Rocky Mountain National Park - so so beautiful in the fall

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the fall. The gorgeous Aspen trees turn a vibrant yellow/orange/red. Come as I take a tour with you through parts of this National Park. Rocky Mtn Nat Park Reservations: https://youtu.be/LMz39HZ31G0

When Is An ARM loan and good idea?

Losing Money on Real Estate - Land Fraud - It's Real!

How You Can Finance Your Home Renovation

Outdated Kitchen

Outdated Bathroom, Overrun backyard, Unusable basement space. If you have a home renovation project on your mind, the first thing you have to consider is how you are going to finance it. Here are the most common options to make your dreams become a reality.

Cash

Paying in cash is the most straightforward financing option, just save until you have enough money to cover the expenses. This will help eliminate spending outside your budget; however, it can also extend your timeline.

Mortgage Refinance

If you’ve been making payments on your home for a few years and your interest rate is higher than current market rates, you may be eligible for a mortgage refinance, reducing your payments and freeing up some money.

Cash-Out Refinance. 

You can tap into your home equity and borrow up to 80 percent of your home’s value to pay off your current mortgage plus take out more cash to cover the renovations. This option is encouraged only when you’re making improvements that will increase the value of your home, as it can add a lot of interest and fees.

Home Equity. 

Getting a home equity line of credit allows you to borrow money against the value of your home. You receive usually up to 80 percent of your home’s value, minus the amount of your loan.

Retirement Funds. 

Homeowners can consider pulling money from a 401K or IRA account, even though they aren’t specifically meant to cover a home renovation. This option might incur additional penalties or tax payments, but it may be worth it when making improvements that will benefit them financially in the long run.

EARNEST MONEY EXPLAINED - what it is and how it relates to a real estate...

Big Elk Meadows - A private lake subdivision surrounded by forest

What Kind Of Grill Should I Buy?

 

As the weather heats up, more opportunities become available to homeowners who enjoy cooking and eating outdoors. Having a grill in your backyard is a perfect way to eat well and entertain guests. But how do you know which grill is right for you? Consider these factors before you purchase or upgrade your grill.

Charcoal vs. gas

Charcoal grills require charcoal or briquettes in order to cook, and they have air and cleaning vents at the bottom of the grill. These vents help control flames during use and remove residual ash after use. Gas grills come in two types, propane and natural gas. For propane grills, you’ll need to monitor gas levels and replace your tank when fuel runs out. For natural gas grills, you’ll need to install a secure gas line hookup to ensure no gas leaks while you’re cooking.

Grill location

Another thing to consider is where on your property you’d like to place your grill. If you plan on cooking outdoors regardless of weather, consider placing the grill under an overhang to shield it from the elements. If your grill will be used for parties and events, think about the layout of your backyard and deck or patio to position it in a place that won’t disturb guests.

Size and power

Depending on what you’ll be grilling, consider how large of a grilling surface area you’ll need. If it’s for personal or family use only, a smaller grill should suffice. If you’re an entertainer, a larger grill with racks for different meats or food items to cook at different temperatures may work best. Remember that a more powerful grill doesn’t always mean better—depending on the amount of food you plan to cook at a time, lower power or fuel output may provide a better and more even grilling experience. 

WHAT TO DO WITH AN UNFINISHED BASEMENT

Although currently dimly lit and a little rough on the eyes, your unfinished basement still has a lot of potentials. With just a little love and the help of the following ideas, you can spice it up in no time and get some great use out of the space. 

 Add a pop of color. 

Give your basement a whole different look without a big renovation by adding some color to space. Consider painting and sealing the floors, opening up the room by painting the rafters white or a light color, or creating a bold accent wall. 

Divide the space. 

Want to make your basement a multi-use room? Partition out the area by installing an inexpensive curtain system. This can be done either with a curtain track or a simple wire, some hooks, and curtains will suffice.

Add foam mats. 

Whether you’d like to use the basement as a home gym to get a quick workout in or a place for the kids to play and rough house, adding some foam mats into the mix is a great and easy solution. They come in various colors and can quickly be picked up and tucked away if need be. 

Use a large rug. 

As an alternative to adding mats, find a large, eye-catching rug to be used as a focal point, and furnish the area around it. 

Add lighting. 

Basements often offer very little built-in lighting and few outlets around the room. Consider stringing café lighting across space from the rafters to give a nice ambiance and glow without any difficult electrical work.

How much snow does Loveland CO Get in March?

If you want to see what 26" of snow looks like in Loveland CO.  

Don't get freaked out because after 2 1/2 days I could go anywhere.  Here is what I did during this storm.  ha

Fresh Organic Mushrooms at the Hazel Dell Mushroom Farm in Fort Collins ...

