March can be an unpredictable season for Colorado, but it is a great time to get out the clippers and start tidying up your yard. This year, especially, is proving to be a warmer, quicker Spring than usual. Already having hit 80 degrees, the urge to get ready for Spring is stronger than ever. Below are some tips to get your landscape ready for Spring, BBQ's and warm summer nights.

It's Time to Prune

New buds are blooming, so get rid of dead branches to make room for new buds. 
Cleaning up these dead branches can be done with a handsaw and shaping hedges can be done with a pruner or electric shears. Cleaning up these bushes can help give new life, by allowing sunlight to get all the way down to the soil.

Allow New Growth

Spruce up your plants by cutting back perennials or pulling up expired plants from last season. This will help make room for new additions to the flower bed and help current plants thrive. 
This can be easily done with sharp pruners. 
It is also important to remove any dead leaves or other foliage that are covering your plants. Add new mulch and cover beds with fertilizer so that plants can get nutrients when it rains. 

Tend to the Lawn

After a long winter, your grass might not be in the best of shape. Remove any landscape that has been damaged from plows or salt. Next, plant new seeds and keep them moist with compost. Generally March is the perfect time to add fertilizer and see a transformation start to take place. 

Get Ready for the Patio

Clean up your backyard seating area by sweeping gravel or sand back into crevices and removing any leaves, pine cones or dead foliage covering the deck. It never hurts after a long winter to refresh the crevices with new filler to help give your deck or flagstone patio an even and crisp look. 
A pressure washer is a great tool to clean up the back deck easily and quickly. 

Replace the Fence

If you fence has become damaged from rot or destruction, it's a good idea to tend to it in the Spring. A mixture of water, bleach and liquid soap can clean off the fence. Wood Epoxy is good for patching rotted areas and sanding down wood in order to allow new paint to adhere easily and evenly. 

Keep the Pest Out

Prevent the pests now and save a headache later. In the Spring, it is suggested to use preemergent herbicide on crabgrass. As for protecting your gardens, make sure to have fencing in place to deter the curious rabbit or deer who might find your flowers tempting. An easier solution might be to investigate the plants that these animals aren't drawn to. 

Mapleton Hill is one of the most sought after and oldest neighborhoods in Boulder. Prices rate in the millions of dollars, but with nineteenth century architecture and tree-lined streets, the price is worth it! Most homes in the area are single-family and exude Victorian and Queen Anne style architecture. Credited to the 200+ silver maple and cottonwood trees planted when the neighborhood was first developed, the neighborhood is thought of not only as gorgeous, but as calm and family friendly as well. 

For lower priced housing, the area has developed some town homes and condominiums. But, beware, getting in this neighborhood is hard to come by.  Many of Mapleton Hill's first residents still reside in the neighborhood. And why wouldn't they? With its prime location, large lawns and extensive porches, getting residents to want to move is not easy. And if those attributes aren't enticing enough, living in a historic district has its perks. One major perk is that the Colorado Historical Society maintains this luxurious neighborhood with state tax credit and preservation grants. 

Though the neighborhood lacks new build amenities such as retail stores and restaurants, the neighborhood has a prime location. Nestled underneath the mountains, access to popular hikes such as Mount Sanitas is easy. It also lies just minutes from Pearl Street Mall and, according to WalkScore.com, ranks as one of the best in terms of walkability. ​

For more information on this neighborhood, visit the Boulder Neighborhood Guide
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In the article posted on CBS Money Watch, "The 10 hottest U.S. real estate markets in 2017," Zillow projects that three of the five largest U.S. cities will have below-average growth this year. "Instead, the real estate markets that may experience the greatest price appreciation are mostly located far from the coasts and represent midsize metropolitan areas." Thus, it projects, that the areas that will benefit the most will be in the West (like Colorado) and the South. 

