5280mod

5280mod – Happenings & Updates

Arapahoe Acres has updated their website:

Arapahoe Acres

The AA site is created by the homeowners for the homeowners and contains a lot of text, so if you’re more interested in pictures then you want to go here:

Photos of Arapahoe Acres

There are also currently 3 midcentury modern homes for sale in Arapahoe Acres and one more on the way. Those of you on my mailing list are also aware of the Ed Hawkins designed home currently for sale in Southern Hills.

Speaking of Arapahoe Acres homeowners, Diane Wray Tomasso has recently published another Denver Historic Guide with Westword writer, Michael Paglia. The new guide is called “Mid-Century Modern House in Denver” which you can pick up at Tattered Cover or from Historic Denver, Inc.

If you don’t already have them, you may also want to pick up “Denver: The Modern City” (shown) and “The Arapahoe Acres Historic District” guides.

Art Deco Exhibit…

now until June 1st, at the Aurora History Museum.

“On display will be examples of how the Art Deco style was utilized in building design, furniture, domestic pieces, radios, lighting, kitchen appliances, jewelry, and much more.”

Pictured above is the Buerger Brothers building at 17th & Champa. Designed by architect Montana S. Fallis (most likely with the assistance of his son Myrlin), it is considered one of Denver’s best examples of Art Deco design. Thankfully, the building was rehabilitated in the late 90′s after decades of neglect and has now been converted into residential lofts.

Looking for your own modern space?

I have added 2 more websites to help you with your search.

Boulder Mod

Mountain Mod

…and if you aren’t on my mailings list, please consider joining! Here is an example:

5280mod Newsletter

Tags: Arapahoe Acres, art deco, Ed Hawkins, Eugene Sternberg, Historic Denver, homes for sale, mid-century, midcentury

Unique Architecture – Unique Agent

I’m that one in a million agent who will actually tell you:

“this house is not your best investment option and here’s why…”

or

“the seller’s agent offered me an additional 1/2% on my commission to convince you to write a full price offer” (a.k.a. I’ve been offered a bribe to put the sellers’ interests and my own ahead of yours -my clients.)

My clients never say “Shannon sold us this house,” but do say “Shannon helped us buy this house.”

You hire an “agent” because you want to be well advised and protected. Unfortunately, in real estate today, agents work to protect the “transaction.” Most “agents” in Colorado work as Transaction Brokers which relieves them of almost all fiduciary responsibilities to their clients. (Of course they still take a full commission for a fraction of the work.)

All Realtors are not the same. While most brokers spend time and money honing their sales techniques, I am researching homes, architects, financing, lenders, neighborhoods, builders and market trends.

Please contact me for an interview when you’re ready to purchase your next home.

Email: info@5280mod.com

Cell: 303.884.4016

http://www.5280mod.com (Subscribe to receive updates on new Modern home listings)

Tags: Arvada, Boulder, Denver, exclusive buyer agent, homes for sale, Lakewood, Littleton, midcentury modern, modernist, Westminster, Wheat Ridge

What's Wrong with this Mod Redo?

 

Sounds like any Modernist’s dream come true, right? So why has it been sitting on the market for 6 months?

 

 
THE HISTORY

This home sold in February of 2004 for $310,000. It was acquired by an agent/investor who went in and replaced all the wiring, plumbing and HVAC, along with the kitchens and bathrooms. Basically it was gutted.

It came back onto the market in October of 2005 and I was anxious to see how they had brought this gem into the 21st century.

THE REVEAL

From the outside, things looked promising. The trees had been shaped, the bushes pruned so more of the exterior could be seen. I braced myself as I stepped up to the courtyard gate, believing there was a good chance I would fall in love with the home and only be able to covet it from afar…

As I stepped into the courtyard, I was immediately taken with the glass….nothing but walls of glass on 3 sides. I could see into the main living/dining areas and the master bedroom (making me think my housekeeping skills would be put to the test in a home like this)

Yes, everything has been updated (with the exception of maybe the original fireplace.)

 

 

THE PROBLEM

Clearly the investor had gone with the “traditional fix & flip wisdom” which says keep things neutral and generic to appeal to the most buyers. The walls are beige and the ceiling white (sloppily painted I might add.) The humdrum oak floors don’t compliment the woodwork or fireplace.

And the kitchen…when I walked into it, my first thought was “I could be standing in any 2005 mcmansion, bleh!”

 

 

 

THE RESULT

Clearly this is not a “traditional home” designed to cater to a mass audience and the “traditional wisdom” does not apply. Beige walls and Home Depot cabinets are not what a potential buyer expects to see in this type of home.

When this home came back on the market in October of 2005 it was priced at @ $745K. A price that was beyond ambitious in the current market. After two weeks the price dropped to $649K. Now it has just dropped to $565K.

Once a home has been on the market for more than 3 months, most agents will overlook it, assuming either a) there must be something wrong with it, or b) the seller has unrealistic expectations.

 

THE LESSON

As one of my purist clients put it… “It’s a shame that this redo will have to be redone!”

Unfortunately, I see this quite often in architecturally unique homes. Investors are wearing dollar sign blinders and don’t take the time to understand their market.

More Info on this Property

Other Modern Homes for Sale

Tags: Arapahoe Acres, Englewood, mid-century, midcentury, midcentury modern, redo, restoration