The new Executive Director of the Fort Collins Downtown Business Association has been working hard and now that he has gotten his sea legs under him, I think he is starting to understand what makes Fort Collins so special. Here is a recent article he wrote on Vibrancy on Downtown:

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the International Downtown Association, or IDA, annual conference in Charlotte, N.C.

While there, I immersed myself in learning about the successes and challenges faced by organizations similar to our DBA representing cities from throughout North America.

I am happy to report that our fair city is very highly regarded by these downtown professionals from across the country.

Certainly, the many “Best of …” accolades we regularly receive have helped fuel our fine reputation among downtown organizations. However, there is another aspect to our downtown that while there may not be an award handed out for it, is a quality we possess that makes us the envy of so many of these other cities large and small.

Urban design experts and others who analyze these types of things refer to Fort Collins as having three distinct economies in our downtown.

During the day, there are the shoppers and lunch crowd consisting of local residents, day visitors, business people and tourists.

About 5 p.m., the second economy takes over as locals and visitors alike enjoy more shopping, discuss the day’s events over happy hour and dine on our many patios and in our 50-plus restaurants.

Others choose to meet up in Old Town before heading out to see live theater or other entertainment (Welcome back, Lincoln Center).

Our third downtown economy kicks in around 10 p.m. with our late-night crowd that comes out to patronize the bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues in our downtown. This group is largely made up of 20-somethings, a broad cross section of young people including urban professionals, college upperclassmen and guests from many of the neighboring towns who consider Fort Collins to be the unofficial entertainment hub of the northern Front Range.

All in all, the thriving 18-hour-a-day economic engine has resulted in a unique and robust downtown that is visited regularly by urban planners from around the country who come here to figure out our “secret sauce,” or in other words, how our downtown has been able to deliver such extraordinary performance as an economic driver.

Using sales tax dollars as a quantifiable measurement, our downtown outperforms our physical size by six to seven times while remaining safe and, except for a couple recent exceptions, free of major problems.

These same positive sentiments also have been offered to me recently by various organizations throughout our city. The DBA is enjoying working with CSU on a variety of initiatives, including Old Town Comes to Ram Town at Hughes Stadium prior to the next home game on Nov. 12. CSU as well as some of the national tech companies on the Harmony corridor and some local businesses use a tour of Old Town as an integral part of their recruitment strategy.

Taken as a whole, I am coming to understand why our town is so often referred to as being “magical” and why so many of us refer to our downtown as “the jewel of Fort Collins.”

This month’s Heads Up: Join us as hundreds of little goblins take over Old Town Square for a Tiny Tot’s Halloween at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Michael Short is director of the Fort Collins Downtown Business Association. Reach him at mike@downtownfortcollins.com.

Forbes magazine has ranked Fort Collins Colorado the 5th best place in the Country for business. This award has been bestowed on Fort Collins for several years now, with a current slip from the number two spot. There is really no doubt that Fort Collins has a very bright entreprenurial spirit and a great university with Colorado State University.
The University has launched several great cutting edge businesses in the last several years that are making strides in the Solar world and the Smart Grid Technologies.
Fort Collins also has a solid City Council that does a good of balancing fast growth for Fort Collins with maintace of current resident desires.
Fort Collins also has the extremely successful beer culture going on. Which was highlighted in the Forbes Article by discussing the Fort Collins Downtown Business Association, www.downtownfortcollins.com which hosts the Colorado Brewers Festival. This event bring great awareness and foot traffic downtown.
Fort Collins Real Estate values are directly impacted by this great article and the Fort Collins Real Estate market continues to chug along and fairly optimistic up beet tempo.

Here is the direct link to teh Forbes article: http://www.forbes.com/places/co/fort-collins/
herre is some of the article:
Fort Collins is a large college town, home to Colorado State University. Many high-tech companies including Hewlett Packard, Intel, AMD, Amago, among others, have relocated to Fort Collins to take advantage of the resources of CSU and its research facilities. Up and coming industries within the area include clean energy, bioscience, and agri-tech businesses. The large college-age population supports the local music circuit and a number of well known microbreweries, which give the city its college-town atmosphere. The Downtown Business Association hosts a number of large festivals each year in the historic Downtown district, including the NewWestFest in late summer, which features local cuisine, music, and businesses. The Fort Collins Lincoln Center is home to the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra and regularly attracts national touring companies of Broadway plays.

