Adjust your clocks, change your batteries ...

...in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors 

by Denise Civiletti

It’s that time of year again Mountain Standard Time goes into effect at 2 a.m. Sunday morning.

If you neglect to change your clocks, you might miss out on that extra hour’s sleep tomorrow. But if you neglect to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, the consequences could be much more dire.

Two out of three deaths in house fires occur in homes without working smoke detectors, according to the International Association of Firefighters.

And an average of 184 people die in the U.S. every year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning associated with consumer products, including portable generators, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says.

When you change your clocks, it’s a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

“Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives by sounding a warning before you might otherwise know there’s a fire or a buildup of carbon monoxide,” Riverhead Fire Chief Joe Raynor said.

But they can’t do their job if the batteries are dead.

In addition to changing the batteries twice a year, when you adjust your clocks, you should also test the detectors monthly, the chief said.

And they should be replaced every five years, according to fire safety officials.

Best Cities to Trick or Treat? Do you agree?

Best Cities to Trick or Treat?  Do you agree? 

Colorado Ski Resorts May Open Any Minute!!

Colorado Ski Resorts May Open Any Minute!!

October 27, 2015

As the mountains get their early dustings of snow, skiers and snowboarders start counting the days until they get to take on the powder! So resorts are in full motion to prepare for the winter season! In fact two ski areas annually race to be the first to open for the season: Loveland and Arapahoe Basin. Temperatures need to drop enough for them to start producing snow along the slopes.

Loveland Ski Area

Only 53 miles west of Denver, Loveland offers 1,800 acres of terrain along the Continental Divide. They boast more snow than any Front Range or Summit County resort. They just announced yesterday morning that they will open this Thursday, October 29th. 

Arapahoe Basin

As one of the skiable terrains in the Rocky Mountains, Arapahoe Basin is 64 miles from Denver (just outside of Silverthorne). As they explained to 9News, they need to "go with what Mother Nature dictates" and will spread the word as soon as they can.

The rest of Colorado’s ski resorts expect to open in November and December (though the actual dates are subject to change).

• ·       Copper Mountain – Friday, November 6
• ·       Keystone Mountain – Friday, November 6
• ·       Breckenridge – Friday, November 13
• ·       Winter Park – Wednesday, November 18
• ·       Vail – Friday, November 20
• ·       Beaver Creek – Wednesday, November 25
• ·       Aspen Mountain – Thursday, November 26
• ·       +Telluride – Thursday, November 26
• ·       Snowmass Mountain – Thursday, November 26
• ·       Aspen Highlands – Saturday, December 12
• ·       Buttermilk Mountain – Saturday, December 12

For the full list of resorts and the latest launch dates, check out ColoradoSki.com. 

Source: http://www.9news.com/story/weather/2015/10/05/colorado-ski-resort-openings/73411492/

House Hunting This Fall? 5 Questions You Need To Ask On Tour

House Hunting This Fall? 5 Questions You Need To Ask On Tour

October 2015

So you are buying a home this fall. A smart move! As the market cools down, home hunters tend to have more buying power. But as you tour homes in search of “the one,” there are a few questions you need to remember to ask (courtesy of Realtor.com):

#1 Is the home comfortable on hot days?

Be sure to learn how the home stays cool during the summer. If there’s an AC unit, why not give it a quick test. If you see the ductwork is rusting or has poor fittings, the cool air may not flow well through the home. Make sure the inspector gives you a great run down of what to expect during a 100 degree Colorado day!

#2 How does it handle ample snowfalls?

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, Colorado should expect higher than average snow this winter. All the more motivation to check a property’s drainage (gutters, drain pipes, the sewer lines). You want to make sure there’s no water backups. Steep grades (roof, yard, drive way and sidewalks) will also affect the runoff.

#3 What’s the potential noise level?

This summer when kids are out of school and the beautiful weather beckons people outdoors, what kind of activity should you expect? Empty lots nearby may mean big construction projects. Surrounded by families could mean more noise and less privacy. You want to make sure you’ll be content with a little less peace.

#4 Will it be safe to get around in bad weather?

Since the majority of injuries happen at home, this is an important question to ask. When we pummeled with snow, will you be able to get to and from your car safely? Will icy conditions make certain entrances dangerous? It’s good to know what kind of shoveling and de-icing you’ll need to do.

#5 What are the windows’ condition?

This is where a property can really cost you! If a home’s windows are old or in poor condition, this is the time to replace them. Otherwise you may need to cover them with plastic or other DIY insulation solutions to make sure you keep the utility bill minimal. Also make sure the screens are in good shape for the summer.

I always advise my clients, once they have identified "the one",  to walk around the neighborhood and introduce themselves to their neighbors.  Ask questions about the area, and questions about the weather patterns, potential for floods, etc.  Remember, weather patterns differ drastically throughout the front range...

If you would like to know more about home searching in the Denver Metro Area, give us a call today: 303-300-8989.  One of our team members would love to meet you!

