REAL Trends has named RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc. first on its list of Top Firms Ranked by Closed Sales Volume Per Office, a category in its 2011 REAL Trends 500 publication released this month.
RE/MAX of Boulder earned the designation with a sales volume of nearly $560 million representing 1,400 sides in 2010 – more than $71 million more than the next ranked office.

The REAL Trends 500 is an annual research report identifying the country’s largest and most successful residential firms as ranked by closed transaction sides and separately by closed sales volume.
“This report represents the most trusted standard of measuring the performance of the nation’s leading realty service firms,” said REAL Trends editor Steve Murray in informing RE/MAX of Boulder of its honor.
The recognition from real estate consulting and communications company REAL Trends falls on the heels of RE/MAX International naming RE/MAX of Boulder its top single office for total sales volume in 2010 for the fourth consecutive year.

D.B. Wilson, managing broker for RE/MAX of Boulder, attributed the office’s accomplishment to the hard work of its 89 brokers and their loyal customers, who continually return or refer their friends and family to the real estate office.
“This award is just incredibly gratifying,” he says. “Our Realtors take tremendous pride in their production and providing a level of service to their clients that can’t be beat. This award exemplifies the fulfillment of all of their dedication and hard work.”

The local media has also often recognized RE/MAX of Boulder for its customer service: it has been the Daily Camera’s Boulder County Gold Winner for Best Real Estate Office or the runner-up for 16 years and the Colorado Daily has named the office Best of Boulder, as well, multiple times.

RE/MAX of Boulder, 2425 Canyon Blvd., Suite 110, is owned by Tom Kalinski and serves all of Boulder and Broomfield counties, and parts of Larimer, Denver, Jefferson, Weld and Gilpin counties. For more information, call D.B. Wilson, 303.441.5655; e-mail dbwilson@boulderco.com; or visit www.boulderco.com.

To see the all of the top 10 ranked companies for sales volume per office, visit realtrends.com/products/rt500/top-10-sales-volume-per-office.

You know – those toilet rooms in many of today’s master bathrooms – the ones with no sink and usually no window.  What was the designer or builder thinking who first did this?  Why did the trend catch on?   And why won’t it end?

I recently toured new and remodeled homes from $600,000 – $1.5 Million – all built by builders who claim energy efficient features and modern living designs.  I tried keeping an open mind to see if any of them fit my idea of an energy efficient and logical house.  All of them included an outhouse in the master bathroom.  One had a window though.

Another typical contemporary design is the recessed lighting that fills kitchen, dining and living room ceilings.  From afar, they resemble little disco lights.  And talk about a waste of energy.  One switch can turn on up to 8 lights. Does it need to be daytime in the house all day?   And are they a fire hazard next to insulation in the attic?

One master walk-in closet showed promise.  It looked like – could it be?  I hoped it was a tube light – a very energy efficient way to light a room.  Then I realized the color looked off.  Sigh.  It was an odd light fixture casting an unflattering yellow hue that would require being on even on sunny days since, of course, the closet had no window.

“See,” the builder proudly said to me.  “I installed this LED light to save energy.”

“Thoughtful,” I replied.  “But did you ever consider a tube light or a window to avoid turning on anything if it’s daytime?”

“A window in a closet?” he said with a ‘that’s a stupid idea’ tone.

I informed him a number of homes built before 1940 included small windows in closets.  Back then electricity was precious.  Isn’t it still?

The kitchens in all the homes were nearly identical with granite counters and stainless steel appliances.  I was told by a granite countertop dealer that most granite – even if mined in Vermont or Italy – often ends up in China where it is cut and sealed.  The sealant itself is my biggest worry with off gasses, then there’s the cost of transporting it thousands of miles and the fact that it’s unsustainable.  And some granite emits radon gasses.  Something disputed – but one more worry on the list.

“I think they’ve got it backward,” I told one builder.  “The counters should be stainless steel, not the appliances.  What a waste of money and resources.”   He looked puzzled.

So I attempted to explain the sanitary reasons for using stainless or copper on surfaces and that unlike most countertops, stainless steel counters can last forever, they won’t stain and if one accidentally tips over a wine glass or drops a plate, the glass isn’t likely to chip or break. Granite looks great new, but acidic liquids that are not cleaned within a few hours can stain forever.

I was trying to be half-funny in describing the new generation of spoiled American house buyers and their high expectations while educating the builders how to be truly energy efficient, but it seemed to no avail.  Their first concern was to appeal to the general population of buyers so the house can flip quickly and investment money can be recouped. I totally understand.  But too bad.

Most new homes use forced air heating.  Only one had baseboard heat – a remodel that the builder left in tact while another tore it out to put in a forced air system.  Forced air heating was originally designed for warehouses to warm up quickly.  It’s cheaper to install and the general American population has grown accustom to it.  Many have never lived in a house with baseboard or radiant heat which is quiet, dust-free and healthier, but I guess what they don’t know doesn’t hurt them.  Many who have lived with boiler heat, however, become lifetime fans.

