December 5, 2006 8:33 AM
Foreclosures set annual record
Denver-area foreclosures have hit a record through November, reports John Rebchook.
In the first 11 months of 2006, public trustees in the seven-county metro area opened 17,782 foreclosures. That's 3.85 percent higher than the record set in 1988, during the oil industry bust.Experts say other parts of the country that recently had hot real estate markets need only look to Denver to see what's in store for them.
A large percentage of filings are concentrated in the "foreclosure belts" of Adams and Weld counties, north Aurora, and northeastern Denver neighborhoods such as Montbello and Green Valley Ranch.
Some of Denver's upscale neighborhoods have been immune to the foreclosure fever.
"I was curious how many foreclosures there were in Washington Park and Platte Park, so I went into the foreclosure data by ZIP codes, and there weren't any," said Mike Rinner of the Genesis Group, which tracks Front Range housing data.
December 5, 2006
9:36 AM
D. Trump writes:
Whoo Hooo, ITs buying time for those who have the cash. Time to kick out the poor. Buy low and sell high!
December 5, 2006
10:06 AM
T. Williams writes:
There are options out there to help you with your foreclosure or difficult housing situation. Real Estate investors have creative and effective ways to help you out of your sitiation. Simply call the I buy houses ads and see if someone can help you. Not every situation can be helped, and not every investor out there is legit, so make sure you ask plenty of questions and act sooner rather than later to give yourself more options.
December 5, 2006
10:17 AM
Tree F. Hugger writes:
I've also noticed medium size mortgage company's around Denver are dropping like flies and closing their doors. These lenders package your 100% financed loan into two seperate loans called a First and a Second.
The first is a 80% LTV or loan to value at your marke rate around 6.5%. The second is a 20% LTV at a much higher % rate usually around 11 to 13%. Both these loans are sold in mortgage pools at the end of the month to the giant lenders such as Country Wide or Lehman Brothers. You would think investors would want to jump on the 2nd's for the high interest rate. Wrong. Here's the skinny. The big boys know the foreclosure rate here in Denver and don't want to buy the 2nd's. The 1st first mortgage is paid off first in a foreclosure and what ever is remaining over is paid off in the 2nd. But since the foreclosure sale price of the home is much lower than the 100% financed amount, the 2nd never gets paid off and whoever is holding that portfolio is holding a bad stock certificate from the market crash of 1930 all over again.
So the big boys aren't buying the 2nd's in the mortgage pools, leaving the local lenders sitting there holding notes they have no intention on servicing and they end up selling these loans at a loss to garbage feeders of the mortgage industry.
Scrap metal, bottom feeder, pawn shop of the mortgage business, what ever you want to call it. Local lenders don't lend their own money, they borrow their money from a credit line to lend it to you only to sell your note at the end of the month. If they can't sell your 2nd, they lose and lose big and end up going out of business. And, the owners don't care. This was all part of the business plan 8 years ago. Make your money now, hoard it, party like a rock star in LoDo and fold up the tent and move on when the 80's swing around for another market correction. Don't fu%$ with Mother Nature, she wins everytime.
December 5, 2006
11:12 AM
Anonymous writes:
We need our Democrats in the state house to come together and fix this!
I say we use eminent domain to take everyone's home and then redistribute real estate according to need, race, and gender.
December 5, 2006
11:29 AM
Hugo Chavez writes:
I wil help you stupid Amerikans with your troubles. I will send you oil to sell to make your payments.
December 5, 2006
11:38 AM
Anonymous writes:
NO OIL FOR HOUSING!!!
December 5, 2006
11:41 AM
Hugo Chavez writes:
I agree with 11:12. Call it an affirmative action program for renters. The government takes away everything and redistributes it according to need. Minorities first, then women and last to the stupid working white male.
December 5, 2006
11:50 AM
Ebonics Speaking Dropout writes:
Ima gonna agree with dat. My babymama need a crib, an ina give her my money fo it.
December 5, 2006
11:50 AM
Local Real Esate Broker writes:
How many people out there know that Colorado is the ONLY state in the continental U.S. that DOES NOT regulate Mortgage Lending? Alaska is the only other state in the Union. That is why Colorado leads the country in foreclosures.... all the bad loans and predatory lending that has taken place in this state over the last decade. Sure wish the media would mention this in the articles they write & edit so the public would truly understand why we lead the nation in Foreclosures. Cause it's not the Real Estate Market.
December 5, 2006
11:56 AM
Liberal Hypocrisy writes:
Not a single mention in the RMN newsstory about the illegal immigrant lending ring that may be responsible for up to 30,000 fraudulent loans in the Denver metro area. Funny how that continues to be overlooked in the reporting.
The folks that continue to be featured as being victims of bad loans are majority white and elderly, which is not the demographics of the homeowners who are defaulting on their loans in droves.
When will readers demand accountability from our news sources for accurate and politically incorrect reporting?
