The hottest part of the year is here in Boulder County, finally. We asked for summer — we got it! The Boulder Creek is now about three times higher than it was at this time last year. In fact, the city needed to push back tube-to-work day by a couple weeks to let the high run-off subside for tuber safety. Suffice it to say we didn’t tube for my daughter Phoebe’s 15th birthday this year.
Spring is finally in full swing, and summer is only a month away, which is hard to believe. Now that we've surely seen the last of the snow and cold, it's time to think about our gardens. The Hatches raised garden beds are starting to see sprouts from radish, kale and beet seeds pushing through the soil. And the hops vines are reaching higher by the minute. I have a great article here on container gardening, and some helpful guides from Colorado State University with a lot of info if you're just starting out as a green thumb.
Modern architect Hobart Wagener designed neighborhood fire station
By Carol Taylor
Hobart Wagener’s architecture shaped the character of Boulder. In a career that spanned 35 years, ‘Hoby’ Wagener designed an impressive body of modernist buildings including residences, schools, churches and public buildings. Many of his structures won awards, such as the Williams Village residence hall towers, and others are city landmarks like the Labrot House on 6th Street.
Springtime in the Rocky Mountains!!!! The snow has all but melted off the Boulder Flatirons (for now) and in my yard at the Red Door Ranch the crocus are flowering, the leaf buds are pushing out and spring tunes from songbirds fill the morning air! And ahhhh, the sunsets most evenings are remarkable.
I was recently rummaging through old interview notes for On the Corner newsletters and I found some pretty neat history published in OtC the past 13 years. Seeing the stack of hundreds of copies of past newsletters, it reminded me what a wonderful neighborhood of people in the LC. I’m not sure there is a more rich neighborhood in Boulder.
It’s March and spring has sprung, NOT! But some of us are celebrating the fantastic winter we've been so fortunate to receive the past month. The long cold spell we’ve had has come with snow too. And lots of it, especially in the high country. Remember last year when the ski resorts had to MAKE SNOW? Not so much this year. I read that Summit County has almost 8’ of snow this year already. BOOM! But I don’t ski much anymore, so why is this exciting? Because this snowmelt will fill our rivers and streams with water and deliver good trout fishing to anglers all spring, summer and fall. That makes me happy!
Dear neighbors and friends, this year marks the 13th anniversary of the very first edition of your On the Corner newsletter. I began publishing OtC in the early days of my real estate career as a way to bridge my professional photojournalism career and my real estate career. It’s kept me very engaged in this neighborhood, which has so many stories to tell. This spring also marks my 15th year in the real estate business. It’s awesome to have grown such a successful business. I’ve worked really hard to make it this far and I definitely recognize that a lot of my business comes from right here in the neighborhood.
On the opposite of this big card you’ll see homes that I sold here in 2019. Each of them are so different and they all have such interesting histories. Like many homes here, they also have been through different transformation over the years. The homes built in the LC have just as interesting stories to tell as the residents that call Lower Chautauqua home. “If these walls could talk,” right? Such rich history here, and that’s why I appreciate it so much. And I appreciate you. You’ve entrusted me to market and sell your homes and you’ve trusted me to help you buy the house here that you now call home. The many homes I’ve sold here dot the neighborhood from Bellevue Heights to Interurban Park and from the Cul-de-sacs off King Avenue to Baseline Road. Many of you have referred business to me over the years and for that I am grateful and truly appreciate your business and your referrals! I’d like to continue to earn your trust. Please contact me anytime to discuss selling or buying real estate. I’m happy to offer a market analysis of your home anytime, with no strings attached! Sincerely, HATCH
It's February and love has been buzzing in the air here in Boulder County. I picked a bad week to stop eating Ghirardelli chocolate and Dunkin’ Donuts, but I’ll be fine this Valentine's season. Read more…
Holy Moly, Happy New Year! If you're anything like me, the arrival of the new year feels like it comes way too fast. Especially this year, when business pushed me right up into December. But I had a wonderful holiday break with family and friends and I created some time to pause and capture good parts of 2018 that I can carry into 2019. I was also able to begin looking at my goals for the upcoming twelve months. At the top on my list for success? Gratitude! The ability to receive and acknowledge what I have in my life; amazing family and friends, good health and a great career I still really enjoy, almost 15 years later. And thank you for being part of my adventure!
But anyway, let’s get to it - Is buying a home or selling your current home on your goals list this year? How may I help? Here are some Boulder County real estate market considerations to help you plan and prepare to buy or sell. And who do you know who’s considering buying or selling this year? Remember, I’m never too busy for your referrals.
