Transit prospects drive urban living
By Paige Ingram of the Northern Colorado Business Report on October 24th, 2008.

FORT COLLINS - The Mason Street Corridor is poised to bring not just a transit line to Fort Collins, but a new lifestyle. With new housing, retail and office developments planned, many see a new future for the growing downtown area.

“I think the Mason Corridor is a wonderful opportunity to really enhance downtown and continue the growth that we’ve been working on for years,” said J.J. Hannah, a commercial, residential and investment specialist with Keller Williams in downtown Fort Collins.

The Mason Corridor is a five-mile north-south byway extending from Cherry Street on the north to Harmony Road on the south. It runs alongside the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, just west of College Avenue.

The basis of the Corridor is a transportation line connecting downtown with Colorado State University, Foothills Mall and retail on South College Avenue. Aside from paths for bikers and pedestrians, which are already in place, a bus rapid transit system is set to start running in 2011.

While transit may have been the impetus, development is the action of today.

To read the full article, go to http://ncbr.com/article.asp?id=96780

JJ Hannah has one of the best deals in Old Town right now. 117 N McKinley, Fort Collins, CO 80521, is one of the most charming houses on the market in Old Town Fort Collins. JJ Hannah listed this property in May and recently had a price improvement that should allow somebody an opportunity of a lifetime. This is a classic bungalow with refinished wood floors, sky lights, new paint, a great back deck, a really cute front yard, a one car detached garage and CHARM. Call JJ Hannah with Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado located at the downtown office. 970-212-2435

Many homebuyers are looking to re-connect with their downtowns by living and working in or near downtown. This cuts the daily commute, puts them close to the action, immerses them in their community, and saves money. By living and working downtown, they can bike and walk to many destinations, and cut their use of the auto. They can enjoy dinner and entertainment downtown, and walk home. They can use mass transit, enjoy local parks, not pay HOA fees, and lead a simpler life.
Fort Collins homebuyers are joining this re-urbanization trend. At Keller Williams Downtown, we know downtown Ft Collins, and have great listings in condos, townhomes, new urban homes, and vintage old town homes. Fort Collins Real Estate is a strong investment. Contact Matt Evans, Mike Jensen, or JJ Hannah today to help you buy or sell. We have the knowledge and experience to assist you in residential and commercial real estate in Northern Colorado! Call 970-212-2452 today.

The Classic, a 2-story new urban home built by WB Construction at Conifer Meadows at Trail Head, is an entry in the 2008 HBA of Northern Colorado Parade of Homes. Wrapping up this weekend, the Parade features over 40 homes built by builders in Northern Colorado. The Classic offers over 2400 sf with a 2-car detached garage, private backyard, and exquisite interior finishes for a starting price of $254,900. For those looking for a much simpler way of life, the Conifer home designs offer a turnkey home for buyers of all ages. Matt Evans with Keller Williams downtown states, “we are seeing many people downsizing from large ovesized homes to more efficient homes with much less lawn care and lower utility bills”. Whether a primary residence, or 2nd home in Ft. Collins, call 970-215-9221 for a showing with Matt Evans of Keller Williams at Conifer Meadows today.

FORT COLLINS, CO—Sept. 3, 2008—Two of the fastest growing real estate firms in
Northern Colorado have joined forces. Fort Collins Real Estate and Keller Williams of
Northern Colorado today announced their merger, according to Keller Williams
Operating Principal JoAnn Johnston.
Established in 1999, Keller Williams of Northern Colorado has offices in Fort Collins,
Loveland and Greeley, focusing primarily on residential real estate sales. Fort Collins
Real Estate, established in 1988 and owned by Michael L. Jensen since 2003, has
specialized in commercial, investment and residential real estate since Jensen has been in
charge of the company. Last week, Keller Williams Realty International (KWRI)
launched its commercial division; KW Commercial and Jensen will now take the
opportunity to head up and help launch that division for the Northern Colorado offices of
Keller Williams with the completion of the merger and the formation of this new
partnership.
“Keller Williams of Northern Colorado will be the only real estate company in the area
with full-service residential and commercial sales divisions under one roof,” explains
Johnston. “We are excited to have someone with Mike’s knowledge, track record, and
expertise to build and lead our commercial division and continue building the premier
real estate company in Northern Colorado.”
“Our companies share many of the same values so it was a natural fit- we both have very
strong team-and family-oriented cultures so the result is an even stronger company to
better serve our customers,” says Jensen. “The merger is great for our agents too because
they will now also have all of the resources of Keller Williams Realty International, the
fourth largest real estate company in North America. All the while it also still allows us
to continue to market, sell, and help shape the future of Downtown Fort Collins & the
North College Ave urban infill areas with even better service to our residential projects at
Penny Flats, Solar Village Maple, North Flats, Old Town North, and Conifer Meadows
that we represent. We can also further our investment property offerings both
residentially & commercially, which only enhances our core competencies and what we
can offer to our customers, and further strengthens the company going forward.”
In mid-October, Keller Williams of Northern Colorado will move from its current
location at 2809 E. Harmony Rd. to a new location at The Pads at Harmony, on the north
side of East Harmony Road near Snow Mesa. “This is going to be one of the most
elegant, premier buildings in Fort Collins with great visibility along Harmony Road,”
says Johnston. “We will also maintain the office at the present location of the former
Fort Collins Real Estate office which is located at 1220 S. College Ave.”
In addition to Jensen and Johnston, the ownership group of Keller Williams of Northern
Colorado includes Dave Pierce and Walter Weckbaugh. The ownership group
collectively has more than 100 years of combined experience in real estate. Rick Kness
serves as Team Leader in Fort Collins, Brad Clarkson as Team Leader in Loveland and
the company is hiring a new Team Leader in Greeley. The merged company now has
more than 215 agents, making it one of the largest real estate firms in Northern Colorado.
Keller Williams of Northern Colorado was named in the Top 500 in the Power Brokers
Report by RIS Media in April 2008, and the top 500 largest brokers in the U.S. by “Real
Trends” magazine for sales volume and units sold in 2007.
After Fort Collins Real Estate was purchased by Jensen in early 2003, the company
quickly grew and in two short years was listed in the Top Ten Real Estate Companies in
Fort Collins Based on Sales Volume (Northern Colorado Business Report). Fort Collins
Real Estate is the second real estate brokerage firm that Jensen has quickly grown into a
local market sales volume leader in his 13-year career. A 34-year-old graduate of
Colorado State University, Jensen grew Housing Helpers Real Estate from a two-person
company in 1995 to a 50-person powerhouse, which he then sold in May 2001. “I am
confident that I can take all that I have learned over the years with both companies,
combine that with the great resources of KWRI and the strength of this new partnership,
and make KW Commercial a true force to be reckoned with in Northern Colorado. The
horsepower of an additional 190 agents that Keller Williams Residential brings to the
table should bring even more success to our current residential projects, so our developers
are very excited about that,” Jensen says.
Keller Williams Realty franchised the Colorado Region in 1993 and has succeeded by
creating a unique agent-focused model that builds partnerships between agents and local
ownership through participation in a life-long, profit sharing program. In 2007, Keller
Williams Realty in Northern Colorado profit shared nearly $125,000 with its agents.
In Colorado, the company has 28 locations and more than 2,800 agents. In 2007, Keller
Williams agents achieved a sales volume of more than $3.5 billion. For more
information, contact Operating Principal JoAnn Johnston at 970-377-3700, Mike Jensen
at 970-226-0999 or visit www.NorthernColoradoHomes.com.