December 5, 2006
12:00 PM
Anonymous writes:
Accurate reporting = racism
Lies and deception are so much more PC!
December 5, 2006
12:02 PM
Evan writes:
I agree with LHypocrisy. A quick tally of the homeowners defaulting on their governement backed loans (this is a public record) will tell a much more interesting story about some new costs of illegal immigration that too many are running and hiding from. Its not all little old ladies who can't add.
WAKE UP SHEEPLE!
December 5, 2006
12:08 PM
G. Toody writes:
I guess that is why our liberal media does not simply report on the demographics of who has already defaulted and left unpaid mortgages to be piked up by the taxpayer. The numbers would clearly show the degree to which illegal immigrants are playing a role in the debacle.
December 5, 2006
12:33 PM
Reed Zephier writes:
It seems that everyone wants to blame everyone but themeselves for their forclosures. Could it be that people are siding with their wants and not their needs? I understand that people need cars to get to work, but in an Escalade?? Lets be real here folks, do we really need a 200,000 dollar house? Lets here it for the jones's.
December 5, 2006
12:38 PM
Anonymous writes:
G. Toody, Quit calling the medial liberal, when it is obviously owned by a bunch of fat cats who donate mostly to the republicans. Conservatives outnumber liberals 2 to 1 when it comes to articles, editorials and the opinion pages.
Get your facts straight, don't just repeat what you heard on Fox or Limbaugh or Oreilly's shows.
Check out www.mediamatters.org to see how biased towards the right the media is. There is also a coloradomediamatters.org you can check out.
December 5, 2006
12:57 PM
Anonymous writes:
12:38 that was a Rather Dumb statement
pay attention to reality not a "progressive" web site
December 5, 2006
1:01 PM
Anonymous writes:
We need our Democrats in the state house to come together and fix this!
I say we use eminent domain to take everyone's home and then redistribute real estate according to need, race, and gender.
Posted by on December 5, 2006 11:12 AM
YOU FOOL, LIBERALS DONT OPERATE THAT WAY. THEY ONLY TAKE THE HOUSES AND MONEY FROM REPUBLICANS THEN REDISTRIBUTE BASED ON CURRENT LIBERAL TRENDS
December 5, 2006
1:05 PM
JW writes:
There is a pretty good series on the forclosure rate here;
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_4364444
One article does mention Illegals, but its pretty clear that fraud, ARM's, FHA's, and people that dont understand the terms of their mortgage are the biggest reasons for the high default rate.
December 5, 2006
1:07 PM
G. Toody writes:
Note that 12:38 immediately discounted the message yet did not address its content. This is typical of liberal media that choose for us what we need to know, and then chews our news for us to make it palatable.
No thanks. The point was unequivocally made - it is public record who is defaulting on taxpayer backed mortgages. It is the cowardice of the media not to analyze and report these trends accurately.
December 5, 2006
1:10 PM
Anonymous writes:
Pretty funny how it is pretty clear that illegals are a minority of defaults based on an article that does not break down the backgrounds of the defaulters.
JW and his majical analysis strikes again. Interesting that on this topic good ol JW is not demanding studies and hard numbers. Hmm.
December 5, 2006
1:11 PM
Anonymous writes:
Well put Toody!
I would add that the illegals are often using home ownership tools/loads designed to be used for Americans, subsizided and guarantted by OUR government.
But let's not forget the border crossed them.
December 5, 2006
1:13 PM
Anonymous writes:
"But let's not forget the border crossed them"
Living proof of PT Barnum's observation that a moron is born every minute.
59,58,57.....
December 5, 2006
1:19 PM
Anonymous writes:
Methinks JW is not interested in truth, but rather in liberal propaganda, the elixir of microcephalic lemmings.
December 5, 2006
1:19 PM
JW writes:
"JW and his majical analysis strikes again. Interesting that on this topic good ol JW is not demanding studies and hard numbers. Hmm."
Id prefer hard numbers, but I cant find them. Yet again, I went looking for real info rather than popping off at the mouth with unfounded stupidity like you.
"Seven years ago, all those people moved from California to here" because of a new anti- immigrant law, he said. Now they're leaving, to "Seattle, New Mexico, Texas."
"The immigration issue is a symptom of a problem," he said. "The problem is a predatory lending environment."
These people have better heads on their shoulders than you ever will.
December 5, 2006
1:20 PM
Spirone writes:
LOL
jw's answer to the critcism that our liberal media underreports certain painful facts is to quote an article from the same source.
Now that takes some brainpower.
December 5, 2006
1:23 PM
JW writes:
"Methinks"
Liar, you do no such thing.
December 5, 2006
1:27 PM
sk writes:
12:38, could you cite anything to back that claim up? That "Conservatives outnumber liberals 2 to 1 when it comes to articles, editorials and the opinion pages."