Check out the 2019 housing market predictions from Forbes Magazine, and scope the new furniture trends of 2019 to spruce up your digs. And are you having issues getting home insurance because of the increases in wildfires? You're not alone, so learn about a program in Boulder County trying to help homeowners get insured. If you'd like to discuss how any of these trends impact your goals, give me a call! I want to help YOU make 2019 a year to remember.
This month I’m featuring another community non-profit program: Conscious Alliance is a national nonprofit organization committed to supporting communities in crisis through hunger relief and youth empowerment by organizing food drives at music events nationwide. Please visit the Conscious Alliance website today.
And don’t forget to tune into Part 30 From the Trail, where I take moment to thank YOU!
Happy trails, HATCH
By Silvia Pettem
In 1949, three years after Vivian and Carroll Carlson were married, the young couple purchased a brand-new house on Baseline Road in the Interurban Park subdivision. Now, almost seven decades later, Vivian still calls it home.
The neighborhood had been platted years earlier, in 1908, when the “Interurban” railroad first ran through the University of Colorado and then south on what today is South Broadway. The commuter trains continued to operate until 1926.
For the next two decades, the subdivided land between part of Park Avenue (now Baseline Road) and Green Mountain Cemetery was rural and sparsely settled. When the Carlsons’ moved in, the population of Boulder was just under 20,000. But post-World War II growth would quickly usher in big changes... READ THE NEWSLETTER
Dear friends and family, I want to wish you a Happy Holiday season and a Happy New Year. What a year it has been and 2018 will be my best year in the real estate business. I have so much to be grateful for and I’m glad so many of you were a part of my year. I have so much gratitude for you all for looking out for me and putting my name out to family and friends.
There are many things from 2018 that I will carry into 2019, and some things I will leave behind. It is the time for yearly projections of what's to come in our real estate market in 2019. As we transition into the new year I reflect on the year we've had. Pundits profess that the market may balance out next year, but we'll have to wait and see what really happens. I’m positive it will be a strong year and I already have many buyers and sellers preparing for a transition in 2019. Also, don't miss the fun housing design trend article with inspirational ideas for updating your home in the next year.
Now, please fly with me to my featured listing this month at 625 University Ave. in Boulder, a turn of the century cottage in west Boulder with awesome potential and an amazing lot.
I hope you enjoy your time with loved ones this holiday season. And try to reach out to those you know who may be alone to share good cheer. I appreciate your continued business and referrals. Warmly, HATCH
And here we are, the 2nd week of November already! The days are short and the early snow in Boulder County sticks to the shadows cast. As we look forward to time with family and friends, I'd like to share this month’s Buzz with you. News about a few key things happening with our real estate market. The articles this month discuss the complex situation in Boulder County with home prices going up, and the impact that has on our cities. This relates to the rental market here as well, and how the new construction in town has had an impact. The market is a little bit quieter right now but my business is still in a steady mode, mostly with buyers right now. 2018 will close out as the best prodiciton year in 14 years for me. If you have real estate plans for 2019 let’s connect today to discuss the best strategy for your success.
This month I’m featuring another community non-profit program, Project Angel Heart, whose volunteers deliver medically tailored meals to Coloradans living with life-threatening illnesses. Please find time to give to Project Angel Heart this holiday season. We did!
Thank you so much for your continued business, and your constant referrals. With warmth and gratitude I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving! HATCH
Boo! The real estate Market in Boulder County is continuing to break records in terms of market value increases (especially in the $1Million + price range). Don't be too spooked by the market trends, they're actually quite favorable! And don't miss the article below about Boulder County being ranked as one of the nation's "Top 20 Luxury Markets."
Two nearby cities are getting national attention outside of Boulder County by making Time Magazine's "Top 50 Best Places to Live" list. Find out which cities those are, especially if you're considering investing in real estate along the Front Range.
3rd Quarter Stats are out, giving us insight into how our market has trended in 2018 so far. I'm curious to see how we'll finish out the year as we move into the 4th Quarter.
Now, please fly with me to my new featured listing this month at 265 30th Street in Boulder. This one is special for the buyer who wants a gorgeous newly renovated ranch-style home in Martin Acres.
And don’t forget to tune in to Part 28 From the Trail and meet my friend Dave Ensign and hear what he’s grateful for!
Thank you for your business and thank you for tuning in, HATCH
jon.hatch@compass.com
