Evaluating the Districts

One factor which comes into play with most home buying decisions is the performance of the school district.  Even if a buyer does not have any school-aged children, the rating of the local schools becomes a consideration when they decide to sell once again.

I always refer my clients to a great tool at the Colorado Department of Education's website called SchoolView.  SchoolView offers a lot of data and resources to help residents determine which school would be best for them.

The Colorado Growth Model provides a comparative approach on how schools are progressing toward state standards.  The graph allows you to compare schools and districts at the elementary, middle and high school levels in math, reading and writing performance over several years.

It will also give access to Growth Summary Reports, whose data is fed by the CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program) and TCAP (Transitional Colorado Assessment Program) results over the past three years.  There's controversy about the effectiveness of these tests in measuring performance, as well as advising the educational system's future initiatives, but it's one of many tools to be consulted.

The Data Center reports on four key performance indicators:  achievement, growth, extent of gaps and postsecondary and workforce readiness.  Assessment of these indicators determines what kind of an improvement plan will be implemented at that particular school.  The reports also break down the qualification of the teachers, the sources of revenue and the health and wellness programs operating.

As one would hope, there is a plethora of educational resources at the Department of Education's website.  If you would also like to hear from families already enrolled at a particular school to help you make your decision, give me a call and I'll put you in touch with someone who can speak directly to your questions.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Thornton Under $200,000

The City of Thornton has some good deals if you've got the time to weed through the listings on the market under $200,000.  For some, the location and price are the only deciding factors, as they are willing and able to put in some sweat equity.  But even if you aren't handy or don't have the budget for extensive repairs, you can find a solid - if basic - house in a good neighborhood to start your real estate journey.

12587 3rd Street - $150,000
This 1936 home sits on 4 lots in west Thornton.  It's near both older and newer homes and is across the street from a pocket park.  With only 572sqft but a new water and sewer line, this could be a great opportunity for someone to scrape the existing structures and develop the over half acre property.

9755 Elizabeth Street - $189,900
With 1728sqft, 4 beds and 2 baths, this house is clean and shows nicely.  The kitchen could use some updating but is functional and bright.  The carpet is showing it's age but replacement could be postponed.  The features are basic but the yard is large and the house boasts a new sump pump, triple glazed vinyl windows and central air.

10947 Grape Way - $199,000
Located on a cul-de-sac, this 3 bed, 2 bath property has some updating with tile floors, newer windows and a heated addition.  The kitchen needs renovating and the large yard has potential.  The tri-level layout can be a challenge for some folks, especially with only two of the bedrooms upstairs.

11249 Madison Street - $200,000
This 1700sqft home has a full, finished basement and sits on a bumped-out cul-de-sac, it's large front and side yard buffering it some from traffic.  It's a stone's throw from the city's rec center, skate park and pond.  The kitchen and baths have been renovated, but there is some work to do in the other living spaces.

I'm out every Friday touring homes, checking out new inventory and getting a feel for value is this fast-paced market.  If you'd ever like to join me, just give me a shout and let me know what you'd like to see!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Superior Town Center Update

 

I attended a presentation yesterday given by Superior's Planning Commission Chair, Clint Folsom, and the developer of Superior Town Center, Ranch Capital.  We got a closer look at the proposed plan for the 157 acres at the southeast corner of US-36 and McCaslin Boulevard.

One of the complaints I have heard from clients about Superior is that the town has no downtown area, like Louisville or Boulder.  If it is completed as planned, this central meeting spot will connect the Superior Marketplace with the Rock Creek neighborhoods and address the lack of community interaction the town has struggled with to date.

The plans include commercial, retail, office, residential and recreation space, crowned by an indoor sports complex which will relocate the current Boulder Valley Ice arena and also feature basketball courts, a pool, and soccer fields cross striped for lacrosse.  There will also be additional outdoor courts and fields, as well as paths and bike trails that will connect to the Boulder-Denver bikeway that will run along US-36.

A feature that the developer was very proud of was the flexible zoning that the townhouses will have in the town square.  This will allow an owner to rent the ground level floor to a business while living in the two stories above.  There would also be an opportunity for the owners to condominiumize their building, although this action could affect available financing for purchasers.

If the town gives it's stamp of approval tomorrow, grading work will begin on the site the first week of January.  Check out the Superior Town Center website for more details.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Candles, Cabinets and Cleaning Products

For a lot of us, "going green" means implementing sustainable practices and using green products over time, as we start to understand the benefits and differences.  Like most things, taking this journey one step at a time is a good way to make the best choices while not getting overwhelmed.

Let's take a look at one of the easiest changes you can make right away: the items you buy everyday at the grocery store.  As I mentioned in "Seven Sins of Greenwashing," vagueness and false labeling can make it more difficult to evaluate products and processes.  Below are links to several programs and the labels that will help you begin to recognize quality and health in these product lines.

