<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
    <channel>
        <atom:link href="http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/tags/tips/rss/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
        <title>Denver Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/tags/tips/</link>
        <description>Denver real estate topics including local metro Denver community news and events.</description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/sell-your-home-during-the-holidays.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/sell-your-home-during-the-holidays.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Sell Your Home During the Holidays</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you are in the process of selling your home and the holidays are approaching, the question comes up as to whether you should take your home off the market during the holiday season. The answer to that question depends on the seller. There are reasons to take it off the market and reasons to keep it on the market. Sure the seller needs to take into account that from Thanksgiving to New Years potential buyers and the seller themselves will be busy with family obligations and showing their home may not be convenient. On the other side of that coin any buyers out looking at homes during the holidays are serious about finding and buying. There may not be as many buyers out, however the best offers from motivated buyers may come during the holidays.


If you do decide to keep it on the market, here are some things that you should consider:  




You should downsize your Christmas tree and consider decorating a tabletop tree that is around three to four feet tall instead of a six-foot or higher tree. If you have children, they may not like this idea so that is also something to consider when keeping your home on the market during the holidays.   


Keep the presents in the closet or in an out-of-the-way corner   


When you decorate use more red than green because red is a color that is more emotionally appealing   


Use greenery such as rosemary or evergreen garlands instead of banners   


Use centerpieces of wintry pieces of nature such as pine cones   


If you are using candles as decorations make sure that you do not leave them burning and unattended   


If you are having an open house or your real estate agent is showing your house, put out a plate of cookies next to holiday paper napkins for the potential buyers and the real estate agent


You can simmer some spicy apple cider on the stove and set out a ladle and cups for them to enjoy with their cookies.   




Without having all the decorations, large Christmas tree, and presents setting around under the tree, you are making your home seem more spacious. You want the potential buyers to imagine them living in your home with their own furniture and decorations, not yours. Before you do consider keeping your home on the market over the holidays, consider all the advantages and disadvantages prior to making the final decision.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:54:07 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/tips-for-individuals-purchasing-their-first-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/tips-for-individuals-purchasing-their-first-home.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Tips for Individuals Purchasing Their First Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Purchasing a home involves a long and complicated process. In order to handle the process as best as you can it is important to be prepared. It is crucial that individuals are well-informed so that they can successfully negotiate the price of the home along with the interest rates and the mortgage loans. Individuals interested in buying their first home need to consider various factors before they start working towards their goal of being a homeowner.

When trying to obtain a mortgage loan of high quality one should look farther than just the interest rate and look at what the real cost of the loan will be in the present and the future. It is important to read over the paperwork carefully and thoroughly especially the fine print. This is essential especially when the interest rate is set at a rate below market. When the paperwork is properly reviewed some individuals may find that their interest rate will only be guaranteed for a certain amount of time and can rise significantly later on. If the task of reviewing the paperwork is overwhelming and you do not believe that you will do it properly you should request your Realtor to perform the task for you.

Every potential homeowner is dealing with their own unique circumstances and because of this it is important that lenders consider their unique situations. The best mortgage rate for every individual can better be determined by considering their plans for the home and how long they believe they will live in it. For those individuals who only plan to live in the home for a couple of years they may benefit better with a mortgage rate that is a variable. For those you plan on living in their home for an extremely long time they would do better with a stable mortgage rate that is fixed. First time home buyers should also think about the extra funds that will be needed for their mortgage when determining their budget. Other aspects that could interfere with an individual's budget include their closing cost and the costs of insurance from a private mortgage. Within some situations, first time home buyers may deal with sellers that are willing to pay a certain percentage of the cost for closing. Sometimes lenders may also be able to use their negotiating tactics to get the closing costs decreased.

Another factor that individuals who are purchasing their first home should look for is hidden fees which will present themselves on your closing day. It helps to ask questions when you are uncertain about why a fee is present in order to know exactly what to expect on closing day and how much money you will be responsible for producing.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:22:50 -0700</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/preparing-your-denver-home-for-a-showing.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/preparing-your-denver-home-for-a-showing.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Preparing Your Denver Home For A Showing</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
When you are selling your home, it is essential that it makes a good impression on any prospective buyers who come to take a look at it. If it does not live up to their expectations or if they are unable to imagine themselves living there, then these potential buyers will never take the next step and actually make an offer on the property. You can hold an open viewing, or schedule a viewing with a specific buyer, but whichever type of viewing you are holding you should prepare for it as if it were a business presentation. In some respects, presenting your home to potential buyers is the same as presenting a product to a client. You are trying to impress them and convince them to buy. You need to present your product, in this case the house, at its best.&nbsp;