5 Things You Forgot To Clean In Your Bathroom

 Your bathroom, one of the rooms you clean most, hides areas that rarely see a scrub brush. It’s time to tackle these 5 nasty spots you probably forgot.

But we presume you or someone else regularly swishes out the toilets, wipes out the tubs and sinks, and mops your bathroom flooring. 

But you may be missing some critical areas. With the help of Kristi Mailloux, president of Molly Maid, we’ve compiled a list of 5 bathroom spots homeowners often forget to clean:

1. Showerheads

A warm white vinegar bath will get rid of mineral deposits, making your low-flow showerhead flow even lower. Let the showerhead soak for about 20 minutes, then poke a paperclip into showerhead holes still clogged. Scrub with an old toothbrush, then rinse and repeat if necessary.

2. Toilet Bases

Mildew can grow on the caulking around the base of your toilet. Spray with white vinegar or disinfecting household cleaner, then scrub with a hard-bristled brush. Dry thoroughly.

3. Shower Curtains

Clean soap scum and mildew from plastic shower curtains by tossing them into your washer on the gentle and cold (never hot!) water cycle, with detergent and ½ cup vinegar. If mildew is present, add ½ cup of bleach instead of vinegar. Toss a couple of large towels into the machine to act as scrubbers. Hang curtains back on your shower curtain rod, spread them out, and let them drip-dry. If you turn on the bathroom fan, they’ll dry faster.

4. Drains

We don’t usually pay much attention to drains until they’re clogged. But all year your hair, toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner are building up in sink and tub drains. Remove the stopper — unscrew the shower drain — and clear away obvious gunk, like hair and soap. Soak the drain in vinegar to clear away mineral deposits. Then, pour boiling water, or a mixture of ½ cup white vinegar and ½ cup baking soda, down the drain, which will bubble away crud sticking to pipes.

5. Medicine Cabinet

Throw out prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs you no longer need or want. But don’t dump them down the drain, where they become part of the watershed, or into the trash, where anyone can fetch them out. Instead, take them to a local collection site, often at police or fire stations. Or check U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take-Back Initiative’s website for dates and sites for their next collection.

Bonus tip: Just for the fun of it, launder those powder room towels you won’t let anyone use. And be sure to clean out your dryer’s lint filter when you’re finished.

by HomeLogic

CONSIDER THIS: WHEN TO REFINANCE

Refinancing your mortgage is something most homeowners consider at least once throughout the lifespan of their home loan. It allows you to pay off your previous loan by applying for a new one that has better financial advantages. While there are many good reasons to refinance, here are five common ones.

• Scoring a lower interest rate. The number one reason homeowners decide to refinance is to secure a lower interest rate on their mortgage. Not only does this save you money in the long run and decrease your monthly payment, but you can start building equity in your home sooner.
• Using an improved credit score. Even if interest rates have not dropped in the market, if you’ve improved your credit score over the last few years, you may be able to reduce your mortgage rate.
• Shortening the loan’s term. If interest rates are decreasing, there is a chance you may be able to get a shorter loan term with little to no change in your monthly payment, allowing you to pay off your loan sooner.
• Switching from an adjustable-rate to a fixed rate. If you chose an adjustable-rate mortgage with great introductory rates when you initially financed your home, that rate may increase significantly over the years. By switching to a fixed rate while interest rates are low, you can protect yourself from future increases.
• Cashing out home equity. If there is a big purchase or payment on the horizon, such as funding a wedding or going back to school, your best option may be to use the equity you’ve built in your home to borrow money at a lower cost.

I have good lenders that I can refer you to if you are thinking of refinancing your home.  http://turnkeyrealtyco.com  

Your Real Estate Resource

Hunting for a new home online is a great place to start your search, but it should not be your end all be all. Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of the home, but keep in mind there may be more than meets the eye. To make the most of your time and efforts and gather a well-rounded picture of home listings online, keep the following three things in mind.

Stay up to date. 

When you start your search, make sure you find a site that pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing service (MLS) where real estate agents actively post their most current homes for sale. Many online resources update less often or fail to remove listings that are off the market, making it more difficult to sort through the clutter.

Pictures can be deceiving.

Real estate photographers are experts at showing a home in the best possible light. Many use tools and strategies to boost appeal, such as a fisheye lens to make areas look larger and creative editing to make colors and textures really pop. But, often listings will not contain photos of unappealing parts of the home, like small closets or outdated bathrooms.

See it to believe it. 

Once you find what appears to be your dream home online, call up your real estate agent and schedule a showing. You want to take the opportunity to vet the home in person and explore every part of it before beginning the offer process. Your real estate agent will help you cover all your bases and will ask questions you may not have thought of.