Source: realtor.com/advice/buy/buying-a-home-this-fall-dont-overlook-these-6-things

September Market Snapshot...

Here's a snapshot of the September 2015 market snapshot for Colorado's Front Range area:

New Units Listed - Single Family Homes

	Area	Aug/'14	Aug/'15	% Change
	Aurora	891	843	-5.4%
	Boulder County	237	171	-27.8%
	Broomfield/Westminster	428	355	-17.1%
	Douglas County	979	827	-11%
	Jefferson County	936	807	-13.8%
	Metro Denver	2,226	2,065	-7.2%
	Mountain Suburbs	640	543	-15.2%
	Northern Colorado	129	103	-20.2%
	South Metro Denver	823	760	-7.7%
	All (Totals)	7,289	6,474	-11.2%

Median Sales Price - Single Family Homes

	Area	Aug/'14	Aug/'15	% Change
	Aurora	$219,900	$249,000	13.2%
	Boulder County	$350,000	$364,450	4.1%
	Broomfield/Westminster	$259,450	$320,000	23.3%
	Douglas County	$341,000	$374,000	9.7%
	Jefferson County	$273,750	$312,000	14%
	Metro Denver	$270,000	$325,000	20.4%
	Mountain Suburbs	$337,750	$360,000	6.6%
	Northern Colorado	$223,000	$270,779	21.4%
	South Metro Denver	$327,250	$367,500	%12.3
	All (Averages)	$289,122	$326,969	13.1%

Source: Terradatum

10 Tricky Ways to Save for a Down Payment

By Barbara Pronin 

Saving up enough money for a down payment on your first home can seem like a daunting task—and it can be. But, say consumer advocates at nerdwallet.com, you might try using a few of these odd little shortcuts to trick yourself into saving more—and faster: 

• Automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account can help make the process mandatory—and maybe a little less painful. 

• The $5 bill savings plan. Every time you receive a $5 bill as change, set it aside. It took her 12 years, but one woman claims to have saved $36,000 with this little trick. 

• Set aside raises, bonuses, and tax refunds. It’s tempting to spend them, but think of the excitement of moving into your own home. 

• Keep the change. At least a couple of banks have variations on this theme. For example, Bank of America allows debit card users to sign up for a service that rounds up purchases to the nearest dollar and puts the change into a linked savings account. 

• Use cash rewards credit cards. Get the cash back from purchases you make and put the rebates into savings. 

• Snag a few bucks here and there. Checking account balance a few bucks over a round number? Take the extra and transfer it to savings. 

• Keep the car and save the payment. Paid off your car? Resist the urge to buy a new one and save the monthly payment instead. 

• Start fast and momentum will build. Seed your down payment fund with a birthday check or other little windfall. A quick start might motivate you to see the balance build. 

• Visualize your goal. Put big, beautiful photos of your dream house on the refrigerator or in your office workspace—and wrap a small one around the primary credit card in your wallet. You might trick yourself into charging less and saving more. 

• Use an app to track progress. Using budgeting tools like Mint, SavedPlus, Dollarbird or others may provide even more incentive to save. 

http://rismedia.com/2015-09-30/10-tricky-ways-to-save-for-a-down-payment

Winter is coming!!! Colorado homeowners get ready!

Have you heard? Colorado's winter is predicted to be below average temperatures and above average snowfall (thanks Farmers' Almanac)! Talk about motivation to make sure your home stays warm, dry and safe for the next 6-7 months! We've got some maintenance tips for you (courtesy of RISMedia):

• GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS: With a lot of snow, it's important to keep leaves and debris from clogging drains. Gutter guards can be a smart and cheap investment! 
• EXTERIOR PAINTING: Colorado's snow and ice can lead to rotting and other damage. Using a good exterior paint offers a great layer of protection.
• ROOF INSPECTION: If shingles are seeing wear and tear, they need to be replaced STAT! You can hire a licensed professional to examine your roof (or give it a tour yourself).
• EXTERIOR FLASHING: Double-check your skylights, pipes and chimney's flashing have no gaps or leaks. After all this season's heavy snow and ice could easily creep in!
• WATER PIPES: There's almost no other winter hazard more costly to homeowners than a pipe burst! When temperatures drop below freezing, immediately turn off your exterior water pipes' hose bib valves and make sure they're completely drained. Wrapping them with heating tape will also save energy.
• FIREPLACE: To avoid fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, get your chimney inspected, cleaned and repaired.
• FURNACE & HEATING SYSTEMS: Start the season with a new filter. Consider having a licensed heating contractor inspect your unit to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Hot water systems need their expansion tank drained, water pressure checked and radiator bled.
• INSULATION: Your attic can make or break your home's warmth! Make sure the insulation installed properly. The vapor barrier should be facing downward to line the rooms below. Tip: Cutting slits in the vapor barrier will allow moisture to escape (and avoid mold).

Source: http://blog.rismedia.com