Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty Unveils New Website and iPad Application

21May 2012

Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty Unveils New Website and iPad Application Designed for an Unparalleled Property Search, User Experience.

Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty (FSIR) has taken the online property search to an extraordinary new level with the recent launch of its redesigned website, www.fullersothebysrealty.com. The new site optimizes the user experience by incorporating advanced search features, intuitive functionality, and the option for users to customize and save their searches with unprecedented detail.

Users of the new www.fullersothebysrealty.com can:

  • Search and access all properties included in the Denver, Boulder and Vail MLS systems
  • Search properties by map, radius search, neighborhood, lifestyle or property amenities
  • Translate the website – including its video content – into five languages; users can also select the currency in which they want prices displayed
  • View school, community and demographic information for every FSIR listing on the site
  • Save searches and properties to a user’s account and, within that account, make private notes about a property and even upload personal photos of the property after touring it
  • Compare the cost of living between two areas when considering relocation using FSIR’s detailed cost-of-living form
  • Search and access online profiles of every Sotheby’s International Realty® listing in the world

Based on data from the Sotheby’s International Realty website, www.SothebysRealty.com, more than half of all searches use the lifestyle or amenity search parameters. Thus, it was critical for FSIR to allow for the most advanced and versatile search options available so that users can define and refine their search criteria with precision.

On the new website, users can filter their search by applying more than 30 lifestyle or amenity selections. Some lifestyle selections allow for a broad search: mountain, golf, metropolitan, ocean/beach, etc. However, other lifestyle filters allow users to search for very specific lifestyle features or amenities such as casino/gambling, fly-in communities, yacht clubs, wine country – even islands.

The new Fuller Sotheby’s Realty website is fully integrated with the Sotheby International Realty website, which means that all enhancements made and new features added to www.SothebysRealty.com will also be available on www.FullerSothebysRealty.com. This “cascading platform” technology allows local FSIR clients and website visitors premiere access to cutting-edge real estate tools on a global scale.

Adding to the buzz surrounding FSIR’s new website is its recently launched iPad application that gives iPad users a tablet-optimized experience when searching and viewing properties. This exclusive app can be downloaded through Apple’s app store and allows iPad users to easily view Sotheby’s International Realty listings worldwide, view property details and photos, save home searches and property information, search for properties using a dynamic mapping tool as well as nearly 40 points of interest based on property location, and share properties via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

The Sotheby’s International Realty brand is the only network that currently allows users to search for property listings worldwide on a mobile device.  And, according to Google, one in five luxury real estate searches happen on a mobile device.

Colorado Trains Offer Unique Historical and Scenic Adventures

21May 2012

colorado train

In today’s high-speed world, technology and transportation unite to get people where they’re going quickly and efficiently. Transportation by train is a rarity. Instead, light rail systems race through cityscapes while passengers doze or read on their tablets.

Perhaps this is what makes Colorado’s “real” trains such a marvelous and awe-inspiring escape from everyday life. Both the Georgetown Loop Railroad and the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offer passengers an incredible trip back in time and through some of Colorado’s most inaccessible yet stunning wilderness. This historic and scenic journey provides a fantastic weekend getaway for those in Colorado looking for an easy summer or fall “stay-cation.”

Georgetown Loop Railroad
The Georgetown Loop Railroad is an engineering masterpiece dating back to the 1880s. It was constructed to connect the once thriving mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume, which are only 2 miles apart but are separated by a narrow and steep mountain canyon. The result was 3.1 miles of narrow gauge track snaking through the canyon in a spiraling route that slowly climbed more than 600 feet in elevation. Open to passengers from 1899 until 1938, the railroad was abandoned until 1973 when the Colorado Historical Society began its renovation and later reopened the Loop to tourists.

Today the Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park located off Interstate 70 just 45 miles west of Denver is an exhilarating way to experience the beauty Clear Creek Valley while learning some fascinating Colorado history. The train makes multiple stops each day at the route’s endpoints: the Silver Plume Depot and the Devil’s Gate Station in Georgetown.  At the route’s midway point is the Lebanon Silver Mine, which passengers can tour for a slightly higher train fare.

