January is heaven for me. I’m a goal-setter, a journal-writer, a vision board-er. I love my life but I can always think of a dozen adjustments I’d like to make, and I live for that “fresh start” feeling that the new year brings.

This year, my biggest goal (I prefer “goal” to “resolution”) is all about intention. Like so many other women I know, I live that hectic mom life. It can be easy to trade convenience for quality, or to get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that I lose track of what’s truly meaningful. Here are a few of the ways that I’d like to bring more intention into my life in 2020:

Intentional time with my tiny human. One huge and happy shake-up I have planned for 2020: I’m expecting another baby! While my sweet family of 3 is definitely looking forward to expanding, I want to be sure the big-brother-to-be gets as much of my time and attention as he deserves.

Intentional time with my husband. My husband is a fantastic father — but he’s also more than that. It’s time to carve out date nights again, remember how we make one another laugh, and reconnect as the unique people who first fell for one another.

Intentional time with my clients. My clients have goals just like I do, and I am going to help them achieve their real estate dreams! That starts with intentional communication and the same kind quality time I’d give to any relationship that mattered to me. I believe that this is already a service that I provide, but to me it’s always worth reflecting and making sure I am living up to my goals. How might I serve you better in 2020?

Millennials often get a bad rap.  One of the myths about Millennials is that they don’t own homes and will be renters forever.

Not true!  Especially on the Front Range of Colorado.

Based on research by our very own Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, Millennials make up a significant percentage of all home buyers in Metro Denver and Colorado.

In Metro Denver, 50% of all buyers last year were in the Millennial demographic.

In Northern Colorado, the number is 41%.

It turns out that Millennials, as they move into their mid to late 30’s, see the value of home ownership and are at the point in their lives where it makes sense to own instead of rent.

Happy New Year!

By now you may be overwhelmed by “new year, new you” posts. I happen to like you just the way you are — but if you’re feeling stuck in a rut, I am here to offer a few ideas of how to shake it off and give 2020 the fresh start it deserves.

1. Put on your best filter. Did you know that Denver and Boulder have opened Selfie Museums? They’re just what they sound like: collections of fun rooms designed specifically for you to take delightful photos in. If your profile picture is still from that 5k you ran two years ago, you owe yourself some fresh photos with the bomb lighting.
2. Listen to Oprah. That’s not a metaphor. She’s coming to Denver in March!
3. Climb out of the box. Nudge yourself toward something new. Art galleries leaving you cold? Try RiNo’s Side Stories, which project art and videos on the outside of buildings. So over staycations? Hit the road with 303 Magazine‘s scenic road trip plans. Tired of your hotels not offering you kangaroo kisses? Golden has an interactive “vacation rental zoo.” I could do this all day, guys.
4. Shake up your surroundings. Come on, you know I had to include this one. Is it time to tackle that kitchen remodel to add value to your home? Or perhaps you’ve outgrown your house altogether, and you’re ready to see what else is out there? If this is the year you need to change up your digs, please reach out — I would love to talk about how to make this happen for you in 2020.

It turns out a lot of real estate changes hands over the course of a year in our market.

In 2019 Metro Denver had…

• Over 56,000 residential sales
• Over $28 Billion of residential sales volume

Overall, 2019 saw a slight increase in the number of transactions compared to 2018 and approximately a 5% increase in sales volume.

For a detailed look at the 2019 numbers plus our forecast for 2020, click the links below…

It’s time to register for our annual Market Forecast event.  We will be live at 5:30 on January 15th at the Wellshire Event Center.  Back by popular demand is our Chief Economist Matthew Gardner.  Save your seat HERE.

Is anyone else hunting for new ways to entertain their kids throughout the winter? My tiny human can only build so many snow forts and watch so many Pixar movies before he’s bored to tears. (Unless I hand him my iPhone, but don’t get me started…)

This article has me dreaming of a weekend trip to beautiful Steamboat Springs, where apparently they now offer bumper cars on their ice rink!

You can watch a video on the experience here. You can even ride them in the dark!

Or maybe I’ll make a mint by bringing the idea to Fort Collins. Steamboat Springs is the only place that offers bumper cars on ice… for now!

P.S. When’s the last time you visited Steamboat Springs? Steamboat is a gorgeous ski (and bumper car) resort town 3 hours from Denver and Fort Collins, 4 hours from Colorado Springs.

