Featured at West + Main Louisville: Jennifer Stanley Johnson

We can't believe it's been five years since we launched West + Main Homes! Let's celebrate with an incredible First Friday art opening, exhibiting the very talented artist Jennifer Stanley Johnson.

We will be holding a silent auction for two of Jennifer's incredible pieces, with proceeds going to the CAR Foundation's Boulder County Fire Relief Fund.

Stop by our Louisville office to see some amazing art by Jennifer Stanley Johnson + celebrate our 5th anniversary!

Adagio

920 Main Street, Louisville, CO
2.4.2022, 6-9pm

Meet Jennifer!

I’m a Florida native who lived in Europe for 23 years before moving with my family to Boulder, Colorado in the summer of 2015.  At the office I'm a listener, persuasive writer and problem solver.  In my heart I have always been an artist.  

My life is reflected in my paintings which are always changing because I am constantly inspired by new ideas, unusual painting techniques and different perspectives.  I’m drawn to the dance of shapes, the place where light meets shadow, the texture of a surface, and how color can bring joy and reflect mood. 

I work with sketches, fuzzy photographs, and sometimes just a feeling or idea. With each addition of paint, powdered marble, scrap of paper, gesso or thread, there is a shift. Then I follow a subtle, meditative, and sometimes counter-intuitive process to add and remove layers at the same time.  This weird fusion of deliberation and liberation is the only way I find a true image is able to reveal itself and become the story of the canvas.  

People see different things in my paintings and I like that certain shapes, lines or colors can trigger an emotion, a memory, or connect us in the moment.  I believe this is the point of art and fundamental to what makes us human.  

Art speaks - we simply need to take the time to listen and allow ourselves to be moved.

Learn more about Jennifer in our Q+A!

What piece are you most proud of?

I think my greatest art project was designing and building our Boulder home. We were fortunate to find a great architect and builder, and the perfect half-acre "blank canvas." Being part of the Boulder Open Studios Tour twice was a special privilege and I so appreciate that artists are given this opportunity to open their homes and studios to share their work and creative process with the public in such a personal and meaningful way.

What are you inspired by?

I'm inspired by new ideas, unusual painting techniques and different perspectives. I'm drawn to the dance of shapes, the place where light meets shadow and how color can bring joy and reflect mood. People see different things in my paintings and I like that certain shapes, lines or colors can trigger an emotion, a memory, or connect us in the moment. I believe this is the point of art and fundamental to what makes us human.

If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose?

Having said all that, if I could choose a superpower, I would love to be able to fly.

Get in touch with Jennifer

Website: https://www.jenniferstanleyjohnson.com

Special Thanks to Gabby Bella and Goosehead Insurance for supporting the local arts.

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Colorado winter bucket list: 10 ways to celebrate the season, from recreation to relaxation

Whether it’s skiing, snowshoeing or sipping a beer in a cozy cabin, winter may be the most Colorado season of them all

There’s a reason visitors travel from across the globe to Colorado in the winter. And if you’re a local, I don’t need to tell you that the state offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the country, or that there are only so many months you can put those snowshoes to use.

But recreation is just as alluring this time of year as relaxation because, honestly, there are few better ways to celebrate the season than cozied up under a blanket reading a book or watching a storm cover the landscape in a fresh layer of powder.

Whatever your preference, here are 10 very Colorado activities to cross off your winter bucket list.

Hit the slopes

Colorado winter is synonymous with skiing, whether you’re a seasoned veteran, a newcomer taking a lesson, or just here for the après. For those looking for suggestions on where to shred, vacation rental site Holidu recently unveiled a list of the most — and least — affordable resorts in the country, and found Purgatory Resort and Winter Park Resort to be among the most budget-friendly. (Vail, on the other hand? Not so much.)

nd you don’t have to go downhill to check this item off your bucket list. Conversely, you could go uphill or enjoy a chill, scenic trek on a cross-country track. The latter is much more affordable than its adrenaline-powered counterparts, and Breckenridge Nordic Center is one of our favorite spots to try it. Check out this beginner’s guide to cross-country skiing for tips before you go.

Après like a champ

So you’ve unclipped your boots and unstrapped your helmet. It’s time to reward yourself for a hard-earned day on the mountain with a refreshing beverage. Belly up with our ultimate guide to après-ski breweries and distilleries near ski resorts, including in Steamboat Springs, Summit County, Crested Butte and Telluride.

Soak in a natural hot spring

Few things feel better than a post-mountain soak in a hot tub. Better still: A natural hot spring. Here are five hot springs located near ski resorts to rejuvenate those tired muscles. Non-skiers are welcome, too!

Ride the Winter Park Express

Whether you’re looking to carve the mountains at Winter Park Resort or simply enjoy the snow-capped views, you don’t need to sit in traffic on Interstate 70 to do so. Instead, hop on the Winter Park Express, which runs from Denver Union Station to its namesake mountain town Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through April 3. Trains leave Denver at 7 a.m. and afternoon rides leave at 4:30 p.m. The trip is about two hours, and one-way fares start at $29.