My patience worn thin as I continued to find the usual flaws – even in homes with ample square footage available

Closet laundry rooms – Many were about 6’ X 8’ and even larger ones seldom included a sink.  One had a stackable W/D closet – like an afterthought or if designed for a small apartment.

Small secondary bedrooms – Even when master bedrooms were 18’ X 20’ or larger, secondary bedrooms were often only 12’ X 11’.

Front doors with no screen doors – This trend proves fashion has taken over practicality.  Screens allow fresh air into the house and the ability to talk to someone on your porch without letting bugs in.  I like security screen doors so I can leave them open at night to allow cool air in, thereby cutting the use of A/C the next day.  I know, I know, they look like jail doors.  But perhaps they can be covered with granite!

Too many identical cabinets in the kitchen – Numerous cabinets remind me of that old game show, “Let’s Make A Deal,” whereby folks had to guess what’s behind Door #1 and Door #2.   I prefer a few shelves and a pantry so items can be seen easily.  Also, a shelf is half the wood of a cabinet.  Less money and less precious wood used.

Lack of windows in bathrooms or windows that don’t open – Windows decrease the use of lights and fans and sunlight helps kill mold and mildew around tubs and toilets.  Homes built before 1966 usually have windows in the bathrooms.  Not everything new is improved.

If only I had more money to design and build my own home.  For now I continue my search for an affordable home with boiler heat that I can remodel myself before a builder gets a hold of it to continue the trend of outhouses and disco lights.

Bev Pogreba is an event planner in Boulder, Colorado and former radio announcer and belly dancer.  She wants to find an affordable and logical, energy efficient home before she dies.

Yesterday, “Today Show” real estate contributor Barbara Corcoran, listed Denver as the number one city on the road to recovery.  The top five cities were listed as Denver, Raleigh, Austin, Seattle and San Francisco.

According to Corcoran, the signs of recovery include:

Job Growth Opportunity

Growing Population

Good Weather

Abundance of First-Time Buyers

No Overbuilding of Condos or Office Spaces

Vital Downtowns

Well-Educated Population

Large Number of Foreclosures, Early in the Downturn

View the “Today Show” video clip at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30825142#30825142

Go to www.flatironstourofhomes.com

With the latest new home sales report this week, I see signs of positive and continuing change.

The Denver metro area experienced the second highest week of sales traffic since early October, the highest number of home sales since last May and better sales conversions than we have seen since June of 2007.

We all know there are many great reasons to live in Colorado, but here are a few more…

• Colorado ranked second in the 2009 ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index.  States earning this ranking are considered the most likely to manage economic stimulus effectively and make a solid recovery from the nationwide recession.
• Boulder ranked 20^th on Forbes’ 2009 list of the “Best Places for Business and Careers”.
• Metro Denver is on Forbes’ list of “Ten Cities Where Americans are Relocating”.
• Colorado ranks fourth in the nation in a Gallup survey for health and happiness of its residents.

            Source:  Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation

Good for us!

Happy Earth Day!

I was pleasantly surprised to catch my 13-year-old son watching Oprah’s Earth Day discussion today.  I suspected my “save the world” tirades made an impact on him, but the rolling eyes lead me to believe he wasn’t fully on board.  As Oprah and her guest ran down a list of ways to reduce our carbon footprint, I responded by pointing out the ones we had under control.  Purchasing Energy Star® appliances, using compact fluorescent bulbs, recycling everything from homework to cereal boxes, etc. etc.  Best of all, I think I finally made my point as to why we keep our dual set-back thermostat between the 63 and 68 degree range in the winter.  Thanks Oprah!  Although with temperatures approaching 80 today, I will likely need to reiterate this message when the snow returns.

Here’s to all you avid conservationists.  Way to go!

Check out your community. In addition to your local Chamber of Commerce and non-profit organizations you may have numerous trade associations – from real estate organizations (i.e. Boulder Area REALTOR® Association) to advertising and/or marketing associations (i.e. Rocky Mountain Direct Marketing Assocation or the Business Marketing Association).

See what’s available to you and go meet some new faces – up close and personal. And, while you’re at it, HAVE FUN!

As the article in Pacific Business News put it, it’s “More fun, productive than cold-calling.”

Source: Chiem, L. “As business slows, networking accelerates.” Pacific Business News, 3/13/2009

 A former 26-year Boulder resident, Debra Jason is a freelance copywriter who started her business, The Write Direction, in Boulder in 1989. In addition, she is also a Realtor-Associate with Na Pali Properties, based on Kauai, HI. With 20 years of experience operating her own marketing business, she combines her creative skills with selling real estate in an effort to help buyers and sellers achieve their goals. When paradise is calling you, you may call Debra direct at (888)449-0815 or contact her via e-mail at dajason@hawaii.rr.com, Get Kauai’s latest listings e-mailed to you weekly when you sign up on Debra’s Web site at www.kauaihawaii-realestate.com/boulder.html