Trick or Treat on Mainstreet- A Parker Halloween Tradition

     



   







This article was posted on Parkerbuzz.com on October 7, 2013, and was written by Chrissy Morin. 

Trick or Treat on Mainstreet was made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Parker Adventist Hospital

Trick or Treat on Mainstreet is happening October 31, 2013

October 31, 2013 3:30 -7:30 p.m. in O’Brien Park & Mainstreet

 

Trick or Treat on Mainstreet is FREE to the public.

This Halloween tradition that is run by the Cherry Creek Valley Rotary Club is something the entire community looks forward to each year.
Kids of all ages are encouraged to dress up  as your favorite  characters whether it be astronauts and princesses,  pumpkins or football players all are welcome to join in the festive fun.
You’ll start your adventure at  O’Brien Park in Old Town Parker to celebrate Halloween in a fun and safe environment.
The gazebo is home to frightful fun and ghoulish games before setting off on your quest for sweets. Many of the shop owners all along East Mainstreet and in the Baskin Robbins shopping center will have candy and treats for the little goblins in your family.

Other Halloween events will include:

• 3 different inflatables, including one for smaller children.
• Roaming characters such as Big Bird, Barney, Winnie the Pooh, Sponge Bob, and more.
• Super Heroes and Princess picture stations where the kids can have their photos taken with Superman or Cinderella.
• Carnival type games like Ring Toss and Stand a Bottle.
• And of course, don’t forget the candy

Local businesses may participate but the event in several ways. The participation fee is a donation to the Rotary Foundation and is tax deductible. Please contact info@trickortreatonmainstreet.com for more information on sponsoring a booth or volunteering in any way.

Be sure and bring your camera to snap keepsake fall shots of all the fun your family is having and a Trick or Treat bag to hold all your tasty treasures.

 The Parker Police Department will be on hand helping with traffic and keeping everyone safe.                                   

Spooky Real Estate Stories

The following article was posted in the October 2013 issue of REALTOR Mag and written by Meg White

On Friday, Sept. 13, NAR Director of Social Business Practice Heather Elias asked those following NAR’s Facebook page for “spooky or superstitious real estate stories.” She got more than just a few stories about haunted listings and other strange happenings.
It was a fun thread to follow, but we didn’t want such great stories to disappear like ghosts in the night. So, in preparation for Halloween, we thought you might like to read through some of these narratives. Here are a few that sent tingles down our spines (lightly edited for style, grammar, and length). Read more on the Facebook post itself, and enjoy!

I had a home on the market that was built in the late 1700s. The seller was putting his mom’s former home on the market, and it was vacant. Every Monday morning, I noticed a drip line running from the countertop across the fireplace to a doorway in the kitchen. I cleaned it up about three times. Finally, I called someone in to take a look at it. Turns out the substance was oil from an old oil lamp. But the house didn’t have any such lamps anymore. One Monday, as I was cleaning the drip line once again, I said aloud, “If you want me to find you a nice new family to live here, you’ve got to stop doing this or you will frighten them off.” The oil never appeared again, and the new owner has never seen it either.
—Lisa Lemieux Antanavica

In the ’80s, I listed an old Victorian home in Palestine, Texas. When I got there to take pictures for the new listing, it was completely empty. There was a beautiful arched doorway leading from the kitchen to the dining room, and I got an especially good shot of it, because I thought it was one of the best features of the home. In those days, we did not have camera phones and had to actually take our film in to have it developed. Two days later, I was looking through the photos and came to one photo that sent chills up and down my spine. Standing in that arched doorway was a young girl that absolutely had not been in that house at the time I was taking the photo. I lingered so long when taking that picture, and it was impossible for me to have missed someone standing there. The little girl in the photo was staring directly at me.
—Dee Banks

I was previewing a house that was supposed to be vacant, so I took my husband with me. When we got to the house, there seemed to be a very lonely feeling about it. When I opened the door, I swear I heard someone say, “Get out.” I asked my husband if he said anything, and he said no. So, as we walked around this house, the feeling got more intense. We would turn a light on and head to another room, and then realize that the room we just left would be dark. I kept hearing whispers, and I kept trying to get my husband to admit it was him. I kept thinking he had to be messing with me. In the kitchen, I was so ready to just say, “Let’s get out of here.” Suddenly, my husband turned to me and said, “You need to stop saying that; stop messing with me. Let’s just go; something’s wrong with this house.” My husband is a really serious guy, so at this point I was running for the door.
—Gidget Janz