The easiest and most obvious thing you can do to ensure that your house is as attractive as possible to the people who come to view it is to clean it thoroughly. Buyers will be put off if there is any mess or dirt in the house.&nbsp;



You can take the cleaning to the next level and get rid of any clutter. Pack it up and get it out of the house, perhaps to the attic or garage of a friend, or to a rented storage unit. Clutter can be distracting for potential buyers, and it can also make the house appear smaller and more crowded. Having clean surfaces and plenty of empty space will allow visitors to imagine their own belongings in the house. If there is a lot of clutter lying about it can also make buyers worry that there is not enough storage space in the property.&nbsp;



Their own homes are probably untidy and cluttered, but potential buyers always like to imagine themselves living in a pristine new home rather than a realistic one. Getting rid of mess and personal belongings can help them to do this.&nbsp;



If you are willing to spend a bit of money on your property in order to get a better price for it, then you can do some redecoration and repair work. Redecorating the house in a plain style will allow potential buyers to visualize what they would do to the property and to picture themselves living there. Many prospective buyers are put off by carpets, wallpaper or paint that are not to their taste, even though they could easily redecorate themselves. They often find it difficult to see past the changeable aspects of a property, and so are unable to imagine themselves living in it.&nbsp;



Performing any repairs that the property is in need off can have a significant impact on the way it is viewed by potential buyers. Most people prefer to see a property that won't need any work when they move in, so make sure that everything is working properly and is in good condition. If there are any major repairs that need to be done, it may be worth investing in getting the work done, although you should consider whether you will be able to recoup the expenditure on the sale. If you don't do the work, you may have to lower the price of the property in order to get it sold, but it may be easier to do than it is to undertake any serious renovations, particularly if you need to move quickly.


 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:07:12 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/weeds-be-gone.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/weeds-be-gone.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Weeds Be Gone</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ The biggest problem when gardening, is keeping the area free of weeds. Weeds can pop up anywhere. In your flower beds, nursery and plantings. This is a daily job, but if you have a plan and stay on top of it you can win. So you need to develop a strong plan. But you must understand weeds and how they work. Foremost, weeds grow from seedlings or they multiply from roots of other weeds growing. As roots from the original plant expand new weeds sprout up. This cycle will continue until the weeds have overrun your garden. This type of weed is hardest to control. Reason being is weeds grow just like plants. They use the same nutrients your garden will use: water, sun, and food. So what is the easiest way to kill weeds? Get rid of the sunlight. You can do this by adding mulch to your garden. But let's try other things first. The best weed control is to make your garden area as clean of weeds before you start planting. This can be done in your garden prep. You may either choose to use an organic method or chemicals. Let's discuss the first method, organic. First you will need to get rid of all unwanted growth from your garden area. To do this, you will need a few pieces of equipment. Some sort of tool for digging, a hoe or spade. After you have dug up everything by the roots, you will need to till the area. This can be done by hand or with a till. When this is done let the area rest for a couple of days then repeat. Doing this a couple of times serves a few purposes. One it rotates all the roots to the top so that the roots can die. The other is it does not allow the weeds to grab hold and start growing. Once this is complete you can start planting whatever you have decided to grow. When finished planting you may put down mulch or continue to keep rotating the soil every couple of days to ensure a free of weeds zone. Mulching is the most preferred method for two reasons. It's easy and with the right mulch it supplements the soil with organic matter. If this sounds like a lot of work you can use chemicals. Now there are two ways to do this. You can spray before the weeds grow or after. Depending which way you choose will dictate which chemicals you use. If you do before spraying, then you may use such chemicals as directed by a qualified professional and these only last a couple of months and have to be re-applied. The easiest is during growth. You can use things such as Round-Up or weed and lawn fertilizers. Read the directions to completely rid your garden of them unwanted pests. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 09 May 2010 07:13:09 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/first-time-home-buyers-seven-tips-to-consider.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/first-time-home-buyers-seven-tips-to-consider.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>First Time Home Buyers: Seven Tips to Consider</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
There have been many changes in the housing market since the financial crisis during 2008 and the foreclosure issues have also had an effect.