TURNING A BEDROOM INTO A LUX BEDROOM

For most of us, our bedroom is little more than a place to sleep and relax. However, just because it’s always been that way doesn’t mean that we have to settle for drab and dreary.
One trend that’s gaining steam these days is converting your current bedroom into a luxury suite (or something comparable). If you want to live like you’re renting a room at the Ritz, then you want to follow these tips.

Compartmentalize Your Activities

Making your bedroom more functional is going to make it more luxurious. Add a gorgeous desk for working and a TV area for entertainment, and you’ll be living it up in no time.

Make it Chic

Choose a color palette that is both luxurious and classy. Silver and gold can seem tacky, so choose muted shades that complement each other.
Also, a brilliant and commanding headboard can instantly upgrade the look of your room without any other changes.

Light it Properly

Finally, make sure that you have the right light to show off your designs. If it’s too washed out or yellow, then it will look drab and run down. Switch to brilliant LEDs and see the difference.

Choose Your Accents Wisely

We already mentioned a headboard, but some elegant drapes can also make your room feel more royal. Being strategic with your furniture accessories is going to both keep you under budget and avoid doing too much with the space.
Are you ready to lux your bedroom? You’ll be impressed by the results, and the feeling of decadence will make you more confident in your surroundings.

Carpet Cleaning 101 - How To Prepare Your Home For Winter

These simple tips can help you have a sparkling clean carpet and give you some tips to prepare your home winter.

Namaqua Hills - Spectacular Views

 

This beautiful subdivision called, Namaqua Hills is on a mountain with spectacular views of the city of Loveland, Berthoud, and Windsor.  It's located just 5 miles west of the city and is a convenient place for shopping, golf, restaurants.  Take a look at this video.  I think you will enjoy getting to know the subdivision of Namaqua Hills. 

Take A Tour Of Namaqua Hills

Affordable Housing in Loveland Colorado - Garages

 

Affordable housing is an issue everywhere.  In Loveland, Colorado the issue is the same.  Where can I find affordable housing that meets my needs? 

Rethinking space

In urban areas where space is at a premium, the idea of converting garages into living space is taking off.   Would you consider having a stranger move into your garage? Or, would you set up your home in someone else's garage?  More and more people are saying "YES".  

According to new research by Harvard University, almost 40 million Americans "live in housing they cannot afford."  Homeownership has gone down and rental prices keep going up, meaning that millions of residents are forced to pay more than they reasonably should.

Living in someone's garage could help some of those 40 million American's live within their budget or gain freedom from living with mom and dad.  This idea works especially well in college communities such as Northern Colorado.   Rent a garage out to a college student.  

These garage flats could represent a lot more than the opportunity for an extra stream of income for homeowners. Proponents say they could help remedy cities’ housing problems, and even fight homelessness.  

Advantages To A Garage Home

This type of housing won't change the look of the neighborhood and will minimize the land being utilized for new construction, thus keeping our farm ground for food.  

This type of housing could cut down on the homeless population and help those individuals gain respect for themselves and their community.

Who Lives In A Garage

 Younger adults, older relatives who need care, Airbnb guests. And this shift is not limited to converted garages. Backyard cottages, repurposed garden shacks, and tiny homes – they’re all known as ADUs, or accessory dwelling units. 

Cost

Because a garage already has a foundation, walls, and a roof, using the existing structure typically costs around half what you would spend for an all-new addition.  

As the demand for affordable housing becomes a greater need, some cities have eased up on the planning laws.  Contact Larimer Counties planning office (970-498-7683) to see if this is a possibility for your home. 

Affordable Local RESOURCES:

• Colorado Division of Housing 
• Colorado Housing & Finance Authority 
• Funding Partners
• Housing Authority of the City of Loveland
  
• Loveland Habitat for Humanity 
• Neighbor to Neighbor

5 Steps To Painting Concrete

 Concrete painting is trickier than painting most surfaces: It breathes, transports moisture, and sucks up paint.

While you can paint drywall in a day or two, you’ll need a week or more to finish painting concrete. Continue reading below for tips -- plus costs -- on how to paint concrete surfaces:

1. Clean the Concrete

Cleaning concrete is a vital first step because the porous surface tends to trap dirt, grease, and oil.

1. Remove dirt and grease with trisodium phosphate ($6.30 per quart concentrate), or choose a more Earth-friendly cleaner like Krud Kutter’s pre-paint cleaner ($10 for 32 ounces).

2. Yank off vines and moss growing on the foundation. Use a pressure washer to finish off the remaining roots and dirt.

3. Remove efflorescence, a white powder that forms on moist concrete. Try Krud Kutter Concrete Clean & Etch ($8.50 for 32 ounces); if you need more cleaning muscle, try phosphoric acid masonry cleaner ($27 per gallon).

