Investor often ask me what types of real estate investments are available on the market.  Here's what we tell them. This is the first of several postings on the topic. Please offer comments - positive or negative! Assignments.  If you don't have much equity to work with, and/or if your credit power is limited, assignments can be a way to get started in real estate investing.  You will need to have a strong "sales" personality to succeed at it, though.    Rental Condo or Rental Home.  Purchase of a residential property to be rented out to tenants, usually on a 6-12 month lease term.  This is how most new landlords get started.  You can hire out all of the property management functions, but in many cases you will do many of them on your own.  There are smaller down payment requirements th... 09/24/2008

Time is running out for visiting the 2008 Parade Of Homes at Solterra, located in Lakewood, Colorado.   I went this morning with a friend of mine and it was the perfect day - not too hot and not too crowded.  It runs through Labor Day, Friday from 10:00am to 7:00pm and Saturday, Sunday & Labor Day from 9:00am to 8:00p.m. They do have a refreshment tent and port-a-potties. You can't carry food or drink into the models and no, you can't use the bathrooms, darn!This parade of homes is said to be the largest walking tour of luxury custom homes in the country. All of the homes were near/in the 2 million dollar range, so you can imagine just how spectacular they are!  I enjoyed the uniqueness of each of the eight homes and the different decorating styles. Visitors were flashing their camera's... 08/28/2008

An article from the Denver Business Journal, reports that in Lakewood, the West Alameda Heights Neighborhood has approved development of nine acres of land near the Belmar mixed-use project.  According to Denver developer, Urban Villages Inc., the neighborhood changed protective covenants that allow for new construction at the location.  Residents of the neighborhood approved the possibility of two uses for the land - a senior living facility or office space.  Nick Koncilja, project manager at Urban Villages said in a statement, “This property is one of the best sites in Lakewood, and the development needs to be thoughtful and respectful of the immediate neighbors and Lakewood as a whole."http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/08/11/daily23.html?b=1218427200^1683851 www.judesan... 08/15/2008

A story from cbs4denver.com, reports that for the first time, the Parade of Homes is in Lakewood this year.  Not only is it considered to be the largest walking tour of luxury custom homes in the United States, this year the homes are green.  Vicki Pelletier with the Home Builders Association said, "There going to see a lot of different things this year, a lot of energy efficient products they can incorporate in their home, a lot of decorating ideas that they can incorporate.  They are going to be able to see a different side of Lakewood you don't typically see."  The homes are all certified Built Green with features like solar panels, carpet made from post-consumer recycled materials, hardwood floors made out of reclaimed whiskey barrels, as well as kitchen cabinets made out of reclaim... 08/01/2008

This years version of the Denver Parade of Homes kicked off last weekend and will run through Labor Day.  I attended the annual REALTOR day, and have a full review posted on my local blog. The trends I saw from this years Parade are: Fabulous Outdoor Living Spaces.  These homes added a ton of liveable sq. ft. outside of the main home in the form of covered patios and decks, etc.  Included outdoors are kitchens, grills, entertainment areas with TV’s etc. Large Sliding Glass Doors to Access the outdoor space. The outdoor space was married to the indoor space with large (some up to 12 ft. wide) openings from the home to the patio/deck.  I really liked this feature and believe it will continue to be a dominating trend in the future. HUGE Wine Cellars. Not so new, but a continuation of bigge... 07/29/2008

An article from The Denver Post, reports that Lakewood officials are willing to pay an estimated $2.8 million for what they call "betterments" to RTD's standard light-rail designs.  Lakewood sees the Wadsworth station, with a crystalline canopy across the platform, as a statement that the state's fourth-largest city has arrived.  Councilman Ed Peterson said, "It is very, very innovative.  It is a signature piece. . . . It gives a sense of place."  According to city officials, the improvements are worth the investment as a focus for economic development.  Lakewood City Manager Mike Rock said, "We think this is smart business all the way around.  This simply recognizes that this is a long-term investment on the part of the community and decisions we make today will live for the next 50 to... 06/10/2008

DENVER CAR WASHES have increased in demand along with commercial real estate. This has pushed up the prices for coin operated car washes.Tips for pricing it right: cost of real estate and equipment, plus 2 to 3 times EBIT.Want to buy? It takes 3 years to plan, permit and zone. So buy an existing car wash that's already making money. Call for financials and a showing on a LAKEWOOD CAR WASH.    06/12/2007

After reading this post you are going to wonder how I ever became an Interior Designer but I did. They say that people become what they need in this life and I am no exception!   It didn't matter to me that there wasn't a back door leading to the back yard. It didn't matter that the carpet was orange. It didn't matter to me that there were 40 windows I had to put window coverings on. The cost of those window treatments never entered my mind. It didn't matter that the house didn't have air conditioning. I was told it wasn't needed except for maybe 10 days a year.It didn't bother me that the master bedroom was on the top floor right off the kitchen and living room.It was irrelevant that the guest bath was also the master bath.So what if there was nothing but dirt in the front and back yar... 02/21/2007