One company the article does not discuss is Otter Box.

The local Fort Collins Board of Realtors announced a first of its kind award in 2010. The Green Realtor of the year was given to JJ Hannah of Keller Williams.

JJ, has been an Eco-Broker certified Realtor for 6 years and has marketed such projects as, Solar Village Maple, Merten Homes, North Flats and been apart of such local initiatives as Fort ZED, Climatewise and is working on a green property management concept.

JJ Hannah also has a great website called, www.findfortcollins.com that helps provide a lot of local information to get insight into all of these movements.

Here are some of the critiria that created the selection of this award.
Sustainability initiative(s) you have implemented into your day to day business. Such as:
1. Recycling and Solid-Waste Reduction:
a. Exemplary Recycling of Standard Items - Business consistently and conscientiously practices standard recycling of glass, plastic, aluminum, office paper, newspaper, and cardboard.
b. Exemplary Recycling of Non-Standard Items - Business makes extra effort to dispose of items that are not as commonly recycled including, but not limited to batteries, construction materials and electronics.
2. Conscientious Purchasing
a. Local Purchasing - Business purchases or produces products that are produced in, or raw materials for which originate in Fort Collins or other nearby communities in order to reduce transportation costs (as well as support the regional economy).
b. Organic Purchases and Food Choices � Buys organic to supply business or as part of retail line. Restaurants and companies make a conscientious effort to provide and/or produce organic food choices to their patrons and/or employees. Awareness should be demonstrated by marking items/advertising organic content on the menu.
c. Renewable, Recycled and Non Toxic Product Purchasing - Buys recycled, renewable or non toxic to supply business or as part of retail line. If recycled products are part of retail line, businesses are encouraged to market availability of items to customers.
3. Green Building:
a. Green Building - Build property to conserve resources and/or incorporate recycled products. Can also be awarded to retrofitted buildings or furnishings where appropriate.
4. Conservation:
a. Alternative Transportation � Business makes a strong effort to reduce energy used in transportation through encouraged bicycle riding or walking to work, providing nearby housing, providing bus passes, establishing carpooling programs, or using high-efficiency or alternative fuel vehicles, etc.
b. Energy Conservation � Pro-active effort to reduce building energy use or use of renewable resources. Can include participation in ClimateWise, upgrading building systems, use of compact fluorescent bulbs, winterizing windows, use of energy efficient appliances, etc.
c. Materials Conservation � Pro-active effort to reduce materials used, including paper, coffee cups, and other disposable utensils, paper towels, etc.
d. Water Conservation � Pro-active effort to reduce water use, including purchasing of low-flow appliances.

Here is another fantastic opportunity to own a great ranch style home in Old Town Fort Collins. This home is presented by JJ Hannah of Keller Williams Realty Downtown Fort Collins. The house has a great and unique floor plan that is very functional and fun to live in. With some great upgrades, this makes living in Old Town Fort Collins very easy. Great Investment property. For more information on Fort Collins go to www.findfortcollins.com

604 Endicott St FORT COLLINS, CO Old Town Fort Collins Ranch 3BR/1BA Single Family House $195,000 Year Built 1934 Sq Footage 1,104 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking Unspecified Lot Size 5,982 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month Description A great home for all. With lots of updates in the kitchen, front porch, back patio, new sod, irrigation system, sewer line and new carpet; this house has what it takes to make the living easy. A great location to Downtown and Lemay Ave for amenities and lifestyle. This is a must see! Property Features Tile floor Family room Office/Den Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Washer Dryer Laundry area - inside Yard Additional Photos Front Backyard Kitchen Master Bedroom Contact Info JJ Hannah Keller Williams Realty (970) 988-2568 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing

Thank you for viewing this wonderful home in Old Town Fort Collins Colorado. The Fort Collins Real Estate market continues to surge and do well in the housing downtown. JJ Hannah has been working the Fort Collins Real Estate market for nearly a decade and has sold hundreds of houses in the Fort Collins Real Estate market. He specializes in investment properties, relocation properties, old town fort collins properties. You can find more information on Fort Collins Real Estate, Fort Collins Homes and JJ Hannah at www.findfortcollins.com