Read more below:

Skyrocketing housing prices in San Francisco and New York have created headaches for many of their residents, pushing rents and mortgages to unaffordable levels.
But when it comes to expectations for 2017, those once-hot markets may be cooling off. Real estate services company Zillow projects that three of the five largest U.S. cities will have below-average growth this year. Instead, the real estate markets that may experience the greatest price appreciation are mostly located far from the coasts and represent midsize metropolitan areas.
While American home prices have recovered to their precrisis levels, not all regions and types of housing have rebounded to the same extent. Homes valued below $100,000 have appreciated almost 10 percent in value from 2000, while those in the $500,000 to $1 million range have more than doubled.
The regions that benefited from the sharpest recovery in home prices are the West and South. This year, cities in those regions are also likely to see above-average housing gains, although the spoils will be enjoyed by some mid-tier cities.
Zillow said it based its forecasts on a combination of quickly rising home values, low unemployment rates and strong income growth. "Zillow's 2017 list highlights that jobs and opportunities are increasingly growing in smaller markets away from the coasts," said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Svenja Gudell in a statement.
Across the U.S., home values are expected to rise 3 percent this year. Only two of the five largest American cities are forecast to experience above-average gains: New York, where prices will rise 3.6 percent, and Houston, at 3.3 percent.
Los Angeles, the second-largest U.S. city, will see home prices rise 1.5 percent, while No. 3 Chicago will experience 2.9 percent appreciation. Home prices in Philadelphia, the fifth-largest city, will rise 2.8 percent. New York and Houston are the largest and fourth-largest U.S. cities by population.
Read on to learn about the 10 hottest U.S. real estate markets for 2017.

​If you're selling your home, hosting an open house is a traditional part of trying to get buyers in to see the home. More so now, however, the value of open houses are being questioned. Open houses do come in handy for first time home buyers. It is a well known and comfortable tool that allows first timers to preview homes without having the stress of making a decision. In many ways, it's a great way to start looking for what you do and don't like in a home. It's also a great way to get people into the house. If people are driving around the neighborhood and see the sign, they are likely to drop by. A downside of this, however, is that not everyone looking may be qualified. Filtering out who can actually buy the home in private showings saves time and headaches down the road. 


Sellers should not base how good a realtor is on whether they believe in hosting an open house or not. In today's digital world, it is more important to know that your realtor will work hard to get the most exposure possible to the largest audience available. Focussing only on open houses isn't your primary marketing technique. Making sure you have a great online presence with good photos of the interior and exterior is important. Afterall, going online is the way people are going to find out about the sale first. You also want  to make sure your realtor has your best interest in mind. Hosting open houses is a great way to get clients, so make sure the realtor is there for you, not for the buyers. 

Further, safety is a concern. You are opening your doors for the whole world to come in. Some of those people may not have the right intentions. It gives thieves an opportunity to steal, burglars an opportunity to preview where valuable are located and vandalizers an opportunity to disturb the condition of your home. So, take precautions and make sure you weigh all the pros and cons. 

Wonderland Hills Neighborhood, located to the South of Newlands, is a less popular neighborhood, but one that has a lot to offer! It provides tranquil living and large lots at affordable prices. Another bonus is its proximity to Wonderland Lake. This lake provides outdoor lovers with miles of trails for biking, hiking and family fun. Playgrounds and a large field are also located by the lake, making a day outside or family gatherings easy and enjoyable. 

Built in the 70's, this high-end suburb of Boulder is made up of a mix of single family homes and condos. Prices range from the $400's to millions, but you get a lot of house and land for your money. This is something that isn't easily found in Boulder! Being a grown-up and secluded neighborhood also offers residents beautiful views of the mountains and large trees that provide an upscale look to the neighborhood. 
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Located in North Boulder, Wonderland Hills is conveniently located close to Luck's Market, the North Boulder Rec Center and about 10 minutes from the popular Pearl Street. 

To learn more about Wonderland Hills, visit Boulder Neighborhood Guide

​Weekends is located on the main Pearl Street drag on the East side of Broadway. Originally called J. Pitner Ltd., the store was first located in Fort Collins. In 1990, John Schopbach opened the Boulder location, which sold more casual clothing on the corner of 11th and Pearl. It then moved to its larger location, where the store continued to carry its casual clothing as well as expanding to more upscale retail as well. Some items you will find at Weekends includes, footwear, bags, jewelry, True Religion, Lone Pine, Cole Haan, Apolis Activism, Rag and Bone, and a whole area dedicated to denim. In the denim store, you will find a wide selection of designer clothing and a fashion forward selection that keeps up with trends and styles. 