Anything..
not even media matters would try to pass that off as 'fact', not when there are studies that have liberals in newsooms at at 7-1, 8-1 margin depending on the source.
December 5, 2006
1:52 PM
jay writes:
I see the folks that would blame all the problems of our schools and hospitals on the illegal immigrants are at it with the housing market as well.
December 5, 2006
2:14 PM
gwats writes:
The biggest reason for the high foreclosure rate is good old "economic illiteracy" Let me explain: When a couple buys a first house, They may hear a little advice from the lender about keeping their debt-to-income ratio as low as possible so they can handle any emergency that arises and still make their house payments. Most folks figure this out, but the others go out and quickly rack up debt and burn through their equity at an alarming rate. They THEN realize
what a bad mortgage ( an ARM) they signed and are left with two bad options: Bankruptcy Court or Foreclosure. If they can modify their spending habits, BK can help them save home but far too
many are simply walking away from their homes.
People also need to educate themselves better before signing their lives away on a 'exotic' mortgage. I'm sure there are other factors affecting this high foreclosure rate but I'm betting
a lack of good common sense is cause No.1.
December 5, 2006
2:16 PM
redhead68 writes:
I pass four foreclosures while walking my daughter the half-mile to her Douglas County elementary school. Here are the demographics: four married Caucasians, one veteran. No Latinos.
Despite Tommy "One Note" Tancredo's insistence to the contrary, this problem cannot be chalked up to illegal immigration. I will agree that illegal immigrants are most certainly causing a problem in this nation, but it's a simplification to lay the housing mess at their feet.
We must stop placing blame and reign in the loose lending standards that got us into this mess. Essential first steps include regulating our mortgage industry; holding brokers and appraisers accountable for inflating values; and finding and prosecuting criminals who are taking advantage of the loopholes.
Also, for those of you who think Escalades are causing all the financial woes, please read "The Two-Income Trap" and be enlightened. While those gas-guzzling SUV's are a ecological nightmare, the real pain is in the cost of housing.
December 5, 2006
2:38 PM
gr8fuldude writes:
I actually do debt counseling and a recurring theme I encounter is what Redhead and Gwats allude to: financial ignorance, buyer inexperience, and the unregulated nature of our mortgage industry, which often leads people to loans that do not fit them.
Divorce, job loss, unforeseen medical bills, and the decline of real wages also contribute, but the one consistent thread seems to be "We didn't know what we were signing" or "Nobody explained that to us".
Another major factor is that people (especially first time buyers) tend to buy more home than they need. This is not going to buy happiness, rather just the opposite, given that money is one of the biggies that couples fight over.
Lastly, people tend to ignore the fact that jobs are not forever. Do NOT budget based on the most optimistic scenario. Rather, wait until you can put a significant downpayment on a place that you want to live in, in a stable part of town.
December 5, 2006
3:29 PM
Anonymous writes:
Well I guess the Denver Post is lying about the illegal immigrant lending ring that has been involved in up to 30,000 Denver metro properties.
Check the archives instead of shooting the messenger you idiots. Redhead is using the jay techinique of twisting words. The foreclosure mess is only a national record due to the contribution to the problem of illegal immigrants, their facilitators, and the continual willingness of the taxpayer to foot the bill for them. Illegal immigrants are not the cause of all foreclosures, but the numbers due to illegals is staggering.
Pinheads like JW point to the lack of available numbers on the problem, but he will be the first to call anyone a racist for trying to measure the problem. It is a classic liberal construct. Say the issue doesn't really exist due to lack of data, then obstruct any attempt to get the data.
These are the products of your Democratic Party and their occasional reliance on the Constitution.
December 5, 2006
3:30 PM
Anonymous writes:
"illegal immigrant lending ring that has been involved in up to 30,000 Denver metro properties"
Show a link that says 30K or STFU
December 5, 2006
3:31 PM
redhead68 writes:
Gr8fuldude
Thank for the dose of reality.
I am very concerned about all of the issues you have mentioned. Most of the foreclosures in my neighborhood have been the result of rosy scenario thinking.
Easy money has clouded our judgement. Young agents and mortgage brokers with little financial education are now taking it on the chin because they have never seen a down market. They've convinced naive buyers that housing is a good short-term investment, leading to irrational borrowing. After all, why plan for emergencies when I can just HELOC my way out of any troubles?
It's true that some people have made tremendous profits on housing, but those windfalls were the exception, not the rule. And, those times are most definitely behind us.
I'm not against buying a house, but common sense tells me that a mortgage payment should not exceed 25-30% of income and must be at a fixed rate in today's financial climate. Unfortunately, that's no longer possible for many people; thus, we have exotic financing.
But, eventually the piper must be paid one way or another and that's the situation many find themselves in at this point. It's very simple to the bank; pay up or lose the house to foreclosure.