We’ve all been there before: “Oh you’re a realtor?! How fun, I watch a lot of HGTV!” Now don’t get me wrong, I could talk about real estate all day, it’s definitely one of my favorite topics (that comes in handy). But here I am, about to shatter your reality about the total bullsh*t that is HGTV. And let me tell you, that can be more controversial at the dinner table than politics!

To be honest, these conversations can be damaging to relationships between clients and their realtors when the home-buying process isn’t as fun or exciting as it seems on HGTV. To demonstrate just how far removed from reality HGTV can be, I’m going to walk you through my personal experience filming an episode of House Hunters.

Don’t get too excited, I was on House Hunters as an extra (more on that in a minute). A realtor put out a call on Facebook asking for anyone who was available and wanted to be part of House Hunters. Naturally, I reached out. After all, this was my chance to be discovered and one day have my own amazing HGTV show where I spend my weekly episodes entertaining my millions of viewers while I sell homes (my true passion)!

Unfortunately, my episode never aired (#missedopportunity). That’s reality check #1: do you know why they hold casting calls in the first place? The answer is because that super fun housewarming party the new homeowners throw once they’ve moved in is often full of extras! I was on set for one day, and I was assigned a partner — a guy I’d never met — to play an engaged couple in the “housewarming party” scene. The “new homeowner” approached us while we were eating and drinking at their basement bar and we complimented her on her beautiful new home. The only thing about the scene that was real was the food and drink (you bet your booty that was real champagne).

Reality check #2 came when I asked my in-the-know friend about the process for getting cast on House Hunters. He told me you apply online and you have to already be under contract on the house before they will even consider you. What??? The entire show is a farce! How can you “hunt for a house” if you’re already under contract on one? The entire plot of the show is scripted! Once they have cast a “buyer,” they then find two other homes for the buyers to view (sometimes homes they saw and liked, sometimes not), and then the buyers are instructed to hem and haw over the homes, pretending they don’t know which one to choose (when in fact they have already chosen). You as the viewer get anxious to find out whether Bill and Susie will choose the charming colonial, the spacious ranch or the updated 2-story — when Bill and Susie moved into the damn house 2 months ago!

I am not asking you to stop watching HGTV — it’s a great way to keep up to date on design trends and snoop into other people’s houses! But recognize shows like House Hunters for what they are: reality TV shows that amp up the drama and camouflage the real work going on behind the scenes. They’re fun, they’re silly, but they’re a far cry from real life. (Which is not to say we can’t have fun while we’re buying or selling your home. Call me, I have ideas!)

I am always on the hunt for new holiday traditions that my family will enjoy. This year I’m intrigued by Christmas in Color, a drive-through holiday lights-and-music experience.

“Load up your friends and family into the van (or car, or truck) and experience Christmas like never before. Drive through acres of more than 1.5 million lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio. You’ll drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways and more. It’s like being immersed in another world. In fact, we won’t judge you if you join the kids with your face pressed against the window.”

Colorado is lucky enough to have two locations for this lighting event: Water World in Denver/Federal Heights and the Bandimere Speedway in Morrison.

The event also benefits the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

I hope your Thanksgiving was simply wonderful, full of good food and quality time.

One of my favorite traditions at Windermere is our pre-Thanksgiving pumpkin pie giveaway. I always love having a chance to slow down, reconnect with my clients and friends (and, as is often the case, client-friends!), and show my appreciation for the members of my community who support me through their business and their friendship.

Happy Thanksgiving from me to you! Though of course it already feels as though it’s practically Christmas…!

Recently updated ranch floor-plan at 525 Columbia Road in Fort Collins with a fully finished basement. The large main floor features original hardwood floors that have just been refinished and stained. The addition to the home adds a dining room, family room and a beautiful sun-room off the back of the home so you can soak up the 300+ days of Colorado sunshine! The kitchen has been fully updated with brand new counters, back-splash and appliances. The main floor bath has also been fully updated. In the basement, you’ll find a large rec room for additional living and entertaining space. All carpet is brand new and the entire home has been repainted. Beautiful trees dot the property and there is still lots of space for you to plant a garden or entertain. Call for your private showing at (970) 829-8818 for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/102753105