​The summer is heating up and so are trends in patio decor. Warm summer nights allow us to expand our living space to the outside. So, having a patio that caters to entertaining guests or an enjoyable space to make the most of your summer is important. Below are some patio ideas that are trending in 2017.


Bring the Indoors Out:

Your backyard quite simply provides extra living space if done right. This year, many people are mirroring their indoor decor outside. This makes for a seamless transition from your indoor dining space to an outdoor entertaining area perfect for peaceful nights or celebrating the summer with friends and family. So, invest in nice furniture that is inviting and aesthetically appealing. To decorate, look into other design features such as coffee tables, rugs, ottomans, side tables and simple decor. With today's technology in acrylic fabrics, patio furniture is actually worth the investment. If you buy the right materials, you will be able to get a lot more use out of your furniture and enjoy it for many summer nights. 

Pillows: 

Get comfy with summer pillows on your patio furniture. Not only will you and your guests be comfortable, but pillows are an easy way to bring color to the backyard. 

Cool It Down:

Bring in hints of blues, grey's and whites to your patio furniture. Not only will this cool you down in the heat of the summer, but it will emulate coastal colors to help bring that beach vibe to Colorado. And better yet, bring the Mediterranean to your home with a mosaic table. This vintage look is back in style and can transport you to a relaxing, peaceful patio high above the aqua waters of the Amalfi Coast. Seal the deal with an inexpensive water feature. Water is proven to be relaxing and will make your backyard into an oasis. 

Go Natural:

Trends in 2017 is all about natural. Simple landscapes, natural materials and light and delicate furniture is being seen more and more. Rather than heavy furniture made of metals, this year woven, wooden furniture is back. And, just because it is wood, doesn't mean you have to stick to a traditional wood color. Many woven furniture is now coming in fun colors to help bring in that pop of color or even lean towards that beach vibe discussed above. 

Your Outdoor Kitchen:

The grill is a staple to cooking outside and boasting those summertime flavors. But, more and more, people in Colorado are experimenting with edible gardens. Not only does planting fruits, vegetables and herbs make for a lovely natural look, but it provides delectable treats as well. Who wouldn't want to come over when you put a fresh sprig of mint from your garden into a summertime cocktail?

Denver 7 News answers the question: Is Denver's real estate market a bubble ready to burst?
​Learn more below:

DENVER – Denver real estate is expensive and it just keeps getting more so, which has many people asking: Are we in another bubble that’s about to burst?
Since the last housing bubble burst with the great recession in 2007 or so, Denver's economy has recovered better than most cities its size and home prices have increased by 60 percent on average, with some neighborhoods closer to 200 percent.
The average sale price of a home in the Denver area was $439,161 in April, a new record high that puts home prices at 40 percent or more above pre-recession levels, according to Steve Danyliw, a Denver-area real estate agent and the chairman of the Denver Metro Association of Realtors Market Trends Committee. But he’s not ready to press the “panic” button just yet.
“There’s no bubble or anything like that,” Danyliw said.
Though home prices have been quickly rising, we’re not seeing some of the other warning signs that were present before the housing crash 10 years ago.
“We’re a very healthy market, financially speaking,” Danyliw said. “The underlying fundamentals of the market are different today versus then.”
One major difference is the number of foreclosures. Denver saw a slight uptick in the number of foreclosed homes last year, but we are still far below what we saw at the height of the housing crisis. In 2007, for example, Denver processed more than 8,000 foreclosure cases. Last year, that number was just 720.
“We’re looking at financially healthy homeowners,” Danyliw said. “The number of properties in jeopardy of being potential foreclosures…it’s just not there.”
Though Danyliw doesn’t think we’re in a bubble, he says there are some signs that the market will slow down. The number of sales that make it to closing is down year-over-year and Danyliw said he’s seen an increase in the number of buyers who back out after a home goes under contract.
A big reason for that is the high prices in the market right now and the fact that there just aren’t a lot of homes to choose from. Buyers often feel like they have to settle for homes that don’t have everything they want or need, Danyliw said.
Increases in home prices are outpacing income growth in the metro area and that trend simply isn’t sustainable, as home ownership gets further out of reach for many people.
“At some point, things are going to have to give,” Danyliw said.
A forecast from geographic data company Location, Inc. predicts an average drop in home prices of 9 percent or so over the next five years, starting in late 2019.

