On a recent trip on I-70 to evaluate some land for a client, I was confronted with sad but beautiful image of red forests stretching for miles across the hills. The image of a red "evergreen" contrasting against the green scenery is mesmerizing at first until you take a closer look at red death destroying millions of trees in Colorado. Beetle epidemics across the western United States are becoming more obvious every season with entire landscapes turning red and brown as trees die. In northwest Colorado the beetle epidemics, triggered by extended drought in aging forests, are intensifying at an alarming rate, and there is little that can be done to stop them. Actions can be taken to protect high value areas such as ski areas, developed campgrounds and trees in people’s yards. Hastening Death: Pine beetles carry a fungus on their body and legs. Once they enter the tree, the fungus multiplies and spreads. This blue stain fungus blocks the transport of water up the tree’s trunk ...
Summertime in the housing market brings countless buying and selling opportunities. But with all the competition out there, would people be better off waiting a few months? Real estate experts say no. They contend home prices peak from June to August and say there are advantages to buying during the market’s busiest season. But some agents disagree: A huge myth about the real estate market is that homes sell for more in the summer and less in the winter. This is simply not true. Other forces play a role in the asking price, such as the amount of homes for sale in an area, interest rates, and the job market. There are more homes on the market in summer than in the winter, and there is also a higher number of sales in the summer than the winter. Broader inventory means more choices, making buyers feel more confident in their search because additional properties hit the market every week, the large inventory offers significantly more opportunities for purchasers to identify specif...
During these winter months, when you cannot go outside and work on your home’s exterior or plant in the garden, you can nevertheless make use of your time inside, especially in the kitchen. Perhaps your faded kitchen needs a new and creative touch. Many homeowners don’t even like to spend time in the kitchen because it’s so gloomy, but they have limited time and finances to make improvements. Fortunately, kitchen renovations do not have to drain your budget, take a lot of time, or create a total upheaval in your kitchen. Try one or all of the following tips for a quick kitchen renewal. 1. Try Painting Paint works wonders on everything. A dull room can be transformed into a vibrant, clean atmosphere with just a few strokes of a brush and a gallon of paint. If your old wood-tone cabinets fail to catch your eye, try spray-painting them with a very glossy white or hand-painting them with an oil-based paint in creamy white. For only a few dollars, you can paint your cabinetry, creating...
In keeping with past seasonal trends, the Denver Metro Area housing market saw fewer home sales in September 2018. Home prices continue their steady rise, with average sold price in September 7% higher than this time last year. During the fall and winter months, home buyers and sellers can take advantage of a slower pace or make preparations for next year. Seasonal Cooling in the Colorado Housing Market As the weather cools, we often see a seasonal slowing in the Colorado housing market. Fewer homeowners are interested in moving into a new home during this time of year. This time is often spent preparing for winter, knowing the holiday season will soon be upon us. In September, 4,229 homes sold across the Denver Metro area, 25% lower than last month. There was also a decrease in the number of homes under contract, 5% fewer than last month. However, year-to-date sales are only 3% lower than this time last year. If you want to buy or sell a home now… Home buy...
Colorado often experiences severe hailstorms that can cause devastating property damage. The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association reports that Colorado’s Front Range and Wyoming’s eastern plains, commonly referred to as “hail alley,” receive the highest frequency of large hailstones in North America. Over the past 10 years, hailstorms have caused nearly $1.7 billion in damage to roofs and automobiles in hail alley. The damaging hailstorms generally occur mid-May through late July. Damages incurred to roofs during hailstorms can, however, be reduced with proper roof design and roofing product selection. A properly designed roof structure can substantially reduce hail damage. Several testing agencies have developed the following recommendations for the roof designer: Shingles made with polymer-modified (SBS) asphalt have better resistance to hail damage than shingles made from oxidized asphalt. Reroofing over an existing shingle system greatly increases the ...
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