Housing News

We need to control for Canada Thistles!!

amymaier — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:04:43 +0000

Neighborhood control needed for Canada Thistles!!

There are several large patches of now-seeding Canada thistle on people’s property. They are one of the hardest worst nonnative plants that Colorado has. They spread everywhere and kill the native plants. Besides being pokey !!!!! Once they flower, and seed, the only effective option is to hand cut the tops, bag them, seal them and put into trash. Any seeds that escape (by the 1000s) will start new horror stories elsewhere. The flowers will go to seed even after you cut them, so bag the flowers, too!! Once the seeds/ flowers have been collected, you can cut or mow the rest of the plant down. Goal: Don’t let them bloom!!!!!
Good luck!

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Interest Rates Drop Again Below 5%

amymaier — Thu, 20 May 2010 12:37:07 +0000

4.83% for a 30 year home mortgage, wow. We have all gotten complacent about seeing these historically low interest rates, but the average national 30 year home mortgage interest rate just dropped to 4.83%. This is truly amazing, and to put it in perspective, below is a table to show how interest rates impact you, your money and your monthly payment.

Loan Amount 4.83% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0%

$200,000 1,053 1,199 1,467 1,755

$400,000 2,105 2,398 2,935 3,510

$600,000 3,158 3,597 4,402 5,265

Right now, it seems impossible that interest rates could go up to 10% but historians often use between 10-12% as the norm for interest rates. For a $200,000 loan amount, your payments would increase by $700 per month. That is a hefty hit for the typical family.

That is why these are exciting times for real estate ownership

Great FREE Family Fun in Denver

amymaier — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:33:33 +0000

Denver Museum of Nature & Science-Aug 8 & 30, Sept 13 & 19, Oct 3& 18, Nov 14, Dec 6. For info: dmns.org or 303 322-7009

Denver Art Museum-The first Saturday of every month. For info: denverartmuseum.org

Denver Botanic Gardens-Jul 22, Aug 25, Sept 26, Oct 28. For info: botanigardens.org

Denver Zoo- Oct 13, Oct 21, Nov 7, Nov 13. For info: denverzoo.org

Colorado Railroad Museum- Nov 13. For info: 7155 W 44^th Ave, Golden

The Children’s Museum-The first Tuesday of every month, 4-8 p.m. 2121 Children’s Museum Dr., Denver

Denver Firefighters Museum-Oct 9, 1325 Tremont Pt., Denver

Denver Museum of Miniatures Dolls & Toys-first Sunday of every month, 1880 Gaylord St., Denver

Foothills Art Center- May 17, Jun 5, Jun 7, July 19, Aug 2 Sept 13, Oct 4, 809 15^th St., Golden

Golden History Museum-July 24-25, Nov 13, 923 10^th St., Golden

Hudson Gardens-June 15, Sept 11, 6115 S. Sante Fe Dr., Littleton

Plague Found in Squirrels in Castle Rock

amymaier — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:56:23 +0000

Have you watched the History’s channel program on the plague? This is a nasty son-of-a-gun bacterial disease that is spread by fleas that live on rodents such as prairie dogs, squirrels and rabbits. The History’s program suggests it came originated in China, moved to and over Europe during the middles ages, and then has spread over to the U.S., starting in California. (I think this is right, I viewed the show a couple of months ago.)

Douglas County has confirmed a couple of squirrels from the Castle Rock area have the plague, so I’m going to Pet Smart and buy a couple of flea & tick collars for my two lovable, but highly energetic doggies. Hope that helps! Here is the link:

http://blogs.douglas.co.us/newsroom/2010/04/15/plague-confirmed-in-castle-rock-squirrels/

Free Mulch May 8 & 15

amymaier — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:44:32 +0000

My husband, who goes by “Gardner Dan” during the growing season, (which he claims lasts from March to November) loves Free Mulch Day, offered by DougCO. He is convinced that by spreading mulch around the base of pines and shrubs, they have a much better chance of surviving at Franktown’s higher altitude. (Don’t tell him, but he might be right since his Ponderosa and Blue Spruce pines are beautiful).

So, high tail it over to the pick up site on May 8 & 15, & follow the link or copy & paste below for more information:

http://blogs.douglas.co.us/newsroom/2010/04/15/free-mulch-on-may-8-and-may-15/

Cash For Appliances Rebate Program

amymaier — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:32:19 +0000

Wow, now is the time to buy appliances since the state of Colorado is offering rebates starting April 19, 2010 and it will go until the Colorado Funds run out.

Visit this website for more details:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/money/21363872/detail.html?taf=den

Spring Has Sprung! Ready For Spring Cleaning?

amymaier — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:20:39 +0000

Spring Flowers

I don’t know about you, but I love seeing spring flowers blooming! The sunlight is brighter, the grass is greener, and my home looks dirtier! Ugh!

So, here are a few short tips for fast spring cleaning:

*Wash your light fixtures-they will sparkle as they catch the spring sunshine

*Spruce up the front door area with pots of flowers

*While doing the normal vacuuming, clean your baseboards & window trim

*If you are really industrious, clean your windows

These few simple items will quickly add shine to your home,

and if you are selling, it will put you ahead of your competition.

Need Down Payment Assistance? Forclosure Worries?

amymaier — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:18:02 +0000

Did you know that DougCO offers a great down payment program for first-time home buyers? They also offer assistance for homeowners facing foreclosure.

The first-time home buyer’s program is exciting since it may give a buyer their down payment, up to 20% of the value of the home. There are some other items to note such as, it is in the form of a loan-which would need to be paid back upon the sale or refinancing, the buyer must put at least $1,000 down of their own money, income restrictions, and other items, but what a great program! But, don’t wait since DougCo needs to use their $1 million dollars for this program by September.

If you have foreclosure worries, there is also assistance for you, through DougCO, in a special program. I’ve already written a blog about this program, so just look under past posts and you’ll find it.

Travis Anderson, at Douglas County is the contact person for both of these programs, his number is

Top 10 Undervalued Housing Markets

amymaier — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:13:05 +0000

Here is cool information, if you are thinking of purchasing a second home or investment property:

America’s Top 10 Undervalued Housing Markets

Warren, MI 31.2%

Modesto, CA 3.4%

Stockton, CA 32.7%

Vallejo, CA 33.0%

Naples, FL 33.1%

Merced, CA 37.6%

Vero Beach, FL 39.1%

Cape Coral, FL 40.5%

Las Vegas, NV 45.3%

Source: IHS Global Insight

Household Chemical Cleanup

amymaier — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:52:00 +0000

Household Chemical Roundups Announced for 2010 »Tri –County Health Department announces three, drive-through Douglas County Household Chemical Roundups during 2010:

June 5, Parker Joint Services Center, 17801 East Plaza Drive, Parker. 9am – 3pm.

August 14, Shea Stadium, 3270 Redstone Park Circle, Highlands Ranch. 9am – 3pm.

September 11, Town of Castle Rock Utilities, 175 Kellogg Ct., Castle Rock. 9am – 3pm.