2. Strip Old Paint

Strip peeling or blistering paint indoors with a wire brush ($3 to $5), a paint scraper ($10 to $20), and lots of elbow grease.

Outdoors, get rid of old paint with a power washer (rents for $40 to $75 per day).

3. Seal Interior Concrete

Water moves easily through porous concrete, so sealing interior walls is necessary to prevent moisture from seeping in, promoting mold growth and that cold, damp basement feel. Use a masonry sealer, such as ThoroSeal, that also patches cracks ($35 for a 50-pound bag).

Carefully follow directions for mixing, applying, and curing the sealer. ThoroSeal, for example, requires two coats; the manufacturer recommends curing for five to seven days before applying the second coat.

4. Prime the Concrete

Concrete primer, called block primer, fills pores and evens out the surface. For exterior foundations and walls, use exterior-grade block filler, such as Behr’s Concrete and Masonry Bonding Primer, which also is good for interior concrete ($17.98 per gallon). Primer dries in two hours; wait at least eight hours, but no more than 30 days, to paint.

5. Paint the Concrete

Masonry paint (also called elastomeric paint or elastomeric wall coating) is a good choice for concrete painting because it contains binders that contract and expand with the concrete. Exterior house paint can crack and peel on concrete.

Masonry paint ($20 per gallon) can be tinted and is much thicker than exterior paint. Apply it with a masonry brush ($5 to $8), a high-capacity (3/4-inch or higher) roller, or a texture roller ($5.50).

Some masonry paint is thicker than exterior paint and contains fine particles that can clog air sprayers. If you want to spray-paint cement, ask your local paint store for a product that will work well in a sprayer ($300).

No matter how you apply paint, let it dry for a day between coats. You’ll probably need two to three coats, so check the long-range weather forecast before you begin.

Create The Home Office Of Your Dreams

Whether you work full-time at home or occasionally, need to conduct business in the evenings or on the weekends, a home office a great way to utilize an extra room. A dedicated workspace in your home can be designed to increase productivity and comfort. Here are 5 ideas to get you started.

1.  A Good Chair

Invest in a good office chair. Investing in an ergonomic office chair is essential. You may be spending anywhere from 30 to 50 hours a week sitting in it, so your back will thank you. Purchasing one with multiple adjustments is ideal so it fits you just right.

2. Good Lighting

Switch up your lighting. Fluorescent lighting has been proven to be hard on the eyes. Make the switch to LED or halogen light bulbs in your home office and try to let in as much natural light as possible. Also, consider finding a desk lamp to reduce headaches and eye strain.

3.  A Neat Workspace

Keep essentials in reach and organized. Nothing says productivity like a clean, neat workspace. Select a desk with a lot of storage or install creative shelving to keep items like pens, pencils, extra batteries, calculators, notepads, and more stored within arm’s reach.

4.  Choose The Right Color

Decorate bright. Pick a color you love and use it to spice up the room. Use cheery yellow or red or relaxing tones like green and blue, instead of beiges and browns.

5.  A Great View

Aim for the view. If possible, place your desk so you are facing a window instead of a blank wall. Natural light can do wonders for staying alert and you can give yourself a short mental break when necessary by looking to the outdoors.

Home Warranty Vs Home Insurance

When purchasing a new home, it’s important to do in-depth research on all facets of the homebuying process. One thing you’ll need to understand is how to best protect yourself and your investment if anything were to go wrong. Check out the information on home insurance versus home warranty below to educate yourself on your options.

Home Insurance

Homeowners insurance pays for any accidental damages and loss that are caused by fire, lightning strikes, windstorms, and hail, however, damage from earthquakes and floods is typically not covered. It also covers the replacement of personal property in case of theft or damage and liability if a person were to get injured in your home or on your property. According to American Home Shield, the average annual cost of a homeowner's insurance policy ranges between $300 and $1,000, and the bank usually asks you to obtain a policy before the mortgage is issued. Make sure to keep in mind that each type of coverage in the policy is subject to a limit and, in most cases, you will have to pay a deductible.

Home Warranty

A home warranty is designed to cover the cost of repairs and replacements of larger appliances and crucial systems in your home that may fail or break due to age and wear and tear. This includes but isn’t limited to HVAC, electrical, or plumbing components, kitchen appliances, and your washer and dryer. With a home warranty, you are required to pay premiums year-round, even if you do not use it, and it won’t cover damages if appliances were not maintained properly or if the damage is from a fire or other disaster.

The bottom-line difference with regards to warranty vs. insurance is that insurance covers unexpected events that lead to damage, while warranties cover events that are somewhat expected, such as the aging and ultimate breakdown of appliances and systems.

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