Health care insurance, retirement planning, life insurance, and college savings are essential. Planning a secure financial future takes commitment and sacrifice, and no matter what the fresh-faced broker down the street tells you, exotic mortgages are not the way to accomplish it.
Many people are learning this lesson the hard way. I just wish it didn't have to be so painful for them.
December 5, 2006
3:46 PM
Anonymous writes:
Look it up yourself ahole.
December 5, 2006
3:49 PM
Anonymous writes:
'nuff said. BS meter is up and working well.
December 5, 2006
3:49 PM
Anonymous writes:
"I see the folks that would blame all the problems of our schools and hospitals on the illegal immigrants are at it with the housing market as well.
Posted by jay on December 5, 2006 01:52 PM "
And the apologists for illegal immigration continue to pretend its no big deal, still unable to admit to the tremendous drain it poses on all aspects of American life. But it is still fun to call anyone against illegal immigration a racist. That's just what liberals do.
December 5, 2006
3:51 PM
JP writes:
We all need to recognize post 9/11 the economy was carried in a large part by low interest rate teasers offered on 2nd mortgages that allowed consumers to buy the lavish suv they really could have put off for a few years thus leveraging what little equity they had in their residences. The low interest rates vanished when the Fed viewed higher CPI as too many dollars chasing too few goods rather than resulting from increased energy costs and incrementally raised the Fed Fund Overnight Rate (which was way too low to begin with). I agree SOME of the blame rests with lenders, but not all. You don't have to be too intelligent to sign loan documents because certainly the people on the other side (lenders) are only doing that because they are unqualified to get a job in the "real world."
December 5, 2006
3:52 PM
Joe R. writes:
I read the Denver Post article being debated. It was in the B section in the last two weeks. Don't have the link, but it is real and the stats are absolutely frightening.
December 5, 2006
3:54 PM
Anonymous writes:
3:30's still an ahole.
December 5, 2006
4:14 PM
Anonymous writes:
I'm not sure what words I'm twising, Anonymous, and I don't appreciate being called an idiot.
I agree that illegal immigration is a problem. I saw those problems first-hand during my seven years as a California resident, and I am most certainly not an apologist. Nonetheless, I stand by my earlier comment that it's a simplification to place blame for the housing mess on illegals.
People of all income levels chase the good life and easy money, but it's more palatable to point our collective finger at someone else than to look in the mirror.
December 5, 2006
4:17 PM
gr8fuldude writes:
Here is the link to the recent mortgage fraud case involving illegals:
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_4709430
I think it safe to say that like any major problem, the housing issue has several factors. Illegals may contribute, as do declining real wages, increasing energy costs and increasing expenses for education, healthcare and other necessities.
I believe that all of this is indicative of the rapid changes facing the middle class. I do not envy the kids that will be inheriting our society's problems.
December 5, 2006
4:56 PM
Anonymous writes:
SK, go to www.mediamatters.org to get just a sampling of how the right controls the TV and airwaves.
Just for thought though could you tell me where I might be able to watch a liberal commentator on TV beside Keith Olberman. I know the right has Sean Hannity, Bill Oreilly, Scarborough, Beck, coulter, Limbaugh,etc...Also when reading the RMN Commentary just check it daily. There is always at least 2 conservative articles to 1 liberal. I will give you the actual study media matters did when I can locate it. I don't have time now.
December 5, 2006
4:58 PM
Anonymous writes:
"Another major factor is that people (especially first time buyers) tend to buy more home than they need."
I've been thinking about your comment, Gr8fuldude, and I respectfully disagree that people want huge houses. What many, if not most, people want is good opportunities for their children, which means a superior education.
I think competition for the best school districts is contributing to the housing prices. Look around Jefferson & Douglas counties. Think you can find a house for under $300k in those districts with excellent ratings?
It's difficult! I know, because I'm renting and in the process of looking. And, on top of that, I'm having a really hard time finding a reasonably-sized house (
I think many middle-class people are in the same situation, and neighborhoods with those qualities are in short supply, so we go with what's available, even if the house is too big and too costly.
December 5, 2006
7:12 PM
sk writes:
4:58, so you are defining media as commentators. Ok.
I will stipulate to O'loufa, Hannity, Rushbo and Beck. Beck is my fav. I don't think Ann Coulter has a show. Scarbourough is a conservative any longer, he has been sucking up too much. You could also add Tucker Carlson.
But the real media is whom I meant. NBC, CBS, ABC, NY Slimes, LA Slimes, etc, ad infinitum. The real media is predominantly liberaly biased.
December 5, 2006
7:14 PM
sk writes:
correction- Joe Scarborough is NOT a conservative any longer. He is pretending to be a liberal.
December 5, 2006
7:25 PM
Anonymous writes:
I suppose it was inevitable that someone would get around to blaming Californians.
