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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Kitchen Chronicles

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From 1920 Time Capsule to Cozy Culinary Haven
with West + Main Agent Angela Spangler

“ “We loved the charm of the home, but it just wasn’t functional,” Angela shares. “Now, it fits our lifestyle perfectly—cooking, entertaining, and cozying up on snowy days.””
— Angela Spangler

When W+M agent Angela Spangler and her partner, Nick, took on their 1920 home, they weren’t just renovating—they were uncovering history. What started as a pandemic project for Nick in 2020 turned into nearly five years of trial, error, and a whole lot of YouTube tutorials. Now, at 99% completion, their kitchen is the crowning jewel of their DIY adventure.

“We loved the charm of the home, but it just wasn’t functional,” Angela shares. “Now, it fits our lifestyle perfectly—cooking, entertaining, and cozying up on snowy days.”

This wasn’t just a cabinet swap. Before the kitchen transformation could even begin, they tackled plumbing, electrical, and structural fixes—bumping the difficulty scale to an 8 out of 10. Their biggest surprise? The original insulation was newspaper from December 1920, offering a peek into the past before they vaulted the ceilings and added skylights. “We hadn’t even considered it until after the asbestos abatement, but once we saw the potential, we couldn’t resist.”

The DIY Details: Nearly every inch of the space was a hands-on effort, from the custom-built floating shelves to the dining nook made from a live-edge walnut slab. Their boldest design choice? The deep green island, a perfect contrast to the warm wood tones and quartz countertops. “For once, this project didn’t hit us with any jaw-dropping disasters,” Nick jokes. 

Lessons from the Remodel Trenches: Nick, a seasoned DIYer, offers some wisdom: “Add 20% to your budget, increase your timeline by 30%, and always use the right tools—unless you want to stare at your mistakes daily.”

The Finished Space: With triple the storage, a pot filler for convenience, and a space designed for gathering, their kitchen is now both beautiful and functional. “This is exactly what I envisioned—well, minus the vaulted ceiling. That was a happy accident,” Angela laughs.

As for what’s next? Nick’s love for renovation has turned into a business—Kozee Home Improvements LLC—so the projects are far from over. But for now, they’re finally kicking back and enjoying the home they built, one unexpected twist at a time.

 

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Greater Denver Area Real Estate Market Report from May 2025

 
 

In a world where we are conditioned to expect immediacy and convenience, real estate reminds us that some things still take time., according to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors Market Trend Committee.

The Denver Metro housing market right now is a masterclass in patience. Whether you're a buyer waiting for the right home to hit the market or a seller holding out for the best offer, today's conditions reward those who can pause, plan and stay engaged.

Patience is especially essential as inventory builds. This report tracks inventory in two ways: new listings refer to the number of homes that entered the market during the month, while active listings at month's end reflect the number of listings available on the last day of the month-those that roll over into the next cycle. In May, new listings increased by 3.26 percent for detached homes and 2.80 percent for attached homes compared to April. Year-to-date, 29,881 new properties have entered the market-up 17.55 percent from 2024 and 9.21 percent from 2021-highlighting a notable increase in seller activity.

As more homes come to market, active inventory continues to rise. With new listings outpacing closed sales, more properties remain active into the next month. At the end of May, there were 13,599 active listings-up 13.67 percent from the previous month and 48.48 percent year-over-year. This is the highest level of inventory the Denver Metro area has seen since 2011, underscoring the importance of strategy and staying power for both buyers and sellers.

Still, inventory alone does not tell the whole story. The balance between supply and demand remains the key driver of market direction. Pending sales- a leading indicator of buyer activity— dipped 8.56 percent from March to April, suggesting an early spring slowdown. However, May brought a renewed burst of buyer interest, with pending contracts rising 6.88 percent month-over-month.