Visit Weekends http://weekendsboulder.com/ to learn more 

Washington Village is located in the heart of Boulder. Just a few blocks from downtown Pearl Street Mall, Washington Village makes walking to restaurants and stores alike a breeze. If you enjoy central living in a city, this place is for you!

The community is small, but select. It is made up of 36 private residences and a shared common area of approximately 7,500 square feet. Washington Village incorporates the historic Washington Elementary School which was built in 1903.  The school, along with the future Broadway building, host amenities for the community's residents. These amenities and common facilities make socializing and connecting with one another easy and enjoyable.  Gardens, courtyards, a park, a library, an arts and crafts area, a bike repair shop and a lounge complete with a fire, make residents of the area long-time members of the community. 

If you are looking for a community that exudes that of comfort and economically conscious living, check out Washington Village today!

For more information on Washington Village, visit Washington Village

CMA and Sellers

Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a great tool to use when you are getting ready to sell your house. Many realtors will offer a free CMA to help you understand what your home is worth. When the CMA really comes in handy, however, is before you list your home. This does not have any legal value, but it is a great tool for a home sale. Doing a CMA will help you know what price you should list your home at depending on the current market, location and past sales. 

Included in an in depth CMA is usually, active listings, pending listings, sold listings and expired or withdrawn listings. Sold listings are more realistic than active, as sold shows how much people are actually willing to spend. Sometimes active and pending sales aren't realistic because people are going to list at whatever price they want to, not necessarily based on a CMA. Cancelled, expired or withdrawn listings can be helpful, because many times they have been taken off the market because the price was too high. Therefore, you might want to keep your home listed at a lower price. You should not use these listings, however, as your basis on market value because there are reasons other than the price that the house may have been taken off the market. 

After finding different homes with different sales statuses, it is time to look at comparable homes. Comparable homes mean that these homes look the same, have similar square footage, have a similar age, are in the same condition, a similar number of beds/baths, have similar yards/land, have similar upgrades and are in the same location. It is always enticing to try to get the most money out of your home, but you want to make sure you are pricing based on comparable homes and the market, so that the home doesn't turn off potential buyers. If the house is priced right, it will be more desirable and will probably get a higher price from a bidding war. This has especially been the case in Colorado. 

CMA and Buyers

For buyers, running a CMA can be very helpful as well. By running a CMA, you may be able to see if a house you are interested in buying has been priced too high, thus giving you validity to make a lower offer. You may also find a discrepancy on square footage. If a house that is comparable on square footage sold for much less, you might be able to argue a lower price based on square footage. The analysis will also give you insight into how much the seller bought the home for. If they are still profiting with your offer, they may be more willing to accept it. You can also save money by buying when the market isn't as crazy, because sellers will be more receptive of an offer. If you buy during the high season, you might end up spending more just to outbid another buyer. 

Buying your home is a big deal. It's a lot of time, work and finances. So, being able to save money every chance you get will determine whether or not you will be able to buy your dream home. One big thing to consider is when you're buying. Not only do interest rates and the down payment percentage play a big role in the size, age and condition of the home you can buy, but what time of the year you are looking could make a huge financial difference too.

How seasons affect home buying differs by location. Traditionally, for Colorado, the home market picks up in the Spring. Warm weather gets home buyers out shopping and, with school out, it's an easier time for families to move. Because of this highly competitive time, however, prices are generally higher. Waiting for the rush to calm down will save you money on the listing price. One fear is with inventory. In the high season, more homes will be listed and in the colder, winter months there will be less inventory. This is especially true since, with the holidays, people are less likely to move. If you are shopping for a good deal though, holding off until the winter months is a good idea. No matter what, something will cause people to sell. Maybe a family has to move away for a job, seniors have to downsize, or a divorced couple can't afford the mortgage alone. 

There are other pros to looking at a home in the winter. One is that it will really give you a good idea of how all systems and appliances are working. If there are repairs that need to be made to the roof, furnace, insulation, etc, it will be easier to spot it. The con, however, is you won't know how well of a condition the yard is in, so expenses on landscaping may surprise you in the spring/summer months. 

For a more detailed look at seasonality in the Boulder and Denver area, Contact Me!