I viewed a broker’s open house where a murder had been committed in the home. As I walked through the home, my knees became very weak as I set foot where the body was discovered, and they almost buckled on me. It was a weird feeling I had never experienced before.
—Cecile Ann Clayton

My client and I were viewing this older house one winter evening. The street light was very dim, and the house had a very segregated layout on the main floor so my client and I were separated most of the time. Lots of the lights in the house didn’t work, and a strange beeping sound came from the security system. All the bedrooms had a ceiling light in a corner, so the rooms were not well lit. Also, there was a full-length mirror on the wall right across from the door in every bedroom, so as soon as you opened the door you would see yourself in the mirror. My client and I became increasingly uneasy, so we decided to leave. I started to turn off the lights. As soon as we headed down to the main floor, the doorbell rang and there was a white face pressing on the main door glass peeking inside. Both my client and I screamed. I opened the door with my shaking hand and there was this young couple standing there yelling at us. It turned out that, since it was so dark on the street, my client had accidentally parked her car blocking part of the neighbor’s driveway. The neighbor had tried to drive in anyways and scratched his truck against the tree. So here we were, scared half to death and being cursed at. I never went back to that neighborhood again.
—Hong Wang

Many Home Owners Stay Put After Foreclosure

According to the Daily Real Estate News, in the article dated, Thursday, October 24, 2013,

Nearly half of the nation’s foreclosed homes are still occupied, according to a new study by RealtyTrac. That percentage is even higher in some markets: 60 percent of foreclosed homes in Miami and Los Angeles are occupied. Because the owners or renters of these homes aren't being evicted until months or even years after the homes go into foreclosure, they continue to live in them without paying a mortgage or rent.

To reach its findings, RealtyTrac used its database of foreclosed homes and compared it with postal records to see which addresses were still receiving mail and which had a change-of-address filed. The study found that people who rented a home that went into foreclosure often stay for a year or more afterward.

“If someone has a bona fide rental agreement, we have to abide by that,” explains Amy Bonitatibus, a spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase. 

Banks say that evicting a person after foreclosure is often a slow legal process. Some banks try to speed up the eviction process by offering cash to get occupants to leave. However, other banks actually prefer that home owners stay in a home after foreclosure, even if they are not paying the mortgage. 

"Although one thinks lenders take losses by not moving evictions forward, they're still faring better by keeping the properties occupied," Pauliana Lara of the Consumer Action Law Group in Los Angeles told CNNMoney. "Many foreclosed homes get vandalized or squatters move in." 

Distressed homes — including foreclosures and short sales — accounted for 14 percent of existing-home sales in September, the National Association of REALTORS® reported this week. That percentage is down from 24 percent in September 2012. On average, foreclosures sold for a discount of 16 percent below market value in September. 

Source: “Half of nation's foreclosed homes still occupied,” CNNMoney (Oct. 24, 2013) and “While Existing-Home Sales Fall, Prices Rise,” REALTOR(R) Magazine Daily News (Oct. 22, 2013)

Fun Things to do Halloween Week Around Parker, CO

According to Chrissy Morin, in her article from the Parker Buzz, dated October 14, 2013,

There are quite a few fun activities that are free or inexpensive that are going on to celebrate Halloween week.

Trick or Treat on Mainstreet – 4-8 Halloween October 31 - All Ages

Haunted Halloween Party at Tailgate - Adults only

Halloween is a great reason to party and this year  there are two!

Saturday, October, 26th  & October 31st is on a Thursday and that’s close enough to the weekend - LET’S HAVE A 2ND PARTY!
Our party on Saturday, October 26th, will feature our costume contest and the rockin’ music of Five13.

The party on Thursday, October 31st, will feature the amazing music of Phat Daddy as well as more prizes for costumes.

REAPERS HOLLOW HAUNTED CORN MAZE
Flat Acres Open Oct. 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 & 31st, 2013 open 7 – 10 p.m.
There is something dark lurking in the woods and cornfields at Flat Acres Farm. For decades there have been reports of strange happenings. People say they hear sounds, like those of a scythe reaping the corn. You might catch the glimpse of an ominous shadow, swiftly moving through the woods and fields, as if floating above the ground. People who enter the corn or woods at night have gone missing… Will you dare to enter? Reapers Hollow is premiering in Parker, CO this year as an outdoor, haunted walk through attraction. Located on Flat Acres Farm, the haunt is a terrifying 20-30 minute trek through cornfield and woods.
http://www.reapershollow.com

The last Parker Wine Walk of 2013 on Mainstreet 5-8 p.m.