Prices remained relatively stable, with the median sale price for detached homes up 0.76 percent and attached homes seeing a stronger 4.52 percent increase. Homes are still selling, and quickly in many cases; closed sales in May spent just 16 days in the MLS for detached properties and 28 days for attached. However, a look at currently active listings tells a different story: average days in the MLS now trend closer to 45. This divergence reflects a growing split in the inventory.Homes in a desirable location, updated and priced appropriately, continue to sell quickly. Meanwhile, properties that miss the mark in condition, location or pricing often linger, requiring price reductions to attract discerning buyers.

As much as the algorithms try, homes are not a commodity. Each home is influenced by location, condition, evolving societal expectations and personal priorities. As this market reminds us, real estate is nuanced, and that nuance is where a skilled Realtor® brings real value. Buying and selling a home is a deeply personal process, and no two clients share the same motivations. The key is aligning personal goals with current market realities-finding that balance between strategy and adaptability, patience and decisive action. In a shifting market like this, staying focused on your "why" while remaining flexible in your "how" is what leads to confident, successful outcomes

Learn more about the market from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.

Thank you to our partners at the Denver Metro Association of Realtors for compiling this information.

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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: A Groovy Getaway

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A Vintage Condo Revival with West + Main Agent Cindy Hall

“ “I’ve always had a love for design elements that elicit a certain feeling,” she says. “The goal was to blend that cozy ski chalet vibe with modern touches—a funky, retro blast from the past.””
— Cindy Hall

When W+M agent Cindy Hall stumbled across a dated studio condo in Dillon, Colorado, she saw more than old cabinets and mirrored walls—she saw potential. “I’ve always had a love for design elements that elicit a certain feeling,” she says. “The goal was to blend that cozy ski chalet vibe with modern touches—a funky, retro blast from the past.”

What followed was a bold, budget-conscious renovation that turned a tired unit into a vibrant and rentable gem affectionately dubbed The Bob Dillon. With just over $12K (and plenty of late nights), this glow-up proves that with creativity, strategy, and a little help from handy friends, big change doesn’t have to mean a big budget.

“I found this project to be really approachable,” she shares. “Some paint, some vision, and a few extra trips to the hardware store can go a long way.” The kitchen showcases original vintage charm—like the sunny yellow countertops and existing tile, now refreshed with paint—blended seamlessly with bold new touches. Think playful furniture, peel-and-stick backsplash, and a statement ceiling in Jade Romanesque green that ties it all together in a groovy new era.

Rather than demoing dated features, she leaned into their charm. “Even the bathroom tile isn’t new—it’s just painted!” And the floor-to-ceiling mirrors? They reflect Lake Dillon from the bed. “That could’ve been missed if I hadn’t lived in the space for a bit.”

When asked what she loves most about the finished product, she lights up: “The reaction of friends and guests who visit The Bob Dillon. It’s more appreciated than I ever imagined.”

 

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Featured at West + Main RiNo: Joe Murray

 
 

Join us for First Friday in RiNo, featuring Joe Murray

Static

2632 Blake St #102
6.6.2025, 6-9pm

Meet Joe Murray

In 2020, Murray started taking on art commissions in exchange for COVID relief fund donations, eventually starting his design business Auberon Design. He has hosted fundraisers for various causes including the Colorado Freedom Fund and The Lilith Fund. Creating works for over 75 musicians, both local and international, his work has often focused on growth, nature, and self-worth or the lack thereof. Currently, Murray works in public arts administration for Adams County, Colorado.

“While I often think of my work as a reflection of myself, I hope you see yourself reflected too. You have something to bring to this world and it is big, bright, and beautiful.” ~ Joe Murray

 
 

Learn more about Joe in our Q+A!

How did your business come to exist?

In March of 2020 when things shut down, I started drawing portraits of friends and family in exchange for donations to COVID relief funds. After doing that for a while, I began dedicating all of my free time to illustration and connecting with other local artists and musicians. Over time, I reached a point where I was working with so many musicians on album art, posters, and other promotional materials, I was able to move my business, Auberon Design, into a full-time position.