December 5, 2006
7:44 PM
Tree F. writes:
8dude, Redhead, JW- u guys are in the know on this blog. And for the clown calling JW a dunce on this issue- I think you confused GW with JW. Don't let your mule kick u in the ass on your way out of Denver or do I need Bob Bullet Seger help you get out of Denver.
December 5, 2006
9:06 PM
Former Californian writes:
Sorry, Anarchist, you got it all wrong. This 35-year-old former Californian has
$300k in jumbo CD
$110k in an IRA
$15k in new job's 401k
$100k in various other investments, including 529's for the kids' college
$20k in a cash emergency fund
I'm living in a $1200/month rental, and looking for a modest house in which to raise my family, not a McMansion.
And, in the case of Bangalore out-sourcing or just tiring of my job, I'm set to live comfortably for a long time.
Sorry to rain on your "trash the Californians" parade.
December 6, 2006
8:33 AM
Anonymous writes:
0% down,closing cost rolled into the loan,shady gift loans,more shady loans to get around MIP's,interest only loans,ARM's,greedy realtors,greedy lender's.bad debt to loan ratios,lending to anyone with a pulse,giving loans to people who have never paid anything off in their life,bad appraisals,buyers that don't understand one thing they are signing,buyers buying too much house and stretching their budgets,Once buyers get a home they often run up huge amounts of debt to furnish,remodel,or landscape their homes,and downright stupidity of the buyers.However it is ultimately the sharks called realtors,lenders and appraisers responsible for the high forclosure rate. This industry is rampant with fraud and deception.
December 6, 2006
9:11 AM
Former Californian writes:
Arnie
I apologize for getting a little carried away, but I want to make the point that you have made generalizations based on anecdotal evidence, and I can counter it with anecdotal evidence of my own.
What you see on TV is not an accurate depiction of the state's population. Lots of people in my former neighborhood had similar outlooks to mine and lived modestly. My next-door neighbors were literally millionaires, but lived in a small, paid-off, tract house, drove old cars, and spent their weekend evenings sitting around a fire-pit in the driveway, watching the kids play flashlight tag. It looked and felt like my childhood in the midwest.
There are lots of financially savvy and responsible people living on the west coast, including California. If you've run into a few stuck-up, wannabe players, I'm sorry, but please don't let them lead you to assume that all of us are the same. I've lived in many different states, and wannabes can be found all over.
You seem to be full of opinions, Arnie. Any suggestions about where a financially responsible, former Californian can find a nice, reasonably-priced house? I'm hoping to make Colorado my long-term home, despite your best efforts to make me feel unwelcome.
December 6, 2006
9:21 AM
gr8fuldude writes:
Former Californian - Check out Wash park and similar areas. Nice homes, reasonable prices and they will retain value. Do a THOROUGH inspection (by a professional), and check comps, taxes and the usual drill before signing. My gf lives there and loves it.
Any other thoughts from the rest of the class?
December 6, 2006
9:34 AM
JW writes:
"Any suggestions about where a financially responsible, former Californian can find a nice, reasonably-priced house? I'm hoping to make Colorado my long-term home, despite your best efforts to make me feel unwelcome."
My GF and I just bought a house not far from Downtown. As a native Coloradan who spent 10 years in the SF Bay Area, Id recomend you do something similar. If you go far from downtown, your options for culture in Colorado dips to nothing in a huge hurry.
We found a great house in the '50s modern style, which are fairly rare in denver. Its 2600 sq feet. The house was built in 56, so the construction kills anything built after the 60's. It needed (and still needs) remodeling, but Im pretty savy with that so we are doing it our selves (saved about $3k doing the hardwood floors on our own). Grand total the house was $205. Got a fixed rate we can afford even if one of us loses our job and has to wait tables or something for a while (I paid more in rent for 5 out of 10 years in cali than I do every month for mortgage).
Cab ride downtown costs $10 (Beerfest in Denver every year is simply the BEST in the world, and I was NOT going to drive!).
We saw another house before this one that was 3000 sq feet for $200k even. Someone put a contract on it the day before we tried, so I have no idea if it was in good condition (built in 36) or if they had to do electrical upgrades, etc.
And lucky for you, since you came from California you dont have the major problem many Coloradans do that get them stuck out in Highlands Ranch...Bigotry! Seriously, these people want to live with whities (obviously this is a generalization, but after the bay area, seems like there are tons of rednecks here). Its disgusting. Ive had some old friends over to my house and they say I live in the Barrio. WTF? My hood is racially mixed but there are no gunshots at night. No gangbangers on the street. Lots of families, and not one single crack house. Just a bunch of nice people who are not all white.
Insane.
Guy who just posted says wash park. Yea, nice. But I totally disagree about price. We would have had to go MUCH smaller to get the price we got, and we are just as close to downtown.