Top financial planners and economists are now offering up the following bits of wisdom for anyone that is thinking of purchasing a Denver home today.


Old school basics are back with the safest way to finance a Denver home purchase today being your traditional fixed rate mortgage with 20% down for those using conventional financing.&nbsp; Qualified Denver home buyers can also still get good rates through FHA programs with only 3.5% down.

Be reasonable about the amount you borrow and do not overestimate the growth of your income.&nbsp; It is true that those in their 20s and 30s likely will see quicker growth of their income than their parents, but a conservative approach may be the best option.

Home buyers considering starting a family may want to consider if they could live on only one income because having children sometimes makes it impractical for both parents to continue working.

Every home needs to be maintained and repaired over time so include a maintenance budget for your Denver home.

First time home buyers can rarely afford their dream home but can begin with a starter home so they can gain equity and save to purchase the home they dream of later.

Take into consideration properties which can be improved upon or expanded in the future when the assets become available.

Every home buyer is different but every home buyer should always feel comfortable with the mortgage they obtain for their home no matter the purchase price.

 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:35:38 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/five-attractions-in-the-great-outdoors-in-and-around-denver.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/five-attractions-in-the-great-outdoors-in-and-around-denver.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Five Attractions In The Great Outdoors In And Around Denver</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ There are a number of great destinations to live in the American West, but one of the best and most popular places to is the city of Denver.&nbsp; When it comes to things to do for travelers and locals alike, the menu offered by Denver is hard to beat.&nbsp; Although the city is home to many fine restaurants, shopping opportunities, museums, and performance venues, one of the biggest benefits to coming to the Denver area is getting outdoors.&nbsp; There are a number of attractions both in and around the city though that cater to those seeking an experience in the great outdoors, here is a look at five of them that should satisfy and entertain almost any traveler visiting Denver.Red Rocks AmphitheatreOne of the most spectacular sights to see in the area surrounding the city of Denver is the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.&nbsp; The area is like nothing else with a great many large rocks sticking up out of the mountainside, many hundreds of feet tall, each one offering itself as a natural formation to be photographed and appreciated.&nbsp; The Red Rocks area is gorgeous beyond belief and particularly appealing to those interested in the more rugged beauty found in the Rocky Mountain region.&nbsp; That is just the beginning of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre though as this natural area has been slightly altered by man and now has a seating capacity of nearly 10,000 people who can venture there on a regular basis to view any number of concerts and performances that are held there throughout the year.&nbsp; Enjoying a high quality performance in such an awe inspiring natural setting is an experience that cannot be duplicated elsewhere.Coors FieldOn a hot summer day in beautiful Denver, Colorado, there are few more rewarding experiences than sitting outside and enjoying a wonderful view of the city while watching a Major League Baseball game at Coors Field.&nbsp; There are some great food options in the facility and not a bad seat in the house.&nbsp; This is a popular stop for both baseball fans and non-fans alike and a Colorado Rockies game is one of the more fun activities viewable in the Mile High City.Denver ZooOne of the best equipped zoos in the American West is the Denver Zoo which has more than 4,000 animals on display and is laid out in a very unique setting meant to replicate the natural habitat of the many animals housed there.&nbsp; Visitors to the zoo find it not only a wonderful place to see and learn about the animal kingdom, but also a great place for a picnic or meal outside.&nbsp; The zoo has a unique setting with much of the city visible from different spots within the facility.&nbsp; Walking the pathways leading through the many hands-on exhibits is a great way to have a much better than average zoo experience and also enjoy the fresh outdoor air that helps make Denver what it is today.Mount Evans Scenic BywayOver the course of just twenty-eight miles, visitors driving on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway will clime more than 7,000 feet in altitude.&nbsp; Though it may be warm outside when they leave the city, it is a good idea for any visitor to the area making the trek up the scenic byway to bring along a coat as the temperatures at that altitude can begin to get somewhat cold.&nbsp; The scenery visible from the drive and the many viewpoints and scenic turnouts along the way is truly something special and a great place to get photographs.&nbsp; The trip to the top from the downtown area of Denver takes about an hour to complete, longer if the traveler makes a number of stops along the way, and based on scenic beauty along should be billed more openly as one of the best attractions in the Denver area.&nbsp; This is easily one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors in the region.Platte River GreenwayOne of the best resources that many of the locals take advantage of on a regular basis in Denver is the Platte River Greenway.&nbsp; This urban greenway lines the famous Platte River that the city was originally founded upon and provides tourists and locals alike a great option for traveling through some of the areas of the city of Denver.&nbsp; Visitors to the greenway can walk, jog, run, inline skate, and bike the paths found there that lead through the heart of the city and out into and towards many neighborhoods.&nbsp; The Platte River Greenway is more than just an alternate mode of transportation, it also is the site of many educational entertainment events too.