The Loop’s 2012 season runs May 5 through December 30 with fares starting at $25.50 per adult and $18.50 per child (ages 3 to 15). A variety of special events and routes – some geared for adults and some for the whole family to enjoy – are being featured this year:

  • Moonlight in the Mountains takes passengers on a unique dinner excursion in one of the train’s enclosed dining coaches
  • Wine and Hors d’ouevres Train offers a sampling of a variety of wines paired with hors d’ouevres within the comfort of an enclosed coach
  • In September and October the Beer and Brats Train couples a Colorado microbrew tasting with appetizers, brats & sauerkraut, and desert
  • The 4th of July Fireworks Train features cowboy BBQ and a unique view of the Georgetown Fireworks display
  • Pumpkin Festival Trains run the first two weekends of October and include a hay bale maze set up outside the Lebanon Silver Mine, free pumpkins and variety of kid-friendly activities

Reservations for these events are recommended. For complete details on the Georgetown Loop Railroad or to make a reservation, visit http://www.georgetownlooprr.com.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Nestled in Colorado’s southwest corner, the towns of Durango and Silverton once were major hubs for miners who extracted the precious gold and silver ore from the nearby San Juan Mountains. A railway was completed in 1882 to connect the towns and haul freight and passengers between them.

Amazingly, while its main purpose and ownership has changed over the years, the 130-year-old Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has never ceased operation. Its vintage steam locomotive today takes passengers on a scenic feast for the eyes as it winds through dramatic canyons and offers incredible views of the pristine 2 million-acre San Juan National Forest. Its summer route (May-October) is 45.4 miles each way, while its winter trips (November through early May) travel 26 miles each way to Cascade Station.   The railroad operates year-round and offers a choice of seating classes: standard, deluxe, first and presidential. Fares vary depending on the chosen class and passenger age.

Whether it’s Colorado history, good music, fine food or outdoor adventure that defines your “perfect getaway,” the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has offerings to delight every personality. A full line-up of events and packages can be found at www.durangotrain.com, but here’s just a sampling of the unique opportunities available:

  • The Durango Blues Train is Saturday, June 2, and features seven live blues acts for passengers to enjoy while traveling the railroad’s summer route
  • The Raft and Rails package features a morning raft trip on the Lower Animas River, and then passengers enjoy the train ride from Silverton to Durango
  • The Mesa Verde National Park Tour package allows travelers a day on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad one day and a guided tour of Mesa Verde National Park the next.

The train’s main station is in downtown Durango, which is 337 miles southwest of Denver. For details on lodging and amenities in the Durango area, visit http://www.durango.com.

Colorado Lifestyle Comparisons $800,000

21May 2012

Curious what kind of lifestyle you can buy on Colorado’s Front Range for just under $800,000? From a gleaming downtown penthouse to a stately two-story on the golf course or a modern 12-acre foothills retreat, these are just a sampling of the many options available to suit Coloradoans’ varying lifestyles. Which property is calling you?

55 W. 12th Ave, #606, Denver  $795,000

If you thrive on the bright lights, faster pace and convenience of city life, consider this stunning penthouse located in the heart of downtown Denver just a few blocks south of Civic Center Park. This two-bedroom, two-bath unit sited on the 6th floor of an architecturally striking residential building boasts two stories of glass framing  picturesque views of the city in the foreground and the Rocky Mountains beyond. Sleek, linear design and contemporary finishes abound throughout this unit’s main level and loft area. The spacious kitchen merges white Berloni cabinetry, carrera marble, stainless steel and glass for a functional sophistication. Step out to the private terrace or enjoy easy access to the communal rooftop gardens and pavilion also on the 6th floor.

Main features include:

  • 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms
  • 1,756 square feet
  • Main level plus loft
  • Hardwood floors
  • Marble countertops
  • Mountain views
  • Secure building with door attendant

 

27003 Belcher Hill Road, Golden  $775,000

Prefer looking down on the city rather than being in it? This custom Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home with 12 acres offers privacy and panoramic views of Denver and Pikes Peak. Walls of glass and soaring ceilings lend a voluminous feel to the home’s interior. A large central kitchen and open floor plan makes for easy yet elegant entertaining. Take the party outside to the expansive L-shaped deck that spans two sides of the home’s exterior.  A private deck off the master suite offers stunning vistas of White Ranch Park’s gentle mountainous landscape and twinkling lights of the city in the distance.  A true paradise for those who love the mountains but want city conveniences nearby.

