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

My mind is on Colorado Springs lately as I look forward to visiting my family there over Thanksgiving! Here are a few interesting Springs-related articles and activities that caught my attention recently:

1. Manitou Incline challenges fitness junkies — I’ve written about Manitou Incline before, but this UCHealth post dives deeper into the Incline’s “2,744 steps straight up Mount Manitou and a gain of nearly 2,000 feet of elevation in less than one mile.” The Incline also has its own website, where I learned you can buy Manitou Incline 2020 wall calendars!

2. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum opens in Colorado Springs in early 2020! Take a look at how construction is coming along. You can already visit the neighboring Training Center to learn how athletes prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but this new museum will be a fascinating addition to Colorado Spring’s history and tourism.

3. On Thanksgiving, you may or may not find me feeding wolves! The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center (technically in Divide, CO, a manageable drive from the Springs) hosts many fun activities to engage with their animals and raise funds for the Center, including a “Turkey Toss” on Thanksgiving morning. Closer to Christmas you can have breakfast burritos with the wolves (I’m not making this up) and all throughout the year you can take full moon hikes around the Center.

Can you see why I love Colorado Springs? Drop me a line if you’re buying or selling in my old stomping grounds — or just eager to visit this entertaining city!

I was overdue for some new professional headshots! I recently had the pleasure of working with Jen at Blue Sage Photography on a new series of photos that I simply love — not only are they professionally shot, but they are so me.

Here are 3 ways that my new photos represent me:

1. The photographer. When I needed new photos, I knew immediately who to reach out to — Jen also photographed my wedding! The experience I had with Jen on my wedding day made me sure that I would end up with photos that felt authentic to me. (And let’s be honest, it’s easier to smile when there’s a friendly face behind the camera!)
2. The look. Everything about this look, from the playful pearls to the classic blazer, is straight-up Anali. I love a timeless look, and I try to avoid anything trendy. That said, I still love a bold statement… like those whiter-than-white pants.
3. The smile. In the end, the most important thing about professional headshots is that they capture your own unique vibe. I can be serious when the moment calls for it, but this photo captured my more natural and joyful side.

Thanks again to Blue Sage Photography for helping me to express myself to future clients and partners.

For bonus photos from my session, visit my Facebook page.

Oh Windsor, you get me.

On Thursday, November 14th at 6:30pm, Windsor’s Toast Coffee & Wine Bar is hosting a delicious-sounding guided wine tour, pairing six wines with appetizers inspired by Thanksgiving.

Sommelier Hillary Siebels is visiting Toast for this event, which promises to be beginner-friendly — “You don’t have to know much about wine to find this experience educational & tasty.”

Tickets for this 21+ event are $35 and reservable in advance. Visit the Facebook event page for more information.

What a delightful excuse to visit downtown Windsor!

P.S. The Coloradoan has previously interviewed Hillary Siebels and other local sommeliers about “how to become a wine expert.” Fort Collins Magazine has also picked Siebels’ brain about the perfect bottle of wine to give as a gift.