December 6, 2006
9:58 AM
am 760 writes:
sk, here is that link.
www.mediamatters.org/items/200602140002
They have also done 2 follow ups:
www.mediamatters.org/items/200604040001 And one more
www.mediamatters.org/items/200607200006
I emailed them and asked for these links and they sent them back today. So if you have further questions or wish to debate their info, than you can email them where it says Contact Us.
Let me know what you think. I hope you read w/ an open mind.
December 6, 2006
10:12 AM
Former Californian writes:
JW
The barrio, huh? Think you need to find yourself some new friends!
Off topic, but I'm reading a book that you might find interesting called, The Trouble with Diversity: How We Learned to Love Identity and Ignore Inequality by Walter Benn Michaels.
It's not about race, it's about money and class. Most people don't care if a black or latino college professor moves in next door, but see what happens if the same black or latino works in a slaughterhouse or for a landscaping company.
It's a thought-provoking book that has made me re-evaluate many of my own deeply-held beliefs about diversity.
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions about neighborhoods. Keep them coming. I plan to start looking in earnest come spring when my CD matures.
December 6, 2006
10:18 AM
am 760 writes:
JW, I unfortunately just had to move to Highlands Ranch after living in SE Denver for the last 20 years. I also Im a native and grew up in Aurora before the Aurora Mall was even built.
I was a little worried moving out there w/ my Support the Troops/Impeach Bush, bumper sticker and my, Forgive them father for republicans know not what they do, bumper sticker.
So far its been okay, I've only seen a couple cars w/ the Bush/Cheney stickers and one w/ a Beauprea.
No one has given me any shit about mine.
I was surprised when I went in to the local Taco Bell on Quebec and E 470 and found all the employees Mexican just like anywhere in Denver. A liquor store I went into was owned by an Asian. So far I have not seen many African Americans though. I have also seen some cars w/ Ritter and Kerry stickers.
So I, like you, assumed I was moving into some Republican strong hold, which it is, but you can't broad brush the whole city.
Its actually very nice, w/ lots of open spaces, trails, new shopping centers etc...I agree it could be a little more cultural diverse but that will probably happen over time.
When I grew up in Aurora in the 70's and 80's it was the new Highlands Ranch. Now it is totally diverse. I guess it just takes time.
Actually on my block I also have run into 3 Mexcian families, so don't believe everything you hear about it. I've only been living out there for about 2 months so will see how things progress.
To the Californian looking for a house, the houses are reasonable priced $200-250k, new, w/ good schools and neighborhoods. We need more progressives out there so consider it.
December 6, 2006
10:38 AM
JW writes:
"The barrio, huh? Think you need to find yourself some new friends!"
My freinds from cali came out for beerfest and they had no problem. Its just my old friends from Colorado, and really they dont have a problem either, they just have a perception based on living in whitebread Colorado all their lives.
"Off topic, but I'm reading a book that you might find interesting called, The Trouble with Diversity: How We Learned to Love Identity and Ignore Inequality by Walter Benn Michaels."
My reading cue is pretty full, but I will keep it in mind.
"So I, like you, assumed I was moving into some Republican strong hold, which it is, but you can't broad brush the whole city. "
Yea, thats why I said my statement was an obvious generalization. Im not surprised that there are good people there but...it is pretty damn whitebread there!
December 6, 2006
11:08 AM
jay writes:
Former Midwesterner who lived in California-
I would expect you to carry out your house search in the same manner that garnered you the additional investments you've acquired. I'm assuming that you're going to look for a property in a nice neighborhood with the greatest potential for equity production coupled with proximity to downtown. West City Park, South City Park and East City Park (Park Hill) are your best bets for a phenomenal investment close to downtown that hasn't been tapped out like the Highlands, Wash Park, Cherry Creek etc. It's that or the burbs pal. Sounds like you're a fan of the whitebread though....
December 6, 2006
11:10 AM
Anonymous writes:
Ok, I can quit blogging now, I think I've seen it all.
am760 living in Highlands Ranch?!?! WTF? Next they'll be talking about all the fine dining at Applebees, and the wonderful selection of movies at the local 24 screen multiplex, and the superb shopping at Walmart...
December 6, 2006
11:48 AM
am 760 writes:
11:10,That was hilarious. I can't believe it my self but thats what my life dictated at this point. At least I can give the place a little balance.
I had been trying to sell my house in SE denver for the past year to move in w/ my girlfriend, who has the house in highlands ranch.
It didn't sell but my bro and his family needed a place to rent so they moved in and I moved out.
Thats the story. As far as your other rants I have no idea what your talking about.
And yes JW, it is pretty whitebread there, but what you gonna do except give it time.
December 6, 2006
1:13 PM
JW writes:
"And yes JW, it is pretty whitebread there, but what you gonna do except give it time."
Live where I live :)
Glad to hear you are bringing some alternative thought to the Christofascist burbs though!
December 6, 2006
1:51 PM
sk writes:
If you come to the "Christofascist" burbs, we have to lock you up and torture you.
