Rinse & Repeat.
A string of small setbacks ended with a broken bed frame and a pair of cut-up hands, and I went to bed early, frustrated. The next morning, a cup of coffee, an incredible sunrise, and a chorus of birds changed my perspective. An idea showed up for turning the previous day's plans into something that could serve others, and I laughed at how upset I'd gotten over small things. It reminded me of my simplest coping mechanisms: rise early and watch the sunrise, get outside for at least an hour, work out hard, spend time with people who inspire me or make me laugh, and serve others. Two in a day is a bonus. Three is a really good day. They're simple, they're available almost every day, and they're repeatable. Rinse and repeat.
Sept. 2026 Market Insights
Mortgage rates went up, not down, this fall: Colorado's 30-year fixed is running about 7 to 7.45 percent. The local market is holding steady anyway. Prices and inventory in Boulder and Broomfield counties have barely moved this year, and Longmont's median is up 2.6 percent to about $615,000. Buyers are still out there. They're just taking their time. The real story is condos and townhomes. New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lending rules took effect August 3, and they make financing harder in buildings with thin reserves or deferred maintenance. If you're buying or selling attached property, bring in a strong lender before you write or accept an offer. Here's the real picture, so you can make your call with your eyes open.
Two Paths
When a friend walked into a class he'd taught for years just moments before it started, he didn't make excuses. He smiled, owned it, and got on with teaching. Tony Martinez reflects on what that moment revealed: that most of us have forgotten a meeting or mixed up a time, and that the lesson isn't in the slip but in how we show up afterward. Drawing on advice from another friend about the two paths we can take when those moments start happening, he offers three additions of his own: own it, learn from it, and extend the same grace to others.
August 2026 Market Insights
When a property comes back on the market, investors want to know if the number is real. Tony Martinez walks through the underwriting behind 650-654 Inca Parkway, a multi-family property near CU priced at $2,537,000 and a 5.5% cap rate, run against current rents, current rates, and where cap rates are actually trading. He also names the four buyers this one fits: the off-the-Hill investor, parents of CU students, the hands-on owner, and the long-view investor eyeing RM-2 flexibility.
July 2026 Market Insights
Clients keep asking the same question: buy or sell now, or wait? My honest answer: this is one of the most balanced markets we've seen in years, with real opportunity on both sides, as long as expectations match reality. Buyers have more inventory and more room to negotiate. Sellers who prepare and price right are still seeing strong interest. Here's the through line separating the clients doing well from the ones stuck waiting.
Take Care of Your Side of the Street
After a couple of business outcomes that didn't land the way I'd hoped, I found myself replaying conversations, second-guessing, trying to understand what I could have done differently. What brought me back was a phrase I learned years ago in recovery: take care of your side of the street. This piece is about the questions that actually help me grow, communication, listening, boundaries, and letting go of everything that was never mine to control in the first place.
Comfort is the Worst Addiction
Watching your kids struggle is one of the hardest parts of parenting, even when you know the struggle is exactly what they need. Here's what I'm learning right now about comfort, complacency, and trusting the people you raised.
Summer Real Estate Outlook
Is now a good time to buy or sell on the Front Range? That question matters less than how prepared you are. Rates have settled in the mid-6% range, inventory is up, and the frenzy has faded into something calmer and more balanced. Here's what that means if you're buying, selling, or just weighing your next move this summer.
Market Brief: What I’m Seeing Right Now
The market's shifted again, and if you're weighing a move this spring, it pays to know the real picture. Rates have settled into a steadier range, inventory is more balanced than it's been in years, and disciplined pricing is what separates a listing that sells from one that sits. Whether you're buying, selling, or just watching from the sidelines, here's where things actually stand: no spin, no guesswork.
Holding the Line
When a long-standing friendship no longer aligns at the level of values, it can be both painful and clarifying. Tony reflects on the importance of honoring what matters most—even when it means letting go.
Meet Them Where They Are
When friendships shift without explanation, it can be disorienting. Tony reflects on learning to meet people where they are—letting go of expectations, holding boundaries, and making space for relationships to evolve.
Compound Interest: A commitment to exercise
As 2026 begins, Tony reflects on a year that didn’t always go to plan—but one commitment never wavered: daily movement. Through yoga, strength training, and simply getting outside, he’s experienced firsthand how small, consistent actions build something much bigger over time.
Insurance Gaps in Condos & Townhomes: A Growing Issue Homeowners Should Understand
Across Colorado (and much of the country), insurance premiums for HOA master policies have risen sharply. In response, many homeowners associations are facing difficult choices. Some are increasing dues dramatically. Others, trying to keep costs manageable, are reducing coverage limits or narrowing what the HOA policy covers.
STELLAR SUPERSTAR: Jesse Dunlap
This month’s Stellar Superstar is Jesse Dunlap — a Colorado-licensed Master Electrician whose skill, integrity, and commitment to quality make him a trusted partner for homeowners and businesses alike. — Tony
Hard-to-Sell Homes: A Fresh Start This Fall
Every season in real estate has its rhythm—and fall is one of my favorite times to give homes that struggled in spring or summer a fresh start. If your property sat on the market without movement, don’t lose hope. The shift of seasons brings new buyers, fresh perspectives, and an opportunity to reposition.
STELLAR SUPERSTAR: Lisa Citarella
Meet Lisa Citarella, owner and service provider of Mojo Movement & Massage! Experience holistic wellness at Mojo Movement & Massage, where each service is tailored to promote optimal body function and longevity.
Lessons Learned
As a seasoned realtor and business owner at Stellar Properties, I’ve learned that success in real estate—and in life—is a continuous journey of growth, connection, and learning.
Introducing Stellar Properties' Enhanced Services with Fox Team Collaboration!
We are excited to announce a significant development in our commitment to delivering exceptional service at Stellar Properties. We've joined forces with the esteemed Fox Team to share administrative and associate broker services, ensuring an even higher standard of support for our valued clients.
Is now a good time to buy or sell a home in the Colorado Front Range?
Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, the Colorado market still offers unique opportunities—you just need the right strategy and expertise to make the most of it!
We own property but live in a different neighborhood. How can we make the sell-buy process work to enable us to move to a more desirable neighborhood?
Moving to a more desirable neighborhood involves careful planning, especially when selling and buying properties simultaneously. From our experience with this kind of change, here’s how to make the process work smoothly.