Boveri Realty Group not having downtown homes tour this year

For a decade, Christina Boveri, owner and broker of Boveri Realty Group, has been instrumental in organizing a downtown homes tour in the spring, either in conjunction with the Downtown Council, or as a service of Boveri Realty Group. This year, because so few downtown homes are available, there will be no tour.

“My dream of seeing a vibrant downtown filled with residents has come true,” Boveri said. “The downside is that because of the high occupancy rate, few condos, lofts, apartments or homes are available. And when something becomes available, it is quickly snapped up. There just isn’t enough inventory to make a tour worthwhile.”

In the 10 years that Boveri’s real estate firm has been helping clients purchase or lease homes downtown, she’s seen the urban core transform from an area that was mostly a business district to a prime entertainment and residential district thriving at all hours.

Only a decade ago, the sidewalks and streets quickly emptied at 5 p.m. and were deserted on the weekends. Now those same streets bustle at night and on the weekends. People stay downtown after work or flock in from the suburbs for events at the Sprint Center and Kaufmann Center for the Performing Arts, to attend live theater at a number of venues, and visit the restaurants and bars in the Power & Light District or other parts of downtown.

First Fridays are a major draw in the Crossroads District. City Market is vibrant with ethnic restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops and the Saturday Farmers Market.

“We now have a movie theater and grocery store downtown, too,” Boveri noted. “And with the street car line being built, people will be able to walk or use public transportation to get anywhere they want to go and won’t have to use their car.”

All of this has created a demand for downtown housing that exceeds what is currently available. Those who want to purchase a downtown residence will find a limited selection, but it is still a good time to buy, whether they are seeking a loft, condo or single-family home.

“Buying downtown is an excellent investment,” Boveri said. “The interest rates are still historically low and because of the limited purchase opportunities, prices have stabilized and they are expected to rise.”

More residential construction is planned for downtown, but all of those new units will be rentals.

“Major new apartment projects are in the works and some of them are under construction, but they won’t be available for a couple of years,” Boveri said.

Those who want to experience the excitement of living downtown shouldn’t despair, but can expect a difficult search for what fits their needs. With both real estate and leasing divisions, Boveri Realty Group can ease that search.

Boveri Realty Group works with more than 100 properties for lease in a variety of price ranges. Those properties include apartments, town homes, condos and single-family homes.

“Whether you want a studio apartment or a one- or two-bedroom home, we can help you find it and save you a lot of time in the process,” Boveri said. “We have properties that rent for $800 to $4,000 monthly.”

Boveri’s leasing clients are relieved of the burden of seeking online or print listings and calling owners or managers to schedule a showing. Boveri’s knowledgeable agents provide information about what’s currently available, whether it’s in an apartment building, is a privately owned condo or a single-family home. And those agents can show all of these available properties.

Once Boveri’s agents identify properties that fit a client’s needs, they provide an online link to those properties, so the client can preview them before scheduling a tour.

The only charge to the client is for a credit check. “We never charge the clients for showings,” Boveri said.

If clients want to purchase a downtown condo or loft, or a single-family home Boveri Realty Group also aids that search by showing up-to-date listings from the River Market to Brookside.

Because Boveri Realty agents are experts when it comes to living in the urban core, they can tell clients about the characteristics of various areas of the city, whether its the River Market, Crossroads Arts District, the Plaza, Westport or other areas.

“Having all that knowledge is really helpful to someone moving from out of town,” Boveri said.

Property owners also turn to Boveri Realty to help find tenants. The agency is a valuable tool for owners who have been transferred and would rather lease their residence than sell it. Boveri Realty also represents owners of investment properties that are for lease.

In addition to having a leasing division, Boveri Realty has a property management division to aid out-of-town owners or owners who don’t want to manage the property themselves. That division provides a variety of services including rent collection, maintenance, walk-throughs and lease executions, just to name a few.

“It’s a good time to invest in downtown residential properties,” Boveri said. “Occupancy rates are high and because of that, lease rates are high, at least $1 to $1.75 a square foot, depending on location, finishes and amenities.”

Boveri Realty can help find that ideal investment property, lease the space and manage the property. Call sales at 816-333-4545 or leasing at 816-333-4040.

This story was originally published May 22, 2014 at 9:45 AM with the headline "Boveri Realty Group not having downtown homes tour this year."