/sarcasm
December 6, 2006
1:59 PM
Anonymous writes:
Yea those whitebread neighborhoods devoid of random shootings, populated by unschooled kids pining to be gangsters, and the ubiquitous use of the English language must be unbearable.
December 6, 2006
2:03 PM
Marie4 writes:
I guess it is sad to see so many families suffering because of foreclosures. Those of you with extra cash need to guy these homes and then fix them. Maybe it will help the neighborhoods!
December 6, 2006
2:06 PM
Anonymous writes:
"Just the tip of the iceberg" is how the investigation into an illegal alien mortgage lending ring that may involve 30,000 propterties in Denver metro is characterized in the DP. It is a criminal enterprise that would embarass the mafia with its prolific penetration into US business and taxpayer benefits. When will we wake up and treat it for the organized crime family that it has become?
We need the Minutemen and Tom Tancredo to get the ball rolling and purge our society of these criminal invaders.
December 6, 2006
2:36 PM
Anonymous writes:
Provide a link saying 30K or STFU
December 6, 2006
2:39 PM
Former Californian writes:
Jay
"I'm assuming that you're going to look for a property in a nice neighborhood with the greatest potential for equity production coupled with proximity to downtown."
Nope, I'm not interested in housing for investment potential. I want a place to live long-term. Any thoughts on Highlands?
"Sounds like you're a fan of the whitebread though...."
I'm not sure where you got that impression. You might be surprised at my community preferences.
Arnie,
"Oh, you are right...I am an opinionated son-of-a-bitch."
I gathered that. You are entertaining; however, and I'm enjoying the debate. Given your Bangalore comment, I take it you are also in the tech industry. North or south of the city?
"We need the Minutemen and Tom Tancredo to get the ball rolling and purge our society of these criminal invaders."
I'm all for prosecuting and deporting criminals, but Tom Tancredo is an embarassment and a liability. His mouth has made it easy to dismiss him. There's a lesson here for all of us. If you call me an idiot, a-hole, or pinhead (or tell me to STFU), it doesn't matter whether or not your opinion is valid because I've stopped listening, and you've lost all potential to persuade me to see your side of things.
December 6, 2006
2:41 PM
jay writes:
If you're going to look in the Highlands, stay below 40th street.
It's not a bad neighborhood, but you won't see the ROI you would in Park Hill or City Park West.
December 6, 2006
2:43 PM
Former Californian writes:
ROI?
December 6, 2006
2:48 PM
Former Californian writes:
Not thinking (hand slaps forehead), I take it you meant return on investment.
December 6, 2006
2:56 PM
am 760 writes:
FC, southeast Denver is a great area. If I had my choice I would have stayed in that area only because it is more centrally located. But so far I have been presently surprised w/ Highlands Ranch.
When are you thinking about buying? Maybe you could check out my house. I may put it on the market in another 6 months depending on what my brother and his family decide.
I also need to know what ROI is.
December 6, 2006
4:08 PM
Anonymous writes:
Provide a link saying 30K or STFU
Posted by on December 6, 2006 02:36 PM
Childish ranting from someone who can't handle the truth. Denver Post, page 8B, Ann Schrader staff writer (aschrader@denverpost.com).
Direct your kiddie outrage at her. Then you can STFU.
December 6, 2006
4:12 PM
Go Tom writes:
There's a lesson here for all of us. If you call me an idiot, a-hole, or pinhead (or tell me to STFU), it doesn't matter whether or not your opinion is valid because I've stopped listening, and you've lost all potential to persuade me to see your side of things.
Posted by Former Californian on December 6, 2006 02:39 PM
FC has described the liberal media and pro-illegal alien caucus that uses insults to try to silence Tancredo. The endless attempts to blur the lines between legal and illegal immigration and trying to link Tancredo to racists is an old and unsuccessful tactic to discredit the messenger. Many people are in fact listening to Tancredo and his views are gaining widespread acknowledgment for their simplicity of truth. It is that simple truth that the name callers fear so much.
December 6, 2006
4:47 PM
Former Californian writes:
Fair enough. The lesson is for everyone, liberals, conservatives, and all those in between.
Nonetheless, I don't support Tom Tancredo because his rhetorical technique is alienating and sometimes down-right offensive, rendering him an ineffective leader.
"Dick Lamm for President and Tom Tancredo for Vice-President in 2008! That's my dream ticket for the White House."
God bless you, Arnie. I may just have to buy you a beer sometime.
December 6, 2006
5:11 PM
Former Californian writes:
Only if you'd promise to tell me what you really think, Arnie.
December 6, 2006
5:45 PM
Anonymous writes:
No link No cred
Now STFU
December 6, 2006
5:53 PM
Anonymous writes:
Tancredo will always be a hero to the uneducated, closet racists out there. Intelligent voters know that there are no pro-illegal immigration factions in Washington...and claiming so only illustrates your stupidity. Calling someone a bigot because they disagree with you is just as bad as calling someone pro-illegal immigration because they don't agree with your simpleton solution.