CSU investment properties There are Great opportunities now and on the horizon for Investment Properties that will serve Colorado State University students, faculty and staff. It was recently reported that this year, CSU enrollment of the freshman class will set a record. Which may make for even higher demand for student housing in the future. Here at Fort Collins Real Estate we have a wealth of experience helping parents find that perfect home for their student while they are working at their education. Whether that be a condo, townhome, or a nice single-family home that fits the student better, we will help you wade through all the options out there to find a great fit.
Our convenient location right next to campus at the intersection of College and Pitkin gives you a great opportunity to drop in the next time you visit Fort Collins.
There are also exciting opportunities near campus with the new developments along the Mason Street Corridor. Penny Flats, offering urban lofts. Solar Village offers Eco-Luxury living along with the opportunity for live-work studios. (please check out our other Fort Collins Real Estate news for more Mason Street Corridor Information.)

Fort Collins Real Estate is proud to announce the Co-Listing of Merten Inc’s Fort Collins new built homes with Brad Duckham of Keller Williams. This is a terrific opportunity for Fort Collins Real Estate to not only expand their listing base in Old Town Fort Collins, but to also expand their depth of ‘Green Built’ real estate that they continue to sell and market. The first listing to market is a Tuscan inspired straw-bale house in the Old Town North development, just north of Downtown Fort Collins. This home won the 2008 Urban Design Award for GREEN DESIGN from the City of Fort Collins. It contains many Energy-Efficient materials and technologies, which provide this home with low energy bills, exceptional indoor air quality, and resource conservation. Open floor plan includes massive kitchen with massive custom concrete slab counter, sunken Dining Room. Polished concrete + radiant floor heat. R-72 Ceilings.
Merten. Fort Collins Real Estate will also be marketing Thh Neapolitians, which will be urban Green duplexes, also in Old Town North and those prices will start in the $290’s. For more information, please contact JJ Hannah at 970-212-2435.

Again in 2008, Fort Collins has received another award from CNN & Money Magazine, and has been named the #2 Best Place to Live.The magazine sites such items as bike lanes, bike library, the Old Town historic district, microbreweries, restaurants and more. Bioscience, tech, and renewable energy employers are mentioned as providing great jobs.The renewable energy grant, and efforts for a zero energy district are also mentioned.CSU is cited to be in a scenic location, and health care is mentioned as top of the line.Visit Fort Collins and see why it’s a great place to live, and to invest in real estate such as homes and commercial property. Here’s the link to the full article http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/snapshots/PL0827425.html.
Contact Matt Evans for a tour of properties at 970-215-9221.

Penny Flats first phase continues transform on the corner of Maple and Mason in Downtown Fort Collins. Now 4-stories in height, and moving toward a fall 2008 completion, buyers are very excited about the process. The facade of brick, metal, and siding is creating a recognizable landmark just across the corner from the proposed Mason Street MAX station. The prices on units, ranging from $265,000 to the mid $400s include underground secure parking and storage. Put yourself downtown and reserve a unit today. Prime commercial space is also available. For details, call Matt Evans at 970-215-9221 or any of the downtown team at 970-212-2452. Visit www.pennyflats.com for a web cam of progress.

Soon to be located in the heart of old town Ft Collins, Solar Village will combine luxury living with eco-friendly construction. Powered by clean energy such as solar and wind, Solar Village will feature 25 residential units priced from $200 to the mid $400s in a mixed use setting. An expansive courtyard will give 3-sides of natural light to many of the condos. Want low energy bills? You’ll spend less here at Solar Village Maple. State of the art photovoltaic panels will provide electric, radiant floor heat will provide warmth, and fan coil cooling systems will provide the chill for your loft. Walk and bike all over town. RESERVE YOURS BY MAY 31 AND RECEIVE A FLAT SCREEN ECO-TV AT CLOSING.*Contact the Downtown Team and Matt Evans at 970-212-2452 or matt@fortcollinsre.com for the amazing details.