Since 2005, the Downtown Aquarium has been bringing the ocean to our mountain community. Adults and children alike can't help but enjoy the magnificent and well done exhibits, over 500 species and dining at the aquarium. 


The Downtown Aquarium has 10 exhibits: North America, In The Desert, Under The Sea, At The Wharf, The Rainforest, Coral Lagoon, Sunken Temple, Shipwreck, At The Beach, 4D Theater. Learn more about Exhibits here.

Make your aquarium outing an event with education and dining. The Mystic Mermaids Show takes place every day at the aquarium and can be seen during dining hours as well. A magical event, especially for younger children, the mermaid show truly brings a different dynamic to the aquarium and educates children on the importance of protecting your environment. 

If you want to skip the show and the exhibits, take your family to dinner and be equally wowed with an underwater experience. Not only does the upscale Dive Lounge carry steaks, seafood and more, but it offers a floor to wall aquarium in the middle of the room for your entertainment pleasures. 

Looking to mix your day or evening up? The Downtown Aquarium won't disappoint. 

​Letting people into your home is sometimes uncomfortable; especially when some people viewing the home are not genuine. So, how can you keep your home and valuables safe, while still being able to market your home to interested buyers? See some tips from Realtor Magazine below:


An open house can be a great sales tool, but it also exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people for the first time. Stay safe by practicing these guidelines.

• Call the local police department and ask them to have a squad car drive by during your open-house hours. 
• Check your cell phone's strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial. Carry an extra, fully charged cell phone battery. 
• Determine several "escape" routes that you an use in case of an emergency. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.
• Turn on the lights and open the curtains. These are not only sound safety procedures, but also great marketing tactics.
• Make sure that if you were to escape by the back door, you could escape form the backyard. Frequently, high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools or hot tubs. 
• When prospective buyers begin to arrive, jot down their car descriptions, license numbers and physical descriptions.
• When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don't lead them. Say, for example, "The kitchen is on your left," and gesture for them to go ahead of you.
• Notify a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don't call they are to notify the police immediately. 
• Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the house and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.

Source: National Association of REALTORS Safety Week kit  

Hanging Lake is a spectacular hike that is rewarding athletically and visually. In the summer, enjoy a mountainous drive up to Glenwood Springs where Hanging Lake lies within the cliffs of the Glenwood Canyon. Be sure to get there early, as the parking lot fills up quickly. Driving West towards Hanging Lake, you will have to turn around at the Glenwood exit in order to come back to the exit that leads you to the Hanging Lake parking lot. Luckily for you, this allows you to check out the quaint, mountainous town of Glenwood Springs, which you might enjoy coming back to for lunch. 
A moderate hike, this one-mile trail trail is accessible to most hiking levels. It is rocky and has one very steep section where you might have to use your hands to help you climb up though, so beware of brining too young of children. Once you do get your exercise in and zig zag across bridges that suspends over the Dead Horse Creek, you will find yourself at a fork in the road. If you go left, you will climb a bit higher and find yourself under a gloriously large and fierce waterfall. Stop to appeal to all your five senses. Listen to the rushing water, feel the sprinkle on your face and smell the mountainous air. Taking a right will lead you to the magnificent Hanging lake. A manicured path will take you to the clear, turquoise, tranquil lake that sits perfectly still before tipping down the mountain into the vigorous waterfall. Take a moment to sit on the benches, take a photo and feel rewarded by your hard work.
Don't miss this spectacular hike in Colorado!

How do Colorado colleges rank? The Denver Business Journal tells us more below:

Best colleges for your money: Here's how Money magazine ranks Colorado schoolsJul 11, 2017, 7:56am MDT Updated Jul 11, 2017, 12:22pm MDT

Money magazine is out with its latest ranking of the nation's "best colleges for your money," and the list includes several Colorado schools.
Money ranked 711 colleges and universities across the country based on educational quality, affordability and alumni success.
Money magazine is out with its latest ranking of the nation's "best colleges for your… more
Click on the slideshow above to find out where Colorado schools rank.
Among the factors the magazine weighed to compile its list are each school's estimated cost with or without financial aid, the percentage of students who receive aid grants, and average early-career earnings of graduates.
( Click here for the full methodology.)
New to this year's ranking are included data from LinkedIn and Burning Glass Technologies tracking the market value of the most commonly listed skills for each school's alumni.
Princeton University came in at No. 1 on the list, followed by the Bernard M. Baruch College of the City University of New York and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Moving anywhere can be challenging. Who knew you could accumulate so much over the years? For homeowners, preparing to make the move from one home to another can be especially overwhelming and it's easy to forget to take care of a few things. 