&nbsp; The Platte River Greenway is a treasure that the city of Denver should be justifiably proud of.Visiting Denver is a great choice for almost any traveler who makes the decision to go there.&nbsp; The cit has everything from fine dining and shopping opportunities to professional sporting events and tourist attractions.&nbsp; One of the best things that Denver has to offer though is the great outdoors that the area has used to attract visitors for well over one hundred years.&nbsp; The city is well aware of the benefits and attractions that its outdoor spaces have and have attempted to make it easier for locals and travelers alike to utilize and experience these areas as much as possible.&nbsp; Denver is home to a wide variety of things to do and places to go, but it is the outdoor attractions in the city of Denver that routinely attract the most attention and praise. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:48:16 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/getting-into-out-of-and-around-denver-colorado.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/getting-into-out-of-and-around-denver-colorado.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Getting Into, Out Of, And Around Denver, Colorado</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ While going on vacation is meant to be a relaxing experience most of the time, sometimes the travel related part of the trip can be somewhat stressful.&nbsp; When traveling to the city of Denver though a vacationer need not worry about transportation related issues because the city is perfectly set up to remove the worries and provide for a stress free experience.&nbsp; Getting into, out of, and around Denver is extremely easy and there are a number of options available to travelers who go there.By AirThe major airport in the entire Rocky Mountain region is Denver International Airport.&nbsp; The airport opened its doors in 1995 and was one of the most state of the art airports in the entire world.&nbsp; The famous tents that serve as the roof of the main structure are famous around the country and anyone flying into or out of the city will immediately recognize them.&nbsp; Most visitors coming to Denver come through Denver International Airport, as do many people making a connection flight and heading to another destination.&nbsp; The facility is more than an airport though with an incredible array of dining and shopping options within it that passengers can take advantage of.&nbsp; There is also free wireless internet provided throughout the airport.&nbsp; By taxi, the airport sits approximately twenty-five minutes from the heart of Denver's downtown district.By CarFor being a major city, Denver is surprisingly easy to navigate for those travelers coming to the city in their own vehicle.&nbsp; The freeway system is well maintained and learning the layout of the community doesn't seem to take near as long there as in other cities where the transportation infrastructure is not nearly as well planned out.By Mass TransitThe city of Denver has a very well developed, and well used, mass transportation system.&nbsp; The buses operated by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) run on regularly scheduled routes that allow passengers to easily navigate not only the city of Denver, but the surrounding suburbs and local attractions too.&nbsp; RTD operates specialized buses that operate in and around the 16th Street Mall, one of Denver's main shopping locations, free of charge to visitors that want rides up and down the open air shopping area.&nbsp; One of the fastest and easiest ways to get to and from Denver International Airport is via the RTD's skyRide system of buses that run seven days a week, primarily just for transportation to and from the airport.By Car For HireThere are a number of businesses that can take a traveler into and out of Denver in a more personal way than mass transit.&nbsp; There are limousine companies that transport guests in style, taxis that ferry guests of the city to and from most popular locations within the city, and even a number of rental car agencies that are more than happy to allow visitors to Denver to drive themselves around using the company's vehicles.&nbsp; Most of the larger hotels, both chain and locally owned, also offer shuttles that at least make the trip to the airport and back, but sometimes also take visitors to other popular locations including the many professional sports venues, the 16th Street Mall, and the Denver Zoo.By Railthe Regional Transportation District also operates a very efficient light rail line in the city.&nbsp; This system of commuter trains can be accessed via the more than thirty rail stations throughout the area.&nbsp; There are some safety rules that make it easier for everyone including standing behind the yellow safety line while waiting for the train to arrive and letting the departing passengers exit the train before boarding, but most are just common sense.Visiting Denver is a great idea for anyone looking to travel to a major American city that features a number of different things to do.&nbsp; The city is somewhat easy to get around in and shouldn't cause too much of a problem for drivers of most skill levels.&nbsp; For those drivers that are wary of big city driving, Denver is well equipped with a great many other means of transportation.&nbsp; Getting to and from Denver is no problem at all with the state of the art Denver International Airport serving the city, and getting around within Denver is just as easy with all sorts of transportation possibilities.&nbsp; Denver is a wonderful city to go to for a great many reasons, and the ease of transportation within the city is another benefit to add to the list. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:37:29 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/designing-your-new-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/designing-your-new-home.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Designing Your New Denver Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Setting up your new Denver&nbsp;home is possibly&nbsp;your most exciting project. After waiting a&nbsp;few years to get the key to your brand new house, it's exciting and a bit daunting to step into an empty shell that's just waiting for your personal impression to make it your special sanctuary.