Hike it out

With locals and tourists gravitating toward the slopes, winter might be one of the most serene times of the year to hike. And there’s plenty of variety in these 10 Front Range trails, whether you’re looking for something snowy and steep, or a sunny casual stroll. Heck, you could even trek to a destination-worthy frozen waterfall.

Strap into a snowshoe adventure

Those seeking to level up on the winter-ness of a hike can opt for one of these trails optimal for snowshoeing, from Rocky Mountain National Park to Golden Gate State Park and beyond. Or choose a remote hut to snowshoe to because — say it with me — the journey is the destination.

Book a scenic cabin getaway

So being outdoorsy isn’t exactly your thing? No problem. Relaxing is an excellent way to spend the winter, especially if you stay in a cozy cabin or chalet. Choose from our top picks for places from Estes Park to Pagosa Springs. Some even boast extra perks like saunas, hot tubs, tubing and snowshoeing, so you can crush two bucket list items in one trip.

Go tubing like a boss

Want the thrill of descending downhill without all the gear to strap into? Colorado is brimming with places to go tubing. Grand County’s Fraser Tubing Hill is one of the pioneers of this pastime, and now many ski areas including Echo Mountain, Aspen Snowmass and Purgatory offer the family-friendly activity as a way to entice new customers or those who don’t ski.

Sled when it snows

If you don’t want to travel to the mountains, sledding hills abound on the Front Range. Here are 10 to slide on a snow day, from Ruby Hill Park in Denver to Chautauqua Meadow in Boulder.

Hit a winter festival

Have you sensed that life in Colorado doesn’t stop just because the temperature drops? Winter festival season revolves around these unique conditions, whether it’s witnessing an annual migration at the High Plains Snow Goose Festival (Feb. 3-6), watching sculptures take shape at the Cripple Creek Ice Festival (Feb. 5-13), or enjoying the “magical and mystical” at Durango’s Snowdown (Jan. 26-30.) 

Get more winter adventure ideas on The Denver Post.

Related Links

• Housing market begins ’22 with lower inventory, higher prices

• Homebuyers are rushing to get mortgages before higher rates price them out

• How To Become Head of a Household: Homebuying and Mortgage Guide for Singles

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Housing market begins ’22 with lower inventory, higher prices

Median home sales price rose 14% year over year.

Since the calendar turned to 2022, the real estate industry has witnessed a 12% drop in the number of new listings and a 14% increase in median home sales price compared to a year ago, according to a housing market report by Redfin released Thursday.

During the four-week period ending January 16, the median home sales price rose to $358,500, with 41% of homes selling for above list price, up from 33% during the same time period a year ago. The percentage of homes for sale that underwent price drops also increased slightly year over year, rising 0.3 percentage points to 2.4%. Overall, the average sale-to-list price ratio was 100.3%. Meanwhile, the median asking price of a newly listed home rose 12% year over year to $349,950.

Due to the drop in new listings, the total number of homes for sale dropped 29% to 445,000. Pending sales were also constrained by low inventory, rising just 1% year over year. However, there should be more new construction homes hitting the market in the coming months, with the number of housing starts and building permits issued increasing to a nine-month high in December.

“There is very little for sale right now, so nearly every new listing that’s priced fairly and is in good condition gets multiple offers,” Niko Voutsinas, a Chicago-based Redfin real estate agent, said in a statement. “Labor and material shortages are limiting the supply of new construction, but also increasing buyers’ appetite for homes that are move-in ready. They don’t want to deal with any hassles of trying to find contractors to make improvements, so they’re willing to pay a premium for homes that don’t need any work.”

Of the homes that went under contract during this time period, the report found that 41% had an accepted offer within its first two weeks on the market, up from 36% a year earlier, and 32% of homes that went under contract had an accepted offer within one week, up from 27% a year ago.

In addition, the median number of days a home sat on the market was at 28, down from 35 days a year prior.

But for weary homebuyers there is some good news in such a challenging housing market: as expected, mortgage rates are on the rise, which experts believe may become more of a deterrent than a motivator for buyers.

“2022 started off more competitive than 2021, but mortgage rates have now risen enough that they may become more of a deterrent than a motivator for homebuyers,” Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather said in a statement. “In the next few weeks we may start to see signs that some buyers are backing off. This is the silver lining for the most committed homebuyers who may benefit from less intense competition in this supply-constrained market.”

Visit Real Trends to keep reading.

Related Links

• Built-to-Rent Homes Expected to Hit All-Time High in 2022

• Homebuyers are rushing to get mortgages before higher rates price them out

• How To Become Head of a Household: Homebuying and Mortgage Guide for Singles

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Built-to-Rent Homes Expected to Hit All-Time High in 2022

As renters look for a lifestyle change that offers more space and privacy, communities of single-family houses built for the purpose of renting have become the hottest trend in housing. 2021 was a record year for single-family rental home construction, with 6,740 new built-to-rent homes completed.

And the trend is growing rapidly: twice as many homes are now under construction, for a total of nearly 14,000 set to open their doors to renters beginning this year.