Realtor Magazine gives sellers an easy checklist to make sure that everything gets done before the big move day.
​
Moving Checklist for Sellers

• Provide the post office with your forwarding address two to four weeks ahead of the move.
• Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of your change of address.
• Create a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified about your move.
• Arrange to disconnect utilities and have them connected at your new home.
• Cancel the newspaper or change the address so it will arrive at your new home.
• Check insurance coverage for the items you're moving. Usually movers only cover what they pack.
• Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.
• Note the weight of the goods you'll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to weight. Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.
• Check with your condo or co-op about any restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits for moving.
• Have a "first open" box with the things you'll need most, such as toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks and toothpaste.

Plus, if you're moving out of town, be sure to:

• Get copies of medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family and your pets.
• Get copies of children's school records for transfer.
• Ask friends for introductions to anyone they know in your neighborhood.
• Consider special car needs for pets when traveling.
• Let a friend or relative know your routine.
• Empty your safety deposit box.
• Put plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if you're moving in cold weather. 

School is out and summer is in session. But, sometimes it can be hard to find entertainment for your kids. Lucky for you, Denver has a plethora of fun activities in and around the downtown area to help make this the best summer yet! 

Don't miss out on Free Days at the Denver Botanic Gardens. At the Chatfield Farms Location, the Lavender Festival will take place on Saturday July 15. The Lavender Festival celebrates the Lavender Gardens, built in 2015 and dedicated to lavender plants. Food, dessert, drinks, face painting and more will be provided. At the York Street Location, Monday July 17 will have Free Admission for guests. 

Learn more about the Denver Botanic Gardens below: 
Our MissionThe mission of Denver Botanic Gardens is to connect people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.
The mission of Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms is to inspire the public to be good stewards of the environment by connecting people to our past, present and future relationships with plants of the Rocky Mountain region.
Our Core ValuesOur four core values — transformation, relevance, diversity and sustainability — spell out the Gardens' intentions in the years ahead. These core values are cohesive and serve as a map to chart our course. With the support of friends, we set out to ensure Denver Botanic Gardens will forever flourish.

A more reasonably priced suburb of Boulder can be found in the southern neighborhood; Martin Acres. Located near Table Mesa, Martin Acres  caters to families looking for affordable living near great schools or students looking to rent or buy. 

The neighborhood has easy access to Denver, as it is located near Highway 36 and a large RTD bus stop. It is also convenient for people heading east towards Louisville, Lafayette or Erie, as South Boulder Road lies just in the neighborhood's backyard. Martin Acres is also conveniently located near the Table Mesa Shopping Center for all your eating and shopping needs. 

Homes in the area showcase Boulder architecture from the 1950's and 1960's and are mostly ranch style , bungalows or tri-level.  Many homes are being updated, which is bringing more value to the neighborhood. For those looking for a Boulder address without the obscene Boulder prices, however, the traditional homes in this area are just for you!

Martin Acres also offers itself to many fun outdoor activities. Mesa Trail and NCAR are easily accessed hikes in the area, while Chautauqua is just North on Broadway. Martin Park also offers fun activities such as baseball, tennis, and plenty of room to run around. What makes this neighborhood even better is its commitment to community and bringing its residents together with events. 

To learn more about Martin Acres, visit Boulder Neighborhood Guide

Making the decision to remodel your home is a big one. Having someone you can trust is of utmost importance. Realtor Magazine gives us some tips to consider when looking to hire a contractor. Learn more on how to protect your home, your finances and get the results you are looking for below:

1. Get at least three written estimates
2. Check references, if possible, view earlier jobs for contractor completed.
3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.
4. Be sure the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled.
5. Make as small of a down payment as possible so you won't lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job.
6. Be sure that the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses, and insurance.
7. Check that the contact states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it isn't. Also, remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it. 
8. Ask if the contractor's workers will do the entire job or whether subcontractors will be involved too. 
9. Get the contractor to indemnify you if work does not meet any local building codes or regulations.
10. Be sure that the contract specifies the contractor will clean up after the job and be responsible for any damage.
11. Guarantee that the materials will be used meet your specifications.
12. Don't make the final payment until you're satisfied with the work.