The first consideration is how much you can afford. Then you need to prioritize; allocate your funds according to your specific needs. If you are an enthusiastic reader, stylish library is important. If your spouse and you are audiophiles, a good cabinet to house your state-of-the-art hi-fi equipment is a necessity. Do you both love home-cooked meals and entertaining? Then get the best kitchen system you can afford.

Are your parents living with you? Consider wood floors which are kinder to easily chilled feet than ceramic tiles. Like throw cushions? Ensure that there are sofas for the elderly folk, too. As a safety precaution, avoid cluttering up the place with bits and pieces of furniture.

Aim for simplicity if you are on a tight budget. For first-time Denver home owners, some product furnishings are affordably priced and designed for the contemporary home. You get tasteful, functional pieces that are easy to mix and match in your own inimitable style. Nevertheless, you want a home that you can relax in, not a stiff showpiece.

Economize on movable items like chairs, sofas, TV units. You can upgrade these later when your finances permit it. Begin with the most basic items. Add on as your needs change and evolve. Try not to buy a complete set of anything. 

Be adventurous. You don't have to buy furniture in the same style group. Just stick to either the same color or finish. Pair an oak bed with carved headboard and legs with a plain Shaker side table, also in oak. Mixing and matching styles offers flexibility. For instance, the shaker bedside table can subsequently be transferred into the living room as a telephone stand.

If you stumped for decorating ideas, browse through magazines or catalogues and compile pictures of rooms, furniture and accessories that you like. Tack the pictures on a board. Is the combination pleasing? Does one element jar the next?

Visit stores. You'll be inspired by the creative room settings within the store. They will open your eyes to new possibilities.

Invest in furniture that can grow with you. There is wardrobe and kitchen cabinet product that the frame and the doors may be purchased separately. On a insufficient budget, you can start with plain laminated doors. A few years on, you can replace them with wood veneer or spray-painted gloss doors without having to rip out the entire structure.

Don't just purchase a piece of furniture or a certain fabric simply because it is on sale or a one-off item. It may clash terribly with the rest of the decor. Do think long term. Choose wood shelving for the study if you eventually plan to buy an elegant walnut desk. If you still undecided as to the color scheme,&nbsp; play it safe by selecting neutral hues like grey ,white or wood. Strong colors like red and black may be too overpowering. And you will have to do without pastels if you have black furniture. The pallid tones will look washed-out against black.

Candles, vases, floral arrangements, and artwork can be purchased one piece at a time in order to give the room a more elegant look. Once you have decorated one room in your home, you can move on to other rooms in your home and incorporate the same principles as you go. Keep in mind that decorating your home doesn't have to cost a fortune but it will need some planning and patience on your part. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:15:18 -0700</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/tips-for-selecting-a-contractor-in-the-denver-area.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/tips-for-selecting-a-contractor-in-the-denver-area.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Tips For Selecting A Contractor In The Denver Area</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
When it comes to making major home improvements, there are a number of options that a homeowner has.&nbsp; While many homeowners may feel comfortable handling some amount of home improvement projects themselves, there are a far larger amount of homeowners that would be better served at having a professional contractor handling the construction.&nbsp; Before anyone takes the step of hiring a contractor though they should use some of the many available resources in the Denver area.

One of the biggest scams in the home improvement industry is contractors who demand a significant amount of money up front for the work that is planned to be done, and then they don't show up to perform the work.&nbsp; This often happens when during the estimate gathering phase one contractor's bid for the job comes in significantly below what other contractors have bid.&nbsp; They then state that they will only be able to do the job for that price if either all or a large portion of the price is paid up front.&nbsp; Homeowners should avoid contractors, licensed or not, who demand money up front before any work is done at all.

