10 Cities with Fast Growing Home Buyer Interest

So a little bit of real estate info here thanks to CNBC

Florida seemed to sweep the list with several locations but taking the #1 spot was Fort Lauderdale with a nearly 100% increase in home sales over last year. Surprisingly, Beverly Hills took second place which is quite interesting given the economic recession. The average home sale price in the ritzy city is mere $1,350,000.

There were other unexpected cities that made the list. Detroit has seen a  39% increase in home buyer interest. Houston Texas and Mesa Arizona both have a growing interest and it's easy to see why when the average home prices are well below $130,000.

See if your city made the top 10 over at CNBC.

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Easy tips for winterizing your home

Check your furnace, make sure filters are fresh and clean. If you have an older furnace, consider having  it inspected and tuned to make sure it is in proper working order and running as efficiently as possible. If it is more than 10 years old you may be wasting a lot of energy and money than it's worth, consider upgrading to a new furnace.

Clean your gutters. Clogged gutters allow rain and snow to pool up on your roof creating a chance for leaks. Also be sure that down spouts are properly attached and draining out and away from the home, preferably 10 feet away from the foundation.

Check attic insulation. If you can see the joists you need more insulation, add a layer to the existing insulation. Make sure to use NON paper backed insulation.

Clean your chimney. It's important to make sure the chimney is clean and free of debris before using it during the cool winter. You can hire a professional to sweep and inspect your chimney. Also make sure your chimney has a screened cap to keep unwanted items and animals out!

Replace batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Check for drafts and leaks by walking your home with a lit candle checking doors and windows. Replace old weatherstripping if needed and employ the use of door sweeps to keep cold air out.

Switch the direction of ceiling fans. Did you know that your ceiling fan runs two separate ways? Well they do! In the winter change the direction to clockwise allowing air to push downward into the room recirculating the hot air that rises to the ceiling.

Drain water lines. Make sure those sprinklers are blown out and outdoor spigots are turned off. Detach hoses and store them properly. This will keep water from freezing your pipes and creating costly repairs.

Turn down your water heater. Most household heaters are set to 140 degrees which is a lot higher than you really need, by lowering the temperature to 120 you can save 6-10% on heating costs!

Use a programmable thermostat. This will keep your home energy costs down by operating the heating consistently. It will allow you to decrease the temperature when no one is home and save on your heating bill.

Close off vents in un-used rooms. No sense in heating a room that no one is using!

Throw on a sweater and some slippers and enjoy Old Man Winter.

~5280 Lady

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Home Gadget Fest: Gizmos and goodies for your home!

A few of the latest and greatest gadgets for your home! Some for simplicity, some for convenience, and some just because they're cool, which ones will you add to your wish list?

Hidden flat screen tv's. Very 'Sherlock Homes' yet functional if you like a more tailored and sophisticated living space. Slide the art in place until you're ready for some tv time.

Toe kick vacuum. By far the most useful of new home gizmos, this 'vacuum' is mounted right underneath your cabinetry and instead of bending over to sweep up with a dustpan you just sweep the mess right into the vacuum space and it's picked up by your central vac.

Wall mounted garage door opener. For those garages that don't allow for a traditional garage door opener, there are no rails required, the unit simply mounts to the wall.

Electronic dog/cat doors. There are a variety of these on the market. Basically your pet wears a collar that contains either a magnetic or infrared device that unlocks the dog door allowing them in and keeping strays and unwanted animals out.

Fingerprint door locks. For extra security there are dozens of fingerprint door locks. Use them on your front door, garage door, or even an office to keep unwanted visitors out.

Automatic blinds and curtains. No need to mention the convenience of having remote controlled window shades but especially great for tall windows or skylights that are out of reach. What's even better is that you can get cordless electric blinds which have added security for small children that like to play with strings and cords.


-5280 Lady

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Room Envy: Master Bedroom

Whether you go with a classic, romantic, or modern design, the master bedroom should be a retreat. This is a place that you recharge and relax so take care when designing this space for yourself. Consider things like lighting both natural and artificial, paint color, window treatments, and furniture placement and keep them all conducive to sleeping.

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Money Saver: Xeriscaping the alternative landscape

Another money saving idea for you, Xeriscaping. Heard of it? Basically it's landscaping that is specifically designed to save water aka save money. But the other huge benefit is that it typically requires far less maintenance. It's very common here in the Denver area, we apparently coined the term back in 1978.

So what is it and what does it look like? Well it can be a complex process if you take it to the extreme. There's the plan and design that takes into account things like curb appeal, sun direction, etc. Then you've got different soils to choose from, compost being the best. Then we look at the irrigation system, regular sprinkler heads vs drip lines all tailored to the specific plants and evaporation. Now for the important part, the plants, turf, and mulch all of which have various options suited for optimal efficiency.

My thought of Xeriscaping was always a barren looking brown and dry yard. I figured you plant a bunch of cactus and cover everything in rock...not exactly my idea of a nice looking yard. I was completely surprised at the variety of plant and design options available that actually look good! So if your yard is needing an overhaul why not go with something that will save you money and time.

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Live in your hobby... the Airpark Residence

In case you own an airplane that you need to house you don't need to bother renting a hangar... just pull up your runway driveway and park it! This is one of the most innovative designs I've seen in the architectural world in a while and it's right here in our backyard in Colorado.

The Airpark Residence belongs to a spinal surgeon from Boulder, she's (yes I said SHE, go girl!) a pilot and decided that she wanted to live and breathe airplanes, her ultimate hobby. So she did what anyone would do... naturally, she built  her very own residence on Cessna Drive at the Erie municipal airport complete with her own runway and airplane hanger!

The home is quite beautiful... take a peek... talk about integrating your hobby into your life!

See more pics and read the full article over at Colorado Homes and Lifestyles!

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Room Envy: Patio edition

With summer coming to an end it's time to get ready for Fall and in Colorado that means a lot of opportunities to enjoy your patio. The moderate temperatures and cool breezes make it a perfect time to head outside without the scorching summer sun and before the chilly winter arrives.

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