What was the best day at work you've had in the past three months?

Recently, I've taken a break from making art full-time, but I've had the opportunity to create two pieces of cover art for my good friend Martîn Better Longo's band Fruta Brutal. Collaborating with musicians is where my passion lies, so creating these works with him has been wonderful.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration from music, bright color, and in the vulnerability of others putting their own creative works into the world. Earlier in my career, I only drew other artists as a way of celebrating their work. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there, and it's something I admire so much in others that it has inspired a lot of my work.

 
 

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever gotten?

"Mangia"

What are your thoughts about your city's creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers, and/or small businesses?

To be frank, it is challenging to be an artist or small businesses in Denver. In a city with rising costs of living and constant displacement, it is not an easy terrain. Art spaces are disappearing, like the recent closure of the Evans School artist studios. Denver has an immense amount of talent, from musicians to visual artists, but support for the arts and lack of protected art spaces has me fearful for the city's creative scene long term. If we can't support artists and foster the growth of young artists, the city's vibrance and diversity will suffer.

 
 

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I love to cook, run, and read.

What is your dream project? 

I would love to create stage sets for live music. As I look ahead in my art career, I want to move away from illustration and painting into more 3D works. Designing sets for concerts would be a dream.

 
 

Get in touch with Joe Murray

Email: joe@auberondesign.com
Website: auberondesign.com
Instagram: @auberondesign

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Greater Denver Area Real Estate Market Report from April 2025

 
 

If you've lived in Colorado for a while, you know spring has a hard time making up its mind - sunshine one day, snow the next. This April, the Denver Metro real estate market mirrored that same unpredictability, according to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors Market Trend Committee.

One week felt hot with buyer activity and quick sales, and the next brought a chill with hesitation driven by fluctuating mortgage rates and uncertainty in the broader economy. Consumer sentiment was cautious - buyers and sellers alike were willing to engage, provided the numbers made sense. While economic uncertainty lingered, the market operated with cautious momentum, driven more by life changes than speculation or urgency.
With seller activity so far in 2025, one thing was predictable: increased inventory. New listings were up 10.78 percent month-over-month and up 18.13 percent year-over-year. We typically see inventory increase in the spring months.

However, this month-over-month increase is slightly larger than the average of 8.37 percent.
Buyer activity usually remains strong during the spring months, and a month-over-month decrease in pending units, although just 2.27 percent, may reflect an early peak in the spring market.

This slowdown in buyer activity and an influx of new listings resulted in a 26.58 percent increase in active listings at month's end for detached homes and an increase of 15.50 percent for attached homes. Comparing this to April 2024, this is an increase of 66.22 percent for detached homes and 81.42 percent for attached homes. With the rise in invento-ry, properties are predictably on the market longer; the median days in the MLS were 13, down 23.53 percent month-over-month, but up 62.50 percent year-over-year.

Despite the increase in inventory, the median sale price increased month-over-month. The median sale price for detached homes was $665,000, a 0.76 percent increase, and the median for attached homes was $389,900, a 0.55 percent increase. Comparing year-over-year, attached properties showed a decrease of 6.05 percent in median sale price.

Year-to-date, we see a slight year-over-year slowdown of 1.82 percent in the number of closed properties. Compared to the year-to-date data of a high-activity year such as 2021, the number of closed properties is down 29.20 percent.

With inventory rising and buyers becoming increasingly selective, it is important for sellers to understand they are in a competitive environment. Every listing now needs to earn buyer attention. Set realistic expectations and help your clients understand how condition, staging, and strategic pricing impact a buyer's perspective.
Buyers in this market are experiencing a lot with interest rates, talks of a recession and uneasy consumer confidence. We can ease these concerns by helping our clients stay grounded in their personal goals and focus on local realities - and financial positions. Focusing on longer-term needs can help ease the uncertainty of the day-to-day.

Learn more about the market from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.

Thank you to our partners at the Denver Metro Association of Realtors for compiling this information.

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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