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Happy Halloween from The Jensen Family

October 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Trick-or-treating just does not get much better than the Tiny Tot Treating in Old Town Fort Collins. The retail stores and restaurants near Old Town Square are packed with lines of little tots in their spectacular costumes, all waiting patiently to say "trick-or-treat" to the wickedly outrageous staff passing out candy at their stores.  The long lines down the square and along College Avenue are well worth it – your kids will love it! 

From our family to yours, have a very Happy Halloween and be safe!

Filed Under: Community Support

“Technology Tracking” by Ryan Levander

October 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Just when you thought Fort Collins couldn't get any more bike friendly…

…If you glanced at the front page of Monday's "Coloradoan" Newsaper, you saw a biker. And if you're even just 10% bike nerdy you probably read the article. Well, if you are the minority, didn't see the paper, or are just intruiged by city planning, here's what the articles was all about…

Cyclists in Fort Collins, Colorado have the opportunity to "use their legs as a voice" to where the bike lanes/paths need to be! Yup, you heard right. With the download of a free smartphone app, CycleTracks, you track your rides in order to have the city view them when finished. This helps Fort Collins city planners know where the mass majority of the riding is being done, where the new bike lanes and trails need to be implemented, as well as signs to help with the traffic flow.

What the app looks like: 

The app was developed by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority and logs all the riders information annonymously. Colorado State University Assistant Professor of Physical Acivity Energetics, Ray Browning, had the idea to take the app to the city of Fort Collins and CanDo (Coalition for Acctivity and nutrition to Defeat Obesity – local coatlition). Both the city and CanDo were reception and have been collecting data on local riders for a few months now. Browning says the app has recorded around 1,000 rides which he estimes is responsible for about 300-400 cyclists. His goal is to get around 1,000 riders' data on file before the start of next summer. 

With no funding for his one-man operation, Browning primarily has relied on word of mouth to get the information out about the program. As a result the information has been slowly trickling in and it seems to be taking off now. Thi was another reason why I wanted to write this article – provide another media outlet for great information to reach others. 

So go ahead, down the app, and get your voice out there while you ride! 🙂 

Note: The original article was posted in "The Coloradoan" and some exerpts were used from David Young's article. It was re-written by Ryan Levander to cater to NoCo Lifestyle's format. 

Filed Under: Community Support Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

September 2012 Real Estate Market in Fort Collins, CO by Richard Jensen

October 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Single-family detached homes in Fort Collins, CO are in demand.  Here are some notable September 2012 statistics (Source: IRES MLS):

  • There were 49% more homes under contract in Fort Collins, CO in September 2012 vs prior year.

  • There were 41% more homes sold in Fort Collins, CO in September 2012 vs prior year.

  • There was a 42% decrease in the Fort Collins, CO single family home inventory in September 2012 vs prior year with only 4.0 Months Supply of Inventory (MSI).

 

Generally speaking when the MSI is 6.0 the real estate market is balanced, meaning it will take approximately 6.0 months to sell all of the current Fort Collins homes on the market.  When the MSI drops below 6.0 the Fort Collins real estate market becomes a "seller's market," making it a great time for Fort Collins home owners to list their homes for sale.  For more information about the real estate market in Fort Collins, CO or information about selling your home in Fort Collins, contact local Realtor® Richard Jensen with Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado.

Thanks for reading our Northern Colorado Real Estate and Lifestyle Blog!

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: , , ,

Fort Collins wins “Best Downtown” award through Livability Ranking!

October 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Known to many as a beer lovers' paradise for its seven breweries, downtown Fort Collins is equally appealing to foodies and families. Already considered one of the most attractive downtowns in the country, significant future projects call for transportation improvements as well as a year-round market place.

Basics:  The $87 million Mason Corridor project – the largest public works project in city history – tops the list of a host of major improvements planned for downtown. The project will improve a major roadway downtown and add a mass transit system called the MAX, all scheduled for completion by 2014. Meanwhile, smaller initiatives continue adding up to positive change, as well. In 2011, a Clarion Associates report found that a historic district designation for downtown's Old Town neighborhood property significantly increased property values. In the River District, the city and Downtown Development Authority partnered to improve appearance and navigability in cars and on foot. As part of that, several businesses renovated abandoned and dilapidated buildings, efforts that have brought new business and residents to surrounding areas.

