Arvada Press 1016

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October 16, 2014 VOLU M E 1 0 | I SS UE 20

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Housing market cools off for fall Condos, townhomes highly sought after By Amy Woodward

awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com September housing numbers show a slowing market as cooler temperatures set in with the number of available homes down seven percent, according to Metrolist, Colorado’s largest home search provider.

The number of new listings was also down 14 percent, but President and CEO of Metrolist, Kirby Slunaker, said the dip in housing numbers was typical for this time of the year. “There is always a peak season,” Slunaker said. “September numbers showed customary seasonal cooling following Labor Day.” There are currently 8,959 active listings on the market showing a very tight inventory market, Slunaker reported. During the peak season, condos and townhomes were active with13,994 new condo and townhouse listings coming to

the market, a 26 percent increase compared to 2013. “There are several trends that are impacting the condo and townhome market,” Sluanker said, which includes a boom in out-of-state residents who are looking to rent before purchasing a home. Some in-state residents are still recovering from the economic downturn and working to mend their credit, as politicians work on fixing the construction defect laws in the state, he said. The law allows for litigation in defects that may reduce the value of a home that is recoverable by a homeowner of homeown-

er association. But many economic development and housing affordability groups, as well construction companies and many real estate associations, have joined forces to push back on HOA’s. Opponents say the law makes it too easy to file a lawsuit, and has decreased condo construction. In 2013, only 216 of the 6,721 residential housing starts were condos, representing a mere 3 percent of new constructions, compared to historical percentages as high as 20 percent, according to Metrostudy Denver.

STRAW VOTES

Daniel Corona, 8, and Kailey Corona, 4, run happily through the corn maze.

Scott Slade and Levi Wait battle it out during the pumpkin pie eating contest. Photos by Crystal Anderson

The Arvada Festival of Scarecrows was Oct. 11 at Olde Town Square in Olde Town Arvada. Activities included scarecrow judging, pumpkin pie eating, a children’s costume parade, pumpkin decorating, along with games, music and food. Purchases of pumpkins benefited the Arvada Community Food Bank. Among community sponsors were City of Arvada Arvada Festivals Commission, Historic Olde Town Arvada and Arvada Gardeners. Aaron Tavenner, 7, teases his fellow potato sack race contestant, Greg Tavenner, 9, as they begin the race.

It was a come one, come all pumpkin pie eating contest as the audience cheered on nine contestants while they gorged on pie.

It takes a community to deliver the news Dear reader: Each October, we ask our loyal readers to make a voluntary contribution to help offset the cost of bringing you your hometown newspaper. It takes a large team of highly skilled journalists, editors, printers, designers, carriers and administrative staff to bring you this newspaper, and your voluntary contribution goes a long way toward helping us maintain this staff. In 2014, we have won numerous awards and greatly expanded our websites. We also have significantly increased

the use of full color, eliminating blackand-white pages, making our pages more

interesting and vibrant. Next year, we plan on expanding our news coverage to have more local people mentioned each week while still keeping you updated on government, entertainment, sports, events and more. If you enjoy what we deliver, then we invite you to make a voluntary contribution. We are requesting $25 (48 cents per week), but feel free to contribute any amount, higher or lower. This year for a contribution of $25 or more, we will donate $5 to one of three charities of your

choice: the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, the Disabled Veterans National Foundation or the Dumb Friends League. There are two ways to donate. Either locate the envelope inside this newspaper and mail your check to us, or you can go online at www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/readers care and securely make your contribution. Thank you for being a loyal reader. We look forward to delivering more of your hometown’s news during the next year. — Jerry Healey, publisher


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