Maybe you Tancredo fans should leave illegal immigration to the adults and find some other outlet for your rage.
December 6, 2006
6:47 PM
JW writes:
"Dick Lamm for President and Tom Tancredo for Vice-President in 2008!
That's my dream ticket for the White House."
Holy god. Well, if they got elected there would be good news, and bad news.
Good news is, they would attempt to get rid of illegals.
Bad news is, without illegals, you would have only yourself to blame when these idiots trashed the country (probably by being so caught up in the hunt for illegals, every other issue in government would get ignored).
Then again, I like the fair tax, and trancredo is in favor of it.
December 6, 2006
8:59 PM
Anonymous writes:
"Tancredo will always be a hero to the uneducated, closet racists out there. Intelligent voters know that there are no pro-illegal immigration factions in Washington...and claiming so only illustrates your stupidity. Calling someone a bigot because they disagree with you is just as bad as calling someone pro-illegal immigration because they don't agree with your simpleton solution."
Nicely said.
December 7, 2006
8:47 AM
Anonymous writes:
Tancredo will always be a hero to the uneducated, closet racists out there. Intelligent voters know that there are no pro-illegal immigration factions in Washington...and claiming so only illustrates your stupidity. Calling someone a bigot because they disagree with you is just as bad as calling someone pro-illegal immigration because they don't agree with your simpleton solution.
Maybe you Tancredo fans should leave illegal immigration to the adults and find some other outlet for your rage.
Posted by on December 6, 2006 05:53 PM
Now that qualifies as a supremely uneducated brain fart that is laughable on its face. Illiterates like this are the reason we are still drowning in illegal aliens and looking again to granting amnesty. Speaks for itself.
December 7, 2006
8:53 AM
Anonymous writes:
The venom that Tancredo invokes is a direct measure of the basic truths of his concerns, and this is VERY threatening to those enjoying the status quo in American racial politics.
The Emperor Has No Clothes....
December 7, 2006
8:58 AM
Shannon B. writes:
It seems to me that Tom Tancredo is quite comfortable in his role elevating the illegal immigration issue discourse. He expected the facilitators to call him a racist and the liberal news agencies to try to embarass him by reporting that some workers in his home were illegals. He's comfortable since the truth is on his side. His in not and has never been a hypocritical position no matter what the Denver Post and Aztlan radicals will try to convince you of. I hope he continues the fight because he is the only sane Congressman when it comes to illegal immigration. He tells it like it is without the balm of political correctness.
December 7, 2006
9:10 AM
jay writes:
Illegal immigration is obviously an issue, but Tom has never "elevated" the debate about it...quite the opposite by oversimplifying it so his supporters can have sound bites to mindlessly repeat ad nauseum....and he certainly doesn't need the corporate media or his foes to embarrass him and his minions...they do a great job of that themselves...this blog is case in point.
December 7, 2006
10:36 AM
Shannon B. writes:
I think you have made my point. The issue of illegal immigration is not oversimplified, but its recognition has been hampered by legions of tortured rationalizations why we should continue to tolerate a broken immigration system. Racial politics swoops in to take advantage of the debate and we have continued mayhem which turns out to be the preferred method of operation for pro-illegal immigration factions.
The simple truth is that illegal immigration is, has been, and always will be wrong for our country. To blame the messenger and accuse him and anyone who speaks out against it as a racist or bigot is proof of the desire to shut off debate preferring to keep the flow of illegals coming.
Its simple because it is simple.
December 7, 2006
11:05 AM
jay writes:
Shannon you just proved my point.
No one is saying that illegal immigration isn't a problem.
I don't understant where you're getting the information that either the Dems or the Pubes are tolerant of a broken immigration system.
Which Democrats are members of which "pro-illegal immigration faction"?
That's the propaganda coming out...not reality.
July 10, 2007
5:24 PM
black sheep writes:
The US is superior to all nations because US has more talent and creativity.
This is due to the "cultural" diversity (I learned this in an MBA class "Organizational Behavioral Management"). Everything from "atomic bomb to rap music", this sort of creativity only occurs in US because of diversity. The truth is, historically, he is probably one of countless "would-be wanna-be" leaders that get much of their funding from certain "special interest" group.
For example : David Duke, The hazards of David Duke. (Louisiana state legislator who advocates white rights) http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-9340229.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1848293/posts
".... whether elected leaders or talk-show hosts, have a special responsibility not to inflame racial passions and animosities by appealing to the small minority of Americans who are motivated by bigotry....."
Multicellular organisms have has specialized cells that serve a special purpose. (we can't all be assholes)
Hitler was like a cancer cell. He was trying to create a superior race by taking over other nation.
I think we learned our lessons.