Here is a great new listing in Old Town Fort Collins Colorado. This brick house has two kitchens, two fireplaces, a great, efficient yard and plenty of room to live the Old Town lifestyle.
This is a perfect house for any CSU students, young couples, retirees or anyone wanting an easy lifestyle. See below for details or call JJ Hannah at 970-988-2568
and please check out his website at www.findfortcollins.com for more information on Fort Collins

522 E Laurel St FORT COLLINS, CO Great Old Town Listing, with a great floor plan! 3BR/2BA Single Family House $235,000 Year Built 1923 Sq Footage 1,668 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 3,425 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month Description Check out this Old Town brick bungalow. Only three others like it in Old Town- but everybody knows them! Cosmetic fix up to happen over the summer- and as fix up happens, price will go up. Get in now and pick your colors- etc. Sweat Equity anybody? Property is set up as an over/und duplex and would rent for $1450/m. A great opportunity for a Grad Student or first time home buyer who wants rental income help! Great location Property Features Fireplace Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Family room Living room Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Basement Washer Dryer Laundry area - inside Yard Additional Photos Front bathroom Patio Master Bedroom Livingroom Contact Info JJ Hannah Keller Williams (970) 988-2568 For sale by individual owner Equal Opportunity Housing

It is to early to say what the effects of these newly implemented design standard changes will do to the Fort Collins Collins Real Estate market. To summarize, City Council reduced the potential house size that can be built on lots in Old Town Fort Collins. The East West Side refers to the areas of Old Town around Downtown.
See the City’s planning dept website for more information: http://www.fcgov.com/advanceplanning/eastwestdesignstandards.php

It could be very possible that existing large houses in Old Town will have a solid market advantage over properties that would need an addition to make it a feasibile family house.

Will the house value in old town Fort Collins be split. Will it become even harder for families to live in old town. What will the entire Fort Collins Real Estate market benefits and consequences be?

Please help repeal this decission that has left many families hanging in the balance of being able to increase the size of their home.

The Coloradoan wrote a good article with good coverage on the Mayor’s most recent and last State of the City address.

The address delivered Tuesday with City Manager Darin Atteberry to a full City Council chambers touched on the impact the passage of a .85 percent sales tax in November will have on city services and programs.

After years of cutting its budget, the city will be able to put more money into trans-portation, police and fire services, parks maintenance, and other high-priority pro-grams, he said. The tax measure, which was Issue 2B on the ballot, is expected to bring in $18.7 million in revenue during its first year.

Atteberry said the funding will allow the city to keep its standards high. He pledged to be accountable for how the money is spent and remain committed to “transparency and open government.”

“This was an amazing statement from you and we realize the responsibility that comes with it,” he said. “I promise that we will continue to provide cost-effective ser-vices.”

You can read the rest of the article from the Coloradoan at, http://www.coloradoan.com/article/201101251842/UPDATES01/110125028?odyssey=mod_related_topix

Working at Keller Williams in Fort Collins has really been a great experience and opportunity. Here is a press release from Keller Williams Realty that gets me very excited for 2011 and the new technology and opportunities.

Keller Williams Realty to Launch eEdge, the Real Estate Industry�s
First Comprehensive Agent Business Platform
Seamless Solution Available to Network of More Than 80,000 Associates in February

AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 10, 2011) � Keller Williams Realty announced today that it will launch the real estate industry�s first complete lead-to-close business solution for every agent in the company, eEdge. The first phase of eEdge, voted on and ratified by the company�s Associate Leadership Councils, will officially launch at the company�s annual convention in February 2011.

While many agents spend their day logging into several different systems to manage their business, eEdge will be the first fully-integrated front and back-end platform for real estate professionals. This single platform will enable agents to:

� Funnel and maintain all their contacts, leads and clients into one database
� Create, print and send custom marketing and sales material
� Manage their Web site and their listings
� Facilitate and complete their transactions paperlessly, with an online portal for clients and co-op agents

�Keller Williams is determined to stay ahead of the curve to provide the most services and support in the industry to our entire network � especially in today�s real estate climate,” said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty. �This is just the latest demonstration of our commitment to helping our agents accelerate their leadership internationally as well as in their local markets.”