Details: Approximately 14,000 people live within a one-mile radius of central downtown and reside in a mix of historic single-family homes, multifamily rental apartments and loft-condominiums. For activities, residents and visitors can choose from a variety of restaurants and retail including 80 restaurants, 70 shops and 26 art galleries, one of several performing arts venues, or among 10 parks and plazas within a half mile of downtown. The Downtown Fort Collins Business Association produces more than 100 days of free events each year including festivals and concerts. Meanwhile, residents who live downtown are never far away from the mountains and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Don't Miss: New Belgium Brewing Co. for drinks, Lincoln Center for art, Old Town Square for a stroll

Filed Under: Breweries Tagged With: , , , ,

Richmond American New Homes in Fort Collins, CO by Richard Jensen

October 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Richmond American Floor Plans for Clydesdale in Fort Collins, CO

(Source: richmondamerican.com)

New construction is on the rise in Northern Colorado.  Several local and national builders are promoting model homes with incredible buyer incentives including construction upgrades and builder-paid closing costs.  Richmond American is among the new home builders in Northern Colorado.  The Clydesdale subdivision located in Fort Collins, CO offers new homes starting in the high $200s with floor plans accomodating to nearly every Northern Colorado lifestyle.

"Located just east of I-25, these new Fort Collins homes are just a short drive from the foothills, as well as shopping, dining and entertainment. Enjoy stylish options like brick fronts, walk-in pantries, deluxe master baths and private studies with built-in bookcases." (Source: richmanamerican.com)

For more information about new subdivisions and new homes in Fort Collins, CO contact local Realtor® Richard Jensen with Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado.

Thanks for reading our Northern Colorado Real Estate and Lifestyle Blog.

Ft Collins Homes $250,000-$300,000

Ft Collins Homes $300,000-$350,000

Ft Collins Homes $350,000-$400,000

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: , ,

New Belgium Brewery by Ryan Levander

October 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

28 bicycles shops and manufacturers. 11 breweries. Bikes and beer pretty much go hand in hand in this city of 150,000 Front Range folk. That isn't necessarily why New Belgium started in founder Jeff Lebesch's basement back in 1989. But it's definitely why New Belgium isn't going anywhere anytime soon…

…Cracking open last month's Outside Magazine proves how successful, fun, and green New Belgium really is. Not to mention they play a HUGE role in the community here in Fort Collins. The numbers and magnitude of events they put on every year is simply amazing.

Events range from the "Tour de Fat" bike parade attracting as many as 30,000 riders to dress up in costumes and ride around town (which has grown into a national celebration in a number of cities, and mind you, is all for non-profit) to their annual "Bike-in Cinema" series, where a huge projector screen is set up in the parking lot of their brewery and hundreds of residents ride to the brewery to enjoy a classic film. From local short track mountain bike races, to urban assults, to scavenger hunts, New Belgium clearly is heavily involved in the Fort Collins Community. 

But one can only look back to the community of Fort Collins to see why New Belgium Brewery "just works". In a town so active, friendly, environmentaly conscious, and fun – it's the perfect recipe for long-lasting relationship between New Belgium and the city of Fort Collins. 

Go ahead and schedule a tour sometime at New Belgium. They'll give you the whole company background, a tour of the entire plant, their future visions and a few drinks. Best part of all – it's free!

Here's a photo I snapped on my recent tour inside the barreling room (largest in the US) for the aging process of their sour beers. Bernie was my tour guide who is pouring us some Lips of Faith "Lost Abbey" drinks. 

For more information on "the story" of how New Belgium became head on over to their website or better yet, schedule a tour! 🙂 

Filed Under: Breweries Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Colorado Real Estate Contracts by Richard Jensen

October 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you are an investor I am sure you have come across books and seminars by Robert Kiyosaki, of Rich Dad Poor Dad.  The Rich Dad Education site includes a Learn to be Rich Blog offering tips and training to help you create wealth using real estate in both declining and appreciating markets.  A recent blog about Contract Fundamentals notes some important considerations for anyone entering into a real estate contract.

The Colorado Real Estate Commission has approved standard real estate contracts to be used by Realtors®.  They are reviewed by Colorado attorneys and updated each year.  As a buyer or seller you must remember that a Realtor® is not an attorney, so a real estate agent in Colorado simply "fills in the blanks" of the real estate contract.  It is always the responsibility of the buyer and seller to understand the contract and agree to its terms and conditions.

Colorado real estate contracts contain several contingencies giving a buyer a deadline by which to complete and agree to the condition of the property (property inspection), title review, loan conditions, current survey, and other factors affecting the transaction.  These dates and deadlines are clearly defined in the contract and the best real estate agents in Colorado will be able to help you understand your contractual obligations.

For more information about buying a home in Northern Colorado contact local Realtor® Richard Jensen in Fort Collins, CO. 

Thanks for reading our Northern Colorado Real Estate and Lifestyle Blog.

Fort Collins Homes for Sale Under $250,000

Loveland Homes for Sale Under $250,000

Windsor Homes for Sale Under $250,000

Estes Park Homes for Sale Under $250,000

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: , , ,