From the Trail
Jon Hatch
From the Trail #50, Dad and Son!

Another perfectly good day wasted on the Colorado River with ma Bird!

From the Trail #50, Dad and Son!

best realtor

Boulder County Buzz, August 2023

Boulder County Buzz, August 2023

Our fledgling wrens and finches have flown their coops and so the back patio at the Red Door Ranch is quiet, save for the late summer cricket+cicada chorale. Mornings arrive damp and cool. The high summer sun sets lower and as such the school year begins and for better or worse, we arrive autumnal.

My business continues to thrive although at a slightly slower pace in July/Aug. It was wonderful to get out and enjoy the Colorado wild in this summer - gosh I love this state! It’s a state of mind actually. I was recently listed in the #10 spot for second quarter agent production by Real Producers Magazine of Boulder County. Thanks to those of you I’ve worked with this year for pushing my biz to the next level — it’s been so fun and rewarding!

In local real estate news, Boulder County experienced a 7.2% loss in inventory compared last year at this time. Median and average sale prices split the field with a 3.4% drop in the median while the average rose 1.9%. The fact that these numbers hover lower affirms the hitch in the giddy-up we experience in the current marketplace.

Average days on market rose 68.5% over last year from 35 to 59 days. Sellers this fall will need some patience with timing and pricing. But we are seeing an uptick in showings and there are still some competitive offer situations for properties that greatly appeal to that available buyer pool.

The percent of homes under contract this year has been averaging 34% and reflects a balance of power between buyers and sellers. General rule of thumb we use is we see appreciating markets above roughly 35% and depreciating markets below 30% under contract. While the market historically cools in July and August we are forecasting a calm yet productive fall season without major disruptions in the force.

I’ve got some fun listings coming soon; from Boulder to Longmont and up to Summit County for one of the most amazing homes and properties around — I can’t wait to share.

Alas, there is a property I do want to share today, and while it is not my listing it is an amazing home at 1055 County Road 200 in Poncha Springs up near Salida and BV. If you have friends or family looking to own a primary or second home in Chaffee County at the base of Monarch Mountain with Poncha Creek frontage and with acres of true Colorado landscape, then this is a property is a must see, and feel. And if trout fishing, mountain biking, rafting, trail running, hot springs and skiing is your jam, than turn the car around and get there now. Contact Jeff Post at First Colorado Land real estate office in Salida at 719-539-6682 or email post@firstcolorado.com. So why am I posting this? This sale is for good friends of mine moving back home to the Boulder area. Thank you for sharing!

This month’s charity for giving is the Chordoma Foundation. Chordoma is a slow growing cancer of tissue found inside the spine. Chordoma can happen anywhere along the spine. It is most often found near the tailbone or where the spine meets the skull. It’s Chordoma Foundation’s plan to bring about treatments that can prevent recurrence, eliminate tumors rather than just slow their growth, and preserve patients’ quality of life. If we all contribute what we can, these new treatments are not only possible, but probable. Please see how important this program is and give today!

Thank you and don’t forget to SMILE!

Jon Hatch

​Realtor®, RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement®, RE/MAX Hall of Fame®, GRI®, ABR®
RE/MAX of Boulder

​303-513-2834
​​​hatch@boulderco.com
​​​http://www.jonhatch.com

​Lead photo: August evening storm in the BOCO, photo by Hatch

Boulder County Buzz, July 2023

Boulder County Buzz, July 2023

I trust you’re knee deep into summer fun by now! The abundance of outdoor recreation, concerts, camping, backyard hang time and fishing trips make for the best time of year here in Colorado. As the biz typically slows in July it’s always nice to use the time to jump in feet first into our Planet Colorado. Our state really knows how to reboot the body and soul. I appreciate that so much as we roll into late summer and fall seasons where my business picks up steam again.

And now, what to think about this current real estate market? Recall it was just last June when we saw the peak of the crazy COVID and post-COVID mayhem. While the market is different now, like less frenetic and somewhat more balanced, it is not suffering—despite what you may have read, this market has a lumpy head. Yes, we are seeing some longer days on market, some price reductions and fewer multiple offer scenarios, but our prices are still up month to month. But indeed they are less impressive than ’21 and '22.

You buyers who were tapping the brakes for better days? Your time is near and your mission’s clear—consider jumping back in as we are approaching what some call the "summer slump" when the number of viewings, offers, and showings are waning. Meanwhile listings are coming into the marketplace at a more frequent clip. So while your competition is on summer vacation, maybe it’s time you step to the line!

This month’s charity for giving is Growing Gardens in Boulder. Over the last 25 years, Growing Gardens has brought regenerative agriculture education and food donations to over 136,000 Boulder County residents. Growing Gardens’ programs empower people of all ages, income levels, and abilities by reconnecting them with their local food systems and teaching gardening, cooking, and nutrition education. Please see how important this program is and give today!