Another safety step that homeowners looking for qualified contractors can take is checking with the local Better Business Bureau.&nbsp; The BBB is aware of most complaints against most businesses in any area.&nbsp; They truly are a valuable resource in any community.&nbsp; Homeowners should not stop there though as they should also request references from any contractor they are considering doing business with, asking for references isn't enough though, references need to be checked out.

The only way to make sure that qualified workers are performing the work that is being done is to insist on only hiring licensed contractors.&nbsp; Licensed contractors have to go through a number of steps to both attain and keep their respective licenses.&nbsp; One of the best ways to verify if the contractor a homeowner is considering hiring is licensed is to check them out at DenverGov.org.&nbsp; The city of Denver has made it possible for anyone researching contractors to verify the status of their license right online.

While major home improvement jobs can be stressful to organize and live through, much of the stress can be removed when the homeowner sets their mind at ease that they have indeed hired the correct contractor for the job.&nbsp; Insisting that a contractor has good references, is licensed, has a positive reputation in the business community, and operates professionally is not too much to ask.&nbsp; Knowing that there are ways to verify the claims any fraudulent contractor would make should make any homeowner a little more confident as they progress through the contractor hiring stage of their project.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:24:00 -0700</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/how-to-select-wood-floors.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/how-to-select-wood-floors.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>How to Select Wood Floors</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Wood floors could cause problems for the perfectionist, warping and staining from countless liquids, including water, when not maintained properly.&nbsp; It was like we bought a luxurious car and then didn't bother to ever change the oil. They shouldn't be surprised when the car breaks down.

The main thing is that wood is a natural product and responds to changes in moisture. If a floor is laid correctly, that is with sufficient room to expand around the border, allowance is made for the expansion and contraction that occurs normally, thus preventing the individual boards from warping or cupping. During the winter, when indoor heating robs air of moisture, a wood floor will contract and the seams between boards will develop hairline cracks as they separate slightly. In spring and summer the wood will absorb airborne moisture and expand. Today's new climate-control systems for the home will help lessen this kind of problem by keeping the room's ambient temperature and atmospheric conditions more stable. For example, you can use a humidifier in the winter to minimize the contraction.

Other problems happen when floors are subjected to additional moisture, either from spills or misguided cleaning efforts. If water sits on the floor, it will eventually find a way into even the most professionally sealed surface. That entry point is normally through nicks and scratches, as well as through natural cracks resulting from changes in moisture.&nbsp; 

Nowadays, an educated consumer committed to proper maintenance should be able to have a wood kitchen floor and enjoy it too. Not only are installation contractors more well-informed about various products and finishes, and which will work best in a given interior, but developments in the manufacture of wood flooring have provided more practical and affordable options from which to choose.

Although strip floors, made of random length, narrow boards, continue to be the most common choice, plank and parquet can also be used in the kitchen. You might want to avoid planks wider than five inches, which are more susceptible to changes in humidity; also be aware that planks with beveled edges are more likely to trap dirt and water.

When it comes to species of tree, the popular of hardwood floors are made of either white or red oak. White oak is denser and there may be some slight difference in coloring, but otherwise the two varieties are nearly equal. There are around twenty other species of oak. All of them are hard, long-lasting, and readily available.

Other popular hardwood species include pecan, maple, ash, beech, and birch. More luxurious offerings include walnut, cherry, and tropical woods such as plantation-grown teak, merbau, and panga. Conversely, conventional pine and other softwoods are not suggested as they can be scratched easily by dropped pots and heels. 

Wood flooring can be purchased incomplete, to be finished after installation by a professional, or they can be bought prefinished from the factory in a variety of finishes. The benefit of a prefinished floor is quick installation, with a minimum of wood dirt, no vapors, and no need to wait for the finish to cure. As soon as it is laid, you can walk on your new floor. 

When buying a prefinished floor, check out the warranty. Some manufacturers guarantee the finish for up to five years. Interestingly, most manufacturers of prefinished flooring suggest that you apply one or two coats of a compatible surface finish, such as polyurethane, after the floor is installed, to further prevent scratch to their finish.

The homeowner contemplating a wood floor in the kitchen should consider the type of wear the floor would be subject to, the local climate, and whether there is time to be cautious about maintenance. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:47:43 -0700</pubDate>
                    </item>
    </channel>
</rss>
