Lakewood, Colorado Real Estate and Relocation Information

Lakewood, just 15 minutes from Downtown and 45 minutes from Denver International Airport, has its roots in the late 1800s as a summer retreat from the bustle of the city. W. A. H. Loveland, President of the Colorado Central Railroad, wanted a place to retire where he could enjoy a leisurely lifestyle. Loveland and Charles Welch established the community.

In 1941 during the Second World War Remington Arms built a large munitions facility employing 22,000 people, which is now the Denver Federal Center, one of the largest federal facilities in the country. Another transformation will occur at the property when St. Anthony’s Hospital moves its campus from further east. A future light rail station at the Federal Center will allow for easy transportation from Lakewood to Golden, to downtown Denver, and to the Denver Tech Center.

The city wasn’t incorporated until 1969, and in 1970 when the police force was commissioned the uniforms consisted of navy blue blazers, a light blue shirt, and gray slacks, and the officers were called agents. It was the one of first police departments in the country to require a four-year degree of its agents.

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Lakewood, Colorado Real Estate

One of Denver’s largest suburbs (population 145,00), Lakewood real estate varies: smaller homes in the older part of Lakewood selling in the mid- to high-$100,000s, and larger newer homes in newer subdivisions selling for more than $650,000. The median and average sale price is in the mid-$200,000s. This is a suburb where you’ll be sure to find a home just suited for your needs.

Lakewood Real Estate Prices for January 2008
(data from August 1, 2007 to January 31, 2008)

676 detached single family homes were sold with a median list price of $239,900. On average homes took 79 days to sell and sold for a median price of $234,350. Median price is a better measure of sold price than average, which is skewed by a few high-priced homes at the top end and low-priced homes at the bottom. Lowest sold price for detached single family homes was $45,000; highest sold price was $950,000. For condos and townhomes (attached family homes) the lowest sold price was $25,000 while the highest was $945,887. The median sold price was $128,000, and the average was $146,755.
 
The ratio of sold to list price was 97.67% for detached homes. The ratio of sold to original price was 95.09% , which means that sellers are still listing homes a bit too high. The net sold (after seller concessions such as down payment or closing cost assistance, and the like) to original list price was 94.12%. To simplify, if a seller originally listed their home at $225,000 they realized $211,770 from the sale.
 
By the time the seller finally reached a marketable price after having listing it too high, the sold to list ratio improved to 97.67%, and the net sold to list price was 96.68%.

Lakewood, Colorado Recreation

Lakewood is a city of parks and golf courses. Recreational opportunities abound. The largest park, William Frederick Hayden Park, offers urban residents a wilderness feel. Hiking trails, mountain biking, paragliding and horseback riding are available with mountain views at almost every turn. Another Lakewood park, Bear Creek Lake Park, offers water recreation on three lakes, hiking trails, camping (want to rent a Yurt? they’re available in the park’s Indian Paintbrush campground), picnicking and more.

In recent years, like many of Denver’s first-tier suburbs, Lakewood has undergone a renaissance, tearing down the old Villa Italia Shopping Center and reconstructing a new mixed retail, dining, theaters and real estate downtown area, Belmar. Belmar’s New Urbanism follows closely the design of urban infills in nearby Denver’s Lowry and Stapleton and offers residents a rich menu of amenities.

New housing is available from flats to live/work condos. (If you’re interested in seeing a builder home at Belmar you’ll be interested in knowing that the real estate agent commission is built into the price, so not using an agent doesn’t save you anything, but assures that you have your own representation rather than being represented by the builder who wants to get the most $$$ they can from the buyer.) Check here for floor plans, but be sure to call me at 303-587-3509 if you want representation.

Lakewood Shopping and Dining

• The Colorado Mills Mall offers discount shopping, while Belmar, Lakewood’s new downtown, offers (among others) many shops, a day spa, Whole Foods Market and an urban feel.
• Lakewood offers fine dining at one of the Denver metro area’s top restaurants, 240 Union. Chad’s Grill, nearby, is a gathering place and also boasts fine food. At Belmar Emogene Patisserie et Café is a charming breakfast and lunch restaurant, open for dessert into the evening. Home Restaurant, a Mark Tarbell restaurant, is due to open at Belmar in December 2006. A variety of ethnic restaurants, fast food shops and fine dining is available

Lakewood, Colorado Zip Codes

• 80033
• 80123
• 80214
• 80215
• 80225
• 80226
• 80227
• 80228
• 80232
• 80235
• 80236
• 80401

Lakewood Hospitals and Medical Centers

• Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge
• St. Anthony Central

Lakewood, Colorado Weather

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