Trick or Treat off the Street at the Wildlife Experience 

Saturday, October 26,  9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Ghosts and goblins, vampires and werewolves, skeletons, witches and ghouls of all kinds – flock to The Wildlife Experience for the greatest Halloween spooktacular in Colorado! Will you dare take the Haunted Hike through Ghoul-ology and learn about the animals that use disguises and camouflage? Are you brave enough to enter the dark regions of GLOW? Will the dead rise from the graves of the haunted graveyard? Creep, crawl, or slither into the Wildlife Experience for the spookiest Trek you’ll ever take while collecting Treats from the candy booths lining the museum’s hallways. Children will get to collect candy and make creepy crafts in a safe, fun environment regardless of the weather. Complete the Haunted Hike for a special prize! Bound through the bounce house! See live bats from the Organization for Bat Conservation from 2 – 5! Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 26^th.  You’ll have a howling time at Trek or Treat Off the Street!  Special hours we’ll be open late till 7:00pm!

Cost: Included with the price of museum admission (members are free).

SHOULD I RENT MY HOUSE IF I CAN'T SELL IT?

According to Keeping Current Matters, in an article dated October 7, 2013, and written by the KCM Crew,

There has been a lot written about how buying a home is less expensive than renting one in most parts of the country. Rents are skyrocketing and homes are still at great prices. These two situations are also causing some sellers to consider renting their home instead of selling it. After all, a homeowner can get great rental income now and perhaps wait until house values increase even further before selling.

This logic makes sense in some cases. We at KCM believe strongly that residential real estate is a great investment right now. However, if you have no desire to actually become an educated investor in this sector, you may be headed for more trouble than you were looking for.

Before renting your home, you should answer the following questions to make sure this is the right course of action for you and your family.

10 Questions to Ask BEFORE Renting Your Home

1.) How will you respond if your tenant says they can't afford to pay the rent this month because of more pressing obligations? (This happens most often during holiday season and back-to-school time when families with children have extra expenses).
2.) Because of the economy, many homeowners can no longer make their mortgage payment. What percent of tenants do you think can no longer afford to pay their rent?
3.) Have you interviewed a few experienced eviction attorneys in case a challenge does arise?
4.) Have you talked to your insurance company about a possible increase in premiums as liability is greater in a non-owner occupied home?
5.) Will you allow pets? Cats? Dogs? How big a dog?
6.) How will you actually collect the rent? By mail? In person?
7.) Repairs are part of being a landlord. Who will take tenant calls when necessary repairs arise?
8.) Do you have a list of craftspeople readily available to handle these repairs?
9.) How often will you do a physical inspection of the property?
10.) Will you alert your current neighbors that you are renting the house?

Bottom Line

Again, renting out residential real estate historically is a great investment. However, it is not without its challenges. Make sure you have decided to rent the house because you want to be an investor, not because you are hoping to get a few extra dollars by postponing a sale.

Recreational Land Buyers Are on the Hunt Again: Farmland Holds Steady Plowing Over 2012's Record Highs

October 7, 2013 – (KANSAS CITY, Mo.) – While the real estate industry saw farmland selling at all-time record highs last year given its strong economic justification, this year’s story appears to be the return of more discretionary land purchases. According to United Country Real Estate, the nation’s largest seller of non-urban real estate, recreational property sales are up double digits compared to 2012.

“We are seeing great things in the recreational land market this year,” said Jason Cole, chief financial officer with United Country Real Estate. “Over 2012, there has been a 54 percent jump in recreational land sales volume year-to-date.”

“This is an extremely important indicator as to the direction of the overall economy and specifically, real estate,” said Mike Duffy, president for United Country Real Estate. “Although returns on recreational properties have proven steady and consistent long-term growth, a large portion of the overall value comes from the owner’s recreational use. When the economy contracted during the recession, the record yields on farmland drove strong demand and price appreciation throughout, while more modest returns on recreational land and consumer uncertainty depressed sales. When consumers feel confident enough to make large, more discretionary purchases such as recreational property, it means they are feeling more comfortable with their financial outlook.”

Additionally, August showed that the more return driven interest in farmland and ranches is not ready to slow down. United Country saw an amazing 80 percent increase in sales of agricultural property in August versus the same month last year. And not only were investors buying up land in August, but they were doing so at higher prices, which continued to increase through August and remained near the record highs of 2012. Average farm and ranch sale prices were up 9.2 percent overall through August versus 2012.


Members of the media needing information on United Country or our marketplace, contact Stephen Kretsinger, Public Relations Department - skretsinger@unitedcountry.com