Main features include:

  • 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms
  • 3,263 square feet
  • 4-car garage
  • 12 acres zoned for horses with additional land available for purchase
  • Hardwood floors
  • 2 fireplaces
  • Mountain and city views

 

4610 Carefree Trail, Parker  $799,000

Indulge in Colorado golf course living in this handsome two-story backing to the 14th fairway at Pradera.  Sited on more than a ½ acre, this grand 5-bedroom, 5-bath home offers exquisite details from the inside out. Its three well-appointed levels include an inviting 2-story foyer, warm hardwoods, a spacious great room with fireplace, a central gourmet kitchen with granite island, two offices, a lavish master retreat with excellent golf course views, and a finished lower level complete with billiard room, media area, bedroom suite and exercise room. Enveloped in professional landscaping, the home’s outdoor features are equally inviting. Expansive covered and uncovered flagstone patios, a built-in fire pit and a charming garden area highlight the exterior amenities that add to this home’s allure and set it apart as a rarity in this price range.

Main features include:

  • 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
  • 5,663 Sq Ft.
  • .57-acre lot
  • Golf course views
  • 3-car garage
  • Hardwood floors
  • Granite counters
  • High-end finishes throughout
  • Finished lower level

Alzheimer’s Memories in the Making Art Show

21May 2012

alzheimers memories in the making

Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty is thrilled to be a Palette Sponsor of this year’s Memories in the Making Art Show and Auction June 7 at Sports Authority Field. This incredible event is the annual culmination of the Alzheimer’s Association Memories in the Making® program, which offers hope to Alzheimer’s patients and their families while raising awareness of this life-changing – and often life-ending – disease.

The Memories in the Making® program offers a way for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases to express themselves through creative art. Research shows that even after dementia robs a patient of his or her ability to communicate verbally, the patient’s thoughts and emotions can often be conveyed through art. The program focuses on watercolor painting as the primary medium and offers more than 85 weekly art classes for dementia patients across Colorado. Once a year, a jury of professional artists selects the “best of the best” artwork created through the Memories in the Making program.  Each piece is professionally framed for display at the annual Memories in the Making Art Show and Auction.

For this year’s event, dust off your cowboy boots and dig out bolo tie or Colorado Cocktail attire for a Western-themed evening featuring live music, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a complimentary martini and professional artwork donated by renowned Colorado artists for the live and silent auctions. Each art piece created by a Memories in the Making® artist is paired with an art piece by a professional artist, and the two pieces are auctioned off together. Event attendees can preview and bid on artwork before the event by visiting https://www.blacktie-colorado.com.

Tickets to this fun and worthwhile charity event are $85 and can be purchased by contacting Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty at 303-893-3200 or email RSVP@fullerproperties.com. We encourage you to join us for an evening that celebrates the power and beauty of art while raising awareness of a disease that impacts far too many lives.

Alzheimer’s is a debilitating illness that alters the lives of those diagnosed with it as well as the family members who support them. Today 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease including one in every eight older Americans. Sadly, Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and so far there is no way the disease can be prevented, cured or even slowed.

Family members who take care of their loved ones with Alzheimer’s often struggle emotionally and financially as they watch the disease progress. More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for persons with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and in 2012 alone payments for care are estimated to be $200 billion in the U.S.

For more information on Alzheimer’s disease, visit www.alz.org.

Relocation Directors Council holds Annual Spring Conference in San Antonio, TX

18May 2012

dolores mozerOn May 8th and 9th, Dolores Mozer, Director of Relocation Services at Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty attended the Relocation Directors Council’s (RDC) ® spring conference in San Antonio, TX.  For two days, over 120 relocation professionals gathered to share best practices, industry trends, and network and learn from each other.

Meeting Planning Chair, Shawn Owens, CRP, GMS, chose “Promoting Excellence & Encouraging Growth” as this year’s conference theme.  All content focused on RDC’s goal of combining experience and education to ensure excellent service delivery from its members.  The message was delivered in a number of ways; panels, roundtables and RDC U. Topics addressed technology, performance, and the preparing a “quality” BMA to name a few.

Key note speaker Dean Lindsay, a national recognized “sales and marketing guru” shared his “Progress Challenge”, illustrating how redefining views on change can lead to progress.

Peggy Smith, CEO shared her thoughts on the future of the industry, and how Worldwide ERC® is positioned to address the coming year.

