Happy 2012 Holidays and Warm Season’s Greetings!

To all our cherished friends, neighbors, family and clients – we are so proud to have been able to work with you and be a part of your lives! As we end this year and turn to the exciting time and events that 2013 holds, we just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all that you bring to our lives.

We have some really great plans in the coming year to bring more success to all your real estate endeavors. And with each transaction that makes it to the closing table in the coming months and years ahead – we know that there will continue to be new and exciting things to follow for all of us.

On behalf of the entire group – Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, Peace and Joy!

Judi’s House – Continues to Help Children Manage and Get Through Grief

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This November 15^th it was the National Children’s Grief Awareness Day and who better than Judi’s House to commemorate the day with what they do best. So many children have experienced the loneliness and pain of grieving alone or without enough support – as did football superstar Brian Griese when he lost his mother at a young age.

Former college MVP and pro football player Brian Griese founded Judi’s House in 2002 as a way to commemorate his mother’s death – a loss Brian endured at the young age of just 12 years old.  Judi’s House was established so that the camaraderie, community and support that can only truly come from others going through the same thing would surround children 3 to 23 years old.

The non-profit organization has helped hundreds of children through the grieving process through activity and group support. You can request their newsletter updates – just register for their newsletter.  And of course for more information about this great organization, visit their website.

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I’ve shared this with you in the past and I am proud to share it with you again. Judi’s House is a fantastic organization dedicated to making our children’s lives better! Join the cause today.

Watch the Judi's House "Lessons Learned from Grieving Children" video below. 

Lone Tree, Colorado’s Montecito Neighborhood Offers Incredible Opportunities

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Few communities offer the type of living that the newest development in Lone Tree, Colorado offers. With three brand new models to show you exactly what you can expect from their homes, you will love what you will be able to buy with just $400,000-700,000. In an area where the average home is priced at $650,000 you will be pleasantly surprised at just how much you can get in Century Communities’ Montecito.

There is a host of opportunities in terms of the arts, economy and social environment – not to mention the bustling local economy supported by such large stalwart institutions as the Sky Ridge Medical Center, Target Store and more.

Many new shops, restaurants and recreation spots also dot the area with some new ones on the horizon, including a large fishing and sports themed store on the way soon. The Lone Tree Performing Arts Center is a hit with residents in the immediate and surrounding areas with concerts, shows and entertainment year-round in the state-of-the-art “green” building built in 2008.

As if that were not enough, residents of Lone Tree will also enjoy access to the light rail, a transportation system that will whisk you away to downtown in a heartbeat. Just five minutes from Denver and a half hour from Downtown, Lone Tree is the perfect residential spot for people that prefer to be close but not too close to the city. And with all the development activity going on in Lone Tree, there will be no shortage of food, fun or shopping for residents.

If you want to explore this fantastic community of solid, strong and well-built homes with great floor plans – contact us today. We would be happy to show you around!

Going Away on a Trip? Keep Tabs On Your Home Before a Major Mishap Happens!

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There are a few cardinal rules about changing over from one season to the next or things that need to be done before going away for a short to medium extended period of time. Trust me, we’ve seen a number of instances where homeowners that didn’t take the time to take care of some of the routine stuff ended up having to deal with a LOT more damage than necessary.

Take the example of our client’s home as pictured in this video. She lives in Boston and since the home is currently under contract I decided to pay the home a visit. It turns out there was a pinhole leak in one of her two water heaters and it was a real challenge trying to find the source. When I got there the basement was covered in water and eventually I learned where the leak was coming from.

But it got me thinking. There is a lot that can go wrong if we’re not just a little more careful before skipping town – or if we live away from our rental or vacation properties. Here’s a very quick list of just some of the things you (or someone you can trust, like your Realtor®) can do to make sure nothing major happens while you’re away:

*Turn off exterior water sources – especially during the colder months of the year.
*Check all major appliances for leaks, open valves, exposed wiring or any other potential hazards.
*Maintain your thermostat at a reasonably warm or cool level depending on the season. In the summer months, don’t let it get too warm and the opposite holds true in the winter.
*Address any obvious cracks or crevices that could become a problem in the winter when snow and ice build up on the exterior of the home.
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As always, I’m always available to answer any of your real estate related questions and am happy to help with your buying, selling or investing needs. I look forward to hearing from you today!