Meanwhile, for another dose of Hatch From the Trail, please tune in here to #52!

​Thank you and don’t forget to SMILE!

Jon Hatch

Realtor®, RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement®, RE/MAX Hall of Fame®, GRI®, ABR®
RE/MAX of Boulder

​303-513-2834
​​​hatch@boulderco.com
​​​http://www.jonhatch.com

​Lead photo: sunset in cloud reflection east of Boulder from the Pearl Street Mall in Downtown Boulder by Jon Hatch.

Early editions of On the Corner (2006-2015)

Enjoy archived editions of the On the Corner newsletter right here!

On the Corner 4th Quarter/Year End 2022

On the Corner 4th Quarter/Year End 2022

Boulder's first films were shown at Chautauqua, by Silvia Pettem

In 1898, when the Chautauqua cultural and educational movement opened in Boulder, its summer visitors were treated to speakers, entertainers, and musicians in its newly built auditorium. Boulder residents attended, as well. The Chautauqua Association also brought in motion pictures –– the first ever shown in Boulder.

At the time, the public was caught up in the fervor of the Spanish-American War, creating a demand for patriotic newsreels. The first shown at Chautauqua was the Battle of Santiago Bay, leading viewers to believe it was filmed in Cuba. The film, however, featured cardboard models of ships that were partially disguised with cigar smoke.  

On the Corner, 3rd Quarter 2022

On the Corner, 3rd Quarter 2022

Dear neighbors, back in October of 2019 I interviewed neighbor Sabine Schaffner for this newsletter. I learned she wanted to share more about the neighborhood than about herself. But I discovered in my time with her that there was so much about her that I wanted to share with you. Once I was close to completing the piece I wanted her to read it. She did. But then she asked me not to publish it for it was too personal. I was disappointed but I very much respected her privacy. Today, with her family’s permission, I am grateful to be able to share this story with you. It’s mostly the same as it was then but with editing from Beret Strong and career fact-checking from Karen Simmons - thank you both!

Guardian of the Galaxy - Neighbor recounts first spacecraft images of our planets

By Jon Hatch, On The Corner

As she stood in her slippers, in her mid-century home, gazing out through large, west-facing windows to her backyard sanctuary, Sabine (pronounced Sabeena) Schaffner, 87, described to me memories from the 65 years she had lived in Boulder. For 22 of those years, she was tucked into a dead end dirt road below Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado. Just a few minutes into listening to Sabine, I realized there was going be a lot to be shared so I suggested we sit down. She placed us at each end of the couch in the living room that was lightly accented with antique furniture, ancient rugs and vaulted ceilings with stout wood beams. There were tea and nibbles. She turned up her hearing aid and asked me to speak…

FROM THE TRAIL #48, EQUANIMITY!

FROM THE TRAIL #48, EQUANIMITY!

WELCOME TO #48! IT'S JUST A THANK YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THE WORD FOR 2022 FOR ME IS... EQUANIMITY!

On the Corner, 3rd Quarter 2021

On the Corner, 3rd Quarter 2021

Chautauqua most unusual entertainers came during the venue's early years

by Silvia Pettem

Chautauqua's auditorium has witnessed a variety of entertainers in its long history. Magicians, naturalists, and even animals performed during its earliest years.

"Maro," a magician, performed in 1898, Chautauqua's opening year. Supposedly, he was "an artist of marked ability and as clever with brush and pencil as with cards, coins, handkerchiefs and other common objects."

Baker W. Armstrong, Jr. was a young boy at the time, attending the summer resort with his parents. In 1928, he returned to give his own performance. By then, he spelled his name backwards to create his stage name of "Rekab, the Wizard."

After some magic tricks, his final act was to escape from a tightly locked and roped box, similar to an act of his more well-known predecessor, Harry Houdini. Rekab's assistants handcuffed him, chained him, and put him in the box, from which he kept up a muffled commentary. Then, after one of his assistants drove in the final nail, all was quiet.

FROM THE TRAIL #47, DADS

FROM THE TRAIL #47, DADS

While I just published this video today, I shot the frames for it a couple of weeks ago while my son Ethan and his friend fished a special lake together. Since that day on the water my Aunt JoAnne passed away and just last weekend my dad-in-law Corky also passed away. What a year of grief and sadness and while their deaths were not covid related, they compounded what has been a sad year for my family. But we rise above and keep the beautiful memories atop our minds and that lifts our frowns to smiles. Welcome to #47 From the Trail. It stinks to lose people close in your life. Those who raised you. Those who shaped you. Those who loved you. And those who took you fishing. For this I'm grateful for my Dad, my Aunt JoAnne and my dad-in-law Corky. Too much loss but so many good memories, of being free....

Jon Hatch

303-513-2834

jon.hatch@compass.com

compass - boulder

1470 walnut Ave. suite 201/202

Boulder, CO 80302