Alice Downie

The Light Bulb has Come a Long Way

2012-02-20T00:34:35Z

Metropolitan Denver residents welcome the recent changes across the U.S. in light bulb technology, focused on maximizing energy and cost savings. Huff Post GREEN has written an article highlighting new lighting innovations including information on advances in light bulbs. The article entitled, “Green Innovations and Advances Of 2011” notes that the U.S. is beginning to phase out certain types of older style incandescent light bulbs, replacing them with newer, more efficient incandescents, CFLs and LED bulb types.

One of the side effects of the lighting technology changes is that jobs are being created in manufacturing, marketing and sales of lighting products. HuffPost blogger Rocky Kistner wrote, “…there are other jobs being created as more and more efficient lighting products hit the market. More and more manufacturers are switching to new money saving technologies. And that means more jobs for installers too.” These changes benefit metropolitan Denver area residents who are seeking a greener and more energy efficient lifestyle.

If you are located in the metro Denver area and interested in information about buying or selling a home, please contact Alice Downie by telephone at 800.856.9004, or visit the Alice Downie website.

Choose Your Denver Interest Rates Carefully

2012-02-20T00:22:39Z

Are you a Denver area resident who is buying a new home or refinancing your current home? As you contact a few different sources for mortgage rates and quotes, be sure to carefully consider the balance between interest rate and points when you make a decision about your mortgage package.

Read this excellent CNNMoney.com article highlighting house buying tips and offering the following advice. “When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points — a portion of the interest that you pay at closing — in exchange for a lower interest rate.” If the home you are purchasing is one in which you plan to stay for an extended period of time, such as four or more years, it is usually best to take the option of paying additional points. In the long run, you will save more with a lower interest rate.

For more information about Denver area interest rates and mortgage tips, contact the Coldwell Banker residential broker Alice Downie by telephone at 800.856.9004, or visit the Alice Downie website. Our office is located at 8490 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 100, Greenwood Village, Colorado, 80111.

Record-Setting Mortgage Rates Hit Denver Again

2012-02-10T22:41:42Z

We have great news for home buyers — record-setting mortgage rates are hitting Denver again, and now is an excellent time for home buyers to enter the market. A recent Realty Times article entitled, ‘Average Mortgage Rates Ease Setting New Record Lows’ highlighting the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey reported that average mortgage rates recently dropped to record new lows. The 30 and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, and 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage averaged new lows, while the 1-year Treasury-indexed adjustable-rate mortgage increased 0.6 of a point.

Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist at Freddie Mac commented: “Most mortgage rates eased to all-time record lows this week as fourth quarter growth in the economy fell short of market projections. …One bright spot, however, was that fixed residential investment increased for the third consecutive quarter and residential construction spending rebounded in December, rising 0.7 percent.”

If you have been thinking about beginning the search for a new home, now is the time to start! Contact the Coldwell Banker real estate professional Alice Downie for professional assistance with your new home search in the metro Denver area, by telephone at 800.856.9004.

Image via Flickr

Want to Make Your Denver Home Worth More to Sellers? Try These 3 Tips

2012-02-10T22:27:24Z

Every metro Denver homeowner hoping to sell their home in today’s real estate market knows they have to do everything possible to make their house worth more to sellers before they put it on the market. And, you want to be sure to make the right decisions about exactly where to invest your home improvement dollars, to be sure to get a full return on your investment dollars. Here are 3 tips from real estate expert Kendra Todd:

Enhance Your Exterior Entryway

Enhance your exterior entryway with a new coat of paint for door and trim; new hardware at the locksets, handle, hinges and kick plate; and a beautiful textured and colorful door mat. Consider adding a floral wreath, or other appropriate and attractive décor.

Create a Backyard Oasis

Create a backyard oasis with beautiful flowers along a paved path, including a gazebo, annuals, perennials, and a comfortable garden swing for two.

Liven Up the Front Yard Landscaping

After removing any debris or unattractive plant or garden furniture, add some new plants and freshen up the paths and edge materials for your landscaped garden areas.

Read this hgtv.com article by real estate expert Kendra Todd for more great tips about how the metro Denver homeowner can make their property more valuable when they are getting ready to sell. One bit of advice from Kendra Todd is, “Brick pavers will get a potential home buyers attention, as will flowering plants along a curved path.”

Denver area homeowners who are considering selling their homes may contact Coldwell Banker Alice Downie by telephone at 800.856.9004, for more information and ideas about how to make your home worth more to sellers when you decide to put it on the metroDenverreal estate market.

Flickr – Greg’s Landscaping

HGTV’s 2012 Green Home

2012-02-10T13:59:21Z

It’s plain for the eye to see. Colorado is one of the most beautiful states in the continental United States. Considering all of the modern day man-made environmental hazards, it would be a tragedy to do anything to harm the natural attributes that make Colorado great.

While the issue is larger than any one community (or person for that matter) there are little things every one can do to help. The easiest of which can come in your own home.

HGTV’s Green Home 2012 is the perfect example of how your home can be a luxurious palace as well as an aide to the environment. The Mike Woodley designed residence is inspired by the vast prairie landscape of the West. Close to shopping and dining, the eco- and family-friendly home is secluded enough to provide a relaxing retreat yet remain connected enough to provide a social life.

A beautiful two-story home with a first level deck and patio, the floor is equipped with a spacious dining room, kitchen and living room. The second story has three bedrooms and two baths as well as a cozy loft area that serves as the perfect family room.

Visit HGTV to learn more about the 2011 Green Home. To see more of what Colorado has to offer when it comes to housing and lifestyle, call me at 800-856-9004.

Image via HGTV