The EPA's Design for the Environment is intended to help consumers and businesses find cleaning and floor care products that are safer for the environment, perform well and are also cost-effective.  They also evaluate manufacturing processes to identify best practices.  The DfE logo means a scientific review team has examined each ingredient for potential human and environmental effects based on the most current data available, and determined that the product contains only the least harmful chemicals in their class.  You can search their Products and Partners page to find companies and products that meet the DfE standards.

The mission of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is to reduce people's exposure to chemicals and pollutants and improve indoor air quality.  They identify thousands of products that have low chemical emissions, from consumable goods like cleaning products and printer inks, to building materials and office equipment.  You can search their Sustainable Product Guide for certified Greenguard products and manufacturers. 

Ecologo is an international organization that holds it's partners to strict standards of environmental leadership.  Only the top 20% of products available on the market can achieve certification.  You can do a Consumer Search for products and services for thousands of products from soap to car washes to insulation.  Like the GREENGUARD program, the EcoLogo certification is part of the UL Global Network.

Green Seal is one of the earliest companies to recognize a need to help consumers find truly green products.  Green Seal certification means that companies have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to products and services that meet rigorous criteria for sustainability.  Search by category or manufacturer on the Green Seal website.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Happy Thanksgiving!

My wish for you this Thanksgiving Day is that you are blessed with a roof over your head, enough food to fill your belly, and the warmth of your loved ones surrounding you.  May you take that feeling with you through the rest of the year, remembering to be grateful everyday, and spread that spirit and generosity everywhere you go.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me personally and professionally this year.  And for those whom I have only just met, I promise to earn the trust you have given me and make you thankful we worked together!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Seven Sins of Greenwashing

If I get a chance to discuss sustainability options with people, I usually find that they are in favor of making choices that preserve our environment and resources.  They might get excited about products that offer to save them money in the process, but even then they are slow to make a commitment.  Why?  Sometimes, they are victims of greenwashing - when manufacturers make claims about their products that lack verifiable proof of a positive effect on the environment or the wallet.  This can make it hard to know who to trust, resulting in decreased motivation to change.

The following are the "Seven Sins" of greenwashing:

• Hidden trade-offs - when a product may be considered green in one aspect but other elements of it are not, sometimes with the sum more negative than positive.  For instance, most people have heard that bamboo flooring is an ecologically friendly option to hardwood trees, growing to maturity in as little as three years.  However, depending on where the bamboo is harvested and how much energy it takes to get from the farm to the manufacturer to you, you could lose most or all of the benefits.
• No proof - a product may boast, say, 90% post-consumer recycled content, but offer no proof of the claim or any way to verify the numbers.
• Vagueness - product descriptions that just aren't very descriptive.  Claims of "all natural ingredients" just don't tell us very much.  Plus, just because a product is natural doesn't necessarily mean it's healthy - take belladonna, for instance.
• Irrelevance - some trends take root in an industry and become the norm after a while.  Boasting that a product is "CFC free" doesn't mean much anymore, since the ozone-depleting compound was phased out beginning in 1987.
• Fibbing - well, this is one is obvious, although I am still surprised anytime I find someone outright lying on labeling.
• False labels - a product or company may boast an endorsement from some organization that you think you recognize, giving it automatic credibility.  Upon closer examination, the organization only appears to be one with industry standing - perhaps the acronym is a letter different, or the green logo is similar but not the same.
• Lesser of two evils - implying that applying a green practice to an unhealthy product makes it healthy, like organic beer.

Keeping these tactics in mind can help you navigate through the green marketplace.  Next time I'll share with you some of the organizations and certifications to look for when selecting a sustainable product or company.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Let Me Help You Fight Green Fatigue

Despite how it sounds, green fatigue does not refer to a particular style of clothing, nor does it indicate a distaste for broccoli.  Green fatigue is what many people suffer these days because they are overwhelmed by the amount of green claims by companies and products, and they don't know how to measure or verify the positive effects.  Without reliable, easy-to-understand data, people can be hesitant to make commitments to green products or lifestyle changes.

I, too, was confused and overloaded until I saw the light - a green, softly glowing light, like Oz in the distance.  I've just earned the National Association of REALTORS® GREEN Designation, and I'm excited to begin employing my knowledge to help my clients learn how to integrate sustainability into their real estate decisions and their lives.

Sustainability just means a way of life that allows the current generation to fill its needs without compromising future generations' ability to do the same.  It's about saving money and resources, discovering innovative approaches to energy efficiency, creating healthy indoor and outdoor air quality, developing new green jobs, and ensuring our country's energy independence.  A balance of People, Planet and Prosperity.

It's funny; I've encountered people who roll their eyes at the words "green" or "sustainable," but when you are able to discuss the details and implications of those choices they are usual in agreement with the intentions and results.  I'll be making it a goal of this blog to sift through and discuss the huge amount of choices and information out there, while I learn the best ways to incorporate sustainable practices in my own business and personal life.  More than half of the Millennial Generation (those born between 1981-2000) believe that humans have caused global warming and feel a responsibility to do things differently than previous generations.  Sustainability is not a passing fad, it's what we must learn how to do for our own well-being and success.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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