Participation by former and current RDC® Advisory Council members allowed for attendees to get a view from the Corporate and Relocation Management Company Perspective on many issues.

Bill Nemer, CRP, GMS; Joe Benevides, SCRP, Jan LaQuier, CRP and Freda Ingram-Brown, SCRP participated in a lively panel discussion lead by RDC® member Teresa Howe, SCRP, SGMS.

RDC U Honorary Professors of Knowledge Ginger Merrick, CRP, GMS, Sylkia Negron, CRP, SGMS, Florence Baird, CRP, GMS and Rob Johnson, SCRP, SGMS provided an in depth review of the ERC BMA, identifying for the attendees what they are doing right, and what they could do better when providing a BMA to a client.

For 30 Years the relocation directors who comprise the membership of RDC® have been providing customized, caring service with innovative approaches for very employee, employer and relocation management company they work with.

RDC®’s membership is comprised of over 200 relocation professionals, representing approximately 5,000 real estate offices and 215,000 sales associates nationwide.  RDC® affiliates have become the trusted source for up-to-date market information, best practices, industry specific education, and extraordinary relocation service. As members of Worldwide ERC®, RDC® member services span the globe. To learn more about RDC or to locate an RDC member, visit their website at www.relocationdirectorscouncil.com

Coleen Sanders joins Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty

18May 2012

Coleen Sanders, Fuller Sotheby's International RealtyColeen Sanders joins Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty’s Denver Tech Center office. A fourth generation real estate broker, with family ties to the Sotheby’s International Realty brand, Sanders provides clients with a wealth of real estate and marketing expertise.

Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty (FSIR), a leader in the sale and purchase of luxury residences throughout Colorado, is pleased to announce that Coleen Sanders has joined the company’s Denver Tech Center office. Coleen brings a strong marketing and real estate background to FSIR, including the fact that she is a fourth generation real estate broker with ties to Sotheby’s (her family’s real estate firm located in Birmingham, MI became affiliated with Sotheby’s six years ago).

Prior to Sotheby’s, Coleen served as a director at Condé Nast, the publisher of Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, and Architectural Digest, developing multi-million dollar marketing programs for the company’s largest and most prestigious advertisers, including Lexus and Grey Goose.

“I grew up learning the real estate business from my family, and I have over a decade of professional marketing experience from New York City,”  Coleen explained.  “The transition into real estate seemed like a natural progression for me.”  She joined FSIR because she felt the brand name and reputation was synonymous with the type of service she has always provided her clients.

Coleen moved to Denver with her family over a year ago.  “I chose to move to Denver with my family because of the quality of life.  My husband is a Denver-native, we have a big family here, and we think it’s a great place to raise a family,” said Coleen.

Coleen focuses her efforts on the Denver metro area.  With her passion for real estate and strong work ethic, she feels confident in having continued success in the Denver real estate market.

“I believe I offer my clients a unique skill set in selling or purchasing a home – my strategic marketing capabilities combined with an in-depth knowledge of the real estate market,” Coleen explained.  “I also pride myself in being a calming force in challenging transactions.”  Her experience also includes extensive contract negotiation and execution.

FSIR Local Flavor | The Med

11May 2012

The Med Boulder

FSIR Local Flavor | The Med

Boulder’s restaurant scene has evolved over the decades but one fixture that has remained a favorite of locals and tourists alike is The Med.  For more than 17 years, The Med’s vibrant ambience, creative and eclectic menu, prime downtown Boulder location, and inviting indoor/outdoor dining spaces have established it as an award-winning, go-to eatery in Boulder. It’s long been a favorite of Boulder-based Sotheby’s agents, and that fan following is likely to grow with the opening of our brand new Boulder office on Walnut Street just a few doors down from The Med. Here’s why we love it!

 

Located at 1002 Walnut Street just steps from Boulder’s lauded St. Julien Hotel and a block from Pearl Street Mall, The Med is classy yet casual with a festive Mediterranean glow that draws you in and makes you want to stay awhile. Stop in for a killer Sangria or a glass of wine – The Med has two bars and more than 40 wines available by the glass – and indulge in its extensive tapas menu that features an array of hot and cold tapas inspired by Greek, Italian, Spanish and French cuisine. Great deals on drinks and tapas can be enjoyed during happy hour daily from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

In the summer months, request patio seating and you’ll quickly see why The Med has garnered numerous awards like “Best Outdoor Dining” and “Best Restaurant Patio.”  A mosaic fountain serves as the patio’s centerpiece as countless baskets brimming with colorful geraniums dance in the Boulder breeze.  Add the postcard-like view of Boulder’s famous Flatirons and The Med’s patio is the idyllic spot for al fresco Colorado dining.