Cleverly described by some as “horizontal apartments,” communities of houses built for the sole purpose of renting are becoming the hottest topic in residential living. But single-family rentals are not a new concept. Although they proliferated in the aftermath of the 2008 housing crisis, this time it’s different. The pandemic created an unprecedented demand among renters for space and privacy, which houses can address much better than apartments.

According to a recent survey of 3,300 renters on rentcafe.com, as many as 78% said they were interested in living in a community of single-family homes. The survey confirmed the rising interest in single-family rentals that began to take shape last year, including on rentcafe.com, where searches for “homes for rent” tripled in 2021 compared to the previous year.

What’s more, the race to build more of this in-demand type of rental is accelerating: In 2021, 6,740 new rental homes in built-to-rent communities were completed—the highest yearly total to date, according to Yardi Matrix data. But this is just the beginning of a trend we’re bound to see much more of as the pace of construction is set to double beginning this year. Specifically, there are an estimated 14,000 built-to-rent homes under construction in the United States.

Currently, there are about 90,000 existing single-family homes in the United States in nearly 720 such communities designed specifically for renting. They include single-family detached houses, townhomes, duplexes, and even quadruplexes that come with a backyard or a garage—or sometimes both.

It’s easy to see the appeal of built-to-rent homes: the trend combines the financial and leasing flexibility of a rental with the amenities and convenience of a professionally managed property, all while living a single-family home lifestyle.

As a result, everyone is interested, according to Shannon Hersker with Walker & Dunlop: “There is a misconception that the majority of renters are Millennials when, in reality, you have everyone—including college students, empty nesters, families with kids, pet owners, and those wanting to downsize.”

Built-to-Rent Communities Present in Both Suburban & Urban Areas

Because they need large lots of land to build on, rental home communities are prevalent in low-density areas, with the majority (61%) located in suburbs.

“Undoubtedly, coronavirus has also impacted upon this increased popularity,” said Christopher Michael, founder of archisoup, an online learning platform for architecture students. “Many are now moving out of the cities and apartment living to seek out more space in rural and suburban locations.”

This aligns with RentCafe’s renter survey, which also revealed that besides the main reasons for choosing a single-family rental over an apartment—more space (29%) and more privacy (25%)—these types of rental homes are also attractive for families. More precisely, 19% of respondents believe a single-family rental is more suitable for their family, especially if the community is ina family-friendly area in the suburbs.

Mapping the top 100 locations with the most built-to-rent houses reveals that 39% of these communities are located in areas, particularly in geographical regions where land availability allows. While they’re more likely to be found in urban settings in the Southwest, they tend to be more present in suburban areas in the Midwest and Northeast

Either way, single-family rentals are filling up fast, with the occupancy rate in 2021 2% higher than apartments (97% compared to 95%)—demonstrating renters’ interest in living in a house. And, Hersker believes the trend of the built-to-rent home was already on the rise: “The pandemic just increased demand at a faster pace,” she said. “People want to live in areas that are less dense, in communities that offer more space.”

To learn more, visit RisMedia.

Related Links

• 6 Things to Think About When Selling An Estate

• Homebuyers are rushing to get mortgages before higher rates price them out

• How To Become Head of a Household: Homebuying and Mortgage Guide for Singles

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Homebuyers are rushing to get mortgages before higher rates price them out

Mortgage rates are rushing higher, and last week that caused a major divergence in mortgage demand.

Refinancing continued to dry up, but homebuyers appear to be rushing into the market. As a result, total mortgage application volume rose 2.3% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($647,200 or less) increased to 3.64% from 3.52%, with points remaining unchanged at 0.45 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment. That rate was 72 basis points higher than the same week one year ago and has increased more than 30 basis points in just the last two weeks.

As a result, applications to refinance a home loan, which are most sensitive to weekly rate moves, fell 3% for the week and were 49% lower than the same week one year ago. The refinance share of mortgage activity decreased to 60.3% of total applications from 64.1% the previous week

“Mortgage rates hit their highest levels since March 2020, leading to the slowest pace of refinance activity in over two years. FHA and VA refinance declines drove most of the refinance slowdown,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting.

Mortgage applications from homebuyers, however, jumped 8% for the week, although they were still 13% lower than the same week one year ago. The activity appears to be on the higher end of the market, where there is more supply. The average loan size for a purchase application set a record at $418,500.

“The slower growth in government purchase activity is also contributing to the larger loan balances and suggests that prospective first-time buyers are struggling to find homes to buy in their price range,” added Kan.

Demand for housing continues to be strong, as supply did not increase as it normally does in December. Some buyers may be getting a jump on the usually busy spring market, concerned that rates will be even higher in a few months.

Paul Legere, a buyer’s agent with The Joel Nelson Group in Washington, D.C. calls the activity, “unprecedented.”

“Some lenders I work with say they have had more first-time homebuyer applications in the last couple of weeks than they’ve seen in 20 years,” said Legere, adding that he just wrote an offer on a $1.3 million home with an escalation clause up to $1.625 million ... and lost.

Learn more.

Related Links

• 6 Things to Think About When Selling An Estate

• 5 DIYers Share the Under-$100 Home Projects on Their To-Do Lists for 2022

• How To Become Head of a Household: Homebuying and Mortgage Guide for Singles

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon