them refreshed and energized when school starts in the fall, following are a few of our favorite activities for the summer break:
• Visit a library or museum; find books or museum exhibits covering topics that interest your child.
• Make your child the chief navigator for your next trip to the mountains to heighten the use of math skills.
• Read, write, and act to build social skills and confidence.
• Build something; take on a family project to spur creativity, problem solving and math skills.
• Build new skills at a summer camps at Young Americans Center for Financial Education.