The Med is open for lunch and dinner and boasts an extensive menu for each.  Its lunch fare includes a lengthy list of entrees and pasta dishes well-priced between $9.95 and $14.95 plus a wide selection of fresh salads, made-to-order pizzas served hot from the wood-burning oven, and sandwiches featuring The Med’s artisan breads that are baked on site daily.

 

Dinner options are equally delightful and diverse. From meal-sized salads like the Tuna Cobb ($14.95) to hearty entrees like paella with roasted chicken and rock shrimp ($16.95) or the filet mignon with balsamic roasted shallots, golden roasted beets and red wine-black truffle butter ($26.95), The Med’s dinner menu doesn’t disappoint. And if you leave room for dessert, prepare for an agonizing decision: Spiced Poached Pear, Coconut Almond Dacquoise, Crème Brûlée, Chocolate Almond Tower … oh the choices!

The Med is open daily at 11 a.m. For more information or to view its menus online visit www.themedboulder.com.

They are located on the west side of Boulder, just off the Pearl Street Mall between 9th & 11th Street on 1002 Walnut.

Reservations: 303.444.5335

Janet Robinson joins Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty’s Cherry Creek office

11May 2012

Janet RobinsonFuller Sotheby’s International Realty (FSIR), a leader in the sale and purchase of luxury residences throughout Colorado, is pleased to announce that Janet Robinson has joined the company’s Cherry Creek office.

Janet is committed to exceeding her clients’ expectations, while upholding their interests with integrity.  She specializes in northwest Denver neighborhoods, LoHi, LoDo and Central Denver (including Cherry Creek, Hilltop, Crestmoor, Country Club, Belcaro, Washington Park and Bonnie Brae).  Janet is well prepared to put all of the resources that exist at Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty to work on her clients’ behalf, while personally involving herself in the sale or purchase of a home on behalf of her clients.

“Whether you are a first time home buyer or an experienced real estate consumer, one of the most important decisions you will make when buying and selling is to choose a knowledgeable agent you can trust to advise you through the process,” said Janet.

“By first assessing your lifestyle and needs, be it home style, neighborhood, budget, school district, or dog park, we can then work together to find a home that is right for you.”

The Cartus Broker Network International Conference

11May 2012

Dolores Mozer, Marjean Richmond and Scott Webber of Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty attended the 2012 Cartus Broker Network International Conference held April 25-28 in Florida at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. The annual event, this year themed “Rising to the Challenge,” brought together nearly 600 Cartus Broker Network members from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for an intensive event that included an awards celebration as well as an agenda of interactive workshops, roundtable discussions, and executive presentations.

The Conference’s hands-on sessions were designed to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and best practices among the brokers who compose the Cartus Broker Network. They were involved in interaction and discussion on a wide variety of relocation issues, while networking with other leading brokers and the Cartus Broker Network leadership team.

Corporate speakers at the conference included Richard A. Smith, chairman, president and CEO of Cartus’ parent company Realogy, and Kevin J. Kelleher, Cartus president and CEO. Keynote speaker was Patrick Grandinetti, Real Estate Industry Director at Google, Inc.

“The last few years have been interesting ones for those of us in real estate,” said Gerald Pearce, Cartus’ executive vice president, Broker Services and Affinity Services. “But despite the economic challenges they’ve faced, the members of the Cartus Broker Network have continued to provide the highest quality service to their customers. This event has given me the opportunity to congratulate and thank them for all that they’ve done and for their ongoing professionalism.”

Scott WebberDolores, Marjean, and Scott spoke of the value gained at the conference. “I appreciate the depth and breadth of information that was made available during the event,” Dolores said, “This conference provided me with an opportunity to learn and grow as well as hear from our industry leaders.”

Representing 835 of the top-performing brokers across the country, the Cartus Broker Network provides real estate services to clients and customers of Cartus’ affinity, corporate, and government clients. In 2011, Cartus and the Cartus Broker Network closed sales of 71,996 properties, with an approximate value of more than $19.25 billion, on behalf of Cartus clients and Network members.