The company has partnered with industry leaders, Market Leader and DotLoop to provide components of eEdge. Market Leader will provide the lead management, contact management and marketing design solution, while DotLoop will provide the seamless platform for sending, signing and managing documents online. Keller Williams Realty will be providing the central platform that allows for a single point of entry and seamless information sharing between each component of product.

�The launch of the eEdge platform represents a major milestone in the real estate industry and we at Market Leader are proud of our role in helping create this innovative platform for every Keller Williams associate,” said Ian Morris, CEO of Market Leader.

“The current process of taking a client through the lifecycle of a transaction is inefficient and cumbersome. The platform we are partnering with Keller Williams to provide to its associates will accelerate this process and improve the overall experience of buying and selling a home,” said Austin Allison, co-founder and CEO of DotLoop. �Essentially, we have aligned the business needs of agents and the expectations of their clients by providing a win-win for all parties involved, including the agent on the other side of the transaction.”

The eEdge product was originally masterminded by the company�s Agent Technology Council, or ATC, a leadership committee made up of top-producing, technology-minded associates. In order to ensure that eEdge was the right product at the right time, the company then conducted a North American-wide company vote among its Associate Leadership Councils, a decision-making body of agents that exists in every office and guides the strategic direction of the company and its initiatives.

�eEdge will do everything except make calls for you,” said Mary Tennant, president and COO of Keller Williams Realty. �It�s designed to help our agents� businesses run more smoothly so that they can do what they do best � provide the highest level of service to their buyers and sellers.”

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About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.:
Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the third-largest real estate franchise operation in the United States, with 690 offices and more than 80,000 associates in the United States and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1990, has an agent-centric culture that emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders and partners. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties.

Does it surprise us that the Fort Collins Real Estate market is acknowledged to thrive in 2011? No. We have been working the Fort Collins Real Estate market for nearly 15 years and we know the trends and options. With very little new construction happening, CSU increasing enrollement and occupancy limits at 5 year high, high trends in Fort Collins Relocation, the Fort Collins Real Estate market is poised to move.

Here is a paste from the businessinsider . com articel on The 10 Real Estate markets that will thrive in 2011.
Families who can afford a home: 78.0%
2000-2010 job growth: 11.7%
2000-2009 net migration: NA
Why Fort Collins is unique: Fort Collins, a college town, will grow both jobs and population over the next year, continuing the trajectory it�s been on for the last decade. Low crime, high education rate, and low cost of doing business have caused Fort Collins to attract attention as a city likely to come out of the recession unscathed.
Home you can buy right now: $1.9 million mountain and lakeside six bedroom, reduced from $2.4 million
Data from Trulia uses National Assoc. of Home Builders affordability estimates, Praxis Strategy Group job data and Census migration data. Commentary by Trulia’s Tara-Nicholle Nelson.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/real-estate-markets-that-will-thrive-in-2011-2010-12?utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Money+Game+Select&utm_campaign=Moneygame_Select_122110#fort-collins-colo-7#ixzz1A01u4ZF6

In case you have did not have Fort Collins on your radar for places to consider when you retire.
CNN’s Money Magazine just ranked the top 25 City’s and Fort Collins came in 12th. Although, when looking at the competition, we could have easily been much higher. (In my opinion). This list was focusing on College towns and what that meant for classes, culture and vibrancy. If they would have looked at health of real estate markets, I think the Fort Collins Real Estate market would have boosted up the ranking as well. The Real Estate Market here in Fort Collins has continued to hold its level headed ways, which help to maintain its values.

To see the entire CNN Money Magazine Article visist:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/real_estate/1009/gallery.best_places_retire.moneymag/12.html

Fort Collins has a population of 141,104 with 24% of residents over the age of 50. The magazine selected Fort Collins based on residents ease of access to ski resorts, hiking trails, golf courses that receive 300 days of sunshine, and the thriving shops and restaurants in Old Town. Moreover, retirees can take advantage of continuing education classes through Colorado State University as well as The Front Range Forum - a program run by the City of Fort Collins.

If you are considering Relocating to Fort Collins, please email us and we can send you a customzied Fort Collins Relocation Packet