DENVER REAL ESTATE BLOG

It's time to usher in summer and warmer days ahead. Even if the temperatures don't reflect it, summer does officially begin June 21st.

Hopefully, we will start to see hot afternoons which signal it's time to get the yearly maintenance done on your mower and other lawn equipment, and break out the gardening tools and plan some outdoor projects.

But before you start grabbing your work gloves, spend some time thinking about the areas of your house that were neglected over the winter and spring, and making the necessary fixes. Listed below are some of the best summer home maintenance tips.

Regardless of whether you’re a native or a newcomer, it’s good to have a plan of attack when it comes to selecting the best things to do in and around Denver this summer. This is my personal favorite list and it includes places, venues and events that I’ve enjoyed for decades. As Denver has grown, so has the number of events, festivals, attractions and outdoor activities, and it’s hard to keep it to just 10. The bottom line is Labor Day will be here before you know it so don’t delay in getting out and enjoying all that Denver and Colorado have to offer.

Let’s be clear about something -- buying a house isn’t for the faint of heart.

Yes, it’s exciting but nerve-wracking at the same time. For most people, it will be the biggest purchase of their lives. It goes without saying, you want to make sure you’re making a solid investment, regardless of how long you’re planning on staying in the home.

And once you close, you’re suddenly committed to this huge expenditure. Before you sign those closing papers, better yet, before you even start your search, it’s critical to consider some issues that will help solidify your intent to buy a home that you'll truly love for a long time.

“One of the most important days of my life was when I learned to ride a bicycle.” Michael Palin -- English comedian and actor, Monty Python comedy group member

“She who succeeds in gaining the mastery of the bicycle will gain the mastery of life.” Susan B. Anthony, women’s rights activist

Making an offer on a home and getting under contract is one of the last, but probably the most important, steps in home buying. Having a knowledgeable real estate broker by your side is critical in knowing the true value of a home and what should be included in the contract. Many times, the buyer and seller will go back and forth not only on price but on other aspects of the potential sale. Below are some line items that can be negotiated by a realtor on behalf of their client during the home buying process:

Telluride Balloon Festival | May 31-June 2 | Telluride

While the Telluride Balloon Festival is one of the smaller festivals, it is arguably the most beautiful of the season. Weather permitting, dozens of hot air balloons launch from Town Park on the east end of town and sail down the valley landing about one mile out of town. The balloons launch at sunrise and bystanders often get to help with the launch. On Saturday night of the festival, the balloon pilots inflate their balloons along Main Street and fire up the propane for the "glow.”

For every homeowner, there comes a time when you’ll have to sell your home. For some, it won’t happen for decades; others will experience it after a year or two.

Avoid these new home construction pitfalls before venturing into buying in Denver.

So you’ve finally decided to buy a new construction home in Denver. Congratulations!

Whether it's a detached single family home or a newly constructed condo, this process is incredibly exciting but it can also feel overwhelming at times. There are so many decisions to be made, from the community you select, lot size and configuration, home finishes and the upgrades to the financing. Before you make any decisions in regards to your new home, take a step back and learn from the missteps of others before you.

You can’t ask enough questions when it comes to buying a “brand new” home. Unfortunately, when you don’t take the time to consider the bigger picture, you are often left frustrated and end up paying more money than what was necessary. It's always a good idea to have a real estate agent by your side helping you through this process, regardless of whether the home is brand new or decades old.

You’ve outgrown your present home and there’s a perfect one in your dream neighborhood. But your house isn’t even on the market.

It’s no surprise that obtaining homeowners' insurance is a requirement of mortgage lenders when going through the home buying process. What may be surprising is the amount of detail that goes into adequately covering your home. It’s important to make sure you have adequate coverage on your home in the event of any property damage.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, six percent of insured homes had a claim in 2017. Property damage, including theft, accounted for 98.1 percent of those claims. Changes in the percentage of each type of homeowners loss from one year to another are partially influenced by large fluctuations in the number and severity of weather-related events such as hurricanes and winter storms. Wind and hail damage, followed closely by water damage and freezing, are the most frequent types of claims.